Jacob Lopez: Everything you need to know

Lopez pitched 3.2 innings against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two batters in a no-decision. Lopez was given a 6-0 lead after a big top of the third inning by the Athletics' offense. However, the southpaw gave a run back in the bottom of that frame on a Mike Trout homer, then allowed four straight batters to reach base with two outs in the fourth -- resulting in three runs -- before being pulled. The early exit cost Lopez a chance at a victory in what turned out to be a 14-6 final score in favor of the A's. Lopez had shown some signs of improvement in his previous two starts, giving up four combined earned runs over 10.1 frames, but he still has an ugly 6.14 ERA on the season. His next start is projected to be a road tilt in San Diego.

Lopez did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings. Lopez was effective through the first four innings, allowing just one hit before trouble arrived. Victor Scott tied the game with a solo homer in the fifth, and Jordan Walker added another solo shot an inning later before a throwing error helped bring home an additional run that ended Lopez's outing. The left-hander threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes but continued to struggle with keeping the ball in the yard, now allowing multiple homers in three straight appearances. Lopez has also yet to complete six innings in a start this season. He now owns a 5.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 30:27 K:BB across 40.1 innings and is slated to face the Angels next.

Lopez (3-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 4-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out five. Solo shots by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning and Adley Rutschman in the sixth accounted for all the offense against Lopez, who tossed 57 of 91 pitches for strikes before leaving the mound. The southpaw has yet to work more than 5.1 innings in any of his appearances this season, either in a starting role or as a bulk reliever, and he's been taken deep eight times in just 35.1 innings, giving him little margin for error. Lopez will carry a 6.11 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 28:24 K:BB into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Cardinals.