MLB Player News

Noel went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-8 win over the Pirates.

Noel helped the Guardians answer a fifth-inning rally from the Pirates. His homer put Cleveland ahead 7-6, and the hosts didn't trail again in the contest. Noel has gone 11-for-34 (.324) with four homers and nine RBI over his last nine games. For the year, he's up to a .262/.333/.611 slash line with 13 homers, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored and five doubles across 45 contests. While he has a 31.2 percent strikeout rate, Noel has proven more than capable of making his contact count.

Duran went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, two doubles and a second run scored in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers.

He led off the first inning with a double before scoring the opening run on a Triston Casas groundout. Duran would cap his big day with a 431-foot home run off lefty Tyler Holton in the 10th, his 21st homer of the year, to extend Boston's lead to 7-4. The 27-year-old Duran has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with three home runs in his last five games. His slash line is up to .295/.354/.533 with 96 runs scored, 69 RBI and 32 stolen bases across 616 plate appearances on the season.

Avila (5-1) retired both batters he faced, including one via strikeout, to earn the win Friday over the Pirates.

Avila got the last two outs of the fifth inning after starter Ben Lively was chased following a barrage of hits from the Pirates in that frame. The Guardians replied with a four-run rally of their own and led the rest of the way, giving Avila his second win in 14 appearances this month. He's allowed six runs on 12 hits and five walks while striking out 16 over 14.2 innings in that span. For the year, Avila has done fairly well in a middle-relief role with a 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 74:31 K:BB over 70.2 innings between the Guardians and the Padres.

Bleday went 2-for-5 with a homer, a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-2 win at Texas.

The Oakland center fielder slugged a 370-foot, three-run homer off Jon Gray in the third inning to stretch the team's lead to 4-1. Bleday later laced an RBI double in the ninth inning before being driven home on a Shea Langeliers long ball. Bleday has swung a hot bat in the second half, hitting .305 (40-for-131) with nine homers, 11 doubles, 26 runs scored and 22 RBI across his last 36 games.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo homers, a walk and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-2 win at Texas.

The Oakland designated hitter opened the game's scoring when he slugged a 416-foot solo home run off Jon Gray in the first inning. Rooker then returned in the seventh to crack another solo homer, this one travelling 397 feet, off reliever Dane Dunning. The one-time All-Star is having a career year, as he's slashing .287/.366/.575 with 33 homers, 90 RBI, 69 runs scored and seven steals in 494 plate appearances.

Mize didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Red Sox, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

While his final line wasn't great, Mize was efficient in his first start in two months after recovering from a hamstring strain, making it through six innings on just 85 pitches. Overall, the right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.36 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB in 17 starts (84.2 innings) this season. Mize will look for a better result in his next outing, currently lined up for next week in San Diego.

Martin earned the save in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, allowing one unearned run while logging a strikeout in the 10th.

After Kenley Jansen blew a save in the ninth inning, the Red Sox responded with three runs in the top of the 10th, setting up Martin for the save chance. The right-hander would allow the free runner to score, but Martin would hold the Tigers there, earning his second save on the campaign. The 38-year-old Martin sports a 2.72 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 41:2 K:BB across 36.1 innings while working primarily in a setup role this season.

Sears (11-9) earned the win in Friday's 9-2 victory over Texas, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four.

The Oakland southpaw picked up his fifth win of the second half with this 97-pitch performance while earning his 11th quality start of the season. The only blemish on Sears' evening was a 406-foot solo homer allowed to Nathaniel Lowe in the second inning. The 28-year-old has been a solid contributor since the All-Star break, pitching to a 3.53 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB across 51 innings. Sears is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Mariners.

Jansen (4-2) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over Detroit, allowing a run on two hits in the ninth. He struck out two.

Called in to protect a one-run lead, Jansen gave up a leadoff single to Zach McKinstry before Jake Rogers laced a one-out double, tying the game at 4-4 and sticking Jansen with his fourth blown save this year. However, he'd wind up with the win after Boston responded with three runs in the top of the 10th. It's the first blown save in over a month for Jansen, who had allowed just two runs on two hits in his last 10 innings prior to Friday. The veteran closer has converted 25 of 29 save chances this year with a 2.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB across 48.1 innings.

Gray (5-6) took the loss Friday against Oakland, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The Texas right-hander turned in his second consecutive poor start, allowing 11 runs over 6.2 innings since re-joining the rotation Aug. 24. Gray looked shaky from the get-go, allowing a solo homer to Brent Rooker in the first inning before yielding a three-run long ball to JJ Bleday in the third. Gray has struggled mightily in the second half, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings while bouncing between the rotation and bullpen with an IL stint mixed in. He tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Angels.