Reds righty Tyler Mahle won after allowing two runs on five hits (two homers) and four walks with eight strikeouts in six innings vs. the Tigers on Wednesday. Mahle didn't have his best stuff on Wednesday, yielding a pair of solo homers and equaling his season high with four walks as he spotted Detroit an early lead. He managed to keep the Tigers off balance without throwing a single curveball, however, throwing 71 of his 101 pitches for strikes and notching his most strikeouts since April 24. Following a rocky start to the season, the 23-year-old rookie has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, going 3-0 over that span to improve to 6-6 with a 3.89 ERA on the year. He'll look to stay hot at the Braves on June 25.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI against the Phillies on Wednesday. Molina, who recently set the record for most games caught with one team in his career, is still going strong at age 35. The pair of homers gives him nine on the season and three in his last three games. He's already halfway to last year's homer total (18) in only 44 games, putting him on pace to potentially establish a new career high in his 15th season. His previous personal best was 22 dingers in 2012.
Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera went 3-for-4 with a double and a solo homer vs. the Cardinals on Wednesday. Herrera, who finished a triple shy of the cycle, has now homered in four straight games and five of his last six. He now has 12 homers and 41 RBI through 70 games, putting him on track to obliterate his previous highs of 15 and 56. His .299 average would also be a personal best for the 26-year-old, who appears on his way to a career year for the ascendant Phillies.
Cubs lefty Jon Lester won after allowing five hits and three walks with one strikeout over seven shutout innings vs. the Dodgers on Wednesday. Lester rolled to his fifth straight victory while throwing a season-high 119 pitches -- 70 of which went for strikes. This was his third victory during that span with seven scoreless innings, even though he recorded just one strikeout -- a season low. Lester improves to 9-2 with a 2.10 ERA and will look to keep rolling in a rematch with Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium on June 26.
Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored Wednesday vs. the Mets. Arenado ignited Colorado's 10-8 victory with his first-inning bomb off Seth Lugo, which got the Rockies on the board after New York had scored three runs in the top of the frame. The homer was Arenado's second in as many days and his 15th of the year, giving him 46 RBI as well. In addition to hitting a career-high .314, he appears on his way to a fourth straight season with at least 37 homers and 130 RBI.
This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for over 80 daily player updates sent to your inbox every morning and track your team online. Click here for details: https://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
