Seven straight wins had the Rays sitting a suddenly manageable seven games back in the AL East, entering Friday, to say nothing of the meager 4 1/2-game deficit they held in the Wild Card. So it would surprise absolutely no one if all this David Price banter leads to bupkis in terms of actual trade activity before the Deadline.

Nori Aoki’s single to left field drove in Lorenzo Cain in the 14th inning to give the Royals a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians in a taut marathon on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Delmon Young’s three-run homer capped a four-run third inning, and the Orioles got a career-high-tying eight scoreless innings from starter Wei-Yin Chen in a 4-0 victory over the Mariners in Seattle. The win keeps first-place Baltimore three games up in the AL East.

The Padres pounded a season-high nine runs in the sixth inning en route to a dominating and series-clinching 13-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.

Mike Moustakas crossed home plate giddy and bemused, with a group of Royals waiting to greet him atop the steps of the dugout. Indians starter Corey Kluber stood idly behind home plate, a perplexed look on his face as he attempted to contemplate what he had just witnessed.

Because of Thursday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline, the second half of July is a key period for fantasy owners. Each deal will produce winners and losers in terms of fantasy value, and smart owners will be on top of all the moves.

Hector Noesi pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning and Adam Eaton had three hits and two RBIs as the White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins, 5-2, Thursday night at Target Field.

Baseball is better when the Dodgers and Giants are both good. They remain two of the sport’s cornerstone franchises, both playing to packed houses, both occupying large places in the hearts and minds of their local citizens.

Twins right-hander Phil Hughes left Thursday’s game against the White Sox in the fourth inning after being hit by a comebacker from Adam Dunn.

Matt Garza didn’t just avoid the sort of first-inning mess that befell him five days earlier, he allowed only one run in eight innings and was rewarded with an avalanche of runs as the Brewers rolled to a 9-1 win at Miller Park on Thursday night.

Henderson Alvarez put to rest any doubts about his sore left shin Thursday night, and he once again pitched at an All-Star level. The right-hander allowed two runs in eight innings and played the role of stopper in the Marlins’ 3-2 win over the Braves at Turner Field. Alvarez kept Atlanta in check, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia delivered the crucial hit.

Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson had to leave Thursday’s game after five-plus innings because of cramping in his right hand, a condition he’s experienced in the past which has not forced him to miss a start.

Joakim Soria, who was acquired by the Tigers on Wednesday, had filled the closer’s role in Texas, but he’ll see the majority of his action in the seventh inning in Detroit, and that’s fine with the veteran reliever.

Could Jim Johnson make a return to Baltimore? “That’s completely in Oakland’s hands now,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Johnson, who was designated for assignment by the A’s on Thursday The O’s were rumored to have interest in a reunion, engaging in talks with the A’s while the right-hander was still on their roster.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski asked former Texas teammates Ian Kinsler and Joe Nathan for their thoughts on Joakim Soria while he was weighing trade options and got rave reviews on the veteran reliever who was acquired by Detroit on Wednesday.

The Mariners, who are seeking a right-handed bat as they try to keep pace in the American League postseason race, have shown interest in Rockies outfielder Drew Stubbs. However, multiple Major League sources said Thursday the Rockies are not in active talks with any club about Stubbs.

The Padres had their second interview Thursday with Kim Ng, senior vice president of baseball operations with Major League Baseball, for their general manager vacancy. Ng had her first interview with the team on July 11.