Major League Baseball Update: Estrada continues to provide quality mound work for Toronto

The following are updates on local Major League Baseball players.

Marco Estrada (Glendale Community College, 2003) Toronto Blue Jays pitcher: After picking up four wins in five starts, Estrada has gone winless over his last two despite putting in quality performances..

Estrada, a former All-Western State Conference honoree at Glendale before transferring to Long Beach State, didn’t receive a decision in his last start Monday on the road against the Colorado Rockies. He went six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits. Estrada, who turns 33 on Tuesday, struck out eight in Toronto’s 9-5 defeat.

Estrada, who helped Toronto win the American League’s East Division last season, has gone at least six innings in each of his last 10 appearances.

In Estrada’s previous appearance against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on June 21, he surrendered three runs (all earned) on two hits in six innings. Estrada struck out eight and took the loss.

In 15 appearances, all as a starter, Estrada is 5-3 with a 2.81 earned-run average. He’s struck out 92 and walked 39 in 99 1/3 innings. He’s given up 33 runs (31 earned) and 59 hits.

Estrada is scheduled to start Saturday against the visiting Cleveland Indians, who are in first place in the American League Central Division.

Toronto was 43-37 and tied for second with the Boston Red Sox entering Thursday’s home game against Cleveland.

Cesar Ramos (La Crescenta resident) Texas Rangers pitcher: Ramos has proven to be a valuable commodity for the Texas Rangers, who are in first place in the American League West Division.

Ramos, who pitched for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season before signing a minor league contract during the offseason with Texas, has been a steady member of the Texas bullpen. Ramos, 32, was called up from the triple-A Round Rock Express on April 25 and originally served as a starter.

Ramos, a left-hander, suffered a hiccup in his last appearance Wednesday against the host New York Yankees. He allowed one run on three hits in 2 1/3 innings, but didn’t factor into the decision in Texas’ 9-7 defeat.

However, Ramos picked up the win Saturday against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Ramos went 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and allowing one hit in a 10-3 victory. The Long Beach State product struck out consecutive batters after coming in with runners on second and third and one out in the sixth with Texas holding an 8-3 lead.

After Thursday, Ramos was 2-3 with a 4.39 earned-run average. He’s struck out 24 and walked 16 in 41 innings. Ramos has allowed 22 runs (20 earned) and 49 hits in 12 appearances (four starts).

Through Thursday, Texas was 51-29.

Christian Bergman (St. Francis High, 2006) Colorado Rockies pitcher: The former All-Area Baseball Player of the Year continues to get back on track after recovering from a strained left oblique sustained in May that landed the Glendale native on the disabled list.

Colorado sent Bergman, 28, on a rehab assignment to the Albuquerque Isotopes on June 23. Bergman, a right-hander and product of UC Irvine, has made two appearances for the triple-A squad.

Bergman’s last outing came Tuesday against the visiting Salt Lake Bees. Bergman went five innings, surrendering three runs (all earned) on four hits in a 5-2 defeat. He struck out six and walked two during a 76-pitch effort.

In Bergman’s first outing June 23, he took the loss against the host Fresno Grizzlies. He allowed three runs (all earned) on three hits in four innings, striking out four and walking two in a 5-2 defeat. He allowed a pair of home runs.

Bergman, who was drafted in the 24th round by Colorado in 2010 and was named the California League’s Pitcher of the Year in 2012, last pitched for Colorado on May 19.

In nine games with Colorado, mostly in relief, Bergman was 1-3 with a 5.89 earned-run average. In 18 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 19 and walked four. He allowed 12 runs (all earned) and 25 hits.

Colorado is 37-41 and in third place in the National League’s West Division through Thursday.