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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Braves' Charlie Morton: Early exit against Cubs
Morton didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to the Cubs, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over 2.1 innings. He struck out one.
The veteran right-hander got taken off the hook for his third loss of the year when Atlanta tied things up in the eighth inning, but this was still an uncharacteristically poor outing from Morton, who had lasted at least five innings in each of his first three starts of 2022. Control seems to be his biggest issue right now, as he's walked 10 batters while striking out only 10 in his last 12.2 innings, though Morton's track record should provide some reassurance his 7.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP on the season will come down.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Marlins' Pablo Lopez: Scoreless streak continues
Lopez (3-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Nationals, scattering three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out six.
A two-out double by Yadiel Hernandez in the fourth inning accounted for the only baserunner to get into scoring position, as Lopez delivered another dominant performance. The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 18.1 innings, as he hasn't given up a run since the final frame of his first start of the year. Lopez will carry a minuscule 0.39 ERA, 0,73 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 23.1 IP into his next outing.
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Shelved with back strain
The Reds placed Lodolo on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to return from the IL as soon as May 5 if he makes a swift recovery from the back issue. Though the Reds haven't indicated the injury is a long-term concern, it's nonetheless a disappointing development for the rookie lefty, who rebounded from a rough MLB debut April 13 against the Guardians by submitting a 3.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings between his last two starts.
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Jake Woodford RP | TB
Cardinals' Jake Woodford: Picks up win
Woodford (1-0) earned the win Wednesday versus the Mets, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two in two innings.
Starter Steven Matz was tagged for four runs in four innings, so he wasn't eligible for the win despite leaving with a lead. Woodford covered the fifth and sixth innings before giving way to Genesis Cabrera after a leadoff single in the seventh. That runner came around to score, accounting for the first run charged to Woodford across six innings this season. He's also given up five hits with a 6:2 K:BB in his three outings as a multi-inning reliever.
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Aaron Ashby RP | MIL
Brewers' Aaron Ashby: Strikes out six, allows one run
Ashby allowed one earned run on one hit and five walks while striking out six across 5.2 innings Wednesday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.
Ashby held the Pirates hitless through five innings, and he did not allow an extra-base hit throughout the entirety of his outing. That kept him mostly out of trouble, but he also struggled with his control. That was highlighted by the fact that he walked the leadoff hitter in both the fifth and sixth frames, which the Pirates were only able to convert into one run. Ashby's control has been a problem throughout the campaign, as he now owns a 6.9 BB/9 across 17 innings. To stick in the Brewers' rotation for the entirety of the campaign, Ashby will need to improve that part of his game.
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Steven Matz RP | TB
Cardinals' Steven Matz: Early exit against Mets
Matz didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Mets, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.
All the damage against the southpaw came in the second inning, but Matz still exited the game with the Cardinals ahead 8-4. Unfortunately, an elevated pitch count (97, 68 for strikes) prevented him from getting the win against his former club. Matz is now saddled with a 6.11 ERA, but his 23:5 K:BB through 17.2 innings suggests there's been more than a little bad luck involved in that mark.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Padres' MacKenzie Gore: Electric over five innings
Gore (2-0) picked up the win after tossing five innings, surrendering one run on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 in the victory over the Reds.
Gore was fully in command Wednesday, notching a season-high 10 strikeouts while the only blemish against him came in the third inning on a Kyle Farmer RBI double. The rookie was able to take advantage of facing a weak Reds lineup in back-to-back outings, pitching 10 combined innings and allowing just one run with 17 strikeouts. Through three career starts, Gore has a 1.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 20 punchouts over 15.1 innings.
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Ranger Suarez SP | BOS
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Quality start in win
Suarez (2-0) earned the win and allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk, tossing six innings while striking out three in a 7-3 victory Wednesday over Colorado.
Suarez allowed a couple of runs in the third and a solo home run to C.J. Cron in the sixth. Otherwise, he was effective, relying on balls in play and the defense behind him. It was the longest start of the season for the lefty and he threw 97 pitches. Through four starts, the 26-year-old has unimpressive numbers with a 4.42 ERA and 8:12 BB:K in 18.1 innings, but the Phillies have managed to win each time he's taken the mound. His next start will likely be early next week against Texas.
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Ryan Feltner SP | COL
Rockies' Ryan Feltner: Strikes out seven in loss
Feltner (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a 7-3 loss Wednesday in Philadelphia.
Feltner gave up four runs over the first three innings, constantly pitching in difficult situations as he allowed eight baserunners in those frames. He settled down and pitched well in the fourth and fifth while facing the top of the Phillies' lineup for the third time. The 25-year-old made his major-league debut last season with poor results, allowing eight runs in 6.1 innings over two September starts. In 59 career minor-league starts, he has posted a 3.63 ERA and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
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Carlos Carrasco RP | ATL
Mets' Carlos Carrasco: Folds against Cards
Carrasco (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Mets were downed 10-5 by the Cardinals. He struck out three, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.
After three strong starts to begin the season, Carrasco stumbled badly in this one. He needed 78 pitches (53 strikes) to record only 11 outs and squandered an early 4-1 lead in the process. The right-hander's ERA jumped from 1.47 to 4.09, but Carrasco's 23:4 K:BB through 22 innings remains impressive.