MLB Notebook: Cabrera closes in on 500 homers
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera (24) points to the first base umpire on an appealed check swing. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
August 12th, 2021
One of the cool things about baseball is the continued significance of certain records and milestones. No matter what happens in the game, when a Major League Baseball star closes in on a nice round number, it’s fun to watch, and two such achievements top this week’s MLB Notebook.
Cabrera Closes In On 500 Homers
Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera had a rough start to the 2021 season, one that led many to suggest he was finished as an effective player. However, he’s come back with some strength, and the dinger he clubbed Wednesday night in Baltimore was the 499th round-tripper of his career.
Miguel Cabrera belts number 499 and now just sits one back of 500 career homeruns! https://t.co/Z6LngODzAz
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) August 12, 2021
In addition to being a home run away from 500, the veteran is also 50 hits away from 3,000 and sure looks like a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
10 Straight Strikeouts
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes is far from a household name, but he did something Wednesday that made many around baseball take notice. He struck out 15 Chicago Cubs over eight innings, and 10 of those punchouts came consecutively.
🔟😤
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 12, 2021
Corbin Burnes ties an @MLB record with 10 consecutive strikeouts. #MakeItMajor pic.twitter.com/hkIoU1s7xF
Each K in that stretch came with a swinging strike three, and Burnes’ exploit tied a record also held by Aaron Nola and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver.
Atlanta Surges Into the NL East Lead
The NL East has been up for grabs for most of the season, and this past week saw the battle for a division title take another turn. The Atlanta Braves suddenly caught fire, winning seven of eight games as of this writing to tie the Phillies. Meanwhile, the Mets remain one game behind despite dropping nine of their last 12 contests (including three in a row at Philadelphia).
A Tough Week for Stars
Several of the sport’s biggest names were forced to the sidelines for various reasons this week. Mookie Betts was put on the injured list with a right hip injury, while Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto took a foul tip to his mask and Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon was sidelined with a sore arm.
Prior to today’s series finale at MIN, the Sox made the following 3 roster moves:
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 11, 2021
- Placed Carlos Rodón on the 10-day IL (retroactive to 8/8) with left shoulder fatigue;
- Recalled Matt Foster from Charlotte;
- Sent Yasmani Grandal to Birmingham on an injury rehab. assignment.
Rodon’s injury is particularly unfortunate, as he was set to start Thursday’s "Field of Dreams" game against the Yankees.
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