
theScore's MLB editors hand out awards for all 30 MLB clubs with the regular season complete.Arizona DiamondbacksMVP: Corbin CarrollBest Pitcher: Zac GallenMost Improved: Geraldo PerdomoMost Disappointing: Zach DaviesBest Rookie: Corbin CarrollCarroll's emergence in his rookie campaign helped lift the D-Backs into a playoff spot, while Gallen cemented himself as a Cy Young contender with another outstanding campaign. Perdomo cooled down considerably after an outstanding first half, but he still got on base at a .353 clip and stole 16 bags.Atlanta BravesMVP: Ronald Acu a Jr.Best Pitcher: Spencer StriderMost Improved: Matt OlsonMost Disappointing: Kyle WrightBest Rookie: Jared ShusterThe Braves have a handful of players who easily could've been team MVPs on other clubs. However, Acu a, who became the first member of the 40-70 club, is the obvious pick here. Strider was the only pitcher to record 20 wins and led the majors with 281 strikeouts. Olson hit an MLB-high 54 homers after going deep 34 times in 2022.Baltimore OriolesMVP: Adley RutschmanBest Pitcher: Kyle BradishMost Improved: Yennier CanoMost Disappointing: Cole IrvinBest Rookie: Gunnar HendersonRutschman is likely a lock as the team's MVP for years to come. The young backstop has emerged as arguably the game's best all-around catcher. Bradish quietly put together a career season. Cano was a throw-in to the Jorge L pez trade last season, but the right-hander burst onto the scene in 2023, forming a dynamic bullpen duo with F lix Bautista.Boston Red SoxMVP: Rafael DeversBest Pitcher: Chris MartinMost Improved: Triston CasasMost Disappointing: Alex VerdugoBest Rookie: Triston CasasCasas figured things out after a tough April. The young slugger blends impressive power with great plate discipline and should be a mainstay at first base for years. Martin's bullpen brilliance will get lost in the shuffle, but the veteran was excellent all season.Chicago CubsMVP: Cody BellingerBest Pitcher: Justin SteeleMost Improved: Adbert Alzolay Most Disappointing: Trey ManciniBest Rookie: Javier AssadBellinger set himself up nicely for free agency with his best season since winning NL MVP in 2019, and it'll be interesting to see if he stays in Chicago. Steele emerged as the Cubs' ace after injuries and inconsistency from Marcus Stroman and Jameson Taillon. Mancini was designated for assignment after registering a .635 OPS in 79 games.Chicago White Sox Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / GettyMVP: Luis Robert Jr.Best Pitcher: Dylan CeaseMost Improved: Luis Robert Jr.Most Disappointing: Tim AndersonBest Rookie: Gregory SantosRobert appeared in more than 100 games for the first time, playing 145, and had a breakout season. The 26-year-old hit 38 home runs with 80 RBIs and a .857 OPS. Cease regressed after an impressive 2022 but was still Chicago's most consistent hurler in a disappointing campaign. Anderson's year was disastrous - he hit one home run with a .582 OPS in 123 games.Cincinnati RedsMVP: TJ FriedlBest Pitcher: Alexis D azMost Improved: Will BensonMost Disappointing: Wil MyersBest Rookie: Spencer SteerThe Reds had several worthy team MVP candidates, but Friedl gets the nod. The steady center fielder quietly put together a solid season (.819 OPS) and gave Cincinnati certainty in the outfield. Meanwhile, Steer, Benson, and D az played critical roles. Benson ended up with a team-best .863 OPS in only 108 games after hitting .182 in 61 plate appearances last year. The future is bright in Cincinnati.Cleveland GuardiansMVP: Jos Ram rezBest Pitcher: Tanner BibeeMost Improved: Josh NaylorMost Disappointing: Zach PlesacBest Rookie: Tanner BibeeRam rez's quiet excellence continued in 2023 as he cemented himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Bibee emerged as a strong rotation performer, especially after ace Shane Bieber's extended injury absence. Plesac posted a 7.59 ERA in five starts, cleared waivers, and eventually accepted a Triple-A assignment.Colorado RockiesMVP: Nolan JonesBest Pitcher: Brent SuterMost Improved: Elias D azMost Disappointing: Kris BryantBest Rookie: Nolan JonesThere weren't many highlights in a 103-loss Rockies season, but Nolan Jones stood out. The 25-year-old should garner NL Rookie of the Year consideration after leading qualified rookies in OPS, hitting 19 homers, and posting a 135 wRC+. Bryant continues to disappoint after signing a seven-year, $182-million deal. He