The Baseball Buffet for 5/15/2026

PHI 3, BOS 1 - This game was a pitcher's duel with neither starter allowing any runs: PHI SP Jesús Luzardo (6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) and BOS SP Ranger Suárez (5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K). The Phillies scored three in the top of the eighth, including Kyle Schwarber hitting a 2-run HR, his MLB-leading 18th of the year. The Red Sox managed to score one in the bottom of the eighth, but then Phillies closer Jhoan Duran struck out three in the ninth and notched his 7th save.

DET 4, NYM 9 - The Tigers pounced on NYM SP Nolan McLean in the first inning, including a 3-run HR by Gage Workman, before he settled in and pitched well after that (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K). Dillon Dingler added a HR in the eighth, his eighth of the season, but that wasn't nearly enough as the Mets hit five HRs in five separate innings in this game. Rookie A.J. Ewing hit a solo HR in the third, the first of his major league career. Then Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Juan Soto, and Marcus Semien hit the others, as the Mets scored runs in six different innings. The win gave the Mets their first sweep of the season.

COL 2, PIT 7 - The Pirates chased COL SP Chase Dollander after just one inning of work (1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K), with Ryan O'Hearn hitting a 2-run HR. They scored three more in the third inning to take an early 6-0 lead. O'Hearn went 3-4 on the day, and Konnor Griffin, Endy Rodríguez, and Jared Triolo had two hits apiece. Meanwhile, the Bucs started out with Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk each throwing scoreless frames, and then turned to Carmen Mlodzinski who did fairly well for five innings (5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K).

WSH 1, CIN 15 - CIN SP Chase Burns did well once again (6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K), lowering his ERA on the year to 1.87. WSH SP Foster Griffin, on the other hand, struggled (4.1 IP, 7 H, 9 ER, 3 BB, 7 K), as did reliever Zak Kent and ultimately position-player Joey Wiemer who pitched and gave up five hits and four runs in the eighth. JJ Bleday led the way by going 3-5 with 2 HR and 6 RBI; Matt McLain was 2-3 with a walk, a HR, a double and 3 runs; Dane Myers hit a 3-run HR; and Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Ke'Bryan Hayes had two hits apiece.

MIA 1, MIN 9 - MIN SP Zebby Matthews did well in his 2026 major league debut (7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), while MIA SP Braxton Garrett couldn't get out of the second inning in his 2026 major league debut (1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 K). Austin Martin was 2-4 with a walk, a double, and 3 RBI; Ryan Kreidler was 2-3 with a walk and 3 runs; and James Outman was 2-3 with a walk, a double, 2 runs, and 3 RBI.

SDP 1, MIL 7 - SDP SP Griffin Canning couldn't get out of the second inning (1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K), while MIL SP Kyle Harrison pitched five shutout innings (5 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K). Brice Turang went 1-2 with 2 walks, a double, and 2 runs; Garrett Mitchell was 2-4 with 2 doubles; Andrew Vaughn was 2-3 with a walk, a double, and 2 RBI; and Luis Rengifo was 2-4 with 3 RBI.

SEA 8, HOU 3 - Seattle's Luke Raley hit a 3-run HR in the top of the first, and they went on to score four more off HOU SP Mike Burrows (5.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). Mitch Garver had his first HR of the season; Brendan Donovan was 3-5 with a triple and a double; and J.P. Crawford was 2-5 with a double. Meanwhile, SEA SP Luis Castillo had 6 K in 5.2 IP (4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB), allowing a HR to Yordan Alvarez, his 14th of the season. Alvarez was 3-3 with a walk and a double on the day, and Braden Shewmake went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI in the losing effort.

STL 5, ATH 4 - Nick Kurtz hit a solo HR in the bottom of the first inning, but then STL SP Michael McGreevy settled in and once again had a solid game (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K), lowering his ERA on the season to 2.10. ATH SP Jacob Lopez (5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) gave up HRs to Victor Scott II and Jordan Walker, his 12th of the season. Down 3-1, the A's took the lead with a 3-run seventh inning, that included a Zack Gelof solo HR. The Cardinals battled back in the top of the ninth, scoring two to retake the lead. They brought in their closer Riley O'Brien who struck out two in the bottom of the ninth to secure his 13th save (tied for the MLB lead).

