news

Mets ace Jacob deGrom represents the kind of talent that teams don't trade very often, which is why he probably won't be dealt. He's 30 years old and two seasons from free agency. His 1.68 ERA ranks first in the Majors, and in 19 starts, he has allowed more than three runs only once.

deGrom is a player that walks in the door and becomes a franchise cornerstone and someone capable of transforming a good team into a championship club. To pry him from the Mets would mean surrendering a boatload of prospects, and then probably a few more.

Listen: Morning Lineup Podcast discusses the trade market heating up

On the other hand, what's a trip to the World Series worth for, say, the Mariners? What would the Yankees, Nationals and Braves look like with deGrom in their rotation?

The Astros were asking themselves that first question at this time last season, and they took a pass on Justin Verlander at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Then, they had a tough August (11-17), and the dynamics changed.

They went from seeing Verlander as a luxury to a near necessity. When he was acquired moments before the August 31 deadline for a player being postseason eligible, he changed a season, if not an entire franchise.

The Astros won 21 of 29 after Verlander's arrival. He started 11 times, including the postseason, and the Astros won 10 of them. Could deGrom have that kind of impact for some team?

There may be other players like that out there. With the Trade Deadline eight days away, let's look at nine players who could impact teams and seasons.

1. Jacob deGrom, Mets starter
He's averaging more than seven innings per start since mid-May. Over his last 79 innings, he has 16 walks and 93 strikeouts. By almost any measuring stick, he's an ace.

Contract: $7.4 million in 2018, plus two more arbitration seasons before free agency in 2021.

Potential landing spots: The Braves have the farm-system depth to do this deal. The Giants and Nationals may not. The Yankees have an excellent system, but they would have to overpay to convince the Mets to do business with them.

2. Chris Archer, Rays starter
Given the thin market for starters, this may be the best time for the Rays to move him. Will he be energized by a change of scenery, as this hasn't been his best season? On the plus side, he's signed for three more seasons at $27 million.

Contract: $6.4 million in 2018 and $7.7 million, $9 million and $11 million in '19, '20 and '21. He has buyouts totaling $2 million in 2020 and '21.

Potential landing spots: Unless the Rays change the price, it's going to take a deep prospects dig. Only a few teams -- Braves, Yankees, Dodgers -- seem capable of making the deal. The D-backs and Mariners would be nearly ideal fits.

Video: Justice on Astros' interest in Abreu, Archer rumors

3. Zach Britton, Orioles closer
He touched 97 mph in his final appearance before the All-Star break, and he seems to be fully recovered from right Achilles tendon surgery. If he stays healthy, he would make any contender better.

Contract: $12 million in 2018, free agency after the season.

Potential landing spots: The Braves appear to be the best fit. The Astros are trying to acquire him for the second straight summer. But almost every contender will have conversations with the O's about him.

4. Raisel Iglesias, Reds closer
The Reds have played so well the last three months that Iglesias may not even be available. If he is, the bidding will be intense, because he's 28 (two years younger than Britton) and signed for two more seasons at a relatively low price.

Contract: $5.2 million in 2018, $5.7 million in '19 and '20. Free agent after 2021 season.

Potential landing spots: His value may be higher than Britton's, and that's also a case for the Reds holding onto him if they see themselves contending in 2019.

5. Jose Abreu, White Sox first baseman
His numbers are down across the board, including his power numbers. He remains the most intriguing offensive player potentially available for a couple of reasons. One is that he's 31 years old and began the season with an .883 career OPS after four years in which he averaged 36 doubles and 31 home runs a season. Also, at a time when there aren't many power hitters available, he has the potential to reshape the middle of a lineup.

Contract: $13 million in 2018, plus two arbitration seasons.

Potential landing spots: The Mariners would be a nice fit, but that would mean moving Dee Gordon back to center field for the remainder of the season when Robinson Cano returns on August 14.

6. Adam Jones, Orioles center fielder
Hey, Adam, Cleveland is beautiful in the fall. Wait, we're getting ahead of ourselves. His on-base percentage has been around .300 for most of the season, even with a chance for 40 doubles, 15 home runs and (wait for it) 20 walks. To acquire him is to project he'd benefit from a better batting order and a winning team.

Contract: $17.3 million in 2018, free agency after the season.

Potential landing spots: The Indians are looking for a right-handed-hitting outfielder. Check and check.

7. Cole Hamels, Rangers starter
Hamels can veto trades to 20 teams and probably will want his $20 million option for 2019 picked up before agreeing to a deal. While his overall numbers aren't great, his 2.93 ERA and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings on the road make him an underrated pickup. He has said a return to the Phillies would be his dream scenario, but the Phils are seeking bullpen and middle infield help.

Contract: $23.5 million in 2018, $20 million option for '19, then free agency.

Potential landing spots: The Mariners would be an ideal fit. The Braves and Yankees appear to have some interest.

8. Eduardo Escobar, Twins shortstop/third baseman
He leads the American League in doubles and is going to hit 20-plus home runs. He has played second, third and short. With Manny Machado off the market, Escobar could be the best available defensive shortstop, although defense isn't the strength of his game.

Contract: $4.85 million in 2018, then free agency after this season.

Potential landing spots: The Brewers and Phillies make some sense, as both are looking more for offense than defense.

9. Whit Merrifield, Royals second baseman/outfielder
The Royals are listening to offers, but they do not seem motivated to deal him, given his versatility and that he's still a year away from arbitration. He makes sense for almost any contender because he can play almost anywhere and is having a solid offensive season.

Contract: $569,500 in 2018. Arbitration eligible in '20, free agency in '23.

Potential landing spots: The Indians would be a nice fit. The Brewers and Phillies could be as well.

DETROIT -- The Chris Sale express is humming along, leaving opponents helpless to catch up.

The Tigers were his latest challengers, and Sale cruised right through them in the Motor City.

After a rain delay of one hour and 35 minutes, the lanky lefty (11-4, 2.13 ERA) allowed two hits and three baserunners over six scoreless innings on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park while leading the Red Sox to a 9-1 romp in the rubber match of a three-game series. He struck out nine and walked none. Of Sale's 99 pitches, the Tigers swung and missed 18 times.

