MLB Nightly 9: Brewers' Martin Maldonado ends 17-inning marathon with walk-off home run

Alec Brzezinski

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MLB Nightly 9: Brewers' Martin Maldonado ends 17-inning marathon with walk-off home run image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Welcome back, Josh Hamilton. The enigmatic and troubled star is making an instant impact since returning to the Rangers. On Friday, Hamilton hit his first two home runs of the season. On Sunday, he followed it up with a a pinch-hit, two-run double to win the game against the Red Sox. The Angels won't be pleased.

MORE: Babe Ruth's last game, 80 years ago | Cardinals honor Oscar Taveras

Meanwhile, the Brewers and Diamondbacks seemed destined to play their game well into Monday before Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado hit a walk-off home run in the 17th inning to finally defeat Arizona 7-6.

Here are more highlights from Sunday's games:

Impact Players:

C — Martin Maldonado, Brewers: What didn't he do? Let's start at the plate. Maldonado went 4 for 6 with three runs, a walk-off home run, two RBIs and two walks. He also made an incredible, acrobatic catch behind the plate (see below).

1B — Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: Goldschmidt is on a mission this year. This time, he reached first base seven times in the D-backs' 17-inning marathon. He went 3 for 4 with a solo home run and four walks.

2B — D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies: LeMahieu continued his breakout season with a 3-for-4 day that included a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.

SS — Jose Reyes, Blue Jays: Reyes went 3 for 5 with two RBIs in a loss to the Twins.

3B — Manny Machado, Orioles: Machado has had a quiet season thus far, but made sure he was heard loud and clear against the Rays. He went 3 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs.

OF — A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks: Pollock went 3 for 7 with a run, two RBIs, two walks and a stolen base in a 17-inning loss.

DH — Joey Butler, Rays: Despite not scoring or driving in a run, Butler made his presence felt by going 4 for 5 in a win against Orioles.

SP — John Danks, White Sox: Danks pitched a complete-game shutout despite allowing 10 hits. He struck out six and improved to 3-4 on the season.

Key Injuries:

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco is being called day-to-day after leaving Sunday's start against the Blue Jays with a sore right ankle. 

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Red Sox after jamming his thumb while attempting to break up a double play at second base.

Nationals outfielder Denard Span was removed from the game in the eighth inning of Sunday's game due to soreness in his right knee.

Surprise Performers:

Good: Orioles outfielder Delmon Young: It's hard to believe Young is still only 29. It seems as though he's been in MLB forever, and played for half the teams in it. He went 3 for 4 with two solo home runs on Sunday, proving he's still an important bat.

Bad: Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke: Locke has struggled all season (three or more earned runs in six of his last seven starts), but he got dismantled by the Padres on Sunday to the tune of seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and only three strikeouts. He is now 3-3 on the season.

Web Gems:

Dee Gordon glides in to make a diving grab:

 Kevin Kiermaier saves the day:

Elvis Andrus with a series of impressive plays:

Martín Maldonado makes an acrobatic catch behind the plate:

Facts of the Day:

Here's some insight into what pitchers think about with an even count:

Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. hit a home run for the third straight game, after homering only three times in his first 28 games of the season. He ended up 3 for 5 with two runs, a home run and three RBIs on the day.

Jason Kipnis set an Indians record for most hits in the month of May (51). The previous mark of 49 was set in 1913 by Shoeless Joe Jackson.

It wasn't perfect, but Danks certainly was impressive:

Josh Donaldson is clutch:

Joc Pederson's nine home runs in May tied a franchise record for home runs in a month by a rookie.

Reactions:

Because who doesn't love watching Bartolo Colon hit?

"Nobody likes to be embarrassed at any level, and he knows people are laughing at him when he hits," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Colon, via MLB.com, who is batting .143 this year. "He has taken the offensive side seriously. And hopefully, he keeps it going a little bit."

Off the Field:

Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Blue Jays standout second baseman Devon Travis (shoulder) will be shut down for the next week after suffering a setback with his left shoulder. 

Justin Verlander (triceps) struggled in his first rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over just 2 2/3 innings.

Scores:

AL:

White Sox 6, Astros 0

Rays 9, Orioles 5

Twins 6, Blue Jays 5

Rangers 4, Red Sox 3

Athletics 3, Yankees 0

Indians 6, Mariners 3 (12)

Angels 4, Tigers 2

NL:

Reds 8, Nationals 2

Mets 4, Marlins 3

Rockies 4, Phillies 1

Cardinals 3, Dodgers 1

Braves 7, Giants 5

Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 6 (17)

Padres 7, Pirates 1

Interleague:

Cubs 2, Royals 1 (11)

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Twins (30-19) at Red Sox (22-29), 7:10 p.m.: The Red Sox enter June under the .500 mark for the second straight season — the first times they've started the season that way since 1996-97.The Twins, on the other hand, just keep winning (7-1 in their last eight games), so the Red Sox will continue to have their hands full.

Dodgers (29-20) at Rockies (22-26), 8:40 p.m.: Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 3.86 ERA) is looking to build off the momentum he gained from his last start. Coors Field isn't exactly a pitcher-friendly park, and young Nolan Arenado is on fire (four home runs, 10 RBIs last week), but if Kershaw is back, none of that will matter.

Yankees (26-25) at Mariners (24-25), 10:10 p.m.: Felix Hernandez (8-1, 1.91 ERA) faces off against Michael Pineda (6-2, 3.36 ERA) and the Yankees. Hernandez is off to a scorching start, and shouldn't have trouble with New York at spacious Safeco Field.

Alec Brzezinski