Ballbug: Mondesi's Bunt Single Helps Royals Beat Angels 7-5 (Associated Press)

Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:

Rangers Acquire Lucas Harrell, Dario Alvarez — The Rangers have added some depth to their rotation and bullpen, announcing the acquisition of right-handed starter Lucas Harrell and left-hander reliever Dario Alvarez from the Braves in exchange for minor league second baseman Travis Demeritte.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports, Talking Chop and Minor League Ball

Freeman HR, 5 RBIs as Braves Top Twins for 2-Game Sweep — MINNEAPOLIS — Freddie Freeman homered, doubled and tied a career high with five RBIs as the Atlanta Braves held off the Minnesota Twins 9-7 Wednesday night for a two-game sweep. — Freeman went 4 for 4 with a walk, driving in five runs for the fifth time in his career.

Discussion: Talking Chop

Josh Norris / Baseball America:

Trade Central: Rangers Deal Demeritte For Two Arms — THE DEAL — The prices for pitching are sky high in the trade market's current state, so the Rangers found a cheaper, off-the-radar alternative. By acquiring righthander Lucas Harrell and lefthanded reliever Dario Alvarez …

Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:

What will the Nationals do after missing out on Aroldis Chapman? — Plus, items on Jonathan Lucroy and Melvin Upton in Ken Rosenthal's latest notes. — Mike Rizzo (Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports) — So now what for the Nationals? — Aroldis Chapman is a Cub. Jonathan Papelbon is unraveling.

Discussion: Minor League Ball and Al's Ramblings

Discussion: Federal Baseball, Baseball Hot Corner and FanGraphs Baseball

Associated Press:

Cardinals Snap Familia's Saves Streak, Rally Past Mets 5-4 — NEW YORK — Yadier Molina and pinch-hitter Kolten Wong each stroked an RBI double in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals ended Jeurys Familia's streak of 52 straight saves in rallying past the New York Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports and Viva El Birdos

Discussion: ESPN and Faith and Fear in Flushing

ESPN:

It's a nonstarter: Rays have arms, but likely will wait to deal them — In a bleak landscape for pitching, the Tampa Bay Rays are awash in talented young starters with affordable contracts and several years of club control. Survey the available options and Tampa is an oasis of promise in a desert of back-end, complementary types.

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation

Discussion: Fish Stripes

Associated Press:

Baez Hits 2-Run HR, Russell Adds Slam as Cubs Rout White Sox — CHICAGO — Javier Baez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer deep into Wrigley's Field's left bleachers in the seventh, Addison Russell added a grand slam in a five-run eighth and the Chicago Cubs beat the White Sox 8-1 on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports and South Side Sox

Associated Press:

McCullers, Rasmus Help Astros Over Yankees 4-1 — HOUSTON — Lance McCullers struck out 10 in six solid innings, Colby Rasmus broke out of a slump with a two-run homer and the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 4-1 on Wednesday night. — Rasmus snapped an -for-29 skid when he sent …

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley

Associated Press:

Mondesi's Bunt Single Helps Royals Beat Angels 7-5 — By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJULY 28, 2016, 12:57 A.M. E.D.T. — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Raul Mondesi celebrated an unforgettable 21st birthday. — Mondesi had two infield singles, leading to four runs and two pitchers throwing errors …

Discussion: Halos Heaven and Royals Review

Associated Press:

Cabrera's HR Bounces Right for Tigers in 4-3 Win Over Boston — BOSTON — Miguel Cabrera hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning that bounced off the top of the wall and into Boston's bullpen, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday for a three-game series sweep.

Discussion: Bless You Boys and Over the Monster

Associated Press:

Padres Hit 3 HRs to Extend Streak, Beat Blue Jays 8-4 — TORONTO — Adam Rosales hit a two-run home run, Alex Dickerson and Brett Wallace each hit solo shots and the San Diego Padres beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 on Wednesday, avoiding a three-game sweep. — San Diego extended …

Discussion: Gaslamp Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, Bluebird Banter, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo Sports

Associated Press:

Cole Pitches 3-Hitter, Pirates Rout Mariners 10-1 — PITTSBURGH — Gerrit Cole pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game and slumping Andrew McCutchen had a three-run home run among his three hits as the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled to a 10-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Lookout Landing and CBS Pittsburgh