CHC 2, ATL 0 - ATL SP Chris Sale had another solid outing (6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K), but one unearned run crossed in the sixth and the Cubs scored another later in the eighth from a HR by Ian Happ. That was all they would need, as Ben Brown once again did really well in a short start (4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K), and four Cubs relievers combined for a shutout. Daniel Palencia struck out two in the ninth and earned his 3rd save.

KCR 2, CWS 6 - The Royals scored one in the top of the first, but then CWS SP Anthony Kay settled in and only allowed another run in the seventh (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K). Meanwhile, Randal Grichuk hit a 2-run HR in the bottom of the first, and the White Sox kept scoring after that off KCR SP Kris Bubic (4 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). Grichuk had another 2 RBI later as well, and Chase Meidroth went 2-3 with a walk.

SFG 2, LAD 5 - LAD SP Emmet Sheehan pitched well (6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K), only giving up a 2-run, inside-the-park HR to Jung Hoo Lee in the fifth. Three Dodgers relievers pitched scoreless innings, with Tanner Scott striking out two in the ninth to record his 4th save. Teoscar Hernández went 3-4 with 2 doubles, and Will Smith hit his fourth HR of the season.

COL RP Jimmy Herget - 15-day IL (right shoulder impingement)

SEA C Cal Raleigh - 10-day IL (right oblique strain)

The Mariners have traded RP José Suarez to the Athletics for cash. This is his third team so far this season, having started the year with the Braves.

80 - MIL Jacob Misiorowski

75 - TOR Dylan Cease

67 - PHI Cristopher Sánchez

66 - CLE Gavin Williams

64 - NYM Nolan McLean

64 - ATL Chris Sale

61 - PHI Jesús Luzardo

61 - LAA José Soriano

59 - CHC Shota Imanaga

59 - NYY Cam Schlittler

59 - NYY Will Warren

9 - DET Riley Greene

9 - HOU Braden Shewmake

7 - TBR Nick Fortes

7 - BAL Samuel Basallo

7 - KCR Bobby Witt Jr.

7 - CIN Elly De La Cruz

Topps Magazine, Spring 1991, featuring Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla on the cover (with insert cards still included)

1991 Doug Drabek Starting Lineup figure

1973 Steve Blass 7-Eleven cup

(5) 1984 Fun Foods Buttons

(9) different oversized cards

(9) different 1980s team stickers

(10) different Willie Stargell cards

(15) different Dave Parker cards

(14) different Bill Madlock cards

(12) different Kent Tekulve cards

(25) different Bobby Bonilla cards

(48) different Barry Bonds cards

… and a few other miscellaneous items!

His 3,011 strikeouts make him the all-time leader for the Braves franchise. Which three other pitchers have had 2,000+ strikeouts for the Braves?

In 1996, Smoltz had 276 strikeouts. During the modern era (1901-present), which other two Braves pitchers have had 250+ K in a season? (They each did so only once.)

1894: A massive fire starts at a ballpark. "In the aftermath of a fierce fight between Baltimore's John McGraw and Boston's Tommy Tucker in the 3rd inning, a devastating fire starts in the RF stands at Boston's South End Grounds. The fire destroys $70,000 worth of equipment as well as the park, the only truly double-decked grandstand Boston would ever have. The fire spreads to adjacent blocks and eventually destroys or severely damages 170 buildings. The team moves to the Congress Street ballpark for several months before returning to the rebuilt Walpole Street park."

1899: Wee Willie hits a long drive. "Willie Keeler, one of the smallest players and best bunters, drives the ball past startled LF Ed Delahanty of the Phillies for an inside-the-park grand slam and an 8 - 5 victory for Brooklyn."

1941: Joe DiMaggio hits an inconsequential yet important single. "Joe DiMaggio gets a single in four at bats against Eddie Smith of the Chicago White Sox to start his 56-game hitting streak. Joe D's hit goes unnoticed as the Yankees lose, 13 - 1. Taffy Wright homers and drives in four White Sox runs, the eighth straight game he's driven in a run."

1944: Clyde Shoun throws a no-hitter. "A day after the Reds pitch a one-hitter, Reds reliever Clyde Shoun, making his first start of the season, throws a no-hitter to nip the Boston Braves, 1 - 0. Only 1,014 see the 32-year-old lefty top Jim Tobin, who had thrown a no-hitter of his own back in April. Reds reserve 3B Chuck Aleno accounts for the sole run with his only home run of the season."

