MLB Player News

Abbott did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Abbott allowed a solo homer in the first inning but was solid through four frames before his start was shortened by a lengthy rain delay. The southpaw threw 40 of 58 pitches for strikes with six whiffs, an encouraging effort after he was tagged for seven runs by the Cubs in his Aug. 29 outing. He'll take a 4.43 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 120:70 K:BB across 152.1 innings this season into a road rematch with the Brewers next weekend.

Wheeler (12-5) collected the win in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Atlanta, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The veteran righty made only one real mistake, which Ronald Acuna blasted 450 feet into the upper deck in left-center field during the third inning, but otherwise Wheeler was dialed in as he delivered his 14th quality start of the season. The nine Ks were Wheeler's best showing in that category since July 21, and he's won back-to-back outings after going seven straight starts without getting a W. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Astros.

Perez (8-9) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as Atlanta was downed 4-2 by the Phillies. He struck out three.

The veteran southpaw labored through 84 pitches (49 strikes), and Perez's line could have looked a lot worse -- he left two batters aboard when he got the hook in the fourth inning, but Ray Kerr stranded the inherited runners. Perez has gone four straight starts without getting into the win column, stumbling to a 4.91 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB in 18.1 innings with an 0-3 record during that span. He'll try to right the ship in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend in a rematch with Philly as the two teams battle down the stretch for the NL East crown.

Gusto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins fell 6-5 to the Cubs, surrendering five runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Chicago had runners in scoring position in every inning against Gusto, finally getting on the board when Michael Conforto led off the top of the third inning with a solo shot. Gusto got the hook after 100 pitches (67 strikes), and while the right-hander has been able to complete five innings in only one of his last six starts, he's managed to put together a 3.29 ERA and 23:9 K:BB in 27.1 innings over that stretch, albeit with a 1.50 WHIP. He'll look to be a little more efficient in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Thornton (3-5) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

In total, five of the hits off the rookie left-hander went for extra bases, with Rafael Devers and Christian Koss each taking him deep twice. Thornton still managed to complete five frames for the sixth straight start, taking a little pressure off the Mets' bullpen, and during that stretch he's produced a 4.22 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB over 32 innings while serving up eight homers. He'll try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend in a Subway Series against the Yankees.

Molina (3-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings in a 9-5 victory over the Mets. He struck out six.

A Rafael Devers error extended the second inning and led to a two-run homer for A.J. Ewing, but it was the only hit Molina gave up over 87 pitches (55 strikes). The 24-year-old right-hander has gotten into the win column in his first three outings for the Giants since being acquired at the trade deadline from Atlanta, posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 14.1 innings. He'll look to keep that streak going in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Padres.

Kirby (9-11) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Athletics.

Kirby has now allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts, making him somewhat fortunate to have a 1-2 record in that span. The right-hander gave up all of the runs between the second and fourth innings Saturday, and the Mariners' offense gave him nearly nothing in terms of support. For the year, Kirby is now at a 4.18 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 133:37 K:BB across 159.1 innings through 27 starts. His next start is projected to be a rematch with the Athletics in Sacramento.

Springs (4-13) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Saturday.

Springs was tagged for 13 runs over 15 innings across his previous three starts, so a start of this caliber was unexpected. The win was his first since April 14, and this was his first quality start since May 17. Overall, Springs has struggled to a 6.02 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 104:52 K:BB through 130 innings over 26 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is expected to be a rematch against the Mariners in Sacramento.

Ray (11-8) took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings.

Ray breezed through the first inning, retiring the side in order on three groundouts while tossing just eight pitches. The rest of the lefty's start went in the complete opposite direction, however, as he gave up four runs on three hits and three walks in the second frame and another run on two hits and a walk in the third before being pulled. Overall, Ray threw just 36 of 68 pitches for strikes and notched only four whiffs. Control has long been an issue for the veteran hurler, and things haven't changed since he's joined the Padres, as Ray has now walked 20 batters over 28.2 innings across six starts with his new club. He had mostly gotten away with the free passes coming into Saturday, yielding two or fewer runs in four straight outings, but there's always going to be a risk of an implosion with a pitcher who puts runners on via walks as frequently as Ray does.

Rodon (5-3) earned the win over San Diego on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

Rodon was very sharp Saturday, and the only run he gave up came on a Manny Machado solo homer in the fourth frame. Rodon racked up seven punchouts -- his most in a game since June 17 versus the White Sox -- and notched his first victory since being activated from the injured list Aug. 18. The veteran lefty continues to be held to less than a full starter's workload, but his 89 pitches and five innings Saturday were both his most since coming off the IL. Rodon is next slated to face the Mets at Yankee Stadium.