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Ariel Jurado RP | TEX
Rangers' Ariel Jurado: Survives rocky start in no-decision
Jurado allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings Thursday, taking a no-decision in an 8-6 win over the Angels.
Jurado was lit up for six runs over the first 10 batters faced, then retired 13 of the final 16 batters with the help of an improbable triple play in the fourth inning. He's allowed six runs in each of his last two starts, inflating his ERA from 4.02 to 6.41, which may be an indication the league has caught up to the right-hander, not a surprising development given that he hadn't pitched above Double-A before joining the Rangers' rotation at the end of July. If the Rangers stick with their current six-man rotation, Jurado's next start will come Wednesday at Oakland.
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Adam Kolarek RP | LAA
Rays' Adam Kolarek: Earns first save
Kolarek struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn his first career save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Yankees.
Kolarek was called on to hold a 3-1 lead in the ninth after Sergio Romo loaded the bases with no outs. The lefty reliever was up to the task, needing just nine pitches to close things out. Moving forward, Romo should still see most save opportunities with Kolarek and his 5.63 ERA pretty far down the list.
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Hansel Robles RP | LAD
Angels' Hansel Robles: Sent to disabled list
Robles was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.
The move is retroactive to Wednesday, leaving Robles eligible to return Aug. 25 at the earliest. The 28-year-old compiled a solid 3.75 ERA across 24 innings of relief for the Angels before injuring himself. Ty Buttrey was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding transaction.
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J.B. Bukauskas RP | MIL
Astros' J.B. Bukauskas: Lights out at High-A
Bukauskas spun seven shutout innings for High-A Buies Creek in its 5-0 win over Winston-Salem on Wednesday. He allowed one hit and one walk and struck out five.
The right-hander had his development interrupted earlier this season when he was shut down for nearly two months due to injury, but he has been nothing short of spectacular since moving to the Carolina League earlier in August. Through three starts, the North Carolina product has given up just two runs over 18 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .136 average. With a hot finish to the campaign, the 21-year-old could have a shot at opening the 2019 season at Double-A Corpus Christi.
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Ryan Yarbrough RP | NYY
Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Captures win in relief
Yarbrough tossed four scoreless innings and picked up the win in relief Wednesday during the Rays' 6-1 triumph over the Yankees. He allowed two hits and no walks and struck out three.
After posting a 7.23 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in his first four outings out of the All-Star break, Yarbrough has righted the ship over past two appearances, throwing six shutout frames while giving up three hits and issuing no free passes. Since he threw 55 pitches Wednesday, Yarbrough will likely be rested for at least three days before manager Kevin Cash turns to the lefty again out of the bullpen.
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Tommy Kahnle RP | BOS
Yankees' Tommy Kahnle: Called up Thursday
Kahnle was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Kahnle will take the roster place of Luis Cessa, who was optioned back to the minors following his start against Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Though Kahnle tossed an inning of work versus Boston earlier this month, he's only appeared in nine games for the Yankees this season, as he's spent a majority of the past couple months at the Triple-A level working through some velocity issues.
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Drew Pomeranz RP | CHC
Red Sox's Drew Pomeranz: Fails high-leverage test
Pomeranz allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to Philadelphia.
This was Pomeranz's third appearance as a reliever and first in what was deemed a high-leverage spot -- he entered with Boston down a run in the seventh inning. "I wanted to see how he, in a close game, put him in a high-leverage situation with a few switch-hitters and a lefty there to see how he reacted," manager Alex Cora told Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald. "He threw the ball well in Baltimore, so we trust the guy." Pomeranz got into some good counts, throwing seven of eight first-pitch strikes, but was unable to put batters away. The left-hander said his mechanics have been off all year and feels he's blocking himself while throwing. In pitcher-speak, that means instead of delivering directly toward the plate, he's drifting toward one side of the plate, in this case it's the left side. The outing brought his ERA back up over six (6.34), and one wonders if he's of any value when pitching like this. The Red Sox have a roster decision to make Friday when second baseman Ian Kinsler (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the disabled list. Beyond that, pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) is closing in on a return. Pomeranz's roster spot may be in jeopardy.
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Brad Hand RP | ATL
Indians' Brad Hand: Grabs fourth save with Cleveland
Hand gave up two hits and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to record his 28th save of the season, and fourth with Cleveland, in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Reds.
The southpaw narrowly escaped blowing the save, as after Billy Hamilton led off the ninth inning with a single, Jose Peraza drove a ball to right field that hopped over the fence for a ground-rule double, keeping Hamilton at third base. Hand then kept the Reds off the board and wriggled off the hook. Cody Allen looked very good in the setup role Wednesday, and the duo will likely continue to share closing duties down the stretch.
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Edwin Diaz RP | LAD
Mariners' Edwin Diaz: Picks up another save
Diaz pitched a scoreless 12th inning Wednesday against the A's to secure his 47th save of the season, allowing a hit while striking out the side.
Diaz allowed the first batter he faced to reach base before striking out the next three batters on just 11 pitches. The closer has now allowed just one run through seven innings this month while converting all seven of his save chances. He owns an impressive 1.95 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 103:15 K:BB to go with his 47 saves this season (60 innings).
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Trevor Hildenberger RP | SF
Twins' Trevor Hildenberger: Collects another save
Hildenberger picked up his third save of the season Wednesday against the Pirates, issuing a walk and striking one batter out in a scoreless ninth inning.
HIldenberger needed just 14 pitches -- eight of which were strikes -- to convert his third consecutive save opportunity, allowing a one-out walk before inducing a game-ending double-play. The 27-year-old has certainly been shaky at times this season, as evidenced by his 4.58 ERA, but he appears to be the Twins' No. 1 option in the ninth inning following Fernando Rodney's departure.