news

NEW YORK -- Mike Trout managed to eclipse even his own lofty standards on Saturday night, launching a go-ahead home run as part of a career-high five-hit game to help the Angels roll to an 11-4 rout of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Trout hammered a two-run shot off Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray to give the Angels a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning, collecting his third home run in as many games. His 17 home runs are now tied with the Red Sox's Mookie Betts for the most in the Majors. Trout, who drove in four runs, added three doubles and an infield single to finish with four extra-base hits and 11 total bases, both of which are career bests.

"He had a night that was incredible," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's certainly capable of doing what we saw out there tonight, and it was big for us. Gave us a big lift, and we needed it. In this park, you've got to keep scoring, and we did."

Trout wasn't the only Angel who enjoyed a productive day at the plate, as the club pounded out 11 hits and drew seven walks to score 10 unanswered runs and erase an early 4-1 deficit. Rookie catcher Jose Briceno went 2-for-4 with a home run in his MLB debut, while Zack Cozart finished 2-for-5 with three runs scored.

Video: LAA@NYY: Briceno gets first hit, HR, CS in MLB debut

With the win, the Angels improved to 29-23 and snapped a four-game losing streak against the Yankees this season. It was also a milestone night for Scioscia, who picked up his 1,599th managerial win to tie mentor Tommy Lasorda for 20th on the all-time list.

"I think it's not really a personal accomplishment," Scioscia said. "It reflects on the whole organization. I've been here for a long time, and I'm just one small part of this. I don't belong in the same sentence with Tommy as far as what he did for the Dodgers' organization. What he did was incredible. I feel good for the Angels because our organization is taking steps in the right direction and I've been fortunate to be a part of it."

Trout was locked in from the beginning, ripping an RBI double off the left-field wall to put the Angels on the board in the first inning. Trout's line drive had an exit velocity off 109 mph and netted him his 600th career RBI.

Video: LAA@NYY: Statcast™ tracks Trout's 5-for-5, 4-RBI game

Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back home runs off rookie Jaime Barria, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake before the game to make his sixth start of the season. Austin Romine then homered off the right-field foul pole in the second to extend the Yankees' advantage to 4-1.

Barria settled in after that, navigating through five innings for the Angels and coming away with his fourth win. He allowed four runs on six hits before giving way to the Angels' bullpen, which combined to throw four scoreless innings.

"I went out to compete like I always do, but I can't leave pitches down the middle," Barria said in Spanish. "I paid for it with the home runs. I made the adjustments in the third inning, and thankfully, it worked out."

Video: LAA@NYY: Gardner, Judge hit back-to-back jacks in 1st

The Angels nicked Gray for two runs in the third before Trout put them ahead for good with his two-run homer in the fourth. He pounced on a slider in the lower third of the strike zone from Gray, launching it a Statcast™-projected 419 feet to left-center field for a two-run shot that gave the Angels a 5-4 lead.

"I was just getting pitches where I like it, and I wasn't missing them," Trout said. "It's always a battle with Sonny Gray, being with Oakland for a few years and seeing him a lot. It's a battle every time when we face each other. It's a fun competition."

Video: LAA@NYY: Trout discusses 5-hit game in Angels' win

Albert Pujols' two-run single highlighted a four-run sixth that broke the game open, and the Angels added two more runs in the seventh on Briceno's first career home run to cap their big night at the plate.

"I can't believe it," said Briceno, who grew up rooting for the Yankees in Venezuela. "I don't have words to explain how I'm feeling. To me, that was a blessing to be here on this team. I just feel really proud."

UPTON EXITS
Angels left fielder Justin Upton exited the game with a left forearm contusion after being hit by a pitch in the fourth, though X-rays came back negative. Upton said he thinks he might miss one game to let the swelling goes down. Upton also sat out one game after being hit on the left hand last week.

Video: LAA@NYY: Upton gets hit by a pitch, later exits game

HE SAID IT
"He's an unbelievable player and I think he showed that tonight. He put some good swings on the ball and in the fourth, he hit that homer. That was ultimately the icing on the cake for me." -- Gray, on Trout

Video: LAA@NYY: Trout slugs a 2-run homer, his 17th of 2018

UP NEXT
Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (4-3, 3.31 ERA) will celebrate his 30th birthday by facing the Yankees in Sunday's series finale at 10:05 a.m. PT. The Yankees will counter with right-hander Masahiro Tanaka (5-2, 4.95). Richards is 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Yankees. Ohtani had initially been expected to pitch, but the Angels decided to push his start back for "workload management." Ohtani, who started at DH in the first two games of this series, will likely get the chance to hit against Tanaka. Ohtani last faced Tanaka in 2013, when he went 0-for-11 with six strikeouts, a walk and a hit-by-pitch as a 19-year-old rookie in Japan.

PHILADELPHIA -- When Aaron Nola finished a scoreless first inning Saturday, a tiny "F" appeared on the out-of-town scoreboard on Citizens Bank Park's right-field fence. The Braves had lost at Fenway Park and first place was up for grabs.

At that point, Nola had one frame in the books. It included a four-pitch walk. A week earlier, he had thrown his worst start of the season, a four-run, six-inning outing in St. Louis.

Any doubt that Nola wasn't at his absolute sharpest on Saturday quickly vanished during the Phillies' 2-1 win.

"He just continues to be creative," manager Gabe Kapler said. "He continues to refine his arsenal. His curveball just seems to keep getting better. He knows how to mix his pitches. He was tremendous."

Nola needed 13 pitches for a brief second inning. Another 1-2-3 third followed. His pitch count rose, but Nola finished the sixth inning having retired 17 straight Blue Jays, striking out the last five and not allowing a ball to reach the outfield. A "0" remained under the Blue Jays' hit column on the scoreboard from pregame.

Video: TOR@PHI: Franco hammers a solo home run to deep left

A rain delay kept Nola away from action for roughly 22 minutes following the conclusion of the sixth inning. The no-hitter and a 1-0 lead delivered via a Maikel Franco solo shot vanished in an arduous seventh inning on Nola's 113th pitch. Nola left to a thunderous ovation from the 26,788 fans on hand, and his late fade mattered little after Nick Williams reclaimed the lead with a pinch-hit home run in the eighth.

Video: TOR@PHI: Blue Jays, Phillies enter short rain delay

Seranthony Dominguez replaced Nola in the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth to earn his first Major League win. Luis Garcia closed out the ninth with little resistance. He is the fifth Phillies pitcher to earn a save this season.

