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.
It's safe to say Bryce Harper is on fire.The Nationals outfielder hit six home runs in his last three games, but po sibly none bigger than the he dropped on the Braves Saturday.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant may have beenbatting .278 with a .422 OBP and 14 RBIs in his first20 games.But until Saturday, he'd yet to hit the . The rookie connected on athree-run shot to left-center for what was likelythe first of many for the Cubs' expected star.
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Here are more highlights from Saturday's games:
Impact players:
C Jose Lobaton, Nationals: Lobaton was stellar once again, hitting 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
1B Edwin Encarnacin, Blue Jays: Encarnacin took advantage of Joe Kelly's rough day. He went 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks.
2B Brian Dozier, Twins: Dozier went 2 for 4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a walk.
SS AsdrbalCabrera, Rays:Cabrera was 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run.
3B Gordon Beckham, White Sox: Beckham went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in an 8-2 win against the Reds Kindle Vildor Jerseys in Game 2 of a doubleheader.
OF Khris Davis, Brewers:Davis was perfect at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a single and two doubles, resulting in three RBIs. He added a walk and two runs scored.
DH Jimmy Paredes, Orioles: One of the biggest surprises of the season, Paredes is now batting .347/.373/.681 with five homers and 15 RBIs, after a 3-for-5 night that included a solo home run and a triple.
SP Carlos Rodon, White Sox: Rodon was brilliant in his firstMLB start, spinning six innings of two-run baseball. He struck out eight batters and only gave up four hits.
Key injuries:
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte left the game against the Cardinals with
Rays pitcher will likely need season-ending surgery on his torn labrum.The full extent of his injury won't be official until he goes for an MRI on Monday, butsurgery seemsinevitable.
Surprise performers:
Good: In his fifth game of the season, Indians designated hitterNick Swisher went 4 for 4 with a run scored. Not only did hedoublehis season hit total in one game, but he alsoraisedhis average from .133 to .316.
Bad: Red Sox starterJoe Kelly i sued seven walks and six earned Damien Williams Jerseys runs in 5 2/3 frames against the Blue Jays. He now owns an abysmal6.35 ERA and1.35 WHIP this season.
Web gem:
The Pirates turned first the ever 4-5-4 triple play
Your browser does not support iframes.
This guy didn't need a web for this gem:
The CASUAL one-handed-while-holding-a-beer catch:
MLB (@MLB)
You'll have to do better to get a hit pa sed Justin Maxwell:
. sees your hit, and raises you this catch:
MLB (@MLB)
Facts of the day:
White Sox phenom Carlos Rodon earned a win in his firstcareer start.
With his 100th pitch, gets his 8th strikeout - all swinging!
Chicago White Sox (@whitesox)
White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez crushed his way to 100 career home runs with .
Houston's JoseAltuve,Chris Carter, andColby Rasmus hit a homer in each of the first threeinnings.The last time theAstros accomplished thatwasOct. 2, 2004 (Craig Biggio, Jeff Kent, Biggio).
Reactions:
Following a pickoff attempt, AsdrbalCabrera and Rangers second baseman Adam Rosales exchanged words, leading to the in the 4th inning.
"I just just want to keep playing, I want to keep having fun, stay heatlhy. That's all I care about. I like to stay in the lineup, stay healthy, that's all I want to do. ... Like I've been saying, I have a lot of great guys around me. I have a great manager who believes in me and we have a lot of fun in this clubhouse. It makes it easy."
"He's the hottest player in the world right now. He's putting good swings on everything, he's seeing the ball well, his balance is good. You can't really do any one thing to him that's going to get him out. I Cairo Santos Jerseys think you just have to keep mixing it up, and that just wasn't the right pitch there, I gue s."Martin, on the Harper walk-off home run.
Off the field:
The Red Sox willoption outfielder Allen Craig to TripleA, centerfielderJackie Bradley Jr.
Dodgers outfielderYasiel Puig will receive an MRI Sunday on his injured hamstring.
Scores:
American League:Astros 6, Angels 5Mariners 7, Athletics 2
National League:
Interleague:
A look ahead:(all times Eastern):
Orioles (13-15) at Yankees (19-12), 1:05 p.m.:Michael Pineda(4-0, 2. Alex Bars Jerseys 97 ERA)has been the best starter in the Yankees' rotation, andhas never lost in five career starts against the Orioles. Bud Norris (1-3, 9.75 ERA) is expected to take the hill for the Os, butwas sent home early from Saturday's game due to illne s. He remains questionable for the Sundaymatinee.
Mets (19-11) at Phillies (11-20), 1:35 p.m.: Theagele s wonder Bartolo Colon (5-1, 2.90 ERA) will be seeking his sixth win of the season against Chad Billingsley (0-1, 9.00 ERA) and the Phillies. Colon, 41, hasallowed just one walk in 40 1/3 innings this season.
Athletics (12-20) at Mariners (13-17), 4:10 p.m.: In the only pitching matchup between starters with ERAs below 2.00, Je se Chavez (1-2, 1.80 ERA) and the Athletics will look to avoid the sweep against Felix Hernandez (5-0, 1.73 ERA). King Felix has opened a season with a 5-0 record for the first time and should be in greatshape for his sixth win.Hernandez is 19-7, with a 2.64 ERA in 36 career starts vs. the A's. He needsjust fivestrikeouts to reach 2,000 for his career.