AROUND THE HORN
Angels: Shohei Ohtani struck out nine in seven innings and Andrew Velazquez homered, helping the Angels beat the Blue Jays 2-0 on Saturday. Ohtani (11-8) allowed two hits — a single for George Springer in the first, and a two-out double for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third — in his career-best 11th win. David Fletcher had three hits and scored the winning run on Luis Rengifo’s single in the sixth. Jimmy Herget finished the two-hitter as the Angels won consecutive games after losing the previous six, blanking the Blue Jays for the second day in a row. The Angels, who won 12-0 Friday, recorded its AL-best 16th shutout.
Yankees: Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday after getting an infection in his leg from a recent tattoo. Manager Aaron Boone said before his team’s game against the Athletics that Chapman felt irritation in the leg on Thursday after getting the tattoo earlier in the week. The seventime All-Star stayed back at the team hotel Friday and Saturday receiving antibiotics and getting treatment.
Brewers: Brewers reliever Trevor Rosenthal’s status for the rest of the season is in doubt due to a lat injury, the latest setback for a former All-Star closer who hasn’t pitched since the 2020 playoffs. “I think there’s still a possibility (he could return) in the regular season, but it doesn’t look great,” manager Craig Counsell said.
Red Sox: Rich Hill struck out a season-high 11 in seven shutout innings, and the Red Sox beat the Rays 5-1 on Saturday for a rare series win against another AL East team. Kiké Hernández hit a solo homer for Boston, which also beat Tampa Bay 9-8 on Friday night. J.D. Martinez and Bobby Dalbec each drove in two runs.
Mets: Third baseman Eduardo Escobar was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday by the Mets before their game against the Rockies. Escobar went on the injured list Aug. 17 with a left oblique strain. The switch-hitter got hurt Aug. 12 and attempted to protect his tender side by only batting left-handed after being pressed into action when infielder Luis Guillorme was injured two days later scoring from second base. Escobar went 0 for 4 in the series opener at Atlanta on Aug. 15 and was scratched from New York’s lineup one day later after working out on the field before batting practice. The 33-year-old Escobar went 2 for 7 with an RBI over two rehab games with High A Brooklyn.
Marlins: Sandy Alcántara bounced back from his shortest outing of the season by throwing a completegame six-hitter as the Marlins beat the Dodgers 2-1 Saturday night. After allowing a season-high six runs in 3 innings against the Dodgers on Aug. 21, Alcántara (12-6) limited the NL-West leaders to Mookie Betts’ solo home run. The All-Star right-hander struck out 10 and walked two for his fourth complete game.
Marlins: Kyle Gibson pitched seven innings of six-hit ball, and the streaking Phillies shut out the Pirates 6-0 on Saturday night for their sixth straight victory. Nick Castellanos homered as the Phillies moved a season-best 17 games over .500. Bryce Harper singled and was intentionally walked twice in his second game back after missing 52 contests with a broken left thumb.