MLB Player News
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Jose Suarez SP | ATL
Braves' Jose Suarez: Fans career-high nine
Suarez (2-0) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out nine.
The nine Ks were a career high for Suarez, who was making his first big-league start of the season and first MLB appearance since April 10. The 27-year-old southpaw missed over two months this summer in the minors with an undisclosed injury, but in four appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett after being activated from the 7-day IL in late August he posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 20 innings, and he carried that momentum with him to the majors after his promotion. Suarez was originally brought up for a spot start in the twin bill, but after racking up a massive 21 swinging strikes on 99 pitches (65 total strikes) against the Nats, he may have earned one more turn through the rotation before the end of the season. Atlanta hasn't indicated whether its pitching plans will get shuffled to accommodate him, but with days off coming each of the last two Thursdays in September, the team has plenty of flexibility.
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Allows homer in 25th save
Bednar picked up the save Tuesday against the Twins. He allowed a solo homer while striking out one over an inning.
The right-hander surrendered a deep shot to Trevor Larnach with one out in the ninth inning but settled in to retire the next two batters, locking down a Yankees win and his 25th save. Since arriving at the deadline, Bednar has been solid in pinstripes, compiling a 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, eight saves, three wins and three blown saves across 17 outings.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Phillies' Jhoan Duran: Bounces back for save
Duran pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.
Duran took a blown save Monday, but he was sharper Tuesday, throwing just 12 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side. He's up to 31 saves on the year, 15 of which have come in a Phillies uniform since he was traded from the Twins. The closer has added a 1.88 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB through 67 innings between the two teams this season, with an even better 1.53 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 17.2 innings for Philadelphia.
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Tristan Beck RP | SF
Giants' Tristan Beck: Mediocre in start
Beck allowed three runs on five hits and struck out one without walking a batter over three innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
This was Beck's first start of the season, but he didn't do all that well. He threw 27 of 42 pitches for strikes and ran into trouble in the second inning, though the Giants still held a lead when he exited. A handful of bad outings have skewed his overall numbers, and he carries a 5.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB through 51 innings over 27 appearances in the majors. It's unclear if he'll get another start before the end of the campaign, as he has primarily functioned as a multi-inning reliever.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Stops bleeding late, earns save
Abreu earned the save Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
The right-hander was summoned in the eighth inning after Enyel De Los Santos nearly squandered a 6-1 lead. Abreu, who had allowed eight runs over his previous six appearances, looked to be in danger of another rough outing as he gave up an RBI single to Adolis Garcia following a walk to the first batter he faced. However, Abreu managed to settle down, escape further damage and finish off the ninth to secure his seventh save of the season. The performance not only helped seal a much-needed win for Houston but also provided a confidence boost for Abreu. He owns a 2.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 103:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings on the year.
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Andrew Saalfrank RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Nabs win Tuesday
Saalfrank (2-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win over the Giants on Tuesday.
Saalfrank was down over the weekend due to left shoulder fatigue that prompted imaging, but it appears nothing concerning was found, as the reliever was able to return after a few days off. Saalfrank ended up with the win after pitching a clean top of the ninth inning, after the Diamondbacks walked it off in their half of the frame. He's been part of a closer committee late in the season, picking up three saves and five holds since the start of August. Overall, Saalfrank has a 1.33 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB through 27 innings this season.
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A.J. Blubaugh P | HOU
Astros' AJ Blubaugh: Racks up sevens Ks in short start
Blubaugh struck out seven and scattered two hits and one walk over three scoreless innings in his start during Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision in the victory.
Called upon to make his second start of the season in what was essentially a bullpen game for the Astros, Blubaugh was electric out of the gate, striking out the first four batters he faced on his way to racking up an eye-popping 21 called or swinging strikes on only 50 pitches before giving way to Colton Gordon. Blubaugh has been outstanding in September, working 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and four walks. The rookie carries a 2.16 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 25 innings this season. He'll likely shift back to the bullpen temporarily but could be called upon when the Astros next require a fifth starter during the final series of the regular season versus the Angels.
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Ronny Henriquez RP | MIA
Marlins' Ronny Henriquez: Picks up seventh save
Henriquez allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Rockies.
Henriquez entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning after Michael Petersen let Colorado get on the board. In the ninth, Henriquez also ran into some trouble, but he had just enough wiggle room to close out his first save since July 22. It appears the Marlins simply wanted to get the right-hander some work, as nominal top ninth-inning option Calvin Faucher should have been available Tuesday. Henriquez has mostly worked as a setup man this year, earning seven saves and 24 holds while pitching to a 2.43 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 91:24 K:BB over 66.2 innings. Prior to this game, he had not allowed an earned run since July 27 versus the Brewers.
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Riley O'Brien RP | STL
Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Notches save No. 5
O'Brien picked up the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win against the Reds, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
With JoJo Romero handling the eighth against the bottom of Cincy's order, O'Brien was entrusted with a three-run lead in the ninth and made quick work of the Reds' 2-3-4 hitters, needing just nine pitches to lock down his fifth save of the year. It marked the right-hander's third save in his last five appearances. The 30-year-old sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season.
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Keegan Akin RP | BAL
Orioles' Keegan Akin: Notches sixth save
Akin allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn a save against the White Sox on Tuesday.
Akin gave up a one-out single to Chase Meidroth before striking out the last two batters he faced to close out the 8-7 win. It was Akin's sixth save in nine chances since the start of August. During that span, he's produced a 3.15 ERA while also adding four holds. For the year, Akin owns a 3.20 ERA with a 56:31 K:BB and six saves through 59 innings.