Each night we’ll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day’s action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day’s matchups.
Albert Pujols added another accolade to his resume Monday,blasting the547th, 548th and 549th home runs of his careerto pa sPhillies great Mike Schmidt for 15th on the all-time home run list.The first came in Game 1 of the Angels doubleheader against the Red Sox on Monday, when Pujolsbelted a homer in the second inning. During Game 2, he slammed his 548th homer, alsoin the second inning, and connected again in the seventh for No. 549.
Pujolsleads the majors with 29 homers on the season, while teammate Mike Trout, who also homered Monday, has 28.
Here are more highlights from Monday’s games:
Impact players:
C James McCann, Tigers:McCann was 2 Henry Black Jerseys for 2 with two RBIsin a 5-4 winover the Mariners.
1B TravisIshikawa, Pirates:Ishikawawas 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIsin a 10-7 win overthe Royals.
2B Ian Kinsler, Tigers:Kinsler’ssecond homer of the night in the eighth inning lifted the Tigers to victory over the Mariners. It was his first two-homer game in four years.
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies:Tulowitzki’s two-run homer in the second extended hison-base streak to 41 games. He finished 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs.
3B Justin Turner, Dodgers:Despite the lo s, Turner went 4 for 4, tying his career high in hits. It was his fifth careerfour-hit game and second this season.
OF NickMarkakis, Braves: Markakisbelted his first homer of the year for the Braves and his first in 355 at-bats. He went 2 for 3 with a doubleand a runscoredin Atlanta’s win.
DH David Ortiz, Red Sox: Ortiz attempted to salvage Boston’ssecond game against the Angels, smacking a two-run homer and going2 for 4 at the plate.
SP Hector Santiago, Angels:Santiago gave Vernon Scott Jerseys up one run andstruck out a career-high-tying 10 in five-plus innings against the Red Sox, dropping his ERA to 2.30.
Key injuries:
Pirates shortstopJordy Mercer was afterCarlos Gomez of the Tigers slid into himduring Sunday’s game. He will be outat least six weeks.
Pirates catcherFrancisco Cervelli left the game with a right wrist bruise after he washit by a pitch in a spot hed been hit before.
Francisco Cervelli was removed from the game due discomfort to his right wrist. He is being treated and evaluated.
Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates)
Play of the day:
Phillies second basemanBrandon Phillips got an out with ato shortstop Eugenio Suarez.
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Surprise performers:
Good:JeffFrancoeurhustled home to scoreon a wild pitch in the second inning, putting the Phillies on the board for their eventual win. He also went2 for 2 at the plate.
Bad:Rockies pitcher Ben Paulsen completely spaced out, taggingfirst for what he thought was the third out after a Prince Fielder groundoutand starting toward the dugout. Except that was only the second out of the inning. The Rangers .
Facts of the day:
The Red Sox allowed seven runs or morein the secondinning oftheir first game against the Angels on Monday, the fourth time they’ve done so this season.
Boston allowed 7 R in an inning an MLB-leading 4th time this season (2nd time vs LAA). In prev. 2 seasons, BOS allowed 7 in 1 inning 3 times
ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)
The Pirates surrendered four stolen bases to the Royals, the fourth time they’ve allowed that many in one game this season.
Pirates have allowed 4 SB today, their 4th such game of the season. That’s twice as many as any other team in the majors.
ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)
Trade rumor roundup:
The White Sox are in “listening mode” ahead of the July 31 trade deadline,which could see them movestarting pitcherJeffSamardzija,Fox Sports’.Samardzija’s contract will expire after the season, but Chicago may be forced to accept Elgton Jenkins Jerseys a le ser offer in a saturated pitching market.
For the first time in years, the enteringthe July 31 trade deadline. Staff aceDavid Price and sluggerYoenis Cespedes are two players who GM Dave Dombrowski would make available to teams, .
Off the field:
The Cardinals are reportedly from Triple-A Memphis before Tuesday’s game against the White Sox. Piscotty is hitting.272 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in 87 games with Memphis.
The Red Sox designated catcher Sandy Leon to make room for rookieBlake Swihart, . The Sox are looking for a catcher with more offensive prowe s, Ferrell said.
Giants right-handerTim Lincecum, already on the disabled list with a bruised forearm, to treat a degenerative condition and should resume throwing in a fewdays, manager Bruce Bochy said.
Giancarlo Stanton has been cleared to start swinging a bat, Marlins managerDan Jennings said, . The batting practice consists of “dry swings,” which don’t involve hitting a ball.
Monday’s Scores:
American League
(Game 1)(Game 2)
National League
Interleague
A look ahead (All times Eastern):
Orioles (46-45) vs. Yankees (50-41), 7:05 p.m.:Yankees aceNathan Eovaldi(9-2, 4.50 ERA)seeks his 10th win of the season. He’s won four of his past five games and has posted a2.93 ERA during that span.
Red Sox (42-50)vs. Astros (51-43), 8:10 p.m.: It will be a battle of the rookies asAstros righty Vincent Velasquez (0-1, 3.94 ERA) faces off against Red Soxlefty Brian Johnson (0-0, ERA 0.0), who will be making his MLB debut after replacingClay Buchholz, who was placed on the DL.
Giants (49-44) vs. Padres (44-49), 10:10 p.m.: Giants rightyChris Heston (9-5,3.39 ERA) went into the All-Star break on a Jerry Kramer Jerseys roll, winning four of his last five games and posting a 2.12 ERA in that time. He is 1-1against the Padres this season.