MLB Player News

Cruz has done it again. His sixth inning home run vaulted the Pirates ahead and they never looked back. It was ridiculous to watch how he hit it out too. Cruz stuck with a back-door sweeper from Griffin Jax that would’ve landed perfectly on the low-and-outside corner. Instead, he extended his long arms to yank it over the tall right field wall at PNC Park. His bottom hand even flew off the handle and altogether it looked like the type of swing you’d see in a slow-pitch softball league. Instead, it had an 84 mph swing speed and he turned the game upside down with it. This was his sixth home run so far this season along with 19 RBI, nine stolen bases, and a .313/.382/.588 slash line. To this point, he’s been arguably the most productive offensive player in the whole league.

Sañchez homered off Zach Wheeler to make it a 1-1 game in the sixth and then singled to open a two-run rally in the ninth. He’s batting .296/.328/.476, giving him the highest OPS among Jays regulars this season. Things might get crowded again in Toronto’s outfield after Addison Barger returns. but there’s little doubt now that Sañchez should keep starting in left or right against righties over the rest of the season.

Cease was excellent in allowing just three hits and one walk, but Zach Wheeler matched him to make it a 1-1 game after six. Those rostering Cease should still be very encouraged, as he allowed just four hard-hit balls and one walk while getting is 18 outs tonight. He’ll face the Red Sox in Boston next week.

The Phillies took a 2-1 lead against Varland in the top of the ninth, but the Jays came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game and make Varland 3-1 on the season. Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless seventh in a tie game tonight, but it probably won’t matter much what Hoffman does unless Varland blows a lead in the near future.

Wheeler struck out five and walked none. The only damage came on a Jesús Sañchez homer in the sixth. Wheeler then departed a tie game, which kept him 5-1 with a 2.22 ERA through nine starts. He should be regarded as a top-10 SP at this point, and he’ll face the Marlins next time out.

A hard-luck night saw Duran give up three singles, only one of which was hit hard. His closing gig remains very secure, but he might be unavailable on Wednesday after working back-to-back days. Maybe Orior Kerkering wil earn a save then.

It’s the first time in 335 major league games that Lopez has scored four runs. He’s currently first in the majors with a .341 average and 89 hits. It’s very likely that he’ll fall back some as the season progresses, but it’s safe to say both the Giants and the Blue Jays would love to have him back right about now.

The runs came on homers from Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno. Meyer left with a 3-2 lead in the sixth, which was quickly expanded to 6-2, but the Diamondbacks recovered to tie the game before the Marlins won 10-6. Incredibly, Meyer still hasn’t taken a loss in 14 starts this year. He came into the season 6-11 in 25 starts. Meyer is due to make his next start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The official scorer picked Fairbanks for the win after the Marlins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 10-6 game. There was no save situation on the line at that point. so those rostering Fairbanks should be thankful. Calvin Faucher also could have been the pick after getting two outs in a three-run eighth, but that would have left Fairbanks out of the mix entirely.

There was a little speculation that the D-backs might be ready to DFA Gallen after he struggled against the Dodgers last time out. It seemed like reach then and it’s probably still a reach now, but it’s just hard to find optimism at this point. Gallen has a 5.43 ERA and just 48 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings through 14 starts. He’ll face the Angels next week. which seems like good news for Mike Trout and companty.

For the most part, Mack’s contributions offensively will come in the form of the occasional home run. Tonight, though, he raised his average from .217 to .253. He has 13 RBI and 11 runs scored through 28 big-league games, but he remains a weak option in two-catcher mixed leagues at this point.