MLB scores, highlights: Mike Fiers tosses first-career no-hitter on 134 pitches

Alec Brzezinski

MLB scores, highlights: Mike Fiers tosses first-career no-hitter on 134 pitches 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.

Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers threw his first career no-hitter Friday against the Dodgers. He threw a staggering 134 pitches, well past a pitch count at which most starters are allowed to venture.

It was Fiers' first career complete game, and the fifth no-hitter in MLB this season. He struck out 10 batters, including six of the last eight batters he faced. 

"This crowd was going insane, which got me pumped up," Fiers said on MLB Strike Zone. "My command was off a little early, but it felt great to come out and perform for the team."

The Astros won the game 3-0. Jake Marisnick and Evan Gattis hit solo home runs, and Marisnick made a catch right up against the wall in the ninth inning to preserve the no-hitter. It was the 11th no-hitter in Houston history, and first by a single pitcher since Darryl Kile in 1993. The club had a combined no-hit effort against the Yankees in 2003.

Meanwhile, Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes went 5 for 6 with three home runs and seven RBIs in a 14-9 win against the Rockies. His seven RBIs matched the third-most in franchise history.

Here are more highlights from Friday's games:

Impact Players: 

C — Blake Swihart, Red Sox: Swihart crossed the plate three times and had two RBIs in a 4-for-4 effort against the Royals.

1B — Ryan Howard, Phillies: Howard went 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBIs in a Phillies win.

2B — Jose Ramirez, Indians: Ramirez went 3 for 3 with three runs scored and a walk in a win against the Yankees.

SS — Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: Ramirez went 2 for 4 with three runs scored and a walk in a win against the Mariners.

3B — Nolan Arenado, Rockies: Arenado blasted his 30th home run of the season on a 3-for-5 night. He scored three runs and had four RBIs in a losing effort.

OF — A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks: Pollock ended a triple away from the cycle in a 4-for-5 effort. He finished the game with three runs scored, a solo home run and two stolen bases.

DH — Miguel Sano, Twins: Sano went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and a walk.

SP — Chris Sale, White Sox: Sale struck out 14 batters in seven innings against the Mariners, and he looked nearly unhittable until he gave up a three-run home run in the seventh inning to Mark Trumbo.

Key Injuries:

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar left the game with after going for a foul ball against the Brewers.

Web Gems:

Ian Desmond completes the quick bare-handed scoop:

Pablo Sandoval makes a diving save:

Surprise Performers:

Good: The Brewers: Milwaukee dismantled the Nationals 10-3 to improve to just 53-70 on the season. Struggling catcher Jonathan Lucroy went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the way, but the whole team jumped on starter Gio Gonzalez and recently demoted Doug Fister.

Bad: Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto: Cueto had been putting on a show for his new team, but he got lit up against the Red Sox on Friday. Cueto allowed seven runs — six earned — off 13 hits in just his second loss with Kansas City.

Facts of the Day:

The Cubs might want to give this guy more starts:

Madison Bumgarner likes to hit:

Everyone has an off day once in a while:

Cespedes hasn't slowed down a bit since joining the Mets:

Ben Paulsen didn't mess around:

Off the Field:

The Pirates activated third baseman Josh Harrison (thumb) from the 15-day disabled list.

Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (elbow) may not play again this season.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus expects starting pitcher Daniel Norris (oblique) to be sidelined for at least four weeks.

The Royals will move Kris Medlen into the starting rotation in place of Jeremy Guthrie.

The Nationals purchased the contract of shortstop Trea Turner from Triple-A Syracuse.

The Giants optioned starting pitcher Chris Heston to Triple-A Sacramento to cut back his workload.

Reactions:

"I've gone through a lot of ups and downs in life," Fiers said via MLB.com after tossing his first-career no-hitter. "A lot of people have doubted me in life, but a lot of people have stayed by my side. I've got great family and friends, so it feels great to do this for them."

Scores:

AL:

Red Sox 7, Royals 2
Rangers 2, Tigers 0
Twins 4, Orioles 3
Indians 7, Yankees 3
Rays 2, Athletics 1
Blue Jays 9, Angels 2
White Sox 11, Mariners 4

NL:

Cubs 5, Braves 3
Phillies 7, Marlins 1
Diamondbacks 6, Reds 3
Giants 6, Pirates 4
Brewers 10, Nationals 3
Mets 14, Rockies 9
Padres 9, Cardinals 3

Interleague:

Astros 3, Dodgers 0

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Giants (66-56) at Pirates (72-48) 4:05 p.m.: Mike Leake (9-6, 3.52 ERA) may still be a bit hobbled, but he'll face off against Gerrit Cole (14-7, 2.61 ERA), who is 0-3 in August. The Giants are just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers and seem to be trending in the right direction.

Rangers (62-59) at Tigers (59-62) 7:08 p.m.: Yovani Gallardo (9-9, 3.39 ERA) takes the mound for the Rangers against the recently acquired Randy Wolf, who's making his first MLB start since 2014. Both of these teams are still in the playoff race but can't afford many losses as the season winds down.

Blue Jays at Angels 9:05 p.m.: Marco Estrada (10-7, 3.20) and the Jays take on Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.43) and the Angels, as Toronto tries to keep pace with the Yankees in the AL East.

Alec Brzezinski