Contreras’ big night, Padres style, Lindor’s campaign
By Tab Bamford
The Willson Game
Willson Contreras didn’t waste time making an impact against the White Sox, hitting this first inning grand slam.
When Contreras stepped back into the box in the third inning, he stayed hot.
The two home runs shouldn’t have been a surprise. June 19 has been kind to Contreras during his career.
It wasn’t all offense for Contreras, however. Tim Anderson found out the hard way that Contreras has one of the strongest arms in the league.
Padres clean up well
The Padres hit the road in style on Tuesday. Who wore it best?
The time is now
Padres catcher Francisco Mejia got a photo taken with John Cena at a recent Padres game. Did the wrestling champ and Hollywood star have any advice for the young backstop? Maybe a suggested walk-up son?
Fútbol in Miami
Some stars from the pitch invaded Marlins Park.
Pro Post of the Day
Francisco Lindor isn’t running for office, but he’s hoping to earn as many votes as possible in Cleveland.
Fan Post of the Day
This young pitcher has a few years to get ready for prime time, but he’s putting in the work.
OTD
2016 – Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs for the Marlins in a 5-3 loss to the Rockies. All eight runs in the game were scored via solo home runs, a new record.
2015 – Arizona traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo and the team’s top draft pick in 2014, Touki Toussaint, to the Braves in return for infielder Philip Gosselin. The deal came on Toussaint’s 19th birthday.
2007 – Playing for the Rangers, Sammy Sosa became the fifth player in big league history to hit 600 career home runs, joining Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays. Sosa hit the home run off Chicago starter Jason Marquis, the first Cubs player to wear no. 21 since Sosa left town.
2002 – Florida’s Luis Castillo extended his hitting streak to 34 games, establishing a new big league record for second basemen. The previous record was set by Hall of Famer Rogers Horsby in 1922.
1998 – Sosa hit his 21st home run over a 30-day span (May 22 – June 22), something no hitter had ever done.
1994 – Umpires Angel Hernandez, Dana DeMuth, Tom Hallion and Paul Runge work the Braves-Mets game wearing shorts and Braves t-shirts and caps after their regular equipment was lost in transit.
1989 – Oakland traded outfielder Luis Polonia and pitchers Eric Plunk and Greg Cadaret to the Yankees for outfielder Rickey Henderson.
1985 – Reggie Jackson hit his 513th career home run, passing Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews into 10th place on the all-time list. The Angels beat the Indians 4-0.
1973 – Cy Acosta of the White Sox becomes the first American League pitcher to bat since the designated hitter rule went into effect. He struck out in the eighth inning but earned the victory over the Angels on the mound.
1951 – Bobby Ávila hit three home runs in a 5-for-6 performance against the Red Sox. His 15 total bases are a new Indians team record.
Happy birthday!
Touki Toussaint (b. 1996)
Adalberto Mejía (b. 1993)
Rymer Liriano (b. 1991)
Kendrys Morales (b. 1983)
Carlos Lee (b. 1976)
Juan Castro (b. 1972)
Dickie Thon (b. 1958)
Tony Chévez (b. 1953)
Andy Etchebarren (b. 1943)
Luis Alcaraz (b. 1941)
Cuno Barragan (b. 1932)