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James Kaprielian SP | TOR
Athletics' James Kaprielian: Takes fifth loss
Kaprielian (0-5) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to take the loss Friday versus the Astros.
Kaprielian held his own in Houston in his last start, but he had less luck at home this time around. He's given up nine runs (eight earned) over 17 innings since he rejoined the Athletics' rotation. That's still notably better than his 8.45 ERA and 1.88 WHIP on the season, but it may not be enough to maintain a rotation spot once Paul Blackburn (finger) is activated from the injured list. If Kaprielian gets another start, it would likely come in a somewhat favorable road matchup in Miami next week.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Notches third win
Gausman (3-3) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks over 5.1 innings against the Twins. He struck out eight.
Gausman has rebounded nicely since coughing up eight runs in 3.1 innings against Boston on May 4. Since then, he has given up just five runs over 26.1 innings. The veteran right-hander also ranks second in the league with 89 strikeouts.
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Hunter Brown SP | HOU
Astros' Hunter Brown: Strikes out 10 in win
Brown (5-1) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.
The 10 strikeouts were a season high for Brown, who also completed seven innings for the fourth time in 10 starts. The one downside was that he allowed his fourth home run in as many outings. Brown trimmed his ERA to 3.12 with a 1.20 WHIP and 66:18 K:BB through 57.2 innings. He's lined up for a home start versus the Twins next week.
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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Tagged for four runs
Liberatore (1-1) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two across five innings Friday in a 4-3 loss to the Guardians.
Liberatore faced little trouble through four scoreless innings before the Guardians broke through with a four-run fifth. His ERA jumped to 4.91 through three big-league appearances (two starts) this season. As of now, it's unclear if Liberatore will get another start or move into the bullpen. The Cardinals have just five games during the upcoming week, and the young southpaw would seem to be the most likely candidate in the rotation to miss a start. He posted an 11.0 K/9 with Triple-A Memphis but has struck out just nine batters in 11 MLB innings since his promotion.
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Shane Bieber SP | TOR
Guardians' Shane Bieber: Earns win in lackluster outing
Bieber (4-3) allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out two and earning a win over St. Louis.
It certainly wasn't Bieber's strongest outing, but he kept the Cardinals off the board through five innings before stumbling a bit near the end of his start. He's now allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his first 11 starts this season, resulting in a 3.04 ERA across 71 innings. However, he's posted a pedestrian 49:19 K:BB after recording a season-low two punchouts Friday. Bieber's next start is projected to come next week in Minnesota.
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Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Padres' Joe Musgrove: Cruises to second win
Musgrove (2-2) allowed one run on six hits over 6.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Yankees.
Musgrove rolled through five shutout frames to begin the game and retired the first 11 batters he faced. The 30-year-old tied his season high with six punchouts while picking up his first win since April 22. He hasn't found any sustained success since returning from a toe injury; Musgrove owns a 5.64 ERA and has allowed at least four runs in three of his six starts. He's lined up next for a start in Miami, where he'll look to build on Friday's strong outing.
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Randy Vasquez SP | SD
Yankees' Randy Vasquez: Returns to Triple-A
Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees on Friday.
Vasquez gave up two runs over 4.2 innings while striking out six and issuing three walks in his MLB debut in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Padres. With Domingo German due to return from his 10-game suspension during the upcoming week, the Yankees didn't need Vasquez to stick around to make any additional starts. The 24-year-old could still be the next man up to join the big club the next time the Yankees need an additional arm in the rotation.
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Randy Vasquez SP | SD
Yankees' Randy Vasquez: Handed loss in debut
Vasquez (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Friday. He struck out six and took a loss against the Padres.
The 24-year-old worked through four shutout frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the fifth. Vasquez primarily relied on a cutter/sinker combination while touching 96 mph on his fastball. He'll likely head back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after this spot start, where he's registered a 4.85 ERA across 42.2 frames.
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Grayson Rodriguez SP | LAA
Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez: Hammered by Rangers
Rodriguez (2-2) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on six hits and three walks over 3.1 frames Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Texas.
Rodriguez coughed up three home runs Friday, including a Corey Seager grand slam in the fourth inning that bounced him from the contest. Over his last five starts, Rodriguez has allowed a whopping 27 runs and 11 home runs, raising his season ERA from 4.07 to 7.35 through 45.1 innings. It's hard to find a silver lining in Friday's start, but the rookie's 13 swinging strikes marked the first time he recorded double-digit whiffs since April 29. Rodriguez will look to snap out of the funk in his next start, which lines up to be a home matchup against the Guardians.
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Jon Gray SP | TEX
Rangers' Jon Gray: Fans eight in win
Gray (5-1) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Baltimore.
After allowing a solo homer to Adley Rutschman in the first inning, Gray was nearly untouchable. He cruised through seven frames en route to a dominant 12-2 Rangers victory. Gray's been lights out over his last four starts, yielding just three runs with a 27:5 K:BB in 27 frames while earning a win in each outing. The veteran righty lowered his season ERA to 2.81 and has won five consecutive decisions since losing his season debut. Gray is currently projected for a matchup in Detroit next week.