Padres Dominate Cubs, Cardinals vs. Cubs Tonight

Padres Dominate Cubs

(Chicago, IL) -- Rene Rivera homered and drove in three runs to help the Padres blast the Cubs 13-3 at Wrigley Field. Rivera collected three hits while Seth Smith and Will Venable also had three hits each. Chris Nelson chipped in two RBI in the win with Alexi Amarista driving in two. Tyson Ross stuck out 11 over six innings to improve to 9-10. The Padres collected 14 hits and have won four of five. Edwin Jackson allowed four earned runs in five-plus innings before leaving with a right hand cramp. Jackson fell to 5-11 with the loss. Chicago has dropped five of its last six. Starlin Castro and Luis Valbuena plated a run each in the loss.

The Cubs will have a huge presence Saturday for the workout of Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo in Miami. The right handed free agent is believed to have a chance to impact a big league roster soon with his speed and surprising power. Castillo draws comparisons to Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett.

Greg Maddux To be Inducted Into Hall

Greg Maddux will be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame on Sunday after his impressive 23-year career in the bigs. Maddux won 18 gold gloves to go along with his 355 wins. The four time Cy Young award winner will be inducted with no logo after playing a majority of his career with both the Cubs and Atlanta Braves.

Cardinals At Cubs Tonight

(Chicago, IL) -- After a travel day Thursday, the Cardinals are in the Windy City tonight to open a three-game series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Joe Kelly is slated to take the mound for St. Louis, while Chicago counters with Travis Wood. The Cardinals are looking to snap a three-game losing streak.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller will make his return to the starting rotation Saturday. The right-hander served a short stint in the bullpen, but the Cards have elected to move him back into the rotation and he will start Saturday against the Cubs. Carlos Martinez is moving back to the pen.

La Russa To Be Inducted Into Baseball Hall Of Fame Sunday

(Cooperstown, NY) -- Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. His plaque will have no team logo, however, as he didn't want to slight the White Sox or A's, whom he also managed during his 33 seasons as a big league skipper.

White Sox Top Twins

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Hector Noesi had his second straight strong start helping the White Sox defeat the Twins, 5-2, in the opener of a four-game series at Target Field. Noesi made it through 7 2/3 innings and allowed two runs to improve to 5-7. Adam Eaton compiled three hits and two RBI for Chicago, which had lost three of its previous four. John Danks will take the hill tonight as the series resumes.

Thomas Induction Sunday

(Cooperstown, NY) -- Frank Thomas will be the first designated hitter to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame on Sunday. Thomas spent 16 seasons with the White Sox, composing a .307 batting average with 448 home runs. The Big Hurt was two-time American League MVP in 1993 and 1994 and won a batting title in 1997 with a .347 average. Thomas is 18th on the all-time home run list.
 

Phillies Edge Giants Behind Hamels

(Philadelphia, PA) -- Cole Hamels outdueled Tim Hudson as the Phillies edged the Giants 2-1 at Citizens Bank Park. The lefty struck out 10 while allowing just six hits and one run over eight innings to even his record at 5-5. Jonathan Papelbon worked the ninth for his 24th save. Marlon Byrd singled in a run in the first and Chase Utley had an RBI single in the fifth as Philadelphia salvaged the finale of the four-game series. Hudson gave up two unearned runs in six frames to fall to 8-7 with the tough-luck loss. Ehire Adrianza singled in the lone run for San Francisco in the top of the fifth.

Marlins Down Braves In Ninth

(Atlanta, GA) -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Marlins past the Braves 3-2 at Turner Field.  Adeiny Hechavarria and Christian Yelich [[ YELL-itch ]] plated a run each in the fifth for Miami, which took three-of-four in the series. Henderson Alvarez tossed eight innings of two-run ball to improve his mark to 7-5. Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for his 24th save. Chris Johnson hit a two-run homer for the Braves, who are 3-and-4 since the break. Closer Craig Kimbrel fell to 0-2 with the loss.

Brewers Blast Mets

(Milwaukee, WI) -- Ryan Braun belted a two-run homer as the Brewers blasted the Mets 9-1 in the opener of a four-game series at Miller Park. Jonathan Lucroy and Khris Davis hit solo shots and drove in two runs apiece for the Crew, who have won four straight. Jean Segura also plated a pair of runs in the victory. Matt Garza tossed eight innings of one-run, two-hit ball to even his record at 7-7. Lucas Duda homered for the Mets lone run. Dillon Gee gave up six runs in five frames as he fell to 4-3. New York is 3-4 since the break.

