MLB Nightly 9: Albert Pujols passes Mike Schmidt on all-time home run list

Gabrielle McMillen

MLB Nightly 9: Albert Pujols passes Mike Schmidt on all-time home run list 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.

Albert Pujols added another accolade to his resume Monday, blasting the 547th, 548th and 549th home runs of his career to pass Phillies great Mike Schmidt for 15th on the all-time home run list. The first came in Game 1 of the Angels doubleheader against the Red Sox on Monday, when Pujols belted a homer in the second inning. During Game 2, he slammed his 548th homer, also in the second inning, and connected again in the seventh for No. 549. 

Pujols leads the majors with 29 homers on the season, while teammate Mike Trout, who also homered Monday, has 28. 

Here are more highlights from Monday's games:

Impact players:

 C — James McCann, Tigers: McCann was 2 for 2 with two RBIs in a 5-4 win over the Mariners.

1B — Travis Ishikawa, Pirates: Ishikawa was 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in a 10-7 win over the Royals.

2B — Ian Kinsler, Tigers: Kinsler's second homer of the night in the eighth inning lifted the Tigers to victory over the Mariners. It was his first two-homer game in four years.

SS — Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: Tulowitzki's two-run homer in the second extended his on-base streak to 41 games. He finished 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs.

3B — Justin Turner, Dodgers: Despite the loss, Turner went 4 for 4, tying his career high in hits. It was his fifth career four-hit game and second this season.

OF — Nick Markakis, Braves: Markakis belted his first homer of the year for the Braves and his first in 355 at-bats. He went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in Atlanta's win.

DH — David Ortiz, Red Sox: Ortiz attempted to salvage Boston's second game against the Angels, smacking a two-run homer and going 2 for 4 at the plate.

SP — Hector Santiago, Angels: Santiago gave up one run and struck out a career-high-tying 10 in five-plus innings against the Red Sox, dropping his ERA to 2.30.

Key injuries:

Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer was diagnosed with a lower-leg contusion and a sprained knee after Carlos Gomez of the Tigers slid into him during Sunday's game. He will be out at least six weeks.

Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli left the game with a right wrist bruise after he was hit by a pitch in a spot he’d been hit before. 

Play of the day:

Phillies second baseman Brandon Phillips got an out with a behind-the-back, alley-oop-like toss to shortstop Eugenio Suarez.

Surprise performers:

Good: Jeff Francoeur hustled home to score on a wild pitch in the second inning, putting the Phillies on the board for their eventual win. He also went 2 for 2 at the plate.

Bad: Rockies pitcher Ben Paulsen completely spaced out, tagging first for what he thought was the third out after a Prince Fielder groundout and starting toward the dugout. Except that was only the second out of the inning. The Rangers scored twice on Paulsen's mistake.

Facts of the day:  

The Red Sox allowed seven runs or more in the second inning of their first game against the Angels on Monday, the fourth time they've done so this season.

The Pirates surrendered four stolen bases to the Royals, the fourth time they've allowed that many in one game this season. 

Trade rumor roundup:

The White Sox are in "listening mode" ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, which could see them move starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported. Samardzija's contract will expire after the season, but Chicago may be forced to accept a lesser offer in a saturated pitching market.

For the first time in years, the Tigers could be sellers entering the July 31 trade deadline. Staff ace David Price and slugger Yoenis Cespedes are two players who GM Dave Dombrowski would make available to teams, according to USA Today.

Off the field:

The Cardinals are reportedly planning to call up Stephen Piscotty from Triple-A Memphis before Tuesday's game against the White Sox. Piscotty is hitting .272 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in 87 games with Memphis.

The Red Sox designated catcher Sandy Leon to make room for rookie Blake Swihart, manager John Farrell said. The Sox are looking for a catcher with more offensive prowess, Ferrell said.

Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum, already on the disabled list with a bruised forearm, received cortisone shots in both hips to treat a degenerative condition and should resume throwing in a few days, manager Bruce Bochy said.

Giancarlo Stanton has been cleared to start swinging a bat, Marlins manager Dan Jennings said, via ESPN. The batting practice consists of "dry swings," which don't involve hitting a ball.

Monday's Scores:

American League

Angels 11, Red Sox 1 (Game 1)
Angels 7, Red Sox 3 (Game 2) 
Tigers 5, Mariners 4

National League

Nationals 7, Mets 2
Reds 5, Cubs 4
Braves 7, Dodgers 5
Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 1
Padres 4, Giants 2

Interleague

Phillies 5, Rays 3
Pirates 10, Royals 7
Rockies 8, Rangers 7

A look ahead (All times Eastern): 

Orioles (46-45) vs. Yankees (50-41), 7:05 p.m.: Yankees ace Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA) seeks his 10th win of the season. He's won four of his past five games and has posted a 2.93 ERA during that span.

Red Sox (42-50) vs. Astros (51-43), 8:10 p.m.: It will be a battle of the rookies as Astros righty Vincent Velasquez (0-1, 3.94 ERA) faces off against Red Sox lefty Brian Johnson (0-0, ERA 0.0), who will be making his MLB debut after replacing Clay Buchholz, who was placed on the DL.

Giants (49-44) vs. Padres (44-49), 10:10 p.m.: Giants righty Chris Heston (9-5, 3.39 ERA) went into the All-Star break on a roll, winning four of his last five games and posting a 2.12 ERA in that time. He is 1-1 against the Padres this season.

Gabrielle McMillen