MLB Player News

Burke did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over six innings.

A solo homer in the fifth inning was the only blemish on Burke's performance as he generated 16 whiffs on 95 pitches while registering a career-high 11 strikeouts. It continued a strong run for the 26-year-old, who's worked into the sixth inning or beyond in four straight outings while allowing just five earned runs during that span. He'll take a 3.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 106:33 K:BB across 98.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

Taylor earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians, allowing no hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Taylor was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 17 pitches. It was a nice rebound after the 24-year-old blew a save chance Thursday, and he still owns a 2.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 65:15 K:BB across 45.2 innings this season despite allowing eight earned runs over his past eight appearances. He's now converted three of six save chances to go along with five holds and appears to be taking the lead for the closer role over the struggling Seranthony Dominguez.

Montgomery went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians.

Montgomery opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before hitting what proved to be the game-winning solo shot in the eighth. Over his past 10 games, the 24-year-old has hit safely in eight contests with five extra-base hits, six RBI and five runs scored. On the year, he's slashing .221/.308/.484 with 22 homers, 51 RBI, 41 runs scored and one steal across 351 plate appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Red Sox on Saturday.

Lowe accounted for the Angels' only extra-base hit and only run when he launched a 437-foot solo homer off Sonny Gray in the first inning. The veteran outfielder spent over a month with Triple-A Salt Lake after getting off to a slow start to the season, but since his return he's playing like he never wants to go back to the minors. Across nine contests after being called back up. Lowe is batting .370 (10-for-27) with two homers, two doubles, five runs, five RBI and a stolen base.

Contreras went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in an 8-1 victory versus the Angels on Saturday.

Contreras was handed a seven-game suspension Thursday for his role in a dust-up between Boston and Washington on Tuesday, but the veteran first baseman is able to continue playing during his appeal. That paid off big time for Boston, as Contreras clubbed a three-run homer in the first inning Saturday to give the team a lead they didn't relinquish. Contreras wasn't among the players announced for the AL All-Star team Saturday, but he's certainly put up worthy numbers in the first half. Through 85 games, he's slashing .285/.378/.536 with 19 home runs, 56 RBI, 44 runs and two stolen bases.

Aldegheri (3-4) took the loss against Boston on Saturday, allowing three runs on one hit and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Aldegheri gave up all of his runs in the first inning, when he walked two of the first three batters he faced before Willson Contreras tagged him for a three-run homer. Following that blast, the lefty hurler allowed only three more baserunners (on two walks and an error) and no more runs, but the damage was enough to send him to the loss. The four walks were a season worst for Aldegheri, though he's issued three free passes on two occasions and has a poor 4.5 BB/9 on the campaign. Grayson Rodriguez (back) is nearing the end of his stint on the IL, and Aldegheri is a candidate to be removed from the rotation when Rodriguez returns.

Gray (10-1) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Gray gave up a solo homer to Josh Lowe in the second inning but otherwise kept the Angels off the scoreboard. The veteran righty needed just 70 pitches (48 strikes) to complete six frames and record his seventh straight quality start. Gray has been filthy during that stretch, posting a 1.97 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB across 45.2 innings. He was somewhat shockingly omitted from the announcement of All-Star teams Saturday, but that shouldn't lessen the impact of his performance so far on what has been a disappointing first half for Boston. Among qualified AL hurlers, Gray ranks second in ERA (2.61), 10th in WHIP (1.10) and first in wins (10).

Civale (5-6) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Marlins on Saturday.

Civale has now lost five straight starts, including all four since he returned from shoulder tendinitis. The right-hander has given up 16 runs (15 earned) over 16.2 innings since coming off the IL. On the year, he has a 5.10 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB through 72.1 innings over 15 starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the White Sox.

Tolbert went 2-for-2 with a pair of stolen bases in Saturday's loss to the Phillies.

The Royals were mostly shut down by Philadelphia starter Jesus Luzardo, but Tolbert knocked two singles off the left-hander and stole a base after each hit. He was the only KC batter with multiple hits in the defeat. Tolbert hasn't gotten a lot of playing time of late -- his start Saturday was just his fourth over the Royals' past eight contests. While he's slashing a modest .243/.310/.243 with no extra-base hits on the season, he's made the most of his opportunities on the basepaths, stealing nine bags in 11 attempts.

Wacha (5-6) took the loss against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Wacha kept the Phillies off the board for three frames before back-to-back homers by J.T. Realmuto and Gabriel Rincones in the fourth plated Philadelphia three runs. Wacha allowed one more run in the sixth on an Alec Bohm solo blast. The veteran hurler had previously gone three straight outings without allowing a long ball and hadn't yielded more than two home runs in an outing this season, and he's posted a HR/9 of less than 1.0 each of the past two campaigns, so his inability to keep the ball in the park Saturday is likely more of an aberration than a concerning development. Wacha will look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to be a matchup versus the Mets in New York.