Surprise! Moisés Ballesteros' parents travel from Venezuela and see son make his MLB debut
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — The parents of Moises Ballesteros traveled from Venezuela thinking they were going to see their son play for the Chicago Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa.
Instead, the 21-year-old catcher was called up by the Cubs after Ian Happ was put on the 10-day injured list, and the Ballesteros' family was able to attend Moisés' MLB debut on Tuesday night.
While Ballesteros had a lackluster 0-for-4 outing in his first big league game, Chicago did manage to pull out a 5-4, walk-off victory over the Miami Marlins.
After the game, Ballesteros said he was anxious and that his nerves got the better of him, but that he was trying to 'give it his best' every time he was at the plate with his family making their first trip to the U.S.
'My parents had never watched me play in person as a professional,' Ballesteros said. 'To have them be here at my first professional game, I was trying to just make them proud and go out there and give it my best. We're going to move on to tomorrow, but it was really special.'
Ballesteros earned the start as a designated hitter. In his final at-bat, with runners on first and second in the ninth inning, Ballesteros grounded into a fielder's choice and beat out the throw to reach base safely. The play also advanced Carson Kelly to third base, a crucial part of the Cubs' three-run ninth comeback.
Per MLB Pipeline, Ballesteros was the Cubs' No. 4 prospect and the No. 8 catching prospect in the minors.
Ballesteros' first major league game was an exciting one, he said, and he reiterated how great it felt that his team was able to come together for the win.
While he is still looking for his first big league hit, he did get his first MLB game out of the way. Now, Ballesteros will focus his opportunities moving forward.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
recommended
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
26 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement leaves game in 9th after banging knee diving for a grounder
ST. LOUIS — Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement left in the ninth inning Wednesday against St. Louis after banging his knee in the eighth when he dove for a grounder. Clement needed some attention but finished the inning. He was replaced in the field by Addison Barger for the ninth, and Toronto beat the Cardinals 5-2 . After the game, in an on-field interview with broadcaster Sportsnet, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said: 'Ernie's a hockey player. He should be fine. We just wanted to be careful with him and not make it worse.' Clement had three hits, including his fourth homer of the season that gave Toronto a 5-2 lead in the fifth. He raised his batting average to .280 for the season. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Westburg, Urias power Orioles to 10-1 win over Tigers
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jordan Westburg hit a three-run homer during a seven-run eighth inning and the Baltimore Orioles pulled away to a 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. Zach Eflin (6-2) allowed a run over 6 2/3 innings for his third consecutive victory. Keegan Akin struck out pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones to strand two and escape the seventh when it was a one-run game. Ramón Urías hit a two-run shot off Casey Mize (5-3) before the Orioles got going against the Tigers' bullpen. Gunnar Henderson singled in a run off Tyler Holton in the seventh. Then Cedric Mullin got the eighth started with an RBI double off Brenan Hanifee before scoring on a wild pitch. Ryan O'Hearn followed with a two-run double off Beau Brieske, before Westburg hooked Brieske's 1-0 offering around the left-field foul pole. Colt Keith provided the Tigers' run on an RBI double that struck high off the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Mize (6-2) struck out seven and walked two over 5 1/3 innings. Key moment After Keith's double cut it to 2-1, Detroit inserted Dillon Dingler to pinch hit with runners on second and third. Eflin induced Dingler into a sharp grounder to third, and Urías fired home in plenty of time for Adley Rutschman to tag out Wenceel Perez as the potential tying run. Key stat Eflin has now posted a 1.47 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers (18 1/3 IP, 3 ER). Up next Detroit's reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal (6-2, 2.16 ERA) looks for his first consecutive wins since mid-April after allowing only one run across his last three starts (23 2/3 IP). The lefty faces Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer (5-6, 4.98), who walked a season-high four batters and allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-0 loss at Detroit on April 27. ___ AP MLB:
Hamilton Spectator
29 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Detroit Tigers prized rookie Jackson Jobe to have season-ending Tommy John surgery
BALTIMORE (AP) — Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, the team announced Wednesday. The 22-year-old rookie went 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts after making Detroit's opening-day roster. He was placed on the 15-day injured with a Grade 1 right flexor strain following his May 28 outing. Selected third overall in the 2021 amateur draft, Jobe was the Tigers' third-ranked prospect in 2024, according to . The right-hander made two relief appearances for Detroit late last season, then two more in the American League playoffs. Detroit entered Wednesday with the best record in the majors at 44-24. ___ AP MLB:
