MLB Player News

Lyles (9-8) picked up the win Monday, giving up two runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-4 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

It was far from a dominant performance by the veteran right-hander, but Lyles got staked to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never let Toronto get back in the game. He's won three straight starts and five of six decisions since the beginning of July, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 44.2 innings over that stretch.

Kikuchi (4-6) took the loss Monday as the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw tossed 52 of 84 pitches for strikes, but once again bad things tended to happen when he was over the plate. Kikuchi gave up only four homers in 41.1 innings through the end of May, but his season has been a disaster since as he's been taken deep multiple times in five of his last 10 starts, leading to a 6.93 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over his last 37.2 frames.

Gilbert (10-5) yielded seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over four innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Yankees.

Gilbert never found his footing Monday as he allowed at least six runs for the second straight start. Josh Donaldson and Andrew Benintendi each collected three RBI against the 6-foot-6 righty. The poor stretch has launched his season ERA from 2.78 to 3.47 through 23 starts. Gilbert is 0-3 with a 6.12 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over his last six outings. He'll look to turn things around in next week's projected road start against the Angels.

Taillon (11-2) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over seven innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over the Mariners.

Taillon served up a pair of solo home runs in Monday's victory, including a first-inning shot by Mitch Haniger. The 30-year-old righty also loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth but wiggled out of the jam after giving up just one run. Taillon earned his first win since July 16 and turned in his longest outing since June 2. He'll carry a 3.95 ERA into his projected start in Boston this weekend.

Henry tweaked the grip on his slider and curveball and plans to use it in Tuesday's start against Pittsburgh, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The change was suggested by pitching coach Brent Strom, who instructed Henry to hold the ball deeper in his hand for both pitches. Strom said he's worked with many pitchers that had good curveballs, including Nolan Ryan, who held the ball farther into their hand. Henry, whose grip on both pitches gradually changed over time without him noticing, responded well to the adjustment during a bullpen session Saturday and will bring it with him Tuesday, his second career MLB start. "It's really about giving myself space to rip down on it and pull down on it," Henry said. The left-hander worked around shaky command in his first major-league start against the Guardians last week, allowing one run through four innings before being done in by a three-run home run in the fifth.

Snell (4-6) allowed one run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the Giants.

Snell loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning but escaped the threat after giving up just one run. Aside from that, the 29-year-old southpaw didn't face much resistance from San Francisco's lineup. He's now allowed one run or fewer in four consecutive starts and six of his last seven dating back to the start of July. During that stretch, Snell has posted a 57:17 K:BB while lowering his season ERA from 5.60 to 3.96. He'll look to continue his dominant stretch in Washington this weekend.

Wood (8-9) yielded three hits over 6.1 shutout innings, striking out five and earning a win over the Padres on Monday.

Wood coughed up just three singles and, at one point, he retired nine consecutive batters. It was a promising start after the Dodgers piled six runs on him in his last outing. Wood lowered his ERA to 4.17 alongside a 110:26 K:BB through 22 starts. He's projected to face the Pirates at home this weekend.

Gallen (7-2) yielded three hits and two walks over seven shutout innings Monday, striking out eight and earning a win over Pittsburgh.

Gallen let just one Pirate reach scoring position in Monday's dominating victory. He forced 14 swinging strikes on 89 pitches and lowered his season ERA to 3.12 through 118.1 frames. Over his last five starts, the 27-year-old has punched out 30 batters while giving up just six runs. Gallen will look to keep the momentum rolling in his projected matchup in Colorado this weekend.

Suarez (4-4) allowed two hits and two walks over seven shutout innings Monday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Athletics.

Suarez was dominant Monday, firing 67 of 97 pitches for strikes, including 14 whiffs. He didn't allow an extra-base hit and Oakland never put together any momentum against him. The 24-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to 4.04 with a 61:27 K:BB through 62.1 frames. Since he was tagged with six runs against the Dodgers on July 16, Suarez has fired 17.1 consecutive scoreless innings. He'll look for a fourth straight win next week at home against the Mariners.

Irvin (6-9) yielded one run on five hits over eight innings Monday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Angels.

After serving up a solo homer to Luis Rengifo in the first inning, Irvin locked in and dominated the rest of the way. He allowed just one more runner to reach scoring position and tied his season best with 16 whiffs. The 28-year-old lefty has thrown at least six innings while giving up fewer than three earned runs in seven consecutive starts; he lowered his ERA from 3.58 to 2.92 during that span. Irvin will carry an 84:23 K:BB into his projected road match with Houston this weekend.