MLB Player News

Keller picked up the save Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing no runs on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Jhoan Duran was shaky in his return from the injured list Tuesday, allowing one run in the ninth frame, and he was presumably unavailable to work back-to-back days immediately after coming off the IL. Keller let the possible tying run get aboard Wednesday, but he was able to strand the bases loaded for a scoreless outing. The right-hander has converted all three of his save chances while posting a 4.02 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings this year, but he'll likely revert back to a setup role once Duran is fully back up to speed.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Despite being taken deep for the first time this year, Wheeler registered his second consecutive quality start Wednesday. The three-time All-Star pitched a season-high 6.1 frames, and it was also encouraging to see his fastball touch 96 mph on six occasions among his season-most 98 pitches. Wheeler has a 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over his first 17.1 innings, and he'll aim to further build up his velocity his next time out in Boston.

Happ went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, a stolen base and an additional run scored during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Happ gave the Cubs an early 2-1 lead after crushing a two-run blast off Brady Singer in the first inning, and the former came home to score in the fourth on a double by Seiya Suzuki. Happ is up to nine home runs on the year and extended his on-base streak to 27 games, which dates back to April 5 against the Guardians. The veteran outfielder is slashing .248/.379/.511 with two steals, 17 RBI and 28 runs across 161 plate appearances this season.

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.

Rea did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Reds. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.1 innings.

After giving up an unearned run during the opening inning, Rea kept the Reds off the board over the next three frames before yielding a solo long ball to Matt McLain. Rea was still in line for the win until Cincinnati scored four runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-4 lead, though the Cubs were able to rally for the extra-inning victory. The veteran right-hander has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of eight starts this season and sits at a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 38 innings. He's slated to face Atlanta on the road next week.

Steer went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during the Reds' 7-6, extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

Steer was having a quiet night at the plate until he smacked a solo home run off Corbin Martin in the ninth, which kick-started the Reds' four-run frame and a temporary 6-4 lead. The long ball also extended Steer's hitting streak to nine games, and in that span he has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored.

McLain went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

McClain cut the Reds' deficit to 4-2 when he smacked a solo homer off Colin Rea in the fifth inning. The long ball broke McClain's six-game hitless streak (during which he went 0-for-17 with four strikeouts), and his home run Wednesday was his third of the season.

De La Cruz went 0-for-4 with three RBI during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

The shortstop put the Reds on the board early when his groundout in the first inning brought TJ Friedl home. De La Cruz also played a key role in the Reds' ninth-inning rally, when his flyball to deep-right field was barely caught by Seiya Suzuki, but it was enough for the rare sacrifice fly to bring two runners home to give Cincinnati a 6-4 lead. It was the fourth time this season that De La Cruz logged at least three RBI in a game, and his 29 RBI is tied for ninth most in the majors this season.

Singer did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six across six innings.

Singer put the Reds in an early 2-1 hole after yielding a two-run homer to Ian Happ in the first. The right-hander gave up another two runs in the fourth and allowed at least one baserunner in five of six frames, though he escaped with the no-decision thanks to a late rally from the Reds offense. Singer has allowed four runs and at least six hits in back-to-back games and sits at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings this season. He'll look to get back into the win column in his next start, which is lined up for next week at home against the Nationals.

Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run during the Cubs' 7-6, extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday.

The Reds' four-run ninth inning gave them a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the frame, but Crow-Armstrong extended the game with a two-run homer off Graham Ashcraft. It was the fourth home run of the season for Crow-Armstrong and extended his on-base streak to 10 games. Over that 10-game span, he has gone 10-for-36 (.278) with two steals, three home runs, eight RBI and seven runs scored.