Evan Gattis’ two-run ninth-inning home run served as the crushing blow for the Braves as they completed a three-game sweep with Sunday afternoon’s 4-2 win over the Marlins. But the victory was not secured until Simmons filled in for the unavailable Craig Kimbrel and recorded the final three outs with the poise of a veteran.

Right fielder Josh Reddick was out of the A’s lineup against the Angels on Sunday due to a hyperextended right knee. He is day to day. Reddick exited Saturday’s game after he banged his knee into the outfield wall while making a catch in the sixth inning.

A’s reliever Ryan Cook (right forearm strain) is likely to be activated for Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees after a successful rehab outing Saturday.

The rollout of Major League Baseball’s first Jr. RBI Classic showcases continued this weekend in Houston, and not even a little inclement weather could stop it.

D-backs center fielder A.J. Pollock will need surgery on his right hand after suffering a fractured fourth metacarpal bone when he was hit by a pitch against the Reds on Saturday.

Josh Hamilton felt good during a workout with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sunday afternoon and will be activated off the disabled list for Tuesday’s series opener against the Astros, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after a 6-3 loss to the A’s at O.co Coliseum.

Robinson Cano was out of the lineup again Sunday because of a bone bruise on the outside of his left hand. It marked the fourth consecutive game manager Lloyd McClendon chose to rest his $240 million second baseman.

Back stiffness forced Mike Trout to miss his second straight game Sunday afternoon.

For Miguel Cabrera, those April showers eventually brought May power. Even by the two-time reigning AL MVP’s standards, the final numbers from this past month were impressive. Considering where he stood at the end of April, they constituted a bounce back.

The Orioles are shuffling the rotation following Monday’s off-day, with both Bud Norris and Chris Tillman getting an extra two days of rest.

Jose Abreu will be activated from the disabled list prior to the White Sox series opener Monday at Dodger Stadium. The first baseman gets to test the inflammation in his left ankle against none other than two-time National League Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw. But after going through a second simulated game Sunday morning and looking crisper at the plate and running the bases, Abreu seems ready to go.

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez (shoulder inflammation) threw a three-inning simulated game Sunday morning and reported to manager Matt Williams that he “felt great” afterward.

The Rays on Sunday placed right fielder Wil Myers on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right wrist and recalled first baseman-outfielder Jerry Sands from Triple-A Durham.

All games are not created equal. Oakland gets it. OK, it’s late May, and Friday night was one of 162 regular-season games on the A’s schedule. But it was against the Angels, who arrived at O.co Coliseum knowing if they could sweep their weekend series with the A’s, they could move atop the division. So much for that idea. The A’s made a series opening statement on Friday night, a 9-5 victory against the Angels.

The Pirates secured a second straight victory at Dodger Stadium, fueled by 5 2/3 scoreless innings from Francisco Liriano, who snapped a 14-start winless drought.

Victor Martinez made Seattle pay with a go-ahead three-run homer, nullifying Kyle Seager’s game-tying shot an inning earlier and sending Detroit to a 6-3 victory Friday night at Safeco Field.

Hosting the Halos for three games at the Coliseum this weekend, the A’s welcomed their division rivals with three home runs, including two off the bat of Josh Donaldson, for a 9-5 victory and 2 1/2-game lead over Los Angeles in the American League West.