Mets ace Jacob deGrom received another no-decision Sunday after allowing three runs on five hits (one homer) and one walk with 12 strikeouts over seven innings against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. deGrom was on top of his game as per usual, ringing up a dozen K's against the best offense in baseball while throwing 73 of his 107 pitches for strikes. The Mets mustered just three runs against Chris Sale and co., however, en route to a 4-3 loss. His record remains at 8-9 despite posting the best ERA (1.78) in baseball this year in addition to setting career highs in innings (202) and strikeouts (251). deGrom has now ripped off 22 consecutive quality starts and is a frontrunner to win the NL Cy Young this year along with Max Scherzer, although they will just miss facing each other during next week's series between the two clubs at Nationals Park; Scherzer is slated to pitch Thursday while deGrom will go Friday.
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, three runs scored and two walks against the Braves on Sunday. Harper continued to do what he's done best this year, namely go deep and draw walks. His two-run shot off Sean Newcomb in the top of the first was his 34th long ball of the year, marking the second-highest total of his career. He's also drawn 118 free passes this season -- tops in the Majors and only six shy of his career high. Despite all the walks, Harper is still only three RBI away from the first 100-RBI campaign of his career.
Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, two runs scored and a walk Sunday against the Braves. Rendon connected off Sean Newcomb in the top of the third for his 20th homer of the year, marking the third straight year and fourth time overall that he's reached the benchmark. The trio of hits also raised his batting average to an even .300, making him a threat to bat .300 or better for the second straight year. The 28-year-old has been a potent bat in the heart of Washington's lineup for the last half-decade, although he'll miss Bryce Harper batting in front of him if Harper leaves this offseason via free agency.
Pirates righty Trevor Williams won after allowing two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over six shutout innings against the Brewers on Sunday. Williams continued his dominant second half with his seventh scoreless outing in his last 11 starts, lowering his ERA to 1.10 during that time. He has a sharp 1.01 WHIP during that span as well with a 47:19 K/BB ratio in 65 2/3 innings. While the 26-year-old is clearly pitching over his head, there's no denying that he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball in the second half. With his overall ERA down to 3.16, he'll look to keep rolling in a rematch with Milwaukee at home on September 22.
Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright won after allowing two hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over six shutout innings vs. the Dodgers on Sunday. Wainwright stopped the bleeding for St. Louis following three straight losses to Los Angeles with the best start of his abbreviated season, notching more than five strikeouts for the first time this year while yielding a season-low two hits. Wainwright improved to 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in six starts this year after missing most of the season with injury. His results have been erratic, however, making the 37-year-old war horse difficult to trust outside of NL-only leagues. He could be worth streaming for his upcoming friendly home matchup vs. the Giants on Friday, however.
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