Arrieta demands shift in strategy
SAN FRANCISCO — Jake Arrieta is demanding the Philadelphia Phillies shift their strategy. Do it right now, too.
The Phillies ace criticized his team’s defensive shifting following a 6-1 loss Sunday that completed a three-game sweep for the San Francisco Giants.
Arrieta, a former Oriole, homered for Philadelphia’s only run of the series and pitched well until a stretch in the sixth inning when he allowed five straight hits, capped by Andrew McCutchen’s three-run homer. Three of those hits came on
Yankees, Tigers: Yankees slugger Aaron Judge became the first player since at least 1920 with eight strikeouts in a doubleheader, including five punchouts in the nightcap as the Tigers beat the Yankees 4-2 for a day-night split in Detroit. Leonys Martin had two hits and scored twice for the Tigers in the second game after the Yankees took the opener 7-4 behind Luis Severino’s eight strong innings and a six-run fourth inning. Judge struck out eight times in nine at-bats, a record for a doubleheader during the liveball era, according to STATS. Judge struck out in each of his five at-bats in the late game, including with a runner aboard in the ninth. ground balls, including one weak grounder to rookie shortstop Scott Kingery and another single hit through the right side by Joe Panik against a shifted infield.
Arrieta’s frustration boiled over after the game. The 32-yearold righty unloaded on an organization that gave him a $75 million, three-year contract, taking aim at the Phillies for not keeping up with a booming baseball trend.
“We’re the worst in the league with shifts, so we need to change that,” Arrieta said.
Arrieta didn’t offer specific recommendations.
“Use your eyes, make an ad-
Blue Jays: Major League Baseball extended the administrative leave of closer Roberto Osuna through Monday, the fourth time the initial seven-day period was lengthened. Osuna was put on administrative leave by MLB on May 8. He was charged with one count of assault, Toronto Police said. Osuna is due in court June 18.
Indians: LHP Oliver Perez, 36, signed for $1.75 million Saturday and pitched in two games over the weekend, allowing two hits in 21⁄ scoreless innings against the Twins. The Indians have used 16 relievers this season and have the highest bullpen ERA at 6.02. The Indians are Perez’s eighth majorleague team. justment and be better. We need some accountability all the way around. Everybody, top to bottom,” Arrieta said.
“We need to have an accountability check,” he said. “This is a key moment in our season. We had a pretty good April, a pretty good May. June isn’t starting out so well.”
Asked if he thought the team had the wherewithal to do that, Arrieta said, “if there’s not, I’ll make sure there is.”
The Phillies are 2-5 so far on a 10-game road trip. They have scored only one run in 29 innings.
Arrieta (5-3) allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings.
Pirates: Bruce Kison, a pitcher who helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1971 and 1979 and spent three decades in player development and scouting roles, died of cancer. He was 68. Kison died Saturday in Bradenton, Fla., near his home. He had been diagnosed with renal cancer on Feb. 14. Kison won Game 4 of the 1971 World Series — the first night game in World Series history — when he threw 61⁄ scoreless innings of one-hit relief against the Orioles as a rookie, allowing only a bloop double to Paul Blair. He started and lost the 1979 opener against the Orioles. He had a 5-1 record and 1.98 ERA in 10 postseason appearances, including four starts.