MLB Player News

Burns (14-2) picked up the win Friday, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Marlins. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

Matched up against Sandy Alcantara in a duel of the team's respective aces that lived up to its billing, Burns rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 93 pitches for strikes while not even allowing a runner to get into scoring position until the seventh inning, when Otto Lopez led off the frame with a single and stole second base before being stranded. The quality start was Burns' 11th of the year, and his 14 wins have him tied for second in the majors with Boston's Sonny Gray, one back of Philly's Cristopher Sanchez. Burns will look to stay locked in for his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Cardinals.

Alcantara (13-7) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 1-0 by the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out out.

The veteran right-hander didn't have his best stuff or best command, but Alcantara still put together his fourth straight quality start and MLB-leading 19th of the season on 103 pitches (67 strikes), only to have Chase Burns be just a little bit stingier opposite him. Alcantara was also a little unlucky -- he saw his scoreless streak end at 25.2 innings when Eugenio Suarez dumped a ball into left field that Heriberto Hernandez badly misplayed, allowing Tyler Stephenson to lumber home from first base as the ball rolled to the warning track on what was officially ruled a double. Alcantara has become a throwback workhorse of late, lasting at least seven innings in six of eight starts since the beginning of July while compiling a 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB through 55 frames. He'll look to get more offensive support in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Hoerner went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

While it wasn't a particularly impressive line in the box score, the steal was Hoerner's 20th of the season, marking the fifth straight campaign in which he's reached that plateau. The Gold Glove second baseman has also hit safely in five straight games, and over 26 contests since the All-Star break he's erupted for a .365/.385/.500 slash line with three homers, six stolen bases, 14 runs and 18 RBI.

Liberatore (5-10) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.1 innings as the Cardinals fell 3-0 to the Cubs. He struck out six.

The 26-year-old southpaw put together one of his better performances of the season while tossing 58 of 95 pitches for strikes, but the St. Louis offense got completely shut down as Clay Holmes took a perfect game into the sixth inning. Liberatore hasn't gotten into the win column since before the All-Star break, going 0-4 over his last five starts with a 5.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 25.1 innings. He'll try to snap that streak in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Langford went 0-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Athletics.

Langford swiped his ninth base of the season, setting himself up to achieve a third consecutive season with double-digit thefts. Unfortunately for the Rangers, Langford has done little since hitting a solo home run Aug. 1. In the 12 games since, the outfielder is 3-for-37 (.081) with one extra-base hit, nine walks, two steals and zero RBI.

Schanuel went 2-for-4 with a double, four RBI and one run scored in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Royals.

Schanuel tied the game in the third inning with a bases-loaded double before knotting things up again with an RBI single in the fifth. It matched a career-high RBI total for the 24-year-old, who's driven in nine runs over his past nine games. For the season, he's slashing .273/.351/.387 with seven homers, 46 RBI, 41 runs scored and one stolen base across 430 plate appearances.

Cecconi (arm) underwent an MRI that confirmed no structural damage, MLB.com reports.

That's good news for the Cecconi, who felt an issue during a relief appearance Aug. 6. The right-hander is expected to resume throwing in the coming days.

Massey went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 7-6 win over the Angels.

Massey opened the scoring with a solo shot in the first inning before adding an RBI single in the seventh. The 28-year-old is now hitting .282 with four extra-base hits in 11 August contests, though that production comes with a 0:11 BB:K. On the year, he's slashing .264/.296/.430 with 10 homers, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored and two steals across 337 plate appearances.

Rocchio went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Rocchio swatted his 10th home run of the season in the second inning and ended a 21-game stretch without going deep. After a promising first half of the season, Rocchio has hit the skids in the second half; he entered Friday with a .173/.221/.235 slash line over the previous 25 games. Per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt took ownership of Rocchio's struggles, attributing them to a decision to move the shortstop around the batting order while the team dealt with injuries. Rocchio was returned to his familiar ninth spot in the order for the last four games and currently has a modest three-game hit streak (4-for-12).

Caglianone went 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 7-6 win over the Angels.

Caglianone drove in runs on each of his hits, highlighted by a two-run blast in the fifth inning. It continued a scorching-hot August for the 23-year-old, who's hit safely in 12 straight games this month with nine extra-base hits and a whopping 18 RBI over that span. On the year, he's slashing .273/.325/.495 with 22 homers, 58 RBI, 56 runs scored and five steals across 443 plate appearances.