Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta won Wednesday after scattering seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 shutout innings vs. the Braves. Coming off his shortest start of the season in which he lasted just three innings in a loss to St. Louis, Arrieta bounced back with 6 2/3 scoreless frames to notch his first win since April 25 and lower his ERA to 2.45. His control was excellent, as he threw 76 of his 109 pitches for strikes and did not walk multiple batters for the first time this season. The seven strikeouts were also his second highest total of the year. After two straight years of decline, Arrieta has re-emerged as one of the National League's best pitchers in his first season with Philadelphia. He'll look to keep rolling when he takes on the slumping Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 29.
Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom received a no-decision Wednesday after allowing four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings vs. the Marlins. deGrom was once again let down by his teammates, as New York's offense managed just one run and the bullpen blew the lead after he left. He has more no-decisions (six) than wins (four) despite compiling a microscopic 1.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with a 77:16 K/BB ratio in 58 1/3 innings. deGrom has allowed just one earned run over his last six starts combined -- a span of 33 1/3 innings. He'll hope for a better performance from his supporting cast when he faces the Braves in Atlanta during a doubleheader on May 29.
Nationals first baseman Matt Adams went 3-for-3 with a solo homer vs. the Padres on Wednesday before being removed for a pinch-hitter. Adams accounted for nearly all of Washington's offense by contributing three of the team's seven hits as well as its only run on his seventh-inning solo shot. The long ball off Tyson Ross was his 11th of the season but his first since May 7 -- the same date as his last multi-hit game prior to Wednesday. Adams had been in a 3-for-29 (.103 slump) in 10 games since then, falling back to earth after a torrid first week of May in which he clubbed seven home runs in seven games. With Reynolds siphoning at-bats and Ryan Zimmerman on the comeback trail, owners should look to sell Adams while they still can.
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester lost after allowing one run on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over seven innings Wednesday vs. the Indians. Lester turned in one of his best starts of the year with seven innings of one-run ball against Cleveland's potent offense, matching his season high in innings and throwing 67 of his 104 pitches for strikes. He allowed one earned run for the third consecutive start, but didn't come away with his third straight win as Chicago was shut out. Lester now has a 2.37 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over his first 10 starts even though his strikeout rate has fallen from 9.0 K/9 last year to 7.6 K/9 this year, which will make his hot start difficult to sustain. He'll try to keep it up in his next scheduled start at the Pirates on May 29.
Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda won after allowing two hits and four walks with 12 strikeouts over 6 2/3 shutout innings vs. the Rockies on Wednesday. Maeda extended his scoreless streak to 15 1/3 innings with another dominant outing after tossing eight shutout frames in his previous start, racking up a season-high 12 strikeouts to earn his second straight win. Wednesday marked Maeda's third start this season with at least 10 strikeouts, giving him 66 in 50 2/3 innings for a career-high 11.7 K/9 rate. Although he's been somewhat inconsistent this year, he's been strong overall with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP as one of the Dodgers' few bright spots. The 30-year-old will look extend his scoreless streak in his next start vs. the Phillies at home on May 29.
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