MLB Player News

France went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Rays.

France gave the Padres a 3-2 lead with a two-run shot off Nick Martinez in the sixth inning. It continued a strong second half for the 32-year-old, who's hitting .315 with eight home runs, 25 RBI and 22 runs scored in 40 games since the All-Star break. For the season, he's slashing .287/.356/.509 with 19 homers, 58 RBI, 46 runs scored and a stolen base across 400 plate appearances.

Baker earned the save in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Padres, allowing one walk and no hits with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker was summoned to protect a one-run lead and worked around a one-out walk to close the door. The 31-year-old has converted 28 straight save chances dating back to May 13, and his 39 saves on the year lead the majors by four. It's been a dream first season in the closer's role, as he's posted a dominant 1.53 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59:17 K:BB across 53 innings.

Javier (1-5) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

All of the damage against Javier came in a three-run fifth inning, and he threw a strong 57 of 78 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs. The 29-year-old did manage to keep the ball in the park for the first time in five August contests, but he'll end the month 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA despite a strong 21:4 K:BB over those five outings. He owns a 6.45 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB across 44.2 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks next weekend.

Hernandez went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer during the Marlins' 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Nationals on Saturday.

Hernandez capped off the Marlins' four-run seventh inning in style by belting a two-run home run off Brad Lord. It was the 22nd homer of the season for Hernandez, four of which have come during his current seven-game hitting streak. Over his last 10 games, Hernandez has gone 11-for-38 (.289) with one steal, eight RBI and four extra-base hits.

Leahy didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Cardinals fell 6-2 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over three innings. He struck out three.

The only blemish on the right-hander's line came via a Brandon Lowe solo shot in the first inning. Leahy was limited to 51 pitches (32 strikes) as St. Louis keeps a close eye on his workload, and he hasn't completed five innings in either of his last two starts. Despite a 1.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB in 40 innings since the All-Star break, Leahy's fantasy value will be capped if he isn't allowed to last long enough to qualify for a win. He lines up to make his next start on the road next weekend against the Rockies.

McLean (10-8) earned the win against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.

McLean allowed a run following an error in the first inning but silenced the Astros from there despite throwing just 55 of 93 pitches for strikes with six whiffs. The 25-year-old has been stellar since the All-Star break, posting a 2.05 ERA while logging seven quality starts in eight contests, with the lone exception being a five-run outing that still resulted in a win Aug. 6. He'll carry a 3.06 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 172:61 K:BB across 155.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Giants next weekend.

Mlodzinski (7-6) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one unearned run on one hit over 3.1 innings of relief in a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Lake Bachar got the start for the Pirates and lasted 2.1 innings before turning things over to Evan Sisk, who loaded the bases while recording just one out before getting the hook. Mlodzinski was brought in to shut down the threat and did it on just one pitch, getting Jordan Walker to fly out, and the right-hander was the pitcher of record when Pittsburgh took the lead for good in the fourth inning. It was Mlodzinski's first win since July 11, and over 10 appearances and 28.1 innings since the All-Star break he's stumbled to a 6.35 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three across six innings.

Saturday marked the second time in three games that Alcantara allowed at least eight hits in a start. All the runs he gave up came in the third inning, and the four earned runs he allowed were his most in a start since July 22 against the Astros (five). Alcantara will take a 3.46 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 140:50 K:BB over 189.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week on the road against the Royals.

Young went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Astros.

Young drove in a run on a single in the first inning before lacing a two-run triple in the fifth. It was the 31-year-old's third three-hit effort of the campaign, and he's hitting .302 with 17 RBI and 17 runs scored in 36 games since the All-Star break. On the year, he's slashing .272/.332/.447 with eight homers, 35 RBI, 33 runs scored and three steals across 283 plate appearances while primarily being used against right-handed pitchers.

Abbott (6-10) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out one.

Abbott was never quite able to get out of the gate Saturday, coughing up three runs in both the first and second innings. The seven runs allowed tied a season worst for the southpaw, who also matched his shortest outing of the year. He'll try to bounce back when he takes a career-worst 4.49 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 115:70 K:BB across 148.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the division-rival Brewers.