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  • Strikes out eight batters in win
    Flexen (2-3) earned the victory against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over six innings.

    Advice: Flexen isn't usually much of a strikeout pitcher, but he fanned eight Rays in the win, doubling his previous season-high mark. In addition, the right-hander notched his second quality start of the campaign and extended his streak of outings with two or fewer runs to five. After giving up 13 earned runs over his first 13.1 frames this season, Flexen has turned things around dramatically, posting a 1.61 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings across his subsequent five appearances. Rotowire.com Today, 12:05 am
     
  • Belts clutch homer
    Rosario went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Orioles.

    Advice: The Nationals were down to their last out against Baltimore closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning when Rosario came through with a solo blast to center field to cut the deficit to one. Washington plated another run in the frame to send the game into extra innings, though the team ultimately fell short. The blast was another step in the right direction for Rosario, who recently went through an 11-game, 0-for-27 slump. Since the, the veteran outfielder has gotten at least one hit in four straight games, going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI over that span. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:58 pm
     
  • Pops 11th homer
    Henderson went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Wednesday in a 7-6 extra-innings win over Washington.

    Advice: Henderson gave Baltimore its first lead with a solo shot in the sixth inning. That snapped a seven-game stretch without a long ball for the shortstop, which was his longest homerless span of the campaign. Henderson is tied for second in the majors with 11 home runs on the season, and he's added 25 RBI, 28 runs, six stolen bases and a .271/.344/.563 slash line through 36 games. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:53 pm
     
  • Falls just short of quality start
    Parker allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Wednesday.

    Advice: Parker served up his first two homers of the season -- both solo shots -- in the contest, but those were the only runs he allowed. He was given the hook after throwing only 77 pitches with two outs in the sixth inning, preventing him from notching his second quality start. Despite that disappointment and the fact that he fanned only three batters, this was another positive outing for the rookie, as he's now given up two or fewer runs in four of his five appearances. Parker has made a strong impression in the majors thus far with a 2.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB over 27 innings through five starts. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:48 pm
     
  • LIfted in ninth inning again
    Kimbrel was pulled in the ninth frame of Wednesday's game against the Nationals and was charged with two runs on two walks and a hit over two-thirds of an inning, though he was credited with a hold.

    Advice: Kimbrel was called upon to protect a two-run ninth-inning lead and initially appeared set to do so with little trouble, as he retired the first two batters he faced. However, Eddie Rosario then tagged the veteran closer for a solo home run, and Kimbrel followed with two straight walks before he was given the hook. Keegan Akin allowed one of the inherited runners to score, thus sending the game into extra frames. Though Kimbrel was credited with a hold, he was pulled in a save situation in the ninth inning for his second straight outing, so his hold on the closer role for Baltimore could be getting tenuous. Over his past five contests, Kimbrel has blown two saves in addition to being pulled from a save situation on two occasions, and he's allowed six earned runs while posting a 4:7 K:BB across 2.1 innings during that stretch. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:41 pm
     
  • Secures second save
    Webb earned an extra-innings save against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit while striking out one batter over one inning.

    Advice: Usual Baltimore closer Craig Kimbrel was unsteady again Wednesday, as he was pulled with two outs in the ninth inning after giving up a solo homer and a walk. The game ultimately went into extra frames, and Webb was called upon to shut Washington down after the Orioles took a two-run lead in the top of the 12th. Luis Garcia opened the inning for Washington by doubling home the automatic runner, but Webb was able to bounce back by retiring the next three batters to earn a save. Kimbrel's hold on the closer role could be starting to slip given that he's given up six earned runs over his past five outings covering 2.1 frames, but if he does end up getting demoted at some point, Yennier Cano would likely be the favorite to take over the closer role, so Webb doesn't figure to see more than an occasional unpredictable save chance. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:32 pm
     
  • Fans nine Wednesday
    Bradish tossed five innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in a no-decision against Washington on Wednesday.

    Advice: In his second start of the campaign, Bradish nudged his pitch count up a bit from 84 to 90 while completing five frames. The right-hander gave up just one run -- as he did in his first start of the season -- and racked up nine strikeouts but settled for a no-decision as both team's offenses were quiet until the latter portion of the contest. In terms of health, Bradish is still working his way back from the UCL sprain he was diagnosed with in mid-February, though he already appears to be in good form; through two starts, he's posted a 14:4 K:BB while giving up just two runs and eights hits across 9.2 innings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:24 pm
     
  • Moving to cleanup
    Devers is expected to hit in the four-hole for the foreseeable future, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

    Advice: Devers slotted in at cleanup Wednesday and went 1-for-4 in a loss to Atlanta. He usually hits second in the order, but manager Alex Cora wants to separate the two lefties at the top -- Jarren Duran bats leadoff. Connor Wong hit second Wednesday against lefty Chris Sale, and Cora said he'll probably use Wilyer Abreu there against righties. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:49 pm
     
  • First career start at 1B
    Gonzalez started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 5-0 loss to Atlanta.

    Advice: Gonzalez was activated off the injured list Wednesday and was in the starting lineup against left-hander Chris Sale. It was Gonzalez's first career start at first base. The versatile infielder is expected to see significant playing time against southpaws, and the Red Sox will see two lefties in the upcoming three-game set against Washington. Boston manager Alex Cora told Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe that Gonzalez swings the bat well and feels he can lengthen the lineup from the seventh spot in the order. Nos. 7-9 in Boston's lineup were batting just .209 entering Wednesday's game. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:35 pm