Twins option rookie Kendry Rojas to Triple-A

Kent gave up three hits, walked five and struck out six. The five walks were uncharacteristic for Kent, who had walked only 30 batters in 94 1/3 minor league innings this year. That’s something he’ll need to clean up as the Cubs were able to get him out of the game after throwing 78 pitches in four innings. The six strikeouts show Kent could have some promise, though he’s still too risky a proposition for fantasy managers at this point. Kent is lined up to face the Rangers on the road next week.

Peterson gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out six. He improved to 7-7 on the season with the win. Since coming over to the Cubs this year, Peterson is 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 43 innings over eight starts. He’s lined up to face the White Sox at home next Tuesday, but won’t get a two-start week with the Cubs only playing six games next week.

Contreras’ home run was his 24th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Jose Soriano in the fifth inning. Contreras hadn’t hit a home run since June 30 against the Athletics, a span of almost two weeks. While he remains in the lineup, it’s been reported that he continues to deal with a lingering hamstring injury. Contreras is hitting .280 with a .919 OPS and 71 RBI.

The Blue Jays led 6-1 heading into the ninth inning, but the Red Sox rallied, creating a save situation for Varland. He retired both hitters he faced to preserve the win and earn his 26th. Varland came out of nowhere this season to become the Blue Jays closer and with a 1.30 ERA he’s been one of the best in the game.

Suarez gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two. It’s the first time he’s completed at least five innings in a start since June 29 against the Nationals. Suarez’ 3.25 ERA and 3.32 xFIP are in line with his career norms, he just had a July to forget. Even though he only recorded two strikeouts Wednesday, Suarez has a 25 percent strikeout percentage this year. He’s lined up for a two-start week next week, starting with the Diamondbacks at home on Monday.

Griffin was much better in this start compared to his Guardians debut last week. His cutter command was back on track as that pitch lived on the edges and he did well mixing his deep repertoire off it. He still wasn’t especially sharp, forcing just three swings-and-misses, but also didn’t get much help from his defense after an error by José Ramírez opened the door for two unearned runs to score in what turned into a 26-pitch first inning. Still, this was a fine start and Griffin is scheduled to a tense two-start week coming up first at home against the Giants and then into Coors Field to face the Rockies.

Smith let this one get a little too crazy. He entered in a three-run game with two outs in the eighth inning and promptly threw a wild pitch to let one run score. Then, gave up a lead-off single in the ninth to send the tying run to the plate. Gleyber Torres singled after that to put the tying runs on base with Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle due up. Smith turned up the heat in that moment, throwing six fastballs of at least 98 mph – a full tick above his season average – over his last seven pitches to get out of the jam. He has a 2.30 ERA and is second in the league with 31 saves in what’s been a standout season.

Both of Martínez’s doubles held weight in this game. His first came in the first inning as Framber Valdez nearly escaped a bases loaded jam with zero outs and just one run home. With two outs, Martínez doubled home a key second run. Then, as the Guardians needed insurance late, Martínez’s seventh inning double helped set up a two-run rally. Red-hot in August after going hit-less in first 18 at-bats off the injured list, Martínez is riding an eight-game hitting streak and is 13-for-33 this month.

Torres’ solo home run in the third inning briefly gave the Tigers the lead before Framber Valdez gave it right back. Alas, it was his eighth homer of the season and second longest at 421 feet. He’s been solid overall out of the lead-off spot in Detroit with a .260/.371/.396 slash line across 63 games, just with only those eight homers and zero stolen bases.