hit .233 (73 OPS+) in only 80 games.Detroit TigersMVP: Spencer TorkelsonBest Pitcher: Eduardo RodriguezMost Improved: Spencer TorkelsonMost Disappointing: Javier B ezBest Rookie: Reese OlsonTorkelson arrived after a miserable rookie 2022 season, hitting 31 home runs with 94 RBIs in 159 games. There's an argument that B ez's six-year, $140-million contract is the worst in baseball. He hit nine home runs with a .592 OPS in 136 games.Houston AstrosMVP: Kyle TuckerBest Pitcher: Framber ValdezMost Improved: Chas McCormickMost Disappointing: Jos AbreuBest Rookie: J.P. France The Astros' lineup was hit hard by injuries and inconsistency all year. Tucker proved to be a saving grace, posting a near 30-30 season with quiet, daily efficiency. He kept Houston going without Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, and others. Abreu's first year after signing an expensive free-agent deal was a disaster. France was a pleasant surprise at the back of the rotation as a rookie.Kansas City Royals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMVP: Bobby Witt Jr.Best Pitcher: Cole RagansMost Improved: Bobby Witt Jr.Most Disappointing: Brady SingerBest Rookie: Maikel GarciaWitt's growth into a 30-40 player as a sophomore stood out in an otherwise dismal Royals season. If Kansas City returns to relevance, it'll be because of him. The club also got a good one in Ragans, who pitched like an ace after the Royals acquired him from Texas for rental Aroldis Chapman in June. Singer took a major step backward and finished his season on the IL.Los Angeles AngelsMVP: Shohei OhtaniBest Pitcher: Shohei OhtaniMost Improved: Mickey MoniakMost Disappointing: Anthony RendonBest Rookies: Logan O'Hoppe/Nolan SchanuelOhtani made this easy. The two-way star tried to carry the Angels to the playoffs by himself before his historic season was finally cut short by injuries. Moniak, a former Phillies first overall pick, seems to have finally found a home in Anaheim. He's not a star (113 OPS+), but he showed he can contribute. There were many Most Disappointing Angel candidates, but Rendon "won" after another injury-plagued campaign. He hit two homers in 43 games.Los Angeles DodgersMVP: Mookie BettsBest Pitcher: Clayton KershawMost Improved: J.D. MartinezMost Disappointing: Noah SyndergaardBest Rookie: James OutmanIf it weren't for Acu a, the Dodgers would likely have two players battling each other for NL MVP in Betts and Freddie Freeman. They were terrific in leading the Dodgers to their 10th division title in 11 seasons. Martinez might be the steal of the offseason, giving the Dodgers 33 homers, 103 RBIs, and a .893 OPS for $10 million.Miami MarlinsMVP: Luis ArraezBest Pitcher: Jes s LuzardoMost Improved: Jorge SolerMost Disappointing: Joey WendleBest Rookie: Eury P rez Arraez flirted with .400 for months before settling for back-to-back batting titles; he was the heart of the Marlins' offense all season. Soler went from 13 homers with a .695 OPS in 2022 to 36 homers and an .853 OPS in 2023. P rez, 20, gave the rotation a jolt, posting a 3.15 ERA with 10.6 K/9 over 19 starts.Milwaukee Brewers John Fisher / Getty Images Sport / GettyMVP: Christian YelichBest Pitcher: Devin WilliamsMost Improved: Joel PayampsMost Disappointing: Jesse WinkerBest Rookie: Sal FrelickYelich finally returned to something resembling his MVP form. His .818 OPS won't win him any hardware, but 2023 was his best season in years, offering a sign that he can still be an impact bat in a lineup that sorely needs him. Williams beat out starters Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta for top pitching honors with a dynamite bullpen season that puts him among baseball's best closers. Payamps helped, suddenly transforming from journeyman middle reliever into dependable mid-inning arm.Minnesota TwinsMVP: Sonny GrayBest Pitchers: Sonny GrayMost Improved: Max KeplerMost Disappointing: Carlos CorreaBest Rookie: Edouard JulienGray was the Twins' engine, posting one of the best seasons of his career. He finished as the majors' FIP leader (2.83) and allowed only eight home runs in 184 innings (a league-low 0.4 HR/9 rate). Offensively, Kepler's return to form and Julien's emergence as an on-base machine were the only sure things for a club that lost many regulars to injury and used 21 different position players.New York MetsMVP: Francisco LindorBest Pitcher: Kodai SengaMost Improved: DJ StewartMost Disappointing: