MLB Player News

Lynn (10-4) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings.

The veteran hurler surprisingly struggled against a rebuilding Cubs offense, as he gave up season highs with seven runs and three homers. Patrick Wisdom took him deep twice in the contest, and Rafael Ortega delivered a big blow with a fourth-inning grand slam. Lynn did manage to strike out seven batters after totaling only four punchouts in each of his previous two starts, but it was nonetheless a disappointing effort from the American League Cy Young candidate. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at Kansas City next weekend.

Means gave up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings in a no-decision against the Rays on Saturday.

Means, who gave up seven runs (four earned) in his last matchup with Tampa Bay, held the Rays scoreless through six innings in this one. He finally ran into trouble with one out in the seventh when back-to-back hits by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe ended his night, and Baltimore reliever Dillon Tate allowed both runs to score to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-2. Means had to settle for a no-decision when Cole Sulser gave up a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena in the eighth. It was an encouraging outing for Means, who has been inconsistent since returning from the IL in late July. He's tentatively lined up to face the Yankees on the road in his next start.

Wacha took a no-decision Saturday against Baltimore, yielding one run on three hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He also had six strikeouts.

Wacha turned in the most effective performance of his five August starts, holding the Orioles off the board for four innings before allowing a Pedro Severino double in the fifth that eventually came around to score against the Tampa Bay bullpen. Still, Wacha hasn't registered a victory since July 7, which was also the last time he pitched more than five innings. The 30-year-old is 2-4 in 23 appearances (18 starts) this season, logging a 5.70 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 94.2 innings.

Allard (3-11) gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks over six innings Saturday, taking the loss against Houston. He struck out a pair.

The 24-year-old had opened August with four straight quality starts before running into the highest-scoring offense in the majors Saturday. Yordan Alvarez and Martin Maldonado got things started in the second inning with a solo homer and a two-run single, respectively. Carlos Correa added a solo blast in the third, and Jose Altuve drove in two more with a single in the sixth. Allard has been able to provide the Rangers with length recently, pitching into the sixth in five straight appearances, but it's still come with too many homers (nine in 30.1 innings) and subpar strikeout numbers (16). He'll take a 5.01 ERA and 1.23 WHIP into his next scheduled start.

Valdez (9-4) earned the win Saturday against Texas, yielding two runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

It was the fourth consecutive quality start for Valdez, who limited the Rangers to a Nick Solak RBI groundout in the fourth inning and an Adolis Garcia solo home run in the sixth. The Garcia blast was the first long ball allowed by Valdez since July 18, ending a string of six straight outings in which he was able to keep the ball in the park. Valdez will take a 2.94 ERA and 1.27 WHIP into his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week at San Diego.

Anderson (6-9) took the loss to the Royals on Saturday after allowing three runs on eight hits across seven innings, fanning six. He did not issue a walk.

Anderson might have been tagged with the loss in this one, but he extended his streak of strong appearances. He has given up three or fewer runs in each of his last 11 outings and has posted five quality starts during that span. The southpaw owns a 4.06 ERA on the season, but that figure drops to 3.38 since the All-Star break.

Lynch didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Mariners after allowing one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings.

Lynch pitched on normal rest despite the fact that his start was moved up to Saturday, and he continued his series of strong performances of late. He has gone 4-1 with a 2.24 ERA across his last seven starts.

Montas (10-9) earned the win Saturday against the Yankees after tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while fanning six.

Montas secured his 10th win of the season in style, hurling seven scoreless frames against one of the best offenses in the American League -- and one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. While he's been inconsistent at times and went through a rough patch in June, where he posted a 5.28 ERA across five starts, he has turned things around of late and he's now given up one or fewer runs in three of his last four appearances, including tossing two straight scoreless outings. He has also fanned at least six in each of his last nine starts.

Cortes (2-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Athletics after allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while fanning four across 5.1 innings.

Cortes was coming off two straight quality starts but was unable to extend the streak here, as the Athletics chased him out of the game with two outs left in the sixth after a single from Mark Canha. The left-hander has struggled to pitch deep into games, but he has been doing a good job so far and has given up three or fewer runs in six of his last seven appearances.

Quantrill didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Red Sox after allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while fanning six across seven innings.

Quantrill posted a second straight quality start, and the right-hander has been pitching extremely well of late. He has given up two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine outings while posting a 52:18 K:BB through 55 innings in that stretch.