MLB Player News

Leiter escaped with a no-decision in a 12-11 win over the A's in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, coughing up six runs (four earned) on seven hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The rookie right-hander once again didn't look ready for the majors, serving up homers to Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom before getting the hook after 60 pitches (44 strikes). Leiter has taken a big step forward this season at Triple-A, but he's been tagged for 13 runs (11 earned) in his first 7.2 big-league innings, and the Rangers may look elsewhere for short-term rotation help rather than damage the 24-year-old's confidence any further.

Lorenzen (2-2) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the A's, surrendering six runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Seven of the nine hits off Lorenzen went for extra bases, including homers by Shea Langeliers and Brett Harris. The right-hander has had a bumpy beginning to his Rangers tenure, but he's least providing some length and has worked exactly six innings in four straight outings. Lorenzen will take a 4.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB through 29 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Guardians.

Duran earned the save in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Duran entered the game with a 6-3 lead in the top of the ninth and needed nine pitches to record the first out. The right-handed reliever then managed to work his way back from a 3-0 count to retire Jorge Polanco on strikes for the final out of the game. It marked Duran's third save of the season, and he's now pitched a perfect inning in back-to-back appearances. He's also yet to walk a batter or allow a run across five innings.

Kirby (3-3) was hit with the loss against the Twins on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Kirby didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, surrendering back-to-back home runs to Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach in the first inning, along with a third long ball off the bat of Willi Castro in the following frame. The right-hander had not allowed more than one home run in a start coming in and had held opponents to one or fewer runs in each of his previous three outings. On a positive note, Kirby has now gone at least five innings in five consecutive starts, posting a 32:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Paddack (4-1) earned the win over the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 5.1 innings.

Paddack did a great job of mixing in off-speed pitches with his four-seamer early, which led to him striking out eight of the first 14 batters he faced. He would eventually surrender a solo home run to Mitch Garver in the fourth and actually allowed the leadoff man to reach in the fifth and sixth innings, but the right-hander was able to work his way through it and earn his fourth consecutive win. Paddack also matched his season high with 10 strikeouts in the contest and currently holds a 0.70 ERA in May to go along with a 16:2 K:BB. On the downside, he's also allowed eight or more hits in three of his last five outings.

Pivetta (1-2) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one over four innings.

Pivetta got off to a rough start, allowing back-to-back home runs with two outs in the first inning to put the Red Sox in an early 4-0 hole. The right-hander would allow another long ball in the third, the second homer from Marcell Ozuna on the night, and would make it through only four frames while surrendering a season-high five runs. The seven hits and three home runs allowed also marked season highs for the veteran. He'll look to get back on track next week when Boston takes on the Rays at home.

Pena went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in a 9-4 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday.

Pena had been in a small funk coming into the contest, going 2-for-14 over his previous four games. He bounced back Wednesday with his fourth three-hit performance of the campaign, which included his first long ball in May. Pena has been a pleasant surprise for Houston this season, slashing .326/.367/.464 with four homers, 14 RBI, 21 runs and five stolen bases through 147 plate appearances.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-4 win against Houston.

Stanton hit one of three homers for New York in the victory, taking Spencer Arrighetti deep for a 447-foot solo blast in the third inning. It was the second straight game with a long ball for the slugger, and he extended his modest hitting streak to five games. Stanton has struck out 10 times in 20 at-bats over that stretch, so he's far from locked in at the plate, but three of his five hits during the streak have gone for extra bases.

Judge went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three total RBI against Houston in a 9-4 win Wednesday.

Judge tagged Houston pitching for three extra-base hits, the first time he's accomplished that feat in a game this season. The slugger swatted a solo shot in the third inning and knocked in two more runs with a double in the sixth. Judge is coming on quickly after a slow start to the campaign -- he's in the midst of a five-game hitting streak during which he's gone 9-for-18 with two homers, four doubles, four walks, six RBI, six runs and a stolen base.

Soto went 3-for-5 with a home run and five total RBI in Wednesday's 9-4 victory versus the Astros.

Soto put New York on the board in the first inning with a 440-foot two-run blast to center field. He added a run-scoring single in the second frame, an RBI groundout in the sixth and a run-scoring single in the eighth. Soto ranks second in the majors with 33 RBI on the campaign thanks largely to his nine homers and .423 batting average with runners in scoring position.