MLB Nightly 9: Padres roll as Justin Upton bashes grand slam, drives in six runs

Alec Brzezinski

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MLB Nightly 9: Padres roll as Justin Upton bashes grand slam, drives in six runs image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Mike Napoli has officially awoken from a near two-month slumber with the bat. After starting the season with a .162 average and just two home runs, the Red Sox slugger has hit six home runs and has 10 RBIs in his last seven games.

Meanwhile, Justin Upton did some damage of his own Sunday with a grand slam against the Dodgers. He finished the game with two hits and six RBIs.

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Here are more highlights from Sunday's games:

Impact Players:

C — Francisco Cervelli, Pirates: Cervelli went 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI.

1B — Mike Napoli, Red Sox: Another day, another Napoli home run. This time, the big slugger went 2 for 3 with two runs, a home run and four RBIs.

2B — Brian Dozier, Twins: Dozier went 2 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs in another big win for Minnesota.

SS — Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: Bogaerts was a perfect 4 for 4 with two runs scored in a 6-1 win against the Angels.

3B — Nolan Arenado, Rockies: Arenado exploded for three runs, a home run and four RBIs in a 4-for-5 outing. He had been struggling with just three hits in his last 24 at-bats, but put that behind him in an 11-2 win over the Giants.

OF — Billy Burns, Athletics: The 25-year-old went 3 for 5 with a solo home run and three runs scored, then showed off his speed with a stolen base.

DH — Evan Gattis, Astros: Gattis went 3 for 4 with three runs, a home run and three RBIs in a win against the Tigers. He's been a bit enigmatic in an Astros uniform, but the power has been there.

SP — Kyle Gibson, Twins: Gibson spun eight innings of one-run ball, including eight strikeouts on only four hits to improve to 4-3 on the season.

Key Injuries:

Rays outfielder Steven Souza left Sunday's game versus the Athletics with a left wrist injury. He was injured during a collision at home plate.

A's starting pitcher Sonny Gray had to exit Sunday's start against the Rays with a right ankle contusion.

Surprise Performers:

Good: Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz: The rookie hurled 7 2/3 innings of one-run baseball. He allowed just three hits and struck out seven, while leading the Braves to a 2-1 win over the Brewers. 

Bad: Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez: Even though he struck out 11 batters, Sanchez gave up seven earned runs in just 5 2/3 innings, which marked his second straight seven-run outing. We're not surprised with Sanchez's struggles. It's more surprising he keeps getting thrown out there.

Web Gems:

Asdrubal Cabrera turns a great double-play:

This fan made a nice snow-cone grab:

Facts of the Day:

Edwin Encarnacion is technically the game's most potent home run hitter:

With Francisco Liriano's 12 strikeouts, the Pirates have now had three straight 10-strikeout performances for the first time since 1969.

Sunday marked the 80th anniversary of the first night game in MLB history. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 2-1.

Michael Wacha moved to 7-0 on the season with a big win over the Royals, and became the first Cardinals pitcher to start a season 7-0 since Matt Morris in 2005.

Reactions:

Baseball gets medieval:

"Wacha's really good," Royals manager Ned Yost said via MLB.com. "He really spots his fastball well. A lot of times you can rate pitcher's pitches. ... All three (of his) pitches are really effective, good pitches. It's hard to rate them. They're all three so good."

"Every time (Wacha) goes out there, you feel like you're going to win the game," Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter said. "That's a good place to be. That's a place (Adam) Wainwright was in when he was here and healthy."

Off the Field:

The Giants designated third baseman Casey McGehee for assignment, as he's hitting just .200/.254/.282 through the first two months.

Royals outfielder Alex Rios (hand) began his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Josh Hamilton (shoulder) will be activated and start in left field for the Rangers on Monday.

Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is expected to rejoin the team on Monday.

Scores:

Al:

Blue Jays 8, Mariners 2

Red Sox 6, Angels 1

Athletics 7, Rays 2

Astros 10, Tigers 8

Twins 8, White Sox 1

Rangers 5, Yankees 2

NL:

Nationals 4, Phillies 1

Pirates 9, Mets 1

Braves 2, Brewers 1

Cardinals 6, Royals 1

Diamondbacks 4, Cubs 3

Padres 11, Dodgers 3

Rockies 11, Giants 2

Interleague:

Indians 5, Reds 2

Marlins 5, Orioles 2

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Astros (29-16) at Orioles (19-22) 1:35 p.m.: Dallas Keuchel (6-0, 1.67 ERA) has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball, and the young Astros have the best record in baseball. The Orioles have been a bit up and down this season, but pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (1-3 2.90 ERA) has been very steady. Now all Baltimore needs to do is get him some more run support.

Nationals (26-18) at Cubs (24-19) 2:20 p.m.: Tanner Roark is making his return to the rotation against the hot-hitting Cubs. Despite a slow start, the Nationals have turned their season around by winning seven of their last eight games.

Diamondbacks (21-22) at Cardinals (28-16) 4:15 p.m.: The Cardinals beat the Royals on Sunday to avoid the sweep, and will now send the young and enigmatic Carlos Martinez to the mound against the resurgent D-backs. In six of his eight starts, Martinez has only given up seven earned runs, but he's given up seven in each of the other two, so anything could happen when he takes the mound on Memorial Day.

Alec Brzezinski