Nats get bullpen help in trade
Madson, Doolittle acquired from A’s for Treinen, prospects.
Looking to fortify a bullpen that has blown more than a third of its save chances, the Washington Nationals acquired relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the Oakland Athletics on Sunday for right-hander Blake Treinen and two prospects — left-hander Jesus Luzardo and infielder Sheldon Neuse.
Madson has a 2.06 ERA and is seventh among relievers in hits plus walks per inning at 0.79. The righthander, 36, has not allowed any of the seven inherited runners to score in his past 13 appearances and has held opponents to a .188 batting average.
Doolittle has held lefthanded batters hitless in 23 at-bats this year with 12 strikeouts and no walks. The left-hander, 30, is 1-0 with three saves, a 3.38 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 21⅓ innings.
“We got two quality human beings who are great teammates,” Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said. “They can pitch at the end of games and get three outs. We can stabilize our entire bullpen.”
NL East-leading Washington has converted just 22 of 36 save chances.
Magneuris Sierra, brought back from Triple-A on Saturday, is the first Cardinals player in franchise history to reach base safely in nine straight games to start his big league career.
Left-hander Jose Quintana joined Matt Garza as the only pitchers in Cubs history to strike out 12 in their debut.
Cleveland last lost four in a row July 23-28, 2015, when it lost six straight. Cleveland had gone 312 games since then without a four-game losing streak — the third-longest stretch in MLB history behind the 193133 Yankees (346) and the 1917-19 Indians (316).
Right-hander Tyler Chatwood was placed on the 10-day DL with a right calf strain. Right-hander Antonio Senzatela will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Tuesday against San Diego. Also, utility player Ian Desmond (right calf strain) was activated from the 10-day disabled list.
Righthander Randall Delgado was put on the 10-day DL with right elbow inflammation. Right-hander J.J. Hoover (right shoulder inflammation) was activated from the DL.
Cardinals: Cubs: Indians: Rockies: Diamondbacks: Mariners:
Rookie right fielder Mitch Haniger had a splint on his swollen right index finger Sunday. He was injured trying to bunt Saturday night and left the game because he couldn’t throw. Manager Scott Servais said Haniger will miss a few days.
Right-hander Blaine Boyer was put on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.
Second baseman Danny Espinosa was designated for assignment after hitting .162 in 77 games.
Sunday’s sweep allowed the Braves (45-45) to reach .500 for the first time since April 17, when they were 6-6.
Bryce Harper doubled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Harper has reached base in 19 consecutive games.
Homer Bailey’s ERA in two starts against Washington is 25.40. It’s 4.60 against the other three teams he’s faced.
Red Sox: Angels: Braves: Nationals: Reds: