Manfred hinting at limit on relievers
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday more rules changes are needed to improve the pace of play, and one proposal under consideration is a limitation on relief-pitching changes in an inning or a game.
MLB shaved several minutes off the average game time last season, but games have been longer again in 2016.
‘‘We’ve slipped back a little bit this year, and pace of play is one of those issues where we’re going to continually need to evaluate the rules we have,’’ Manfred said. ‘‘And we’re going to need to continually work with our players to stay focused on the issue.’’
Manfred has said he’s in favor of a limitation on relief pitchers, but he didn’t lobby for it Wednesday.
‘‘We look at all aspects of the game all the time,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t want to put particular emphasis on that one.’’
Nationals 4, Indians 1
Stephen Strasburg (14-1) bounced back from his only loss this season by allowing three hits in seven scoreless innings to lead the visiting Washington Nationals past the Cleveland Indians.
Rookie Trea Turner drove in three runs with a single and a double, and Daniel Murphy hit his 20th home run to give Strasburg all the support he needed. Blake Treinen quashed an Indians threat by getting a gameending double play to earn his first major-league save.
Cardinals 5, Mets 4
Yadier Molina and pinch hitter Kolten Wong had RBI doubles against closer Jeurys Familia (2-2) in the ninth inning to rally the St. Louis Cardinals past the host New York Mets. Yoenis Cespedes highlighted a three-run seventh with a two-run homer that gave the Mets a short-lived lead.
Pirates 10, Mariners 1
Gerrit Cole (6-6) allowed three hits on his way to the first complete game of his career, Andrew McCutchen had a three-run homer among his three hits and Jung Ho Kang joined McCutchen with four RBI as the Pittsburgh Pirates steamrolled the visiting Seattle Mariners.
Tigers 4, Red Sox 3
Miguel Cabrera hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning, and the Detroit Tigers slipped past the host Boston Red Sox to complete a three-game sweep. The Tigers became the first team this season to sweep a series of any length from the Red Sox.
Reds 2, Giants 1
Jay Bruce homered in his fifth consecutive game to help the visiting Cincinnati Reds drop the San Francisco Giants to 2-9 since the All-Star break. Losing pitcher Madison Bumgarner (10-6) allowed one earned run and struck out nine in eight innings.