MLB 2023 | Chapman blows save and take loss, Iglesias converts 32nd save, Adolis smashes 39th homer

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2023 season. A compendium from several sources

Aroldis Chapman (Photo: MLB)

Sep 28

Aroldis Chapman imploded in the ninth inning on Thursday night, giving up a pair of runs on two hits and a walk without recording a single out against the Mariners.

Chapman (6-5) blew a save and was tagged with Thursday's loss to Seattle. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk without retiring a batter. Chapman, who worked the eighth inning of a close game Wednesday, was given the closing opportunity Thursday but failed to secure a win that would have clinched Texas' first postseason berth since 2016. The 35-year-old left-hander was called upon with the Rangers clinging to a one-run lead heading to the home half of the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Cal Raleigh and then a single to Dylan Moore to put the tying and winning runs on base. Chapman then uncorked a wild pitch to move the runners up before walking Ty France to load the bases. That’s then Chapman was pulled from the game, and Jonathan Hernández nearly bailed him out before allowing a walk-off two-run double to J.P. Crawford to end the game. Over the last 14 outings going back to Aug. 21, Chapman is 1-3 with two blown saves, a 6.23 ERA and 12 walks allowed over 13 innings. Chapman now sports a 3.09 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 103/36 K/BB ratio over 58 1/3 innings on the season.

Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save Thursday against the Cubs.

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs. Because the Braves have won so many games by large margins and because he missed some time at the start of the year, Iglesias won’t overtake his career high of 34 saves this year. Iglesias has earned three saves over his last five outings while allowing one run in five innings in that span. He's settled down again after a shaky early half of September. The closer is up to 32 saves in 36 chances while maintaining a 2.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 67:15 K:BB through 54.2 innings this season.

Yoán Moncada mashes solo homer. Moncada went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. Moncada drew a leadoff walk in his first at-bat before coming around to score on an Andrew Vaughn home run, putting the White Sox up 2-0. The third baseman would then add an insurance run with a leadoff shot to open the bottom of the fourth, giving him five long balls this month to go along with 11 RBI. He's now hit safely in six of his last eight games, though he's also struck out at least one time in 12 straight.

Adolis García keeps mashing Thursday. García went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners. The Rangers had just three hits in the game, with García's 39th homer of the year being one of them. The outfielder is on quite the tear lately with four homers over his last five games. He's at a .245/.327/.513 slash line with 107 RBI, 107 runs scored, nine stolen bases and 29 doubles through 145 contests this season.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in the Diamondbacks’ lineup on Thursday against the White Sox.

Gurriel Jr. was scratched from the Diamondbacks’ lineup for Wednesday’s game against the White Sox with left shoulder discomfort, but it was only a one day issue. The 30-year-old started in left field on Thursday and went 1-for-4. He is slashing .262/.310/.466 with 24 homers and 81 RBI this year.