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Brandon Williamson SP | CIN
Reds' Brandon Williamson: Escapes with win
Williamson (3-2) allowed two runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings to pick up the win Friday over the Dodgers.
Williamson's 12 baserunners were by far his most in an appearance this season, but he was able to work around the trouble. He finishes July having not allowed more than two runs in any outing, and he gave up just seven runs over 25.2 innings across his five starts for the month. Williamson has a 4.48 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:27 K:BB through 64.1 innings through 13 starts this year. He's projected for a road start versus the Cubs next week.
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Bobby Miller RP | LAD
Dodgers' Bobby Miller: Surrenders three runs in loss
Miller (6-2) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Reds.
The Reds did their damage in the first inning, which included Jake Fraley tagging Miller for a two-run home run. Miller appears to be mostly back on track, having allowed seven runs over his last 15.2 innings following a rough stretch in the latter half of June. The rookie right-hander has a 4.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 59:16 K:BB through 59.2 innings over 11 starts this season. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Padres next week, though that could change if the Dodgers continue to add starting pitching ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Miller likely has the upper hand on remaining in the rotation over Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove, who have both struggled lately and will get one more audition each over the remainder of this weekend's series.
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Logan Webb SP | SF
Giants' Logan Webb: Takes hard-luck loss
Webb (8-9) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 7.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.
Webb turned in a quality start in response to his 1.1-inning disaster start versus the Nationals last weekend. The Giants' offense remained cold Friday, limited to just two runs on six hits and a walk, leaving Webb with a tough-luck loss. The right-hander posted four quality starts over five outings in July and ends the month with a 3.49 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 140:24 K:BB through 141.2 innings over 22 starts this season. Webb is projected for a home start versus the Diamondbacks next week.
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Anthony DeSclafani RP | ARI
Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Appears set for bulk relief
DeSclafani appears set to work in bulk relief again Saturday against the Red Sox with Ryan Walker being named the Giants' opening pitcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The Giants have had some success throwing openers in front of their starters this season. It didn't work out well for DeSclafani last weekend -- he allowed four runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings against Washington -- but San Francisco will give it another try Saturday. DeSclafani has a 7.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 32.1 innings since the start of June.
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Tommy Henry SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tommy Henry: Struggles early in loss
Henry (5-4) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.
Henry gave up all four runs and five of the seven baserunners during an ugly first inning. He was able to settle down from there, but the damage was already done, sending the southpaw to his third straight loss. In that span, he's given up 11 runs (10 earned) over 14.2 innings following a three-start stretch in which he allowed just two runs across 18.1 frames. For the season, Henry owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 64:35 K:BB through 89 innings across 17 appearances (16 starts). He's lined up for a road start in San Francisco next week.
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Kyle Freeland SP | COL
Rockies' Kyle Freeland: Yields five runs in return
Freeland (4-11) allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Oakland.
Making his first start since July 9 after a stint on the injured list, Freeland stumbled out of the gate; all five runs that scored against him came during the first three innings. While only three runs were earned, Freeland's ERA still rose to 4.79 through 107 innings. He threw 70 pitches Friday and should be fine for a full workload in his next outing, which is currently projected to be at home against San Diego.
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Drew Smyly SP | CHC
Cubs' Drew Smyly: Fans six in win
Smyly (8-7) yielded one run on two hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against the Cardinals.
Smyly worked out of the bullpen again Friday, entering the game in the third inning after Hayden Wesneski covered the first two frames. It was a solid rebound performance for Smyly after he had allowed 22 earned runs over his previous 21 innings. He lowered his season ERA to 4.50 with a 97:37 K:BB through 108 frames. Smyly is expected to remain in a bulk relief role and is currently in line to take the mound against the Reds at home next week.
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Jordan Montgomery RP | TEX
Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery: Coughs up three runs
Montgomery (6-9) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Cubs.
He rolled through four shutout frames before the Cubs finally broke through in the fifth inning. Montgomery's been tagged with two consecutive losses while giving up eight earned runs over 12 innings during that stretch. Before that, he'd yielded one earned run or fewer in each of his previous five outings. Montgomery is sporting a 3.42 ERA and 108:35 K:BB through 121 frames. His next start is projected to come at home against the Twins next week, provided St. Louis doesn't trade him before then.
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Return date moved up
Lodolo (lower leg) threw a side session Friday and is now targeting a return in late August, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Reds manager David Bell had previously suggested Lodolo wouldn't be an option for the big-league club until September. However, the lefty has already shed his walking boot and had his estimated return date moved up. Lodolo still has hurdles to clear before he heads out on a rehab assignment, but teammate Hunter Greene (hip) is targeting an Aug. 20 return and it sounds like Lodolo won't be far behind.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Targeting Aug. 20 return
Greene (hip) has an estimated return date of Aug. 20, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Greene emerged from Tuesday's side session no worse for wear and threw live batting practice Friday, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The right-hander has been out since mid-June with right hip issues and has been working lately on strengthening core stability. A specific target date for his return has now come into focus, with starts in the minors on a rehab assignment looking likely, perhaps starting next weekend.