There’s no hyperbole in that statement. So many insane and bizarre moments were to be had around Major League Baseball. From history making to record breaking and everything in between, here are the incredible stories from April 23rd.
Miguel Cabrera Hit Number 3000
At the top of the list includes history in Detroit, as Miguel Cabrera collected his 3000th hit in the first game of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies. The hit was only an opposite field single to right field, but cemented another milestone for the future hall of famer. Cabrera’s became the 33rd player to reach the mark, and was the first Venezuelan-born player to do so. He’s also the 3rd Tiger to reach 3000 hits (Ty Cobb, Al Kaline) and 7th player to join the 3000 hit & 500 HR club, joining the elite company of players like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, & Albert Pujols. He didn’t stay on first base for long, as he was eventually scored on a Spencer Torkelson three-run bomb. Miggy also recorded hit 3001 in the game which brought 2 RBI’s, and the Tigers smoked the Rockies in the first game of the doubleheader, 13-0. That would be the only game that the Tigers would win today as the Rockies took the second doubleheader game 3-2, but regardless today was immortalizing for Miguel Cabrera’s legendary career and for fans of the Tigers’ franchise everywhere.
Cubs 21-Run Victory
At Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 21-0. Yes, you’re reading that correctly; the Cubs won by three touchdowns with PATs. Every starting player player in the lineup recorded at least a hit, and Alfonso Rivas was the biggest producer of the day going 4-for-5 with five total RBI’s; the bulk of them coming on a three-run bomb in the eighth inning. Kyle Hendricks pitched an absolute gem, going seven innings of two-hit ball with a pair of strikeouts. Combined with Scott Effross and newly acquired Sean Newcomb, Cubs pitching allowed only three hits and struck out five. The Cubs finished the game with a 21-run, 23-hit shutout, the most lopsided contest at Wrigley Field since 1901.
No-Hitter Broken by a Walk-Off
Down in St. Petersburg, FL, the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox played a game of baseball. Pitching staff from both clubs dominated regulation play, with Red Sox pitchers going a full nine innings with two hits given. It’d be impressive on any other day, except the fact that six Rays bullpen pitchers combined for nine no-hit innings. The game went to extra innings without a score on the board. The tenth inning shattered the Rays no-hit bid, as Matt Wisler and a bad Brett Phillips dive allowed Bobby Dalbec to triple for the first Red Sox hit and first overall run of the game, and was subsequently brought home by Christian Vázquez on a deep sac fly soon after. Despite that the Rays simply didn’t quit. A Hansel Robles balk in the bottom of the tenth advanced free runner Randy Arozarena to third and helped him score. An error by Trevor Story was all Kevin Kiermaier needed to smash a laser of a two-run HR to right field and walk off the Rays, 3-2. This game became the first in MLB history to have a home team surrender a no-hitter in extra innings only to walk it off and win.
Jorge Soler Returns to Atlanta
Among other small tidbits and history of the day, Jorge Soler returned to Atlanta for the first time since winning the 2021 World Series and was awarded his championship ring. Additionally, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ozzie Albies traded first-pitch, lead-off solo HR’s, becoming only the second instance of this occurring since pitch counts were recorded. Marlins beat the Braves in a battle, 9-7. In the Bronx, Gleyber Torres walked off the Yankees to beat the Cleveland Guardians, 6-5. However, that feat is blemished by the abhorrent actions of Yankees’ fans in the right field stands as they threw debris at Guardians players leaving the field, so much so that Guardians CF Myles Straw described them as the “worst fan base on the planet”. Mike Trout’s 2 HR game against the Orioles set a franchise record for multi-HR games at 21, but couldn’t stop the Angels from losing 5-4 and wasted a terrific Noah Syndergaard performance.
It has only been a little over a month since this season has begun, and this 2022 season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet.
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