It took a combination of synchronized high-socks, a pregame standoff, a ninth-inning nailbiter and left-hander Jorge De La Rosa’s best game of the season, but on Wednesday, the Rockies finally busted their slump. De La Rosa struck out 11 Nationals — all swinging — in the Rockies’ 6-4 win at Coors Field to put a stop to their seven-game losing streak.

With his three-run blast in the top of the first inning against the Blue Jays on Wednesday night, David Ortiz passed Alex Rodriguez for the most homers by a visiting hitter at Rogers Centre.

When Anthony Rizzo crossed home plate after hitting his 24th, and then his 25th home run, he touched his fingers to his lips and then pointed to the sky. It was a message to a 22-year-old cancer patient whom the Cubs first baseman had met earlier in the day.

Ryan Howard is struggling through arguably the worst season of his career, following two injury-riddled seasons, and Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg is ready to look at other options at first base, something unimaginable just a few years ago.

Ken Griffey Jr. certainly has seen his share of imposing sluggers. But the big league legend has never witnessed anything quite like Marlins All-Star Giancarlo Stanton. One of the greats of his era, Griffey spent quality time with Stanton at Turner Field on Wednesday.

Kyle Lohse allowed just one run in 6 2/3 innings and Mark Reynolds hit a pair of home runs as the Brewers downed the Reds, 5-1, on Wednesday at Miller Park.

The order of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft began to take shape Wednesday when the Competitive Balance Lottery was held at the Commissioner’s Office in New York. This year, the Marlins won the lottery and will receive the first pick of Competitive Balance Round A, which is held immediately after the Draft’s first round. The Marlins will be followed by the Rockies, Cardinals, Brewers, Padres and Indians.

Just as the Nationals were beginning to experience life with a fully healthy lineup, Ryan Zimmerman headed back to the disabled list Wednesday with what has been deemed a “substantial” right hamstring strain.

David Price’s surname has lent itself to many a variation of the “Price is right” headline, but will he actually get dealt before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline? Here’s what MLB.com columnists Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and Phil Rogers think will happen.

Trying to describe Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons’s defensive wizardy Monday night is almost impossible with words.

Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez missed another start Tuesday night nursing left hand injuries, so manager Don Mattingly had Matt Kemp back in right field and Justin Turner at shortstop. Kemp, in fact, impressed Mattingly so much with his natural play in right field Monday night that Mattingly said he is considering trying Puig in center field.

The Blue Jays called up their top prospect, right-hander Aaron Sanchez, amid a flurry of roster moves Tuesday. He has the potential to become a front-line starter, but for now, he will work out of the bullpen as Toronto attempts to remain in the American League East race.

D-backs right fielder Cody Ross is back on the 15-day disabled list, this time because of a left calf strain. He was replaced on the roster prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Tigers by Alfredo Marte.

Residing within striking distance in the American League East, the Yankees sent a clear message on Tuesday that they intend to push for the postseason, completing a trade with the Padres for third baseman Chase Headley.

The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has placed infielder Troy Tulowitzki on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 20) and have recalled left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Good trades benefit both teams. A trade should not be judged on a “winner” or “loser” basis. If a trade benefits the clubs involved, it’s a good deal. That’s my impression of the transaction that sent veteran third baseman Chase Headley from the Padres to the Yankees for prospect Rafael De Paula and infielder Yangervis Solarte. Everybody wins: the clubs and the players.

Dodgers reliever Paco Rodriguez was optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room for the activation of Tuesday night’s starting pitcher Josh Beckett.