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Luis Ortiz SP | CLE
Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Allows two more homers
Ortiz did not factor into the decision, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings Thursday against the Padres. He struck out three.
Ortiz was touched up by Manny Machado in the first for a two-run blast, then David Peralta matched the favor in the second. That's now six homers and 13 runs allowed by Ortiz over his last three starts, though to his credit he's managed to complete at least five innings in each, including allowing no additional runs during his final four innings Thursday to keep the Pirates within striking distance. Despite the recent struggles, Ortiz has by and large pitched well for the Buccos this season, starting in seven of his 29 appearances while compiling a 3.40 ERA 1.16 WHIP and 68 strikeouts over 90 innings. His next start is scheduled to take place next week when the Pirates take on these same Padres in San Diego.
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Luis Garcia 1B | NYY
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Shows off power and speed
Garcia went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a stolen base Thursday against the Giants.
Garcia's two-out, game-tying three-run blast in the ninth inning was belted off San Francisco closer Camilo Doval and was Garcia's 14th of the season. Garcia added a single earlier in the game, representing his 26th multi-hit effort of the campaign while also collecting his 19th steal. It's been a breakout season for the 24-year-old second baseman, who over 365 at-bats has put together a .290 average with 14 homers, 56 RBI, 43 runs and 19 steals.
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Camilo Doval RP | SF
Giants' Camilo Doval: Blows fifth save
Doval (4-1) was credited with the win and charged with a blown save Thursday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over one inning against the Nationals. He did not record a strikeout.
Doval entered the ninth with a three-run lead but walked two batters which set up Luis Garcia's two-out, two-strike homer to left that tied the game. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Doval, who was then bailed out when the Giants scored four in the top of the 10th to provide him with his fourth win. Doval is now 4-1 with 22 saves on the season, though the three runs allowed lifted his ERA from 4.29 to 4.70 to go along with a 1.61 WHIP and 56 strikeouts over 44 innings.
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Davidjohn Herz SP | WAS
Nationals' DJ Herz: Struggles with command
Herz did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over 2.2 innings against the Giants. He struck out four.
Herz struggled with his control, tossing just 39 of 74 pitches for strikes while walking a season-high four batters in his shortest outing of the campaign. It was the fourth consecutive game Herz has given up two runs or fewer, though he was able to complete five innings in each of his previous three starts. The promising 23-year-old lefty's total of four strikeouts gives him 63 over 49 innings to go along with a 4.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. His next opportunity to take the hill is tentatively scheduled for next week when the Nationals head to Baltimore for a two-game set.
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Kyle Harrison SP | MIL
Giants' Kyle Harrison: Alllows two runs, removed in fifth
Harrison did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.
Harrison rebounded after having given up four home runs in his previous start, allowing just two runs to cross the plate Thursday while avoiding the long ball for the sixth time in his last eight starts. Harrison remained in the game following a 50-minute rain delay in the top of the third but was removed with the bases empty and two outs in the fifth at just 61 pitches, a season-low total for the 22-year-old lefty. While there is no indication that an injury was the cause for his removal, Harrison did see a noticeable dip in his velocity with multiple fastballs failing to reach 90 mph. It's possible the Giants will elect to give him extra rest, but as of now he looks to be on track to make his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to take place during next week's home series against Atlanta.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Set for bullpen session
Kelly (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday at Chase Field, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly made a rehab start with High-A Hillsboro on Tuesday, surrendering three runs on six hits while striking out two batters over four innings. The right-hander has been out since late April while recovering from a right shoulder strain, and it's possible that if Friday's session goes well, Kelly could be activated from the 60-day injured list as soon as Sunday.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Set for extended absence
Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Moreno (groin) is expected to miss several weeks of action, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.
Moreno was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left adductor strain Tuesday, and it appears he'll end up being sidelined for most of August. Moreno's status will receive an update in the near future as the Diamondbacks are awaiting imaging results. Lovullo expressed optimism that the 24-year-old will be able to return before the end of the regular season, but for now it'll be Jose Herrera and Adrian Del Castillo handling catching duties.
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Nick Gordon CF | BAL
Marlins' Nick Gordon: Optioned outright to Triple-A
Gordon was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.
Gordon cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Marlins on Monday, and he now appears to be set to report to Triple-A Jacksonville, though he can elect free agency instead since he has more than three years of MLB service time. The 28-year-old has produced a .227 average with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 29 runs scored and five stolen bases this season.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Braves' Charlie Morton: Tagged for eight runs
Morton (6-7) was charged with the loss Thursday versus the Brewers after he surrendered eight runs on nine hits and one walk over 2.2 innings. He struck out three.
Milwaukee's offense erupted for eight long balls in the series finale, and Morton gave up half of those homers. It's the second time in his past three starts the right-hander has allowed at least three home runs and was the fourth time in his past six outings he's served up multiple homers. Morton's ERA ballooned by a half-run to 4.47 following the poor showing, and he also has a 1.31 WHIP and 112:43 K:BB over 114.2 innings this year.
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Sal Frelick RF | MIL
Brewers' Sal Frelick: Raps four hits in blowout
Frelick went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored during Thursday's 16-7 win versus Atlanta.
Frelick tallied four singles as the Brewers totaled 20 hits on the afternoon, though he's now without an extra-base hit in his past 11 contests. The 24-year-old is batting .274 through 102 games this season but isn't offering much pop with a .344 slugging percentage. Frelick has two homers, 15 steals, 20 RBI and 51 runs scored.