Mexicans in MLB: Jonathan Aranda protagonist in Rays leadership
Tampa Bay’s first baseman shined on offense this week to propel the team to the top of the division
MEXICO — Another week has gone by in the Major Leagues and the Mexican hitters continue on. Jonathan Aranda HE maintains as one of the best of the teamnext to Randy Arozarenawho keep producing to great level. Furthermore, it was a great week for the few Mexican starting pitchers.
On Saturday, the first baseman from Tijuana achieved the second walk-off of his career, with a grounder to the New York Yankees second baseman that allowed the difference run in extra innings. Both walk-offs have been against the Bronx team. Tampa Bay swept New York and now shares the division lead with the Baltimore Orioles and Yankees. Overall, he had a five-hit week, including a home run, with a .217 batting average.
First full week for Valenzuela in MLB, whose highlight came on Friday when he hit his first home run in the Major Leagues, which also gave Toronto the victory at the start of the series against the Minnesota Twins. Hits .150 on the season; Despite this, he started four of six games, giving up only two to Tyler Heineman.
The recovery times of the two Mexicans on the injured list were also announced. Kirk underwent surgery on a fractured thumb and will be out for at least six weeks, with a possible return at the end of May. Ponce is practically out of the season after knee ligament surgery, which will keep him inactive for six months.
Infielder Mayer is beginning to establish himself as a starter at second base; He only missed one game in the week and closed it with a streak of three consecutive games hitting, although he is hitting .200. Durán continues without a fixed role in the lineup, alternating between the first and third shift. He had a difficult week with only four games, although he closed it with three hits in the last two, still below the Mendoza line.
The great start to the season continues for Arozarena, who is already close to .300 with an average. The outfielder hit his first home run on Friday and had a great series against the Houston Astros, with five hits and four RBIs. He consolidates himself as a key piece of the offense.
For his part, Muñoz got his first save of the season on Friday, despite having trouble issuing two walks. On Saturday he pitched again and took the victory, adding two wins in just 15 days of activity.
The Astros have used Paredes as a utility player, but his bat keeps him in the starting lineup. He alternated between second and third base, with only one game coming off the bench. He is hitting .225 and had four hits this week, still looking for his first home run.
Complicated week for the left-hander from Texas who once again received runs. He relieved in Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles offense scored him a couple of earned runs. He had two more reliefs against the Dodgers and Mariners themselves, to place his ERA at 4.50.
Surprising start for the Twins who are second in their division and this Sunday came the third victory of the season for Bradley. He pitched five one-run innings in Toronto to win the decision, at the beginning of the week he also had a great performance and at home he pitched quality against the Detroit Tigers with 6.1 one-run innings. After four starts he has a 3-0 record and a 1.25 ERA. Bradley will pitch again next weekend against the Cincinnati Reds.
Banda has had a bad time in the last two relays he has had. The left-handed pitcher allowed 7 earned runs in his most recent performances against the Tigers and Blue Jays. This has raised his ERA to 9.38 in eight games pitched so far.
The first victory came for the Phillies right pitcher. He started on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia’s home win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 5.0 inning performance with four hits and two runs. He had just lost at the Colorado Rockies at the beginning of the week where they scored four runs, where they hit three home runs. Walker will start Friday in the division series opener against the Atlanta Braves.
Regularity in the day-to-day game has returned for the gold glove, Urías. He has rotated between first and third base for St. Louis this week. He had his great offensive game on Tuesday in the series opener against the Washington Nationals where he had three hits, one of them being his first home run of the year. In relief, Romero maintains his immaculate effectiveness after three weeks of activity. He had a performance in two games, without receiving a run and only received three hits.
Urquidy has remained in a relief role and did not have a good time this week. In his two reliefs, he received runs and this Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, he took the first loss of the season on his record. Urquidy allowed five runs, only two earned, leaving the ERA at 3.38.
Gonzales started the week as a starter in the first four games, but came off the bench in the last two. He still has a good batting average at .267 and has played all infield positions with the Pirates.
Ortiz’s wood has gone out and little by little he stops being the undisputed starter in the Brewers shortstop with starting activity in four of six games this week. He had just two hits in the week, scoring one hit to have his batting average at .220.
The right-hander from Tijuana returned to the Cubs’ rotation and with it confirmed that Cade Horton will miss the entire season, Assad could remain in the rotation of Craig Counsell’s team all year. His season debut was on Tuesday, April 7 against the Rays, at Tropicana Field he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to win his first game of the season. Assad is scheduled to start this Monday in Philadelphia and next Sunday would be his first start at Wrigley Field hosting the Mets.
Thomas’s wood has completely gone out, he only had two hits in the week and he is still below .200 for the season, with just a .133 batting average. On defense he continues to do a very good job, without registering errors so far and already with an assist for an out.
The first Mexican to go on the injured list this season. Estrada was placed on the 15-day IL for elbow tendinitis and will be out of action for the next two weeks. Before going on the disabled list, he went 1-1, with a 5.14 ERA and three holds.
Before Thursday, the Rockies’ three Mexicans were key pieces of the Colorado bullpen that was one of the best in all of MLB. The four-game series against the Padres in San Diego changed everything and the three Mexican pitchers received runs. Including last Thursday when Bellozo received a Grand Slam walkoff in the extra innings.
