MLB Player News

Alvarado struck out two in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Astros.

It's worth noting that Hogan Harris, who has been the Athletics' top option for saves of late, worked a scoreless eighth inning for a hold Saturday. The A's have had a hard time settling on a steady ninth-inning arm in their beleaguered bullpen, and it wouldn't be surprising if they continue to mix and match their high-leverage options. Alvarado has a 4.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB over 42 innings, tallying eight holds and three saves in four opportunities.

Bradford (0-2) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Bradford allowed single tallies in the first and sixth innings, throwing 56 of 80 pitches for strikes before departing with a 2-0 deficit. While his workload has been somewhat limited, the 28-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his four starts since making his season debut Aug. 5. He owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 20.2 innings over those four starts and lines up for a road matchup with the Brewers next weekend.

Castillo (4-10) picked up the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in 2.2 innings against the Mets on Saturday. He struck out three.

For the second consecutive start, Castillo did not have his best stuff and failed to make it through five innings. The 33-year-old gave up multiple long balls for the seventh time out of 24 appearances this season. The trade-deadline acquisition has not had the ideal start to his White Sox career, posting just one quality start through his first four outings while owning a 5.89 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB in 18.1 innings.

Johnson (3-7) earned the win against the Rangers on Saturday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings.

Johnson logged the longest outing of his career, throwing 57 of 88 pitches for strikes with 10 whiffs. It continued a strong August for the 24-year-old, who's yielded only four earned runs through his first four starts this month. He owns a 5.75 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 50:31 K:BB across 67.1 innings this season, and the status in the Halos' starting rotation is unclear with Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) returning from the injured list Sunday.

Lopez took a no-decision against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine.

Control was a major problem for Lopez earlier this season -- he had a 32:30 K:BB in his first 10 starts -- but he's made real progress in that area over the course of the year and has been especially effective since rejoining the rotation July 10. Over his last eight outings (40.1 innings), the southpaw has a 2.23 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB. He'll look to extend his streak of quality starts to four his next time out versus Baltimore in hitter-friendly Sacramento.

Scott did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 10-5 win over the White Sox after allowing four runs on five hits and four walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

Scott was unable to make it through five innings after giving up two long balls Saturday. The 27-year-old was unable to pick up a second straight victory but still recorded his seventh consecutive game with six or more strikeouts. The right-hander owns a 4-3 record, 3.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 111:39 K:BB in 89.1 innings this season.

Watson earned the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Rangers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

With Ben Joyce blowing a save in his appearance Friday, the Angels turned to Watson to secure a three-run lead in the ninth inning Saturday. The 28-year-old retired the heart of the Rangers' order on just seven pitches, notching his first save in an Angels uniform. He's yet to allow an earned run with his new club, posting a strong 8:1 K:BB through 5.1 innings since making his team debut Aug. 9. On the year, Watson has tallied three holds and two saves to go along with a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 51:20 K:BB across 61 innings with the Angels and Red Sox.

Peters went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a strikeout during Saturday's 10-5 loss to the Mets.

Peters connected for his eighth long ball of the season off Christian Scott in the bottom of the third, with the long ball breaking a three-game hitless stretch. This season, Peters is batting .268/.332/.429 with eight homers, six steals and 44 RBI in 383 plate appearances.

Brown took a no-decision against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Brown fared mostly well at keeping the ball down, inducing seven groundouts, but a Donovan Walton solo home run did leave a blemish on the hurler's line. The right-hander has been very consistent of late, pitching at least five innings in six consecutive starts while giving up three runs or fewer each time out during that period. Brown is set to take a 3.51 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 76:43 K:BB over 74.1 innings into a road matchup against a hot Mets lineup.

Benge went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base during a 10-5 win Saturday over the White Sox.

The rookie outfielder blasted his 16th long ball of the season off Tyler Schweitzer in the fifth inning to extend New York's lead. Benge continued his impressive stretch of late with his first three-hit game since Aug. 6. Over his last 15 games, the 23-year-old has slashed .356/.406/.610 with four homers and 11 RBI in 63 plate appearances.