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Smyly allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four in 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mets in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Smyly's previous start was cut short after two innings due to performance, which didn't allow him to stretch out much after a nearly six-week absence with an oblique injury. He was much better Saturday, allowing a run to score on a third-inning groundout and another on an Eduardo Escobar solo shot in the fourth. Smyly threw 57 of 83 pitches for strikes, so he's almost up to a full starter's workload and shouldn't face much of a restriction, if any, after the All-Star break. He has a 4.22 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB across 49 innings in 11 starts this season.

Lauer allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Lauer limited the damage to a Darin Ruf solo home run in the sixth inning, though the Giants scraped together another run against the Brewers' bullpen in the eighth. This was the third time this season Lauer's managed to complete seven frames. He's given up eight runs (seven earned) in 22.1 innings across his last four starts, trimming his ERA from 3.89 prior to that stretch to 3.64 at the end of the first half of the season. The southpaw has added a 1.16 WHIP and 100:31 K:BB in 96.1 innings across 17 starts.

Walker did not factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Make it seven consecutive quality starts for Walker to close the first half of the 2022 campaign. He's on a brilliant run and his ERA is all the way down to 2.55 after he finished with a 4.47 mark last season. The right-hander has benefited from a relatively soft schedule of late, but he's also aced his toughest tests. While his strikeout rate is down slightly overall, Walker has shown more of a strikeout punch lately, fanning 48 in his last 45 innings.

Cobb allowed an unearned run on four hits and no walks while striking out five in 7.1 innings versus the Brewers on Saturday. He did not factor in the decision.

Cobb allowed the Brewers to tie the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. That was the only run he allowed, but he exited after the play, having thrown 99 pitches (64 strikes). This was his longest outing of the season and one of his best performances as well. The right-hander now has a 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 68:20 K:BB across 70.1 innings. Cobb carries a 3-4 record into the second half of the campaign.

Stroman did not factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Mets. He struck out six.

He pitched well against one of his former teams, but manager David Ross lifted Stroman at 83 pitches in what was the right-hander's second start back from a shoulder injury. He was limited to just 59 pitches in his return. With this gradual progression, we should expect the reins to come off for the most part shortly after the All-Star break.

Alexander will not start Sunday's game against the Giants, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers will start Aaron Ashby on short rest instead, though a reason for the pitching change was not announced. Something may be off with Alexander -- he threw only 73 pitches across four innings in a rain-shortened outing Tuesday and Ashby just threw 101 pitches Wednesday.

Ashby will start Sunday's series finale against the Giants in San Francisco, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jason Alexander had been listed as the Brewers' probable starter for Sunday, but the team will go with Ashby on three days' rest instead. The reason for the change was not immediately available. Ashby went 4.1 innings his last time out and has failed to complete five innings in four of his last five starts around an IL stint with left forearm inflammation.

Lynn (1-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits over five innings against the Twins. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

The Twins hit three homers in the first three frames against Lynn -- Luis Arraez, Carlos Correa and Jorge Polanco all went yard. Lynn has not looked anything like himself since returning from surgery to address a tendon tear in his right knee. He now has a 7.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 36 innings this season, with 14 of his 30 earned runs allowed coming in his last two starts (nine innings).

Bundy (6-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out three.

Bundy filled up the strike zone, throwing 65 of 88 pitches for strikes. It wasn't the most dominant outing in terms of whiffs (eight swinging strikes), but Bundy was good enough within the zone to pick up a second straight win. The veteran has been a capable back-end starter for Minnesota this season (4.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), and he heads into the All-Star break on a nice little run, having quietly posted a 3.15 ERA over his last six starts.

Fried (10-3) earned the win during Saturday's 6-3 victory over Washington, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in seven innings.

Atlanta provided Fried an early four-run lead and the lefty rolled to an easy win, firing 60 of 94 pitches for strikes in the process. The 28-year-old encountered one rough inning in the fourth when he surrendered two runs on two hits but managed to permit only one run in his other six frames. Though he still delivered a quality start, the three runs surrendered snapped a five-game streak of allowing two runs or fewer. Fried concludes the first half with a 2.64 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 109 strikeouts in 119.1 innings across 19 starts.