MLB Player News

Steer went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

Steer hit a leadoff double in the third inning before coming around to score Cincinnati's third run of the contest, adding a two-run shot off Miles Mikolas in the following frame. The 26-year-old has recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games, tallying six RBI over that stretch. Steer's batting .286 in June with four homers, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored.

Abbott (7-6) picked up the win over the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and six walks over five innings while striking out two.

The only runs charged to Abbott on the night came on a two-run homer from Nolan Arenado in the bottom of the third, as the lefty managed to pitch his way out of trouble the rest of the time despite issuing a season-high six free passes. Abbott has now won four of his last five starts, though he finishes the month of June with 15 walks, compared to just six in May. On the positive side, he's also gone at least five innings in 11 consecutive starts and hasn't given up more than three runs in five straight.

Mikolas (6-7) was hit with the loss against the Reds on Thursday, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits and one walk over 4.1 inning. He struck out one.

Things got ugly in a hurry for Mikolas as the veteran gave up runs in each of the first five innings before finally being relieved by John King. The nine earned runs allowed easily marked a season high for the right-hander, as did the 12 hits he surrendered. Mikolas had gone at least six innings in six consecutive starts coming in, allowing three or fewer runs in five of those outings. Thursday also marked his first loss since May 31 against the Phillies.

Sale (10-3) suffered the loss Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings against the White Sox. He struck out 11.

Sale dominated his former team, with a first-inning homer by Luis Robert marking the only blemish to his stellar outing. However, the bats failed to provide any support for Sale, and Atlanta suffered its third shutout loss of the season with each occurring within the month of June. Following an inexplicable blip June 1 when he allowed eight runs to the hapless Athletics, Sale has rebounded over the last four games by allowing a total of six earned runs over 26 innings, giving him an ERA of 2.08 with a 0.85 WHIP and 36 strikeouts during that stretch. His next start is tentatively scheduled to take place in the middle of next week, when Atlanta plays host to the Giants.

Hicks did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman against the Cubs. He struck out seven.

Hicks' outing was marred by a rough third inning in which he hit a batter, allowed two steals and gave up a homer and triple among three hits during the three-run frame. Otherwise, Hicks faced just two batters over the minimum during the other four innings, recording at least seven strikeouts for the fourth time this season. He'll carry a strong 3.36 ERA into his next start, tentatively scheduled to take place next week when the Giants travel to Atlanta for a mid-week series.

Montgomery (6-5) was saddled with the loss Thursday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk over 2.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out one.

Montgomery's line could have been a lot worse if not for a catcher's interference call and a throwing error accounting for half of the eight total runs he allowed. Among the nine hits allowed were three infield singles, no homers and two extra-base hits for Montgomery, suggesting that this performance was marred by a bit of bad luck. After struggling to 14 earned runs allowed over six innings during consecutive starts on May 31 and June 5, Montgomery had righted the ship over the next three outings prior to Thursday, allowing just five earned runs over 16.2 innings and collecting the win in each. His next start won't get any easier as he's presently slated to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles during a mid-week series.

Marchan went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a loss to the Marlins.

Marchan belted a solo shot in the fourth inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. It was the backstop's second long ball over 30 plate appearances this season, which is as many homers as he hit across 224 plate appearances in the minors last year. Marchan has shown much more promise as a contact hitter than as a power hitter during his professional career, though three of his seven hits in the majors this year have gone for extra bases.

Burger went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in a 7-4 win against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Burger came up big late in the game, blasting a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning and providing an insurance run with an RBI single in the ninth. The third baseman finished with his first multi-hit performance since June 15, and he had been struggling coming into Thursday with an .083 average (3-for-36) across his previous nine contests. Burger has just seven homers over 59 games this season after smashing a career-high 34 long balls in 141 contests last year.

Wheeler allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings in a no-decision against Miami on Thursday.

Wheeler cruised through six scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh. In that inning, he retired the first two batters he faced before allowing back-to-back singles. The right-hander was then given the hook, and both runners came around to score following his departure. Wheeler nonetheless managed a quality start -- his seventh over his past eight outings. He's tied for first in the league with 13 quality starts on the season and has registered a 2.73 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 112:31 K:BB over 105.2 innings.

Scott earned a save against the Phillies on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Scott made quick work of Philadelphia in the ninth frame, retiring the side in order on nine pitches. The lefty closer has not given up a run in any of his past seven outings, tallying a win and three saves despite a mediocre 5:3 K:BB over seven innings during that span. Scott is 11-for-13 in save chances on the season and has an excellent 1.54 ERA across 35 frames.