Bases Covered is a roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
In just the latest fiasco involving the New York Mets, the team suspended Matt Harvey, who was scheduled to make a start versus the Miami Marlins on Sunday, over the weekend. While the team has remained tight-lipped about the situation—and it wasn’t their first controversial incident of the weekend—Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that Harvey did not show up to Citi Field on Saturday as he was supposed to.
According to a report in the New York Times, Harvey went golfing a day ahead of his scheduled start, then suffered a migraine and “did not report to the ballpark or tell the Mets of his absence before 3 p.m.” The Times‘ source also notes that Harvey was informed of the suspension when he arrived at Citi Field on Sunday, after which he was sent home.
The right-hander’s three-day suspension seemed designed to send a message. Here’s Rosenthal on why Harvey, who is filing a grievance, needs to grow up and apologize to his team.
18 innings for the price of nine
The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs faced off for the final game of their three-game series on Sunday at Wrigley Field, and fans got more baseball than they’d anticipated. The teams combined for a major-league record 48 strikeouts in an affair that lasted 18 innings. The game was so long they actually ran out of baseballs.
Aaron Hicks scored the game-winning run in the 18th inning thanks to an errant throw from Addison Russell, and the Yankees took a 5–4 victory, thereby earning the series sweep. While the Cubs didn’t pull out a win over the weekend, the series was a lively one, and some are wondering whether we’re destined to see these two teams meet in the World Series.
Seager long ball
Kyle Seager hit a go-ahead home run in the Mariners’ matchup with the Rangers on Sunday. The third baseman’s homer ended up being the game-winner, giving the M’s their second straight series win.
While the moment was good news for a team that’s been dealing with injuries to key players—Felix Hernandez, James Paxton and Drew Smyly are all currently on the DL—it was a less-nice moment for one fan in the stands, who tried to catch the long ball but instead took a hit in his nether regions.
The Mariners play a two-game series versus the Phillies before heading to Toronto to face the Blue Jays.
Giants can’t catch a break
The Giants were supposed to contend for the top of their division this season, but so far they’ve been a big disappointment. The knocks kept coming over the weekend, when the team was swept by the Reds. As if that weren’t suffering enough, the Giants’ team bus broke down en route to the airport following their last came in Cincinnati.
The Giants are currently sporting a record of 11-21. Only the Kansas City Royals—currently 10-20—have a worse record in baseball.
Doing his part
The Boston Red Sox put up 10 runs in the ninth inning on Sunday, taking a 17–6 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Chris Sale outpitched Ervin Santana—even if Sale struggled, too, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks—but it was Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel who came up big for his team. With his team holding a one-run lead, Kimbrel entered the game in the eighth inning with one out and the tying run at third base. He delievered back-to-back strikeouts to give his team some breathing room, after which they delivered double-digit runs in the 10th to seal the deal.
“If there’s ever a chance to award a save before the ninth inning, that certainly is it,” said Boston manager John Farrell.
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