What’s Happening in Baseball Today

The First Pitch: May 20, 2026

James Wood hits the majors’ first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022—and the first by a member of the Nationals since Michael A. Taylor in 2017—the launching point for Washington in its comeback 9-6 victory over the visiting Mets. The slam by Wood—the first of his career—occurs after the Mets are spotted to a 5-0 lead in the second inning; the Nationals will score five more times through the fourth inning to take a 9-5 lead, holding the Mets down the rest of the way.

Congrats, Your Box Score Line Was the Best (Hitters Edition)

3-2-2-3—Jarren Duran, Boston                                   
It’s been a rotten start to the year for the occasionally controversial outfielder, which makes his performance in the Red Sox’ 7-1 win at Kansas City all the more sweet. (Even sweeter: Duran made several outstanding catches in left field.) Duran reached base four times, with a double, two walks and his fifth home run of the year; he finishes the night still batting at a paltry .189, but with more games like this…

Congrats, Your Box Score Line Was the Best (Pitchers Edition)

7.2-3-0-0-3-7—Kumar Rocker, Texas                                   
On a chilly night at Denver, the 26-year-old right-hander set personal highs in both innings and pitches (103) thrown—all without starting. Rocker entered the game after Tyler Alexander’s first-inning cameo as an opener and proceeded to shut the Rockies down all the way until his removal with two outs in the ninth. The Rangers’ 10-0 win gives Rocker a 2-4 record and 3.60 ERA through nine appearances (eight starts).

It Was Whatever-Something Years Ago Today

1926: The White Sox’ Earl Sheely begins a record-tying streak when he collects extra base hits in seven consecutive at-bats at Boston against the Red Sox. Six of Sheely’s hits are doubles, one a home run; in between, he lays down a sacrifice hit, which officially does not count as an at-bat. 

1948: The Indians tie an American League record when they induce 18 walks out of the Red Sox in a 13-4 victory at Cleveland. Red Sox starter Mickey Harris walks seven before being pulled in the second inning, and his replacement—19-year-old rookie southpaw Mickey McDermott—gives up 11 more passes in the six-plus innings he will pitch. Three of the walks come with the bases loaded. 

1960: Comiskey Park’s “exploding scoreboard,” the latest invention of promotional wizard/White Sox owner Bill Veeck, is used for the first time after Ted Kluszewski launches a home run off the Yankees’ Whitey Ford in a 5-3 Chicago win. The scoreboard reacts with fireworks, sparkling pinwheels and a menagerie of sound effects, wowing the crowd of 40,970.

You Say It’s Your Birthday

Happy birthday to:

Big outfielder Jayson Werth (47), masher of 229 home runs over 15 seasons 

2000s catcher Ramon Hernandez (50), 2003 AL All-Star with Oakland 

Todd Stottlemyre (61), pitcher of 138-121 record over 14 seasons 

David Wells (63), three-time All-Star pitcher of 239 games including 1998 perfect game with Yankees; won league-leading 20 games for 2000 Blue Jays; 10-5 postseason record with 3.17 ERA, earning two World Series rings 

Born on this date:

Bobby Murcer (1946), left-handed power hitter who had brief reign of excellence with Yankees; five-time All-Star; top AL hitter of 1971; played with Giants and Cubs before returning to Yankees for final five years of his career 

Ken Boyer (1931), seven-time All-Star third baseman for Cardinals; 1964 NL MVP, driving home MLB-leading 119 runs and hitting two homers in winning World Series over Yankees; five-time Gold Glove recipient 

Hal Newhouser (1921), Hall-of-Fame pitcher who won 201 games; only pitcher to win back-to-back MVPs (1944-45); four-time league leader in wins, topping out with 29 in 1944; two-time ERA champ; six-time All-Star 

George Grantham (1900), infielder with career .302 batting average between 1922-34 

Wilcy Moore (1897), late-bloom pitcher who won AL ERA title in his rookie year at age 30; 51-44 record over six seasons; 2-0 record, 0.56 ERA over three World Series appearances; fashioned 156-84 record as a minor leaguer

Shameless Link of the Day

Check out the decade-by-decade history the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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