Bobby Witt Jr. homers twice in loss to Rays

The Cubs didn’t add a veteran closer before the deadline, so it looks like Palancia will have a chance to get his job back upon returning. He’ll definitely need at least a couple of rehab appearances first.

Vásquez last pitched Thursday against the Giants, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. JP Sears started that game, but he was in the pen and gave up two runs in an inning in Sunday’s game.

Pfaadt’s strong groundball rate has taken a hit in his last two starts, but it hasn’t kept him from pitching 13 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three tonight. He has a 1.78 ERA in his last five starts despite striking out just 13 in 30 1/3 innings, but that strikeout rate is scarier now that he’s no longer racking up the grounders. Even with all of his recent success, he’s not a great play with the Dodgers next on the schedule.

Garcia was robbed of what could have been his third save in five days when the D-backs scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 5-1 game. He pitched the ninth anyway and turned in a third straight hitless frame. He seems like the favorite for saves in Arizona right now, though because he’s a lefty, he might be needed earlier in games at times.

Tim Tawa’s homer in the fourth, which was set up by a walk and a single, did all of the damage. King dropped to 6-8 with a 3.45 ERA. The run support really hasn’t been there for him, but this is the first time he’s lost in four games in which the Padres have scored only one run. He had twice won 1-0 and once taken a no-decision after allowing one run in six innings. He’ll face the Astros next.

Tawa was back at first base tonight after starting in center field the previous two days. He’ll probably play less outfield with Lars Nootbaar around, but he might just start at first base regularly anyway. While we’re not really buying in, he has hit .266 with four homers and 16 RBI in 23 games since he was recalled July 5.

All five of his balls in play tonight were hit at least 98 mph, with the homers checking in at 112 and 109 mph. Caminero is moving into some very rare territory now with 84 homers through his age-22 season. He moved past Al Kaline tonight and is now tied with Mickey Mantle for 15th place on that list. Next up are Jimmie Foxx at 86 and Johnny Bench and Ken Griffey Jr. at 87. He’s not going to approach Mel Ott’s record of 115, but he ought to finish up in the top 10.

Seymour has struggled to find much consistency either as a reliever or, more recently, as a starter/bulk guy, but he showed tonight why he remains pretty intriguing. Unfortunately, as a result of the Freddy Peralta acquisition, he might go back to being a true reliever once Shane McClanahan returns. First, he should be in line for at least one more start Sunday against the Mariners.

Seven hits allowed, three walks and no strikeouts for Lorenzen tonight. The Rockies probably don’t have anyone they want to replace him with right now, but it’d be nice if they could move on later this month. He’ll take a 3-10 record and a 6.94 ERA into his next start in St. Louis.

Facing Rockies pitching at Coors Field was just what the slumping Aranda needed. He was 11-for-60 with one RBI and 21 strikeouts in his previous 15 games.