Video: TOR@PHI: Garcia induces double play, locks down save

The Phillies, behind their bona fide ace, were alone atop the National League East.

"That," Kapler said, "means a lot to the clubhouse."

In his prior three seasons with the team, Nola had never experienced being atop the division.

"It's pretty cool," Nola said. "It's the first time I've been in first place since I've been up. We still have to go play baseball."

"Really wanted to give [Nola] a chance to get through that inning," Kapler said. "He earned it."

With his dominance against a Blue Jays lineup that put up 11 hits the night before, Nola showed yet again what he has quickly become. At the beginning of last season, Nola's status for the future was not clear. He had a history of injuries, and was inconsistent because of missed games. Those days appeared distant while Nola cruised through the first six innings.

Nola has proven that he will give the Phillies a chance to win every time he is on the mound. He continues to build an impressive resume toward becoming the first Phillies starting pitcher since Cliff Lee in 2013 to become a National League All-Star. As it stands, Max Scherzer and Nola seem like the frontrunners to start the Midsummer Classic in Washington.

"I admire talent," Kapler said, "but I admire being prepared, and competitiveness, and a baseball savvy -- and mental toughness more than anything. And all of those things describe Aaron Nola."

 Video: TOR@PHI: Kapler on Nola's terrific outing, 2-1 Win

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Williams blasted the second pitch he saw into the right-center-field seats, quickly uplifting a club that just saw Nola's no-hit bid slip away an inning earlier.

Video: Must C Clutch: Williams lifts Phils with pinch-hit HR

"I was just looking for something up, something to drive," Williams said. "Something that I could hit hard. Especially in that situation. I was trying to get something going."

After complaining about playing time a week into the season, Williams has adjusted to thrive off the Phillies' bench. He is 9-for-19 as a pinch-hitter with three home runs. Greg Dobbs had 23 pinch-hits for the Phillies in 2008 and Williams is on pace to threaten that record.

SOUND SMART
The Phillies have not held sole possession of first place in the NL East [this late in a season] since the end of the 2011 season, when they won 102 games. That team was 30-19 through 49 games. These Phillies are 29-20.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Scott Kingery, a natural second baseman, has been adjusting to playing more shortstop since J.P. Crawford went on the DL earlier this month. He made two impressive plays Saturday, including a putout of Yangervis Solarte in the fifth. After starting the play shaded to the right of second base, Kingery attacked a grounder up the middle and threw across his body while fading away from first base.

Video: TOR@PHI: Kingery reaches to make nice defensive play

"Scott Kingery had a nice game," Kapler said. "Nice ballgame. Really good on defense. Looked like a shortstop today."

HE SAID IT
"Don't let anyone tell you they aren't paying attention to the standings in May. I don't think that's true of any baseball man that I've been around, or any baseball fan that I've been around. You pay attention, you care and it means something. It's special. Being in first place at any point is special." -- Kapler

UP NEXT
Nick Pivetta (4-2 3.23 ERA) will start for the Phillies in Sunday's 1:35 p.m. ET game at Citizens Bank Park. He's allowed one run and struck out 25 in his last three starts combined. On the bump for the Blue Jays will be a familiar face in former Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, who owns a 6-3 record and a 3.97 ERA.

CLEVELAND -- Jason Kipnis took a moment to enjoy his fourth-inning home run Saturday night. Given the extent of the Indians second baseman's slump of late, that moment was well-earned.

Kipnis held on to his bat as he strolled out of the batter's box as the no-doubter off Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. disappeared into the right-field stands. The long ball was one of four homers the Indians hit in a much-needed 8-6 victory over Houston at Progressive Field.

"He's dying to get going," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We're dying for him to get going. When we get guys like Kip and Edwin [Encarnacion] starting to swing it, I've said it before, we'll have a different gear."

Kipnis' homer completed a 2-for-4 showing in a strong night for the lineup, which proved to be enough to overcome a shaky start by Carlos Carrasco.

Yonder Alonso hit a two-run home run in the fourth off McCullers, his 10th of the season, followed by Kipnis' two batters later. Encarnacion went 3-for-3, including his 11th homer, which knocked out McCullers in the fifth. Michael Brantley joined in with a solo shot in the seventh.

Video: HOU@CLE: Alonso drills 2-run homer to center field

The Indians' top three hitters have provided the bulk of the offense in recent weeks for the club, but it was the Nos. 4-7 hitters who stepped up big on this night. That section of the lineup accounted for seven RBIs and six runs against McCullers, who exited after 4 1/3 frames and was dealt his third loss of the season.

That was an important development in Kipnis' eyes.

"We know we can't rely on those three guys the whole time. It's too much to ask," Kipnis said. "They've almost done it, though; that's how good the three of them have been. But we know we have a very good lineup and a very capable lineup, too. It was nice. Eddy, Zo [Alonso], me and a couple other guys have good games and give them a break for a chance."

Video: HOU@CLE: Encarnacion clubs 2-run jack to center field

Kipnis, who entered Saturday hitting .178 in 48 games, admitted his good game came at an ideal time.

"For about a week or two, the swing has felt very close," said Kipnis, whose homer was his second of the season. "I knew it was just going to take one at-bat or one swing to kind of get that feeling back in. Hopefully it's the start of something nice."

Carrasco managed to give the Indians (25-25) just enough to get past the American League West-leading Astros, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits, with eight strikeouts. Despite giving up home runs to Jose Altuve and Tony Kemp, the right-hander improved to 6-3 on the year.

"That's a great pick-me-up right there," Indians closer Cody Allen said. "Our offense did an unbelievable job."

Video: HOU@CLE: Francona discusses Carrasco, Kipnis in win

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Bullpen seals win: Cleveland's relief corps, which entered the night with an MLB-high 6.23 ERA after allowing 14 runs over the past two games against Houston, logged 3 1/3 strong innings to lock down Saturday's win. Zach McAllister went 1 1/3 innings, Tyler Olson recorded an out on one pitch, Dan Otero induced a key double play and Allen worked the ninth for his eighth save of the season.

Video: HOU@CLE: Allen retires Bregman to nail down the save

"The guys who threw tonight, there's a track record of success down there for a lot of guys," said Allen. "This season has not been easy, by any means. It's a hard game. It's a humbling game. It's unforgiving. We've faced some pretty good clubs, especially this last little stretch here."