Jeff McNeilBest Rookie: Kodai SengaLindor put together his first 30-30 season to go along with 5.9 fWAR on arguably the majors' most underwhelming club. Meanwhile, Senga ended up being one of the NL's best hurlers after starting the year behind Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the rotation. The Japanese right-hander's 2.98 ERA was second only to Blake Snell in the Senior Circuit. McNeil's .711 OPS was a big letdown after his 2022 batting title.New York YankeesMVP: Gerrit ColeBest Pitcher: Gerrit ColeMost Improved: Michael KingMost Disappointing: Carlos Rod nBest Rookie: Anthony VolpeCole was the light in a dark Yankees season and appears set to win his first Cy Young. King transitioned splendidly from a relief role to the rotation, posting a 1.49 ERA in eight starts. Rod n's first season in the Bronx was worse than a disaster; he missed time with injuries, making only 14 starts, and finished with a 6.85 ERA. Volpe endured some growing pains but is still the club's shortstop of the future.Oakland AthleticsMVP: Zack GelofBest Pitcher: Paul BlackburnMost Improved: Brent RookerMost Disappointing: JJ BledayBest Rookies: Zack Gelof/Esteury RuizGelof earns A's MVP honors despite playing only 69 games. The rookie only needed two-plus months to finish the season as Oakland's leader in fWAR (2.8), wRC+ (133), and slugging (.504) among A's with at least 250 plate appearances. He and fellow freshman Ruiz, whose 67 steals set a new AL rookie record, showed that Oakland has some good future pieces. Rooker was one of baseball's best stories in 2023: He bounced around with a .668 OPS over his first three big-league seasons and then proceeded to hit 30 homers and represent the A's at the All-Star Game as a 28-year-old.Philadelphia Phillies Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport / GettyMVP: Trea TurnerBest Pitcher: Zack WheelerMost Improved: Nick CastellanosMost Disappointing: Michael LorenzenBest Rookie: Johan RojasTurner, Kyle Schwarber, or Bryce Harper could've all been MVP, but Turner was a monster down the stretch and finished with the best fWAR of the club's position players. Castellanos' bounce-back campaign was also big; he went deep 29 times after hitting 13 homers in 2022. Lorenzen authored a 5.63 ERA with Philadelphia after being acquired at the deadline. Although he managed to throw a no-hitter, he may not be on the wild-card roster.Pittsburgh PiratesMVP: Jack SuwinskiBest Pitcher: David BednarMost Improved: Connor JoeMost Disappointing: Roansy ContrerasBest Rookie: Jared TrioloSuwinski took another step forward, finishing with a team-high .793 OPS, 112 wRC+, and 26 homers. Bednar was again lights out in the ninth inning, and the 30-year-old Joe turned in a surprisingly solid season as a utility man, putting up career-best numbers. Contreras was unable to build on his solid rookie campaign; his ERA spiked by almost three runs and he finished the season in the minors.San Diego PadresMVP: Juan SotoBest Pitcher: Blake SnellMost Improved: Ha-Seong KimMost Disappointing: Jake CronenworthBest Rookie: Tom CosgroveDespite Soto's and Snell's best efforts, the Padres missed the postseason for the second time in four years. Soto hit a career-high 35 homers and led the league with 131 walks. Snell was sensational in his free-agent season, posting the lowest ERA in the bigs while striking out an absurd 31.5% of hitters he faced.San Francisco GiantsMVP: Logan WebbBest Pitcher: Logan WebbMost Improved: Wilmer FloresMost Disappointing: Ross StriplingBest Rookie: Patrick BaileyIt was another fantastic campaign for Webb, who led the majors in innings and ground-ball percentage while finishing top five in the NL in fWAR, FIP, and ERA. Bailey looks like the Giants' catcher of the future thanks to his sparkling defense. He was worth 13 defensive runs saved and rated 94th percentile or better in framing, pop time, and caught stealing above average.Seattle Mariners Alika Jenner / Getty Images Sport / GettyMVP: Julio Rodr guezBest Pitcher: George KirbyMost Improved: Jarred KelenicMost Disappointing: Ty FranceBest Rookie: Bryce MillerRodr guez had a second half to remember and ended up with his first 30-30 season. He almost willed Seattle to the playoffs. Kirby narrowly beat Luis Castillo for top pitching honors after issuing only 19 walks in 190.2 innings - a sparkling 0.9 BB/9 rate. He had a team-best 1.04 WHIP. Kelenic, meanwhile, finally made good