Listen: Morning Lineup Podcast discusses Chris Sale's Cy Young-worthy season

"I feel good," said Sale. "I feel like a broken record sometimes. We scored, what, nine runs today? That obviously gives me a boost and gives our team a boost. We're scoring a lot of runs in general, but obviously in my starts as well. You get a padded lead like that, you can just kind of dig in and just try to find that groove and keep going."

Video: BOS@DET: Nunez chops RBI knock off Candelario's glove

A few weeks back, Sale told pitching coach Dana LeVangie that he was ready to put the Suburban away and go with the Ferrari. In the eight starts since that chat, Sale is 6-1 with an 0.84 ERA, notching 87 strikeouts while walking just 10 in 54 innings. He's allowed no runs in four of the eight starts, two or fewer in all of them, and he hasn't allowed a home run. The only loss during the marvelous stretch of pitching was by a score of 1-0.

This stretch Sale is on continues to remind Red Sox manager Alex Cora of another tall lefty who dominated his way into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

"I've been saying the last, what, month, that he's reminding me a lot of Randy Johnson," Cora said. "The thing with Randy, it looked like he was always grinding. With [Sale], it looks effortless right now."

The All-Star break did nothing to diminish Sale's momentum. Sale fired a nine-pitch inning for the American League in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic, leaving him with just the tuneup he needed in his first start for the Red Sox in 11 days.

Video: 2018 ASG: Sale K's 1 in scoreless 1st inning

"Yeah, I had an extra day going into that outing [at the All-Star Game], and then on normal rest out of it," said Sale. "Throwing one inning probably helped more than anything. Obviously, you don't want to go 10 or 11 days without getting [on] the mound. Yeah, I definitely felt that kept me sharp."

The Red Sox are hardly just along for Sale's joyride. They are on fire as well, with 14 wins in their past 16 games, and 19 over their past 23. On Sunday, they became the first team in MLB to hit the 70-win mark this season, and they are 39 games above .500. They have a five-game lead in the American League East.

Though Sale didn't need much in the way of offensive support, his team gave it to him anyway. Jackie Bradley Jr. led the charge with a three-run homer to left in the fourth. Andrew Benintendi iced it with his team-leading sixth triple of the season to bring home two more runs as part of a three-run rally in the seventh. Xander Bogaerts added two doubles and two runs. And the red-hot Steve Pearce -- who has a .405 average since joining the Red Sox on June 29 -- also scored twice and had two hits.

Video: BOS@DET: Benintendi drives in a pair with a triple

After scoring just one run across the first two games of the series, Boston's bats broke loose.

Sale will return to the mound on regular rest Friday night at Fenway Park against the Twins. After that, he should get at least one extra day of rest across his next four starts due to team off-days. Cora's plan to keep Sale rested this season has worked perfectly. Keeping him to 99 pitches on Sunday only helped in that regard.

Unlike a year ago, Sale seems primed for a strong finish.

"I think so," said Sale. "I don't know what the exact number is, but I know I've thrown less innings, less pitches per start in general this time now than I was last year. I don't see how it can hurt."

Video: BOS@DET: Martinez scores Benintendi with a sac fly

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
JBJ rewarded this time: The three-run homer by Bradley was hit in almost the same direction as his rope on Saturday that was flagged down by JaCoby Jones, but Bradley got enough on it this time to get it out of the park and give Boston a 6-0 lead. According to Statcast™, the shot was hit with an exit velocity of 103.9 mph at a projected distance of 390 feet. By comparison, the drive Jones flagged down on Saturday was also 103.9 mph while going 380 feet. Bradley's shot was the highlight of a four-run inning.

"I really was going to be upset if I didn't get that one," Bradley said.

For a deep Boston lineup, Bradley is an X-factor when he produces. The Red Sox are 23-1 when he tallies at least one extra-base hit. After a prolonged slump to start the season, Bradley is hitting his stride, though his average for the season is .211. In his past 70 at-bats dating back to June 24, Bradley is slashing .314/.364/.557 with eight doubles, three homers and 18 RBIs.

Video: BOS@DET: Bradley Jr. drills a 3-run home run to left

"He's in a good place. We start looking at the numbers the last 15, 20, 25 games, whatever it is, he's been an above-average hitter at the big league level, and obviously, defensively, he's amazing in center field," said Cora.

SOUND SMART
The Red Sox continue to be all but unstoppable when they score first, posting a 47-5 record in those situations. Boston has been an offensive juggernaut this season, scoring five-plus runs 60 times in 101 games, the best in the Majors.

HE SAID IT
"I think it's good. Anytime you can get some rest, especially later on in the year, that's kind of when the monkey jumps on your back. Anytime you can have an extra day and get a little fresher, it will be good." -- Sale, enthused about his pitching schedule the rest of the way

UP NEXT
Sinkerballer Rick Porcello (11-4, 4.13 ERA) will finally get a chance to avenge his worst start of the season when he starts Monday's game in Baltimore on nine days of rest. Porcello was tagged for seven hits and eight runs in two-plus innings by the Blue Jays in his last start. In nine career starts at Camden Yards, Porcello is 2-5 with a 4.85 ERA. The Orioles counter with righty Kevin Gausman (4-7, 4.33). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.

NEW YORK -- Two starts removed from missing nearly two months due to injury, Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list. But the reason has nothing to do with his arm.

Mets assistant general manager John Ricco revealed Sunday that Syndergaard has been diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease, a viral infection common in children. The Mets believe Syndergaard may have contracted the illness while working at a youth camp over the All-Star break.

Ricco said there is a possibility Syndergaard misses just one start, as the Mets expect him to be sidelined 7-10 days. Right-hander Corey Oswalt will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to assume his rotation spot in the short term.

The Mets are prepping Oswalt to start Wednesday against the Padres, manager Mickey Callaway said.

Syndergaard, the owner of one of the Majors' hardest fastballs, caught the attention of the Mets training staff near the end of his start Friday at Yankee Stadium, when his velocity dipped into the low 90s. He was allowed to finish the fifth inning but was removed afterwards, his night capped at just 84 pitches. Syndergaard explained feeling "dead arm" in his postgame comments; he and the Mets both chalked the dip in velocity up to "fatigue."

Ricco and Callaway both cited the virus as a possible underlying cause.

