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Strop to act as Cubs' closer down the stretch

Pedro Strop will serve as the Cubs' closer for the remainder of the 2013 regular season.

Kevin Gregg will operate in a setup role. "It’s going to be an opportunity [for Strop]," manager Dale Sveum said Thursday. "We want to see what he does in that role. Kevin [Gregg] has been one of the better closers in all of baseball. God knows where we’d be without him."

Source: MLBlogs.com

Thu, Sep 19, 2013 01:13:00 PM

Johnny Cueto strikes out 11 in win over COL

Johnny Cueto came through clutch in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Rockies, striking out 11 while allowing two runs over seven innings.

Cueto wasn't unhittable on Thursday -- indeed, he surrendered nine of them -- but he managed to evade trouble on the scoreboard, for the most part. He got his hiccups out of the way early, surrendering an RBI double to Nolan Arenado and an RBI triple to David Dahl in the first inning. From that point onward, he posted goose eggs. In his first year with the Giants, Cueto has pitched to a 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 198/45 K/BB ratio over 219 2/3 innings. He allowed more than two runs in just three of his final 10 starts.

Sep 30 - 1:32 AM

Vargas homers in second straight, Twins win

Kennys Vargas went 2-for-5 with a solo home run to help the Twins hold off the Royals 7-6 on Thursday.

Vargas took Royals starter Danny Duffy yard for the solo blast in the sixth inning. He also doubled off the southpaw in the contest. Vargas has now homered in two straight games and has 10 dingers in 44 games overall. He's batted .250/.354/.543 in those 44 games.

Sep 30 - 1:10 AM

Molina gets walk-off winner in wild fashion

Yadier Molina hit a walk-off double -- depending on who you ask -- to give the Cardinals a 4-3 win over the Reds on Thursday.

With a runner on first and two outs in the ninth, Molina pulled a Blake Wood pitch down the left field line that one-hopped the wall. There's little question it should have been ruled a ground-rule double, but Matt Carpenter never stopped running and slid into home with no objection from the umpires. The Reds tried to protest too late and to little avail, and it will be interesting to see if something is or can be done to change to ruling after the fact. As it stands, Molina pulled the Cardinals to two games back of the Mets for the first spot in the Wild Card race. The 34-year-old finished 2-for-5, also hitting his eighth home run of the season, with two RBI in Thursday's contest.

Sep 30 - 12:15 AM

Swanson hits third homer, Braves top Phillies

Dansby Swanson hit his third home run of the season and the Braves bested the Phillies 5-2 on Thursday.

Swanson hit the solo shot in the sixth inning to pull the Braves even at 1-1, and he also drew a leadoff walk that kicked off a four-run eighth inning to put the game out of reach. Just a little over a year removed from being the No. 1 overall draft pick, the 22-year-old has held his own through 35 games in the majors, batting .300/.353/.442 with three homers, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored and three steals. He may actually be doing himself a small disservice by performing so well -- with 120 at-bats under his belt, Swanson could actually lose his rookie status heading into next season, thus precluding him from possibly vying for the Rookie of the Year honor, if he accrues 10 more at-bats over the Braves' final three games -- but the bigger picture is that Swanson could be a star as early as 2017.

Sep 29 - 11:46 PM

Sabathia holds Red Sox to one run in victory

CC Sabathia struck out eight while allowing one run over 7 1/3 innings in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Sox.

The Sox didn't roll out a full post-clinch lineup -- regulars Xander Bogaerts, David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr. were among the starters -- but Sabathia still had little trouble shutting them down in his final 2016 start. He ended on a high note, allowing one run or fewer in three of his final four starts to lower his overall ERA to 3.91. The 36-year-old has already said he hopes to pitch beyond 2017, and after showing he's still able to get hitters out this year, it will be interesting to see how he fares as he approaches his career's sunset.

Sep 29 - 11:27 PM

Nova gets rain-shortened CG against Cubs

Ivan Nova allowed a run over 5 1/3 innings against the Cubs on Thursday, getting a gift of a complete game in a 1-1 tie.

With the skies opened up and neither team playing for much -- the Bucs already eliminated from the postseason, the Cubs already owning home-field advantage through the NLCS -- the two teams decided to call it a night. Nova allowed four hits and didn't issue a free pass while striking out five before the rain came. The start brings to a close a successful career revitalization for the 29-year-old, who posted a 3.06 ERA with the Pirates after struggling early as a member of the Yankees. Nova owned a 4.17 ERA and 1.25 WHIP overall, and will be an interesting free agent case this winter.

Sep 29 - 10:42 PM

Jimenez blanks listless Blue Jays over 6 2/3

Ubaldo Jimenez held the Blue Jays scoreless over 6 2/3 innings Thursday, allowing one hit in a 4-0 Orioles shutout.

Jimenez gave up a single to Ezequiel Carrera to lead off the game and nothing more, walking three and striking out five. The start was the last and easily the most important for Jimenez this year, pulling the O's into a tie with the Jays with three games left to play. For the 32-year-old, it was a strong end to an up and down season. Jimenez ends with an 8-12 record, 5.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 29 games, including 25 starts.

Sep 29 - 10:25 PM

Votto leaves game after getting hit in face

Joey Votto was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Cardinals after getting hit in the face by an errant throw from Tommy Pham.

Votto blooped a double into the outfield in the eighth inning, but Pham's throw came through and drilled him on the chin at second base. There was a considerable amount of blood on his face, though the injury isn't believed to be too serious. Expect the Reds to provide an update on his status after the game.

Source: C. Trent Rosencrans on Twitter

Sep 29 - 9:35 PM

Hellickson leaves start with apparent injury

Jeremy Hellickson was forced to leave Thursday's start against in the fourth inning due to an apparent injury.

It's unclear exactly what occurred at this point, but the trainer came out to check on the veteran right-hander mid at-bat in the fourth inning and the decision was made to pull him out. It's a potentially devastating development for Hellickson, who has had a nice bounceback season in 2016 and is headed for free agency this winter. Expect an update from the Phillies on his status shortly.

Source: Jim Salisbury on Twitter

Sep 29 - 8:23 PM

Indians/Tigers game postponed due to rain

Thursday's game between the Indians and Tigers has been postponed due to rain.

The game will be made up on Monday, if necessary, which could potentially throw a wrench into the Wild Card race. Scheduled starters Daniel Norris and Ryan Merritt will be pushed back to Friday.

Source: Detroit Tigers on Twitter

Sep 29 - 5:30 PM

X-rays on Mike Trout's shoulder are negative

X-rays on Mike Trout's left shoulder came back negative.

Trout exited Wednesday's game against the A's after being hit in the shoulder blade by a pitch, but he's expected to be fine. The hope is that he'll be ready to go on Friday versus the Astros.

Source: Orange County Register

Sep 29 - 5:09 PM