MLB Player News

Cueto (7-10) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out seven.

Cueto's difficult night included walking in a run, multiple RBI singles and a two-run double off the bat of Matt Wallner. The righty has allowed five earned runs or more in three of his last six starts. In addition, the 36-year-old has surrendered at least eight hits in six of his past 12 outings.

Gallen did not factor into the decision against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six and also walked a batter.

Gallen retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced before he allowed a two-out double to Trey Mancini in the bottom of the fifth, which was followed by a two-run homer from Chas McCormick. The right-hander would allow only three singles and a walk for the remainder of the game, though he also plunked a batter. Gallen holds a 2.16 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in September to go along with a 41:5 K:BB over that span. He lines up to take on the Brewers on the road in the penultimate game of the regular season Tuesday.

Verlander did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with one walk over seven innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out eight.

It was a bit of a rocky beginning for Verlander, who gave up three hits in a row to start the first inning, including a leadoff double from Daulton Varsho. Both runs against Verlander scored in the frame, though one was unearned due to a passed ball. The right-hander then retired 18 of the next 23 batters he faced, though he did hit a batter to lead off the seventh. Verlander has not allowed a home run since July 23 and holds a 1.68 ERA in nine starts over that span, with 58 strikeouts and seven walks over 53.2 innings.

Urena (3-8) was tagged with the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out six batters over five innings.

Urena tied his season high with six strikeouts in the contest, but he also issued a season-high four walks. He needed 96 pitches to get through five frames and ended up with his second loss to the Giants over the past week. Urena made five starts in September, posting a 3.95 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 27.1 innings while registering an 0-3 record.

Musgrove did not factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed four hits and four walks while striking out eight batters.

Musgrove wasn't at his sharpest in the outing, as he needed 106 pitches to get through five frames and tied a season high with four walks. He twice loaded the bases and allowed at least one baserunner in all but one of his innings, but he managed to escape without surrendering any runs. Musgrove has now given up just one run over his past three starts covering 16 innings, lowering his season ERA to 3.03. That's on pace to be the best of his career, and he can tie his single-season high mark in wins with a victory in his final start of the regular season next week.

Urias did not factor in the decision against San Diego on Wednesday, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six scoreless innings.

Neither team scored until the 10th frame, as Urias and opposing starter Joe Musgrove dueled in the early innings. The emerging Dodgers ace wasn't overpowering -- he notched just seven swinging strikes and five punchouts -- but held the Padres without an extra-base hit and allowed only one runner to reach third base. With the six shutout frames, Urias lowered his NL-best ERA to 2.17. Though Sandy Alcantara is the presumptive frontrunner for the NL Cy Young award, it's worth noting that Urias also tops him in a number of other standard stats, including wins (17), WHIP (0.96) and opponent's batting average (.199). Urias will likely have one more regular-season tune-up before starting in the Dodgers' first or second playoff contest.

Perez (12-7) was tagged with the loss against Seattle on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three batters over seven innings.

Perez gave up two runs in the first inning and another in the third before settling down and finishing with four scoreless frames. The left-hander got little run support, however, and ended up with the loss despite tossing his fourth quality start in five September outings. Perez will need to pick up a win in his final start of the season to tie his career-best total of 13, but he's already racked up a career high in strikeouts (167) and is essentially guaranteed to end with his best marks in ERA (currently at 2.93) and WHIP (currently at 1.25).

Kirby (8-4) earned the win over Texas on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

Kirby got off to a rough start when he allowed two hits and a run in the first inning, but he found his footing from there and didn't allow any more Rangers to cross the plate. The rookie finished with his third quality start over his past four outings and notched his sixth win in 12 starts since the All-Star break. Over that stretch, he's posted a 2.63 ERA and 66:10 K:BB across 61.2 innings. Kirby will likely make one more regular-season start, and his strong second half should earn him a spot in Seattle's playoff rotation in the likely event that the team qualifies.

Lynch (4-12) allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four across six innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Tigers.

Lynch managed to complete six innings for only the fourth time this season, and for the first time since Aug. 17 -- a span of six starts. He tallied 13 swinging strikes on 101 total pitches, and his only blemish came on a two-run home run by Miguel Cabrera in the first inning. Lynch owns a 4.96 ERA and a 120:50 K:BB across 127 frames for the campaign.

McKenzie allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

McKenzie allowed his lone run of the night in the second inning but surrendered only a bunt single across his final four frames. He has now turned in four consecutive quality starts, allowing only six earned runs across 28 innings while posting a 32:3 K:BB in that span. For the season, McKenzie owns a 2.99 ERA with 186 strikeouts across 186.1 frames.