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.
Brandon Phillips had himself quite the night.
The Reds second baseman became the first person in MLB history to finish a game with four hits, two home runs, seven RBIs and two stolen bases. Cincinnati may be a seller in the trade market, but it looked like a playoff team in a 15-5 drubbing of the Pirates.
Meanwhile, Astros catcher Jason Castro hit a three-run, walkoff home run to complete the sweep against the Angels and give Houston a two-game lead over the Halos in the AL West. Newly acquired Scott Kazmir hurled another gem for his new team in a no-decision. He pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out five.
Here are more highlights from Thursday's games:
Impact Players:
C — Derek Norris, Padres: Norris went 5 for 5 with two runs scored and a grand slam in the Padres' wild win over the Mets.
1B — Joey Votto, Reds; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs: Votto went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and two walks, and has 19 hits in his last 10 games. Rizzo hit a go-ahead three-run shot in the eighth inning in a 3-for-4 effort.
2B — Ian Kinsler, Tigers: The Tigers may be selling, but Kinsler is just starting to heat up. He went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored in a win against the Orioles.
SS — Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: Bogaerts played a big part in Boston's shelling of Chris Sale. He went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
3B — Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: Carpenter's bat awoke in a big way against the Rockies. He went 4 for 5 with two home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored in St. Louis' walkoff win.
OF — Eddie Rosario and Aaron Hicks, Twins: Rosario went 3 for 5 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Hicks went 3 for 4 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in a big win against the Mariners.
DH — Josh Hamilton, Rangers: Hamilton went 2 for 4 with a home run, a walk and four RBIs, including one on a walkoff single in the ninth inning against the Yankees.
SP — Max Scherzer, Nationals: Scherzer pitched seven scoreless innings against the Marlins. He gave up just three hits and struck out six.
Trade Deadline Roundup:
The Blue Jays agreed on a deal with the Tigers to acquire ace David Price. Toronto surrendered top pitching prospect Daniel Norris in the deal, along with pitchers Jairo Labourt and Matt Boyd.
The Astros acquired outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Fiers from the Brewers for four prospects.
The Yankees acquired outfielder/infielder Dustin Ackley from the Mariners for outfielder Ramon Flores and pitcher Jose Ramirez.
The Dodgers acquired starting pitchers Mat Latos and Alex Wood in a 13-player, three-team trade that also involved the Marlins and Braves, and included Hector Olivera going to Atlanta.
The Tigers traded closer Joakim Soria to the Pirates for Double-A shortstop JaCoby Jones.
The Cardinals received outfielder Brandon Moss from the Indians for minor-league pitcher Rob Kaminsky.
Fox Sports reports the Orioles are interested in Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
CBS Sports reports that the White Sox are interested in Padres outfielder Justin Upton, as well as Cespedes.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds have interest in acquiring Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler.
CBS Sports reports that the Diamondbacks have made an offer to the Reds for star closer Aroldis Chapman.
Play of the Day:
Rangers outfielder Ryan Rua hustles for an inside-the-park home run:
Key injuries:
Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval was removed from Thursday's game against the White Sox after being hit in the wrist/forearm area by a Chris Sale pitch.
Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson was forced to exit Thursday's game against the Cardinals with a right rib contusion.
Yankees starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia was sent to a local hospital for dehydration symptoms after his start Thursday.
Surprise Performers:
Good: Reds outfielders Marlon Byrd and Billy Hamilton: Byrd went 3 for 6 with a home run and three RBIs, while Hamilton went 2 for 5 with three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in a 15-run outburst against the Pirates.
Bad: White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale: Sale gave up seven earned runs on a career-high 12 hits against the struggling Red Sox. He lasted just five innings, but did strike out seven in the loss.
Facts of the Day:
The Blue Jays are trying to break this grim streak:
Most seasons without playoff appearance (active streaks): Blue Jays 21 Mariners 13 Marlins 11
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 30, 2015 Mark Teixeira joins an illustrious group: Tex finished the game 3 for 4 with two solo home runs and three runs scored and.
Mark Teixeira: 25th HR Most 25 HR seasons by switch hitters Eddie Murray 12 Chipper Jones 10 Mickey Mantle 10 Mark Teixeira 10
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015 Gerardo Parra just keeps hitting:
Gerardo Parra extends his hitting streak to 14 games, longest active streak Entering today, Parra is batting .432 in July, best in MLB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015 A.J. Burnett may need a rest before the playoffs:
A.J. Burnett has allowed 10 or more hits in 3 straight starts Longest streak of his career
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015 It still counts:
Greg Garcia drew walk-off walk for Cardinals 1st Cardinals walk-off walk since current manager Mike Matheny on 4/30/04 (by LaTroy Hawkins)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015 Off the Field:
The Astros activated infielder Jed Lowrie from the 60-day disabled list.
The Mets activated catcher Travis d'Arnaud from the 15-day DL.
The Brewers recalled outfielder Logan Schafer from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Scores:
AL:
Blue Jays 5, Royals 2
Tigers 9, Orioles 8
Red Sox 8, White Sox 2
Astros 3, Angels 0
Twins 9, Mariners 5
Rangers 7, Yankees 6
Indians 3, Athletics 1
NL:
Padres 8, Mets 7
Nationals 1, Marlins 0
Phillies 4, Braves 1
Reds 15, Pirates 5
Cardinals 9, Rockies 8
Cubs 5, Brewers 2
A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)
Royals (61-40) at Blue Jays (52-51) 7:07 p.m.: Johnny Cueto (7-6, 2.62 ERA) makes his Royals debut against Drew Hutchison (9-2, 5.42 ERA) as Kansas City looks to hold off the ferocious Toronto lineup. The Blue Jays have made two big trades for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price in an attempt to make the playoffs.
Nationals (54-46) at Mets (52-50) 7:10 p.m.: The Mets will be relieved to move on from a difficult series against the Padres. Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.83 ERA) faces off against Matt Harvey (9-7, 3.16 ERA) in a matchup of division rivals.
Angels (55-46) at Dodgers (57-45) 10:10 p.m.: Hector Santiago (7-4, 2.43 ERA) and the Angels face off against Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.51 ERA) and the crosstown Dodgers. The two L.A. teams both look poised for the postseason, but the Astros just swept the Halos.