AROUND THE HORN
MLB:
The major league batting average rose to .245 in May from .231 in April, leaving the overall figure for the first two months at .240, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. This year’s figure is four percentage points above last year’s average through the first two months. Last season’s final average of .244 was the lowest since 1972. The slow starts in both this season and last appeared to threaten the record low of .237 in 1968. After that year of the pitcher, the mound height was lowered from 15 inches to 10. Averages tend to be lower early in the season, when pitchers are ahead of the hitters and cold, wet weather impacts games in the parts of the U.S. Some speculated this year’s shortened spring training impacted early offense due to shorter appearances by starting pitchers and expanded rosters that allowed managers to bring in more hard-throwing relievers. Home runs also were up slightly in the last month, rising from 0.91 in April to 1.08 in May. This year’s average of 1.00 is more than 10% below last year’s 1.13 per game. Last year averaged 1.14 in April and 1.12 in May, with average rising to 1.22 by the end of the season.
Padres: MacKenzie Gore pitched six stellar innings and Jake Cronenworth homered and drove in three runs in the Padres’ 4-0 victory over the Brewers on Saturday. A day after Joe Musgrove took a no-hit try into the eighth and combined with the bullpen to blank the Brewers on one hit, Gore and the Padres relievers teamed up on another shutout. Gore (4-1) continued his great start to his rookie season by throwing a career-high 108 pitches and matching his best with 10 strikeouts. He allowed three hits and three walks, reducing his ERA to 1.50.
Pirates: Rookie Jack Suwinski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Pirates rallied past the Diamondbacks 2-1 on Saturday. Bryan Reynolds led off the ninth with a single against Mark Melancon (1-6), who blew his second save in 13 opportunities. Suwinski then lofted a flyball into the right-field stands for his first career game-ending hit and sixth home run of the season. The homer spoiled an outstanding effort by Arizona starter Zach Davis, who pitched 7 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out six and walked two.
Blue Jays: José Berríos struck out a career-high 13 over seven innings against his former team and the Blue Jays backed him with three home runs, hammering the Twins 12-3 Saturday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk and Bo Bichette homered as the streaking Blue Jays won for the ninth time in 10 games. The Blue Jays set season highs in runs and hits (16).
Royals: Salvador Perez broke a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the sixth and the Royals ended a fivegame losing streak, beating the Astros 6-0. Kris Bubic and the Royals bullpen combined on a five-hitter, snapping the Astros’ fivegame winning streak. Perez added an RBI double during a four-run eighth. Perez’s seventh homer snapped an 0-for-22 streak and was his first since May 14.
Orioles: Trey Mancini hit the longest home run by an Orioles player this season, Rougned Odor had a shot that landed on Eutaw Street and the Orioles beat the Guardians 5-4 on Saturday. Austin Hays also homered for the Orioles. José Ramírez and Andrés Giménez hit homers for the Guardians.