MLB Player News

Brown (10-10) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over four-plus innings as the Astros were downed 5-4 by the Yankees. He struck out five.

A fifth-inning error by Mauricio Dubon on a potential double-play ball right after a leadoff walk to Aaron Judge spelled the end of Brown's night, and both baserunners eventually came around to score after he'd left the mound. The right-hander didn't necessarily deserve a better outcome, though -- he tossed only 54 of 94 pitches for strikes, and the four free passes were the most he'd issued since he walked five Giants on May 2. Brown has been tagged for at least five runs in three of his last five starts, and fatigue could be a factor for him down the stretch as his 137 innings on the season are already a career high. Unless Houston decides to give the 25-year-old some extra rest between starts, his next outing lines up for a home series next weekend against the Padres.

Allen did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

It wasn't the start that Allen hoped for as the right-hander surrendered a leadoff home run to Yandy Diaz in the opening at-bat. He appeared to settle in after that, retiring nine of the next 10 batters he faced before giving up a three-run shot to Christian Bethancourt in the fifth. Allen had not allowed more than one home run in any of his previous five starts, and he's now surrendered at least four runs in two straight. On a positive note, he did not issue a walk Saturday for the first time in his last seven outings.

Brito (6-6) picked up the win Saturday in a 5-4 victory over the Astros, scattering two hits over 3.2 scoreless relief innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Luis Severino got the hook after four innings, and Brito's sharp relief outing allowed him to get credited with his second straight win. With Michael King still getting stretched out and Severino struggling, there's been plenty of long-relief work for Brito since he rejoined the big-league staff in August, and aside from a rough appearance against the Red Sox on Aug. 18 he's been mostly successful with the assignment, allowing one run or fewer in four of his five trips to the mound and compiling a 4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 16.2 innings.

Severino came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Yankees' 5-4 win over the Astros, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander lived in the zone all evening, tossing 75 of his 104 pitches for strikes, but he managed only nine swinging strikes and got taken deep by Michael Brantley in the second inning and Yainer Diaz in the fourth. Severino had put together a 14.2-inning scoreless streak prior to that Brantley homer, but he hasn't been able to sustain success for more than a couple starts at a time this season -- since the beginning of August, the 29-year-old has a 5.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 27.2 innings. If he stays on turn, Severino's next outing would come at home next weekend against the Brewers.

Castillo did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in an 8-7 win over the Mets. He struck out two.

The 30-year-old ace held the Mets scoreless until a single and a hit-by-pitch preceded DJ Stewart's three-run homer in the fourth inning. Despite Castillo's substandard performance, the right-hander was in line for the victory before New York tied the game in the eighth. The no-decision snapped a string of four consecutive starts in which Castillo earned a win, posting a 2.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and an impressive 26:4 K:BB across 27 innings during that streak. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in Tampa Bay next week.

Clevinger (6-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing eight runs on 12 hits over four innings against Detroit. He struck out two and didn't issue a walk.

Clevinger's first start since clearing waivers was undoubtedly his worst of the season, as the right-hander surrendered 12 hits and eight earned runs to a Detroit offense that ranks 29th in OPS across MLB. In his six previous starts after returning from injury, the 32-year-old posted a 2.31 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB across 35 innings. After Saturday's dreadful outing, Clevinger's season-long ERA jumped from 3.32 to 3.90. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is slated to be a rematch with the Tigers next week.

Olson improved to 3-6 Saturday, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 victory over the White Sox. He struck out one and didn't issue any walks.

Olson needed just 79 pitches to cruise through seven innings unscathed Saturday, scattering just four singles in a blowout victory. Detroit handed him a 4-0 lead before he took the hill, and the 24-year-old clearly pitched to contact, as he managed only one strikeout in the outing. In the rookie's two starts following his rough outing against the Cubs on Aug. 22, Olson has allowed just one run and posted a 0.97 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB across 11.1 innings. He is currently slated for a rematch with the White Sox at the end of the upcoming week.

Bradish (10-6) earned the win over Arizona on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Bradish toiled a bit in needing 107 pitches to get through six frames, but he was able to keep Arizona off the scoreboard outside of a two-run third. The right-hander finished with his third straight win and his fourth consecutive quality start, beginning September in strong fashion after posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB over 29.2 innings across five starts in August. The 26-year-old is flourishing in his second big-league campaign, ranking fifth among qualified MLB starters with a 3.03 ERA, ninth with a .224 BAA and 13th with a 1.11 WHIP.

Kikuchi (9-5) allowed six runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Rockies on Saturday.

After a five-start stretch of allowing one run or fewer, Kikuchi has been tagged for 13 runs (nine earned) over his last 15.1 innings. The Blue Jays' defense didn't do him any favors Saturday, as a pair of Ernie Clement errors at shortstop led to four of the Rockies' runs. Kikuchi is now at a 3.63 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 152:42 K:BB through 143.2 innings through 27 starts this season. His ratios are still the best he's posted in his five-year career. Kikuchi is lined up for a favorable home start versus the Royals next week.

Montgomery pitched 3.2 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks. He did not strike out any batters.

Montgomery was spotted a 4-0 lead after two frames, but he couldn't take advantage. He gave up a solo home run in the third inning, then allowed six straight batters to reach base with two outs in the fourth. Five of those came around to score, and Montgomery was given the hook before finishing the frame. This was easily his worst start as a Ranger -- he had gone at least 5.1 frames in each appearance and posted a 2.13 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over four outings with Texas prior to Saturday. Montgomery will look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively slated to take place at home against Oakland next weekend.