MLB Player News

Cease (11-9) took the loss Sunday against Miami, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Cease got off to a rocky start, yielding four singles as part of a two-run first inning, with both runs being earned. The Padres defense didn't do him any favors in the second frame, with errors by Ha-Seong Kim and Luis Arraez extending the inning for an eventual two-run homer by Jake Burger. San Diego eventually settled in defensively, and Cease didn't allow another run to score, but the damage was already done. Sunday's loss was Cease's first since July 7, and it broke a streak of five consecutive appearances allowing no more than one run. In 25 outings, Cease has logged a 3.41 ERA and a league-leading 181 strikeouts. He's scheduled to face the Rockies at Coors Field next weekend.

Meyer (3-2) picked up the win Sunday against San Diego, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Meyer retired the first nine batters he faced Sunday and kept the Padres scoreless until the fifth inning. However, the 25-year-old yielded an extra-base hit and at least one run in each of his final three frames, resulting in his third consecutive start with at least three earned runs. On a more positive note, Meyer didn't allow a homer after surrendering five long balls in his previous three outings. Through 36.1 innings, Meyer has a 5.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Mets in his next start.

Burger went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and two additional runs scored during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Padres.

Burger generated multiple hits for the fourth time in five games and went yard in a third consecutive contest. The 28-year-old has belted nine homers in 13 games, totaling 14 RBI and 12 runs while batting .358 (19-for-53) during that stretch. Burger is up to 22 homers this season and has a .768 OPS.

Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Padres.

Sanchez tagged Yuki Matsui for a two-run shot in the seventh inning, plating Jake Burger and giving the Marlins a 7-4 lead. After logging one hit in 19 at-bats from Aug. 4 to Aug. 9, Sanchez has come to life in his last two games, racking up four hits and a stolen base. He's slashing .239/.292/414 with 14 home runs in 384 plate appearances on the campaign.

Stephenson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Stephenson took DL Hall yard for a solo homer with two outs in the fifth inning, putting Cincinnati ahead 3-2. The long ball was Stephenson's fourth in August, and he's batting 10-for-32 (.313) with nine RBI during the month. He's slashing .248/.327/.454 on the year.

Ortiz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Reds.

Ortiz got the scoring started Sunday, tagging Nick Lodolo for a two-run homer in the second inning. The long ball was Ortiz's eighth of the season, and the third baseman appears to finally be breaking out of his slump, going 9-for-24 with four extra-base hits during his last six games.

Lodolo didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Milwaukee, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Two of the three hits Lodolo allowed went for extra bases, with Joey Ortiz launching a two-run homer in the second inning and William Contreras belting a double in the sixth. Lodolo was pulled immediately after Contreras' double but was still on the hook for a pair of baserunners, and Lodolo's third earned run came on an RBI single by the next batter. Through 108.1 innings, Lodolo has a 3.99 ERA and a 111:32 K:BB. He's projected to face the Royals next time out.

Diaz picked up the save Sunday against Milwaukee, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.

Diaz needed only 14 pitches to retire Willy Adames, Garrett Mitchell and Joey Ortiz in order. The 27-year-old reliever has converted on 23 of his 25 save chances this season and has a 4.17 ERA with a 40:25 K:BB across 41 innings.

Hall struck out nine and didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Reds while allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks.

Hall made his first big-league appearance since going on the shelf in late April with a sprained left knee and came out firing. Through three scoreless innings, Hall had punched out six batters, but he got a little wild in the fourth frame. He allowed Spencer Steer to steal a base on a wild pitch, walked Stuart Fairchild on six pitches and hit TJ Friedl with a pitch as part of a two-run inning for Cincinnati. He bounced back by retiring the first two batters of the fifth frame but was yanked after surrendering a solo home run to Tyler Stephenson and issuing a walk to Steer. The Brewers haven't clarified what Hall's role will look like moving forward, as the club already has five healthy starting pitchers and would have to expand the rotation to six men to open up a regular spot for him. The left-hander could be a candidate to serve in a multi-inning relief role if the Brewers opt not to make him a fixture in the rotation, and he also has minor-league options remaining if the organization prefers to have him stay on a starter's schedule at Triple-A Nashville.

Chapman went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and one run scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers.

Chapman had a two-run single in the first and an RBI single in the sixth to produce the Giants' first three runs. The third baseman was held hitless in the first two games versus the Tigers, but he's still batting .325 (13-for-40) with four home runs and 12 RBI over 10 games in August. For the season, he's up to a .249/.338/.450 slash line with 19 homers, 60 RBI, 81 runs scored, 30 doubles, one triple and 12 stolen bases over 117 contests.