Stroman, Jays One-Hit Red Sox

(Toronto, Ontario) -- Marcus Stroman took a no-hitter into the seventh inning as the Blue Jays blasted the Red Sox 8-0 at Rogers Centre. Stroman lost his bid when Shane Victorino blooped in a single to lead off the seventh for Boston's only hit of the game. He walked two and struck out seven to improve to 6-2. Juan Francisco knocked in four runs, going 3-for-4 with a single, triple and a two-run homer as Toronto took the final three games of the four-game set.  Rubby De La Rosa allowed seven runs in four-plus frames to take the loss. Red Sox DH David Ortiz left in the ninth after feeling back spasms during a swing.

Yankees Double Up Rangers

(Bronx, NY) -- Brandon McCarthy and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Yankees doubled up the Rangers 4-2 in the Bronx. McCarthy surrendered just four hits and one run in six innings to improve to 2-0 with New York. Dave Robertson nailed it down in the ninth for his 25th save. Chase Headley, Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner and Brian McCann all drove in runs for the Yanks, who have won six of seven games since the All-Star break. Colby Lewis fell to 6-8 with the loss for Texas.  Elvis Andrus singled in a run in the third and J.P. Arencibia homered in the seventh for the Rangers.

Athletics Crush Astros

(Oakland, CA) -- Brandon Moss cracked a grand slam in the sixth inning as the Athletics dominated the Astros, 13-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set at O.co Coliseum. Jed Lowrie and Derek Norris each had three hits and an RBI, while Jeff Samardzija cruised through eight innings on his way to 2-1. Samardzija allowed one run, five hits and struck out six. Oakland is 4-2 since the All-Star break. Chris Carter's 20th homer was the only source of offense for Houston. Scott Feldman dropped to 4-and-8, giving up six runs in five-and-one-third innings. The Astros have lost four of six.

Royals Clip Indians In 14 Innings

(Kansas City, MO) -- Norichika Aoki singled in the winning run in bottom of the 14th inning to lift the Royals past the Indians 2-1 in the first of four at Kauffman Stadium. Mike Moustakas doubled in the other run in the eighth for the Royals, who have won three straight since a four-game slide. Aaron Crow picked up the win. Yan Gomes tied the game in the top of the ninth with an RBI-single for Cleveland, which has lost four of five.  Corey Kluber took a perfect game into the seventh inning. He ended up striking out 10 while giving up just an unearned run over nine innings in a no-decision. Marc Rzepczynski took the loss.

Tigers Top Angels

(Anaheim, CA) -- Nick Castellanos hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning as the Tigers topped the Angels 6-4 in the first of four in Anaheim. Ian Kinsler doubled and drove in two, while Austin Jackson had an RBI and scored a run for Detroit, which has won four of five. Max Scherzer struck out 11 over seven innings of three-run ball as he upped his record to 12-3. Joe Nathan fanned the side in order in the ninth for his 21st save. Kole Calhoun had a two-run single and C.J. Cron and Josh Hamilton also plated a run each for the Halos, who are 3-and-4 since the break. Garrett Richards yielded four runs in six frames as he dipped to 11-3.

Chen, Orioles Blank Mariners

(Seattle, WA) -- Wei-Yin Chen fired eight shutout innings as the Orioles blanked the Mariners 4-0 in the opener of a four-game series at Safeco Field. Chen gave up five hits and a walk as he improved to 11-3 on the year. Delmon Young hit a three-run homer and Nick Markakis singled in the other run for the O's, who are 4-3 since the break. Hisashi Iwakuma allowed all four runs in seven frames as he dipped to 8-and-5 with the loss. The M's have lost three straight and are just 2-5 to open the second half.

Thursday, July 24 Scoreboard

MLB National League

Philadelphia Phillies 2, San Francisco Giants 1

Miami Marlins 3, Atlanta Braves 2

San Diego Padres 13, Chicago Cubs 3

Milwaukee Brewers 9, New York Mets 1

MLB American League

Toronto Blue Jays 8, Boston Red Sox 0

New York Yankees 4, Texas Rangers 2

Oakland Athletics 13, Houston Astros 1

Chicago White Sox 5, Minnesota Twins 2

Kansas City Royals 2, Cleveland Indians 1 (14 inn)

Detroit Tigers 6, LA Angels of Anaheim 4

Baltimore Orioles 4, Seattle Mariners 0

MLB Interleague

No Games Scheduled

Friday, July 25 Schedule (All Times Central)

MLB National League

3:05 p.m. - St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

6:05 p.m. - Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies

6:10 p.m. - Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds

6:35 p.m. - San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves

7:10 p.m. - New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers

7:40 p.m. - Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies

9:15 p.m. - Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants

MLB American League

6:05 p.m. - Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees

6:10 p.m. - Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

7:05 p.m. - Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers

7:10 p.m. - Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins

7:10 p.m. - Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals

9:05 p.m. - Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

9:10 p.m. - Baltimore Orioles at Seattle Mariners

MLB Interleague

7:10 p.m. - Miami Marlins at Houston Astros