Mike Trout: Angels star hits 459-foot bomb vs. Mariners  —  Los Angles Angels slugger Mike Trout went yard twice in a loss to the Seattle Mariners.  —  One of the bombs traveled 459 feet in the 5-3 setback Monday at Safeco Field in Seattle.  Trout hit his first long ball in the top of the first inning.

Hot-hitting Martinez to lead Cardinals vs. Padres  —  Few hitters in baseball are hotter than Jose Martinez over the last nine games.  —  The San Diego Padres found out the hard way Monday night when Martinez went 3 for 4 and homered for the fifth time in five games, a two-run blast that gave …

Braves' Culberson is making most of recent opportunity  —  The chance to play for his hometown team really was a dream come true for Charlie Culberson.  But until a couple of weeks ago the dream wasn't going entirely as the utility player from Rome hoped it would.

Steven Wright and his knuckleball could fill key role for Red Sox  —  The Boston Red Sox have spent most of the season in first place or tied for the lead in the American League East.  Entering last weekend, they had spent just six days out of first place, and two of those were the first two days of the season.

White Sox aim to halt Indians' hot streak  —  The Cleveland Indians will go for their sixth win in the past seven games when they square off against the Chicago White Sox in the second game of a four-game set at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday night.  —  Cleveland (35-29) …

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates … When a couple of urine sample collectors from Major League Baseball walked into the Diamondbacks' clubhouse on Monday and made their way back to the training room area, one player couldn't help but take a playful, friendly jab at the suddenly red-hot-hitting Paul Goldschmidt.

Joe Maddon's relative to sign with rival Brewers  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the series against the Brewers on Monday, June 11, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon expressed some amusement Monday that relative Joe Baran was drafted …

Daniel Poncedeleon called up by Cardinals 13 months after severe head injury  —  St. Louis Cardinals righthander Daniel Poncedeleon is preparing for his major league debut just 13 months after a line drive to the head threatened not only his baseeball career but his life.

How has Cubs' Tommy La Stella become one of baseball's best pinch-hitters?  —  Tommy La Stella's approach to pinch-hitting is similar to his approach to life.  —  He's his own man.  —  “I think everyone is always their best hitting coach,” La Stella said.

Veteran pitcher Matt Belisle will rejoin Twins; Gregorio Petit DFA'd  —  Matt Belisle, 38, who finished last season as Minnesota's closer, was released by Cleveland.  —  DETROIT - Matt Belisle, who finished last season as the Twins closer, will rejoin the organization after requesting, and getting, his release from Cleveland.

Oakland A's aim to break through vs. Houston Astros  —  The Houston Astros will seek to continue their dominance over the Oakland Athletics when the contending clubs in the American League West open a three-game series on Tuesday night.  —  Lance McCullers, already 2-0 against the A's this season …

Rays sign two draft picks on Monday, eye deal with No. 1  —  In the midst of their 8-4 victory over the Blue Jays, the Rays signed two draft picks on Monday night, fifth-round pick RHP Taj Bradley and third-round INF Fort Proctor, and are set to finalize a deal with top pick Matthew Liberatore as soon as Tuesday.