6/20/23 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Tuesday
20 June 2023 Sports
Alek Thomas homered during Arizona’s six-run first inning against Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly continued his road dominance and the Diamondbacks rolled to a 9-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
Kelly (9-3) moved into the NL lead for wins by striking out seven and allowing just three hits and one run in seven innings. Kelly has produced five consecutive quality starts.
Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Kelly has gone 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in seven road starts.
After getting called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day, Thomas went 2 for 4 and scored twice. His two-run homer into the second deck of the right-field seats capped the Diamondbacks’ first-inning outburst against Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner.
Milwaukee’s loss and Cincinnati’s 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies enabled the Reds to overtake the Brewers for the NL Central lead. The Brewers managed just three hits, matching their season low.
Corbin Carroll homered and Geraldo Perdomo and Jake McCarthy each went 2 for 3 for the NL West-leading Diamondbacks, who have won 12 of their last 15 road games.
Burnes (5-5) ended a string of four straight quality starts by allowing seven runs – matching his career high – in five innings. He struck out three and walked two.
The Diamondbacks wasted no time jumping on Burnes, as the first five hitters to face him all reached base.
Burnes’ first two pitches of the night resulted in hits, with Perdomo doubling down the right-field line and Ketel Marte delivering a single to right. Burnes walked Carroll to load the bases before Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. delivered consecutive RBI singles.
After Burnes retired Emmanuel Rivera on a run-scoring fielder’s choice and struck out Gabriel Moreno, Thomas capped the outburst with a two-run homer. Thomas’ drive off a 1-1 cutter traveled 412 feet. Thomas was playing his first game since returning to the majors, as the Diamondbacks optioned struggling Josh Rojas to Reno. Thomas had been sent down after batting .195 in 39 games with Arizona, but he thrived in Reno with a .348 batting average and .927 OPS in 26 games.
Milwaukee’s lone run came on Christian Yelich’s RBI triple down the right-field line in the third inning. Yelich has reached base safely in 12 straight games and is batting .422 (19 of 45) during that stretch.
RHP Ryne Nelson (3-4, 5.30 ERA) pitches for the Diamondbacks and RHP Colin Rea (3-4, 4.71) starts for the Brewers as this series continues Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7:10.
Elsewhere in the NL Central Monday the Cubs shutout the Pirates 8-0, the Reds edged the Rockies 5-4 and the Cardinals beat the Nationals 8-6. The Reds moved into first place in the division, a half-game ahead of the Brewers. The Pirates are 3 out, the Cubs 3 ½ and the Cardinals are 8 games behind.
After having Monday off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are back in action tonight. The T-Rats (25-36) host Lansing (29-33). First pitch is at 6:40.
In Northwood’s League action on Monday the Madison Mallards beat the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders 7-2 as Fond du Lac managed just two hits. Both teams will be back in action this afternoon in Madison, with the first pitch slated for 12:35 PM.
Fresh off a sure-fire Pro Football Hall of Fame career, Pewaukee, Wisconsin native J.J. Watt will be inducted into a hall of fame closer to home.
Watt will be one of 13 inductees into the U.W. Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.
Watt played defensive end for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2009 and 2010. He was a first-team All-American in 2010 and was named MVP of the Big Ten championship team, which he led in sacks and tackles for loss. Watt was a first-round draft choice of the Houston Texans, where he was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time first-team All-Pro and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Finishing up his career with two years as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Watt recorded 120 1/2 sacks in the regular season and playoffs. He retired following the 2022 season. .
So far, UW Athletics has named eight members of the 2023 hall of fame class. Inductees include football player Montee Ball, hockey player Brianna Decker and basketball player LaTonya Sims. The final five names will be revealed throughout the rest of June.
The induction ceremony is set for Sept. 15th. The class will also be recognized at halftime of the Badgers football game Sept. 16 against Georgia Southern.
Congratulations to the following Wautoma Hornets softball players for their recent accomplishments.
Ava Stahl, Ava Butt and Brianna Buechner received 1st-Team All-District for Division 2/3 District 3.
Ava Stahl received 2nd Team All-State for Division 2/3.
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