MLB Player News

Chapman (5-5) took the loss and blew the save against the Nationals in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning.

Chapman entered in the ninth frame after Pittsburgh scored twice to take a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. The veteran fireballer retired two of the first three batters he faced but then allowed back-to-back singles followed by back-to-back doubles as Washington plated four runs. Before Saturday, Chapman had converted both of his save opportunities since David Bednar was moved out of the closer role, but Saturday's blow-up may allow Dennis Santana -- who picked up a save Monday and has fired 12 straight scoreless outings -- to get additional ninth-inning looks.

Keller allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Washington in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader.

Keller had been struggling coming into Saturday, losing four of his previous five starts and posting a 7.46 ERA and 1.66 WHIP while serving up seven homers over 25.1 innings during that span. The right-hander turned things around with an effective outing against the Nationals, notching just his second quality start across his past seven appearances and keeping the ball in the park in addition to racking up eight punchouts. Keller departed with a 4-2 lead, but Pittsburgh's bullpen gave up six runs over the final three innings to stick him with a no-decision. Keller has just one victory over 10 starts since the All-Star break, though he's posted a strong 51:15 K:BB in 52.1 innings during that stretch.

Pages went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.

Pages came through in the eighth inning, launching a Logan Gilbert slider over the left-field fence for the only scoring play of the game. Pages has gone 4-for-14 (.286) over four games in September, but three of those hits have been homers. The catcher is up to six long balls, 22 RBI, 17 runs scored, one stolen base and a .245/.287/.396 slash line through 172 plate appearances this season.

Parker allowed four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings in a no-decision in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with Pittsburgh.

Parker fell behind quickly in the contest, allowing a pair of runs in the first inning and another in the second. He was able to get through a scoreless third but was pulled in the fourth after allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base (he was credited with one out when Alika Williams was thrown out trying to score on a double). Overall, Parker threw just 46 of 78 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four free passes. This marks the third time across his past five starts that he's failed to complete more than four frames.

Kittredge (4-4) allowed a hit and a run while striking out one over one scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Mariners.

Kittredge kept the game scoreless in the top of the eighth inning, and the Cardinals broke through in their half of the frame with a two-run home run by Pedro Pages. Kittredge extended his scoreless streak to nine innings, a span in which he's allowed four hits and two walks while striking out seven over nine innings. The setup man has a 2.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB with one save and 32 holds over 60.1 innings this season.

Helsley allowed a hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.

Helsley was able to make Pedro Pages' two-run home run in the eighth inning stand as the winning hit. Helsley blew his last save chance Tuesday versus the Brewers, but that was by allowing the initial runner to score in the 11th inning. He has not given up an earned run since Aug. 6, going 8-for-9 in save opportunities while yielding just eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts over 12 innings since that date. For the year, Helsley has a 2.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB with 43 saves in 47 attempts over 60.2 innings.

Ortiz (6-5) took the loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Ortiz was originally scheduled to start Friday, but his outing was pushed back a day due to a weather-related postponement. The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest against Washington, as only 58 of his 100 pitches were strikes and he departed with two outs in the sixth inning trailing 4-0. Ortiz fell one out shy of recording his third straight quality start, however. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated to be at home against Kansas City.

Gibson allowed three hits and three walks while striking out nine over 6.2 shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Gibson dueled with Logan Gilbert, throwing 112 pitches (63 strikes) in his first scoreless outing since June 14. It's an encouraging effort for Gibson, who struggled to a 5.77 ERA over 34.1 innings in August. The veteran starter has a 4.20 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 143:59 K:BB through 154.1 innings over 27 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be a road start at Toronto. Gibson should get a little extra rest down the stretch with the Cardinals expected to go to a six-man rotation starting next week when Lance Lynn (knee) comes off the injured list.

Finnegan notched a save in each game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in Game 1 and pitching a perfect frame with two strikeouts in Game 2.

Finnegan struggled a bit in the matinee, allowing four of the first five batters he faced to reach base to allow a run to cross the plate and load the bases with one out. He was able to escape the jam, however, by getting Bryan De La Cruz to ground into a game-ending double play. Finnegan tossed 23 pitches in that outing, but that didn't stop Nationals manager Dave Martinez from going to him again with the team up by two runs in the ninth inning of the nightcap. This time Finnegan got the job done with ease, retiring the side in order on 19 pitches. With the pair of saves, Finnegan is up to 36 on the season, third most in the majors.

Herz (3-7) earned the win over Pittsburgh in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, issuing three walks and striking out five batters over five hitless and scoreless innings.

Herz walked one batter in each of his first three frames, but each was with two outs, and none of those batters reached second base. The rookie left-hander finished his outing by retiring the final seven hitters he faced, with four going down on strikeouts. A no-hitter was never really feasible for Herz since he needed 87 pitches to get through five innings, but some fantasy managers may be a little disappointed that he wasn't allowed to remain in the game for the sixth to try for a quality start. Regardless, this was an impressive performance by the 23-year-old, who has more than held his own in his first major-league campaign with a 3.82 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 93:29 K:BB over 75.1 frames.