Still streaking: In the seventh inning, Brantley drilled a full-count fastball from Astros reliever Brad Peacock to dead center for his eighth home run of the season. The shot also extended the Tribe outfielder's hitting streak to 15 games, the longest active run in the Majors and tied with Francisco Lindor for the longest streak of the year by an Indians batter. During his streak, Brantley has hit .354 (23-for-65) with five home runs.

Video: HOU@CLE: Brantley extends lead with solo homer in 7th

SOUND SMART
Allen's save was the 130th of his career, moving the right-hander past Doug Jones (129) and into sole possession of second place on the Indians' all-time list. Bob Wickman holds Cleveland's club record with 139 career saves.

HE SAID IT
"That stat [130 saves by Allen] in general, that's a byproduct of playing for some really good teams, being able to pitch behind some really good [pitchers]. Not only bullpen guys, but our backbone of this team the last few years has been the rotation. And those horses that we run out there every single day, they're the reason that a lot of us are able to have success following what they do on a daily basis. I've been extremely fortunate." -- Allen, on moving up the Indians' all-time saves list

REPLAY REVIEW
With the Astros trailing, 7-5, Alex Bregman opened the seventh with a chopper up the middle. Shortstop Lindor ranged to his left, gloved the ball and fired to Alonso at first. Bregman was initially ruled safe, but Cleveland challenged the call, which was overturned following a replay review. Altuve then delivered a triple to deep center field, which would have scored a run.

Video: HOU@CLE: Lindor throws out Bregman on overturned call

UP NEXT
During their days at UCLA, right-handers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer were the Friday and Saturday starters, respectively, for the Bruins. Now the former teammates will face off Sunday for the first time as Major Leaguers in a 1:10 p.m. ET clash between the Astros and Indians at Progressive Field. Bauer (4-3, 2.35 ERA) is in the midst of a strong season for Cleveland, while Cole (5-1, 1.86 ERA) has been one of baseball's best arms out of the chute.

ARLINGTON -- Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has passed Hideki Matsui for the most home runs (176) by a player from Asia, but Bartolo Colon is still one short of tying Juan Marichal for most wins by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic.

But neither player was wrapped up too much in milestones on a hot Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Park. They were far more excited about the way the Rangers won this one, as Choo hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th for a 4-3 victory over the Royals.

"The most important thing is we won," Colon said. "If I didn't get the win, that's fine. I don't think about Marichal too much. If it comes, it comes. The most important thing is we won."

Video: KC@TEX: Colon freezes Gordon to retire side in 6th

Colon, going for his 243rd career victory, allowed three runs in the third inning to give the Royals a 3-0 lead. But he made an adjustment by going with more curveballs to keep the Royals off-balance. He ended up retiring 14 of the last 16 batters he faced and that allowed the Rangers to mount a comeback, finished off in the 10th with Choo's home run.

"Those guys are unbelievable," Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo said. "I always say Choo is one of the best hitters I've seen, the way he takes his at-bats every day. I went into the dugout and I was like, 'He's gonna hit a bomb right here.' You could just feel it with him because his swing has been so good lately. As soon as he hit it, I was like, 'There it is.'"

Video: KC@TEX: Banister discusses Choo's walk-off HR in win

The game-time temperature was 97 degrees and still in the mid-90's when Choo stepped to the plate to face reliever Kevin McCarthy in the 10th. Shadows had started covering the infield but home plate was bathed in sunshine from a portal on the first-base side.

"It was tough seeing the ball," Choo said. "I asked the catcher [Salvador] Perez if it was tough to see and he said, 'A little bit.' I saw two pitches and couldn't see them all. The ball was really dark and I couldn't see the spin. But it was a 3-1 count so I looked in just one area and swung hard."

Choo didn't realize that he had tied Matsui with his home run on Friday night. He'll remember this one. It was the third walk-off home run of his career and that meant more than Matsui.

"I'm not really worried about it," Choo said. "I care about it, but like I said earlier this morning, I've played a long time in the big leagues, played healthy, played hard, those numbers are coming. I'm not really a home run hitter, in my career. I never think that way, I always try to stay healthy, try to help the team win the World Series."

Video: KC@TEX: Profar flashes speed on triple in the 4th

The Rangers have now won four of their last five and three of those have come when the opposing team scored first. The Rangers had won just two of their first 24 such games this season.

"Every victory is huge for us but I thought just the way pitching and defense was solid today, some timely hitting, some guys ran the bases well today," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "When you play clean baseball games in this type of situation, it's huge. It's a confidence builder when you see the group of guys inside the dugout. Again, the walk-offs are huge, they give you momentum going into the next day."

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Right fielder Nomar Mazara made a terrific running catch of Jorge Soler's drive into the right-center gap in the sixth. Colon watched it from the mound and led the crowd in applauding Mazara.

Video: KC@TEX: Colon applauds as Mazara makes running grab

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Gallo had an RBI double in the sixth inning that hit off the 407-foot sign in deep center field. That's as far as you can hit the ball at Globe Life Park without getting a home run.

"I just wanted to get the guy in so that was a good at-bat for me," Gallo said.

Video: KC@TEX: Gallo slugs an RBI double to score Profar

HE SAID IT
"I am really enjoying watching our young players play. They are improving every game and really understanding the game. I really enjoy watching them." -- Choo

UP NEXT
Cole Hamels closes out the four-game series against the Royals at 2:05 p.m. CT Sunday at Globe Life Park. Hamels is working on a streak of five straight starts allowing two earned runs or fewer. He allowed two runs in seven innings in a 6-4 win over the Yankees in his last start, leaving him 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA over his last five starts. Jason Hammel pitches for the Royals.

CLEVELAND -- There was hardly anything Jose Altuve couldn't do on Saturday. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player was in MVP form against the Indians, a force in all facets of the game while showing his fiery leadership.

Altuve went 4-for-4 at the plate -- falling a double short of the cycle -- stole a season-high two bases and scored three runs. But his fantastic effort wasn't enough for the Astros, who couldn't dig themselves out of an early hole and fell, 8-6, at Progressive Field.

Altuve was left in the on-deck circle when the game ended.

"We wanted to get him to the plate for a lot of reasons, but mostly because he was going to be an important part of that inning if we were going to come back," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "He's swinging the bat very well. Tonight he was over everything. We certainly wanted him to come up."

Altuve was hot from the start, as he singled and stole his first base in the opening frame.

Video: HOU@CLE: Altuve loses his helmet while swiping second

Then he showed his impact beyond the box score when he confronted young Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. at the end of the second inning.

