August 22
MSB Results – August 22, 2024
League recaps with detailed summaries
🏆 **GAME OF THE DAY:** Hammers Crush Thunder 8-3 in Dominant Display at Truist Park
TRUIST PARK - Happ delivered a masterful performance going 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs as the Hammers demolished the Thunder 8-3 in a convincing victory that was never really in doubt after the early innings. The visitors jumped out to a 4-0 lead through four innings behind stellar hitting and aggressive baserunning. Happ's 23rd homer of the season in the first inning set the tone, and his clutch RBI single in the seventh sealed the deal for a team that showed why they're among the league's elite.
Eovaldi earned his ninth win of the season with six strong innings, allowing just three runs while scattering seven hits. "Nathan gave us exactly what we needed tonight," said Hammers manager after the victory. "When he's commanding his fastball like that and mixing in his off-speed pitches, he's really tough to beat." The Thunder managed to make it interesting briefly with a two-run sixth inning, but the Hammers responded immediately with four runs in the seventh and eighth to put the game away. Machado's 32nd homer highlighted the late surge, while Diaz provided consistent offensive production throughout.
Final: Hammers 8, Thunder 3
Sea Wolves Fall Short Despite Late Rally, Miners Win 4-3
YANKEE STADIUM - The Miners overcame early adversity and a 48-minute rain delay to defeat the Sea Wolves 4-3 in a contest that featured clutch hitting and weather-related drama. The Sea Wolves struck first with Crawford's RBI in the opening frame and added two more in the third to take a 3-1 lead. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the sixth when the Miners exploded for three runs to take the lead for good.
Bregman's three-run homer was the decisive blow, capping a rally that began with Mullins being hit by a pitch and Peralta reaching on a single. The dramatic swing came after Suarez was forced from the game due to the lengthy rain delay, disrupting the Sea Wolves' rhythm. "Weather delays are part of the game, but you have to adjust quickly," said Sea Wolves manager after the loss. Stripling pitched brilliantly in relief for the Miners, working four scoreless innings to earn the victory and keep his team's playoff hopes alive.
Final: Miners 4, Sea Wolves 3
ACL's Survive Sweets' Challenge 3-1 Behind Bibee's Gem
GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK - Bibee dominated for six innings and Wade's solo homer provided the decisive run as the ACL's held off the Sweets 3-1 in a pitcher's duel that lived up to expectations. The left-hander was masterful throughout his outing, allowing just one run while striking out eight and keeping the dangerous Sweets lineup off balance with his changeup and location.
The game remained scoreless through three innings before the ACL's finally broke through in the fourth. Wade's clutch home run and Betts' sacrifice fly provided the margin of victory in what became a battle of bullpens. The Sweets managed just five hits against the dominant ACL's pitching staff, with Gorman's solo homer in the second providing their only offense. "Sometimes you have to grind out wins like this," said ACL's manager. "Bibee gave us a chance to win, and our offense did just enough." Kopech earned his first save of the season with two perfect innings.
Final: ACL's 3, Sweets 1
Landlubbers Edge Argonauts 9-7 in 10-Inning Thriller
PNC PARK - Tovar's dramatic two-run homer in the 10th inning capped an incredible comeback as the Landlubbers defeated the Argonauts 9-7 in a game that featured multiple momentum swings and clutch late-inning heroics. The Argonauts appeared to have the game in hand after Alvarez's three-run homer highlighted a four-run sixth inning that gave them a 6-5 lead, but the Landlubbers refused to fold.
The contest became a seesaw battle as both teams traded blows throughout the middle innings. Gonzales' triple in the fourth sparked a five-run rally that put the Landlubbers ahead 5-2, but the Argonauts stormed back with Lowe's three-run homer in the second and steady offensive pressure throughout. The game went to extras tied at 7-7 after Lowe's RBI single in the eighth. "That's the kind of game that can define a season," said Landlubbers manager after Tovar's heroics. "Our guys never gave up and found a way to get it done when it mattered most."
