MLB Player News

Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson had a strong outing against the Cubs on Thursday. The youngster fired seven shutout innnings, allowing just two hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches on the evening.

Despite the brilliant effort, Nelson was left with a no-decision after the bullpen allowed the Cubs to score five runs over the final two innings in the 5-2 Cubs' win.

Nelson had a strong month of July, going 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in five starts.

Rockies closer John Axford earned his fifth blown save of the season on Thursday, as he allowed the game-winning run to score in the bottom of the ninth in the 9-8 loss to the Cardinals. Axford gave up two runs on two hits while recording one out. He walked three batters, including one to force in the winning run. 

Axford has now blown each of his last four save opportunities, and has allowed eight earned runs over his last 3 2/3 innings, spanning five appearances. 

Rockies starter Chris Rusin got shelled by the Cardinals on Thursday. The left-hander allowed six runs on 10 hits over five innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five, and he did not factor in the decision as the Rockies lost 9-8 in walk-off fashion.

Rusin got off to a shaky start, allowing four runs through the first two innings, including a three-run homer by Matt Carpenter in the second. Carpenter got to Rusin again in the fifth, as he blasted a solo shot as part of a two-run inning. 

The young hurler did help his own cause in this one, as he went 2 for 2 at the plate, including his first career home run--a two-run shot in the fourth inning.

The Rockies' southpaw finishes July 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA over six appearances--five starts.

New Phillies closer Ken Giles picked up the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Braves. Giles, who is replacing the recently-departed Jonathan Papelbon as the team's stopper, allowed two hits and struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth inning.

Giles was regularly reaching 100mph on his fastball in this one, as he claimed his second save of the year. The hard-throwing right-hander has been scored upon once in 12 appearances this month.

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller endured a rather peculiar start on Thursday against the Phillies. The right-hander allowed four runs on 11 hits over six innings. He walked one and struck four, but was stuck with the loss in the 4-1 final.

Of the 11 hits--which tied a season-high--all but one went for singles. Domoninc Brown launched a solo home run in the sixth inning for the only extra-base hit against Miller.

But the Phillies scored two in the fourth, and one each in the fifth and sixth innings, en route to the victory. 

Miller went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA in five starts this month.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 30th save of the season in Thursday's 8-7 win over the Mets. Kimbrel, who took the mound after a near three-hour rain delay, struck out a batter as he preserved the victory.

Kimbrel remains perfect in save chances this season, and his ERA has dwindled to 2.68--it was as high as 4.50 in early June.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero experienced stiffness in his injured shoulder following his latest throwing session, according to the New York Post. He is getting re-evaluated.

The right-hander has made two appearances on a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League (rookie). He has tossed four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks. He has five strikeouts.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman came into a tight situation and excelled once again, picking up his 21st save of the season to preserve a 1-0 victory. 

Chapman struck out Jason Heyward looking and Yadier Molina swinging to end the game, needing just 13 pitches to power through the Cardinals' hitters. The closer remains one of the prime targets of several teams as the trade deadline approaches. 

Pirates closer Mark Melancon entered a tie game on Tuesday, his first non-save situation in the last four outings. 

Melancon pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing just a walk. He earned the win, moving to 2-1 on the season. 

Phillies reliever Ken Giles earned his first save of the year in Tuesday's win over Toronto. 

Giles pitched a scoreless ninth to protect a one-run lead. He allowed one hit and earned his second career save, and first since September 20 of last season.