McCullers started the second inning by giving up a double to Edwin Encarnacion and walking Yonder Alonso. On an 0-2 count to the next hitter, Melky Cabrera, McCullers got a much-needed ground ball. But first baseman Yuli Gurriel could not come up with it and a run scored, with everyone ending up safe on the error. The right-hander turned away from the play and yelled.

As the two players came off the field following a solid defensive play from Altuve to end the inning, Altuve expressed his dissatisfaction to McCullers.

"In the second inning, I was real immature, and I let emotion get the best of me," McCullers said. "I showed my frustration. Altuve was letting me know that we're beyond that. I'm not 21 anymore. I've been around enough -- this is my fourth season with this team."

Video: HOU@CLE: Altuve unhappy as McCullers shows up Gurriel

Altuve didn't have much time to think about the incident, however, as he was due up fourth in the top of the third. After Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch with two outs, Altuve crushed a hanging 2-1 curveball from Carlos Carrasco an estimated 388 feet over the left-field fence to give the Astros their first lead of the game.

Video: HOU@CLE: Altuve launches a 2-run homer to left-center

"When you've got Carrasco on the mound, he throws every pitch possible," Altuve said. "You need to look for something in the sun rather than a certain pitch. I think I got lucky. I hit the ball up in the air, and I didn't know it was gone. I guess it was a little hot today, and the ball carries a little more."

The offense only continued for Altuve. He had a single, stolen base and scored a run in the fifth to bring Houston within two runs, then tripled to center and scored in the seventh inning.

Video: HOU@CLE: Altuve triples to center for 4th hit of game

"He's the MVP of the league, so he's had a lot of good games," Hinch said. "That's a very complete game from him, but we've come to expect that."

Despite Altuve's production, the offense could not make up for McCullers' tough outing. The right-hander was hit hard for seven runs and a career-high five extra-base hits and three homers and exited after 4 1/3 innings following Encarnacion's home run.

Video: HOU@CLE: McCullers Jr. K's Ramirez to close 1-2-3 1st

The outing was even more disappointing for McCullers considering he threw seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Indians less than a week ago. On Saturday, his fastball command was missing, which made his potent curve far less effective.

"I just got beat," McCullers said. "There's nothing to really say about it. You've got to take your good outings and roll with them. You have to wear the bad ones. Tonight, I just didn't make good pitches in big spots, and every time I made a mistake, they took advantage of it."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Kemp hits first homer: At 5-foot-6, Tony Kemp is not known for his power, but he came through in a big way in the sixth inning. Kemp came to bat with one on and two outs against Carrasco, who was at 106 pitches. After taking a first-pitch ball, he launched a fastball 369 feet to right field. It was his first homer of the year and his first in 88 plate appearances since his first career homer on Sept. 25, 2016.

Video: HOU@CLE: Kemp clubs 2-run homer, his first of 2018

"He's got power," Hinch said. "He hits the ball on the barrel a lot, especially to the pull side. He's hit a couple balls over some outfielders heads in his short time [with the team]. Not so much this year, but in the previous times we've seen. He's so compact and hits the ball on the barrel. He's balanced when he hits; it didn't surprise me at all."

SOUND SMART
Saturday's performance marked Altuve's third four-hit game of the season in 53 games. In his MVP season in 2017, he had four four-hit efforts in 153 games. Altuve also just missed the cycle against the A's on April 28, when he went 4-for-5 with a home run, double and two singles.

Video: HOU@CLE: Hinch on Altuve being a leader and catalyst

HE SAID IT
"I know how hard they work. I know how hard they try. I feel really bad about letting emotion get the best of me. I spoke to them, and I apologized. It won't happen again. He's just letting me know that if I'm going to pitch with emotion like I do, which is great and part of what makes me good, channel that for the right things." -- McCullers

REPLAY REVIEW
For a moment, it looked like Bregman legged out an infield single on a slow bouncer to shortstop Francisco Lindor. But after the initial safe ruling, Indians manager Terry Francona challenged the call, and it was overturned. That runner proved to be crucial, as Altuve followed with a triple that would have scored Bregman.

Video: HOU@CLE: Lindor throws out Bregman on overturned call

"I thought it was a coin flip," Hinch said. "I didn't see it up close, other than the big board. We thought it was going to go either way, maybe not enough to overturn, but they apparently saw enough."

UP NEXT
Gerrit Cole faces former college teammate Trevor Bauer in the finale of the four-game series Sunday between the Astros and Indians at 12:10 p.m. CT at Progressive Field. Cole struck out eight batters over six innings in his last start, marking the ninth time in 10 starts this season he had more punchouts than innings. Cole has yet to give up more than three runs in any start, while going at least six innings in all but one of them.

MILWAUKEE -- It was the Brewers' bats to the rescue for Chase Anderson on Saturday.

Anderson surrendered three runs in a 42-pitch marathon of a first inning, and the Brewers answered right back with three in the bottom half. Anderson was bit by season-long trouble with the home run leading off each of the next two innings, and the Brewers answered again. And again. And again.

They kept answering, all the way to their highest run total in eight years in a 17-6 win at Miller Park.

By the time third-base coach Ed Sedar stopped waving runners home, the Brewers were 13 games over .500 for the first time this season at a National League-best 33-20. It was their fifth victory in six games on the current homestand and 12th in their last 16 games overall.

"We were relentless on offense today," said Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who was playing for the team the last time it scored as much in a game -- an 18-1 win at Wrigley Field in August 2010. "There were tough at-bats all the way through."

Video: NYM@MIL: Counsell on dominant offense, Anderson

Christian Yelich gave the Brewers their first lead with a run-scoring triple in the fourth inning and finished a home run shy of the cycle. Lorenzo Cain reached five times, while Yelich, Jesus Aguilar and Hernan Perez drove in three runs apiece and Erik Kratz homered in his Brewers debut. Milwaukee tallied a season-high 19 hits at the expense of Mets starter Jason Vargas and four relievers.

Those hitters had company. Nine players scored at least once and drove in at least one run, a franchise record. Milwaukee surpassed its season high for runs and hits during a game-breaking seven-run seventh inning.

Video: NYM@MIL: Yelich legs out an RBI triple to right field

All those runs helped wash away a troubling start for Anderson, the latest Brewers pitcher to encounter struggles in the wake of an Opening Day start.

"It was early," said Yelich. "We hadn't even come to bat yet. The way we feel as a team right now, it was just chip away. We didn't necessarily think we had to get all three back there in the first, but chip away, and we felt that as the game unfolded, we would be able to be in it at the end."

