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Corbin Carroll RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll: Heating up
Carroll went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two additional runs scored Sunday against the Rays.
Carroll's eighth-inning blast was his 13th of the season and pulled the Diamondbacks to within three runs. It was Carroll's fifth homer in 10 starts since Aug. 7 to go along with a triple, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, a stolen base and a .293 average over 41 at-bats. In what has been a down season for Carroll, he appears to be revving things back up with the stretch-run approaching.
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C.J. Abrams SS | WAS
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Swipes three bags
Abrams went 2-for-4 with a walk and three stolen bases in Sunday's win against the Phillies.
Abrams wreaked havoc on the basepaths, swiping three bases in a game for the third time this season. The 23-year-old entered Sunday's contest mired in an 0-for-14 slump with five strikeouts over his past four games, part of a rough August in which he has batted .189 with four extra-base hits and five stolen bases in 15 games. The young shortstop has put together a well-rounded season despite his recent struggles, batting .248 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI, 71 runs scored and 25 steals in 115 games played.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects 31st save
Finnegan pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 31st save of the season Sunday against the Phillies, allowing one hit with zero strikeouts.
Finnegan allowed a leadoff single to Edmundo Sosa, but he quickly put an end to the scare, inducing a double play and a groundout to secure his 31st save of the season, good for third in MLB. The 32-year-old has been shaky since the All-Star break, logging an unsightly 8.38 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Despite the rough patch, Finnegan has converted all six save chances during that span and is now 31-for-35 in save opportunities this season.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Tagged for six runs
Kelly did not factor into the decision, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings Sunday against the Rays. He struck out four.
Kelly struggled mightily in his second start since returning from a stint on the 60-day IL with a shoulder injury. Despite allowing five runs through five, Kelly was allowed to start the sixth. However, he walked both batters he faced in the inning, and he was pulled with one of those batters later coming around to score, saddling him with six earned runs allowed. On a promising note, Kelly was extended to 96 pitches -- 11 more than he tossed in his previous start -- indicating that he's not being governed by any restrictions. This marked his first outing this season in which he's allowed more than two runs, lifting his ERA from 2.43 to 3.63. His next opportunity to take the hill is scheduled to come next week when the Diamondbacks travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox.
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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Labors through 4.2 innings
Walker did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Nationals, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
Walker started strong, throwing three scoreless innings before allowing a two-run blast to Keibert Ruiz in the fourth inning. Walker surrendered another home run in the fifth -- a solo shot to Alex Call. Walker has been mediocre in two starts since returning from a finger injury, pitching to a 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and an ugly 8:6 K:BB in 8.2 innings. The 32-year-old will look to rebound in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Kansas City.
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Jake Irvin SP | WAS
Nationals' Jake Irvin: Mediocre in no-decision
Irvin came away with a no-decision in Sunday's win against the Phillies, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five in six innings.
Irvin was not at his best Sunday, allowing eight hits and matching his season-worst with three home runs allowed. However, all three long balls were solo shots, limiting the damage against a potent Phillies lineup. The 27-year-old's performance has slipped since the All-Star break -- Irvin owns a 4.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB with 10 home runs allowed in 35 innings since the intermission. Irvin will look to right the ship in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Atlanta.
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Andrew Abbott SP | CIN
Reds' Andrew Abbott: Saddled with 10th loss
Abbott (10-10) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over five innings against the Royals. He struck out four.
Abbott didn't pitch particularly poorly but was mainly done in by the ninth spot in the order, with Dairon Blanco leading off the third with a bunt single and a stolen base that eventually led to the initial run, then a homer by Blanco in the fifth that pushed the deficit to three. An additional run scored on a sac fly, and Abbott's outing was over after five innings. Sunday marked the eighth consecutive outing for Abbott in which he's alternated allowing two runs or less followed immediately by four runs or more. It was also his fourth loss in five decisions after winning eight of his previous 10. If the trend holds, Abbott would notch a quality start during his next outing, and the matchup seems to fall in line with that possibility as he's next slated for a road matchup against the punchless Pirates.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Cruises to win
Kershaw (2-2) allowed four hits and a walk over six shutout innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over St. Louis.
Kershaw allowed just one Cardinal to reach scoring position and forced a pair of double plays in his smooth outing. It was his first quality start of the year, and he appears to be settling in after missing the first half due to his offseason shoulder surgery. Over his last three outings, Kershaw has produced a 1.10 ERA with a 13:3 K:BB over 16.1 frames. Through five starts, he owns a 2.63 ERA. Kershaw is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Rays next weekend.
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Connor Norby 2B | COL
Marlins' Connor Norby: Likely returning to majors
The Marlins are expected to recall Norby from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.
Norby was acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline and has since slashed .263/.300/.368 with Triple-A Jacksonville across 13 games. Though he's seen the majority of his starts at second base during his time in the minors this season and during his brief stint with the Orioles earlier in 2024, Norby has made his last three starts with Jacksonville at third base. He could step in as the everyday option at the hot corner, which would allow fellow rookie Otto Lopez to continue getting regular playing time at second base.
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Sonny Gray SP | BOS
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Fans six in loss
Gray (11-8) allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Dodgers.
Gray danced around a few threats through four shutout frames before allowing a pair of runs in the fifth inning. He's been tagged for eight runs in 10 innings over his last two starts, bumping his season ERA from 3.72 to 3.91. Sunday also marked the first time he lost a second straight start since June 6. Gray produced a 2.81 ERA through 14 starts but has registered an unsightly 5.68 ERA in nine starts since then. His next outing is projected to be in Minnesota.