The Rosario Trifecta

Twins’ outfielder Eddie Rosario had his entire family in attendance for Sunday’s game against the Indians. His parents, who hail from Puerto Rico, along with his wife and three children were all in the stands in Minnesota on Sunday to cheer Rosario on. He put on quite a show for them.

Rosario got the Twins on the board in the first inning, crushing a solo homer to left field off of Indians’ starter Mike Clevinger.

He went back to work in the seventh inning. Immediately after Brian Dozier had homered to tie the score at 4-4, Rosario greeted Indians’ reliever Tyler Olson with his second solo shot of the ballgame, putting the Twins ahead 5-4. He wasn’t done though.

Rosario saved the best for last. With the score knotted at 5-5 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning, Brian Dozier drew a lead off walk off of Indians’ closer Cody Allen. It was then that Rosario’s father, Eddie Sr., stood up from his seat expecting something magical to happen. Rosario then crushed a walk-off two-run homer to center field, sending the Twins home as 7-5 winners.

"That walk-off -- I asked for it” Rosario Sr. said after the game. “As soon as it left the bat, I just said, 'Game over.' And a lot of things in Spanish. But it was great. I'm very glad with what he's doing right now. My emotions, I'm just excited. And the family is so happy right now. Heck of a game."

It was the second three-homer game in Rosario’s career and just the ninth time in Twins’ franchise history that a player has clubbed three home runs in a game.

Astoundingly, the last game that his parents attended, was June 13 against the Mariners last season, which just happened to be the only other time in his career that Rosario has left the yard three times. That came in a 20-7 thrashing of the M’s.

Rosario admitted after the game that he was swinging for the fences in that final at-bat. ''After he threw me a second ball, I knew he was going to throw me a fastball,'' Rosario told reporters after the game, “'It was up, and he throws 95, but I stayed through the ball. I didn't know where the ball was going, but I wanted to try to finish the game.''

Rosario has been on a tear at the plate over the last four weeks and is now slashing a robust .317/.352/.573 with 13 homers, 40 RBI and five stolen bases. Since May 1, he’s hitting .378 (48-for-127) with 10 homers and 28 RBI in 31 games.

With the victory, the Twins take three out of four games from the Indians, giving them their first series win against the Indians in Cleveland since the 2015 season.

Wacha Wacha Wacha

Cardinals’ right-hander Michael Wacha seems like he has been around forever and has already made 133 starts in his major league career. He’s still only 26-years-old though, and still has an extremely bright future ahead of him in the big leagues.

After dominating the National League through his first three seasons with the Cardinals, he fell flat on his face and posted a 5.09 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 27 appearances (24 starts) in 2016 while battling shoulder soreness. He took a step back in the right direction in 2017, but still wasn’t an asset in most fantasy leagues with an underwhelming 4.13 ERA and troublesome 1.36 WHIP.

Through 12 starts at least, 2018 has been a different story.

Wacha improved to 7-1 with Sunday’s victory over the Pirates, and delivered one of the finest starts of his entire career. The right-hander made a serious bid at throwing the fourth no-hitter of the 2018 season. He had allowed just a pair of walks in the fifth inning, but was otherwise perfect heading into the ninth inning. That’s where Pirates’ third baseman Colin Moran spoiled the day by dropping a soft line drive into right field to lead off the inning. Wacha was then lifted for Jordan Hicks, who came on and stranded the runner to preserve the shutout.

Wacha racked up eight strikeouts in the impressive performance, touching as high as 97 mph with his fastball. He now boasts an outstanding 2.41 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 61/27 K/BB ratio over 71 innings on the season. While the strikeout numbers are a tough below what you’re looking for from an elite starter in fantasy leagues, Wacha has already delivered considerable profit to owners who were willing to roll the dice on him on draft day in March.

Archer Aching

Rays’ ace Chris Archer had to be pulled from Saturday’s start against the Mariners after just five innings due to tightness in his groin. Now, he could be headed to the disabled list.

When asked how he felt on Sunday, Archer admitted that he didn’t feel any better, telling reporters "It's still there… and I'm going to get it looked at on the off-day and have a much better update for everybody after that."