"It took its toll the other night. He had trouble breathing, and that's why you saw his velo down," Callaway said. "During the game, we couldn't quite figure it out. But I put my hands on his legs to talk to him when he came out, and I felt his legs shaking. He was just weak and run-down."

Video: NYY@NYM: Syndergaard K's Walker for 500th strikeout

It was then that Syndergaard noticed the most telling symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease, which is contagious: a blistery rash that spread on the inside of his hands. The illness also causes fever, sore throat, rash and lethargy.

Syndergaard will recover away from the team.

"We sent him home when we figured out what it was," Callaway said. "Nobody else has showed any symptoms yet. We're trying to make sure they're washing their hands and all that."

The diagnosis interrupts the right-hander's season for a second time, and it comes two starts after he missed seven weeks due to a strain in his right index finger. Syndergaard went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA during that span, and he is 6-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 13 starts overall.

ST. PETERSBURG -- With a large congregation of scouts watching, Chris Archer validated their presence with a 13-strikeout performance in the Rays' 6-4 walk-off win against the Marlins Sunday at Tropicana Field.

Trade talk is rampant as Major League Baseball's July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches. Contending teams are perusing the rosters of non-contending teams hoping to find that piece that might push them over the top. Archer could be such a piece.

At least a dozen scouts were parked behind home plate to watch Archer on Sunday, including representatives from contenders such as the D-backs, Dodgers, Braves, Indians and Yankees. Of that group, the Yankees are said to be in on Archer, or perhaps Nathan Eovaldi, who once pitched for the Yankees. Helping to fuel that speculation was the fact that Rays representatives have been spotted at recent Yankees rookie league games.

If anything, Archer's price went up on Sunday. The right-hander looked dominant during his six-inning stint. He struck out the Marlins in order on 15 pitches in the first. After experiencing a hiccup in the second when he allowed four runs (three earned), he returned to pitch the third needing just seven pitches to retire the side, two by strikeout.

Video: MIA@TB: Archer fans Realmuto, K's the side in 1st

Archer finished his six innings with no walks and notched his season high for strikeouts. His career high for strikeouts in a single game is 15, and that came on June 2, 2015 against the Angels in Anaheim.

Video: TB@LAA: Archer fans 15, holds Halos to one run in win

Nobody knows whether a trade will come to fruition at this point, but adding to Archer's trade value is his team-friendly contract (just $27.5 million for the next three seasons). When asked about the possibility that he might have pitched his final game in a Rays uniform, Archer acknowledged that the thought had "crossed his mind."

"That it could at least be my last home start," Archer said. "I don't want to think about it too much, because dwelling on something that hasn't happened is not smart.

"It crossed my mind, but I'm focused on being here. We have another week [before the Trade Deadline]. I have another start. So all I'll focus on now is getting some rest and pitching in five days."

CINCINNATI -- As the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches and decisions loom for the Pirates whether to add pieces for a playoff run or unload and focus on 2019 and beyond, the team is currently making its case for the former rather than the latter. Pittsburgh homered four times in the first four innings to blitz Reds starter Matt Harvey and complete a three-game sweep of Cincinnati with a 9-2 win at Great American Ball Park on Sunday afternoon for the team's ninth consecutive victory.

"The bats showed up," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Everything showed up. Good defense for 27 outs. Our starting pitching got us to a good place in the game, but the offense got out in front of things and really did some damage."

The offensive pop has come from top to bottom during this recent tear that's bridged from the first half of the season to the second. Leadoff hitter Corey Dickerson slapped an elevated 0-2 fastball down the left-field line off Harvey in the first inning and later scored on a Gregory Polanco two-run homer. Dickerson demolished a 2-0 changeup from Harvey into the right-field seats for a two-run home run of his own in the second inning. Dickerson has now homered in four straight games and has a total of five home runs in that stretch with eight hits and seven RBIs. He went 4-for-5 on the day.

Video: PIT@CIN: Dickerson drills 447-foot HR at 110.3 mph

"I think we put together a pretty good plan and laid off pitches we didn't want to swing at," Dickerson said. "You have to get a pitch to hit because he is pretty good. He has been around a while."

Starling Marte's solo shot two pitches later extended his hitting streak to 15 games and gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead.

Video: PIT@CIN: Dickerson, Marte slug back-to-back home runs

Things seemingly went right for everyone this weekend, including veteran utility man Sean Rodriguez, who hit a solo shot in the fourth inning for his second home run of the weekend. Rodriguez had six hits in his first series back from a lengthy rehab stint to combat some of the offensive struggles that have plagued him in 2018. His performance made him a handy replacement of an injured Josh Harrison at second base.

Even Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova got in on the fun at the plate by ripping a long base hit to the wall in right-center to snap an 0-for-63 hitless streak.

Video: CIN@PIT: Nova tosses 6 2/3 frames, ends hit drought

"He takes it seriously," Hurdle said. "He doesn't want to go up there and be an out. He takes it personally. He never got to hit in the American League and is now asked to do a lot of things. He was happy, and we were happy for him."

Nova backed that up with 6 2/3 strong innings in which he gave up two earned runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts and walks. Cincinnati didn't record an extra-base hit off Nova through the first six innings, connecting on three harmless singles until breaking through with a pair of runs in the seventh.

"I was making sure to attack the strike zone," Nova said. "I made pitches when I needed to and got a huge double play. The guys played good defense behind me."

The Pirates are playing their best baseball of the season at a time when their options at the Deadline seem to be growing. Pittsburgh has won 11 of 12 and is currently eight games back of the Cubs in the National League Central and in the hunt for the second Wild Card spot. The recent surge has helped compensate for a dreadful 14-31 stretch that saw the Bucs dip as low as eight games below .500.

Video: PIT@CIN: Rodriguez rocks a solo homer to left-center

Earlier this month, as the Pirates continued to fall further south of .500, it appeared as if they'd lean toward shopping some of their veteran pieces like Dickerson, Jordy Mercer, David Freese, Nova, Harrison and Francisco Cervelli, if healthy. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington spoke candidly on his weekly radio show on July 8 about the reality of the team's struggles making it more likely they would build for the future at the Deadline. Earlier Sunday on that same show, Huntington had a different message.

"We are always looking to do what is right for this organization and we would love to add," Huntington said. "If there is something out there that makes sense and makes us better, we are absolutely open to that."

