MLB Player News

Of manager Don Wakamatsu’s original three preferred closer candidates, only Batista has had a solid spring, posting a 4.38 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. Roy Corcoran is at 7.11, and Mark Lowe has a 6.55 ERA with 21 hits allowed and just two strikeouts in 11 innings. David Aardsma has been the Mariners’ most impressive reliever and Tyler Walker has pitched well enough to make the team, but Batista seems like the logical choice to open the season as the closer.

Alonso capped off a six-run uprising off of Bryan Woo in the third inning by ambushing a first-pitch sweeper for a 439-foot (110.6-mph EV) two-run shot. That would be his only hit in four at-bats in the contest. The 31-year-old slugger seems to be enjoying his first season with the O’s, slashing .243/.320/.455 with 15 homers, 44 RBI and two swipes in 303 plate appearances.

Cowser tattooed a 2-1 fastball from Bryan Woo for a 416-foot (108.5-mph EV) solo shot that got the Orioles on the board and tied the score at one run apiece in the third inning. The 26-year-old outfielder is now slashing .227/.311/.397 with seven homers, 23 RBI and two stolen bases across 162 plate appearances on the season.

Rico Garcia was utilized in the eighth inning of this one with Kittredge handling the ninth. The 36-year-old right-hander made it look awfully easy, needing just six pitches (all strikes) to get through the inning — which included Julio Rodriguez reaching on an error. Kittredge has really struggled for most of the season, compiling a 6.75 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 15/4 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings on the season. He’s not going to usurp the closer’s role anytime soon.

Bradish racked up five strikeouts on the evening while issuing three free passes. He served up a solo homer to Cole Young to start the game, then kept the Mariners at bay until the fourth inning where they erupted for four additional runs — including homers from Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone. Bradish got eight whiffs on 85 pitches in the ballgame, registering a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll carry a 3-7 record, 4.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP into a rematch against the Mariners in Seattle on Wednesday.

Young started off the game with a bang, crushing an 0-2 slider from Kyle Bradish for a 364-foot (105.3-mph EV) solo shot. He also singled twice in the contest. With his three-hit attack, the 22-year-old infielder is slashing .255/.321/.363 with five homers, 32 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 281 plate appearances with the M’s this season.

Woo struck out four batters in the contest while allowing one base on balls. He kept the Orioles off the board for the first three innings, but the train came off the tracks in the third as the O’s roughed him up for six runs including a solo homer by Colton Cowser and a two-run blast by Pete Alonso. The 26-year-old hurler got nine swings and misses on 82 pitches on the evening, posting a CSW of 23 percent. Now 5-5 on the season, he’ll tote a 4.28 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 79/15 K/BB ratio (82 innings) into a rematch against the Orioles at home on Thursday.

All things considered, it sounds like the 25-year-old southpaw was fortunate to have avoided any serious injuries after he was struck by a comebacker and then got tangled up with a baserunner while attempting to cover first base. He should be okay to make his next scheduled start, but check back over the next few days just to be on the safe side.

Tucker strolled to the dish with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning and dumped a single into left field to plate two runs, extending the Dodgers’ early lead to 3-0. He then swiped second base before being left stranded there. That was his lone hit in five at-bats on the day while striking out three times. On the season, the 29-year-old outfielder is hitting a disappointing .237/.332/.382 with just five homers, 34 RBI and five stolen bases over 280 plate appearances.

Scott came on to get the final out in the eighth inning with a man on second base and two outs, and he got Brandon Lowe to fly out harmlessly to right field. He then stayed on for the ninth where he struck out Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O’Hearn and Spencer Horwitz in succession to end the ballgame. The 31-year-old southpaw now holds a 2.48 ERA and a 35/3 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings on the season while notching seven saves.

Lowe tagged left-hander Justin Wrobleski for a 383-foot (103.7-mph EV) two-run shot in the fifth inning that pulled the Pirates to within two runs at 5-2. He also drew a walk in the contest. The 31-year-old slugger has made a major impact in the Pirates’ lineup this season, slashing .249/.335/.523 with 16 homers and 45 RBI in 275 plate appearances.