1952: Virgil Trucks throws a no-hitter. " After pitching four no-hitters in the minors, 33-year-old Virgil "Fire" Trucks of Detroit pitches his first in the major leagues, a 1 - 0 blanking of the Senators. Vic Wertz's dramatic two-out home run in the 9th off Bob Porterfield wins the game at Briggs Stadium. Trucks will throw a second no-hitter later this year."

1960: Don Cardwell gets traded and then threw a no-hitter. "After being traded from the Phillies, Don Cardwell no-hits the Cardinals in his Cub debut. The Winston-Salem, NC native becomes the first pitcher to keep the opponents hitless in a first start after being traded."

1973: The first no-hitter by the Ryan Express. "California's Nolan Ryan strikes out 12, including the side in the 1st, and hurls his first career no-hitter in beating Kansas City, 3 - 0. For C Jeff Torborg, it is his third no-hitter. SS Rudy Meoli preserves the no-no with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the 8th. It is the first of a record seven no-hitters the "Ryan Express" will throw during his career, including another one in two months."

1981: Len Barker pitches a perfect game. "The Indians' Len Barker pitches the ninth perfect game in 20th century major league history, 3 - 0 over the Blue Jays before just 7,290 fans on a rainy night at Cleveland Stadium. Last year's American League strikeout leader, Barker fans 11. It is the 11th time in major league history the feat has been accomplished, and the first time in 13 years since last being done, by Catfish Hunter in 1968."

1998: A big trade between the Dodgers and Marlins. "In one of the biggest trades in recent years, the Dodgers send All-Star C Mike Piazza and 3B Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins in exchange for outfielders Gary Sheffield and Jim Eisenreich, C Charles Johnson, 3B Bobby Bonilla and P Manuel Barrios."

Hall of Famer

21-year major league career, spanning from 1973-1993, all with the Royals

Mostly played 3B, winning a Gold Glove Award in 1985, before switching to 1B and DH late in his career

13-time All-Star, and won the AL MVP Award in 1980 after leading the league with a .390 average to go with 24 HR, 118 RBI, and 15 SB in only 117 games

That was his second batting title, having previously won with a .333 mark in 1976

It was also one of his eight seasons with 20+ HR, and one of four with 100+ RBI

He led the AL in hits three times, triples three times, and doubles once

He generally performed well in the postseason, winning the ALCS MVP in 1985, and overall posting 10 HR and a .337/.397/.627 slash line over 43 games

Overall had 3,154 hits, 1,583 runs, 1,596 RBI, 317 HR, 201 SB, a .305/.369/.487 slash line, and a 135 OPS+

His older brother Ken Brett pitched in the major leagues for 14 seasons, playing for 10 different clubs

Hall of Famer

21-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1988-2009, mostly with the Braves

Eight-time All-Star, including in 1996 when he won the NL Cy Young Award after leading the league in wins with a 24-8 record and in strikeouts with 276

Had 200+ strikeouts five times

Missed the 2000 season due to injury, and then came back as a reliever for four seasons. He led the NL with 55 saves in 2002, and then posted 45 saves with an impressive 1.12 ERA in 2003.

Overall had a 213-155 (.579) record, 154 saves, 3,084 strikeouts, a 3.33 ERA, and a 125 ERA+

After retiring Smoltz became a broadcaster and analyst, working primarily with Fox Sports and MLB Network.

14-year major league career, spanning from 2003-2016, mostly as a 1B with the Twins

Four-time All-Star, and won the AL MVP Award in 2006 after hitting 34 HR with 130 RBI and a .321 average

Hit 30+ HR three times, and posted 100+ RBI four times

Overall had 247 HR, 985 RBI, a .281/.348/.481 slash line, and a 120 OPS+

First-round draft pick (2nd overall) in 1999 by the Marlins

14-year major league pitching career, spanning from 2001-2014, with the Marlins, Red Sox, and Dodgers

After doing well in the ALDS and ALCS, he was the World Series MVP in 2003 when the Marlins defeated the Yankees, with 19 K in 16.1 IP across two starts with a 1.10 ERA

Three-time All-Star, and came in second in the AL Cy Young Award vote in 2007 after leading the AL in wins with a 20-7 record, to go with a 3.27 ERA and 194 strikeouts

Was outstanding in the 2007 postseason with Boston, posting 35 K in 30 IP, winning all four of his starts and posting a 1.20 ERA

