MLB Player News

The Nationals pitching staff as a whole didn't enjoy a good weekend, but reliever Matt Grace put forth the worst performance of them all.

The left-hander didn't retire a single batter in Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Reds. He allowed four runs on three hits before being pulled from the games.

"Just not making pitches" Grace said. "The ball was up in the zone, not getting ahead of guys. That's what happens. … It's frustrating, not being able to contribute to a win, not doing my job. It could be better."

Grace (2-1) now has a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings this season.

Through three innings, Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark was rolling. 

Then, solo home runs were surrendered in back-to-back innings in Washington's 8-2 loss to the Reds. Todd Frazier hit one in the fourth and Brandon Phillips hit one in the fifth. Roark went six innings and gave up two earned runs, 

However, reliever Aaron Barrett, Matt Grace and Taylor Hill had disastrous outings in the seventh. They combined for six runs allowed in what was otherwise a close game in the other eight innings. 

Roark, in the rotation with Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list, now has a 2.59 ERA. 

With reliever Jordan Walden out until at least late June, the Cardinals are looking for someone to handle the eighth-inning setup role. 

Kevin Siegrist got the opportunity on Friday, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. 

“It’s a role I would like to have,” he said, per StLToday.com.

He'll get a shot at winning the role, as will Seth Maness and Matt Belisle. 

"I think it’s going to be a combination of matchups, I think it’s going to be availability, and it is going to be playing the hot hand,” Matheny said. “It’s going to be a combination of all of those until we have somebody who just puts himself as this is my job. We’ll give a few guys that opportunity."

Pirates closer Mark Melancon came on in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Padres and shut the door for his 13th save of the season. The right-hander worked around a one-out single, recording a strikeout in his scoreless inning.

Melancon is now 13-for-14 in save chances this year and has allowed just one run in his last 16 appearances. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman picked up his ninth save Saturday, although he did have to deal with some baserunners to earn it. 

Chapman walked two batters with one out, bringing the tying run to the plate, but he recovered to strike out the final two hitters. The closer lowered his ERA to 1.61. 

Rockies closer John Axford nailed down his ninth save of the season in the 5-2 win over the Phillies on Saturday. Axford worked around a pair of singles to lead off the inning, as he got the next three hitters out in order to close out the game. 

The veteran right-hander has been stellar, as he is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season.  

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa threw five innings in a no-decision on Friday against the Brewers. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four. He gave up solo home runs to Carlos Gomez in the first inning and Adam Lind in the third.

De La Rosa (4-2) saw his season ERA rise to 4.50 with Friday's performance. He'll look to rebound in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Braves.

Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson pitched decently on Friday against the Diamondbacks. The young right-hander tossed six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out eight and did not allow a walk, throwing 71 of his 103 pitches for strikes as he was left with a no-decision.

Nelson (2-5) gave up solo home runs to Ender Inciarte and David Peralta in the third inning, as his ERA rose to 3.90 with Friday's performance.

He'll look for better results in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday in St. Louis.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman nailed down his eighth save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the 5-2 win over the Nationals on Friday. Chapman gave up one hit and struck out one.

Chapman has been shaky recently, giving up earned runs in two of his last four outings. But he is still a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances this season. 

Rockies closer John Axford pitched in a non-save situation on Friday, though it was not without a bit of drama. 

Axford, who came in with the Rockies up 4-0, allowed an unearned run to score with one out, thanks to an error by left fielder Brandon Barnes. But Axford was able to get the next two batters out to close out the game.

The unearned run ends a seven-game scoreless streak for Axford, who still holds a very fine 0.69 ERA on the season.