Final: Landlubbers 9, Argonauts 7 (10 innings)
Dogs Defeat Rougarou 4-1 Behind Sale's Dominant Outing
CITI FIELD - Sale was outstanding over six innings and Harper's two-run homer proved to be the difference as the Dogs defeated the Rougarou 4-1 in a game played under challenging wind conditions. The veteran left-hander was in complete control throughout his outing, allowing just one run while striking out eight and issuing only two walks to earn his 15th victory of the season.
The Dogs took control early with single runs in the second and third innings before Harper's blast in the third inning provided the cushion they needed. The Rougarou managed just two hits against the stellar Dogs pitching staff, with Singer working a complete game in a losing effort despite allowing just four runs. "Sale showed why he's one of the best in the business tonight," said Dogs manager. "He attacked the strike zone and kept their hitters off balance all game long." The 19-mph winds at Citi Field created challenging conditions throughout the contest, but both teams adjusted well to the elements.
Final: Dogs 4, Rougarou 1
Kraken Shut Out Yetis 2-0 in Pitcher's Duel
T-MOBILE PARK - Cease worked seven shutout innings and timely home runs from Neto and O'Neill powered the Kraken to a 2-0 victory over the Yetis in a classic pitcher's duel that showcased elite pitching on both sides. The right-hander was masterful throughout his outing, allowing just three hits while striking out five and walking only one to earn his ninth victory of the season.
The contest remained scoreless through three innings before O'Neill's solo homer in the fourth gave the Kraken the lead they would never relinquish. Neto's insurance run in the sixth proved crucial as Ragans kept the Yetis in the game with his own stellar performance. The Yetis managed just five hits and left seven men on base, unable to capitalize on their limited scoring opportunities. "Both pitchers were outstanding tonight," said Kraken manager. "Sometimes games like this come down to one or two pitches, and we were fortunate to get the big hits when we needed them." Jansen earned his 19th save with a perfect ninth inning.
Final: Kraken 2, Yetis 0
Rum Runners Outlast Koi 8-6 in 11-Inning Marathon
NATIONALS PARK - Hoerner's RBI single in the 11th inning capped a wild back-and-forth battle as the Rum Runners defeated the Koi 8-6 in a game that featured multiple lead changes and dramatic late-inning heroics. The contest was a showcase of offensive firepower, with both teams combining for 22 hits and numerous momentum swings throughout the night.
The Rum Runners took early control with three runs in the third inning, highlighted by Morel's two-run homer, but the Koi stormed back with four runs in the eighth to tie the game at 6-6. Fraley's lead-off homer in the ninth gave the Koi a brief 6-5 advantage before Suarez's clutch RBI single forced extra innings. "This was the kind of game that can exhaust you physically and mentally," said Rum Runners manager after the victory. "But our guys kept battling and found a way to get the big hit when we needed it most." Bednar earned the victory with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
Final: Rum Runners 8, Koi 6 (11 innings)
Bums Rally Past Robots 6-5 Behind Late Heroics
MINUTE MAID PARK - Grichuk's two-run homer in the eighth inning capped a thrilling comeback as the Bums defeated the Robots 6-5 in a game that featured dramatic momentum swings and clutch hitting under pressure. The Robots appeared to have seized control when Yastrzemski's grand slam highlighted a four-run eighth inning that gave them a 5-4 lead, but the Bums responded immediately with three runs of their own.
Marsh homered twice to pace the Bums offense, including a crucial blast in the seventh that kept them within striking distance. The contest was a back-and-forth affair throughout, with neither team able to build a substantial lead until the late innings. "Games like this are why you play 162," said Bums manager after the victory. "Our guys never panicked and kept grinding out quality at-bats." Jimenez earned his 21st save with a scoreless ninth inning, stranding the tying run at second base.
Final: Bums 6, Robots 5
Rattlers Hold Off Brewers 4-3 Despite Late Surge
BUSCH STADIUM - Webb pitched six strong innings and Heyward's clutch RBI double in the fifth proved to be the game-winner as the Rattlers defeated the Brewers 4-3 in a contest that remained competitive until the final out. The left-hander was steady throughout his outing, allowing three runs while scattering 12 hits to earn his third victory of the season despite facing constant pressure from the aggressive Brewers lineup.