Overall had a 138-106 (.566) record, a 3.88 ERA, and a 111 ERA+

15-year major league career, spanning from 2009-2023, as an OF with the Indians and Astros

Five-time All-Star

Was a high average hitter with a modest mix of power and speed, with 15+ HR four times and 15+ SB three times

His best statistical season came in 2014 when he hit 45 doubles and 20 HR, had 97 RBI, and hit for a .327 average

Overall had 129 HR, 125 SB, a .298/.355/.439 slash line, and a 117 OPS+

10-year major league career, spanning from 1883-1892, mostly as a LF with St. Louis of the American Association

He scored 100+ runs five times, and had 100+ RBI three times

In 1887, he famously led the American Association in just about everything including a .435 average, 167 runs, 225 hits, 52 doubles, 19 triples, 14 HR, and 123 RBI, all in just 124 games played.

Overall he had a .326/.392/.458 slash line and a 144 OPS+

11-year major league career, spanning from 1971-1981, mostly as a CF with the Athletics and Giants

Led the AL with 54 SB in 1974 and then 75 SB in 1976, with seven total seasons with 30+ SB

Overall had 395 SB, a .261/.365/.323 slash line, and an even 100 OPS+

9-year major league career, spanning from 2012-2020, mostly as a 2B with the Twins

Had 20+ HR six times, including career highs of 42 HR and 99 RBI in 2016

Had 100+ runs four times and 15+ SB three times

Overall had 192 HR, 105 SB, a .244/.325/.441 slash line, and a 107 OPS+

BOS Connelly Early vs. ATL Spencer Strider - both pitchers did well in their most recent outings

NYY Cam Schlittler vs. NYM Clay Holmes - both pitchers are having good seasons so far, with Schlittler posting a 1.35 ERA, and Holmes having a 1.86 ERA

TEX Jack Leiter vs. HOU Spencer Arrighetti - a Lone Star State matchup, with Spencer Arrighetti being one of the lone bright spots for the Astros so far this year, as he owns a 1.88 ERA over five starts

BAL Taylor Ward, 4-8, 2 HR vs. WSH Zack Littell

CIN Nathaniel Lowe, 6-11, double vs. CLE Tanner Bibee

STL Alec Burleson, 3-8, HR, double vs. KCR Michael Wacha

ARI Nolan Arenado, 5-10, 2 doubles vs. COL Kyle Freeland

ARI Ketel Marte, 17-48 (.354), 3 HR, triple, 5 doubles vs. COL Kyle Freeland

ARI Lourdes Gurriel, 4-12, HR, double vs. COL Kyle Freeland

COL Ezequiel Tovar, 7-16, 2 HR, 2 doubles vs. ARI Merrill Kelly

BAL Tyler O'Neill 2-16, 4 K vs. WSH Zack Littell

CIN Elly De La Cruz, 1-9, 6 K vs. CLE Tanner Bibee

CLE Steven Kwan, 1-10, 1 K vs. CIN Andrew Abbott

COL Brenton Doyle, 2-15, 8 K vs. ARI Merrill Kelly

LAA Yoan Moncada, 0-13, 9 K vs. LAD Blake Snell... ouch!

SFG Heliot Ramos, 1-11, 4 K vs. ATH Aaron Civale

ATH Aaron Civale, 67 AB, 0 HR, 15 K, 5 BB, .149/.206/.222 vs. SFG hitters

CIN Andrew Abbott, 48 AB, 0 HR, 10 K, 3 BB, .208/.270/.249 vs. CLE hitters

COL Kyle Freeland, 99 AB, 5 HR, 12 K, 15 BB, .343/.429/.603 vs. ARI hitters

3,011 - John Smoltz

2,912 - Phil Niekro

2,493 - Warren Spahn

2,091 - Tom Glavine

281 - Spencer Strider (2023)

276 - John Smoltz (1996)

262 - Phil Niekro (1977)

248 - Phil Niekro (1978)

241 - John Smoltz (1997)

Rivalry Weekend has arrived! Here are the most intriguing clashes, by Will Leitch at MLB, 5/14/2026

Shutouts, Shotime, Varshotime and more wild Stats of the Week, by Sarah Langs at MLB, 5/14/2026

Fun With Numbers... Aaron Judge, by Paul Semendinger at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 5/15/2026

Comparing All-Star centerfielders Brett Butler & Steve Finley, by Mark Kolier at Almost Cooperstown, 5/15/2026