on some of his promise, while France's regression after his 2022 breakout was an issue for a team desperate for offense.St. Louis CardinalsMVP: Paul GoldschmidtBest Pitcher: Ryan HelsleyMost Improved: Nolan GormanMost Disappointing: Giovanny GallegosBest Rookie: Jordan WalkerThe Cardinals' disappointing season produced too many candidates for most disappointing player. Gallegos gets the (dis)honor after his massive step back as a dependable bullpen arm; his K/9 rate dropped and his ERA spiked before an injury ended his season. At least the Cardinals still had Helsley, who rose above the chaos to turn in another solid season out of the bullpen (albeit one disrupted by injuries). Goldschmidt also quietly went about his business, leading the team in most offensive categories.Tampa Bay RaysMVP: Yandy D azBest Pitcher: Zach EflinMost Improved: Yandy D azMost Disappointing: Taj BradleyBest Rookie: Kevin KellyD az tapped into more power, hitting 20 home runs for the first time in his career while also sporting an OBP above .400. Eflin emerged as the Rays' most dependable starter after injuries to Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs.Texas RangersMVP: Corey SeagerBest Pitcher: Jordan MontgomeryMost Improved: Dane DunningMost Disappointing: Mart n P rezBest Rookie: Josh JungThis is why the Rangers gave Seager $300 million. The 29-year-old hit 33 homers with a 1.013 OPS and challenged for a batting title despite being limited by injuries to 119 games. Montgomery ended up being the Rangers' best deadline acquisition, stabilizing the rotation after Jacob deGrom's and Max Scherzer's injuries. Montgomery had a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while allowing only 13 walks and six homers in 11 starts down the stretch. Jung will get Rookie of the Year votes.Toronto Blue JaysMVP: Bo BichetteBest Pitcher: Kevin GausmanMost Improved: Yusei KikuchiMost Disappointing: Alek ManoahBest Rookie: Davis SchneiderBichette remains the Blue Jays' engine and one of the game's best offensive shortstops. Signing Gausman to a five-year contract continues to look very smart after the right-hander's second straight excellent season in Toronto. Kikuchi rebounded from a disastrous 2022 to set career highs in a number of statistical categories. He was needed after Manoah struggled so badly he was demoted on two occasions; it's hard to say what's in store for the 2022 Cy Young finalist. The torrid start to Schneider's MLB career after his promotion was a big reason why the Blue Jays were able to make the postseason.Washington NationalsMVP: Lane ThomasBest Pitcher: Josiah GrayMost Improved: CJ AbramsMost Disappointing: Luis Garc aBest Rookie: Jake IrvinThe Nationals hovered around .500 in the second half thanks to improvement from core players like Thomas, who finished a career season with a club-best 28 home runs. Abrams also showed why he was a big part of the Soto trade. The 22-year-old shortstop went deep 18 times with 47 stolen bases after collecting two homers with seven steals across 90 games in 2022. Gray, 25, amassed a 3.91 ERA over 159 innings en route to becoming an All-Star.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Kyle Tucker fell just short of a 30-30 season. Until he had it. And then lost it, again.Tucker's final stat line was one of the most bizarre storylines of Game 162 thanks to an indecisive official scorer in Arizona. The Houston Astros star entered Sunday's contest needing just one home run for 30-30, and he appeared to get it in dramatic fashion by circling the bases on a fifth-inning line drive. Quick lap around the bases. pic.twitter.com/5cXVC9kGtE Houston Astros (@astros) October 1, 2023 Chase Field's scorer initially ruled the play as a triple and error on Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Jake McCarthy. A short time later, the scorer removed the McCarthy error and changed it to a triple and fielder's choice before again changing it to an inside-the-park homer that gave Tucker his 30-30 season.Unfortunately for Tucker, that was not the end of the story. Before any artifacts of his feat could be collected, the scoring was once again altered, with the ruling of triple and fielder's choice being restored, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. It's unclear exactly why they decided to change it back to a triple a second time. The whole ordeal isn't sitting well with Tucker, who is planning to petition