Two of the 30 players nominated by their respective MLB teams for the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award are Jewish: Toronto CF Kevin Pillar, and Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun. Given that only 12 Jews have played in the Majors this year, and only half of them for the full season, this strikes us as pretty remarkable. The award "recognize[s] the player who best represents the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions, both on and off the field." Click here to see Braun's interview, and here to see Pillar's.
Call-ups
The Yankees called-up P Richard Bleier from Triple-A on Friday. Bleier, who made his MLB debut on May 30, made 16 relief appearances for the Yankees earlier this season, recording a 0-0 record with a 3.38 ERA.
September 9 games
Toronto CF Kevin Pillar went 1-for-3 and and was credited with an outfield assist in a 13-3 drubbing by Boston. Teammate Scott Feldman did not fare as well. After coming in with two outs in the 6th and recording the third out, Feldman faced four batters in the 7th, yielding two homers and a double before being removed. The Blue Jays (77-63) have lost four in a row and are two games behind A.L. East-leading Boston, although they lead the Wild Card battle by a slim margin.
Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler went 2-for-4 in a 4-3 win over Baltimore. Orioles RF Mark Trumbo tossed Kinsler out trying to score on a sacrifice fly in the 3rd inning. The win left Detroit and Baltimore tied for the second and final A.L. Wild Card spot at 76-64.
Houston 3B Alex Bregman went 1-for-4 in a 2-0 loss to the Cubs. After singling in the 4th inning, Bregman stole second base but later was caught trying to steal third. Facing flamethrower Aroldis Chapman in the 9th inning, he struck out on a 103.2 MPH fastball. "Now I can say I saw 104 (mph)," Bregman said after the game. "I'm looking forward to facing him again." The Astros (74-67) have lost three in a row and sit two-and-a-half games behind Baltimore and Detroit for the second and final A.L. Wild Card slot.
Los Angeles CF Joc Pederson went 1-for-3 and drew a walk in a 4-1 loss to Miami. The Dodgers (79-61) lead the N.L. West and are four games ahead of second-place San Francisco.
Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun had a pinch-hit groundout in a 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.
