Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
The Royals may have a bit of magic left, after all.
Yordano Ventura tossed six scoreless innings with six strikeouts Tuesday to help the Royals beat the Marlins 1-0. Kansas City has now won nine games in a row — the third-longest winning streak by a team this season — as it continues to gain ground in the American League wild-card race.
This was Kansas City's second shutout in its last three games. The Royals have allowed just nine runs in their last eight contests, while every other team has allowed at least 20 runs during that time. They also have three shutouts in August, equaling the amount they had from April to July.
Lorenzo Cain led the way offensively Tuesday, driving in the game's only run with an RBI single in he sixth inning. Ventura did the rest, improving to 9-9 on the season. He has not allowed more than three runs in a start since July 3.
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With the win, Kansas City pulled to four games behind the Orioles, who occupy the second wild-card spot.
The Royals still have plenty of work to do if they are going to make the postseason and have a chance to fight for a third straight trip to the World Series, but is anyone betting against them?
Players of the day
Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco and starting pitcher Ivan Nova helped Pittsburgh beat the Astros 7-1. Polanco bashed two solo home runs, finishing the game with three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored. Nova tossed a complete game, allowing just one run, six hits and one walk while striking out six. He improved to 3-0 since joining the Pirates before the July 31 trade deadline in a deal with the Yankees.
Highlight
Billy Hamilton's wheels help in the outfield, too:
Run. Dive. Catch.
— MLB (@MLB) August 24, 2016
Billy does this a lot: https://t.co/yrsqJaonfE #OUTstandingshttps://t.co/MgWnChdyWC
Three things to know
— After placing starting pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brett Anderson on the disabled list, the Dodgers tied an MLB record with 27 different players on the DL this season. The good news for LA: It appears Clayton Kershaw is nearing a return after tossing another successful bullpen session Tuesday.
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— This was the fourth time this season and third time this month that Orioles slugger Chris Davis and Athletics outfielder Khris Davis homered on the same day.
— Giants outfielder Angel Pagan extended his hitting streak to 19 games, which is the longest active streak in the majors. It is also one shy of career best (2012).
What's next
Orioles (69-56) at Nationals (73-52), 7:05 p.m. ET — Baltimore is locked in a tight race to win the American League East, while Washington has all but wrapped up the National League East. Wade Miley (7-10, 5.58 ERA) will take the mound for the Orioles against Tanner Roark (13-6, 2.87 ERA).
Mets (63-62) at Cardinals (66-58), 8:15 p.m. ET — Jacob deGrom (7-6, 2.73 ERA) will try to keep the Mets in playoff contention. He will face off against Carlos Martinez (11-7, 3.24 ERA), who has allowed 10 earned runs in 18 innings this month.