MLB Player News

Sears allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Sears did well in this start aside from a two-run home run by Robbie Grossman in the first inning. Adolis Garcia also knocked an RBI single in the third, but the Athletics were briefly able to pull even in the seventh to get Sears off the hook. The southpaw now has a 5.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB through 42.2 innings across eight starts. He's lined up for a tough road start in Houston for his next time on the mound.

Heaney allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Sunday.

Heaney pitched well enough to win, but Jonathan Hernandez gave up a two-run home run to Shea Langeliers in the seventh inning to temporarily squander the lead. There's still some good to take from this outing for Heaney, who earned his fourth quality start in his last five appearances. He also avoided giving up a homer for the first time in four starts. The southpaw trimmed his ERA to 4.71 with a 1.19 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB across 42 innings through eight outings this season. He's projected to face the Rockies at home in his next start.

Nola (3-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over seven innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.

Nola has gone at least six innings in seven of his nine starts this season. He lacked run support Sunday, leading to his first lost since April 11. The right-hander has maintained a pedestrian 4.53 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Cubs in his next outing.

Freeland (4-4) pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out eight to earn the win Sunday over the Phillies.

This was the fourth time this season that Freeland has kept runs off the board, and it's important to note he's achieved that feat three times at Coors Field. Sunday's outing was also his sixth quality starts in nine outings, four of which have come at home. The 30-year-old celebrated his birthday by lowering his ERA to 3.16 with a 1.11 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 51.1 innings this season. Freeland's next start is expected to be on the road versus the Rangers.

Stroman (2-4) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings, taking the loss Sunday against the Twins.

Stroman gave up a home run and three doubles among those seven hits in his worst start of the season. This was just the second time in nine outings he's given up more than two runs, and it stretched his winless skid to seven starts. The veteran right-handed is at a 3.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB through 50 innings on the season. His 3.4 BB/9 is the highest mark of his career, and it's something he'll need to get under control to maintain success. Stroman is expected to make his next start on the road versus the Phillies.

Varland (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cubs.

Varland faded a bit in the seventh inning, but it was another positive outing for the right-hander. He had no trouble earning his first win in four appearances this year as the Twins' offense racked up 16 runs in the contest. Through 23 innings, Varland has a 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB. With Tyler Mahle (elbow) done for the year and Kenta Maeda (triceps) not particularly close to a return, Varland should remain in the rotation for a road start versus the Angels.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and zero walks across four innings during a 6-5 win over Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Despite recording seven strikeouts, Kikuchi surrendered at least one run in each of his four innings, but he was let off the hook as the Blue Jays walked off Atlanta in the ninth. The left-hander has been a hit-or-miss player this season, allowing one or fewer earned runs in five of his eight starts while surrendering four or more in the other three outings. He'll look to get back on track during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set versus the Orioles.

Garrett did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk across five innings during a 3-1 win over the Reds. He struck out eight.

Garrett posted his third start of the campaign with one or fewer runs across at least five innings and recorded a season-high eight strikeouts in the process. The left-hander's 5.40 ERA remains inflated due to an 11-run outing versus Atlanta, but his 36:7 K:BB over 36.2 innings gives him solid upside moving forward. Garrett's next start is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus San Francisco.

Gibson (4-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings during a 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

Gibson struggled to find a rhythm Sunday and suffered his third straight loss. The right-hander has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his first nine starts with Baltimore and isn't striking enough batters out (36:16 K:BB over 52 innings). Gibson will look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the opener of a three-game weekend set in Toronto.

Keller (5-1) earned the win Sunday, tossing seven scoreless innings in which he allowed four hits during a 4-0 win over the Orioles. He struck out 13 and did not issue a walk.

Keller recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts, marking his second game of the season with double digits, and he hasn't allowed a run over his past two starts (16 innings), lowering his ERA to 2.38. The right-hander has shown flashes before, but he's currently in the best stretch of his career and has a sterling 69:14 K:BB over 56.2 innings to start the season. Keller will look to continue his scoreless streak next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a three-game weekend set versus Arizona.