Although the Astros fell to the Mariners 6-4, Yordan Álvarez had an impeccable day. The slugger collected four hits in as many at-bats, drove in two runs, scored twice and became only the second Cuban to hit for the cycle. Álvarez has now gone yard for the 20th time nd saw his average rise to .301 on the campaign.
Randy Arozarena homered for the second day in a row, his 15th on the season during Tampa’s 6-4 victory over the Yankees. The speedster from Pinar del Río, Cuba has now knocked in 35 runs on the season and is hitting a robust .321 over his last seven outings.
Nick Castellanos launched his 14th longball of the season and scored on an occasion to do his part in the Phillies’ 6-0 blanking of their cross-state rival Pirates. The Cuban-American outfielder is starting to find his way with the bat hitting .302 over the last month.
Jorge Soler led off the game with a towering solo-homer to set the pace in San Francisco’s 3-2 win over the Rockies. For the slugger it was his 11th dinger of the season to go along with 35 runs batted in. Soler has been a new man with lumber since settling into leadoff spot for the Californian squad.
Cuban action on the day:
Nick Fortes (MIA) 2-0*
J.D. Martínez (NYM) 4-1,RBI*
José Iglesias (NYM) 4-2
Nick Castellanos (PHI) 4-2,HR,RBI,R*
Nolan Arenado (STL) 4-0*
Ryan Fernández (STL) 1.0IP,H,0ER,2K,BB*
Randy Arozarena (TAM) 4-2,HR,RBI,R
Andy Ibáñez (DET) 1-0
Luis Robert (CHW) 4-0
Dairon Blanco (KC) 4-2,RBI,SB
Lourdes Gurriel Jr (ARI) 4-0
Adolis García (TEX) 4-1
Jorge Soler (SF) 4-2,HR,RBI,R
Zach Neto (LAA) 5-2,R
Yordan Álvarez (HOU) 4-4,2B,3B,HR,2RBI, 2R
Romy González (BOS) 3-1,R*
Andy Pagés (LAD) 4-1,2B,R
*Cuban-American