Hosmer's 5 hits, slam help Royals top Tigers, win 8th in row  —  DETROIT (AP) — Eric Hosmer matched his career high with five hits, including his first major league grand slam, and the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games with a 16-2 rout of the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Adrian Beltre baffled by strange ejection from humorless umpire  —  This is how you treat a future Hall of Famer?  Good gravy.  —  Texas Rangers living legend Adrian Beltre, just four hits shy of becoming the 31st person in the history of the world to collect 3,000 hits …

Cardinals find 'everything we're looking for' in sweep of Rockies  —  St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Martinez reacts towards the dugout as he runs to first base with an RBI-single in the fourth inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday July 26, 2017, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Rockies Acquire Pat Neshek  —  The Rockies announced that they've acquired right-hander Pat Neshek from the Phillies in exchange for minor league infielder Jose Gomez and minor league right-handers J.D. Hammer and Alejandro Requena.  Lefty Tyler Anderson has been moved to the 60-day DL to clear a roster spot.

Stephen Strasburg heads to DL as Nats call up LHP Erick Fedde  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals All-Star pitcher Stephen Strasburg is headed to the 10-day disabled list.  —  Following his team's 8-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, manager Dusty Baker confirmed that Strasburg …

Arrieta helps Cubs stay hot with 8-3 victory over White Sox  —  One after another, the starting pitchers for the Chicago Cubs are delivering every night.  —  It was Jake Arrieta's turn on Wednesday.  —  Arrieta pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning, and the Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox 8-3 …

Steven Matz gets shelled, lasts only three innings as Mets fall to Padres, 6-3  —  Steven Matz's struggles continued with the Mets left-hander lasting just three innings Wednesday night, killing the Mets momentum early in a 6-3 loss to the Padres at Petco Park.

Bryce Harper wants to take part in D.C. Home Run Derby  —  WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper is all in on the Home Run Derby.  —  “If I do have the opportunity to play in the All-Star Game next year,” said the Washington Nationals slugger on Wednesday afternoon, “I'll definitely do the Home Run Derby.”

Dansby Swanson optioned to Triple-A  —  PHOENIX - The move that once seemed so improbable is now a reality: Struggling Braves rookie Dansby Swanson has been sent to Triple-A.  —  Swanson, batting .214 with six home runs and a .287 on-base percentage in 95 games, was informed …

Notes: Matt Garza goes on DL with calf strain; Michael Blazek will start on Thursday  —  WASHINGTON - Some years, it seems as if the same type of injury plagues a team.  For the Milwaukee Brewers, 2017 has been the year of the calf strain.  —  Right-hander Matt Garza became the fourth player to suffer that problem.

Odubel Herrera's benching is a just a night off, Mackanin says  —  Odubel Herrera was held out of the Phillies' lineup Wednesday night a day after he was yanked from the game.  But it was not a benching, Pete Mackanin said.  —  The manager said Herrera was just getting a day off …

Zimmer homers, drives in go-ahead run as Indians beat Angels … Bradley Zimmer homered and drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh-inning double and the  —  Cleveland Indians matched a season high with their sixth straight win, 10-4 over the  —  Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.

Sale Away: Red Sox ace Ks 11 in 4-0 win over Mariners  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Sale pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, top prospect Rafael Devers became the youngest Boston player to hit a home run in more than 50 years, and the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 4-0 on Wednesday to salvage the final game of the series.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw hopeful he can make ‘at least a few’ starts before playoffs begin  —  Dodgers star pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, who is on the disabled list due to a back injury, congratulates Cody Bellinger after the Dodgers beat the Twins on July 25.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Samardzija deals Giants to victory over Pirates ... but will he be dealt?  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Jeff Samardzija is drawing a significant amount of interest from contending teams as Monday's non-waiver trade deadline approaches.  The Giants, so viciously brought to heel by the rest of the league this season, must be open to listening.