Braves bring in Carlos Santana on minors pact

The triple was a liner in front of Jose Siri in center that should have been caught or turned into a single at worst. Instead, it skipped past him and went all of the way to the wall. Both RBI came on a single through the right side of the infield an inning later. Gonzalez has started four of five games since coming off the IL, though three of those have come versus lefties. If he plays regularly against righties, he could have some mixed-league value, but that both Caleb Durbin and Anthony Seigler are swinging it well could limit Gonzalez’s at-bats somewhat. He probably will have a little runway when Willson Contreras serves his suspension.

Bennett kept the Angels hitless until the fifth and scoreless until the eighth while striking out six and walking none. He’s been a really nice surprise in posting a 3.10 ERA and a 31/7 K/BB in 40 2/3 innings over seven starts, but it’d still be nice to see more than a 20 percent strikeout rate before recommending him. He’ll face the White Sox next.

Chapman allowed a couple of singles with one out, but Jo Adell then grounded into a double play to end the game. It was his first appearance since he gave up two runs and blew a save Sunday against the Yankees. He threw only 13 pitches, so he should be good to go again on Saturday.

Detmers had 17 whiffs tonight but just five strikeouts. He also walked three for the third start in a row. He had that many walks in just three of his first 15 starts this year. He’ll have ample trade value for the Angels with a decent July, but he hasn’t helped by posting a 5.40 ERA in his last three outings. His final start before the break will likely come Thursday in Texas.

Olson was solely responsible for the Braves’ insurance runs in a tight win over the Mets with two solo homers off relievers. In one of the stranger offensive games in a while, they only had five total hits and four left the yard. Nevertheless, Olson is now up to 22 home runs, 54 RBI, and an .883 OPS in what’s been an All-Star caliber first half.

The Mets made Iglesias sweat here. Singles by Luis Torrens, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette put the tying runs on base with Francisco Lindor at the plate and two outs. He hit the ball sharply, but right at Ozzie Albies. Regardless of this rocky outing, Iglesias has been one of the league’s best closers with a 1.53 ERA on the season and zero blown saves.

It sounds like he might have stayed in if the Marlins hadn’t had a five-run lead against the Dodgers. If he can’t go Saturday, Esteury Ruiz could get a start in his place.

Holmes pitched well enough to beat the Mets here, which isn’t saying much. Still, the only mistake he made came on a two-run home run by Juan Soto that barely left the yard. That was also just after an error by the sure-handed Matt Olson, hence Holmes’ one unearned run. All in all, it was a split yet unspectacular start, much like Holmes’ season. Overall, he has a 3.83 ERA, 71 strikeouts, and 38 walks through 82 1/3 innings. He’s lined up to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh next week to close out his first half.

Soto drove the Mets offense in this one. His two-run homer – that looked like a cue-shot off the bat – stood as their only run until the ninth inning when Soto singled just before Bo Bichette drove in their third and final run in a late rally that fell short. He also had a demonstrative challenge of a called third strike that was overturned and turned into a walk. He’s had a fantastic season with 18 home runs and a .971 OPS through 69 games despite the Mets’ struggles.

This start was a perfect microcosm for who Scott is as a pitcher right now. His fastball was electric at the top of the zone and forced eight of his 13 total swings-and-misses. Also, his sweeper was highly effective against right-handed batters. On the flip side, he allowed two home runs to left-handed batters and struggled to put them away. His cutter was effective against them though, which is something to watch moving forward as he tries to find a reliable weapon against lefties. On the season, he has a 3.49 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 25 walks through 49 innings. He’s scheduled to face the Royals next time out in his last start of the first half.