MLB Player News

Aroldis Chapman made relatively quick work of the Cubs on Friday to help the Reds close out a 5-4, 10-inning victory, earning his 13th save in the process. 

Chapman faced four batters in his one inning of work, issuing a walk, but striking out a pair to wrap up the game. It's the fifth straight appearance in which Chapman hasn't allowed a hit. 

It was just last Saturday that Rockies starter Chris Rusin dominated the Marlins for seven innings in Colorado. Fast-forward to Thursday night in Miami, and this time it was the Marlins that got the last laugh.

Rusin struggled in the re-match on Thursday, allowing six runs on 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out one, needing 105 pitches to complete his outing.

The left-hander got into early trouble when he gave up a three-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning. The Marlins tacked on two more in the second, and Jeff Baker added one more on a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Rusin (2-1) had given up just four runs over three starts prior to Thursday. But after this poor performance, his ERA ballooned from 1.45 to 3.38.

"I just didn't hit my spots," Rusin said, per MLB.com. "The ball was up this time. Not like last time where I kept the ball down with movement. Today, I didn't. Left my pitches up, fell behind early, and I had to force myself to throw strikes. Got hurt with a couple of them, especially falling behind early and walking some guys in the first inning to get to Stanton. That's not what you want to do. I found that out."

He'll look to get back on track in his next start, scheduled for Tuesday against the Astros in Houston.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel nailed down his 15th save of the season in the 6-4 victory over the Braves. Kimbrel pitched a perfect 11th inning, striking out two on the way to preserving the win. 

Kimbrel is now 15-for-16 in save chances this season, and has been scored upon once in his last eight outings.

The Brewers activated reliever Will Smith prior to Thursday's game against the Nationals. He served a six-game suspension for using a foreign substance while pitching.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon earned his 19th save of the season in Wednesday night's 2-0 victory over the Brewers. 

Melancon retired the first three batters he faced for an easy save. It was his 10th converted save opportunity in a row, all of which have gone without a run allowed. He now has a 2.20 ERA this season. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman tossed a perfect ninth inning to secure his 12th save during a 5-2 win Wednesday against the Phillies. 

Chapman opened the inning by getting Cameron Rupp to foul out to first base. He then struck out Andres Blanco before retiring Ben Revere on a line out to left field to end the game.

The left-hander is 12 for 13 in save opportunities this season. He has 45 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.

Padres manager Bud Black said relief pitchers Joaquin Benoit and Brandon Maurer will not be available to pitch in Wednesday's game at Atlanta, reports The Mighty 1090 Sports Radio.

Maurer and Benoit have pitched an inning in each of the last two games. The team recalled Nick Vincent to provide depth in the bullpen for Wednesday's contest.

Rockies closer John Axford saved his 11th game of the season, preserving a one-run lead in Tuesday's win over St. Louis. 

Axford allowed one walk in the ninth inning, striking out one. He has converted 12 straight save opportunities dating back to last season. 

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa struggled throughout his start Monday, which the Diamondbacks lost 9-3 to the Dodgers.

De La Rosa (4-3) allowed nine runs on 10 hits over five innings of work. The nine runs and 10 hits were both season highs for De La Rosa. He gave up home runs to Jimmy Rollins in the fourth inning and Andre Ethier in the fifth.

De La Rosa has allowed a total of 16 runs over his last two starts and his ERA now stands at 5.84. His next start is scheduled for Sunday at San Francisco.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson went six scoreless innings during Monday night's 2-0 victory over the Pirates. 

Nelson allowed only four hits and three walks while striking out seven batters. The win improves his overall record to 3-6. This marked Nelson's first game where he didn't give up a run since opening day. 

"(Nelson) had a big-time finish to his sinker, and depth to the slider he threw," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said, via MLB.com. "He had so much late action (on that pitch), we were not able to do a whole lot with it."

Nelson now has a 4.05 ERA for the season. 

Nelson's next start is projected for Saturday against the Nationals.