MLB Player News

Bard struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 11th save of the season in the second game of a doubleheader against the Nationals.

The right-hander stumbled a bit in the middle of May, but Bard has rebounded to deliver three straight scoreless appearances with a 5:1 K:BB over four innings. He's 11-for-13 in converting save chances on the season, and his 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and career-best 33.3 percent strikeout rate are all excellent numbers considering his home stadium.

Rogers (0-1) was dealt the loss and blown save during Saturday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning.

Rogers entered in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead and allowed two early baserunners before permitting a go-ahead three-run home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes. The lefty had allowed only one earned run through 20.1 innings prior to Saturday's blip, and the 31-year-old now possesses a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in addition to an MLB-best 17 saves.

Hudson picked up a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed one hit and struck out two.

Hudson found himself in immediate trouble when Ketel Marte led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double, but the veteran reliever escaped with the save by following with a groundout and two strikeouts. Hudson was granted the save opportunity because regular closer Craig Kimbrel threw 26 pitches Friday and realized that his body "just didn't feel good" Saturday, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Kimbrel is expected to be available Sunday, but with three saves in three opportunities on the campaign, Hudson has shown that he can be an effective option when Kimbrel is unavailable.

Bednar saved Saturday's 4-2 win against the Padres, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After Pittsburgh took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, Bednar entered for the bottom of the frame and retired the side in order on 12 pitches. It was a nice rebound from Tuesday's loss and the 27-year-old has compiled a strong May that features seven successful save opportunities, a 0.63 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Romano pitched two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Angels, allowing one run on one hit and two walks. He failed to record a strikeout.

Romano entered with a two-run lead in the ninth and recorded two quick outs but put four runners on and was removed in favor of Ross Stripling, who closed out the win. The 29-year-old threw 12 pitches Friday in addition to 24 Saturday with only 11 going for strikes in pitching on consecutive days for only the third time all season. The poor performance was an aberration or the typically reliable Romano, whose closer role isn't in jeopardy.

Thompson (5-0) earned the win over the White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

As has been the case throughout the season so far, Thompson was stingy on the mound against the Cubs' crosstown rivals, allowing only one run over five frames. The right-hander has started in only three of his 11 appearances, but he's logged at least 2.2 innings in every outing and has yet to allow more than two earned runs. In addition to a perfect 5-0 record, Thompson has posted a 1.58 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 40 innings.

Winckowski (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in three innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Orioles.

Winckowski got through the Orioles' order without taking any damage the first time, but they got to him for all four runs in the third inning. The Red Sox's bullpen then provided six innings of one-hit ball, but the offense didn't get the right-hander off the hook. Winckowski was up as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him returned to Triple-A Worcester in the near future -- the Red Sox have no apparent need to carry an extra starter.

Krehbiel (2-3) earned the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox. He allowed one hit and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Saturday was his second scoreless appearance in a row, the first time he's achieved that feat since May 9-10. The right-hander followed spot starter Denyi Reyes, who was effective with just one run allowed in 3.2 innings. Krehbiel has worked well in a versatile role this season, posting a 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB across 22 innings in 20 appearances. He's added five holds, and he's earned trust with manager Brandon Hyde to deliver quality pitching in a variety of situations.

Lopez allowed an unearned run on one hit in 1.1 innings, earning the save in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Lopez got the final out of the eighth inning without trouble. He stayed in for the ninth, where two batters got aboard before he ended the threat with a run-scoring fielder's choice and a double play. This was Lopez's second save in his last three appearances after he went a month between successful conversions. The 29-year-old right-hander is 6-for-8 in save opportunities with a 1.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 23.1 innings this season. He's also posted a 3-2 record, and he's yet to give up a home run in 21 outings.

Akin (1-1) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in 2.1 innings.

Akin provided some length after a 4.1-inning start from Jordan Lyles. The Red Sox were able to get to Akin, with Bobby Dalbec hammering a sixth-inning solo home run while Christian Arroyo added an RBI single in the seventh. This was just the third time in 13 outings Akin's allowed runs, though he's given up a pair in each of those appearances. He's at a solid 1.71 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB in 31.2 innings overall, working exclusively in a multi-inning bullpen role.