MLB Player News

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw threw a gem on Wednesday against the Phillies.

Kershaw tossed a complete-game shutout in a 5-0 win. He struck out a season-high 13 batters and was never in any real trouble against a Phillies offense that seemed overpowered.

Over his last seven starts, Kershaw has a 1.60 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 10 walks in 50 2/3 innings.

The consistency that marked the first seven weeks of the season for Cardinals starter Michael Wacha is becoming a distant memory.

Wacha has since struggled at times. He suffered through arguably his worst start of the year Wednesday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, but emerged with a no-decision.

The right-hander surrendered five runs on seven hits in six innings with one walk and five strikeouts. His ERA now stands at a season-high 2.93.

Wacha pitched no-hit ball for three innings before a two-run fourth highlighted by a Kris Bryant triple ruined the shutout. Three singles and a three-run double by Miguel Montero in the sixth pretty much ruined his effort.

He has now given up 23 runs in his last 49 2/3 innings pitched. He is 3-3 during that stretch after opening the year 7-0.

One must refer to the following line from an old tuna commercial for what could have been said to Pirates starter Charlie Morton in regard to the run support he received Wednesday night:

Sorry, Charlie.

His team did most of its scoring when he was out of the game. Morton had to settle for a no-decision after allowing just two runs on five hits in six innings with four walks and five strikeouts.

Morton was shaky at best in the first two innings before settling down. He fell behind on a Matt Kemp homer in the first and Melvin Upton double in the second. He then retired 11 of the next 13 batters he faced.

It proved to be his best outing since June 26. Morton had surrendered 16 runs in his previous 12 2/3 innings.

A hamstring injury caused Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel to leave Wednesday's start against the Cardinals prematurely, reports MLB.com.

He is scheduled for an MRI, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Hammel appeared to injure his hamstring while attempting to cover first base on a ground ball in the first inning. Hammel struck out one batter before leaving after one scoreless inning of work.

Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom was at his best on Wednesday against the Giants.

deGrom threw eight scoreless innings, allowed just two hits and struck out 10 batters while picking up his ninth win of the season. The Giants actually recorded more hits (3) in the inning deGrom didn't pitch than in the eight innings he did (2). deGrom has allowed just six earned runs over his last 35 2/3 innings.

deGrom (9-6) has a 2.14 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings this season.

Two mistakes and a bad bullpen cost Braves starter Julio Teheran dearly Wednesday afternoon in Milwaukee.

The two mistakes soared over the fence. He allowed a two-run homer to Khris Davis in the fourth inning and solo job to Carlos Gomez in the sixth. The bad bullpen turned the 5-3 lead with which he departed into a 6-5 deficit and left him with a no-decision.

Teheran was otherwise fine. He retired nine in a row at one point and 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. He finished with three walks and tied his season-high with eight strikeouts. His ERA sits at a still-poor 4.56.

Nationals manager Matt Williams seems to be preparing for starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a left oblique strain, to miss a decent amount of time.

"He's fresh off the oblique, so it's going to be a while," Williams told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. "We'll get thru the break and evaluate where he's at."

Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray was impressive throughout his start during Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers.

Ray surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits over 7 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out four and walked one. He is now 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA.

Before Tuesday's win, Ray had been winless in his last three starts. He has earned a quality start in two of his last three starts.

Reds ace Johnny Cueto was dominant against the Nationals on Tuesday. Cueto tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out a season-high 11 batters. Cueto needed 122 pitches to complete the nine-inning gem, and he lowered his ERA to 2.61.

This was Cueto's first complete game since last August, and his first complete-game shutout since May 15, 2014. He has won back-to-back starts for the second time this year. 

Pirates reliever Rob Scahill is hoping to begin playing catch this weekend, reports MLB.com.

Scahill has been out since June 26 with right forearm tightness. He would begin throwing bullpen sessions if he continues to progress.