The Rattlers took control with two runs in the third inning, highlighted by Polanco's solo homer, and added two more in the fifth to build a 4-2 advantage. The Brewers kept the pressure on throughout, managing 14 hits but leaving 12 men on base in a frustrating offensive display. "We had our chances but couldn't get the big hit when we needed it," said Brewers manager after the loss. Foley earned his third save with a perfect final at-bat, getting the force out at second to end the threat.
Final: Rattlers 4, Brewers 3
Madmen Rally Past Auk 5-4 with Dramatic Eighth-Inning Comeback
ORACLE PARK - Bellinger's bases-clearing triple highlighted a five-run eighth inning as the Madmen stormed back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Auk 5-4 in one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season. The visitors appeared to be in complete control after Correa's three-run homer in the seventh gave them a commanding lead, but the Madmen refused to fold in the face of adversity.
The rally began when Carpenter led off the eighth with a solo homer, and the floodgates opened from there. Bellinger's clutch triple was the back-breaking blow, scoring three runs and giving the Madmen their first lead of the game. A wild pitch brought home the insurance run that proved crucial. "Sometimes baseball comes down to one big inning," said Madmen manager after the stunning victory. "Our guys kept battling and showed tremendous character in that eighth inning." Suter earned his 33rd save with a perfect ninth inning, working around a leadoff walk.
Final: Madmen 5, Auk 4
📈 Statistical Highlights
Home Run Leaders:
• Happ (23rd HR), Machado (32nd HR), Bregman (3-run HR), Wade (3rd HR), Nimmo (19th HR), Tovar (18th HR), Alvarez (42nd HR), Lowe (2nd HR), Harper (23rd HR), Varsho (14th HR), Neto (9th HR), O'Neill (12th HR), Morel (7th HR), Verdugo (9th HR), Hernandez (29th HR), Suarez (28th HR), Fraley (1st HR), Yastrzemski (8th HR), Grichuk (8th HR), Marsh (2 HRs, 21st), Polanco (17th HR), Carpenter (8th HR), Correa (11th HR)
Multi-Hit Performances:
• Happ (4 hits, 3 RBIs), Rengifo (2 hits), Guerrero (2 hits), Machado (2 hits, 3 RBIs), Turang (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Merrill (2 hits), Lowe (2 hits), Hoerner (2 hits), Correa (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Ozuna (2 hits), Bohm (2 hits), Smith (2 hits), Albies (2 hits), and 15 others with two hits
Pitching Gems:
• Eovaldi (6 IP, 3 ER, W), Stripling (4 IP, 0 ER, W), Bibee (6 IP, 1 ER, W), Sale (6 IP, 1 ER, W), Cease (7 IP, 0 ER, W), Skubal (7.2 IP, 2 ER), Webb (6 IP, 3 ER, W)
Extra-Inning Drama:
• Landlubbers defeated Argonauts 9-7 in 10 innings on Tovar's two-run homer
• Rum Runners edged Koi 8-6 in 11 innings after multiple lead changes
Weather Conditions:
• 48-minute rain delay at Yankee Stadium affected Sea Wolves-Miners game
• 19-mph winds at Citi Field for Rougarou-Dogs contest
• 14-mph winds at Oracle Park for Madmen-Auk game
Save Situations:
• Kopech (1st save), Iglesias (BS 2, W), Jansen (19th save), Bednar (W), Jimenez (21st save), Foley (3rd save), Suter (33rd save)
Notable Achievements:
• Happ's perfect 4-for-4 performance powers Hammers blowout victory
• Multiple games decided by dramatic late-inning rallies
• Cease and Sale deliver dominant pitching performances
• Bellinger's bases-clearing triple highlights stunning eighth-inning comeback
• Five games decided by two runs or fewer showcase competitive balance