MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez did not pitch poorly on Saturday, but he was left with his sixth loss of the season in the 8-0 defeat by the Padres. Martinez allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six, but the Cardinals' offense was unable to get anything going against Ian Kennedy.

Martinez (12-6, 2.85 ERA) pitched well through the first six innings, allowing just one run. But things fell apart for him in the seventh, when he allowed three of the first four men to reach safely. He was lifted from the game at that point, but the bullpen allowed those two runs, and five more, to score in the inning. 

Martinez may be wearing down as the season reaches its final stages. After going strong for most of the year, the young right-hander has now allowed three or more runs in four of his last five outings.

Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani got hammered by the Diamondbacks on Saturday night. The young right-hander gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings of work, en route to the 11-7 loss. 

DeSclafani (7-9, 3.97 ERA) got roughed up before he could even get settled in, as he allowed a home run to Ender Inciarte to lead off the game. Paul Goldschmidt chipped in a two-run shot later in the inning, and the Reds were down 3-0 before an out was recorded.

The struggles continued, as he allowed individual runs to score in the third, fourth and fifth innings. 

DeSclafani took a step backwards with this performance. He came into the game with a 2.81 ERA over his previous five starts.

Right-hander Zack Greinke was strong once again for the Dodgers on Saturday, but he wasn't strong enough to avoid the 3-1 loss at the hands of the Astros. Greinke allowed three runs on three hits over seven solid innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. Greinke has not walked more than three batters in any of his 25 starts this season.

Greinke (13-3, 1.67 ERA) was bitten by the longball in this one, as two of the three runs he allowed came via the home run. He served up a solo home run to Luis Valbuena in the second inning and another solo shot to Jose Altuve in the sixth.

Greinke still owns the best ERA in the National League, and continues to be one of the top pitchers in the game.

Marlins rookie starter Justin Nicolino pitched well against the Phillies on Saturday. Making his fifth career start, the young left-hander allowed two runs on five hits over 7 2/3 solid innings. He walked one and struck out four, but he did not factor in the final decision in the 4-2 loss.

Nicolino was given an early 2-0 lead in this one, and he made it stand up through the first seven innings. But he coughed up the lead by allowing two runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game.

Still, Nicolino lowered his ERA to 3.77 with the strong outing. 

Pirates ace Gerrit Cole was excellent in his start against the Giants on Saturday. The young right-hander allowed one unearned run on three hits over seven solid innings. He walked three and struck out eight. Cole was left with a no-decision, as the Pirates grabbed the 3-2 walk-off win. 

This was a much-needed dominant outing for Cole, who came into the game with a 4.70 ERA over his previous four starts.

Braves starter Williams Perez struggled in his outing against the Cubs on Saturday. The young right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four, needing 83 pitches before getting the hook in the fifth inning.

Perez wound up with a no-decision, as the Cubs rallied late to win the game 9-7.

The rookie pitcher has allowed four runs or more in five of his last seven starts, as his season ERA rose to 4.76 following Saturday's rough outing.

Rockies starter Jon Gray had the worst start of his short career, Friday against the Mets.

In his fourth MLB start, Gray lasted just 1 2/3 innings. He gave up seven runs on eight hits. Gray's ERA jumped from 2.40 to 5.94.

Remarkably, Gray salvaged a no-decision, as the Rockies tied the score at eight in the fifth inning.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks took a no-decision on Friday, extending his unbeaten streak to five straight starts. 

Hendricks hasn't lost since July 22. He's 2-0 with three no-decisions since. He allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings, the fourth time in his unbeaten streak that he's failed to go six innings. 

Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin struggled in his outing against the Reds on Thursday. The young left-hander lasted just two innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Corbin was able to escape with a no-decision however, as the D-Backs rallied back for the 5-4 victory.

Corbin, who's ERA spiked to 4.09 after the outing, was never able to settle in during this start. He needed 47 pitches to get through his two innings, and the Reds did a good job of keeping pressure on him throughout.

Corbin was coming off of a strong outing in which he blanked the Braves over 6 2/3 innings. But he was unable to replicate that success on Thursday. 

Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton delivered a strong start against the Giants on Thursday night. Morton held the Giants scoreless over 6 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the 4-0 victory.

Morton (8-4, 4.06 ERA) was cruising through his outing until he got into some trouble in the sixth inning. He loaded the bases with two outs, prompting manager Clint Hurdle to make a pitching change. The bullpen took over from there, successfully keeping the shutout in tact.

This was Morton's second scoreless outing this month. Unfortunately, he allowed a total of seven earned runs in his other two August starts. Still, Morton is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA over those four starts.