Huntington acknowledged his talk of selling earlier in the month came at the low point of the season as optimism began to turn into realism, but this recent stretch has of good play has shifted the team's mindset to a degree.

"Here we are two weeks later going 10-1, and we have closed the gap in the division by four games," Huntington said. "We are still eight games out of the division and still in fourth place but we have closed the gap. The Wild Card we have climbed one spot. ... The reality is that we need to continue to play really good baseball." 

Video: PIT@CIN: Moroff rips an RBI single to right field

The offense compiled 43 hits in the three games of this series, and all three starters pitched into the sixth inning and earned a win. The rotation has compiled a 2.80 ERA in the last 11 games with 72 strikeouts and 17 walks.

"I have appreciated their effort and focus," Hurdle said. "They know what is at stake, though. More often than not, we need to first be believers. We need to be out and in front of things."

SOUND SMART
Marte is 24-for-63 with six home runs and 15 RBIs during his 15-game hitting streak.

HE SAID IT
"We are hungry. These guys want to win. They want the ball and for us to keep rolling." -- Nova, on the starting rotation's recent success

UP NEXT
The Pirates continue this six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Indians on Monday. Trevor Williams gets the nod for Pittsburgh beginning at 7:10 p.m. ET. He threw five innings of shutout ball last time vs. the Nationals, earned a win and snapped a string of three straight outings with a loss. The right-hander scattered four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Williams has not seen the sixth inning in his last three starts. He is 7-7 with a 4.36 ERA on the year. Corey Kluber (12-5, 2.76 ERA) will be on the mound for the Indians.

OAKLAND -- For the second straight day, the A's bullpen coughed up a lead late in a game that went to extra innings. For the second straight day, the A's did what good teams do: win anyway.

They won on Sunday at Oakland Coliseum, 6-5, on a fluke bounce with two outs in the 10th inning on a single by Matt Chapman, whose ground ball took a bad hop past Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and into the outfield, scoring from second Marcus Semien, who led off the inning with a walk.

"Just beat it out," Chapman said on his mindset. "I think I would've beat it out with how high [the hop] was, but we'll never know."

The A's are now 15-6 in games decided in the last at-bat, a Major League best, and they are 17-8 in one-run games. This time, they came back despite giving up a 4-1 lead in the seventh, and trailing by a run heading into the bottom of the eighth.

"It shows you the mettle of this team," manager Bob Melvin said. "Having the lead like we did today, and then losing it, and these guys come right back. It's who we are and what we've established. Each and every game, until you get that last out, we have a chance to win."

Khris Davis and Matt Olson each hit two home runs and newly-acquired reliever Jeurys Familia received the win in his A's debut, pitching scoreless ninth and 10th innings.

Video: SF@OAK: Davis destroys a 2-run homer to left-center

With their ninth win in their last 12 games, the A's move to 14 games over .500 for the first time since they finished the 2014 season with an 88-74 record and played in the American League Wild Card Game. They currently sit three games back of the Mariners for the second Wild Card spot after Seattle beat the White Sox earlier on Sunday.

A's starter Sean Manaea retired the first 13 batters he faced. He was in line to improve to 5-0 in his last seven starts, but wound up with a no-decision after he was pulled with two outs in the seventh and the Giants rallied to tie the game with three runs against the A's bullpen, which uncharacteristically blew a lead.

A day after throwing 1 2/3 innings, Lou Trivino's scoreless streak ended at 15 frames when he allowed two hits with runners in scoring position -- Pablo Sandoval cut the deficit to one with a two-run double, and he scored on a bloop single by Alen Hanson to tie the game at 4-4.

Video: SF@OAK: Hanson ties it in the 7th with an RBI single

"How many times is anybody going to get Trivino like what happened today?" Melvin said. "That just doesn't happen very often."

Melvin added that Manaea, who allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings, deserved the win.

Video: SF@OAK: Manaea tosses 6 2/3 innings of 2-run ball

Manaea said: "Everything was working today. I was throwing the slider for strikes, throwing the changeup for strikes, just getting ahead of guys and not falling behind. If you can do that against a lineup like that, you'll have success."

In the eighth, Andrew McCutchen homered to left off Yusmeiro Petit to give the Giants a 5-4 lead, but Davis answered in the bottom of the inning with an opposite-field solo blast, his second homer of the day.

Video: SF@OAK: Davis slugs his 2nd HR to tie the game in 8th

Davis also provided the early offense for the A's, launching a towering two-run shot to left in the first inning on a hanging first pitch changeup by Giants starter Johnny Cueto. Then, Olson went to work to give the A's a 4-1 lead. In the fourth, he ripped a line drive blast that landed in the right field seats in a hurry. Two innings later, he drilled another one just inside the right-field foul pole for his fourth-career two-homer game and his second this season.

Video: SF@OAK: Olson slugs a pair of home runs vs. Giants

"When we hit home runs, we tend to win a lot of games," Chapman said. "When those two dudes [Davis and Olson] are hot, they're some of the best home run-hitting dudes in baseball. It's nice to see them both have two home runs."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Walk-off manufacturer: Much like Saturday's 12th-inning walk off, the A's manufactured the winning run on Sunday. After Semien led off the inning with a walk off Giants' reliever Ty Blach, he alertly advanced to second on a deep fly ball by the next batter, Stephen Piscotty.

Three batters later, Chapman just put the ball in play and Crawford, who made several outstanding defensive plays all series, couldn't handle it. Semien raced around third to score the winning run.

"I think [Chapman] runs pretty good, that's why I wanted to come get it," Crawford said. "It was a high enough hop that I thought I could get it on that first big hop. It came down a lot steeper than I thought it was going to -- I think that's what caused me to miss it."

SOUND SMART
Familia's two-inning outing tied his longest appearance of the season and earned him the win in his A's debut. Melvin used him right away in a pressure situation, and Familia kept the game tied in both the ninth and 10th innings.

Video: SF@OAK: Familia hurls 2 frames to earn win in debut

"When you have that kind of trade, you come to a new team, first impressions are important," Melvin said. "You pitch the way he did, it makes you feel part of the team very quickly and it was terrific."

Despite arriving at the Coliseum just an hour before first pitch, Familia already feels comfortable.

