Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado punched the air as he rounded first base, and floated until he could greet teammates at home plate with smiling, full-force high fives. Yet, his 27th homer of the season was less a release than a relief.

In their last 51 innings, the Astros have scored six times while striking out 53 times, a big reason why they have lost five of their last six.

J.D. Martinez stepped off the disabled list and off the Tigers’ bench for a go-ahead, pinch-hit home run off Chris Sale in the eighth inning, helping extend the Tigers’ winning streak to eight games with a 2-1 win over the White Sox on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.

Here’s a look at top prospects to watch on Thursday in Minor League action.

Aaron Hicks has made a living in professional baseball, but he has nonetheless maintained his love for golf.

In a clash of two first-place teams with lethal lineups, Wednesday’s game was more about the pitching than anything else. Backed by seven innings from starter Kevin Gausman, Baltimore — which jumped on lefty Cole Hamels for three first-inning runs — edged Texas, 3-2, to secure a series win at Camden Yards.

Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday and will not be eligible to return to the active roster until at least Aug. 27.

Yoenis Cespedes tweaked his quad a third time during the Mets’ 9-5 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday. The Mets placed Cespedes on the disabled list, where he will stay for at least the next 15 days. Rookie Brandon Nimmo will rejoin the team on Thursday.

On Wednesday night, Monica Abbott was at Minute Maid Park in Houston, where she joined Robert Ford and Steve Sparks for an interview during the Astros radio broadcast on 790-AM KBME. Abbott, who now pitches for the Houston-area Scrap Yard Dawgs of the NPF, discussed the Olympic news, her historic contract and more, as the Astros took on the visiting Blue Jays.

Major League clubs were off to a hot start Wednesday, scoring first-inning runs at a rapid pace. In fact, the 38 runs plated in the first inning were the most the big leagues have seen since July 30, 2011, according to ESPN.

A reporter once told Jake Odorizzi that “Eggs” would be a great nickname for him as in “Eggs Odorizzi.” The Rays right-hander pooh-poohed the idea of sounding like a breakfast order, but now the name might begin to gain some traction given the fact he continues to put goose eggs on the scoreboard.

Philly’s finest.

Despite squandered chances to pad their lead early, the Cardinals clung to the advantage they built with a four-run first inning to even their series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday night. With Stephen Piscotty’s fifth-inning homer providing the necessary insurance, the Cardinals nabbed a 5-4 victory that inched them past the Marlins and into sole possession of the second National League Wild Card spot.

Big Papi’s farewell tour hits the Pacific Northwest

Carlos Beltran has been turning back the clock in his 19th season in the Majors, and he showed off his power for the first time in a Texas uniform in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Orioles.

Baltimore continues to be the best in the Majors at home, with Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Rangers improving the club to an impressive 39-16 on the season.

In their 107th game of the season, the Orioles will send a left-handed starter to the mound for the first time. Wade Miley, whom the O’s acquired from the Mariners on Monday, will make his Orioles debut Thursday in the series finale with the Rangers.