Kazmir's Spicy Start, Utley's Leadoff HR, Dodgers Top Nats  —  WASHINGTON — On the day the Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw suffered an injury setback, the lineup and starter Scott Kazmir stepped up.  Some cramp-curing pickle juice and spicy mustard helped as well.

The potential bombshell Cubs trade that never materialized  —  Plus Jerry Manuel's new calling and more in Ken Rosenthal's latest notes.  —  Every year before the non-waiver deadline, I write that we should expect the unexpected.  Something will happen to make our heads spin.  Something always does.

Giants Prioritizing Relief Additions  —  Giants GM Bobby Evans suggested yesterday that his organization is looking hard at relievers, in an appearance on the podcast of ESPN.com's Buster Olney (audio link).  Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the organization is said to be “blanketing” …

Ortiz Hits 3-Run Homer, Boston Beats San Francisco  —  BOSTON — Back home and rested, David Ortiz isn't ready to look at the second half of the season as the final stretch just yet.  —  Ortiz drove a three-run homer deep into the seats in right field and Rick Porcello remained unbeaten …

A complete look at the Rangers' trade market scenarios with less than two weeks to the deadline  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Another Rangers pitcher failed to make it through six innings.  Another big lead melted into nothingness.  —  And the club drew one day closer to the trading deadline without any reinforcements.

Familia Escapes Jam in 9th, Mets Beat Cubs 2-1  —  CHICAGO — Jeurys Familia escaped a bases-loaded jam with a game-ending double play after Rene Rivera drove in the tiebreaking run with two outs in the top of the ninth, lifting the New York Mets over the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJULY 20, 2016, 1:45 A.M. E.D.T.  —  DENVER — Blake Snell held Colorado to one hit over six strong innings, Evan Longoria homered and drove in three runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Rockies 10-1 on Tuesday night to end an 11-game road losing streak.

Encarnacion Homers, Sanchez Wins Again in Toronto Victory  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJULY 20, 2016, 12:48 A.M. E.D.T.  —  PHOENIX — Edwin Encarnacion hit his 25th home run, Aaron Sanchez pitched seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Tuesday night.

All Seven Rounds Of Dallas Cowboys 2016 Draft Board Rankings Leaked  —  If you wondered what the Cowboys' 2016 draft board rankings looked like, wonder no more (we think), because once again pictures of the board have surfaced and Blogging The Boys has most of the names, slotted just as they were in the Cowboys' war room!

Cabrera, Frazier Homer as White Sox Beat Mariners 6-1  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJULY 20, 2016, 1:18 A.M. E.D.T.  —  SEATTLE — Melky Cabrera hit a tie-breaking homer leading off the seventh inning, Todd Frazier added a two-run shot in the ninth and the Chicago White Sox snapped …

Nick Tropeano is 3rd Angels pitcher to tear elbow ligament  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Nick Tropeano has become the third Los Angeles Angels starter to tear his ulnar collateral ligament this season.  —  The Angels announced Tropeano's injury Tuesday.  The right-hander left his start Monday against Texas after two innings.

Orioles Designate Henry Urrutia For Assignment, Place Hyun Soo Kim On DL  —  The Orioles announced today that they have placed left fielder Hyun Soo Kim on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, with a strained hamstring.  In his place, the club has selected the contract …

Ex-Cardinals scouting director sentenced to 46 months in jail for Astros hack  —  Former St. Louis Cardinals scouting director Chris Correa was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for hacking into a Houston Astros' computer personnel database.  —  U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes levied …

Mets notes: Michael Conforto experiment  —  Conforto experiment  —  Michael Conforto returned to the team for Monday's game against the Cubs and may start playing center field against right-handers to accommodate Yoenis Cespedes in left field.  —  Conforto said he last manned center while attending Oregon State.