MLB Player News

Pirates closer Mark Melancon allowed one run on two hits, striking out three in his inning of work to record his 51st save of the 2015 season.

He came on with a two-run lead, but allowed a double and a run-scoring triple before finishing off the 3-2 victory over the Cubs. Melancon has been money all season converting 51-of-53 save chances while compiling a tidy 1.95 ERA.

Mark Melancon continued to lay claim to the distinction of being the finest closer in the game Thursday by nailing down his 50th save in 52 tries. He retired Colorado in order and fanned two in the ninth to complete a key victory for the Pirates. He is the second National League closer to reach 50 over the last 12 years.

Pittsburgh clawed back from a 4-2 deficit entering the eighth inning to afford Melancon his second save opportunity of the series. Though he doesn't possess the swing-and-miss stuff of some of the league's other top-tier closers, Melancon's reliability with the game on the line has been unparalleled this season.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out one batter across a perfect ninth inning Thursday en route to his 34th save in a 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Jansen has been fantastic this season and might be the best closer in the league right now. Not only does he hold a minuscule 0.77 WHIP, he also has 78 strikeouts in just 49 1/3 innings.

With how rocky the rest of the Dodgers bullpen has been, they might need to rely on their starters going deep into games once the playoffs begin and hand the ball to Jansen in the ninth to have success.

Rockies pitcher John Axford was lit up for four runs on three hits and a walk while recording just one out in Wednesday's 13-7 loss to the Pirates. 

Axford entered the top of the ninth inning with the Rockies facing a 7-6 deficit, but quickly squandered any chance of a comeback by allowing a bases-clearing double to Sean Rodriguez.

The ugly outing was a rare misstep for Axford in the last few weeks, as he had given up only two runs over his previous 14 2/3 innings.

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen secured his 33rd save Wednesday, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning en route to a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks. 

Jansen allowed an infield single to Ender Inciarte to begin his frame, but retired the next three hitters to quash the potential rally. The Dodgers closer hasn't recorded any strikeouts over his last two outings, but fantasy owners can hardly complain; Jansen boasts a 14.54 K/9 on the season.

Padres pitcher Craig Kimbrel (3-2) absorbed a blown save, but earned a win Wednesday night, giving up one earned run on a hit while striking out two in a 5-4 win over the Giants. 

Kimbrel's blown save came on a wild pitch, allowing Buster Posey to score and tie the game. The Padres would ultimately win on a walk-off Jedd Gyorko RBI single, awarding Kimbrel a victory as the pitcher of record.

Kimbrel's outings have come less frequently of late, making just six appearances thus far in September. The 27-year-old closer has pitched to a career-worst 2.72 ERA, but maintained an encouraging 13.01 K/9.

Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon converted his 49th save with a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

It's the eighth scoreless outing in a row for Melancon, who has surrendered no hits and has a 8:1 K:BB ratio during that span. The right-hander has a 1.24 ERA and 0.83 WHIP since April 23.

Rockies starter Chris Rusin took his ninth loss Tuesday against Pittsburgh as he allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Rusin has actually been worse on the road than at Coors Field this year, even though his home ERA is now up to 5.31 in 11 games (10 starts). Still, he's serving up a 5.46 ERA in 11 road games (again, 10 starts) and hitters are batting .320/.373/.536 off him in 272 plate appearances. In this case, it isn't Coors, it's Rusin. His ERA is up to 5.39.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson (head) has been placed on the 60-day DL Tuesday. 

Considering the Brewers already ruled him out for the remainder of the season, this move should come as no surprise.

Tyler Cravy is set to take the mound in place of Nelson, and he could finish out the rest of the season in the starting rotation if he pitches well Tuesday.

Braves starter Shelby Miller fell to 5-16 despite a quality start Monday against the Mets, as he allowed two runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out three.

Two of Miller's walks were intentional, so his control wasn't as bad as his line makes it seem. Miller has now lost 12 straight decisions, six of which were quality starts. The Braves are giving him under 2 1/2 runs per game in support and have scored two runs or fewer in 18 of his 31 starts. As of Monday night, he is the only starter in major league history with 16 losses in a season with an ERA of 3.00 or better.