MLB Player News

Rockies closer John Axford saved his 14th game of the year, finishing off Sunday's win over Arizona. 

Axford pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit and protecting a two-run lead. 

Axford turned in his third straight scoreless outing. 

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa gave up six runs in five innings to lose for the first time since June 8, Sunday against Colorado. 

De La Rosa left before completing six innings for the second start in a row and fifth time in the last eight starts. He gave up eight hits and two home runs. It's the most hits, runs and homers he's surrendered since June 8. 

The loss dropped De La Rosa to 6-4 and snapped a two-decision winning streak. 

Shelby Miller notched a solid start, but didn't factor in the decision as the Braves dropped an extra-inning affair to the Phillies on Sunday. 

Miller went 6 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits, but didn't allow any runs. He struck out eight and walked just two in the 108-pitch effort. 

Despite the strong work, Miller still hasn't picked up a victory since May 17, with three losses and six no-decisions over that timeframe. His ERA is still a very respectable 2.07, among the NL league leaders. 

The Braves promoted pitchers Arodys Vizcaino and David Carpenter from Triple-A following Sunday's loss to the Phillies, the team announed.

Vizcaino had a a 5.40 ERA in five innings of work for the Cubs last season, while Carpenter has a career 5.23 ERA in 43 innings.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth inning to save Sunday's win over Cleveland. 

Melancon converted his 25th save opportunity in a row and recorded his 27th save of the season. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 14 appearances. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman got his first work in four games with a ninth inning of Sunday's loss to Milwaukee. 

Chapman entered trailing by five runs and retired the side in order, striking out one. 

The suddenly surging Brewers didn't get a gem out of starter Jimmy Nelson on Saturday, but they scored enough runs that it didn't matter.

Nelson, who has just two quality starts in his last eight outings, allowed three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, but managed to win in Cincinnati. He walked one and fanned five.

He had allowed only a home run to Marlon Byrd through four, but an Ivan De Jesus blast in the fifth and Byrd run-scoring single in the sixth weakened his performance.

Nelson has surrendered 18 runs in his last 28 1/3 innings pitched, yet he has won three straight starts.

Barack Obama was in his third year as president the last time Dodgers left-hander J.P. Howell recorded a save.

Howell now has a save for both of his terms in office. He registered another by striking out Curtis Granderson to nail down a win Saturday night aganst the Mets. His last previous save was in 2011.

His usage in that role was necessitated by the unavailability of closer Kenley Jansen, who threw 24 pitches in taking the loss Friday and has allowed a run in each of his last three appearances.

It's Independence Day. The last time Pirates closer Mark Melancon gave up a run, Memorial Day was just a twinkle in the eye of Father Time.

Melancon surrendered nothing but a walk and weakly hit infield single to the Indians on Saturday in tying Glen Perkins for the major league lead with 26 saves. He has not allowed a run in his last 25 appearances.

Things did get a bit hairy with two outs when he pitched around torrid Jason Kipnis for a walk and Francisco Lindor dumped a seeing-eye dribbler to short for a hit. But Melancon induced tough Michael Brandley to ground out to secure the victory.

His 1.62 ERA is at its lowest point since April 13.

The Rockies have reinstated reliever John Axford from the Family Medical Emergency list, the team announced on Saturday. Axford had been away from the team since Tuesday.

Right-hander Justin Miller was optioned to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 25-man roster.