MLB Nightly 9: Kershaw continues scoreless streak, Duda powers Mets

Alec Brzezinski

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MLB Nightly 9: Kershaw continues scoreless streak, Duda powers Mets 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.

There was a time this season when people were actually worried about Clayton Kershaw. Now, the only fear surrounding the Dodgers' ace comes from the batters about to face him.

Kershaw has now gone 37 straight innings without allowing a run, spanning his last five starts, and he's struck out an impressive 45 batters in his last four.

MORE: Who could still get moved in August? | Winners and losers of the trade deadline

There were some concerns surrounding the 27-year-old lefty early in the season, and rightly so. He carried a 2-3 record and 4.32 ERA through mid-May, proving to be uncharacteristically hittable against inferior opponents. But that seems like the distant past now, as Kershaw has re-established himself as the premier pitcher in MLB.

Here are more highlights from Saturday's games:

Impact Players:

C — Hank Conger, Astros: Conger went 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs in Houston's win over the Diamondbacks.

1B — Ryan Howard, Phillies; Brandon Belt, Giants: Howard went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk in yet another Phillies win. Belt smashed two home runs, including one in the 11th inning to help the Giants win.

2B — Joe Panik, Giants: The NL All-Star went 2 for 5 with two runs scored with and RBI, and is now batting .309 on the season.

SS — Carlos Correa, Astros: The young phenom continues to impress. This time, he went 2 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs.

3B — Manny Machado, Orioles: Machado went 2 for 4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a stolen base in a win against the Tigers.

OF — Ben Zobrist, Royals; Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: Newly acquired Zobrist and Bautista played in the same game, and had the same tremendous stat line. Both players went 3 for 4 with two solo home runs and three runs scored. 

DH — Prince Fielder, Rangers; Buster Posey, Giants: Fielder went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and a walk. Posey enjoyed a rare designated hitter start by going 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs.

SP — Aaron Brooks, Athletics: Brooks lasted 7 1/3 innings in a win against the Indians. He allowed just one earned run and struck out five batters.

Key Injuries:

Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is headed back to the disabled list after X-rays showed a fracture in his left hand. His injury occured Saturday when he was hit by a pitch. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez left Saturday's game with a left knee contusion. He's listed as day-to-day.

Web Gems:

Avisail Garcia has now made home-run saving grabs in consecutive games:

This just in. Jose Iglesias is a stud:

Starling Marte just keeps making great plays:

Jorge Soler goes up, up and over:

Surprise Performers:

Good: Red Sox third baseman Travis Shaw: Shaw was called up before the game and made the most of his opportunity. He went 4 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs with five runs scored. That's how you make an impression.

Bad: Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole: Why can't Cole figure out the Reds? The Pirates ace is 0-3 with a 5.95 ERA against Cincinnati, but is 14-2 with a 1.68 ERA against everyone else this year. Cole got his third loss Saturday when he gave up three runs — two earned in just five innings of work.

Facts of the Day:

Remember when Kershaw was struggling earlier this year? Neither do we:

And he doesn't even reach base all that often:

Rizzo is the real deal:

The Mets didn't need new bats, they have Lucas Duda, who finished the game 3 for 3 with two home runs, three RBIs and a walk.

Reactions:

This is why there are alternatives to the poncho:

"I felt all right; I don't think I was quite as sharp as usual," Kershaw said, via MLB.com. "The Angels did a good job laying off pitches down in the zone. I was fortunate to get to eight [innings] today. I think my fastball command got better as the game went on.

"It's crazy what two or three days off will do. I don't like days off."

Off the Field: 

Angels starting pitcher C.J. Wilson may undergo surgery on his left elbow impingement and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

The Rockies placed outfielder Corey Dickerson on the 15-day disabled list with non-displaced fractures of two ribs.

Mets third baseman David Wright (back) is close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment, according to ESPN.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore will be sent down to Triple-A Durham.

Scores:

AL:

Red Sox 11, Rays 7
Royals 7, Blue Jays 6
Orioles 6, Tigers 2
White Sox 8, Yankees 2
Twins 3, Mariners 2
Athletics 5, Indians 1

NL:

Padres 5, Marlins 3
Phillies 12, Braves 2
Mets 3, Nationals 2
Cubs 4, Brewers 2
Reds 4, Pirates 3
Rockies 6, Cardinals 2

Interleague:

Dodgers 3, Angels 1
Astros 9, Diamondbacks 2
Giants 9, Rangers 7 (11)

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Royals (62-41) at Blue Jays (53-52) 1:07 p.m.: Edinson Volquez (10-5, 3.21 ERA) faces off against R.A. Dickey (5-10, 4.27 ERA) as two American League heavyweights conclude their series.

Padres (51-53) at Marlins (42-62) 1:10 p.m.: The Padres versus the Marlins you ask. Well, this game might not be for anything playoff wise, but we're always interested when two aces face off. This time it's James Shields (8-4, 3.77 ERA) going up against Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.53 ERA).

Yankees (58-45) at White Sox (50-52) 2:10 p.m.: Ivan Nova (3-3, 3.38 ERA) looks to quell the white-hot White Sox. Jeff Samardzija (8-5, 3.94 ERA) has been inconsistent this year, but can still dominate on any given day.

Alec Brzezinski