Scherzer returns to Washington on his 42nd birthday
Max Scherzer came off the injured list to start on his 42nd birthday, allowing one run on four hits over 2 2/3 innings with 75 pitches, but the Toronto Blue Jays still edged the host Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday night. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who spent about six and a half seasons with the Nationals and helped them win the 2019 World Series, left to a standing ovation after striking out Daylen Lile to end a 12-pitch at-bat and looked to the Toronto bench. The appearance marked Scherzer's 100th career start at Nationals Park and his first since June 10. Luis Urías homered, Myles Straw doubled and singled, and Ernie Clement also doubled as Toronto built a 2-1 lead in the third before Straw added an RBI single in the fourth. Six Toronto relievers combined for 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, with Mason Fluharty earning the win and Louis Varland recording his 22nd save despite giving up a two-out single and a walk in the ninth. The Blue Jays had lost seven of their previous 10 games since the All-Star break.
Cubs top Cardinals hours after designating Taillon
The Chicago Cubs opened their series against the rival St. Louis Cardinals with a 7-3 victory at Busch Stadium on Monday, hours after designating veteran starter Jameson Taillon for assignment. David Peterson delivered a solid start, while Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner each collected four hits as the Cubs remained in the thick of the National League playoff picture. Bregman, who borrowed Dansby Swanson's bat in an effort to slow his swing, finished a triple shy of the cycle and snapped out of an 0-for-12 slump with a double in the first inning. Hoerner, who entered Monday with a homerless drought of 321 at-bats dating to April 21, capped his night with a two-run blast off Hunter Dobbins in the ninth and is now hitting .432 over his past 10 games after batting .139 in his first 10 games this month. The Cubs continue their series in St. Louis before hosting the Yankees, Dodgers and Blue Jays starting July 31.
Red Sox extend surge behind Rafaela's first grand slam
Ceddanne Rafaela hit his first major league grand slam, clearing the bases in a four-run sixth inning that carried the Boston Red Sox past the host Athletics 4-2 in West Sacramento for their 18th win in 20 games. Boston had been held without a hit through five innings by Athletics rookie Jack Perkins before Connor Wong doubled leading off the sixth and Willson Contreras drew a walk. José Suarez then walked Wilyer Abreu to load the bases before Rafaela connected for his 11th homer of the season. Payton Tolle (6-6) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk, while Tyler Soderstrom extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 17th homer in the first and Jonah Heim added his 10th homer in the sixth for the Athletics. The Red Sox, now 55-50, also saw newcomer Curtis Mead exit after being hit on the wrist by a pitch in his Boston debut; Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals on Saturday for rookie pitcher Connelly Early.
Yankees place Bellinger on injured list with hamstring strain
The New York Yankees placed Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list after tests revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, sidelining the outfielder for four to six weeks. Bellinger was hurt rounding first on a double in Saturday's 3-1 win at Philadelphia and had further testing Monday in New York. The injury adds to a Yankees disabled list that already includes reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, out since May 31 with a fractured rib, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since April 24 with a strained right calf. Max Schuemann started in left, Spencer Jones in center, and Jasson Domínguez in right for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox, while manager Aaron Boone downplayed the effect on general manager Brian Cashman's trade-deadline strategy. Bellinger, who was the MVP of the All-Star Game on July 14 and re-signed with the Yankees last winter for $162.5 million over five years, is batting .259 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in 102 games. Left-hander Carlos Rodón and right-hander Clarke Schmidt are both expected to throw again this week as they work back from elbow inflammation and Tommy John surgery, respectively.
What's next
Several series continue Tuesday, including the Blue Jays sending Shane Bieber against the Nationals' Cade Cavalli in Washington and the Red Sox's Jake Bennett opposing the Athletics' Gage Jump. The MLB trade deadline arrives next week, with the Yankees' front office weighing its options while navigating injuries to Bellinger, Judge, Stanton, Rodón and Schmidt.
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