MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman walked Yonder Alonso in the ninth inning Monday in San Diego. That proved to be a costly mistake.

Chapman couldn't record an out as Chris Denorfia pinch-hit for Will Venable in the next at-bat and homered for a walk-off win for the Padres. Chapman took his fourth blown save and the loss to fall to 3-4 on the year.

The Cincinnati closer threw eight pitches to lose the game. His ERA is at 3.02. That is back-to-back appearances in which Chapman has walked a batter and he has 21 free passes over 41 2/3 innings. Of course, he also has 70 strikeouts. Chapman has 24 saves in 28 chances.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller (10-7) fell one out shy of another quality start and was hit with his seventh loss of the season Sunday night against the Braves at Turner Field. The right-hander allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings pitched in a 5-2 win.

Miller allowed seven earned runs combined over his last four starts (22 2/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Cincinnati. He is 4-5 with an ERA of 3.98 in 10 starts away from home.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest against the Cardinals in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. The right-hander made quick work of the opposition as he needed only eight pitches to retire the side in order for a 5-2 win and his 31st save of the season.

Kimbrel joined John Smoltz as the only Atlanta pitchers to record 30-plus saves in three different seasons. He has converted 21 consecutive save opportunities since his last blown save on May 7, striking out 41 batters in 26 innings. He owns a 1.34 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings pitched.

Mets starting pitcher Carlos Torres had his worst starting since joining the rotation Sunday at Washington, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk in three innings during a 14-1 loss. He struck out two.

Torres tossed a scoreless first inning before the Nationals scored three times in the second inning on RBI hits from Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper. Ramos then delievered the big hit in a five-run third inning -- his first career grand slam.

Torres (1-2) would not come out for the fourth inning after putting New York in an 8-0 deficit. He had allowed all of two runs in his first two starts.

The Mets are going with a six-man rotation for the time being, so Torres won't be back on the hill until Saturday against the Royals.

The Rockies optioned starting pitcher Collin McHugh to Triple-A Colorado Springs Sunday, according to The Denver Post. McHugh made his first start for Colorado Saturday against the Brewers, taking the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in five innings.

The Cardinals are continuing their pursuit of White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to ESPN. Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez, pitcher Joe Kelly and second base prospect Kolten Wong have reportedly been mentioned as the names also being talked about in the deal.

Relievers J.J. Hoover and Manny Parra has been outstanding out of the Reds' bullpen lately. Hoover hasn't allowed a run in his last 17 innings (14 appearances), while Parra has a 14 2/3 scoreless innings streak (18 appearances) through Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Hoover, who has lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 3.30, has struck out 21 batters during his scoreless streak, while allowing seven hits and six walks. He also has two wins and one hold in that span.

Parra has struck out 17 during his scoreless innings streak, while walking three and allowing five hits. He's lowered his ERA from 8.44 to 3.55, while picking up one win and four holds in that span.

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop worked a scoreless inning Saturday against San Francisco, his 11th scoreless outing in as many appearances as a Cub.

Strop has been working the eighth inning in the majority of his appearances, adding credence to the idea that he is the closer-in-waiting if the club decides to trade current closer Kevin Gregg. In 9 2/3 innings with Chicago, Strop has allowed just four hits and has 12 strikeouts against three walks. Despite the excellence, his full-season numbers are still brutal: a 5.06 ERA with 18 walks in 32 innings.

Making his first start with his new team, Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh fell to 0-2 after giving up six earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two in five innings in his team's 7-5 loss to the Brewers.

The poor start gives McHugh a 10.50 ERA, 2.08 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB ratio in 12 innings. He'll face the Braves Thursday if he sticks in the rotation.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen picked up his 14th save in his team's 4-1 win over the Reds, pitching a scoreless ninth inning without allowing any hits or walks and without striking out a batter.

Jansen is a perfect 7 for 7 in save opportunities in July, and he hasn't allowed multiple runs in an appearance since taking over the closer job. He owns a 2.24 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 72:9 K:BB ratio in 52 1/3 innings.