Video: NYM@MIL: Yelich on offensive surge in 17-6 win

Said Mets left-hander Vargas: "They weren't ready to lay down at all. They were ready to come right back. I didn't think I made many bad pitches."

Anderson, meanwhile, cited a mechanical issue he described as fixable to explain his 80-pitch, three-inning slog. His long first inning was filled mostly with close misses and soft hits, but the ensuing home runs in the second and third are a problem -- Anderson has allowed 13 this season in 55 innings on the way to a 4.42 ERA. The right-hander was removed after 3 2/3 innings, having allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks.

During his breakthrough in 2017, Anderson allowed 14 home runs in 141 1/3 innings with a 2.74 ERA, and he was rewarded in the offseason with a contract extension.

"I was battling a couple of [mechanical] issues with the 'break' in my hands. I couldn't get on top of pitches," Anderson said. "I'll get it right. I'm not really worried about it."

Of the Brewers' offense, Anderson said, "It's dangerous. Shoot, if we can continue just to score three, four, five runs a game, I know this pitching staff can give our team a chance to win."

On Saturday, they scored a lot more than that.

Video: NYM@MIL: Aguilar rips a 2-run single to center

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Brand new ballgame: The Mets had a 3-0 lead before many of the 37,258 fans had found their seats, but Yelich and Braun took walks from Vargas in the bottom of the first inning before the Brewers evened the score through Travis Shaw's RBI single and Perez's two-run double.

"It was ballgame for us from then on, really," said Counsell. "The fact that we got right back in it, you felt like you made it a game."

Video: NYM@MIL: Perez rips a 2-run double down the line

First impression: Kratz, acquired from the Yankees on Friday for future considerations, became the 27th player to homer in his Brewers debut. His first Major League home run since 2016 came with two outs in the fifth inning and Milwaukee leading by a single run. After Kratz extended the frame, it turned into a three-run inning.

"I'm sure the game didn't start off the way he wanted to, either, trying to get Chase through that first inning," Counsell said. "The home run, that was a big spot. Two outs, nobody on, nothing going on. We go from zero to a three-spot right there pretty fast."

Video: NYM@MIL: Kratz clobbers a solo home run to left field

SOUND SMART
Kratz, at 37 years, 345 days old, became the most "seasoned" Brewers player since the final game of Counsell's playing career. Counsell was 41 years, 38 days old for his final regular-season game in September 2011.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Brewers reliever Dan Jennings had an eventful fifth inning. With a runner aboard and one out, he started Mets first baseman Adrian Gonzalez with a 69-mph fastball for a called strike. Gonzalez appeared as if he couldn't believe it.

"Somebody yelled, 'Step off!' I think the runner was dancing off [first base]," Jennings said. "It was right as I was lifting my leg, so rather than balk, I decided I would rather take a 1-0 count. It didn't really work out that way.

"[The strike] was a total accident. I tried not to laugh, and I looked back at [shortstop Tyler] Saladino and he was cracking up so hard. I was like, 'Can't we at least act like I meant to do that?'"

Video: NYM@MIL: Jennings tosses 69-mph pitch to avoid balk

Then, in the bottom of the inning, he singled for his second hit this season in three at-bats. Jennings was a good hitter in high school in Des Moines, Iowa, "but that was a long time ago," he said. He wound up scoring on Yelich's two-run double.

"You have to give 'Murph' credit on that one," said Jennings, referring to bench coach Pat Murphy. "He goes, 'If [Kratz] hits a homer, you're hitting. Not two seconds later, he hit a homer. Otherwise, [pinch-hitter Domingo Santana] was going up. … Cain was mad at me because I took his bat to the plate. I didn't expect to hit."

Video: NYM@MIL: Yelich ropes a 2-run double to left field

HE SAID IT
"Maybe. I mean, it's rare when you're in those opportunities. It's so hard to do. A lot of things have to go right to be even in that position, and a lot of guys were having fun with it on the bench, for sure." -- Yelich, asked whether he was thinking about the cycle during his final at-bat in the seventh that saw him ground out after a few big hacks

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
Amid the Brewers' big rally in the seventh inning, Perez was initially called out at first base after Jose Reyes bobbled his ground ball, but it required only 25 seconds to overturn that call. Milwaukee made the most of that out, using it to score the final three of their seven runs in the frame.

UP NEXT
In Jhoulys Chacin, the Brewers will send their most consistent starting pitcher to the mound for the start of Sunday's 1:10 p.m. CT series finale against the Mets. Chacin is 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA over his last eight starts, and the team is 8-3 this season when he takes the mound. He'll work opposite Mets starter Zack Wheeler, the right-hander who nearly became a Brewer in July 2015 before Mets officials nixed the teams' trade.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner declared himself fit to return to the big leagues sooner than expected if needed following his first rehab start since pinkie surgery.

Bumgarner took an encouraging step in his recovery, throwing 47 pitches (31 strikes) for Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. He mixed his fastball with a nasty curve over 3 2/3 hitless and scoreless innings, striking out eight of the 12 batters he faced from Albuquerque. Bumgarner walked one.

"The breaking stuff was moving right, the command of it was good," Bumgarner said. "The fastball command was good. Pretty much everything I was looking for. It's not perfect, but it was definitely something to feel good about for the first time out there."

The four-time All-Star struck out the side in the first inning, getting the first two hitters to go down looking. After recording a pair of first-pitch outs in the second, Bumgarner struck out Stephen Cardullo to end the inning. He fanned the first two batters swinging in the fourth.

"All the baseball stuff, throwing, hitting, all that stuff, I don't notice it at all," said Bumgarner, who also singled in his only plate appearance. "It feels completely normal at this point. My command was good. My breaking balls were doing pretty good also, so that's what I was looking for. Everything headed in the right direction."

Tweet from @SFGiants: Meanwhile in Sac... pic.twitter.com/WPyDraTGww

Bumgarner was hit by a line drive from the Royals' Whit Merrifield on March 23 in the Giants' last game of Spring Training. He underwent surgery the following day to have three pins inserted in his left hand and was later transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

After the pins were removed on April 19, Bumgarner was cleared to begin rehab. He threw three times off a mound, then faced hitters for the first time last Tuesday before making the first of what is expected to be at least three rehab starts.

Bumgarner's next outing will likely come on Thursday with Class A Advanced San Jose because Sacramento will be out of town.

But Bumgarner didn't rule out a quick return to the Majors and said he feels capable of starting right away for the Giants if necessary.