Major League Baseball to overturn the ruling and restore his home run."I mean, if it's a triple right now, then yeah I am (going to petition)," Tucker told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com after the Astros' 8-1 win.If his appeal is successful, he would become the fifth player to reach 30-30 in the majors this year, which would set a new MLB record. Right now, this is the fifth time that four players have gone 30-30 across the league in one season.Jeff Bagwell is still the only player to post a 30-30 season with the Astros, doing it twice during his Hall of Fame career. Carlos Beltran produced part of his 30-40 campaign in 2004 with Houston but started that season in Kansas City.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Here's a look at the American League and National League leaders for the major statistical categories at the conclusion of the 2023 regular season.Home RunsAmerican League Rank Player Team HR 1 Shohei Ohtani Angels 44 2 Adolis Garc a Rangers 39 2 Luis Robert Jr. White Sox 38 Ohtani held on to the AL homer lead despite playing only three games in September. He's just the fourth Angels player to win a home-run title and the first since Troy Glaus in 2000.National League Rank Player Team HR 1 Matt Olson Braves 54 2 Kyle Schwarber Phillies 47 3 Pete Alonso Mets 46 RBIsAmerican League Rank Player Team RBI 1 Kyle Tucker Astros 112 2 Adolis Garc a Rangers 107 3 Julio Rodr guez Mariners 103 National League Rank Player Team RBI 1 Matt Olson Braves 139 2 Pete Alonso Mets 118 3 Ozzie Albies Braves 109 3 Juan Soto Padres 109 Batting AverageAmerican League Rank Player Team AVG 1 Yandy D az Rays .330 2 Corey Seager Rangers .327 3 Bo Bichette Blue Jays .306 National League Rank Player Team AVG 1 Luis Arraez Marlins .354 2 Ronald Acu a Jr. Braves .337 3 Freddie Freeman Dodgers .331 Arraez, who led the AL in average last season, joins DJ LeMahieu and Pete Browning as the third player in history, and second in the modern era (with LeMahieu), to definitively win a batting title in two different leagues. He's the first to win consecutive batting crowns in both leagues.HitsAmerican League Rank Player Team Hits 1 Marcus Semien Rangers 185 2 Julio Rodr guez Mariners 180 3 Bobby Witt Jr. Royals 177 National League Rank Player Team Hits 1 Ronald Acu a Jr. Braves 217 2 Freddie Freeman Dodgers 211 3 Luis Arraez Marlins 203 OPSAmerican League Rank Player Team OPS 1 Shohei Ohtani Angels 1.066 2 Corey Seager Rangers 1.013 3 Yandy D az Rays .932 National League Rank Player Team OPS 1 Ronald Acu a Jr. Braves 1.012 2 Matt Olson Braves .993 3 Mookie Betts Dodgers .987 Stolen BasesAmerican League Rank Player Team SB 1 Esteury Ruiz Athletics 67 2 Bobby Witt Jr. Royals 49 3 Julio Rodr guez Mariners 37 Ruiz broke Kenny Lofton's AL rookie stolen-base record, which had stood since 1992. He's also the first rookie to lead his league in steals since Mike Trout in 2012.National League Rank Player Team SB 1 Ronald Acu a Jr. Braves 73 2 Corbin Carroll D-Backs 54 3 CJ Abrams Nationals 47 RunsAmerican League Rank Player Team R 1 Marcus Semien Rangers 122 2 Adolis Garc a Rangers 108 3 Alex Bregman Astros 103 National League Rank Player Team R 1 Ronald Acu a Jr. Braves 149 2 Freddie Freeman Dodgers 131 3 Matt Olson Braves 127 DoublesAmerican League Rank Player Team 2B 1 Corey Seager Rangers 42 2 Anthony Santander Orioles 41 3 Marcus Semien Rangers 40 National League Rank Player Team 2B 1 Freddie Freeman Dodgers 59 2 Mookie Betts Dodgers 40 3 Jeimer Candelario WAS/CHC 39 Freeman fell one double short of authoring the first 60-double season in 87 years.WinsAmerican League Rank Player Team Wins 1 Chris Bassitt Blue Jays 16 1 Zach Eflin Rays 16 3 Gerrit Cole Yankees 15 3 Kyle Gibson Orioles 15 National League Rank Player Team Wins 1 Spencer Strider Braves 20 2 Zac Gallen D-Backs 17 3 Justin Steele Cubs 16 ERAAmerican League Rank Player Team ERA 1 Gerrit Cole Yankees 2.63 2 Sonny Gray Twins 2.79 3 Kyle Bradish Orioles 2.83 National League Rank Player Team ERA 1 Blake Snell Padres 2.25 2 Kodai Senga Mets 2.98 3 Justin Steele Cubs 3.06 Snell has now won an ERA title in both leagues, having led the AL during his Cy Young-winning season in 2018. He also finished with an MLB-high 99 walks.WHIPAmerican League Rank Player Team WHIP 1 Gerrit Cole Yankees 0.98 2 Zach Eflin Rays 1.02 3 George Kirby Mariners 1.04 3 Kyle Bradish Orioles 1.04 National League Rank Player Team