MLB scores, highlights: Didi Gregorius drives in six runs to lead Yankees past Braves

Alec Brzezinski

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MLB scores, highlights: Didi Gregorius drives in six runs to lead Yankees past Braves 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.

Didi Gregorius had the standout performance Friday in the Yankees' 15-4 win against the Braves.

He went 4 for 6 with a home run and six RBIs, which is tied for the most in Yankees history since RBIs became an official stat in 1920. Gregorius was tasked with the difficult assignment of replacing Derek Jeter to start the season. Of course, expectations were reasonable for the 25-year-old, but performances like this reminds everyone what he's capable of.

Yankees catcher Brian McCann made his return to Turner Field, where he spent the first nine years of his career, and jacked another home run for good measure. Carlos Beltran contributed, going 3 for 5 with three runs scored.

The Yankees had lost five of their past seven games heading into the night, so they hope to use this blowout win as a springboard to catch the streaking Blue Jays in the AL East.

Here are more highlights from Friday’s games:

Impact Players:

C — Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: Lucroy went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI in a win against the Reds.

1B — David Ortiz, Red Sox: Ortiz went 2 for 3 with a solo home run, helping Boston top the Mets in extra innings.

2B — Ian Kinsler, Tigers: Kinsler went 2 for 4 with a solo home run against the Blue Jays, and is just two hits behind Dee Gordon for the MLB lead.

SS — Jose Reyes, Rockies: Reyes went 2 for 4 with a two-run home run off the foul pole and a stolen base in a loss to the Pirates.

3B — Kyle Seager, Mariners: Seager crushed his 19th home run in a 3-for-4 effort against the White Sox. He's batting only .258 on the season but his power makes him a threat at the plate.

OF — Gregory Polanco, Pirates: Polanco went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in a 5-3 win over the Rockies. 

DH — Kendrys Morales, Royals: Morales went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in a win against the Rays.

SP — Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: Kershaw spun eight innings of one-run baseball in a win against the Cubs. He gave up just three hits and struck out 14.

Key Injuries:

Astros shortstop Carlos Correa missed his second straight start Friday because of "just a little soreness" in his left hamstring.

Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez was scratched from the Red Sox' lineup Friday because of an undisclosed injury.

Twins third baseman Miguel Sano missed Friday's game because of a minor right hamstring injury.

Web Gems:

Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr dives to rob Melvin Upton Jr.

Troy Tulowitzki shows off his acrobatics:

Surprise Performers:

Good: Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola: The 22-year-old rookie is starting to find his way in the big leagues. He allowed just one run in seven innings Friday in a win against the Padres. This followed an outing earlier in the week when he tossed eight innings of scoreless ball against the Marlins. 

Bad: Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer: Don't get us wrong, Hosmer is having a great year. But after an 0-for-3 game against the Rays on Friday, he's gone hitless in his past three starts.

Facts of the Day:

High-profile arms were all over the place Friday:

This guy just keeps on hitting:

Wilson Ramos sent this ball out of the park in a hurry:

Can you say MVP?

Morales is clutch:

Ortiz joins a couple of impressive players in the record books:

The Reds may have found themselves a new ace:

Blake Swihart hit a go-ahead home run in the 10th inning against the Mets:

Welcome to San Francisco, Marlon Byrd:

Rizzo crushed a Kershaw offering:

Max Scherzer needs some run support:

Off the Field:

Nationals manager Matt Williams confirmed Friday that outfielder Denard Span will undergo season-ending surgery on his left hip next Tuesday.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski on Friday officially ruled out starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (elbow) for the rest of the season.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Friday that starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (knee) "might come up and start for us" because of how well his rehab has progressed.

The Dodgers placed outfielder Yasiel Puig on 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

The Giants placed oft-injured starting pitcher Matt Cain on the DL with irritation in his pitching elbow.

"My elbow looks good. Nothing out of the ordinary," Cain said via ESPN. "It's just to try to calm that down and so I'm able to throw with a natural motion."

Reactions:

"If we could wait four or five days, we're not going to need the DL, but we feel like it's going to be over 10 days, and that puts us over the tipping point, so we might as well put him on the DL," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Yasiel Puig on MLB.com.

"I'm excited to be back here and I'm excited to play here at Turner Field where it all started," said Yankees catcher Brian McCann via MLB.com. "I have a lot of great memories here."

Scores:

AL:

Blue Jays 5, Tigers 3
Indians 3, Angels 1
Royals 3, Rays 2
Rangers 4, Orioles 1
Yankees 15, Braves 4
Mariners 2, White Sox 0
Twins 3, Astros 0

NL:

Phillies 7, Padres 1
Marlins 4, Nationals 3
Pirates 5, Rockies 3
Brewers 5, Reds 0
Diamondbacks 6, Athletics 4
Dodgers 4, Cubs 1
Giants 5, Cardinals 4

Interleague:

Red Sox 6, Mets 4 (10)

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Cardinals (82-46) at Giants (69-59) 4:05 p.m.: Lance Lynn (10-8, 2.94 ERA) faces off against Ryan Vogelsong (9-9, 4.05 ERA) as the Giants try to remain in the playoff picture.

Astros (71-58) at Twins (66-62) 7:10 p.m.: With Minnesota's win against Houston on Friday, they have won seven of their past eight games and remain the most surprising team in the playoff race. Mike Fiers (6-9, 3.63 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros in his first start since his no-hitter last week while Mike Pelfrey (6-7, 3.69 ERA) pitches for the Twins.

Cubs (73-54) at Dodgers (71-56) 9:10 p.m.: Clayton Kershaw gave the Dodgers a much-needed win Friday as they continue to fend off the the surging Giants in the NL West. The Cubs send Jon Lester (8-9, 3.44) to the mound Saturday against Mat Latos (4-9, 4.81 ERA).

Alec Brzezinski