Just when it seemed like the Mets hot streak would come to an end, they rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth:

 

Todd Frazier tied the game with a three-run home run off of Sean Doolittle. A two-out single by Amed Rosario extended the inning putting Juan Lagares into scoring position at second base. Conforto then deposited the ball over right fielder Adam Eaton’s head. New York has now won 14 of their last 15 games moving within a half-game of a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Also, Peter Alonso moved to within one of the rookie home run record hitting his 38th of the season. J.D. Davis went 2-for-4 with his 13th home run. 

In a season filled with home runs, Toronto and Minnesota set records with them on Friday night. Starting with the Blue Jays, a player homered for the 14th straight contest and:

 

Teoscar Hernandez launched two home runs upping his season total to 17 driving in three runs. He’s hit 13 home runs his last 39 contests along with hitting .301 in his last 21 games with nine home runs and 16 RBI. Randal Grichuk hit his 20th home run reaching the plateau for the fourth straight season. Danny Jansen added his 10th home run, a three-run shot. 

In a loss, the Twins set team history as well regarding home runs:

 

A record set in 1963 fell when Eddie Rosario launched his 25th home run. Minnesota has 46 games remaining. 

Here’s the other hitter highlights from a busy Friday night:

Ozzie Albies racked up his third four-hit game over his last four played including a double and his 18th home run of the year. During this four-game stretch, Albies has 13 hits in his last 20 at-bats with five extra-base hits, eight runs and five RBI. Ronald Acuna Jr. hit two home runs with four RBI. He’s homered in each of his last four games totaling five in them. Acuna’s also in the midst of a ten-game hit streak during which he’s hitting .383 with 13 runs, seven home runs and 15 RBI. 

In a loss, Mike Tauchman blasted his 12th home run and fifth in his last five contests. Over his last nine games, Tauchman’s batting .438 with six home runs and 16 RBI.

J.D. Martinez led the way in a Red Sox rout of the Angels going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two home runs while driving in four. 

Enjoying his transition to the National League, Nicholas Castellanos recorded his 10th extra-base hit in nine games with the Cubs with his 15th home run. In this same game, Aristides Aquino homered for the third straight game driving in two and Eugenio Suarez launched his 31st home run. 

In a loss to the Mets, Anthony Rendon went 2-for-5 with a triple and his 25th home run driving in three. Juan Soto recorded a smash and dash hitting his 22nd home run while stealing his 10th base. 

Tallying three more hits, Jose Ramirez continues to rake for Cleveland. He also swiped his 24th base of the season. Since July fourth, Ramirez owns a .350/.376/.748 slash line with 26 runs, 16 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBI. 

Providing all of the Diamondbacks offense in a comeback win, Carson Kelly popped two home runs (15, 16) driving in all three runs. Over his last 24 starts, Kelly’s batting .301 with seven doubles, eight home runs, 17 RBI and 12 walks. 

With youth being served this year in fantasy, Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to provide highlight reel plays and spark the Padres offense:

 

Tatis Jr. also extended his hit streak to 13 games with a double and stole two bases in San Diego’s win. 

Bryce Harper recorded his first two home run game with Philadelphia driving in four last night. He’s hit 22 home runs this year.

 

Starting Pitcher Spotlight: Bieber Fever

During his 12th win this year, Shane Bieber registered his sixth game with double digit strikeouts. Bieber fired seven innings giving up two earned runs on seven hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts. He lowered his road ERA to 2.77 on the year and to 1.88 over his last six starts. Bieber recorded 16 swinging strikes and 22 called for a 35.2 called plus swinging strikes (CSW) percentage and only ranks behind Justin Verlander in the statistic for the season according to Baseball Savant. 

Here’s the other notable performances from Friday: 

  • Mike Fiers, Oakland: 95 pitches, 10 swinging strikes, 20 called, 31.6 CSW%. Fiers won his 11th game tossing seven shutout innings scattering three hits with six strikeouts against the White Sox on the road. 

  • Julio Teheran, Atlanta: 100 pitches, 13 swinging strikes, 22 called, 35 CSW%. Teheran evened his record with his seventh win allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk with seven strikeouts. 

  • Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati: 106 pitches, 20 swinging strikes, 17 called, 34.9 CSW%. Notching his first win in his new ballpark, Bauer racked up 11 strikeouts over seven innings giving up three hits, one earned run while issuing two walks. 

  • Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers: 101 pitches, 15 swinging strikes, 18 called, 32.7 CSW%. Let down by his bullpen, Buehler logged six shutout innings yielding four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. 

 

Bullpen Notes: Doolittle Melt Down

Blowing his first save since July seventh, Sean Doolittle struggled in New York fueling the Mets rally. Doolittle only recorded two outs giving up six hits and four earned runs last night. Since the All-Star break, Doolittle seemed to be turning the corner but he’s already surpassed his total innings from last year and perhaps entering a danger zone of fatigue. Doolittle’s on pace for 68 innings this year but has not pitched more than 60 innings since 2014 due to injuries. Stay tuned. 

Here’s the rest of the high leverage events from Friday: 

  • Roberto Osuna notched his 26th save giving up a hit and striking out one in Baltimore. 

  • No save, but Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters after the game Mark Melancon will get the save chances going forward. Act accordingly if desperate for saves. Since the start of July, Melancon owns a 1.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 60.5 ground ball percentage.

  • Save number 23 for Raisel Iglesias allowing a hit with a strikeout. He’s converted six straight save and been scoreless his last eight outings. 

  • Joe Jimenez gets a one out save for his first this season. He stranded two inherited runners. 

  • Once again, Josh Hader blew a save on a solo home run to Elvis Andrus. However, Hader gets his second win on a Eric Thames walk-off blast in the bottom of the ninth. Hader recorded four of his five outs via strikeout. 

  • Carlos Martinez worked 1.1 scoreless for his third win while issuing one walk. 

  • Rays reliever Emilio Pagan gets his 10th save working around a solo home run in Seattle. Anthony Bass incurs the loss yielding a hit, three runs (two earned) and three walks in an ugly outing. 

  • Blown save number five for Kenley Jansen serving up a two-run game tying home run to Carson Kelly. Archie Bradley moved his scoreless streak to 13 games en route to his third save giving up a walk and striking out one. 

  • Hector Neris locked down his 20th save with a clean ninth striking out two. 

 

What To Watch For

Gary Sanchez will be activated by the Yankees on Saturday. Luis Severino turned in a “better than expected” bullpen session in Toronto prior to Friday’s game. 

Andrew Heaney will make his return from the injured list in Boston this afternoon, better to leave him on benches for fantasy purposes. 

In the evening slate, can the Astros “magic” cure Aaron Sanchez and his past struggles against the Orioles? Two intriguing pitching duels with Kyle Hendricks facing Sonny Gray in Cincinnati while Patrick Corbin tries to quiet the surging Mets with Noah Syndergaard on the mound. 

Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm across all fantasy formats to remain ahead of the competition. 

 

Statistical Credits: 

BaseballSavant.com

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com - Game Note