The Pirates’ hopes of embarking on the most difficult phase of their schedule in growing strength took a major hit Sunday morning when Neil Walker showed up at PNC Park unable to play.

The Tigers pitching staff took a hit Sunday morning, when right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Joakim Soria were placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Miguel Gonzalez is heading down to Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles are covering themselves in case the starting pitcher can return before the 10 days a player is typically required to spend in the Minor Leagues after being optioned.

Darwin Barney was recalled from Triple-A on Sunday morning to replace shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain, retroactive to Saturday. Barney had been at Triple-A since being acquired from the Cubs on July 28.

The Marlins experienced a scare firsthand on Thursday night in Pittsburgh when reliever Dan Jennings suffered a concussion after Jordy Mercer’s drive pegged him on the left side of his head.

The Giants recalled first baseman Adam Duvall from Triple-A Fresno before Sunday’s series finale with the Royals.

Growing up in the Big Red Machine clubhouse of the 1970s — among the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and his own dad, Ken Sr. — and starring on Cincinnati-area Moeller High School’s baseball team as a teen himself, it would’ve been easy for “The Kid” to let his athletic pedigree go to his head. But that’s just not the way he was raised.

On Sunday, the Indians placed David Murphy (right abdominal strain) and Nick Swisher (right knee soreness) on the 15-day DL and called up Zach Walters and Tyler Holt from Triple-A Columbus.

Third baseman Albert Pujols rocketed an opposite-field home run in the bottom of the 19th inning, lifting the Angels to a 5-4 win over Boston in the longest Major League game this season. Red Sox manager John Farrell questioned whether the ball cleared the fence, but a replay review confirmed the long ball.

Throughout his nine-year Major League career, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has always been known for his heart and hustle. That was never more evident than during the 14th inning of Saturday night’s game against the Angels.

After a rain delay of three hours and 41 minutes on Saturday night at Turner Field, the Nationals and Braves found themselves in pitchers’ duel. When it was over, the Nationals prevailed, 4-1, in 11 innings. Wilson Ramos delivered the go-ahead hit in the 11th, and Kevin Frandsen added a two-run double.

Home runs by Stephen Vogt and Derek Norris off Samuel Deduno put Saturday’s game out of reach, and the A’s won, 9-4, to clinch the four-game series at O.co Coliseum with another still to play.

The Dodgers acquired former All-Star right-hander Kevin Correia from the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night for a player to be named or cash.

Making his first start in Matt Garza’s spot opposite former Brewer Zack Greinke, Mike Fiers earned cheers from 40,553 fans after delivering eight excellent innings in a 4-1 win over the Dodgers on Saturday night at Miller Park.

James Shields pitched the Royals to a 5-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night, giving up just four hits in his first complete game and shutout of the season. The Royals’ sixth straight victory pulled them to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central.

Once every five games these days, Cleveland is confident that a combination of Corey Kluber’s pitching and a handful of runs will be enough for a win. That was the case on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, where the leader of the Tribe’s rotation turned in six strong innings to help guide the Indians to a 3-0 victory over New York.

Nolan Reimold delivered a walk-off double in the 10th inning against reliever Joba Chamberlain as the Blue Jays edged the Tigers, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.