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.
On a day when offense ruled, Phillies starter Cole Hamels stole the show.
MORE: Possible trade destinations for Hamels | Potential landing spots for Cueto
Hamels helped the Phillies in more ways than one Saturday against the Cubs. Amidst swirling trade rumors, Hamels threw a no-hitter at Wrigley Field in what may have been his last start for Philadelphia. Complete with 13 strikeouts, Hamels threw 129 pitches and gave up two walks, both to Dexter Fowler.
After having zero home runs at Target Field before Saturday, Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez connected on three homers in four at-bats against the Twins to give him 23 on the season and 676 for his career. Just two days before his 40th birthday, it was the fifth time in his career he has had a three-homer game.
It was a busy night at the plate for New York's other team as the Mets tallied 15 runs on 21 hits, including four home runs. Newly acquired Kelly Johnson blasted one over the fence in his 2-for-5 debut with the Mets since being traded from the Braves on Friday. Mets rookie Michael Conforto recorded his first hit in the big leagues, then proceeded to add three more in a 4-for-4 performance. The 15 runs are the most the Mets have ever scored in a game against the Dodgers.
Here are more highlights from Saturday's games:
Impact performers
C — John Ryan Murphy, Yankees: Murphy put the finishing touches on the Yankees' four-run comeback in the ninth, blasting a three-run homer off Twins All-Star closer Glen Perkins.
1B — Lucas Duda, Mets: Duda broke out of his 5-for-27 slump by bashing two home runs on the night, giving him 14 longballs on the season.
2B — Rougned Odor, Rangers: Recording his fifth multi-hit game in the past eight, Odor finished 2 for 4 with a double and a solo homer.
SS — Ian Desmond, Nationals: Heating up after a terrible start to the season, Desmond went 2 for 3 with a homer, two RBIs and a walk. He is 10 for 19, with four homers and seven RBIs in his last six games.
3B — Nick Castellanos, Tigers: Castellanos went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. Despite a recent hot streak, he is still batting a dismal .245/.294/.393.
OF — Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mets: The starting Mets outfielders combined for nine of the Mets 21 hits, led by Nieuwenhuis, who was 4 for 4 with four RBIs.
DH — Chris Davis, Orioles: "Crush" recorded his fifth career grand slam, an estimated 409-foot bomb off of Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez.
SP — Madison Bumgarner, Giants: The reigning World Series MVP fired seven innings of one-run ball and helped his own cause with a solo home run in the third inning of a 2-1 win over the A's.
Play of the day
On the last at-bat of the game, Cubs slugger Kris Bryant skied a deep shot to center. Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera appeared to fall down on the warning track, but made a diving catch to secure Hamels first career no-hitter. It was the 13th no-hitter in franchise history and the first time the Cubs were no-hit since Sept. 9, 1965.
Trade rumor roundup
The Royals were close to acquiring Johnny Cueto from the Reds. So much so that Michael Lorenzen warmed up for Reds before the game.
The current market for Hamels includes the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, and Rangers, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.
The Mets were reported to be in pursuit of Padres All-Star Justin Upton, but nothing is imminent, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. Upton is currently sidelined with a mild oblique strain. The Mets tried for Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, FOX Sports says. They have also looked into utilityman Ben Zobrist and reliever Tyler Clippard of the Athletics.
FOX Sports reports that Marlins infielder Derek Dietrich is drawing trade interest and that Miami is willing to move Dietrich if the price is right. The 26-year-old has posted a slashline of .301/.378/.548 in 32 games this season.
Amid growing speculation, Dodgers reassure outfielder Yasiel Puig that he won't be traded, CBS reports.
The Nationals are pursuing Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, and the two teams are discussing details, which include the Phillies saying they’re willing to pay most of Papelbon’s remaining 2015 salary. The Cubs and Blue Jays are also rumored to be in on the mix.
The Giants may pursue Tigers ace David Price if he’s made available, per FOX Sports. The Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Cubs are also courting Price.
Key injuries
Rockies Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado exited after taking a pitch from Cueto off his hand. X-rays were negative.
