LEADING OFF: Dodgers exposed in extras, Bosox minus Martinez

By: The Associated Press Posted: 12:04 AM CDT Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021

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

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

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/08/2021 (1877 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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

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NOT EXTRA SPECIAL

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brett Anderson works against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and the World Series champion Dodgers have been hitting on almost all cylinders this season. Except when it comes to extra innings, that is.

Los Angeles lost its 11th straight game in extras Friday night, falling to the Angels 4-3 at Dodger Stadium.

The major league record for consecutive extra-inning losses in a season is 12 by the expansion Montreal Expos in 1969.

Overall, the Dodgers are 1-12 in extra innings this year.

This edition of the Freeway Series finishes up as Walker Buehler (11-2, 2.16 ERA) starts against Angels rookie Reid Detmers. The 22-year-old lefty, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, made his big league debut last weekend and gave up six runs on six hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to Oakland.

PHANTASTIC

Cy Young Award contender Zack Wheeler (9-6, 2.57 ERA) pitches against his former team when Philadelphia tries to complete a three-game home sweep of the staggering New York Mets. The first-place Phillies, who took over the NL East lead from New York this weekend, have won seven straight for the first time since September 2012. The team’s most recent eight-game winning streak was a nine-game run in 2011.

In a pregame ceremony, the Phillies will retire Hall of Fame pitcher Roy Halladay’s uniform No. 34. A 6-foot-high statue of Halladay will join those of other Phillies greats at Citizens Bank Park.

Struggling All-Star Taijuan Walker (7-6, 3.86) starts for the Mets, who have lost six of seven and eight of 10.

MISSING MARTINEZ

Veteran slugger J.D. Martinez is out of the Boston lineup after being put on the COVID-19-related injured list.

Martinez is batting .284 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs in 104 games.

“He felt sick last night, has been feeling sick the whole day,” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s doubleheader at Toronto.

The Red Sox placed rookie outfielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19-related injured list Friday. Neither Martinez nor Duran has tested positive, Cora said.

Boston has been in a recent slump and has fallen out of first place in the AL East.

CHAPMAN OUT

The Yankees are minus closer Aroldis Chapman after putting him on the 10-day injured list because of inflammation in his left elbow.

The hard-throwing lefty is 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 43 games this season. He lost his job for a couple of weeks in July after struggling, but has come back strong since regaining his role.

The 33-year-old Chapman has converted seven straight saves and has a 1.13 ERA in eight appearances in his return as the closer, helping New York improve its playoff chances.

PARK IT HERE

Brewers lefty Brett Anderson faces San Francisco in a matchup of NL division leaders in Milwaukee.

Anderson (4-5, 3.67 ERA) is 2-0 in his last four starts. His recent success has been boosted by his ability to keep the ball in the park — he has allowed just one home run in his past seven starts.

Anderson is facing a Giants team that recently added Kris Bryant and went into the weekend tied with Toronto for the most homers in the majors.

Johnny Cueto (7-6, 3.83) has won only one of his last six starts for the Giants.

WRAPPIN’ AT WRIGLEY

Dylan Cease and the AL Central-leading White Sox visit Wrigley Field in the Sunday night finale of their all-Chicago series.

Cease (8-6, 3.92 ERA) is 0-2 with 5.91 ERA lifetime in a pair of starts on the Cubs’ home field. The 25-year-old righty might be able to help himself — he is 3 for 6 with a double in his career at the plate, with all of the at-bats this year.

Zach Davies (6-8, 4.79) has won just one of his his last seven starts.

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