"You can see the energy and the excitement in the team, and that made me feel really comfortable to be here," Familia said, via an interpreter.

HE SAID IT
"The more we do this, since we've been on this run, the more confidence we gain. It's important that we lost the first game and came back to win in both [series against the Giants]. It keeps the momentum, as far as that perseverance trait goes. They expect to win." -- Melvin, on the A's finding a way to pick up wins

UP NEXT
The A's will embark on a seven-game road trip, beginning with a four-game set against the Rangers that starts Monday. Brett Anderson, who has pitched into the sixth inning just once this season, will toe the rubber for the A's, while the Rangers will send Cole Hamels (5-8, 4.36 ERA) to the mound for the 5:05 p.m. PT first pitch at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

NEW YORK -- Defending the Mets' handling of Yoenis Cespedes as he battles potentially career-altering heel issues, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco on Sunday called surgery "a last-resort thing" and a "fairly radical" treatment that may not be necessary for the team's star outfielder.

Cespedes will meet early this week with team orthopedist Dr. David Altchek, as well as a team-sponsored foot specialist. It is a plan, Ricco stressed, of which both Cespedes and the Mets approve.

"We're not at odds with him by any stretch," Ricco said. "He's agreed with, every step of the way, the treatment that we've given him, to the point where he was anxious to come back. He was feeling good. And then he came back and felt this on Friday. There's no disconnect between us. … We're all on the same page."

Unlike Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who said Saturday that he was unaware of Cespedes' comments that he might need surgery on his heels, Ricco said the Mets have been cognizant of his issues throughout his career. The team has attempted to manage the situation using a combination of stretching, orthotics and anti-inflammatory medication.

Until Friday, the Mets were under the impression that Cespedes could avoid surgery, perhaps even for the rest of his career. When a team-approved foot specialist in Florida examined Cespedes several weeks ago, the Mets came away believing he could play. But Cespedes' subsequent comments regarding the operation prompted them to schedule a new doctor's appointment for him this week in New York.

"You hope not to get there," Ricco said of surgery. "You hope to get through it with the conservative treatment first."

Whether Cespedes' issue will require surgery should become clear in the next few days. He volunteered to DH on Sunday, but the Mets declined his request as they look to keep their $110 million player as healthy as possible.

"He's had this condition for years," Ricco said. "He's played. That's part of the decision we have to make, along with the medical advice: is it worth shutting him down for that length of time because the bad days are too frequent, and too painful, for him to continue?"

Ricco also attacked the perception that the Mets are not on the same page with their star outfielder.

"I don't think it's a disconnect," Ricco said. "It's not like he has been saying this for months and we just haven't been listening. To the best of our knowledge the first he even was considering this surgery was when he said it on Friday."

The Pirates have been on a tear this month, riding a nine-game win streak that started before the All-Star break. The bullpen's stellar performance during a three-game sweep of the Reds helped Pittsburgh's relief corps earn MLB Bullpen of the Week presented by The Hartford honors for the games played from July 19-22.

This week accounts for games played since Thursday, as teams were off due to the All-Star break. Only the Cardinals and Cubs played Thursday, with the rest of the league competing in three-game series that began Friday and ended Sunday.

As part of The Hartford Prevailing Moments program, each Monday throughout the 2018 season, MLB.com is honoring the MLB Bullpen of the Week presented by The Hartford. An industry-wide panel of MLB experts, including legendary stats guru Bill James, constructed a metric based on James' widely renowned game-score formula, to provide a weekly measurement of team-bullpen performance.

Here's how the Bullpen Rating System is compiled for each week. For reference, a weekly score of 100 is considered outstanding:

• Add 1.5 points for each out recorded
• Add 1.5 points for each strikeout
• Add 5 points for a save
• Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed
• Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed
• Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed
• Subtract 1 point for each walk
• Subtract 5 points for a blown save

The Pirates' bullpen tallied 46.5 points, edging out the Mariners' 44.5 points. Pittsburgh's relievers shut out the Reds across 8 2/3 innings. They surrendered six hits and issued zero walks, while notching 13 strikeouts. Seattle's bullpen narrowly missed out, allowing just one run and a walk across 8 1/3 innings.

After the sweep, the Pirates improved to 51-49.

The unexpected: Right-hander Kyle Crick extended his scoreless streak to 15 1/3 innings after tossing a clean inning against the Reds on Saturday. Crick has been nearly lights-out in late-game situations lately and owns a 2.14 ERA (five runs allowed over 21 innings) when appearing in the eighth inning.

How they prevailed: The Pirates' bullpen didn't allow a single free pass to the Reds, who rank second in the Majors in walks (381). Instead, Pittsburgh's relievers found great success striking out Cincinnati's lineup, recording 13 of their 26 outs via punchout. All seven members of the Pirates' bullpen used this week -- Crick, Steven Brault, Michael Feliz, Tyler Glasnow, Richard Rodriguez, Edgar Santana, and 2018 All-Star Felipe Vazquez -- fanned at least one batter.

As the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, we'll keep you up to date with the latest news, buzz, rumors and more.

Trade candidate Syndergaard placed on DL
July 22: The Mets announced Sunday that Noah Syndergaard will be placed on the 10-day disabled list after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease. While the Mets don't expect Syndergaard to be out long, the ailment could reduce the already slim chances he had of being dealt. The right-hander won't be eligible to return from the DL until July 31 -- the same day as the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Listen: Morning Lineup Podcast discusses the trade market heating up

Syndergaard experienced a notable dip in velocity near the end of Friday's start against the Yankees, and he described having a "dead arm" feeling in his postgame comments. Mets assistant general manager John Ricco and manager Mickey Callaway both cited the illness as a possible underlying cause.

The right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 15 walks this season, posting strikeout and walk rates roughly in line with his outstanding career marks. He was sidelined just over a month earlier this season with an injury to a finger on his pitching hand after missing much of last year with a torn right lat.

Per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Twitter, Zack Wheeler remains the most likely Mets starter to be traded before the non-waiver Deadline. Although the Mets will continue to engage teams on Jacob deGrom and Syndergaard, they see the offseason as a better time to deal both because they are seeking Major League talent in return, and contenders typically don't want to subtract from their MLB roster in the midst of a postseason race.

