Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa made a lasting impression on fans attending Thursday's 13-4 home win against the Cincinnati Reds. He became the first Nationals player with seven RBIs in a game since Josh Willingham in 2009. He clobbered two home runs — one a grand slam — and even received a curtain call for his effort.
MORE: SN's panel ranks baseball's 50 best players
Ryan Zimmerman also had a solid night for the Nationals. The streaky first baseman went 2 for 4 with three runs scored, a home run, three RBIs and a walk.
The Nationals have now won five straight and are just four games behind the Chicago Cubs for the top spot in the National League. What's more, Bryce Harper didn't play Thursday.
Player of the day
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco gave up just one run while striking out 14 batters in 7 1/3 innings to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-1. The Indians now have a 13-game win streak, which is tied for the most in franchise history.
Highlight
Yoenis Cespedes hits one into the triple deck:
Third deck? Third deck. https://t.co/KmHjzoZ0hh #Crushed https://t.co/WM95Pzs4DG
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2016
Five things to know
— St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Brandon Moss hit the longest home run at Busch Stadium this season at 452 feet. Its apex reached 123 feet and it came off the bat at 115 mph.
— Kris Bryant is the first Chicago Cubs player with at least 22 home runs before the start of July since Derrek Lee in 2005 (23). He is also tied with Adam Duvall for the NL lead (22).
— San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has two home runs this season. The Oakland Athletics started five players with two or fewer home runs this season, including No. 3 hitter Jed Lowrie. No wonder the Giants didn't use a designated hitter.
What's next
Indians (48-30) at Blue Jays (43-38), 1:07 p.m. ET — Can a team still be an underdog on a 13-game winning streak? It seems like the Indians are. After Cleveland persevered through decades without a championship, they might win two in the same year. They need another bat, though.
Cubs (51-27) at Mets (41-37), 7:10 p.m. ET — What is going on with the Cubs? All seemed right after they snapped a streak of six losses in seven games by sweeping the Cincinnati Reds. Then, Thursday, the Cubs lost again after blowing a late lead, leaving many to wonder whether this team had made it all the way back.