Astros prospect Alvarez hits HR in first game  —  Houston Astros prospect Yordan Alvarez, the minor leagues' home run leader, homered in the second at-bat of his major league debut against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.  —  Alvarez, who was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock …

Tigers observations: Twins rebuild paying dividends now and into future  —  On a gray day at Comerica Park, complete with accompanying sprinkles throughout, the Detroit Tigers lost badly.  —  There was little sunshine in this one, from left-hander Ryan Carpenter's abysmal outing …

Yankees overcome costly late errors, edge Indians 7-6 in 10  —  The New York Yankees keep taking hits — and keep hitting back.  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — The bullpen broke down, Didi Gregorius misplayed an easy grounder and another player went on the injured list.  —  The New York Yankees keep taking hits — and keep hitting back.

Rangers' strong homestand ends with dud  —  The Texas Rangers finished off their homestand with an emphatic dud Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park.  —  The Oakland Athletics' 9-8 win shined a light on the biggest issue facing the Rangers at the moment.  What do they do about Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller?

Miami Marlins swept by Braves with extra-innings loss after ninth-inning collapse  —  Miami Marlins outfielder Austin Dean had three hits, backup catcher Bryan Holaday had two of his own, Pablo Lopez put together another quality start, and Austin Brice and Starlin Castro teamed up for a pivotal play …

Domingo German calls stint on the IL ‘a little frustrating’  —  CLEVELAND — Though he said he first felt the discomfort May 26 in Kansas City, and that he had pain Friday night in the Yankees loss to Cleveland, Domingo German did not tell the team until Saturday that he was experiencing pain.

MLB notes: Mets put Robinson Cano back on 10-day injured list  —  Robinson Cano is right back on the injured list.  Four days after returning to the lineup, the second baseman was placed on the 10-day IL again by the New York Mets with tightness in his left quadriceps.

Dallas Keuchel provides all-around boost for Braves pitching  —  Dallas Keuchel will provide more than just a boost to the Braves' rotation.  He'll also aid their bullpen, which went through its share of turbulence over the first third of the year.  —  That's why the Braves made the $13 million commitment.

Wainwright exits in fifth with hamstring tightness  —  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright was pulled in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday because of left hamstring tightness, the team said.  —  Wainwright pitched 4⅓ innings, allowing seven hits …

Blake Snell gets the win, Brandon Lowe leads power show as Rays beat Red Sox again, 6-1  —  Snell gets his first win in a month for six solid inning, Lowe hits two long homers of four total on the day by Rays.  —  BOSTON — The Rays gave Blake Snell something somewhat uncommon on Sunday …

The Commodification of Madison Bumgarner  —  I got in the car this morning, and the radio was still set to the AM dial from yesterday's game.  Too early for game-time, KNBR was on some sports talk show (I abhor sports talk radio).  Before I could switch the channel, I hear some dickhead talking …

Preview: Justin Turner Remains In Lineup For 4th Consecutive Game, Dodgers Look To Avoid Series Loss To Giants  —  After snapping their two-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers now look to avoid dropping their first series since the San Francisco Giants won two of three at Oracle Park from April 30-May 1.

Cards fizzle after first inning in dropping another one to Cubs  —  CHICAGO - The sugar rush from their first at-bats happened so swiftly, so sweetly that for almost a full entire inning it didn't matter how inhospitable the surroundings have been this year because the Cardinals were finally where they wanted to be, ahead.

Jay Bruce visits with his former Cincinnati Reds teammates: ‘I wish those guys the best’  —  PHILADELPHIA - After the Reds arrived at their team hotel Thursday night in Philadelphia, several players and staff had a chance to catch up with Jay Bruce.  Bruce was staying in the same hotel …

Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Monday  —  It's another abbreviated Monday slate, with all nine contests under the lights.  The marquee matchup features a pair of southpaws squaring off as Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox welcome Mike Minor and the Texas Rangers into Fenway Park.

Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed departs with foot injury vs. Blue Jays  —  TORONTO - Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed exited Sunday's game in the third inning with what the club believes is a left foot contusion, an injury he said he sustained when his foot slipped in the batter's box on Saturday.

Noah Syndergaard looks like the Thor of old, dominates Rockies as Mets take series  —  Through seven innings, Noah Syndergaard gave up just the flimsiest excuse for a hit, a ball that just eluded backup second baseman Adeiny Hechevarria's grasp in a dominating performance.