After missing 16 games with a strained right hamstring, Dustin Pedroia rejoined the Red Sox in their first game following the All-Star break. Now, the second baseman is headed back to where he came from — the disabled list.
Braves first baseman Freedie Freeman joined the team in St. Louis after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. He entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and flew out to left.
Brewers slugger Adam Lind exited in the second inning after experiencing lower back tightness.
Surprise performers
Good: Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Astros 2-1. Escobar went 2 for 4 in the game and marked the third walkoff hit of his career.
Bad: Indians starter Carlos Carrasco struggled in a 10-3 loss to the White Sox, yielding five runs on six hits in the first inning alone. He lasted only four innings, giving up another run in the process.
Facts of the day
With his fourth-inning homer against the Twins at Target Field, Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has homered in 32 different ballparks.
Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz joined Jason Varitek as the only players to catch a no-hitter four times, according to ESPN.
Saturday was just the sixth time ever (second time in 2015) that a no-hitter and three-home run game happened in same day, per ESPN.
Braves starter Shelby Miller (5-6, 2.33 ERA) is winless since mid-May, having started nine games in which he's received no run support.
Off the field
Yankees great Reggie Jackson was reluctant to sign a few autographs while visiting Cooperstown, N.Y., for the Hall of Fame induction. But when a fan approached him for a second time, the former Yankees slugger lost it — reportedly screaming at and shoving an autograph seeker.
Busch Stadium in St. Louis will be the site of a World Cup qualifying match with the U.S. playing against a yet-to-be-determined opponent on either Nov. 13 or 17. The last time the baseball stadium played host to an international soccer match was Nov. 18, 2013, when Argentina beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2014 World Cup tuneup. The U.S. Men's National Team will be playing in St. Louis for the first time since a friendly match with Paraguay in 1997.
The Brewers were kind enough to open their stadium and let fans camp in the outfield grass while they watched their team play in Arizona.
It's a beautiful night to see baseball on the big screen. The #Brewers vs. the D'Backs has begun! #MILvsARI #PlayBall pic.twitter.com/BMDoiLeXLQ
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 26, 2015With the Padres in full sell mode and starting pitcher Ian Kennedy one of those on the trading block, the pitcher hopes his pregnant wife doesn't deliver during a move.
Ian Kennedy and his wife are expecting their fourth daughter on Friday. Kennedy: "I'm really hoping she's late or she's early next week."
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) July 26, 2015Scores
American League
Tigers 5, Red Sox 1
Blue Jays 8, Mariners 6
Orioles 5, Rays 1
White Sox 10, Indians 3
Yankees 8, Twins 5
Royals 2, Astros 1 (10 innings)
Rangers 7, Angels 6
National League
Phillies 5, Cubs 0
Mets 15, Dodgers 2
Diamondbacks 2, Brewers 0
Cardinals 1, Braves 0
Padres 3, Marlins 1
Reds 5, Rockies 2
Nationals 9, Pirates 3
Interleague
A look ahead:
The three best games Sunday (all times Eastern):
Dodgers (56-43) at Mets (50-48), 1:10 p.m.: Zack Greinke (9-2, 1.30 ERA) will make the first start since the birth of his son as he looks to continue his impressive streak of 43 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings against the Mets. All-Star Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.18 ERA) will try to out-duel Greinke, as the Mets ace owns an impressive 1.85 ERA with a 49:8 K:BB ratio in his last seven games.
Nationals (52-44) at Pirates (56-41), 1:35 p.m.: Cy Young candidate Gerrit Cole (13-4, 2.31 ERA) and the Pirates close out a four-game series with the NL west leading Nationals with Joe Ross (2-2, 2.70 ERA) on the mound. Cole, who is 7-2 at home, owns at 122:28 K:BB ratio this season. Ross will be making his first appearance against the Pirates.
Rangers (47-49) at Angels (54-43), 3:35 p.m.: Since his June 24 call up, Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney (4-0, 1.57 ERA) has been phenomenal. In his last outing against the Red Sox, he scattered hits in seven innings of two-run ball. The Oklahoma State product will face off against Nick Martinez (5-5, 3.92 ERA) and the Rangers, who are seeking to close the Angels 6.5 game lead in the AL West.