IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING…

Zach Greinke stretched his scoreless streak to 43 and 2/3 innings in his first start on Sunday since being the National League starter in the midsummer classic earlier this week. Greinke dominated the Nationals injury depleted lineup on Sunday and led the Dodgers to a 5-0 victory. Greinke went eight innings while striking out eleven and only walking one while defeating fellow NL all-star pitcher Max Scherzer. This was Greinke’s first start this season where he struck out more than ten batters. With another eight scoreless innings, Greinke is now 16 innings short of Orel Hersheiser’s record for consecutive scoreless innings. Greinke moves to 9-2 on the year and lowers his ERA to a miniscule 1.30.

JUST AS WE EXPECTED…

Mark Teixeira came up big when the Yankees needed him belting a home run against Fernando Rodney in the bottom of the eighth inning to carry New York to a 2-1 victory over the Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Teixeira has re-emerged on the scene for the Yankees and has provided power in the middle of the Yankee lineup for the majority of the season. The home run today was Teixeira’s 23rd of the year. He is currently slugging at a .526 clip, his highest total since 2009 which was his first year with the Yankees.

Justin Verlander struggled again on Sunday which sadly is what we have come to expect over the past year and change from the Tigers’ right-hander. Verlander did not make it out of the fourth inning against Baltimore after giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out four. Adam Jones began the Orioles onslaught with a first inning solo home run. After being on the disabled list to start the year, through Verlander’s first six starts of the season, Verlander has given up 25 runs in only 34 innings pitched. Verlander’s strikeout to walk ratio is even more alarming totaling only 22 strikeouts to 12 walks. The Tigers are hopeful that Verlander can turn around his season and carry some momentum into a full 2017 season but his declining numbers may say otherwise.

BUT WE DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING…

Despite the Phillies coming back to win their game against the Marlins 8-7, Philadelphia fans have to be alarmed by the sudden performance or lack thereof from Cole Hamels. With scouts from teams across baseball in Philadelphia to see the left-handed stud, Hamels struggled for a second straight game giving up five runs over three innings and only striking out one. Hamels’ performance was against a depleted Marlins offense without Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon. As the trade deadlines near, this is the worse time for Hamels to begin to pitch poorly for the Phillies as the team will likely to continue demand a large return for the southpaw. While most are focusing on his horrendous last two starts, Hamels has actually given up more than five runs in four of his seven starts dating back to June 8th. Hamels will look to get back on track in possibly his last start for the Phillies against the Cubs in Chicago.

The Oakland Athletics offense exploded for 14 runs on Sunday to defeat the Twins. The A’s were backed by five home runs including two from Jake Smolinski. Twins’ starter Tommy Milone, formerly with Oakland, was chased from the game in the third inning after giving up five runs. Josh Reddick and Billy Butler also contributed dongs for the A’s offense. Coming into the game, the Athletics as a team were in the bottom third of Major League baseball in total home runs.

THE REST OF THE DETAILS

SAVE CHANCES

–Zach McAllister, CLE (1)

–Joe Blanton, KC (1)

–Santiago Casilla, SF (24)

INJURIES

-Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right triceps inflammation.

-Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal exited the game early on Sunday with a head injury after taking a foul ball off of his face mask.

–Justin Upton left the game early with back tightness. He is day-to-day.

-Rockies starter Chad Bettis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

–Nick Castellanos exited Sunday’s game early after taking a ground ball off his face.

-Cardinals are reporting that Jaime Garcia is making progress in his return as he threw live batting practice. He should make a full recovery by next week and return the Cardinals’ rotation.

RUMORS & TRANSACTIONS

-The Orioles are reportedly interested in trading for Brewers OF Carlos Gomez or Padres OF Justin Upton.

-The Angels have expressed interest in trading for OF Jay Bruce.

-Chicago Cubs designated Edwin Jackson for assignment and activated Rafael Soriano. The Cubs had previously signed Soriano on June 12.

-The Mariners optioned Jesus Montero to Triple-A Tacoma.