Josh Beckett went home with a no-decision after allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 12-7 loss to the Pirates.
The Pirates had Beckett's number, bashing five extra-base hits against the right-hander before chasing him with two outs in the fourth. Gregory Polanco, Neil Walker, and Ike Davis each homered against him. Overall, Beckett allowed six hits, walked none, and struck out four. The veteran has otherwise had a great season, now carrying a 2.52 ERA with a 2.52 ERA and a 99/32 K/BB ratio. He'll match up against the Braves at home next Wednesday.
Vance Worley improved to 3-1, allowing four runs (one earned) over six innings as the Pirates came out on the winning end of a high-scoring affair against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Worley was making his first start since July 8 and didn't show too much rust. He was the victim of two defensive miscues, which helped lead to four Dodger runs. Overall, the right-hander allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out five. Worley appears to have been a good find for the Pirates. Through six starts and one relief appearance, Worley holds a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 27/7 K/BB ratio. He'll kick off a three-game set against the Giants in San Francisco next Monday.
Neil Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI double, and a bases-loaded walk in Tuesday's victory over the Dodgers.
Another productive night for Walker, who has now homered in three out of his last six contests. His second-inning solo home run put the Pirates up 1-0 and he continued to be a pest for the Dodgers all night long. The second baseman has been among the most productive at his position, now with a .286/.357/.474 slash line, 15 home runs, and 48 RBI.
Adrian Gonzalez went yard for the 15th time this season in a losing effort against the Pirates on Tuesday.
Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly in the third inning, then took Jared Hughes deep in the seventh inning with one on for a three-RBI night. He finished 2-for-4 overall. The first baseman has slowed down offensively after a hot first two months of the season, now carrying a .259/.321/.442 with the 15 home runs and 65 RBI.
Anthony Rizzo continued his hot hitting on Tuesday, blasting two home runs in the Cubs' 6-0 win over the Padres.
Rizzo hit solo shots in the third and seventh innings, giving him 25 on the year. That's now the most in the National League, and what's more, he's hit five in the team's four games since the All-Star break. Rizzo won the Final Vote in the NL, and he's proving all his backers right with his strong start to the second half.
Gregory Polanco drove in three of the Pirates' 12 runs in a slugfest win over the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Polanco belted a solo home run in the third inning and singled in two runs in the sixth. The 22-year-old rookie has been mired in a slump, but the Pirates certainly hope Tuesday's effort is the slump-buster. Polanco owns a .253/.339/.349 slash line with four home runs, 17 RBI, and six stolen bases.
Welington Castillo went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in Tuesday's win over the Padres.
Castillo's double off Blaine Boyer capped a three-run seventh inning that helped put the game out of reach. The catcher now has three multi-hit games in his last four starts dating back to before the All-Star break, raising his season line to .241/.294/.391 in the process. He'll likely get the lion's share of starts behind the dish down the stretch, but he's nothing more than an NL-only option this season.
Jacob Turner earned his third win after limiting the Braves to two runs over five innings as the Marlins went on to a 6-5 victory on Tuesday.
Turner was making his first start since June 11. He had been working out of the bullpen, but his struggles followed him there. The Marlins hope Tuesday's start is the turning over of a new leaf, as Turner held the Braves to four hits and two walks while striking out four. He carries an ugly 6.03 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 48/19 K/BB ratio. Turner will take on the Astros in Houston when he takes the mound next.