WHIP 1 Corbin Burnes Brewers 1.07 1 Logan Webb Giants 1.07 3 Zack Wheeler Phillies 1.08 StrikeoutsAmerican League Rank Player Team K 1 Kevin Gausman Blue Jays 237 2 Pablo Lopez Twins 234 3 Gerrit Cole Yankees 222 National League Rank Player Team K 1 Spencer Strider Braves 281 2 Blake Snell Padres 234 3 Zac Gallen D-Backs 220 Strider is the first Braves pitcher to lead the NL in strikeouts since John Smoltz in 1996. Smoltz's 276 strikeouts in '96 stood as Atlanta's modern-era single-season record until Strider passed him Saturday.Innings PitchedAmerican League Rank Player Team Innings 1 Gerrit Cole Yankees 209.0 2 Chris Bassitt Blue Jays 200.0 3 Framber Valdez Astros 198.0 National League Rank Player Team Saves 1 Logan Webb Giants 216.0 2 Zac Gallen D-Backs 210.0 3 Miles Mikolas Cardinals 201.1 SavesAmerican League Rank Player Team Saves 1 Emmanuel Clase Guardians 44 2 Jordan Romano Blue Jays 36 3 F lix Bautista Orioles 33 National League Rank Player Team Saves 1 Camilo Doval Giants 39 1 David Bednar Pirates 39 3 Alexis D az Reds 37 Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Kyle Tucker fell just short of a 30-30 season. Until he had it. And then lost it, again.Tucker's final stat line was one of the most bizarre storylines of Game 162 thanks to an indecisive official scorer in Arizona. The Houston Astros star entered Sunday's contest needing just one home run for 30-30, and he appeared to get it in dramatic fashion by circling the bases on a fifth-inning line drive. Quick lap around the bases. pic.twitter.com/5cXVC9kGtE Houston Astros (@astros) October 1, 2023 Chase Field's scorer initially ruled the play as a triple and error on Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Jake McCarthy. A short time later, the scorer removed the McCarthy error and changed it to a triple and fielder's choice before again changing it to an inside-the-park homer that gave Tucker his 30-30 season.Unfortunately for Tucker, that was not the end of the story. Before any artifacts of his feat could be collected, the scoring was once again altered, with the ruling of triple and fielder's choice being restored, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. It's unclear exactly why the ruling was changed back.Tucker got one more chance to get his 30th homer in the ninth inning but flew out to left field.He would have been the fifth player to reach 30-30 in the majors this season, which would have set a new MLB record. This is the fifth time that four players have gone 30-30 across the league in one year.Jeff Bagwell is still the only player to post a 30-30 season with the Astros, doing it twice during his career. Carlos Beltran produced part of his 30-40 campaign in 2004 with Houston but started that season in Kansas City.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
George Kirby pitched an excellent game for the Mariners Tuesday night, throwing six scoreless innings against the Astros with both teams batting each other for a playoff spot. But one fan at T-Mobile Park either wanted to make sure Kirby stayed sharp or just couldn't keep his enthusiasm contained to the seats. In the sixth inning, while Kirby was facing Houston's Kyle Tucker, the pitcher was suddenly hit in the abdomen by a baseball thrown from the stands. Kirby was naturally startled and Mariners manager Scott Servais came out of the dugout to determine what happened. Baseball: you truly do see something new every day pic.twitter.com/3DF5HLyrh4— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 27, 2023 As it turns out, Kirby was hit by friendly fire. Or a bizarrely enthusiastic Seattle fan, to be more exact. Fellow spectators nearby quickly pointed out the culprit to security so he could be escorted from his seat. definitely a Mariners fan and they ratted him out with the quickness pic.twitter.com/LWVTgiSQP5— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 27, 2023 Considering the fan was wearing a throwback Jarred Kelenic jersey, he's apparently a Mariners supporter. His motives for throwing a ball onto the field and hitting one of the players were uncertain. However, he likely won't be allowed into a major-league ballpark ever again.Regardless, Kirby was unharmed. And the game continued after a bizarre interruption that definitely doesn't occur at a ballpark every day. The Mariners eventually won, 6 2, moving a half-game behind the Astros in the AL West and wild-card standings.