Athletics recall Jacob Lopez from Las Vegas

There was only one single ball in play that turned into runs in this game, and it came off Lukes’ bat in the form of a three-run homer. He’s been solid albeit unspectacular for the Blue Jays in a strong-side platoon role with nine home runs and a .264 batting average in 98 games.

A multi-inning master, this was Varland’s 13th outing this season getting four or more outs. His incredible efficiency makes those outings easier than they are for most, just like here where it only took him 15 pitches and he faced six total batters. He’s the seventh reliever to reach 30 saves so far this season and his 1.20 ERA is only higher than Mason Miller’s among all closers.

After making a few spot starts and bulk outings earlier on this season, Miles was shuttled back to the bullpen full-time in July and hadn’t pitched more than a single inning in eight straight appearances until this one. He didn’t get a single whiff and pitched from behind for a good chunk of this start, but got the six outs the Blue Jays asked him to. He now has a 2.95 ERA in what’s been a stellar season for the swing-man and he should get another chance next week on the road against the Guardians, just don’t expect much bulk as he continues to build himself back up.

The Royals were blanked by the Blue Jays here despite Jensen reaching base three times out of the lead-off spot. He’s had a disappointing season with just a .222 batting average and .305 on-base percentage as the Royals have given him fewer chances atop their order lately.

By Dobnak’s lofty standards, letting up three runs here made this one of his worst starts of the season. All three came via a Nathan Lukes three-run homer on a changeup that got just a bit too much of the plate. Otherwise, Dobnak was lights out once again. Of every pitcher who’s thrown at least 40 innings as a starter this season, Dobnak’s 1.92 ERA is the fifth-lowest. It’s been an improbable run that will wage on in a two-start week coming up against the Marlins and Blue Jays.

Gordon enjoyed this opportunity away from Coors Field to get both his first win of the season and complete seven innings for the first time in his career. Also, despite the lopsided final score, Gordon didn’t even pitch with a lead until the fifth inning. So it’s not like he was just tossing it in there against a team who knew the game was already over. Sadly, he’s heading back home next week for a two-start week against the Orioles and Cardinals.

Norby looks reborn with the Rockies. He broke this game wide open with his seventh inning grand slam that turned a three-run lead into seven and has been scorching hit since being traded to the Rockies. In 14 games with his new club, Norby has a .310/.408/.571 slash-line as the exact type of lightning in a bottle player we’re looking for in our deep leagues.

Continuing to impress in a part-time role, Chaparro was the extent of the Nationals’ offense in a game where they were thrashed 13-1. He accounted for three of their seven total hits, two of their four extra-base hits, and drove home their lone run with a solo home run. They’ve been sneaking him into the lineup more so against right-handed pitchers lately because they’ve only faced one lefty in their last 13 games and Chaparro’s role had been to be a lefty-masher. It’s tough to ignore a .906 OPS though.

Coming in for a bulk outing after Matt Waldron fired two scoreless innings, the wheels fell off for Dion in his third inning of work. After tossing two scoreless frames out of the pen with eight swings-and-misses along the way, both Troy Johnston and Cole Carrigg hit two-run homers in the fifth. Johnston’s came off a front-door sinker that the left Dion was bold for trying and missed his spot badly. Carrigg’s was off a fastball at the letters that didn’t even crack 90 mph. At that point, manager Blake Butera had seen enough and pulled Dion. He has good stuff, but will need to sustain a bit more velocity to be effective in a multi-inning role. Luis Perales came in for some bulk work after as well and showed elite stuff – 101 mph fastball, 11 whiffs – but let up four runs in two innings with three walks. It seems like the Nationals are going to deploy their pitchers in unorthodox ways during the final month of the season.

Gusto closed out what was an excellent month of August with another strong start here. His fastball led the charge, but he forced a whiff with five different pitches and multiple with three. The depth of his repertoire has shown up in a huge way over his last five starts where he has a 1.85 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and five walks over 24 1/3 innings. He’s lined up for a two-start week coming up against the Royals in Kansas City and then Cubs at home.