Tweet from @JonHeyman: Mets are engaging teams on their aces (in case) but since they seek major league talent back for deGrom or Syndergaard, they see wintertime as a better opportunity to deal an ace. Contenders loathe to subtract from teams in a pennant race.

Hamels to start Monday amid swirling trade rumors
July 22: Cole Hamels has been the subject of intense trade speculation in recent weeks, but he doesn't appear close to changing teams just yet. According to a report from MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan on Sunday, Hamels will start for the Rangers against the Athletics in Texas on Monday.

With his future in question, Hamels has struggled recently, going 1-2 with a 9.53 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP over his last four starts. He's 5-8 with a 4.36 ERA and a 9.0 K/9 rate in 19 starts overall this season.

The 34-year-old southpaw is making $23.5 million this year and has a $20 million team option for next year along with a $6 million buyout. He also has a partial no-trade clause, although he'd likely waive it to join a contender. In a relatively thin market for pitchers this summer, Hamels is one of the more attractive arms for teams in need of starting pitching, including the Yankees, Mariners, Phillies and Red Sox.

Field of interested teams 'expanding' for Britton; trade to come this week?
July 22: According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman via Twitter, the field of teams pursuing Orioles closer Zach Britton is "expanding," with the Astros, Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Rockies and Brewers among those in the mix. The Phillies and Red Sox have also been linked to Britton. A deal could come quickly, as a source told The Athletic (subscription required) that the O's would ideally like to conclude negotiations by the middle of this week.

Tweet from @JonHeyman: Field of interested teams for Britton is expanding. Braves are interested (they have the prospects, but will they give them up?) Rockies have checked in. Even Brewers, who have stacked pen. Hou, Cubs, LAD, NYY all seem serious. Others, too.

Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden reports that the Astros are "all in" on Britton. Houston nearly acquired the southpaw at the non-waiver Trade Deadline last season, but Baltimore reportedly backed out of the deal due to medical concerns about some of the players it was receiving in return. Per Bowden, last year's situation will have "no impact" on the current discussions between the Astros and Orioles.

Tweet from @JimBowdenGM: Source: #Astros ���all in��� on Zach Britton and last year���s negated trade will have no impact on if they get him. #Orioles just want best best deal period.

The Cubs have been mentioned as a contender for Britton in multiple reports, with sources telling The Athletic (subscription required) that the club remains "deeply involved" in trade discussions regarding Britton, and Bruce Levine of 670 The Score naming the Cubs as a "main player" for the O's closer.

Per a tweet from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Dodgers and Braves aren't quite as "engaged" in Britton trade discussions as other teams, as Los Angeles has luxury tax concerns and Atlanta is hesitant to trade high-end prospects for a rental player. In an earlier tweet, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal noted that the Dodgers will "almost certainly" need to purge salary to remain under the luxury-tax threshold if they trade for Britton, who is still owed more than $4.5 million this season. More >

Video: Zach Britton among best left-handed relievers?

A's interested in Fiers
July 22: The A's made a major statement about their status as American League contenders by acquiring reliever Jeurys Familia from the Mets. And they're not done yet. The club would like to upgrade its starting rotation, and is interested in Detroit right-hander Mike Fiers, although serious discussions have yet to begin, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. 

The A's have used 12 different starting pitchers this year, and of the season-opening rotation -- Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Daniel Mengden, Daniel Gossett and Andrew Triggs -- only Manaea is still on the active roster. 

Fiers has a 3.00 ERA over his last 14 starts, while averaging exactly six innings per outing. He's become one of the most attractive starting pitchers leading up to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, along with J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi. 

Fiers is scheduled to have one more season of arbitration eligibility in 2019 before becoming a free agent. He signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Tigers before the season. 

Despite struggles, Gray likely staying put
July 22: There has been some speculation that the Yankees might try to move Sonny Gray at the Trade Deadline, but Fancred's Jon Heyman reported Sunday that New York is more likely to hang on to the struggling right-hander. Per Heyman's report, the Yankees are interested in adding starting pitching rather than trading it away, as they've been linked to several available arms on the trade market, including Toronto's J.A. Happ.

Tweet from @JonHeyman: There���s said to be a bit of interest in Sonny Gray in trade, as there are folks who believe he���d do better in another market. But Yanks��� main interest is in adding to rotation, not subtracting from it.

Some believe Gray, who spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with Oakland before being dealt to New York last year, could use a change of scenery to a smaller market. The 28-year-old has struggled at Yankee Stadium this year, posting a 7.62 ERA with a 1.89 WHIP in nine home starts. The Yankees may be hopeful he can turn his season around, however, after winning his two most recent starts. Gray is also under contract through 2019, so New York might prefer to wait and see if he can adjust to pitching in the Big Apple with more experience.

Bundy, Gausman, Schoop drawing trade interest
July 22: Though Zach Britton is looking like the next Orioles player to go after Manny Machado was dealt to the Dodgers on Wednesday, Baltimore still has a number of attractive trade candidates beyond the southpaw, including right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop.

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, the O's have been receiving inquiries about all three, with the Brewers asking about Schoop and Gausman, the Yankees checking in on Gausman and the Braves expressing interest in Bundy, Gausman and Schoop.

Tweet from @masnRoch: Have heard #brewers asked about Schoop and Gausman. #yankees have checked on Gausman. #braves have expressed interest in Schoop, Gausman and Bundy #orioles

Bundy, Gausman and Schoop are all under team control beyond this season, so the Orioles don't face the same urgency to trade them as they did with Machado and do with Britton, Brad Brach and Adam Jones. In fact, Gausman is controllable through 2020, and Bundy through '21.

Of course, the O's should be able to get significant returns for the two right-handers because of that control, and it may behoove the club to trade both now with its rebuilding period likely to last several years.

Schoop, meanwhile, can become a free agent after the '19 season. Baltimore would be selling low on him, as he is hitting just .229 with 11 homers and a .656 OPS in 78 games this year after making the American League All-Star team in '17.

Royals reportedly have lofty asking price for Merrifield
July 22: After missing out on Manny Machado, the Brewers are still exploring ways to improve their offense. Among the options they're considering? Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield, according to Robert Murray of The Athletic (subscription required). But as was the case with Machado, the cost to acquire Merrifield won't be cheap.

