McMahon HR replacing ailing Arenado, Rockies top Dodgers 5-4  —  DENVER (AP) As he rounded first base, Ryan McMahon turned back toward his teammates in the dugout, hollered and emphatically clapped twice.  —  It was just the emotion shining through.  —  McMahon hit a two-run homer …

Red Sox hit 3 HRs, erase 5-run deficit and top Orioles 19-12  —  BALTIMORE (AP) Down five runs in the third inning?  Hardly a challenge for the Boston Red Sox, who quickly wiped out the deficit with a display of patience and power.  —  Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi each hit three-run homers …

Giancarlo Stanton impacting NY Yankees' outfield while managing leg tightness  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone talks about Neil Walker starting in right field on Saturday Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera  —  NEW YORK — For a club that once boasted an abundance of outfielders, Saturday's alignment was....well, unique.

Giants beat Pirates in a wild one, 13-10  —  The Giants were playing some of their worst ball of the year when manager Bruce Bochy decided to rely more heavily on his veteran hitters.  —  So on July 29, he stacked four of them at the top of his lineup, batting Andrew McCutchen first …

Column: Sorry, Jayson Werth, but ‘super nerds’ are here to stay in baseball  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jayson Werth was a slightly above-average outfielder who made more than $136 million during his 15-year career despite never driving in 100 runs and making only one All-Star appearance.

Jose Altuve won't return during Astros' current homestand  —  Jose Altuve will not return from the disabled list during the Houston Astros' current homestand, meaning the reigning American League MVP will miss at least another four games.  —  Altuve is making progress in his recovery …

Martinez trying to right Nationals' ship in time to make the playoffs  —  Time is running out for the Washington Nationals to deliver on the mission Dave Martinez was hired to achieve.  The Nationals have spent most of the season chasing the top spot in the National League East and are currently …

Daniel Palka leads off 9th with homer, Chicago White Sox beat Cleveland Indians 1-0  —  The loss spoiled another great outing by Tribe rookie Shane Bieber, who allowed just three hits in 6.2 innings, while striking out eight.  —  CHICAGO (AP) - Daniel Palka led off the ninth inning with a home run …

Kris Bryant starting to swing bat, ‘totally confident’ he will play again this season  —  Kris Bryant starting to take swings as part of recovery from sore shoulder: 'It's nice to be able to pick up a bat.' (Teddy Greenstein/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant has a bum shoulder.

Nix pitches six strong innings in major league debut  —  SAN DIEGO  —  Jacob Nix pitched six strong innings in his major league debut and the San Diego Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 on Friday night.  —  Nix (1-0) got off to a rocky start.  He stranded three runners after a pair …

Blake Snell superb in Rays rout of Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Blake Snell took the idea of quality over quantity to the next level on Friday night in Toronto, throwing five perfect innings on just 47 pitches.  —  That puts Snell in rare company, as he becomes just the fourth pitcher in the live-ball era …

Explaining their decisions to the public should be second nature for umpires  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After greeting a pool reporter knocking on the door of the umpires room Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Bill Miller explained his call ruling Willson Contreras out for interference …

What Matz's imminent return could mean for the Mets' rotation  —  MIAMI — The Mets' rotation could become a six-pack within the next week.  —  With rookie Corey Oswalt pitching at a respectable level and Steven Matz potentially on the verge of coming off the disabled list …

Next Slide  —  ATLANTA - After a crushing loss Thursday afternoon to end a disappointing home series, this was not the way the Milwaukee Brewers hoped to open a long, important road trip.  —  The Atlanta Braves hit starter Freddy Peralta harder than any opponent in his rookie season and cruised …

New York Yankees, Texas Rangers announce lineups for Saturday's game  —  Coming off a 12-7 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the Yankees are looking to rebound Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Yankee Stadium, weather permitting.  —  The Yankees will send out recently-acquired Lance Lynn …