When the Kansas City Royals signed Jason Vargas to a four-year contract this past offseason, the news didn't generate much buzz around the baseball world. Many observers felt Vargas would be an inadequate replacement for the departed Ervin Santana, and raised their eyebrows at giving a four-year contract to a 31-year-old pitcher with a subpar fastball.
MLB news: Jason Vargas leads Royals to win, Nats’ bullpen woes continue, Reds activate Brandon Phillips
Jason Vargas was stellar again, helping the Royals extend their lead atop the AL Central. The Nationals topped the D-backs, but their bullpen coughed up another late lead, while the Reds activated Brandon Phillips from the DL.
Hannah Foslien
That hasn’t stopped Vargas from helping to lead the Royals to the top of the AL Central. The left-hander was strong again Monday night in Kansas City’s 6-4 win over Minnesota, with Vargas twirling seven innings and allowing only three hits and an earned run. The outing lowered Vargas’ ERA to 3.17, and since returning from the DL on August 2, Vargas has now struck out 17 batters and walked just one. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 23 starts this season.
The Royals, meanwhile, are now two games up on the Tigers in the AL Central and have won 14 of their first 17 games to begin the month of August. Vargas has been a key part of a Royals pitching staff that ranks fourth in the AL in ERA.
With roughly six weeks remaining in the season, the Royals could be on their way to the franchise’s first playoff berth since 1985.
Nationals top Diamondbacks, but bullpen issues remain
The Nationals beat the Diamondbacks, 5-4, in 11 innings Monday to further pad their lead in the NL East, but their bullpen again coughed up a late lead.
After Rafael Soriano blew a save against the Pirates on Sunday, manager Matt Williams turned to Tyler Clippard with a one-run lead in the ninth inning Monday night. But Clippard gave up the lead, surrendering a home run to David Peralta before Adam LaRoche lifted the Nats to victory with a solo shot of his own in the 11th.
Both Clippard and Soriano are having good campaigns, but it’s never good to see a club with World Series aspirations waffling with their late-game relievers this late in the season. Who Matt Williams turns to next in a save situation is anybody’s guess.
Phillips returns to Reds lineup
The Reds activated second baseman Brandon Phillips from the DL on Monday afternoon, the team announced.
Phillips was in Cincinnati's lineup against the Cardinals on Monday night and went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Phillips had been sidelined since July 9 after undergoing thumb surgery and went 2-for-8 with a double over three games during a minor-league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old Phillips was batting .272/.308/.392 with seven home runs prior to the injury.
The Reds have been beset by injuries this season (a big reason why they are 8.5 games back in the NL Central), and star first baseman Joey Votto was transferred to the 60-day DL this past Saturday.
Red Sox demote Bradley, recall Betts
The Red Sox sent down struggling center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to Pawtucket on Monday and called up Mookie Betts to take his place, the team announced.
It’s been a tough season for Bradley in his first full year as a big leaguer, but the move still comes as somewhat of a surprise. Bradley has hit just .216/.288/.290 in 387 plate appearances for Boston, and although his defense in center field is widely praised, the 24-year-old has been a black hole in the club’s lineup.
Betts has hit .244/.279/.366 in 44 plate appearances in the majors, but has excelled at the plate in the upper minors throughout 2014.
Scores
Angels 4, Red Sox 2
Phillies 4, Mariners 1
Orioles 8, White Sox 2
Cubs 4, Mets 1
Royals 6, Twins 4
Nationals 5, Diamondbacks 4 (F/11)
Braves 7, Pirates 3
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