"A lot," a rival executive said of what it would take to pry Merrifield (controllable through 2022, earning $569,500 this season) from Kansas City. "Under control and cheap for multiple years. Three higher-end prospects, at least."

"Top 10-15 prospect plus 1-2 younger, upside players," another exec said. "I think it takes an intriguing headliner."

The Brewers were believed to be one of the three finalists for Machado, along with the Dodgers and the Phillies, but they reportedly weren't willing to part with second baseman Keston Hiura (Milwaukee's No. 1 prospect, No. 30 overall, per MLB Pipeline), right-hander Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee's No. 2 prospect, No. 55 overall) or righty Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee's No. 9 prospect).

Per Murray, the "belief around baseball" is that Milwaukee won't trade Hiura. However, the club might be more open to including Burnes or Peralta in a deal for a non-rental player such as Merrifield than it was for Machado, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.

Second base has been a weak spot all year for the Brewers, who entered Sunday with a .642 OPS at the position. Merrifield, meanwhile, has recorded a .795 mark. 

Marlins and Rays arms drawing trade interest
July 22: Teams in need of pitching help are looking to the Marlins and Rays, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported Sunday. According to Frisaro's report, at least a dozen scouts were spotted at this weekend's three-game series between the two clubs at Tropicana Field. Marlins closer Kyle Barraclough and lefty reliever Adam Conley have been getting the most attention, while Dan Straily -- who started Friday and has logged five straight quality starts -- could also be an option for teams in need of rotation help. Brad Ziegler, who opened the season as Miami's closer and will be a free agent this winter, is available as well.

Frisaro noted that the Marlins' asking price for Barraclough and Conley is high, as both have yet to reach arbitration. Straily, the team's most consistent starter over the past several seasons, has yet to reach arbitration as well. Miami is also seeking a large return for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, although the club may opt to keep him in the hopes of negotiating a contract extension this winter. Realmuto, 27, still has two seasons to go before reaching free agency.

The Rays, meanwhile, have been getting a lot of interest in starters Chris Archer and Nathan Eovaldi. Scouts were able to catch a glimpse of both this weekend, as Eovaldi tossed six innings of one-run ball Friday and Archer fanned 13 over six innings Sunday. Eovaldi has been solid in 10 starts since opening the season on the disabled list, registering a 4.26 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP and a 6.6 K/BB ratio over 57 innings. Archer has also battled injuries this year, but has a 4.30 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 90 innings. On Saturday, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported that Archer is drawing "significant interest" on the trade market.

Video: Chris Archer a steady source of strikeouts for Rays

Huntington: Pirates would 'love to add' at Trade Deadline
July 22: The Pirates were seemingly en route to be Trade Deadline sellers two weeks ago, but the club has ripped off an 11-1 stretch -- including nine wins in a row -- to potentially change its plans.

According to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pirates executive vice president and general manager Neal Huntington addressed the club's recent success and what it could mean for the July 31 non-waiver Deadline on his radio show Sunday.

"We would love to add," Huntington said. "If there's something out there that makes sense and makes us better, we're absolutely open to that."

With their recent winning streak, the Pirates have pulled to within eight games of the first-place Cubs (4 1/2 behind the Brewers) in the National League Central and are just four games out in the NL Wild Card race.

As a result, it's looking like potential trade candidates such as Corey Dickerson, Felipe Vazquez, Ivan Nova, Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, David Freese and Francisco Cervelli could be staying with Pittsburgh beyond July 31. And they might just be joined by some reinforcements if the Pirates continue their winning ways.

Olney: Cabrera could be next Met to move
July 22: Though recently moved closer Jeurys Familia and the Mets' starting rotation have drawn much intrigue leading up to the Trade Deadline, the buzz around veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera has steadily grown among teams that could either use an upgrade in the infield or clubs that might value Cabrera's positional flexibility in the stretch run and into the postseason.

Tweet from @Buster_ESPN: Asdrubal Cabrera could be the next Met to move: He's hitting .280, .332 OBP, 17 homers, positional flexibility. Brewers, Cleveland, Phillies among the teams with interest in him.

Tweet from @Feinsand: Familia not the only Mets player drawing interest; source says multiple teams have inquired about Asdrubal Cabrera, though no deal is imminent. Brewers and D-backs believed to be among potential suitors.

According to reports by ESPN's Buster Olney, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and Matt Ehalt of The Record, the Brewers, Indians, Phillies, D-backs and Mariners are among the teams that are believed to have expressed interest in the 32-year-old, who has exclusively played second for the Mets this season but also saw time at third last year and spent several seasons as Cleveland's primary shortstop earlier in his career.

Teams like the Indians (Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez) and Mariners (Dee Gordon, Jean Segura, Kyle Seager) have established starters in the infield that wouldn't be displaced by Cabrera, but there's plenty of Ben Zobrist-like value that Cabrera could provide to such clubs with his veteran bat and positional versatility that could prove valuable in the postseason. The Brewers, D-backs and Phillies have clear needs in the infield.

The switch-hitting Cabrera is slashing .280/.332/.487 this season with 17 homers and 53 RBIs, and is on pace for his eighth consecutive season of at least 135 games played.

Tigers may look to move Iglesias
July 22: Five years after the Red Sox dealt him to the Tigers as part of a three-team trade for Jake Peavy, Jose Iglesias may be on the move at the Trade Deadline once again. Following a slow start to the season, Iglesias has enhanced his trade value over the past several months by batting .295/.325/.421 since April 13. The slick-fielding shortstop has also been more aggressive on the bases this year, nabbing a career-high 12 steals.

For teams that missed out on Manny Machado, Iglesias could provide an upgrade on the left side of the infield. Iglesias has logged time at third base and second base in the past as well, so he could have value as a utility infielder. The 28-year-old will be a free agent after this season, which might lead Detroit to shop Iglesias in the coming days.

Red Sox scouting Twins, Royals
July 21: Red Sox senior vice president of player personnel Frank Wren was in attendance at Friday's Twins-Royals game in Kansas City, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Tweet from @MikeBerardino: Among scouts here tonight for #mntwins-#Royals: #RedSox senior VP/BB Ops Frank Wren, who goes back to the #Expos days with Boston baseball czar Dave Dombrowski.

