Louis Varland remains perfect in save chances

Painter took the mound with a 2-0 lead and immediately gave it back. A leadoff double by Dylan Beavers got things started for the O’s and was followed by a two-run homer by Pete Alonso to draw things even at 2-2. Despite the rough start, Painter settled in to allow just one hit over his remaining five innings of work while striking out six batters, his most in any game since May 2nd against the Marlins. Painter was promoted from Triple-A to start tonight’s game. If he sticks around for another start, it will most likely come on Wednesday at home against the Nationals.

Ohtani has already admitted that his knee is unlikely to be at 100 percent for the remainder of the season, so it sounds like the Dodgers will have to be careful to mix in some off days to help to try to keep him as fresh as possible. He’s back in there atop the Dodgers’ lineup for Friday’s matchup against Red Sox’ southpaw Ranger Suarez.

Bratt turned in his best start of the season on Friday. Despite some shaky command that resulted in three walks, Bratt never allowed more than two baserunners in an inning, and the lone run he surrendered came in the first inning on an RBI single by Rhys Hoskins to bring home José Ramirez. Bratt has now pitched out of the fifth inning in back-to-back starts and is scheduled to make his next appearance on Wednesday against the Padres.

The Dodgers needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the addition of Cole Irvin on Friday and McDermott drew the short straw this time around. The 27-year-old hurler could generate some interest on waivers.

Bibee did what he could to hold the Diamondbacks in check all night. He scattered three hits and one walk over 7 1/3 innings, but did hit back-to-back batters in the fourth inning. Those two hit batsmen proved irrelevant, as he was able to force Max Kepler to line out to end the inning, but he ran into some trouble in the eighth. Bibee was pulled after allowing two of the first three batters he faced to reach base, and the Guardians’ bullpen wasted little time in making him pay. Reliever Erik Sabrowski immediately walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, and went on to allow back-to-back singles to Geraldo Perdomo and Gabriel Moreno to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead. It was a tough way for Bibee to pick up his 11th loss of the season. He ends the month of July with a 2-2 record and a 4.76 ERA. His next start is scheduled for Thursday at home against the Mets.

Stewart tagged Pirates’ ace Paul Skenes for a 409-foot (104.1-mph EV) two-run blast in the fourth inning that gave the Reds a 5-3 advantage. He then smacked a two-run single in the eighth inning that tied the game at 7-7 before scoring the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Nathaniel Lowe. The 22-year-old slugger is enjoying an outstanding rookie campaign, slashing .255/.334/.477 with 23 homers, 84 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 473 plate appearances.

Murakami hit his 24th homer of the season in the third inning off of Nick Martinez. His two-run blast pushed the White Sox out to a 4-0 lead and was one of four homers the White Sox managed on the night. Murakami’s two-hit night pushed his hitting streak to eight-straight games, as he ends the month of July slashing .258/.395/.532 with four homers and 10 RBI.

Bleday drew a two-out walk off of Paul Skenes in the opening inning and raced around to score the Reds’ first run on an RBI double by Tyler Stephenson. He then smacked a 386-foot (105.7-mph EV) solo shot off of Skenes in the third inning that tied the score at 3-3. For the season, the 28-year-old outfielder is slashing .229/.341/.472 to go with 19 long balls and 46 RBI.

Caminero hit his 30th homer of the season in the fourth inning off White Sox starter Erick Fedde. It was the first homer for Caminero in nearly two weeks, as the slugger has struggled to produce many extra-base hits over that span. That said, he concludes the month with a .245/.336/.529 slash line with seven homers and 14 RBI.

Pagan entered in the ninth inning with the Reds leading 8-7 and he retired all three hitters that he faced in order to close the game out. The official scorer deemed Pierce Johnson ineffective though and awarded Pagan the victory instead of the save. He continues to get better as the season goes on.