The 2021 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls from this week.
Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels
Rendon was just beginning to get going with eight RBI in his first seven games back from going on the injury list in mid-April. Unfortunately, he fouled a ball off his leg resulting in a knee contusion that rendered him “day-to-day” prior to returning to the injured list on May 6.
Through May 8, Rendon is hitting .276 with five extra-base hits, seven walks and 11 strikeouts. His OPS is .814.
Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins
Duffey converted holds in back-to-back appearances this week, throwing 1.1 innings scoreless innings across a pair of two-out outings. His strikeout of Adolis García in the eighth inning on Tuesday was his 198th strikeout at Target Field, moving him up to sixth all-time in park history.
Move over, @PJHughes45!
ALL-TIME TARGET FIELD STRIKEOUTS
Kyle Gibson – 425*
Jose Berrios – 359
Francisco Liriano – 268
Ervin Santana – 215
Jake Odorizzi – 199
Tyler Duffey – 198*
Phil Hughes – 197
Glen Perkins – 190
Brian Duensing – 185
Trevor May – 174*includes tonight pic.twitter.com/vwURD0MJ7T
— Twins Gems (@TwinsGems) May 5, 2021
It was smooth sailing until Saturday when the Tigers ambushed him for four runs in 0.2 IP, doubling his season-long ERA which had sat at 2.53 entering the weekend.
Through May 8, Duffey has a 5.56 ERA with a 1.765 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
Brock Holt – Texas Rangers
Holt was placed on the injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to May 3 after suffering a right hamstring strain. Like Rendon, this is his second time to miss games this season with an injury.
Through May 1, Holt has 11 hits in 44 at bats, a .250 average. He’s walked eight times, struck out 11 times and collected five RBI.
Lucas Luetege – New York Yankees
Luetege continues an impressive season. Over the past eight appearances, he’s allowed no runs, four hits and struck out seven in nine innings. He picked up his second win of the season this week.
Through May 8, Luetege has a 3.26 ERA with a 1.034 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