It's unclear which players the Red Sox were scouting, but both teams are sellers leading up to the Trade Deadline. Minnesota's Brian Dozier and Kansas City's Whit Merrifield would both be fits in Boston with second baseman Dustin Pedroia possibly out for the rest of the season with left knee inflammation. The Red Sox are also pursuing bullpen help and could be interested in Twins relievers Fernando Rodney and Zach Duke.

Boston may be targeting Kansas City's Mike Moustakas as well after being linked to Manny Machado. In return, the Red Sox could offer 21-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers, who was activated from the disabled list on Saturday. Devers, who had been sidelined since July 11 with left shoulder inflammation, is hitting .241/.292/.424 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs in 89 games this year.

White Sox unlikely to deal Abreu
July 21: Despite some interest from the Astros, the White Sox appear unlikely to move All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, according to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Tweet from @BNightengale: The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him

MLB.com's Richard Justice had previously reported that Astros president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow was looking to add a big-name bat before the Trade Deadline, and that Abreu was among the players that Houston was exploring.

But the great value that the White Sox reportedly place in Abreu's clubhouse presence, his influence over many of the team's young players and the plethora of top talent in the upper levels of Chicago's Minor League system could have been factors in the organization's inclination to hold on to Abreu, who is under team control through 2019.

The Astros have also been connected to Orioles closer Zach Britton, and they were believed to be discussing Rays catcher Wilson Ramos before he went on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain earlier this week.

Video: Justice on Astros' interest in Abreu, Archer rumors

PHOENIX -- Pick a pitch.

Select an adjective.

D-backs right-hander Zack Greinke was so good with so much of his arsenal in a 13-strikeout, 6-1 victory over the Rockies on Sunday that those involved had a hard time choosing just one. For catcher Jeff Mathis, it was Greinke's slider.

"The slider [was] better than it's been in a little while," said Mathis, who has caught all of Greinke's 21 starts.

"It hasn't been quite where he has wanted it the first half. It's a credit to the work he has been putting in, trying to figure it out, trying to get it to the point it was last year. I think we are getting close. It's a little bit deeper, a little bit sharper. It's getting to where he kind of was last year."

Video: COL@ARI: Souza Jr. rips an RBI double to open scoring

FanGraphs identified the slider and changeup as Greinke's two most effective pitches in 2017, when he was 17-7 with a 3.20 ERA. The changeup and curveball have graded out to be his most effective so far this season.

For Colorado manager Bud Black, it was the curveball that Greinke drops in from 65 mph to 71 mph.

"In a lot of ways, you see Zack fastball-slider-change, but the curveball really came into play today -- the slow curveball. He did a great job of mixing pitches," Black said after the Rockies' seven-game win streak came to an end.

Greinke had four strikeouts on the curve, four on his slider, three on his fastball and two on the slider. He threw 13 curves. Nine were strikes, and only two were put in play, both harmless outs.

Video: COL@ARI: Lamb makes a fantastic grab to rob Arenado

The final delivery in his 111-pitch outing was a 68-mph curve that caught pinch-hitter Raimel Tapia looking to end the eighth inning, the first time Greinke had gone eight innings this season.

"The results have been as good as you could hope for this year," Greinke said about his curve.

"It's going to stop working I think any time now, I think, but as of now it is still working. It was good in 2004 and then it was bad in 2005. After people saw it, it stopped working. There is some confidence in it, because the results have been good. Try not to overexpose it."

Video: COL@ARI: Greinke, Lovullo on dominant start

Greinke threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of the first 20 hitters he faced and 22 of the 27 he faced.

For D-backs manager Torey Lovullo, it was Greinke's fastball, which topped out at 92, at the top of normal. He was pitching for the first time in eight days.

"He was duplicating pitches on both sides of the plate with his fastball," Lovullo said. "We jumped on his back and he carried us a long way today."

Video: COL@ARI: Ahmed drives in 2 with a triple to left

Supported by a two-run triple by Nick Ahmed and a two-run single by Mathis, Geinke improved to 11-5 and won his sixth straight decision. He has given up only five runs in his last 39 2/3 innings, good for a 1.14 ERA. His season ERA is 3.05, the lowest it has been since his second start of the season.

Ian Desmond broke up Greinke's no-hit bid with an opposite-field homer with one out in the fifth inning, and Trevor Story had the Rockies' only other hit off him, a single with two outs in the seventh inning.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The D-backs scored their first three runs after twice starting rallies with two outs and no runners on base. A.J. Pollock and Steven Souza Jr. had back-to-back doubles with two outs in the first inning, and Ahmed tripled in two runs in fourth after Jake Lamb walked and Daniel Descalso singled with two outs. Both hit sliders from Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela.

Video: COL@ARI: Mathis laces a 2-run single into left field

"We had timely at-bats. We had team at-bats," Lovullo said. "Just a really nice day."

SOUND SMART
The D-backs' defense has been at the top of the league this season, and Statcast™ could vouch for that again in the ninth inning Sunday.

Video: COL@ARI: Ahmed dives to make a phenomenal stop in 9th

Ketel Marte started a double play on a Gerardo Parra grounder that was given a 56 percent probably of being a hit. Ahmed then made a diving stop and throw to retire Nolan Arenado for the last out of the game on a ball that was judged to have a 58 percent of being a hit.

CLAY ON THE WAY
Right-hander Clay Buchholz will join the rotation for a start Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field after missing about a month with a strained oblique. He will be pitching on regular rest after giving up two runs and striking out six in six innings in a rehab start for Class A-Advanced Visalia on Thursday.

"Maybe it was for the best to make sure everything was out of there," Buchholz said of his four weeks on the disabled list.

HE SAID IT
"It seems liked Nolan Arenado had that coming because he has stolen so many base hits from us." -- Lovullo, after Ahmed made a diving stop to his left and got up to throw out the Rockies' Gold Glove-winning third baseman at first base to end the game

UP NEXT
The D-backs will send left-hander Patrick Corbin (6-4, 3.24 ERA) to the mound on Monday at 5:05 p.m. MT in the first game of a four-game series at Wrigley Field. Corbin has a 2.45 ERA over his last five starts and is among the NL leaders in ERA (3.24) and strikeouts (149). The Cubs will counter with Luke Farrell (3-3, 3.86).