Rodriguez's return restores Red Sox rotation to full strength  —  BOSTON — Two days before the All-Star break began and again the day after it ended, Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski killed the buzz of armchair general managers throughout New England by announcing …

Seattle Mariners complete sweep of Chicago White Sox with 10-inning win  —  CHICAGO — The Seattle Mariners have started the second half of the season on a roll.  Now they'll see where they'll go.  —  Nelson Cruz homered in the 10th inning and the Mariners held off the Chicago White Sox 7-6 …

Despite adding experience to a depleted bullpen, Nationals may not be done dealing  —  There's more than one way to build a bullpen.  In the case of the Washington Nationals, any arrangement was better than what they had.  —  Manager Dusty Baker's pleas for relief help were finally answered Sunday …

With roles scrambled, Cards' bullpen blows another game in 9th  —  PITTSBURGH  • The trouble with the bullpen roulette the Cardinals are spinning these days is that if any reliever could be used in any role, then there really are no roles at all.  —  In the past week …

Rockies kick off homestand vs. Padres (Jul 17, 2017)  —  DENVER — Coming off a much-needed road win over the New York Mets, the Colorado Rockies begin a three-game series Monday against the San Diego Padres, the start of a seven-game homestand.  —  The Rockies were outscored 23-5 while losing …

Return of the King: A Mariners turnaround hinges on Hernandez  —  Could the Seattle Mariners still make us “experts” look good?  It's becoming less possible by the week as we creep closer to the trade deadline, and hopes for a sudden turnaround might depend on the impossible-to-read near future of King Felix Hernandez.

Royals beat Rangers 4-3 on walk-off single in the sun  —  The following statement is either a source of true hope or genuine frustration, depending on your perspective: The Royals entered Sunday afternoon just three games out of first place and 2 1/2 back in the race for the second American League Wild Card spot.

Justin Turner homers to help Dodgers beat Marlins for ninth consecutive win  —  MIAMI (AP) — Justin Turner homered and singled to increase his batting average to .374, and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to nine games Sunday by beating the Miami Marlins 3-2.

Sierra quickly earns ‘regular playing time’  —  St. Louis Cardinals' Magneuris Sierra (left) reacts after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg to end the game after 13 innings during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Cron's pinch-hit home run in 8th sends Angels over Rays 4-3  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Cron isn't necessarily happy about his reduced role with the Los Angeles Angels this season.  But when playing time does come, he's determined to make the most of it.

Pirates get chance to make up ground on Brewers (Jul 17, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, the next four days are critical.  —  The Pirates (44-48), fourth in the National League Central, play host to the first-place Milwaukee Brewers …

Yoenis Cespedes sits out in Mets loss, but expects to play vs. Cardinals  —  For now, the Mets have avoided a crisis with Yoenis Cespedes.  —  The Mets outfielder sat out a 13-4 loss to the Rockies Sunday in the series finale at Citi Field after injuring his hip in the previous night's 9-3 victory.