Jack Kruger became the 62nd former Mississippi State player to reach the major leagues Thursday, as the catcher entered the ninth inning for the Los Angeles Angels as a defensive replacement. He did not accumulate a plate appearance. The elation was short lived, however, as Kruger was claimed by the Texas Rangers off waivers three days later.
Milwaukee Brewers standout pitcher Brandon Woodruff continued his dominant season against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, pitching 6.2 innings and striking out 11 batters. However, the Brewers couldn’t capitalize on his stellar start.
“We knew Philadelphia was a good team,” Woodruff told MLB.com after his team’s 2-0 loss. “They threw the ball well and jumped on us early every single game. We hung in there, but weren’t able to get the big hit.”
The dominant right-handed pitcher only allowed two hits and two walks. On the year, Woodruff has a 1.73 ERA in 41.2 innings of work with 51 strikeouts.
It appears nobody can still score on Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman. The right-handed hurler has yet to allow an earned run this season in 14.1 innings pitched, and he’s frankly barely allowing baserunners with a 0.49 WHIP. Graveman recorded a save for the Mariners Friday against the Rangers, striking out the side. He has 16 strikeouts so far in the 2021 season.
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier continues to produce at the plate. In his last seven games, Frazier is batting .385 and reaching base at a 48 percent rate. While he’s yet to homer so far this season, the 29-year old is slashing .311/.387/.424 in 132 at-bats. Meanwhile, his teammate, Chris Stratton, has had a rocky start to his 2021 campaign with a 5.28 ERA out of the bullpen. Stratton’s last two innings have been scoreless, though.
Texas Rangers first baseman Nate Lowe has strung together hits in his last three games, including two multi-hit performances. The 25-year old continues to have a breakout season, sporting a .287/.374/.478 slash line with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and four stolen bases.
Mitch Moreland’s slow start has continued into May, but the slugging first baseman clobbered a home run on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and drove in two runs in Oakland’s Sunday matchup against Tampa Bay. This season, Moreland is hitting .218 with four home runs and 15 RBIs.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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