Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Chris Sale became MLB's first six-game winner this season when the White Sox smashed the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 on Sunday in Camden Yards.
MORE: Curt Schilling upset with ESPN after '30 for 30' edit
The 27-year-old hurler didn't have his best stuff but still surrendered just one run in 5 1/3 innings while striking out six. Sale certainly looks like an early AL Cy Young candidate, and at this rate may get enough run support to win 25 games.
We knew the White Sox were going to be good after adding Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie and a rejuvenated Mat Latos, but Chicago's Southside team has been even better than expected and now holds a four-game lead over the next-best team in the AL.
Speaking of Lawrie, the talented second baseman finished a triple shy of the cycle Sunday. He ended the game 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks.
It will be interesting to see what this team, which has won 10 of its past 13 games, can do as the pressure starts mounting in late summer.
Player of the day
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw put on a show in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Padres, tossing a complete-game shutout with 14 strikeouts. He also became the first Dodgers pitcher to win a 1-0 game in which he drove in the only run since Fernando Valenzuela in 1984. Kershaw is 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA this season.
Highlight
Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco smacks one out of the park:
Three things to know
— Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of Rickey Henderson's record-breaking 939th career stolen base, passing Lou Brock. On the same day, Nolan Ryan pitched his seventh career no-hitter, striking out 16 in a win over the Blue Jays.
— The Nationals secured their first series sweep of three or more games at St. Louis since 1988 (as the Expos), but superstar Bryce Harper had a rough day Sunday, striking out in all four of his at-bats.
— The Braves secured their first win this season when scoring four or fewer runs. They entered Sunday's game against the Cubs with an 0-17 record when scoring four or fewer.
What's next
Cubs (17-6) at Pirates (15-10), 7 p.m. ET — Chicago sends out Jason Hammel (3-0, 0.75 ERA), who like last year is off to a great start this season. Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole (2-2, 2,78) will try to hand him his first loss.
Nationals (17-7) at Royals (13-11), 8:15 p.m. ET — Washington's rotation has been incredible so far this season and Monday's starter, Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 1.42), has been a big part of that. Edinson Volquez (3-1, 3.34 ERA) will try to keep pace with the White Sox in the competitive AL Central.