MLB Player News

Melancon pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Angels on Wednesday.

Los Angeles put a scare into San Diego with four runs between the seventh and eighth innings to turn a blowout into a close contest, but Melancon restored order with a 1-2-3 ninth during which he threw eight of nine pitches for strikes. As a result, the veteran earned his first save in September and league-leading 37th overall this season. With nearly four weeks remaining in the campaign, he has a strong chance to reach the 40-save mark for the third time in his career.

Mayers (4-5) took the loss against San Diego on Wednesday, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one.

The right-hander was selected to open the Angels' bullpen game, and he made it through the first inning without incident. However, the Padres drove Mayers from the contest in the second, converting a walk and a double into a run before pummeling a pair of subsequent relievers for seven additional runs. Mayers has pitched to a 4.34 ERA and 77:21 K:BB across 64.1 innings this season. He's struggled of late, posting a 7.36 ERA over his past six outings.

Gallegos earned the save over the Dodgers on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

The Cardinals elected to allow Adam Wainwright to try to finish off his own start with the team ahead 5-2 entering the ninth inning, but the veteran hurler faltered, allowing a run on three singles. Gallegos took over and surrendered a sacrifice fly, but he was able to strike out Chris Taylor to nail down the save. It was a much-needed bounceback performance after Gallegos allowed four runs in one frame in his previous appearance, and he appears to be the team's primary ninth-inning option with three saves in his past four outings.

White (1-3) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against St. Louis, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on five hits and no walks while walking six.

White logged only the second outing of his career in which he lasted at least five innings, but he couldn't overcome the three runs he surrendered in the first frame. The right-hander did a good job of throwing the ball over the plate -- 47 of his 65 pitches were strikes -- and didn't walk any batters while punching out six for the third straight contest, so there are some positives to take from the outing. With that said, Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) is slated to return to the rotation Thursday and Clayton Kershaw (forearm) is expected back next week, so White's time as a starter could be over.

Hader allowed two walks in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Wednesday versus the Phillies.

The 27-year-old was able to work around a season-high two walks and secure his 30th save of the year. It was his first appearance in a week, which may explain the control issues. He has been exceptional since the beginning of August, pitching 11.1 scoreless innings while collecting 19 strikeouts and converting nine saves.

Barlow retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-5 win over Arizona.

Demarcus Evans made things interesting in a non-save situation, which allowed Barlow to enter with a three-run lead to nab his fourth save of the year. The 25-year-old has emerged as one of Texas' top closing options with a 1.74 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 20.2 innings. He's logged three holds, a blown save and an 0-2 record in addition to his four saves in 22 appearances.

Finnegan allowed one hit with a pair of strikeouts to earn his eighth save of the season Wednesday against Atlanta.

Finnegan, the sixth and final reliever utilized by the Nationals after starter Sean Nolin was ejected in the first inning, stranded a two-out single by Jorge Soler to convert his fifth straight save chance. The 30-year-old Finnegan boasts a 2.73 ERA in 56 innings this season despite allowing 51 hits and 28 walks.

Robles tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing one hit while striking out a pair.

Making his first appearance since being removed from Sunday's game with lat tightness, Robles struck out Ji-Man Choi and Manuel Margot for the first two outs, then gave up a two-out double to Joey Wendle, who was thrown out by Hunter Renfroe trying to stretch it into a triple. It was the 12th save of the season for Robles, and his second in as many opportunities since being acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline. He's turned in four straight scoreless outings, allowing just two baserunners with six strikeouts in that span.

Estevez (2-4) took the loss Wednesday versus San Francisco after allowing four runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

Estevez allowed five of the seven batters he faced to reach base, and San Francisco scored on a two-run single by LaMonte Wade and a two-run double by Evan Longoria. It's a rare misstep for Estevez, who had converted three saves in five outings since taking over as the full-time closer. He now has a 4.59 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB across 51 innings while adding five saves, five blown saves and 15 holds in 53 outings. Colorado's closer situation remains somewhat fluid, but one poor outing isn't likely to cost Estevez just yet.

Rogers (6-1) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over Colorado.

The right-hander was able to keep San Francisco within a run after he pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and the offense pulled ahead in the ninth. Rogers is in the midst of an impressive run, as he's posted 11 straight scoreless innings dating back to Aug. 18, and he's yielded just six hits with 10 strikeouts in that span. The setup man has a 1.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB through 68 innings this season as one of San Francisco's most utilized relievers.