Archer is scheduled to meet with Dr. William Meyers, a Philadelphia-based specialist in core muscle and groin issues, and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. At this point, the Rays have called him “questionable” to make his next start, but it would be surprising if he doesn’t miss at least one outing.

Archer also admitted that while he doesn’t want to miss any time, his going to proceed cautiously here. "It's questionable," he said. "And obviously it hurts because the only thing I take pride in and have an ego about is pitching once every five days. Regardless of the results I want to be there for my team. I'm going to do everything I can to be out there but not do anything silly to over-exert myself."

American League Quick Hits: J.D. Martinez was removed from Sunday’s game in the ninth inning due to back spasms. He’s considered day-to-day… Sunday’s game between the Yankees and Orioles was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on August 25… Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported that multiple teams are interested in free agent slugger Hanley Ramirez… According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore, the White Sox have received preliminary trade interest in James Shields… The Indians inked right-hander George Kontos to a minor league contract… Matt Joyce was held out of the Athletics’ lineup on Sunday due to lower back tightness… The Twins plan to recall pitching prospect Zack Littell to make his major league debut during Tuesday’s doubleheader against the White Sox… Daniel Gossett was removed from Sunday’s start against the Royals with right elbow tightness. He’ll undergo an MRI on Monday and is likely heading to the disabled list…James McCann had to leave Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays with a left intercostal spasm. He maintains that he’ll play on Monday…  Steven Wright will make a spot start for the Red Sox on Tuesday… C.J. Cron was removed from Sunday’s game after being drilled in the forearm by a pitch. X-rays came back negative and he’s considered day-to-day… Marwin Gonzalez is still considered day-to-day with right knee soreness and manager A.J. Hinch expects him to avoid the disabled list… Justin Smoak homered and drove in three runs as the Blue Jays salvaged the finale of their three game series against the Tigers… Aaron Sanchez fanned seven over six innings of one-run ball in that victory… Edwin Encarnacion blasted a pair of homers and drove in four runs in a loss to the Twins… Tyler Skaggs struck out six over six shutout innings in a victory over the Rangers… Felix Hernandez delivered a vintage performance in a win against the Rays, allowing just one run on five hits while fanning seven across eight frames… Edwin Diaz worked the final inning to pick up his league-leading 21st save… Dee Gordon swiped his league-leading 19th base in the win… Blake Snell matched an American League record by striking out the first seven batters that he faced. He fanned 12 on the day in a tough-luck no-decision… Mitch Moreland swatted his 10th home run as the Red Sox dispatched of the Astros.

National League Quick Hits: Devin Mesoraco is dealing with some minor tightness in his left hamstring and is considered day-to-day… Todd Frazier (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday… Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez admitted that Daniel Murphy isn’t expected to return any time soon… Dennis Santana will make his first major league start on Thursday against the Pirates… Jeremy Hellickson was forced to leave Friday’s start after one inning due to a right hamstring injury… Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Johnny Cueto (elbow) could return to the rotation before the end of June… Steven Souza Jr. will have a follow-up MRI on Monday to see how his pectoral injury is progressing and whether or not he can ramp up his physical activity… Anthony DeSclafani will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Rockies… Noah Syndergaard (finger) is on track to rejoin the Mets’ rotation on Sunday against the Yankees... Addison Russell is expected to miss a couple of games after suffering a sprained left middle finger during  Sunday’s win over the Mets...Christian Villanueva was lifted from Sunday’s game against the Reds with a left ankle contusion. He’s day-to-day… Jon Lester struck out seven over seven shutout innings in a victory over the Mets… Javier Baez stole home to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning of that game… Charlie Culberson launched a pinch-hit walk-off two-run homer to beat the Nationals on Sunday… Marcell Ozuna blasted a grand slam in a victory over the Pirates… Max Muncy homered twice and plated four runs, leading the Dodgers past the Rockies… Dereck Rodriguez, son of Hall-of-Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez, earned a victory in his first MLB start on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings against the Phillies.