MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber turned in a quality start Wednesday against the White Sox.

Kluber allowed three runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked two during the outing. Kluber didn’t run into trouble until the third inning. With one out, Adam Eaton managed to knock a triple. Kluber picked up another out, but couldn’t get out of the inning without giving up a couple runs. With two outs, Jose Abreu singled in a run and Adam Dunn doubled him home in the next at-bat. Abreu would strike again in the seventh inning. With a man on third, Abreu knocked a run-scoring single. Kluber left the game following the hit. 

With the loss, Kluber dropped to 13-8. He’ll take on the Tigers in his next start. 

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly turned in a strong start Wednesday against the Orioles. 

Smyly allowed one run on two hits over seven innings. He struck out six and walked one during the start. The Orioles picked up their only run in the second inning on a Chris Davis solo shot. Following that at-bat, Smyly retired the next 12 Orioles. His streak was broken by a two-out single in the sixth inning. Smyly threw 87 pitches during the appearance. 

With the win, Smyly improved to 9-10. He’ll take on the Red Sox in his next start.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman lasted four innings Wednesday against the Rays.

Gausman allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits over four innings. He struck out four and did not issue any walks during the outing. Gausman was tagged early by the Rays. He gave up a double against the second batter he faced. With a runner on second, Matt Joyce reached on an error, causing the run to come home. Three straight singles managed to plate Joyce and load the bases. After a mound visit, Gausman escaped the inning. An error also hurt Gausman in the second inning. A throwing error put the leadoff man on base. That run would come around to score on a sac fly later in the inning.

With the loss, Gausman dropped to 7-6. He’ll take on the Twins in his next start.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman turned in an excellent start Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Stroman allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one during the outing. Stroman was fantastic early, tossing five scoreless frames to begin the game. He didn’t give up his first hit until the fourth inning, when David Ortiz managed to knock a single. Stroman did manage to get himself in trouble in the sixth inning. With one out, David Ross managed to reach on a fielding error. Stroman lost his composure briefly, giving up three straight singles to tie the game. He then threw a wild pitch, which scored another run. 

The Blue Jays were able to mount a comeback in the seventh, putting Stroman in position for the win. He improved to 8-5. He’ll take on the Rays in his next start. 

The Mariners announced Wednesday they optioned starting pitcher James Paxton to Triple-A Tacoma to clear a roster spot for Erasmo Ramirez, who was recalled from the minors. However, Paxton will be recalled when rosters expand Sept. 1, and he will make his next start Tuesday against the A's.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton earned a win Tuesday, giving up four hits and three walks in 6 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out four in his team's 5-0 victory over the Rangers.

Paxton (4-1) got the first two outs of the seventh inning with ease but was pulled after walking the next batter, ending his night with a season-high 118 pitches thrown. He owns a 1.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB ratio in 39 1/3 innings. Paxton is scheduled to face the A's next Tuesday.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana couldn’t hold on to a lead Tuesday against the Indians.

Quintana allowed six runs on nine hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two during the outing. Quintana had trouble immediately. He gave up a double against the first batter of the night. After putting another man on via a hit by pitch, Quintana gave up a run-scoring double, RBI groundout and run-scoring single against the next three batters he faced. He allowed three runs in the first inning. Quintana also allowed another run in the second inning. In the fifth, the White Sox managed to battle back, giving Quintana a lead. It wouldn’t hold up. Quintana put the first two runners on to start the sixth, and was pulled from the game. Both runs would come around to score, and were charged to Quintana. 

The White Sox managed to fight back, giving Quintana a no-decision. He’ll take on the Tigers in his next start.

Athletics pitcher Jason Hammel had his strong start ruined by the bullpen Tuesday.

Hammel gave up one run on three hits over seven innings. He struck out six and walked one during the outing. Hammel’s only run came in the fourth inning. Dexter Fowler led things off by taking a pitch deep to right field for the solo shot. Hammel gave up just one walk the rest of the game. He set down the last 10 Astros he faced.

Hammel left the game with a one-run lead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold it. Because of that, Hammel came away with a no-decision. He’ll take on the Mariners in his next start.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel tossed a strong start Tuesday against the Athletics. 

Keuchel allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked three during the outing. Keuchel gave up his unearned run in the first inning. With a man on first, Keuchel made a fielding error, allowing the next runner to reach base. With two outs, he gave up a run-scoring single to open the scoring. Keuchel gave up his earned run in the fourth. After striking out Derek Norris to start the inning, Keuchel allowed a single and a run-scoring double to the next two batters. 

The Astros managed a late comeback, giving Keuchel the no-decision. He’ll take on the Rangers in his next start. 

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco turned in a fantastic start Tuesday against the Royals.

Nolasco allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out six and issued one walk during the outing. Nolasco wasn’t in danger much during the start. He did have some issues in the second inning, hitting a batter and giving up a single, but managed to pitch around it. He allowed three hits and one walk over the next five innings. Nolasco also hit another batter during his final inning, but again managed to get out of the frame unscathed. 

The Royals managed a big comeback in the ninth, giving Nolasco the no-decision. He’ll take on the Orioles in his next start.