How incredible was Wednesday across MLB? It was a day of historic proportions.
For the first time in MLB history, there was a "Maddux" (complete game on fewer than 100 pitches, tracked since 1988), a 15-strikeout game, a team scoring 20 runs in a game and a walk-off home run all on the same day, per STATS.
Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright threw the "Maddux," continuing to defy time as he nears his 40th birthday, tossing a two-hit shutout of the Pirates on just 88 pitches in a 4-0 win at PNC Park.
Meanwhile, fellow NL Central right-hander Corbin Burnes tied an AL/NL record by striking out 10 consecutive batters at Wrigley Field in the Brewers' 10-0 win over the Cubs. Burnes struck out 15 overall and didn't walk a batter, giving up only four hits over eight innings.
Just those two masterful pitching performances alone would have made for a historic day in baseball. But there was more. The Red Sox erupted for a 20-8 victory over the Rays at Fenway Park thanks in large part to Xander Bogaerts (four RBIs), Hunter Renfroe (four) and Bobby Dalbec (five), who combined to drive in 13 runs in the rout.
And what great day in baseball would be complete without a walk-off homer? Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies provided just that when he crushed the winning, three-run shot with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to beat the Reds, 8-6, at Truist Park.
Whew. What a day of baseball. What will we see next?