Latest news with #Lourdes Gurriel Jr
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2 days ago
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Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes history with incredible home run vs. Padres
The post Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes history with incredible home run vs. Padres appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made MLB history on Tuesday, when he launched a 103.9 mph fastball for a game-tying home run in the eighth inning of their 10-5 extra-innings loss to the San Diego Padres. Gurriel crushed a two-run homer, sending the ball 439 feet with an exit velocity of 107.1 mph, the fastest pitch ever homered off since pitch tracking began in 2008. The pitch came from Padres flamethrower Mason Miller, who was recently acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline. Miller, whose velocity topped out at 104.2 mph on the night, had already allowed a two-out walk to Geraldo Perdomo when Gurriel stepped in. After fouling off four pitches, Gurriel connected on the 103.9 mph heater, tying the game at five and sending Chase Field into a frenzy. Gurriel also homered earlier in the game, hitting a two-run shot off Padres starter Yu Darvish in the first inning. It was his first multi-homer game since June and ended a home run drought dating back to July 1. Both homers were set up by two-out walks from Perdomo, highlighting the pair's crucial offensive contributions. Despite Gurriel's heroics, Arizona struggled mightily with runners in scoring position, finishing the game 0-for-13 in those situations. The Diamondbacks had several chances late, including a leadoff single by Blaze Alexander and a hit-by-pitch to Alek Thomas in the ninth, but they failed to capitalize. Ryne Nelson delivered a strong start for Arizona, tossing 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts, both season highs. He allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks, exiting with a 3-2 lead after reaching a season-high 100 pitches. However, Arizona's bullpen faltered, beginning with Kyle Nelson walking three straight batters without recording an out in the sixth. Rookie Andrew Hoffmann walked in the tying run, and Kendall Graveman later surrendered a two-run double to Ramon Laureano in the seventh, giving San Diego a 5-3 lead. Arizona tied the game on Gurriel's second homer, but the bullpen collapsed in the 11th. Jake Woodford gave up five runs on six hits in the inning, as the Padres pulled away. The loss dropped the Diamondbacks to 54-60 on the season and 4-8 in extra-inning games, tied for the third-most such losses in the league. Injury-wise, the Diamondbacks are also facing setbacks. Reliever Kevin Ginkel (sprained shoulder) is likely out for the season pending a second opinion. Meanwhile, Pavin Smith, Ildemaro Vargas, and Jordan Lawlar are all progressing in their rehabs, with Smith expected to return to action in a camp game on August 7. Related: MLB rumors: Why Diamondbacks didn't get more from Mariners in 2 big trades Related: Corbin Carroll joins Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig in MLB history
Yahoo
7 days ago
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- Yahoo
Where Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ranks on the 5 fastest pitches hit for HR
When the San Diego Padres gave up two of their top-3 prospects at the deadline in order to acquire flamethrower Mason Miller from the A's, it was a bold move that was informed by history. Basically, it's super difficult to get an extra-base hit off velocity of 102-plus mph, and Miller consistently gets there with his fastball. But no pitcher is invincible no matter how hard he throws. And Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. proved just that on Tuesday night when he tied the game in the eighth inning by crushing Miller's 103.9 mph fastball for a two-run homer. To put that homer into perspective, no home run had been hit this season on a pitch exceeding 102 mph until Tuesday. Among the 15 fastest pitches thrown this season, 13 of them belonged to Miller. And only one homer on a pitch exceeding 103 mph had been previously hit in the Statcast era. But where did Gurriel's homer rank among the fastest pitches hit for a home run in the Statcast era? Let's take a look. 5. Kurt Suzuki - 102.6 mph off Aroldis Chapman on June 18, 2016 4. Rafael Devers - 102.8 mph off Aroldis Chapman on Aug. 13, 2017 3. Josh Bell - 102.9 mph off Aroldis Chapman on Aug. 2, 2024 2. Ian Happ - 103.2 mph off Mason Miller on Sept. 17, 2024 1. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - 103.9 mph off Mason Miller on Aug. 5, 2025 That's right: Gurriel's home run from Tuesday was off the fastest pitch hit for a homer in the Statcast era (tracking began in 2008). But given that Miller and Chapman have record-breaking velocity, it's almost certain that Gurriel hit the fastest pitch for a home run in any era. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Where Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ranks on the 5 fastest pitches hit for HR
