Conforto homers, Matz strong as Mets beat D'backs 5-1  —  PHOENIX (AP) Michael Conforto homered and drove in four runs, Steven Matz pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Saturday night.  —  Conforto lined a three-run homer …

Russell and Heyward homer, Cubs rally past Cardinals 6-3  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) The Chicago Cubs got some key hits and effective pitching to get a big win.  —  Jason Heyward and Addison Russell homered, and Ian Happ had a tiebreaking RBI double in the seventh inning as the Cubs rallied to beat …

Is Luis Severino the most valuable Yankee?  —  NEW YORK — Luis Severino has been so strong for the New York Yankees this season that even he's going on record in recognizing his dominance.  Asked during a media scrum Saturday afternoon to share his thoughts on his 10-2 season to this point …

What Braves said after shutting out Padres  —  The Braves extended their hold on the National League East to 2.5 games with Saturday's 1-0 win over the Padres.  —  Sean Newcomb pitched six scoreless and Charlie Culberson's fifth-inning homer proved the difference.  —  Here's what the Braves said afterward:

Eflin stops Milwaukee again, Phillies slow down Brewers 4-1  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Zach Eflin has made all the difference for the Philadelphia Phillies against the National League's top team.  —  Rhys Hoskins and Andrew Knapp hit home runs and Eflin beat the Milwaukee Brewers for the second time in a week …

Cards notebook: Leone ‘turns corner’ in recovery; Bowman returns  —  Cardinals reliever Dominic Leone, whose season has been in question because of nerve trouble in his right arm and biceps, met with a specialist this past week and received encouraging news.  Leone's nerve injury has started to show signs of rejuvenation and recovery.

Angels, A's seek series win after splitting two games  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — One team already assured of a losing trip and another hoping to avoid a losing homestand meet up for the third straight day looking for a series win when the Los Angeles Angels face the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon.

Detroit Tigers paying Miguel Cabrera because of Mike Ilitch's sentiment  —  It was never about money.  Though it's easy to think about the money now, as Miguel Cabrera recovers from surgery that repaired a ruptured biceps tendon, as he misses the rest of the year because of that injury he suffered last week …

Astros win 10th in row, Keuchel get HR help to beat KC 10-2  —  Houston is now a season-high 22 games over .500.  The Astros had an 11-game win streak last season that ended in Kansas City.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo.  —  The Houston Astros won their 10th straight game, with Dallas Keuchel …

Dodgers keep rolling with victory over Giants 3-1  —  Some things in baseball you just can't explain, which is why Enrique Hernandez's success against Madison Bumgarner probably will leave historians of the game scratching their heads.  —  Hernandez is a Dodgers utility player …

White Sox catcher Kevan Smith working on nonverbal cues with pitchers  —  White Sox catcher Kevan Smith talks about working with starter Lucas Giolito before playing the Tigers on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Rockies, Rangers look for elusive series win  —  Not much has gone right for Texas in the past week, but three things that the Rangers have been lacking aligned on Saturday to allow them to earn a 5-2 victory over Colorado that snapped a season-long seven-game losing streak.

Daily Dose: LeBlanc Check  —  That Wade LeBlanc knows that he doesn't throw hard, admits it and has, to this point this season, had success with it is endearing.  —  That opponents know that as well, and still can't hit it, is impressive.  —  LeBlanc baffled the Red Sox hitters on Saturday …