"I obviously didn't know before today, but judging off the way I felt out there, I think so for sure," Bumgarner said. "I wouldn't say I'd be back and be in midseason form, but I feel definitely good enough to get some outs."

DENVER -- Escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam vs. the Rockies in the ninth inning with a one-run lead was already a tall order for Reds reliever Jared Hughes. Doing it while pitching at Coors Field? It just felt like an impossible task.

But Hughes got out unscathed, aided by some great defense and a little bit of luck as the Reds held on to a 6-5 victory over Colorado.

"They had us right where they wanted us," Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said.

Video: CIN@COL: Riggleman on Gennett's performance in win

With Raisel Iglesias on the disabled list, Hughes was tasked with the save attempt, but was in danger of blowing it within four pitches. First, Ryan McMahon reached on a soft chopper to first base and Chris Iannetta smoked a double to left field that put runners on second and third. The pressure intensified when pinch-hitter Carlos Gonzalez walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs.

A sinker-ball pitcher, Hughes got Charlie Blackmon to ground to first base with the infield playing in. Joey Votto's throw to the plate was in the dirt, but catcher Tony Cruz did an excellent job to recover the ball with his bare hand and touch the plate for the forceout.

"I saw it in the dirt. I just tried to keep it in front of him and pick it up as fast as I could, obviously," Cruz said.

Video: CIN@COL: Peraza crosses the plate on a wild pitch

Getting an 0-1 sinker from Hughes, David Dahl lined a scorcher to the right side. It was hit directly to second baseman Scooter Gennett, who flipped to shortstop Jose Peraza for the double play that retired Gonzalez.

Game over.

"I can look into the future only about five seconds. I was playing [Dahl] perfect there and it ended up working out great," Gennett said. "That's what makes baseball fun. It's always good to get that blood pressure up and down. It's good for the body."

According to Statcast™, the exit velocity on the ball off Dahl's bat was 106.5 mph.

"I thought that was the game-winner … so it was from high to low, real quick," Dahl said.

Hughes could exhale following a thrilling conclusion and his third save of the season.

"I don't know what the odds were, but I'd imagine they're probably not good," Hughes said. "At the same time when our defense plays like that, it makes the odds way better. I'm only as good as my defense and those guys made a couple of great plays out there."

Video: CIN@COL: Cruz crushes a 2-run homer to left field

It was a hard-fought win all the way for Cincinnati, which took the lead three times during the night. With the Reds trailing in the seventh, 4-3, pinch-hitter Scott Schebler led off with a single against lefty reliever Chris Rusin. In a full count, Billy Hamilton hit an RBI triple to plate the tying run and Peraza's RBI single to right field against Bryan Shaw drove in the go-ahead run.

In a 5-for-5 night, Gennett's fourth hit of the game -- a single -- sent Peraza from first to third base. Another run scored on Shaw's wild pitch to Votto.

The Reds' bullpen kept the lead intact. Amir Garrett replaced Michael Lorenzen after a one-out single in the seventh and picked up a double play and a strikeout. David Hernandez started the eighth with a Nolan Arenado double and wild pitch, enabling one run to score on Gerardo Parra's groundout, before retiring the side.

Then it was up to Hughes.

"Dahl hit the heck out of that ball and Scooter was right there," Riggleman said. "It seemed appropriate with the night Scooter had that he would make the play that ended the game. We know we were very fortunate there." 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Big night for Gennett: In the top of the first inning against Rockies starter Tyler Anderson, Gennett slugged a first-pitch home run to right-center field -- his team-leading 10th of the season. He followed up with four singles to notch the second five-hit game of his career. The last one was June 6, 2017, vs. the Cardinals when he had four homers and 10 RBIs. Gennett is batting .392 (31-for-79) with eight homers and 22 RBIs in the month of May.

Video: CIN@COL: Gennett records 5 hits, turns game-ending DP

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Booking around the bases: In the seventh, Hamilton drove a ball to the gap in left-center field that passed Blackmon. As it rolled to the wall, Schebler scored easily and Hamilton sprinted around the diamond. He appeared poised to try for his first inside-the-park home run, but was held at third base by coach Billy Hatcher with a triple.

"I listen to Hatch and trust his decisions," Hamilton said. "With no outs, I don't want to get thrown out at home for the first out. That would have been pointless. I always want an inside-the-park homer. I feel like it's going to happen. Today might have been the best chance for it to happen. But it's about winning, not me getting an inside-the-park home run."

Video: CIN@COL: Hamilton sprints 30.8 ft/sec on RBI triple

According to Statcast™, Hamilton went from home to third base in 10.39, the fastest time it ever tracked and eclipsing his own record of 10.45 seconds. The sprint speed was 30.8 feet per second.

"Ooooh. That's crazy," Hamilton said when told of his time.

And a good defensive play, too: In the eighth inning, Hamilton also tracked down a line drive to center field by Trevor Story. According to Statcast™, it was a four-star play with a 33 percent catch probability. Hamilton covered 63 feet in 3.8 seconds to get the ball. Hamilton has struggled for much of the season, and is batting .201, but Riggleman wants his defense at spacious ballparks like Coors Field.

"We have to have him out there," Riggleman said. "You see some of the plays he made out there today. Other people just aren't going to make those plays. He's saving us runs out there every day. He's battling to do what he can with the bat and he's sticking a few hits out there."

HE SAID IT
"That was a great job by Jared just sticking with his pitches there. Anytime he's in the game, you have a chance for a ground ball. The first ground ball he got was huge." -- Cruz, on Hughes in the ninth

UP NEXT
Coming off his first victory as a member of the Reds, Matt Harvey will try for another Sunday when the series at Colorado concludes at 3:10 p.m. ET. Harvey pitched six innings with one earned run, three hits, two walks and five strikeouts in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Pirates. Right-hander German Marquez will make the start for the Rockies.

SEATTLE -- For the Mariners, winning one-run games is becoming habit-forming. And a pretty good habit at that.

Mike Zunino's two-out homer off Twins reliever Matt Magill in the 12th inning lifted the Mariners to a 4-3 win and their fourth walk-off win of the season Saturday night at Safeco Field.

It was the Mariners' club record-tying sixth straight one-run game -- including three extra-inning victories -- and they've won five of those six while building their Major League-leading one-run victory total to 15-8.

"It's unbelievable," said Zunino, who had gone 0-for-4 with three strikeouts before launching the second walk-off homer of his career. "You never know who it's going to be on any given day. The starts we've been getting from our starters, the plays we've been making on the field. No matter who it is, guys have stepped up."

