James Karinchak's outings out of the the Indians bullpen aren’t long, but they’re making baseball take notice.
Cleveland’s No. 15 prospect continued his dominant work in relief, turning in his sixth straight scoreless outing and fanning a pair over one perfect frame Monday as the Tribe fell to the visiting
James Karinchak's outings out of the the Indians bullpen aren’t long, but they’re making baseball take notice.
Cleveland’s No. 15 prospect continued his dominant work in relief, turning in his sixth straight scoreless outing and fanning a pair over one perfect frame Monday as the Tribe fell to the visiting Twins, 3-2.
Karinchak made quick work of the only three Minnesota hitters he faced in the top of the eighth inning at Progressive Field. The right-hander sandwiched strikeouts of Twins veteran Nelson Cruz and slugger Miguel Sano around a flyout to right field by Eddie Rosario. He retired the side on 11 pitches, eight for strikes.
Karinchak has pitched in 14 games this season for Cleveland, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits in 15 2/3 innings. Monday’s performance dropped his ERA to 0.57, his WHIP to 0.64 and his opponents’ average to .083.
With his two strikeouts against the Twins, Karinchak has fanned 30 of the 56 batters he’s faced this year for a strikeout percentage of 53.6. That’s nothing new. According to MLB Pipeline’s evaluation of Karinchak, his 74 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings in the Minors last year came out to 22 K’s per nine innings, “the highest rate with at least 30 innings in the modern history of the Minor Leagues (which starts in 1963) and likely the entire history of the Minors.”
In other action:
Marlins 11, Nationals 8
Washington second baseman Luis Garcia continued his stellar stretch at the plate with a single and an RBI. Garcia tallied three hits Sunday -- his second three-hit game at the big league level -- and boasts at least one hit in six of his nine games since being called up. Miami's No. 5 prospect Jesus Sanchez went 0-for-4 but walked and scored a run. Box score
Rangers 3, A’s 2
After a rocky start, Jesus Luzardo stretched out to a career-high 6 2/3 innings while matching his Major League-best with seven strikeouts but suffered his first loss. Baseball’s No. 13 overall prospect was tagged for three runs over the first two frames, settling down until he ran into trouble in the seventh. He allowed seven hits – including one homer -- and two walks. Oakland’s top prospect sports a 3.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings spanning seven outings. Third-ranked Texas prospect Leody Taveras picked up his first hit in his second game in The Show, singling and walking on a 1-for-3 night. No. 26 Jonathan Hernandez recorded his first hold with 1 1/3 scoreless frames. He gave up a hit and a walk while striking out three. Box score
Cubs 9, Tigers 3
No. 8 overall prospect Casey Mize was chased after just 3 1/3 innings, charged with four runs -- three earned -- on five hits including a homer by Chicago’s David Bote. Mize struck out two and walked two. Detroit's No. 29 prospect Rony Garcia dealt his second straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen, allowing a hit but two-thirds of a scoreless frame. Box score
Blue Jays 6, Rays 4
Thomas Hatch (2-1) posted two hitless innings for his second straight victory. Toronto’s No. 25 prospect walked two, hit a batter and struck out two, his fourth straight outing without allowing a run to lower his ERA to 1.84. Santiago Espinal was hitless in three at-bats but scored twice out of the No. 9 spot in the order. The 23rd-ranked prospect drew a walk and scored on a long ball by Randal Grichuk as the Blue Jays rallied in the seventh. Box score
Rockies 3, D-backs 2
Colorado's No. 18 prospect Ryan Castellani picked up his first win after turning in the first quality start of his Major League career. Over six innings, Castellani allowed two runs on three hits, countering three walks with three strikeouts. Box score
Cardinals 9, Royals 3
St. Louis’ top prospect Dylan Carlson went 1-for-4 with a walk. He’s hitting .163 over 12 games this year. No. 14 prospect Jake Woodford allowed two hits over two scoreless innings to close out the game, dropping his ERA to 1.29 in his second big league appearance. Box score
Brewers 4, Reds 2
Tejay Antone retired both Milwaukee batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh, inducing a flyout from Keston Hiura and striking Justin Smoak out looking. Cincinnati’s No. 24 prospect hasn’t allowed a hit in his last two outings, lowering his ERA to 1.65. Box score
Tyler Maun is a reporter for MiLB.com and co-host of “The Show Before The Show” podcast. You can find him on Twitter @tylermaun.