Yahoo
7 days ago
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- Yahoo
Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sets record by hitting home run off 103.9-mph pitch
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. took his time. The Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter didn't swing at the first two pitches he saw from San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller — a fastball that registered at 102 miles per hour for a ball and an 89-mph slider — with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning Tuesday night in Phoenix. The Cuban-American batter then fouled off the next four pitches, three of which were fastballs thrown between 101 and 104 mph. Miller's seventh pitch of the at-bat was another scorcher, but Gurriel made contact and this time kept the ball in fair territory. It traveled 439 feet and landed in the left-field stands for a two-run home run. Miller's pitch was clocked at 103.9 mph, making it the fastest pitch to be hit for a home run since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. "It's something that just happened,' Gurriel said after the game through an interpreter. Miller said of the pitch: 'Location could have been better, for sure. Ultimately, the result is what it is. I'm not going to sit here and regret what pitch I threw. Just got it out over the plate, a little bit high.' Gurriel's blast, which left the park at 107.1 mph, tied the game at 5-5. Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, they couldn't keep up the momentum against their National League West rivals and eventually lost 10-5 in 11 innings. Read more: Hernández: Mookie Betts sounds depressed, but he isn't giving up on snapping his hitting slump 'The real meaning was in the time of the game and what it meant to the team to tie the ballgame. That was the most important thing,' Gurriel said of his historic homer. 'I mean, unfortunately, it didn't turn into a win, but that was the most exciting thing.' It was Gurriel's second home run of the game — he also hit a two-run homer off Padres starter Yu Darvish in the first inning — and his 14th of the season. Before Tuesday, Gurriel had not hit a home run since July 1. Gurriel is the ninth player known to hit a home run off a ball thrown at 102 mph or faster and only the second player to do so off a pitch thrown faster than 103 mph. In September, Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs went yard off a 103.2-mph pitch. Read more: Parking at a Padres game was a bargain. Now the cost rivals that of Dodger Stadium That pitch also happened to be thrown by Miller, who was with the Athletics at the time before being acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline last week. In his second appearance for San Diego, Miller pitched one inning, giving up one hit and a walk with two strikeouts. One of his pitches was clocked at 104.2 mph, the fastest ever tracked for a Padres pitcher. 'It's a weapon,' Miller said of his fastball after Tuesday's game. 'But you still need to put together an at-bat for the guy, and work with him, as far as his swings and his approach in there." Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes history, crushes 103.9 mph pitch from Mason Miller for a 2-run homer
PHOENIX (AP) — San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller was bringing the heat on Tuesday night. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned the favor. Gurriel crushed a 103.9 mph fastball from Miller into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-all. It was the hardest hit pitch for a homer since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. It was part of a two-homer night for Gurriel. The veteran also hit a two-run shot in the first inning. The hard-throwing Miller was acquired from the Athletics at last week's trade deadline. He routinely throws over 100 mph and hit 104.2 mph with his hardest pitch on Tuesday night. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes history, crushes 103.9 mph pitch from Mason Miller for a 2-run homer
PHOENIX (AP) — San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller was bringing the heat on Tuesday night. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned the favor. Gurriel crushed a 103.9 mph fastball from Miller into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-all. It was the hardest hit pitch for a homer since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. It was part of a two-homer night for Gurriel. The veteran also hit a two-run shot in the first inning. The hard-throwing Miller was acquired from the Athletics at last week's trade deadline. He routinely throws over 100 mph and hit 104.2 mph with his hardest pitch on Tuesday night. ___ AP MLB:
