MLB news: Subway Series kicks off, Tigers and Orioles scuffle, Mets call up Rafael Montero
The Mets topped the Yankees in a slugfest in the Bronx, the Tigers and Orioles got into a minor scuffle involving Torii Hunter and Bud Norris, and the Mets called up one of their prized pitching prospects.
Brett Gardner's grand slam roughed up Bartolo Colon in the second inning, but a two-run homer from ex-Yankee Curtis Granderson tied the score at 4-4 in the sixth.
The Yankees answered with three to re-take the lead, but the Mets scored five runs in the final two innings to clinch the win. Eric Young Jr. belted a two-run shot in the seventh before a Lucas Duda RBI single and Chris Young’s two-run homer gave the Mets the winning runs.
Monday’s game was a great first installment in this week’s hyped Subway Series, and if the 9-7 scoreline was any indication, we should be in for our fair share of runs and long balls as the series continues.
Yanks battling more injuries
Even more worrisome than the loss for the Yankees was the news that Carlos Beltran is headed for an MRI on his right elbow, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Beltran reportedly hyperextended his elbow while swinging in the batting cage between at-bats.
That wasn't the only injury news for the Yankees, however. According to YES Network's Meredith Marakovits, Ichiro Suzuki is also day-to-day with injuries to his back and knee, which leaves the club quite thin on outfield depth.
Meanwhile, Mark Teixeira sat out Monday's game with back soreness, but he did tell Hoch that he expects to play on Tuesday. The first baseman is batting .266/.383/.557 with seven home runs through 22 games for New York.
Porcello dominates as Tigers and Orioles scuffle
Rick Porcello continued his strong run of form on Monday, shutting out the Orioles over six innings. The 25-year-old allowed just five baserunners and struck out two, lowering his ERA to 3.22.
Dating back to the second half of 2013, Porcello has been a steady contributor for Detroit, and, through the first six weeks this season, he is helping to soften the blow of Doug Fister’s departure. The Tigers’ rotation is once again among the league’s best, with its 3.43 ERA ranking second-lowest in the AL.
In the eighth inning of Monday’s contest, Orioles starter Bud Norris hit Torii Hunter with a pitch after giving up a home run to Ian Kinsler. Hunter was clearly angry, Norris was ejected, and both dugouts emptied before the matter was resolved. On his way off the field, Norris exchanged more words with Hunter, who had to be restrained by his first base coach and an umpire.
Mets call up pitching prospect Montero
The Mets have lost eight of their last 11, but their decision to call up pitching prospect Rafael Montero on Monday stirred some deserved excitement. Montero has really impressed in the upper minors since the start of 2013 and should be able to contribute to New York's rotation immediately.
Through eight starts at Triple-A Las Vegas, Montero has posted a 3.67 ERA, struck out 41 batters and walked 18, numbers that should be taken with a grain of salt considering Montero has been pitching in the offense-friendly Pacific Coast League. In 2013, Montero finished with a 2.78 ERA in stops at Double- and Triple-A, striking out over four times as many batters as he walked.
Despite Montero’s solid potential, the Mets need far more help on offense than in their rotation. The club currently ranks 23rd in baseball in runs scored, while giving up just the 12th-most runs among MLB teams.
