July 2 Fantasy Baseball Takeaways: Best Pitching Performances | Nathan Eovaldi, Grayson Rodriguez, Zack Littell, Michael Mercado, Kutter Crawford and More

Discussing some of the best pitching performances from July 2.

After just three MLB games on Monday, a full 15-game slate of action happened on Tuesday, July 2.

It’s time to discuss how pitchers fared after already looking at the top hitters.

We do this every weekday, so check back daily to see the best performers. Here’s the combined story from Monday’s action.

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Red Sox 8, Marlins 3

Kutter Crawford improved to 4-7 after striking out seven batters over six innings. The Boston starter allowed a run on three hits and no walks.

Valente Bellozo allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He did finish with eight strikeouts in the contest.

Guardians 7, White Sox 6

Carlos Carrasco started and pitched the first six innings for Cleveland. He allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Cade Smith earned a hold before Hunter Gaddis was charged with a blown save. Emmanuel Clase got his fourth win after working a scoreless ninth inning and then having Cleveland walk it off.

Chris Flexen allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over six innings in his start for Chicago. He struck out three batters along the way.

Michael Kopech eventually took the loss after allowing the game-winning run. It was his seventh loss of the season.

Cardinals 7, Pirates 4

Kyle Gibson worked the first five innings to earn the win for St. Louis. He allowed four runs on five hits and a walk, while punching out eight.

John King, Ryan Fernandez and JoJo Romero all picked up holds for the Cardinals. Ryan Helsley earned his 31st save after a clean ninth inning.

Mitch Keller fell to 9-5 after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked none.

Mets 7, Nationals 2 (10 inn.)

Sean Manaea started for New York, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five batters along the way.

Jose Butto tossed two innings and got the win.

DJ Herz started for Washington and worked the first 5 2/3 innings. He surrendered a run on five hits, while striking out 10 and walking none.

Dylan Floro earned a hold before Hunter Harvey was charged with a blown save. Robert Garcia allowed five runs (four earned) in the 10th and took the loss.

Reds 5, Yankees 4

Graham Ashcraft worked the first five innings for Cincinnati and earned his fifth win of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out three.

Nick Martinez, Sam Moll and Fernando Cruz all picked up holds, while Alexis Diaz claimed his 18th save of the season.

Luis Gil fell to 9-4 after allowing four runs on two hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three batters.

Blue Jays 7, Astros 6

Jose Berrios improved to 8-6 after pitching the first five innings for Toronto. He gave up five runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out one.

Nate Pearson and Trevor Richards each earned holds before Chad Green got his third save.

Spencer Arrighetti fell to 4-7 after allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five along the way.

Giants 5, Braves 2

Hayden Birdsong earned his first win after pitching five innings for San Francisco. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out five.

Randy Rodriguez, Ryan Walker and Tyler Rogers all earned holds before Camilo Doval got his 15th save.

Reynaldo Lopez started for Atlanta, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six batters.

Dylan Lee pitched next and took the loss.

Twins 5, Tigers 3

Simeon Woods Richardson started and pitched 5 2/3 innings for Minnesota. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out four.

Jorge Alcala got the next four outs and the win. Griffin Jax earned a hold before Jhoan Duran got his 13th save.

Tarik Skubal struck out seven over six innings in his start for Detroit. He allowed three runs on four hits and a walk.

Will Vest pitched next and took the loss.

Phillies 6, Cubs 4

Michael Mercado earned a win after allowing a run on two hits and two walks across five innings. The Philadelphia starter struck out four batters in his first MLB start.

Jeff Hoffman got the final three outs to pick up his seventh save. Jose Ruiz allowed three runs without getting an out in the ninth to force Hoffman into the game.

Hayden Wesneski took the loss and fell to 2-5 for Chicago. He allowed five runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. Wesneski struck out seven batters.

Rangers 7, Padres 0

Nathan Eovaldi worked seven scoreless innings to pick up his fifth win of the season. He struck out six batters and saw his earned run average drop to 3.15.

Dylan Cease started for San Diego and only got through 3 2/3 innings. He allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five.

Rays 5, Royals 1

Zack Littell worked five scoreless innings to earn his third win for Tampa Bay. He allowed four hits, while striking out four and walking none.

Kevin Kelly, Colin Poche and Jason Adam all earned holds before the Rays tacked on a run to take away the save situation.

Brady Singer fell to 4-5 after allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four and owns a 3.05 ERA this season.

Brewers 4, Rockies 3

Dallas Keuchel allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings in his start for Milwaukee. He struck out five along the way.

Rob Zastryzny got his first win after getting the final two outs in the eighth and then having Milwaukee pull ahead in the ninth. Trevor Megill struck out a pair in the ninth on his way to his 18th save.

Ryan Feltner started for Colorado, allowing a run on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

Ty Blach pitched next and was charged with a blown save after allowing a run. Nick Mears also got a blown save, along with the loss, after allowing the ninth-inning runs.

Athletics 7, Angels 5

Mitch Spence improved to 5-4 after allowing a run on six hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings for Oakland. He struck out five along the way.

Tyler Ferguson earned a hold before the Athletics pulled away. Mason Miller allowed two runs in the ninth in a non-save situation.

Jose Soriano allowed four runs on three hits and a walk over four innings for Los Angeles. He struck out four batters.

Orioles 2, Mariners 0

Grayson Rodriguez improved to 10-3 after working 6 1/3 scoreless innings for Baltimore. He allowed two hits and four walks, but struck out eight.

Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez earned holds before Craig Kimbrel picked up his 20th save.

George Kirby allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk and fell to 7-6 after the loss. The Seattle starter struck out five batters.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5

Bobby Miller allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over five innings for Los Angeles. He struck out four along the way.

Blake Treinen was charged with a blown save after allowing an unearned run in the eighth. Evan Phillips allowed an earned run in the ninth, but got the win after the Dodgers won on a walk off.

Ryne Nelson was the bulk pitcher for Arizona, allowing a run on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three.

Paul Sewald blew the save and took the loss.

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