Video: MIN@SEA: Zunino talks about his walk-off home run

The surging Mariners have won nine of 12 games since Robinson Cano broke his hand and was subsequently suspended, and are now two games back of Houston in the American League West, at 31-20.

"It's really remarkable, the run we've been on and how we've done it," said Mariners manager Scott Servais. "It was a tremendous effort by our pitching staff tonight. All of them had a hand in it. Our pitching is what has kept us going in this streak we're in right now. It's kept us right in all these games and somehow we figure out how to get a big hit late in the game and we did it again tonight."

Six Seattle relievers allowed one run over six innings. Chasen Bradford got the win after pitching a scoreless 12th, with help from Zunino throwing out Gregorio Petit trying to steal for the final out. Juan Nicasio retired the Twins in order in the 10th and 11th with five strikeouts.

Video: MIN@SEA: Zunino catches Petit stealing in the 12th

Nelson Cruz ended a rare power drought with a two-run homer in the sixth inning to give Seattle a 3-2 lead before Minnesota tied it on an RBI single by Eduardo Escobar off reliever James Pazos in the eighth.

Wade LeBlanc cruised through five scoreless innings with one hit before giving up a pair of runs in the sixth on RBI doubles by Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario. LeBlanc has posted a 1.71 ERA in five starts since replacing the injured Erasmo Ramirez with 21 hits and four walks allowed in 26 1/3 innings.

LeBlanc isn't worried about whether he deserves a permanent spot in the rotation.

"They give me the ball and I've said it a million times, I'm going to throw it until they take it from me," LeBlanc said. "Whether it's as a starter or reliever, as long as they give me a jersey and a hat, I'm going to keep running out there."

Video: MIN@SEA: LeBlanc K's Morrison to retire side in 2nd

The Mariners have an ERA of 2.03 over their last 12 games and were helped by several outstanding defensive plays in this one. In addition to Zunino's big throw in the 12th, Mitch Haniger threw out Logan Morrison trying to stretch a single in the ninth and Zunino ended the Twins' eighth-inning rally by redirecting a throw home from Haniger to second to nail Escobar after his tying single.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Hampered by foot and elbow injuries in recent days, Cruz had gone 16 games without an extra-base hit -- the second-longest dry spell of his career -- and was 9-for-54 (.167) in that span unil launching his two-run homer in the sixth. Cruz's first home run since May 3 helped the Mariners overcome a 2-0 deficit after Segura had led off the sixth with a solo shot.

Video: MIN@SEA: Cruz smacks a 2-run home run to right

Center fielder Byron Buxton crashed into the wall trying to haul in the line drive that just cleared the fence and had to be taken out of the game.

"If it stays in the yard, he catches it," said Cruz. "He's too fast."

Video: MIN@SEA: Buxton crashes into wall, exits the game

SOUND SMART
The only other time the Mariners played six straight one-run games in franchise history was July 1-6, 1991. While the Mariners are 15-8 in one-run decisions, the Twins are 3-10 and have lost their last seven in a row.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
The Twins tried to rally against Mariners closer Edwin Diaz in the ninth as Morrison attempted to stretch a one-out single into the right-field corner. But Haniger corraled the ball quickly and fired a strike to shortstop Andrew Romine to nail Morrison sliding into second. Diaz then retired Petit on a grounder to preserve the 3-3 tie.

Video: MIN@SEA: Haniger throws out Morrison at second base

HE SAID IT
"I tried to hit smart one time." -- Zunino, on pulling the ball out to left field on a cool night with the wind blowing in when several teammates saw deep shots to center die at the warning track in the late innings

UP NEXT
Right-hander Mike Leake (4-3, 5.46 ERA) faces Twins right-hander Jose Berrios (5-4, 3.82 ERA) in Sunday's 1:10 p.m. PT series finale at Safeco Field. Leake is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA and 11 strikeouts and one walk over his last three starts. He beat the Twins in his second outing of the season, allowing three hits and two runs in five innings in an 11-4 win at Target Field, in which he also was opposed by Berrios.

Here's a roundup of the latest injury news across the Majors.

Yu Darvish, Cubs
The Cubs placed Darvish on the 10-day disabled list with right triceps tendinitis Saturday (retroactive to Wednesday). It marks the second time Darvish has hit the DL this season, the first being due to flu-like symptoms on May 7. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 4.95 ERA over eight starts this season, his first with Chicago.

Darvish will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, although Cubs manager Joe Maddon said "we're not overly concerned." More >

Video: SF@CHC: Maddon discusses Cubs placing Darvish on DL

Andrew Miller, Indians
Miller was placed on the DL with inflammation in his right knee, the same knee that caused him to be placed on the DL twice in 2017. This is the second time that the Tribe's relief ace has gone to the DL this season, the first being in April due to a left hamstring injury.

"Just from talking to him and talking to the trainers, it's just not allowing him to be himself right now," said manager Terry Francona. "That's probably the best way I could put it. So we're going to put our heads together, and I don't know what the next step will be. We're going to try to get him to a place where he can be himself."

Miller has a 4.40 ERA in 14 1/3 innings this season, including seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings (six outings) since his return from the DL on May 11. More >

Byron Buxton, Twins
Buxton was forced to exit Saturday's game against the Mariners after crashing into the wall while attempting to rob Nelson Cruz of a home run.

Buxton was evaluated by trainers on the field and walked off under his own power. Robbie Grossman replaced Buxton in the game, playing right field, with Max Kepler moving from right to center. More >

Video: MIN@SEA: Buxton crashes into wall, exits the game

Nick Vincent and Jean Segura, Mariners
Vincent strained his right groin muscle in the top of the eighth inning Saturday while pitching in relief for Seattle, and Segura was forced to exit after being kicked in the head sliding into second in the bottom of the frame.

Segura underwent concussion tests, and manager Scott Servais said the club should know more Sunday: "Him and Vincent coming out with a groin strain, we'll know more once we have some more tests on those guys. We'll keep our fingers crossed." More >

Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, Dodgers
Kershaw and Hill both threw simulated games for the Dodgers on Saturday, and Kershaw is the closer of the two to returning.

Kershaw threw four innings, and there's an outside chance he could return next week against the Phillies. Hill threw two innings, and he is expected to throw a bullpen session in a few days and then pitch in another simulated game.

