MLB Player News

Arroyo moves up to the leadoff spot with Noelvi Marte taking over in center field with Blake Dunn receiving an off day in this one. The 22-year-old top prospect has hit just .227 (5-for-22) with one RBI in 10 games since being called up from Triple-A Louisville earlier this month. His opportunity to carve out a permanent spot on Cincinnati’s roster, likely as their primary second base option, is fading quickly with Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) progressing towards a minor league rehab assignment.

Ashcraft gave up two hits, walked one and struck out five. He improved to 11-4 with the win. Ashcraft didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and the only run he allowed came on a solo home run by Jose Trevino in the fifth inning. Ashcraft has a 3.98 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Brewers on the road on Thursday.

Alvarez doubled and scored as part of a two-run third inning by the Astros. He also walked and came around to score in the fourth inning. Alvarez is hitting .324 with a 1.079 OPS this year. He’s currently the favorite to win the AL MVP.

Langford’s home run was his 13th this year. He hit a solo shot off Ronel Blanco in the third inning. Langford is now 39-for-128 (.304) with 11 home runs and 24 RBI over his last 31 games. He’s hitting .275 with an .826 OPS on the season, but has been on fire lately.

Rafaela went deep in his first two at-bats to join Eric Haase as the only players to hit two homers off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in one game. He had two more hard-hit balls afterwards, but they both turned into outs. It was Rafaela’s second career two-homer game. He’s 11-for-26 with four homers, 10 RBI and two steals in his last six games.

Tolle gave up nine hits and 11 hard-hit balls, but he never did break before departing with the game tied at two. The Red Sox prevailed in the end, winning their fifth straight game that Tolle has started. They had been 4-9 through his first 13 starts. Tolle will take a 3.30 ERA into a home start against the A’s next weekend.

Chapman has a win and eight saves in nine appearances since the All-Star break. The appearance tonight was his third in four days, so he’ll probably be rested Sunday. Garrett Whitlock could close then, assuming that he’s fine. He hasn’t worked since Wednesday and didn’t pitch in a close game tonight, which was curious.

Yamamoto gave up just two hits through seven, but both were homers off the bat of Ceddanne Rafaela. He then allowed a double and a bunt single to start the eighth, with the go-ahead run scoring on a double play afterwards. The loss leaves him 11-7 with a 2.76 ERA. His next start will be his third of the year against the Diamondbacks. He beat them on Opening Day, but he had his worst start of the season last time he faced them, giving up six runs on July 11.

Hernández didn’t get any help tonight, but at least he seems to be coming around. He has two homers in three days and is 12-for-33 with five extra-base hits in his last nine games.

Hader’s save was his 15th of the season. He struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to slam the door on the Rangers. After starting the season on the injured list, Hader is enjoying a spectacular year with a 1.17 ERA.

Trout also drew a walk, and he came around to score a run on a double by Jorge Soler. The future Hall of Famer is now hitting .245/.392/.456 on the season. It’d be wonderful if he played on a team that was even kind of relevant, but it’s nice to see Trout playing quality baseball even if it’s for a franchise that is going nowhere.