THIS WEEK IN MLB
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig
Puig got his second half off to a big start Friday night by smacking two home runs, including a go-ahead, three-run shot in the ninth off Miami closer A.J. Ramos, leading the streaking Dodgers to a 6-4 victory. It was Los Angeles’ 27th win in 31 games since June 7.
Brewers: RHP Corey Knebel
Knebel was the Brewers’ lone all-star representative in Miami. He didn’t pitch in that game but recorded the final three outs when it counted Friday night in a 9-6 victory over Philadelphia. Knebel extended his major-league record to 44 consecutive games with at least one strikeout.
BREWERS THIS WEEK
The Brewers have a pair of three-city trips on their schedule in the second half, and they embark on one of them Monday. It begins with four games in Pittsburgh, followed by three in Philadelphia, where the Brewers will play the Phillies for the second consecutive weekend. After that, it’s off to face the Nationals in Washington.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before hitting two home runs in Washington’s 5-0 victory over Cincinnati on Friday, Bryce Harper had only two homers in his previous 22 games, both coming against St. Louis on July 2.
YOU FIGURE IT OUT
Boston began the second half by scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Yankees, 5-4, and the Red Sox did it without a hit leaving the infield. The winning rally started with an infield hit by Mookie Betts off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who never recorded an out. When Dustin Pedroia tapped a ball to shortstop Didi Gregorius, he tried for a force at second but was late with his throw. Betts and Pedroia then surprised Chapman with a double steal. Second baseman Ronald Torreyes muffed a grounder by Xander Bogaerts for an error, allowing Betts to score the tying run. The Yankees opted to walk Hanley Ramirez intentionally to load the bases, a ploy that backfired when Chapman walked Andrew Benintendi to force in the winning run.
QUOTE
“Being away from the game was different for me. I wanted to be there.” – Angels CF Mike Trout, who returned to action for the first time in 46 days after tearing a thumb ligament.