MLB Nightly 9: Kirk Nieuwenhuis blasts 3 home runs for Mets

Alec Brzezinski

MLB Nightly 9: Kirk Nieuwenhuis blasts 3 home runs for 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.

What a day for Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

The 27-year-old utility outfielder entered Sunday's game with zero home runs on the season, but changed that in a big way with three long shots in a win against the Diamondbacks. The performance came seemingly out of nowhere, as Nieuwenhuis had only hit 13 home runs in his three-and-a-half-year career. He managed only three homers in each of his previous two seasons, for goodness sake.

The Mets can use all the hitting they can get, so maybe they've found a new starter for after the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, Sonny Gray outdueled Corey Kluber in a true pitcher's matchup. The Athletics flame thrower tossed a complete-game shutout, giving up just two hits and striking out six. The A's beat the Indians 2-0 on the strength of a Stephen Vogt two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Here are more highlights from Sunday's games:

Impact Players:

C — Brian McCann, Yankees: McCann went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs in a win against the Red Sox.

1B — Justin Bour, Marlins: The Marlins have scored 22 runs in their last two games, and Bour did his part Sunday. He went 3 for 4 with a run scored and three RBIs in another big win against the Reds.

2B — Omar Infante, Royals: Infante went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Kansas City's adventurous win over Toronto.

SS — Danny Santana, Twins: Santana went 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs to help the Twins beat the Tigers in three straight games.

3B — Justin Turner, Dodgers: Turner went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI in a win against the Brewers.

OF — Charlie Blackmon, Rockies; Gregory Polanco, Pirates: Seemingly the only Rockies hitter left off the All-Star roster, Blackmon proved his worth by going 3 for 5 with a run scored and four RBIs in a big win against the Braves. Polanco went 3 for 4 with a run and two RBIs, including a walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

DH — C.J. Cron, Angels: Cron went 3 for 5 with a double in a win against the Mariners, and now has 15 hits in his last six games.

SP — Jake Arrieta, Cubs: Arrieta pitched a complete game against cross-town rival White Sox. He allowed just one run and struck out nine, lowering his ERA to 2.66 in the process. Oh, and he hit a home run.

Key Injuries:

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz missed Sunday's game due to illness.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Braves early due to tired legs.

Play of the day:

Adrian Gonzalez blasts a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Brewers:

Surprise Performers:

Good: Yankees second baseman Rob Refsnyder: Making just his second MLB start, Refsnyder went 2 for 4, hit his first-career home run and drove in two runners, to help New York beat the Red Sox. Not bad.

Bad: Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto: Cueto lasted just five innings against the Marlins Sunday, issuing five runs — three earned — in a losing effort. He allowed seven hits and a walk, and had thrown just 68 pitches before getting pulled.

Facts of the Day:

Someone ate their Wheaties this morning:

Finally...

Kendrys Morales doesn't mess around:

Can someone please score a run for Kluber? He pitched eight innings of two-run baseball and received another loss.

At least someone can hit when Max Scherzer pitches:

Phillies fans don't have much to cheer about this year:

Trade Talk:

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the Pirates have talked to the Phillies about outfielder Ben Revere.

MLB Trade Rumors reports Reds outfielder Jay Bruce has a 50/50 chance at being traded in July. But so does everyone else in Cincinnati.

Off the Field:

Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista will undergo treatment on his right shoulder during the All-Star break after aggravating the injury last week.

The Rays placed shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring.

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been added to the NL All-Star team to replace the injured Matt Holliday (quad).

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday Tim Hudson's (shoulder) will rejoin the club's rotation after the All-Star break.

Scores:

AL:

Athletics 2, Indians 0
Rays 4, Astros 3
Twins 7, Tigers 1
Yankees 8, Red Sox 6
Royals 11, Blue Jays 10
Angels 10, Mariners 3

NL:

Marlins 8, Reds 1
Mets 5, Diamondbacks 3
Giants 4, Phillies 2
Dodgers 4, Brewers 3
Rockies 11, Braves 3
Pirates 6, Cardinals 5 (10)

Interleague:

Nationals 3, Orioles 2
Cubs 3, White Sox 1
Padres 2, Rangers 1

A Look Ahead: 

Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, 8:00 p.m. ET

Alec Brzezinski