Cueto snaps winless skid and helps Giants beat Mets 8-1 … SAN FRANCISCO — Johnny Cueto didn't see much significance in facing the New York Mets for the first time since Game 2 of last year's World Series.  —  Getting the struggling Giants back on track and into first place in the NL West …

Rangers Sign Carlos Gomez  —  The Rangers have officially announced that they've signed veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez to a minor league deal, as FanRag's Jon Heyman was first to report (Twitter links).  Gomez is expected to play a few games in the minors before being called up.

MLB clears Ryan Howard, Ryan Zimmerman of PED allegations  —  Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard were cleared by Major League Baseball Friday, months after an Al Jazeera America documentary claimed both used performance-enhancing drugs.

Zach Eflin undergoes season-ending surgery (and is likely to need another procedure, too)  —  Zach Eflin is joining fellow right-hander Aaron Nola on the sidelines for the remainder of the 2016 season.  —  But unlike Nola, Eflin had to undergo season-ending surgery.

Mariners Win 7th Straight at Home With 7-6 Win Over Brewers  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 20, 2016, 1:45 A.M. E.D.T.  —  SEATTLE — Kyle Seager got Seattle started with a solo home run, and Robinson Cano added a two-run shot, and the Mariners continued their surge at home with a 7-6 victory …

Rockies Rally for 2 in 11th vs Chapman, Edge Cubs on Error  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 20, 2016, 3:03 A.M. E.D.T.  —  DENVER — Ryan Raburn hit an RBI double and continued home when the Cubs threw away the relay, capping a two-run rally in the 11th inning against Aroldis Chapman and sending …

Andino, Marlins Hold Off Pirates in 9th Inning  —  PITTSBURGH — Robert Andino hit a tiebreaking single in the top of the ninth inning, then the Miami Marlins got Andrew McCutchen to ground into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded to hold off the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 Friday night in a matchup of NL wild-card contenders.

Yankees' 4 Homers Back Tanaka in 7-0 Win Over Angels  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 20, 2016, 1:21 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Yankees hit four solo home runs and Masahiro Tanaka allowed five hits in 7 2/3 innings as New York continued its mastery over the sinking Los Angeles Angels with a 7-0 victory Friday night.

Grichuk, Cardinals Beat Phils in 11th for 5th Straight Win  —  PHILADELPHIA — There is a power bug going through the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup right now.  —  Randal Grichuk homered early, then hit an RBI double in the 11th inning that sent St. Louis over the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Friday night for their fifth straight win.

Beltre Homers Twice in Rangers' 6-2 Win Over Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Adrian Beltre led off consecutive innings with home runs and Cole Hamels didn't give up a hit until the sixth in the Texas Rangers' 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Naquin Hits Game-Ending Inside-The-Park HR, Indians Top Jays  —  CLEVELAND — Tyler Naquin hit a game-ending inside-the-park homer, sprinting around the bases to cap a two-run rally in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians stunned the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Friday night.