Pirates trade closer Melancon to Nats
The Nationals acquired All-Star closer Mark Melancon from the Pirates.
Washington sent reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn to the Pirates for Melancon, who figures to supplant Jonathan Papelbon as the Nationals’ closer.
Melancon, a 31-year-old right-hander, has 30 saves and a 1.51 ERA this season. He is making $9.65 million and is eligible for free agency after the World Series.
Papelbon is 2-4 with a 4.41 ERA and has allowed eight runs and seven hits in his last three outings.
The Padres traded outfielder Matt Kemp to the Braves for troubled third baseman Hector Olivera. Kemp, 31, has struggled in two seasons since the Padres acquired him in a trade with the Dodgers. This season, he is hitting .265 with 23 home runs and 69 RBI but has posted a .285 on-base percentage. Olivera, a 31-year-old Cuban defector, is eligible to return Tuesday from an 82-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic-violence policy.
The Brewers have an agreement in place to trade All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Indians. Lucroy must first approve the deal because of his no-trade clause.
The Mets put infielder Jose Reyes on the 15-day disabled list because of a strain in his left rib cage and signed free agent Justin Ruggiano.
Marlins 11, Cardinals 0
Christian Yelich and Jeff Mathis each had three hits and drove in two runs to help lead Miami past visiting St. Louis. Marcell Ozuna hit a two-run home run, and Martin Prado had a two-run double for the Marlins. Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia (7-8) lasted only 3⅓ innings. He allowed six runs and seven hits.
Giants 5, Nationals 3
Joe Panik hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, and San Francisco beat visiting Washington to snap a three-game losing streak. Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer in the third for the Nationals, who couldn’t protect an early 3-0 lead. The Giants won for only the third time in 14 games since the All-Star break.
Blue Jays 9, Orioles 1
J.A. Happ won his eighth straight decision, Devon Travis homered and Toronto used a seven-run fifth inning to beat visiting Baltimore and take sole possession of the AL East lead. Kevin Pillar drove in four runs to match his career high. Major-league RBI leader Edwin Encarnacion drove in his 89th run.
Tigers 3, Astros 2
Jose Iglesias drove in the winning run with an infield single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift host Detroit. Justin Verlander (11-6) threw a complete game, allowing two runs and five hits. He struck out 11.