MLB Nightly 9: Orioles bash record eight HRs; Brock Holt completes season's first cycle

Kirstie Chiappelli

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MLB Nightly 9: Orioles bash record eight HRs; Brock Holt completes season's first cycle 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.

The Orioles were unstoppable Tuesday.

MORE: Bryce Harper smashes another monster homer at Trop | Vandy, LSU win in College World Series 

They followed Monday's shutout of the Phillies with a 19-3 rout in the second of a four-game home-and-home interleague series between the teams. Baltimore won for the eighth time in nine games.

The Orioles set a Baltimore record with eight home runs. No. 8 came when Ryan Flaherty connected against Phillies outfielder Jeff Francoeur, who pitched the final two innings. The Phils again showed why they're the worst team in baseball in completing an 0-8 road trip, their longest winless trip since 1883 when they went 0-9.

Here are more highlights from Tuesday's games:

Impact players

C — Francisco Cervelli, Pirates: Cervelli slugged his second home run of the season as the Pirates shut out the White Sox. He's batting .324/.404/.418 with 19 RBIs in 50 games.

1B — Carlos Santana, Indians: Santana belted a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs as Cleveland shut out out Chicago at Wrigley Field. He has eight home runs, 33 RBIs and 32 runs scored this year. His AL-best 48 walks help compensate for a .224 average.

2B — Danny Espinosa, Nationals: Espinosa went 5 for 5 with three runs scored and a career-high five RBIs as the Nats demolished the Rays.

SS — J.J. Hardy, Orioles: Hardy extended his hitting streak to nine games while going 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

3B — Mike Moustakas, Royals: Moustakas went 3 for 5, including his sixth home run of the season, in the Royals' win over the Brewers. He pushed his season average to .326 and his OPS to .851.

OF — Bryce Harper, Nationals: Harper had a perfect night at the plate, finishing 3 for 3 with a walk, a double and a solo home run. He now has 22 homers this season, which already matches his career best.

DH — Prince Fielder, Rangers: Fielder went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored as the Rangers topped the Dodgers. He's batting .341 with 46 RBIs, third-best in the AL.

SP — Trevor Bauer, Indians: Bauer pitched seven scoreless innings as the Indians blanked the Cubs. He scattered four singles, walked three and struck out seven as he moved to 6-3 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

Key injuries

Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez underwent an MRI on his sore hip Tuesday. The exam showed no structural damage.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that "it's probably going to be pretty difficult" for center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (knee) to return before the end of June.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (knee) could be activated from the disabled list this weekend. The veteran slugger has been sidelined since May 19.

Nationals pitcher Doug Fister (elbow) will start Thursday against the Rays. He has been on the disabled list since mid-May.

Surprise performers

Good: Red Sox utility player Brock Holt hit for the cycle in Boston's win over the Braves. He doubled in the first inning, singled in the fifth, hit a solo home run in the seventh and finished off the cycle with an RBI triple in the eighth to help the Red Sox snap their seven-game losing streak.

Bad: Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi: Pitching against his former team, the Marlins, for the first time since being traded in the offseason, the right-hander failed to get out of the first inning. Eovaldi allowed eight runs, all earned, while registering just two outs.

Web gems

Athletics outfielder Billy Burns made a tremendous leaping catch at the wall:

Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark snagged Justin O'Conner's comebacker barehanded:

Facts of the day

Holt became the first Red Sox player to hit for the cycle since John Valentin did it on June 16, 1996. He also became the first player to hit for the cycle against the Braves since Keith Hernandez did it with the Mets in a 19-inning game on July 4, 1985.

The Phillies last allowed 19 runs or more in a game in 1999, when the Reds scored 22.

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hit his 539th career home run, a two-run shot in the sixth inning.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit his major league-leading 24th home run in a 12-2 rout of the Yankees.

Eovaldi became the first Yankees starter to allow eight runs or more while recording two outs or fewer since Bartolo Colon did so in 2011 against the Blue Jays.

Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena slugged a cheap homer and a monster homer in Houston's win.

Reactions

"Obviously I knew I needed a triple. I didn't expect to hit one, but as soon as barrel hit ball I was like, 'Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God.' Because once it gets in the (Fenway Park center-field) triangle, anything is possible," Brock Holt said of his cycle, via MLB.com. "So I was just running on my horses and it worked out."

Off the field

Cardinals front office personnel are being investigated by the FBI for allegedly hacking into the Astros' database and obtaining sensitive information about players.

The Padres announced Tuesday that Pat Murphy, manager of the club's Triple-A affiliate, will manage the team for the remainder of the 2015 season.

The Cubs called up 2014 No. 1 draft pick Kyle Schwarber from Double-A Tennessee. The catcher/outfielder made his major league debut Tuesday night; he struck out as a pinch hitter. He will serve as a designated hitter during interleague play in Cleveland and Minnesota this week.

Scores

Interleague

Cardinals 3, Twins 2
Astros 8, Rockies 5
Athletics 6, Padres 5
Giants 6, Mariners 2
Red Sox 9, Braves 4
Orioles 19, Phillies 3
Pirates 3, White Sox 0
Reds 5, Tigers 2
Marlins 12, Yankees 2
Nationals 16, Rays 4
Mets 3, Blue Jays 2
Indians 6, Cubs 0
Rangers 3, Dodgers 2
Royals 7, Brewers 2
Angels 4, Diamondbacks 1

A look ahead

(All times Eastern)

Orioles (33-31) at Phillies (22-44), 7:05 p.m.: The Phillies will look to end their losing streak when they return to Philadelphia after being humiliated in Baltimore. The Orioles will turn to Ubaldo Jimenez (4-3, 3.19 ERA) to keep their hot streak alive.

Red Sox (28-38) at Braves (31-34) 7:10 p.m.: The last-place Red Sox got a jolt when Brock Holt hit for the cycle and they ended their losing streak. Atlanta, which has dropped four of its last six games, will turn to Alex Wood (4-4, 3.56 ERA) to put Boston back on another losing streak as the series moves to Turner Field.

Pirates (37-27) at White Sox (28-35), 8:10 p.m.: The Pirates seek their seventh straight win when they visit Chicago in Game 3 of their four-game set. John Danks (3-6, 5.29 ERA) will look to snap Chicago's five-game skid, while Jeff Locke (3-3, 4.90 ERA) will be motivated to keep the Jolly Roger raised.

Kirstie Chiappelli