LEADING OFF: Mets hitters answer owner, get Dodgers rematch

By: The Associated Press Posted: 7:23 PM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/08/2021 (1556 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors Thursday:

___

WE MEET AGAIN

New York Mets' Michael Conforto, left, hits an RBI-double in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey during the eleventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The Mets get another stab at the Dodgers four days after being swept at home by Los Angeles. New York enters the four-game series after snapping a five-game skid Wednesday with a 12-inning win over the NL West-leading Giants.

The Mets rallied for that victory hours after owner Steve Cohen criticized the team’s hitters for a lack of production.

“It’s hard to understand how professional hitters can be this unproductive,” Cohen tweeted. “The best teams have a more disciplined approach. The slugging and OPS numbers don’t lie.”

Entering Wednesday, the Mets’ 450 runs were third-fewest in MLB, ahead of only Texas (446) and Pittsburgh (431).

JAKE BREAK

Jake Arrieta is nursing a sore hamstring after a lousy debut with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings before departing with an injured left hamstring.

Arrieta said afterward he hopes the injury won’t keep him out for long. The right-hander was signed by San Diego on Monday after being placed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs, and the poor outing Wednesday raised his ERA to 7.13 this season.

SCARY MOMENT

Oakland ace Chris Bassitt has a broken bone in his cheek that will need surgery to repair but he sustained no eye damage after being struck on the side of the head by a line drive Tuesday night.

Bassitt was taken to the hospital after getting hit by a ball from Brian Goodwin’s bat in the second inning of a 9-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox. The veteran right-hander has shown no signs of a concussion and a scan of his brain was normal, though Bassitt can’t recall everything that happened during the ordeal.

A’s athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said the pitcher is in “really good spirits, doing well” a day later, even with his right eye still swollen shut.

OFF THE MIC

Detroit Tigers broadcaster Jack Morris has been suspended indefinitely for racist comments he made about Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani during Tuesday’s game.

When asked by play-by-play announcer Matt Shepard how the Tigers should pitch to Ohtani in the sixth inning, Morris adopted an exaggerated East Asian accent while saying “be very, very careful.” When Ohtani came back up in the ninth, Morris issued a lengthy apology.

Bally Sports Detroit announced the suspension Wednesday.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports