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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Astros' Charlie Morton: Wild in short outing
Morton allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and six walks while striking out four across 3.2 innings Saturday against the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.
Morton was exceptionally wild in this start, hitting four batters on top of the six free passes he surrendered. While his line was far from sparkling, it could have been much worse for him, as he managed to strand the bases loaded in both the first and second innings while stranding runners at second and third in the third inning. After an incredible run to start the season, Morton has come back to earth of late, as he has allowed 26 baserunners across his last 15 innings.
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Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
White Sox's Carlos Rodon: Fans seven in 2018 debut
Rodon (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the White Sox fell 4-2 to the Red Sox, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings while striking out seven.
The left-hander threw 63 of 97 pitches for strikes in his season debut, generating 15 swinging strikes, but some shoddy defense behind him and a pair of homers by Jackie Bradley and J.D. Martinez sent Rodon down to defeat. It doesn't look like the White Sox plan to limit his workload now that he's fully recovered from last September's shoulder surgery, putting Rodon on track to make his second start of the year Thursday at home against Cleveland.
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Kyle Gibson SP | BAL
Twins' Kyle Gibson: Takes loss despite quality start Saturday
Gibson (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Twins fell 2-1 to the Angels, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out five.
Both runs scored on solo homers, just the second time all year Gibson has served up multiple home runs in a start. The right-hander hasn't won since his first start of the season, but he's given the Twins seven quality starts and will carry a 3.45 ERA into his next outing Friday in Cleveland.
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Domingo German SP | PIT
Yankees' Domingo German: Strikes out nine
German allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out nine across six innings Saturday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.
German looked to be in for a disappointing start as he allowed all three of his earned runs in the first inning, but he managed to keep the Mets scoreless for his next five innings of work. He generated an impressive 19 swinging strikes on his way to nine strikeouts, matching his career-best mark. Although his 5.32 ERA is uninspiring, German has gotten a longer leash in each of his past three starts, pitching at least 5.2 innings in each of them for a total of 18.1 innings. He has taken advantage by striking out 19 batters in that span.
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Mike Clevinger RP | PIT
Indians' Mike Clevinger: Unravels in seventh inning Saturday
Clevinger (4-2) gave up two earned runs over 6.2 innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Tigers. He racked up five strikeouts and issued three walks on 104 pitches.
It wasn't Clevinger's sharpest outing, as evidenced by his three walks, but he was still effective overall. His undoing came in the seventh inning, where he walked in a run after loading the bases. Clevinger had allowed just three baserunners prior to that inning. He'll draw another favorable matchup in his next start Thursday with a date against the White Sox on tap.
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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Rays' Blake Snell: Records eighth win
Snell (8-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out one across six innings to earn the win Saturday against the Mariners.
Known for his ability to generate strikeouts, this was an unconventional start for Snell, though he still turned in an effective effort. The greater number of balls in play did result in him surrendering a season-high seven hits, though he limited the damage they caused by allowing only two extra-base hits. He continues to rank among the best pitchers in the American League, and certainly appears to be in the midst of a breakout season.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Orioles' Kevin Gausman: Takes no-decision in quality start
Gausman (3-5) gave up three earned runs on nine hits over 6.2 innings in Saturday's extra-inning loss to Toronto. He struck out six, walked none and did not factor in the decision.
Gausman had allowed 13 runs (12 earned) over his last two outings (eight innings), but responded with a quality start Saturday. The 27-year-old has a 4.58 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 74 strikeouts across 76.2 innings, and is next slated to start against the Marlins on Friday.
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Dallas Keuchel SP | MIL
Astros' Dallas Keuchel: Dismisses notion of pitch tipping
Keuchel considered the possibility that he's been tipping his pitches, but backed off that after watching video of his latest start, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Keuchel was left shaking his head after his last start when he allowed four first-inning runs and seven overall in a loss to the Mariners. The left-hander said he felt good and like he was making quality pitches, but allowed at least four runs for the third time in the last four starts. In particular, the first inning has been a problem for Keuchel, who has a 9.00 ERA and allowed a 1.004 OPS to opponents in the opening frame. Keuchel will try to turn around his recent struggles Sunday when he starts the series finale against Texas.
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Shane Bieber SP | TOR
Indians' Shane Bieber: Bypassed for fifth starter role
Bieber will remain at Triple-A Columbus when the Indians next require a fifth starter for the rotation Tuesday against the Tigers, Zack Meisel of The Athletic Cleveland reports.
Bieber was on his way to promising MLB debut May 31 against the Twins in allowing only two baserunners over the first four frames, but he unraveled thereafter, finishing the outing with four runs surrendered on eight hits and a walk in 5.2 innings. The late meltdown was enough to give the Indians pause for the time being in promoting Bieber back to the big leagues, affording Triple-A rotation mate Adam Plutko another look with Cleveland. Plutko has posted a credible 3.93 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over three starts with the Tribe this season, but a measly 5.9 K/9 and .185 BABIP suggest regression is likely coming. If Plutko falters Tuesday or in any of his subsequent starts, the Indians could give Bieber another chance to solidify a rotation spot.