LEADING OFF: Stanton surges, Devers debuts, Gray auditions  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors Tuesday:  —  GIANT GIANCARLO  —  Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton has hit six home runs in seven games and is tied with Yankees rookie Aaron Judge for most in the majors at 32.

Martinez, Pollock, Greinke power Diamondbacks past Braves  —  PHOENIX (AP) - J.D. Martinez's time as an Arizona Diamondback started a little rough.  Last week in his debut with the team, he was hit in the hand with a pitch, and didn't return to the starting lineup until Monday night.

Kershaw has back strain, not herniated disk like last season  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) Braced for the worst possible news on injured ace Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers tried to find some comfort Monday that his back diagnosis did not appear as dire as last season.

Altuve 4 hits for 2nd day in row, Astros rout Phillies 13-4  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Like any good magician, Jose Altuve isn't sharing his secrets.  —  Once again turning his bat into a wand of sorts, Altuve had four hits for the second consecutive game, extending his hitting streak to 16 games …

Texas Rangers pitcher Tyson Ross lands on DL with blister  —  The Texas Rangers placed Tyson Ross on the 10-day disabled list on Monday, making him the latest pitcher to be sidelined with a blister.  —  Ross is out with a blister on his right index finger.

McCutchen's three-run homer powers Pirates past Giants 10-3  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates kept clearing the fences, and the San Francisco Giants were left arguing plate umpire Chris Conroy's tough strike zone.  —  Even Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle understood the beef.

Paxton, Seager pace Mariners past Red Sox, 4-0 (Jul 24, 2017)  —  SEATTLE (AP) James Paxton allowed four singles over seven innings to win his fifth consecutive start in July and Kyle Seager homered to pace the Seattle Mariners to a 4-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

Tomlin, Indians win fourth straight, 6-2 over Reds (Jul 24, 2017)  —  CLEVELAND (AP) Josh Tomlin pitched six efficient innings, Carlos Santana homered twice and the Cleveland Indians won their fourth straight, 6-2 over the tumbling Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in the makeup of a May 25 rainout.

Machado does it all in O's win  —  Baltimore blanks Tampa Bay 5-0  —  Copy Link  —  Copy  —  {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied!  —  BALTIMORE —  Kevin Gausman pitched six strong innings, Adam Jones homered and the Baltimore Orioles sent the Tampa Bay Rays to their season-worst fifth straight loss, 5-0 Monday night.

Miguel Gonzalez's big start a relief as White Sox snap nine-game skid  —  White Sox starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez returns to the dugout after pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 24, 2017.  —  Chicago Tribune

Grichuk, Leake lead Cardinals to an 8-2 win over Rockies (Jul 24, 2017)  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer, Mike Leake pitched seven scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Monday night.  —  Leake's six-strikeout performance …

Gray takes mound for A's vs. Jays amid trade rumors (Jul 25, 2017)  —  TORONTO — The Sonny Gray watch continues.  —  As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the Oakland Athletics starter is expected to be a target for several teams.  —  Gray will start for the Athletics …

Mets place Zack Wheeler on DL for second time; Jacob deGrom rolls in win over Padres  —  SAN DIEGO  —  The New York Mets envisioned plenty of games like these, nightly masterpieces crafted by a stable of talented young arms.  On Monday night, Jacob deGrom stifled the San Diego Padres …

As trade rumors loom, Verlander good at home; Tigers lose to Royals in 12, 5-3  —  Nicholas Castellanos leads the AL in triples.  Other Tigers of the past 60 years to lead the AL.  Video by Ryan Ford/DFP Wochit  —  CONNECT  —  Time has been ticking towards the trade deadline for a while now.

Willson Contreras the emotional catalyst behind Cubs' resurgence  —  As the Chicago media corps surrounded the city's most exciting player this month before Monday's Cubs-White Sox game at Wrigley Field, Willson Contreras widened his bleary eyes to adjust to the bright lights of the cameras.

Drew VerHagen back in Detroit Tigers' bullpen after injury-shortened 2016  —  Video by Chris Nelsen/Special to DFP  —  Drew VerHagen thought about it as he made the hour drive from Toledo to Detroit on Sunday evening, looking back on just how far he has come from season-ending thoracic outlet surgery …

Mets' best trade hopes have one thing in common all teams crave  —  Mets relief pitcher Addison Reed (left) and infielder Asdrubal Cabrera … SAN DIEGO — The Mets expect to make multiple trades before 4 p.m. next Monday, but a total housecleaning may not be imminent.