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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Nationals' Josh Bell: Belts three-run shot off bench
Bell smacked a three-run home run in the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.
Bell started Sunday's game on the bench, with Andres Chaparro starting at first base. Bell was brought out for the ninth with two runners on base, and he put the Nationals on top for good with a three-run shot to center field. It was Bell's first homer since Aug. 20 and his 17th home run of the season, which is two shy from his mark in 2024. Bell has a .767 OPS with six home runs and 12 RBI in 148 plate appearances since the All-Star break.
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Andrew Alvarez SP | WAS
Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Yields two runs in no-decision
Alvarez did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings.
Alvarez limited the Cubs to one run through four innings, which came on a Carson Kelly solo shot in the second frame. Alvarez was pulled in the fifth after yielding two baserunners and was tagged for an additional run on a Seiya Suzuki RBI single. Alvarez has yielded two runs across 9.2 major-league innings this season and is slated to make his next start against the Pirates at home next weekend.
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Kai-Wei Teng RP | HOU
Giants' Kai-Wei Teng: Fans eight in Sunday's loss
Teng (2-4) took the loss against the Cardinals on Sunday, allowing four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out eight across four innings.
Teng and Sonny Gray were locked in a pitchers' duel Sunday, with the former keeping the Cardinals off the board through the first four frames. Things fell apart in the fifth for Teng, who issued three straight walks before yielding an RBI single and being pulled from the inning, but not before being tagged for three more runs. Teng was able to generate 14 whiffs on 77 pitches (41 strikes) and has registered eight strikeouts in back-to-back starts, but his five walks were a season high. The Giants currently have a six-man rotation, but it's unclear whether Teng will get another turn or head back to Triple-A Sacramento.
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Riley O'Brien RP | STL
Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Collects seventh save
O'Brien earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Giants, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth.
With JoJo Romero being deployed in the eighth inning, the Cardinals turned to O'Brien -- who was credited with the win Saturday -- to close things out in the ninth. O'Brien gave up a single to open the inning, but he got out of the frame unscathed after getting Patrick Bailey to ground into a double play. O'Brien has not yielded a run in nine of his last 10 outings and sports a 1.60 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 39.1 innings this season.
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Sonny Gray SP | BOS
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Comes away with 13th win
Gray (13-8) earned the win against the Giants on Sunday, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings.
Gray retired the first 11 batters he faced and kept the Giants off the board through the first five frames. He was brought out for the sixth inning to earn the quality start, but Gray allowed five of the first six batters on base before being pulled for Matt Svanson. Gray has struggled to finish in his last two starts, and the veteran right-hander has a 4.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 179:35 K:BB across 163.2 innings this season. He's slated to make his next start next weekend on the road against the Brewers.
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Jordan Lawlar CF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Picks up first steal of season
Lawlar went 1-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Red Sox.
Lawlar picked up his first steal this year at the major-league level after his RBI single in the seventh inning. The infield prospect has played regularly against southpaws but has also been in the lineup versus two of the last four right-handers the Diamondbacks have faced. Lawlar has yet to hit his way into a larger role, batting .098 with two RBI, three runs scored, two doubles and no home runs over 15 games in the majors this season, though his bat is coming around with four hits over his last four games.
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Corbin Carroll RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll: Posts 25th steal
Carroll went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Red Sox.
Carroll's speed was again a major factor for the Diamondbacks. He stole third and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning to give Arizona a 2-1 lead. He's gone 6-for-20 (.300) with four steals and three extra-base hits over six games to begin September. Overall, he's reached the 25-steal mark for the third year in a row, doing so on his 30th attempt. He's added a .259/.336/.558 slash line, 30 home runs, 74 RBI and 98 runs scored through 127 contests.
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Ryne Nelson SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Steady in no-decision
Nelson allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Sunday.
Nelson put in a good start, but the Diamondbacks' bullpen failed to hold the lead by allowing three runs in the seventh inning and three more in the ninth. Nelson has logged four straight quality starts, allowing eight runs with a 19:6 K:BB in that span, but he has just one win in that span. For the season, he's at a 3.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 118:36 K:BB through 137 innings over 30 outings (20 starts). The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road in Minnesota.
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Nick Raquet RP | BAL
Cardinals' Nick Raquet: Call-up on tap
The Cardinals are expected to call up Raquet from Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Raquet has produced a 4.05 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 13.1 innings in 11 appearances with Triple-A Memphis since being promoted from Double-A Springfield in late July. The 29-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut, but he could do so during the Cardinals' three-game series in Seattle that begins Monday.
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Andre Granillo RP | DET
Cardinals' Andre Granillo: Demotion imminent
Granillo is expected to be optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Granillo was called up Aug. 27, and he's allowed one run while striking out four batters over 2.1 innings in two appearances following his promotion. He's expected to cede his spot in the bullpen to left-hander Nick Raquet, who will have his contract selected from Memphis.