"We'll see. I'm not sure," Kershaw said when asked whether his next outing will be in a Minor League game or with the Dodgers. More >

Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Bumgarner made his first rehab start Saturday as he works his way back from a fractured left pinkie he sustained when a ball was hit sharply back to him in San Francisco's final Spring Training game on March 23. The left-hander was dominant for Triple-A Sacramento against Albuquerque, tossing 3 2/3 hitless innings while striking out eight of the 12 batters he faced.

Bumgarner is expected to make at least two more rehab starts, though he said he could be ready to pitch in the Majors sooner if needed. More >

Martin Prado, Marlins
Prado, who was limited to 37 games last season with hamstring injuries, limped off the field with a left hamstring strain after reaching first base on an error during Friday's game vs. the Nationals, exiting the contest in the sixth inning. He was placed on the DL on Saturday and is expected to miss extended time. The 34-year-old infielder is slashing .194/.242/.226 in 24 games for Miami this season. More >

Video: WSH@MIA: Prado on left hamstring injury in 9-5 loss

Zach Britton and Mark Trumbo, Orioles
Baltimore's closer took a big step toward his return from offseason right Achilles surgery when he tossed two innings in a simulated game prior to the Orioles' game against the Rays in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

"I felt, that was probably the best one I've had," Britton said of his simulated game, which featured a few players from extended spring camp who came over to Tropicana Field. "I think maybe it seemed like more of a game situation with guys behind me that could field the ball and stuff like that. So I'm definitely ready to start a rehab assignment."

Britton will likely begin a rehab assignment Wednesday for Triple-A Norfolk. The 30-year-old left-hander posted a 2.89 ERA in 38 games last season, a year after turning in one of the greatest relief seasons in history -- in 2016, he posted a 0.54 ERA in 69 appearances, saving 47 games.

Meanwhile, the Orioles have decided not to put Trumbo (right knee) on the DL, and hope to have him available to play as early as Monday.

"We're going to wait on him," manager Buck Showalter said. "Obviously he's worth waiting on, so we're going to wait at least another day. … I was talking to him in the dugout [Friday] and he was feeling better it seemed like every hour that passed." More >

Video: BAL@TB: Britton throws simulated game in Tampa Bay

Dexter Fowler and Greg Holland, Cardinals
Fowler left Saturday's 4-1 win over the Pirates after being hit by a pitch on the outside of his right knee. The 32-year-old outfielder, hitting .157/.276/.288 with five home runs in 43 games, is considered day to day but could end up requiring a DL stint. More >

Meanwhile, St. Louis placed Holland on the 10-day DL Saturday with right hip impingement. The former All-Star closer has a 9.45 ERA over 18 appearances so far this season, his first with the Cardinals.

"I wasn't pitching well, and I didn't want to use it as an excuse," Holland said. "It got to a point where I think it's affecting me on the mound. It's at a point where I'm not giving us the best chance to win." More >

Video: STL@PIT: Fowler and Matheny discuss hit by pitch

Justin Upton, Angels
Upton exited the Angels' game against the Yankees Saturday with a left forearm contusion after being hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative. The 30-year-old outfielder is slashing .251/.327/.456 with 11 homers in 51 games this season.

Joe Panik, Giants
San Francisco's second baseman is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Sacramento as he works his way back from a left thumb sprain he sustained on April 27. Although the club initially thought he would miss 6-8 weeks, Panik could return to the Giants' lineup by the end of next week, which would shave two weeks off that timetable. In 23 games this season, Panik is hitting .267/.323/.389 with three homers. More >

Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers
Zimmermann (right shoulder impingement) will report to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday for what is expected to be a two-start rehab assignment. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 4.88 ERA in seven starts this season, coming off a career-worst 6.08 ERA in 2017. More >

Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
Cespedes took a significant step in his recovery from a strained right hip flexor, beginning a running progression on the field Friday at Miller Park before the Mets' game against the Brewers. He had previously only been hitting and throwing. The 32-year-old slugger, who has been on the DL since May 14 after initially hurting the hip on May 6, is hitting .255/.316/.474 with eight home runs in 37 games this season. More >

Dee Gordon, Mariners
Gordon took ground balls and did some pregame infield work prior to Seattle's series opener with Minnesota at Safeco Field. The second baseman was placed on the 10-day DL with a broken right big toe last Monday, and he's eligible to come off the DL on Thursday.

"It's calmed down, which is exactly what we were hoping would happen," manager Scott Servais said. "We needed to give it some time. Originally, I thought it would be only about 10 days. Everybody said I'm crazy. I still think it's going to be the 10-day period and you can still call me crazy, but I think that's what we're looking at." More >

Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays
Tulowitzki has been cleared by doctors to take the next step in his rehab from surgery to remove bone spurs from both feet, but is still "a ways away" from returning to the Blue Jays, according to manager John Gibbons. Tulowitzki, whose 2017 season ended due to a right ankle injury last July, has been cleared to run on flat ground. The 33-year-old shortstop hit .249/.300/.378 with seven home runs in 66 games for Toronto last season. More >

Bradley Zimmer, Indians
Zimmer could return to the Indians sooner than initially expected, according to Francona. The 25-year-old center fielder suffered a left rib contusion on May 15 when he slammed into the wall in right-center field at Yankee Stadium trying to make a play. Zimmer is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Saturday. Fellow outfielders Brandon Guyer (left cervical strain) and Lonnie Chisenhall (right calf strain) will also have rehab stints with Akron this weekend. More >

Daniel Murphy and Brian Goodwin, Nationals
Murphy was set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday. The 33-year-old second baseman underwent right knee surgery last October after hitting .322/.384/.543 with a National League-best 43 doubles and 23 homers in 144 games for Washington.

"That's great news for us and definitely headed in the right direction," said manager Dave Martinez, who noted that Murphy has played sparingly in extended spring games because of the weather and an illness. "He's played the last couple of days, four or five innings, and now he's ready for a rehab assignment."

Goodwin, who has been on the DL with a left wrist contusion, will join Murphy in a rehab stint with Harrisburg. The 27-year-old outfielder is hitting .250 (6-for-24) with a homer and two steals in 13 games this season. More >

Carlos Rodon, White Sox
Rodon was making a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte when he was hit in the forehead by a third-inning line drive Thursday night. He had a laceration that required staples, but is on track to make his next rehab start as he gets closer to returning to the White Sox following offseason left shoulder surgery. More >

Ryan Madson, Nationals
Madson was placed on the 10-day DL (retroactive to May 17) with a strained pectoral muscle and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May 13, due in part to weather postponements, so it's unclear how the injury developed. Though he has a 4.19 ERA this season, his FIP is 2.16. More >