MLB Player News

Whitlock earned the save over the Guardians on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings.

Kutter Crawford and Jake Diekman combined to limit Cleveland to one run over seven innings, and Whitlock took over in the eighth with Boston holding a 4-1 lead. The right-hander allowed a run in that frame but pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the save. Whitlock has picked up a two-inning save in each of his past two appearances, and given the ineffectiveness at the back end of Boston's bullpen this season, he could be emerging as the team's primary closer.

Crawford pitched 5.2 innings against Cleveland on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out two batters. He did not factor in the decision.

The rookie gave up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the fourth inning, but that was the only run the Guardians could muster against him. Crawford wasn't overpowering -- he picked up only two punchouts and induced only eight swings-and-misses -- but he was efficient in throwing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes. The right-hander fell one out shy of his third straight quality start, but it was nonetheless another effective outing that should strengthen his case to remain in the rotation even when Boston's staff returns to full health. Over his past five starts, Crawford has posted a 2.57 ERA and 26:4 K:BB across 28 innings.

Kikuchi (4-5) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi was activated earlier in the day after spending three weeks on the injured list due to a neck strain, and he was able to give Toronto 67 pitches and five innings en route to the victory. The only run against him came on a second-inning home run off the bat of Willi Castro. Kikuchi has completed five innings in only seven of 17 starts this season, so it was particularly notable that he was able to reach that mark in his first contest coming off an injury.

Steele (4-7) allowed four unearned runs on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out six in 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Giants.

Errors early in the third and fourth innings ultimately allowed the Giants to tag Steele for a pair of runs in each of those frames. The Cubs' offense couldn't overcome the defensive shortcomings, sending the southpaw to defeat in his shortest outing since a two-inning effort May 26. Steele's ERA dropped to 3.86, but he has an unimpressive 1.43 WHIP and 87:42 K:BB through 91 innings in 19 starts this year. He's projected to make his next start in St. Louis next week.

Wood (7-8) allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three in 6.2 innings to earn the win Thursday over the Cubs.

Wood put two runners on base in the first inning but went unscathed and carried a no-hitter in the seventh inning. He allowed a single to Ian Happ and a two-run home run to Patrick Wisdom, but that was all the scoring the Cubs mustered as Wood snapped the Giants' seven-game losing streak. The southpaw has had some uneven performances lately and ends July with eight runs allowed (five earned) in 27.1 innings across five starts. For the season, he's pitched to a 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 99:25 K:BB in 100.2 innings in 20 outings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Dodgers next week.

Wheeler (9-5) allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Thursday against the Pirates.

Wheeler held the Pirates scoreless through 6.2 innings but surrendered a two-run home run to Cal Mitchell to end the shutout. Though he took advantage of a soft matchup, Wheeler's eight strikeouts were the highest mark in his last four starts. Though his punchouts have taken a bit of a downturn, Wheeler has maintained a 2.48 ERA with a 28:6 K:BB across five July starts spanning 32.2 innings.

Taillon allowed four hits and two walks while striking out eight across six scoreless innings Thursday against the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Taillon entered the game having allowed 23 earned runs across his last 29.2 frames -- spanning six starts. However, he got back on track with a strong effort against the Royals, highlighted by seven groundball outs. Taillon now owns a 3.72 ERA and 92:17 K:BB across 109 innings for the season.

Singer allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 10 across seven scoreless innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Singer dominated the Yankees and allowed only two runners to reach scoring position throughout his start. He also continued to show impressive swing-and-miss stuff, tallying 14 swinging strikes on 99 total pitches. In five July starts, Singer now has a 2.05 ERA with a 42:11 K:BB across 30.2 frames.

Urena (1-3) allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over three-plus innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Dodgers.

While three errors from the Rockies' defense, including one error by Urena, didn't help his cause, the right-hander proved no match for the Dodgers' powerful offense. He gave up multiple runs in each of the first two innings and then failed to record an out and put four runners aboard in the fourth before Austin Gomber was brought in to relieve him. Urena's ERA skyrocketed to 4.67 with a 1.62 WHIP and 19:18 K:BB across 34.2 innings in nine appearances (five starts) between the Rockies and Brewers this season. His last two starts have been his worst of the season, but the Rockies will likely need to keep him in the rotation with eight games in seven days next week. He's expected to make a road start in San Diego.

Anderson (11-1) allowed four hits and hit a batter while striking out four over seven shutout innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rockies.

Anderson had a 2-0 lead before he even stepped on the mound, and the Dodgers' offense continued to pile on while he kept the Rockies' bats quiet. This was Anderson's fifth straight quality start -- in that span, he's allowed five runs (four earned) in 32.1 innings. His impressive pitching in July has lowered his ERA to 2.61 with a 0.99 WHIP and 91:19 K:BB through 110.1 innings in 19 appearances (17 starts). The southpaw is projected for a road start in San Francisco next week.