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Luis Medina RP | ATH
Athletics' Luis Medina: Goes three innings Friday
Medina allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out one and walking none over three innings as a bulk reliever Friday versus the Orioles.
Medina's gone fewer than five innings in each of his last three outings, with the prior two appearances being traditional starts, and it appears the Athletics may be slowing him down as he approaches a career-high workload. He's already covered 99.1 innings between the majors and Triple-A this season, while his career high is 106.1 innings in 2021. Medina's also had a couple of rough performances lately, which has put him at a 5.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 84:43 K:BB over 18 appearances (13 starts). The right-hander tentatively lines him up for a home outing against the Royals next week.
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Kyle Gibson SP | BAL
Orioles' Kyle Gibson: Picks up 12th win
Gibson (12-7) allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.
Gibson wasn't great, but he managed to avoid walking a batter and also kept the ball in the yard. The Orioles' offense did the rest, carrying him to his third win in his last four starts. The right-hander has given up 17 runs over 23.1 innings in that span and now has a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 127:45 K:BB through 150.1 innings over 26 starts this year. Gibson is projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.
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Brandon Pfaadt SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Turns in best start of season
Pfaadt allowed a hit and three walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.
Pfaadt carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a double to Juan Soto. Despite the stellar start -- his third quality start in six outings since returning from Triple-A Reno -- the right-hander wasn't able to collect his first major-league win due to a lack of run support. Pfaadt is now at a 6.13 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB through 61.2 innings over 12 starts, though his outings have been much more convincing during his second stint in the majors. He's lined up to make his next start at home versus the Reds.
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Seth Lugo SP | KC
Padres' Seth Lugo: Strikes out nine Friday
Lugo allowed five hits and three walks while striking out nine over six shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Lugo had given up a combined 10 runs over his first 8.1 innings in August before his bounce-back effort Friday. This was his first scoreless outing of the season, although he held the Reds to just one unearned run June 30. The right-hander is at a 3.92 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 103:24 K:BB through 103.1 innings over 19 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Marlins next week.
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Andrew Heaney RP | LAD
Rangers' Andrew Heaney: Pulled in fourth
Heaney did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out three.
The veteran lefty allowed all three of his runs in the third inning on three doubles and a single, then was pulled with two outs and one man on in the fourth after 84 pitches. Heaney maintains a decent 4.27 ERA with nine wins and 122 strikeouts in 118 innings on the season for the first-place Rangers. However, in his last two starts he's allowed 13 baserunners and four runs over just five innings. Manager Bruce Bochy noted Heaney was under the weather and did not throw a bullpen prior to his previous start against San Francisco, per Kennedi Landri of MLB.com, but there were no such concerns Friday. The manager chalked up the short outing to poor command. Heaney will look to regain his form next week in Minnesota.
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Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Allows four runs in no decision
Woodruff did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.
Following a scoreless three innings to start the night, Woodruff was undone by the long ball in the fourth. Nathaniel Lowe tagged him with a two-run blast, followed a couple batters later by a solo shot from Mitch Garver. Woodruff still pitched into the sixth, allowing a fourth run when Corey Seager came around to score following a leadoff double, and he ultimately escaped with a no decision. Although the four runs were his most allowed all season, the 92 pitches thrown represent Woodruff's highest total since returning from a shoulder injury Aug. 6. His next start is projected to be a home matchup against the Padres next weekend.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
White Sox's Michael Kopech: Crushed for nine runs
Kopech (5-11) yielded nine runs on six hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out one and taking a loss against the Rockies.
Kopech served up three homers in Friday's brutal outing. He also continues to struggle with his command; over his last 10 starts, Kopech has registered an unsightly 32:43 K:BB over 42.1 frames. His season ERA climbed to 5.12 through 23 starts. The 27-year-olf righty is currently projected to start at home against Seattle next week.
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Joey Lucchesi RP | LAA
Mets' Joey Lucchesi: Turns in scoreless outing
Lucchesi (2-0) yielded four hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Cardinals.
Lucchesi was promoted for his first MLB appearance since May 13 and looked sharp. He coughed up just one extra-base hit and, at one point, retired 12 consecutive batters. He lowered his ERA to 3.54 through 28 frames in the majors. Lucchesi's outing was impressive, but it remains to be seen if the Mets will give him another turn in the rotation.
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Jhony Brito RP | SD
Yankees' Jhony Brito: Roughed up Friday
Brito (4-6) took the loss Friday, yielding seven runs (six earned) on nine hits over just 2.1 frames against the Red Sox. He struck out one.
The Red Sox jumped on Brito early and often, as each of the first four batters of the game reached and scored. He labored in the second inning as well, ultimately needing 46 pitches to cover his 2.1 innings. With Carlos Rodon (hamstring) set to return early next week and Luis Severino remaining in the rotation for now, Brito could be headed back to the minors.
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Brayan Bello RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Bounces back against Yankees
Bello (9-7) allowed one run on six hits and one walk over six innings Friday, picking up a win over the Yankees. He struck out four.
Bello's teammates gifted him four runs in the top of the first inning before he threw a pitch and the young right-hander was on cruise control all night. He induced 10 swinging strikes on 98 pitches, with the only tally against him coming on a fielder's choice in the third. Bello has alternated good and bad starts in the second half as he has lacked the consistency he showed prior to the All-Star break, posting a 5.03 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB over his last 39.1 innings.