OUT LOUD
"I was happy to get the first one out of the way, get a clean inning. You know, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be once I got out there. It was just like another game."
— Miami reliever Ben Meyer, after the Totino-Grace product became the 36th former Gophers player to appear in the major leagues, retiring all three batters he faced Thursday at St. Louis. The brother of Gophers pitcher Reggie Meyer, Ben, 25, was a 29th-round draft pick in 2015.
GAME OF NUMBERS
2
Times the Cubs' Tommy LaStella reached first because of catcher's interference by Philadelphia's Andrew Knapp on Thursday.
6
Consecutive series lost by Pittsburgh, which fell back to .500 at 31-31.
LOOKING FOR WORK Brad Miller • 1B, Tampa Bay
The Rays designated the 28-year-old for assignment to clear a roster spot for first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers. Miller, 28, hit .256 with five homers and 21 RBI in 48 games this season but struggled defensively at first base. Two years ago, he hit 30 home runs with 86 RBI in 152 games with the Rays, primarily as a shortstop.
