MLB Player News

Rockies closer John Axford had been lights-out since returning to that role. But he was charged with his sixth blown save of the season after giving up a run on two hits and a walk in the bottom of the 11th inning Tuesday in an eventual victory over the Dodgers.

Axford was the ninth pitcher to enter the game for the Rockies on a night in which manager Walt Weiss burned through a MLB-record 13 pitchers. It was the first run Axford had allowed since Aug. 13.

Rockies starter Chris Rusin allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Dodgers. He struck out three.

Rusin has allowed at least three runs in each of his last five starts and has seen his ERA jump from 3.99 to 5.11 in that span.

The rest of the Rockies' remaining games are either at home or at Arizona, both tough parks for pitchers. Rusin's road ERA (5.46) is actually worse than his Coors Field ERA (4.74), but neither is desirable.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman stole a win Tuesday against San Francisco after blowing his third save of the season. He finished with two runs (one earned) allowed on three hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Chapman's six consecutive save streak is snapped and his record is now up to 4-4. Chapman has still been brilliant all year, as he boasts a 1.80 ERA. After two strikeouts and a walk Tuesday night, his K:BB sits at 107:30.

Mets left-handed reliever Dario Alvarez left Tuesday's game with a groin injury, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

Alvarez joins a long list of lefty specialists who may be unavailable to the Mets over the rest of the season, as manager Terry Collins did not sound optimistic about Alvarez's injury after Tuesday's game. Alvarez gave up two runs on three hits while recording just one out before exiting Tuesday.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning to preserve the 5-4 win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs. Melancon needed 14 pitches to retire the side in order and collect his league-leading 46th save.

Melancon has been a little off lately, allowing five runs in his last six appearances. But he still owns a highly respectable 2.00 ERA and is 46-for-48 in save chances this season.

The Diamondbacks may skip starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa during their next series against the Dodgers, per Fanragsports.com.

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa has been getting knocked around lately, but had not taken a real pounding since early June. That pounding came Saturday night, courtesy of the visiting Dodgers.

De La Rosa gave up six runs on nine hits in just two innings. He only had time to strike out one.

Los Angeles wasted no time wasting his time. Carl Crawford led off the game with a home run, then four straight hits in the third, including an Adrian Gonzalez blast, sent him to the showers.

De La Rosa still boasts a strong 12-8 record despite a lofty 4.75 ERA that is at its highest point since July 20.

Phillies closer Ken Giles was called upon to save the game Saturday not in the ninth, but in the eighth. He passed the test with flying colors and got a win as a bonus.

Giles struck out Addison Russell with the go-ahead run on base in the eighth. He then struck out two in a scoreless ninth and watched his team win it on a walk-off homer to raise his record to 6-2.

The right-hander has not allowed a run over his last 12 innings.

The Cardinals activated relief pitcher Matt Belisle off the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, according to MLB.com.

Belisle was on the disabled list with a forearm injury.

Rockies closer John Axford worked around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning, closing out the 4-2 win over the Mariners on Friday. Axford earned his 22nd save of the season, and has now converted each of his last six save opportunities.