MLB Player News

Astros starter Collin McHugh dropped to 13-6 on the season with a loss to Oakland on Saturday. The loss snapped a personal four-decision win streak, as McHugh tasted defeat for the first time since July 10. 

McHugh allowed two runs on five hits. It's the fourth time in five starts he's given up two or fewer runs, and it's the fewest hits he's allowed since surrendering four in his last loss. 

McHugh struck out eight, his most since June 28. 

Athletics starter Jesse Chavez snapped a two-decision losing streak and won for just the second time in the last seven decisions. 

Chavez allowed one run on six hits over seven innings, his longest start since June 17. He walked a season-high four and struck out four, improving his record to 6-11.  

After a stellar first start with his new team, Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris had a rough time against the Red Sox on Friday. The young left-hander allowed five runs on nine hits over just 3 1/3 innings, as Boston topped Detroit 7-2. Norris needed 83 pitches to record 10 outs, and never really had much working in this one.

Norris (2-2, 4.24 ERA) gave up two runs in the very first inning, and then allowed a two-run home run to David Ortiz in the third. 

Norris was coming off one of his finest starts as a big-leaguer his last time out, as he allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings against the Orioles. Friday was just his big-league second start since the end of April.

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly won his second straight start, as Boston topped the Tigers 7-2 on Friday night. Kelly went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, both of which came on a two-run homer by J.D. Martinez in the fourth inning. He scattered seven hits, while walking two and striking out seven. He did have a high pitch count, throwing 96 pitches with 56 strikes.

Friday's performance represents the first time Kelly allowed fewer than four runs in a start since June 17, a stretch of five outings. 

Despite the positive outing, Kelly (4-6) still owns a hefty 5.96 ERA this season. 

Rays closer Brad Boxberger suffered his third blown save of the season, as he was the losing pitcher in the 4-3 loss to the Mets on Friday. Boxberger entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. 

But Boxberger allowed the lead-off batter to reach on his own throwing error, and then gave up a one-out, RBI double to Michael Conforto. The Mets scored again later in the inning, as both runs were unearned due to the error. 

Boxberger (4-7) has been the losing pitcher in consecutive appearances now, though he had converted 12 save chances in a row before Friday's mishap. 

The Twins made a couple of roster moves following Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Catcher Chris Herrmann and right-handed reliever A.J. Achter have been recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

Herrmann was up earlier with the team, going 10 for 64 with a home run and eight RBI in 25 games as the back-up catcher. 

Achter will be looking to make his season debut for the Twins. He did make seven appearances in 2014, posting a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings of relief. At Triple-A this year, he is 4-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 14 saves in 40 appearances for the Red Wings.

In corresponding moves, right-hander Tyler Duffey was optioned to the minors and catcher Eric Fryer was designated for assignment, according to MLB.com.

Duffey endured a horrific MLB debut in his start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Fryer has just three hits in 18 at-bats this season.

Perhaps the slump that has plagued Rangers starter Nick Martinez since spring turned into summer is over.

Martinez gave up just one run on one hit in five innings Wednesday against Houston to raise his record to 7-6. He walked three and struck out one.

The lone tally was on a Jed Lowrie double in the fourth inning, after Martinez had retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced.

It was arguably his finest outing since June 9. Martinez had yielded 24 runs in his previous 28 innings covering five starts.

Twins rookie right-hander Tyler Duffey had a rude welcoming to the big leagues, as he was roughed up in his Major League debut on Wednesday. The youngster allowed six runs on five hits over just two innings of work in the 9-7 loss to the Blue Jays.

The 24-year-old got off things off with a bang, as he allowed a two-run home run to Josh Donaldson with no outs in the first inning. He was able to escape the first without any further damage, but he allowed four more runs to score in the second--all on a grand slam by Jose Bautista.

Duffey had been pitching well in the minor leagues this year, but it remains to be seen if he will draw another start with the Twins after Wednesday's rough outing.

Athletics starter Kendall Graveman was unable to make an early 3-1 lead stand up, as the Orioles beat the A's 7-3 in extra innings on Wednesday. Graveman allowed three runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three, throwing 79 pitches with 49 strikes.

Graveman put the A's down first, as he allowed a run in the top of the third. But the A's tied the game in the bottom half, and grabbed the lead with a two-run third inning. Graveman proceeded to give up a pair of RBI singles in the sixth however. He did not factor in the final decision.

The young right-hander has seen some uneven results recently. In his past six starts, he has two outings with no earned runs, and four others with three or more, including Wednesday. He is 1-3 with a 4.84 ERA over that stretch. 

The mediocrity that has marked the recent performance on the mound of Angels starter Hector Santiago was pronounced again Wednesday afternoon against host Cleveland.

Santiago gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings against an Indians lineup sans top hitters Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley. He walked one and fanned seven.

He cruised through three innings, retiring eight in a row at one point. But he was hurt by an RBI single by Ryan Raburn in the fourth, solo homer by Jose Ramirez in the sixth and another by Raburn to start the seventh, which knocked him out of the game.

Santiago has surrendered 11 runs in his last 16 innings over three starts. His 2.78 ERA is at its peak since May 2.