MLB Player News

Gomber (3-8) was saddled with the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk over three innings. He struck out one.

Gomber allowed five extra-base hits in the first inning, with a two-run blast by Pete Alonso representing the biggest blow of the four runs given up. A second dinger by Alonso to lead off the third was the final blow against Gomber, who was removed following the third frame. Thursday's outing marked the first time in 10 home starts this season that Gomber has allowed as many as five earned runs. While his next start is slated to take place away from Coors Field, Gomber's task won't be any easier as he's slated to face the red-hot Diamondbacks next week in Phoenix.

Peterson (6-1) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Rockies. He struck out five.

Peterson was provided a four-run lead prior to taking the hill and saw the lead grow as high as seven as he cruised to his sixth win. A Brenton Doyle sacrifice fly was the only run tallied against the Denver-born Peterson, who has now allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts. While his WHIP is still a bit unsightly at 1.42, he's successfully limited the damage to the tune of a 3.34 ERA over 12 starts spanning 64.2 innings. He's next slated to toe the rubber when Oakland makes the cross-country trip to take on the Mets in Queens.

Suarez (back) threw a 36-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Lochlann March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez has been out since July 27 due to lower-back soreness, but he has been making steady progress in his recovery. Manager Rob Thomson described Thursday's session as having gone "extremely well," but the left-hander isn't expected to be ready to return until after the team's upcoming homestand ending Aug. 18. The next step in the recovery process for Suarez will be throwing live batting practice, while he could also be sent on a rehab assignment.

Bart went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional run scored Thursday against the Padres.

Bart's two-run blast in the seventh inning was his ninth of the season and gave the Pirates their first lead of the game. It was the third homer and fourth multi-hit game in the last seven starts for Bart, who has wrestled the No. 1 catcher's job away from Yasmani Grandal while starting 14 of 19 games since the All-Star break. Bart is batting .327 with three homers, nine RBI and 10 runs scored during that stretch.

Suarez picked up the save Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning against the Pirates. He struck out two.

Suarez allowed a two-out double to Joey Bart followed by an RBI single to Rowdy Tellez but finished off his 25th save of the season by striking out Bryan De La Cruz on three consecutive heaters to end the threat. The outing marked just the fifth time in 45 appearances that Suarez, who now owns a 1.59 ERA, has allowed at least one earned run.

Bednar (3-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Padres. He struck out one.

Bednar couldn't finish the ninth, blowing his second save in as many days. It was the fifth blown save for the Pirates' closer, who allowed at least one earned run for the fourth consecutive outing, though it's the first time he's given up more than one earned run since April 26. Bednar once again struggled with his command, walking two to give him seven walks and a hit batsman over his last five appearances after having walked only seven batters over his first 37 outings. Bednar's ERA now stands at 5.77 with a 1.31 WHIP, though he had posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 29 games prior to these last two performances against San Diego.

Vasquez did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

Vasquez cruised through five frames, holding the Pirates off the board while entering the sixth with a four-run lead. However, things unraveled as he faced the top of the Pirates' lineup for a third time, allowing four hits to the first five batters in the inning prior to being pulled. Three of those baserunners went on to score, and Vasquez was eventually left with a no-decision. It was the sixth time in his last eight starts Vasquez has tossed at least five innings while allowing three runs or fewer, posting a 3.42 ERA over 39 innings during that stretch. He'll take a 4.63 ERA and 1.51 WHIP into his next start, tentatively scheduled to take place against these same Pirates when they make the return trip to San Diego.

Ortiz did not factor into the decision, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings Thursday against the Padres. He struck out three.

Ortiz was touched up by Manny Machado in the first for a two-run blast, then David Peralta matched the favor in the second. That's now six homers and 13 runs allowed by Ortiz over his last three starts, though to his credit he's managed to complete at least five innings in each, including allowing no additional runs during his final four innings Thursday to keep the Pirates within striking distance. Despite the recent struggles, Ortiz has by and large pitched well for the Buccos this season, starting in seven of his 29 appearances while compiling a 3.40 ERA 1.16 WHIP and 68 strikeouts over 90 innings. His next start is scheduled to take place next week when the Pirates take on these same Padres in San Diego.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a stolen base Thursday against the Giants.

Garcia's two-out, game-tying three-run blast in the ninth inning was belted off San Francisco closer Camilo Doval and was Garcia's 14th of the season. Garcia added a single earlier in the game, representing his 26th multi-hit effort of the campaign while also collecting his 19th steal. It's been a breakout season for the 24-year-old second baseman, who over 365 at-bats has put together a .290 average with 14 homers, 56 RBI, 43 runs and 19 steals.

Doval (4-1) was credited with the win and charged with a blown save Thursday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over one inning against the Nationals. He did not record a strikeout.

Doval entered the ninth with a three-run lead but walked two batters which set up Luis Garcia's two-out, two-strike homer to left that tied the game. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Doval, who was then bailed out when the Giants scored four in the top of the 10th to provide him with his fourth win. Doval is now 4-1 with 22 saves on the season, though the three runs allowed lifted his ERA from 4.29 to 4.70 to go along with a 1.61 WHIP and 56 strikeouts over 44 innings.