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5 Things: Kris Bryant's Debut And Home Run Robbery

By Andrew Kahn

It’s been a fun week in baseball. Bartolo Colon recorded his first RBI in 10 years and lost his helmet in the process. Robinson Cano thought the bases were loaded when his teammate walked, and was thrown out trying to get back to third when he realized they were not. And Odubel Herrera, whose first name is an anagram of “double,” recorded his first major league hit in the form of a walk-off double to beat the Nationals. But wait, there’s more…

Here comes Kris

He’s one of the top prospects in baseball, and he’s set to make his major league debut tonight at Wrigley Field. Kris Bryant, the power-hitting third baseman, will face James Shields and the Padres after the Cubs kept him in the minors to start the season solely to push back his eventual free agency. The 23-year-old right-handed slugger will reportedly take the roster spot of Mike Olt, who is headed to the disabled list. Bryant was the No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of San Diego.

Archie over aces

Archie Bradley made his major league debut with Arizona on Saturday and beat reigning National League MVP Clayton Kershaw. He followed it up by outpitching last year’s World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner, in his second start last night. The No. 7 pick in the 2011 draft went six innings in his debut, allowing one hit and walking four while striking out six in a 6-0 Diamondbacks win. He even got a hit in his first at-bat off Kershaw. Last night in San Francisco, Bradley gave up a run in the first but settled in. He recorded two outs in the seventh before giving up a single and exiting with a 4-1 lead. The Arizona bullpen blew the lead, denying Bradley another win, but the Diamondbacks won in 12 innings.

Milestone for Mark

The Blue Jays’ Mark Buehrle won his 200th game last Friday night (and his 201st on Wednesday). The reliable lefty is one of four active major league pitchers with 200 wins (Tim Hudson, C.C. Sabathia, and Bartolo Colon are the others). There may not be many more joining the club in the near future.  The next closest is A.J. Burnett (155), who plans to retire after this season. The only others with more than 145 wins are 36-year-old John Lackey and Justin Verlander, both of whom have 152 victories. Buehrle has a perfect game, no-hitter, and World Series on his résumé, but has received a vote for the Cy Young award just once. His steadiness is what sets him apart. Since his first full season in 2001, he’s reached 30 starts and 200 innings every year, all with an 85-mph fastball.

Steroid scandal?

Mets closer Jenrry Mejia was suspended on Saturday for 80 games for testing positive for Stanozolol. He is the fourth pitcher this year to get caught taking that substance, and one of three from the Dominican Republic. Is there a common thread? Assuming the drug was taken intentionally, it’s reasonable to assume the players thought they’d found a masking agent. MLB will investigate this further. Meanwhile, Mejia and the others will not be eligible for the postseason even after they serve their 80-game ban.

Home run robbery

Kevin Pillar has made several nice catches already this season, but none better than his incredible leaping snag to rob a home run on Wednesday. The Toronto left fielder sprinted to the warning track, timed his jump perfectly, and climbed the wall to take away a homer:

 

On Sunday, Houston’s George Springer made a catch that was slightly less impressive but far more important. If he didn’t make the play, the Astros would have lost the game right then and there. Instead, Houston stayed alive and beat the Rangers in 11 innings.

 

Andrew Kahn is a regular contributor to CBS Local who also writes for Newsday and The Wall Street Journal. He writes about baseball and other sports at http://andrewjkahn.com. Email him at andrewjkahn@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @AndrewKahn

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