MLB Player News

Ka’aihue was 1-for-13 in his previous three starts and he hadn’t homered in 64 at-bats this season prior to tonight. The A’s are waiting for either he or Daric Barton to step up and claim the starting job at first base. Ka’aihue helped his cause tonight.

The Phillies brought six of their seven runs in to score in the first inning, highlighted by a Bryston Stott three-run homer off Chris Paddack. It’s been a slow start for the 28-year-old infielder. He’s hitting .206/.260/.330 with two homers, eight runs scored, 11 RBI, and six steals across 106 plate appearances.

Ruiz got just his fourth start of the season since he was activated on April 22. He provided all of the team’s offense against the Phillies, taking Jesus Luzardo deep for a two-run homer in the seventh inning for his second home run of the season. The 27-year-old outfielder will likely continue to be limited to sporadic playing time against right-handers and starts against left-handed pitching.

Many of Luzardo’s troubles this season have come when runners get on base. He allowed the first two batters to reach in the second inning, then struck out the following two and induced a flyout to escape the jam. He held the Marlins scoreless through six before giving up a two-run homer to Esteury Ruiz in the seventh. Luzardo’s day would be done with one out in the seventh at 102 pitches. He generated 16 whiffs to strike out ten batters. The 28-year-old left-hander will look to keep chipping away at his ratios when he takes a 5.09 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 51/9 K/BB ratio across 40 2/3 innings into a start against the Rockies in Philadelphia on Friday.

Paddack dug himself into a hole in the first inning, giving up a double and two walks to load the bases. One run would come in on a fielder’s choice, another on a bases-loaded walk, and a Bryson Stott three-run blast would make it a six-run opening frame. He tossed a scoreless second, then allowed an unearned run on two hits following an error in the third. His day would be done with two outs in the inning at 73 pitches. Paddack now holds a 7.34 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and a 27/10 K/BB ratio across 30 2/3 innings. His next start is scheduled to come on Friday in Miami against the Nationals — and manager Clayton McCullough confirmed after the game that he would make it — but it’s hard to imagine he keeps his rotation spot much longer with Braxton Garrett and Robby Snelling pitching well at Triple-A.

He said it’s a “wait and see.” The Brewers had David Hamilton at second and Joey Ortiz at short today with Turang out.

After the Nats were held scoreless through four innings, Abrams led off the fifth with a base hit, stole second, then scored the team’s first run on a base hit. He later led off the seventh with his second hit and scored again. The 25-year-old shortstop is having an outstanding season, hitting .297/.406/.534 with eight homers, 19 runs scored, 27 RBI, and six steals across 143 plate appearances.

Nuñez put the Nationals on the board with a single in the fifth to bring home CJ Abrams from second base. He then scored on a triple and later knocked in another run with his second hit in the seventh. The 25-year-old infielder has been all speed, hitting .222/.325/.232 with 16 runs scored, 12 RBI, and 14 steals across 116 plate appearances.

Gus Varland had recorded the final out in the eighth and started the ninth with a two-run lead. Loveland took over with one out and one runner on. He allowed the runner to score on a hit and a groundout before striking out the final batter to secure the win and record his first save. Varland has displayed the best skills in the bullpen and leads the team with three saves. He’ll likely continue to lead the way, even in part of a matchup-based committee.

PJ Poulin served as the opener for the Nationals on Sunday against Milwaukee, tossing two scoreless innings before handing it over to Littell. Littell followed with 3 2/3 innings of work, giving up one run on one walk and a hit. He struck out one. The 30-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 7.24 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and a 17/12 K/BB ratio across 32 1/3 innings. He lines up for his next outing against the Marlins in Miami on Saturday.

Henderson was excellent in his first start of the season for the Brewers, holding the Nationals scoreless through four innings before three hits brought two runs in to score in the fifth. Henderson would pitch one more scoreless frame, striking out eight on nine whiffs. He’ll face a tough matchup at home against the Yankees on Saturday.