Angels slugger Albert Pujols belted a couple of three-run homers in an 8-6 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night, but he nearly took a fastball to the face.

Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez continued his winning ways Tuesday night at Chase Field.

The Marlins are applying a little pressure to the Nationals in the National League East.

The Cubs’ missed opportunities cost them Tuesday night against the Mets. Rene Rivera smacked an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Mets to a 2-1 victory at Wrigley Field and even the series at one win apiece. Closer Jeurys Familia picked up his Major League-leading 33rd save by escaping a no-out, bases-loaded jam.

There was no late-inning magic for the Royals this time around. The Indians, who gave up seven runs in the eighth inning on Monday night in a loss, took a commanding six-run lead through five innings on Tuesday night en route to a 7-3 win at Kauffman Stadium.

Just when it seemed like the Pirates might be in for another long day, Josh Harrison brought things to a quick, decisive and wild close Tuesday night at PNC Park. Harrison led off the bottom of the ninth by ripping a triple into center field and completed the walk-off, Little League homer as the Pirates beat the Brewers, 3-2.

Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar surfaced at the forefront of trade rumors Tuesday, reportedly drawing considerable interest from other teams.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had squared off against former 2013 World Series teammate Jake Peavy only once before going deep Tuesday. In his second at-bat, Big Papi hit his longest home run of the year.

The enduring beauty of baseball is that it is always around you in the most wonderful ways. It happened about a month ago, in a restaurant in New York City, and with Garry Marshall, who died on Tuesday, seated across the table from me.

The Wild Horse is, uh, loose.

Before I romanticize the concept of potential bargain buys in the trade market, I must first provide a public disclaimer that the discreet Trade Deadline deal doesn’t always work out. The Dodgers, as an example, grabbed Mat Latos instead of meeting the price tag for David Price or Cole Hamels last year and, well, let’s just say they would have been better off with Price or Hamels, OK? But sometimes there is great value to be had out there. And in a 2016 market especially thin on starting pitching, it’s incumbent upon GMs to seek it out.

Mike Piazza may have been the best hitter of all time, but he never had much of a defensive reputation. Is that fair? Perhaps not. Looking back on his career, it seems that he may have actually been a lot better behind the plate than he was given credit for.

Former first-round Draft pick Kyle Drabek has signed a Minor League deal with the Giants, whom ESPN reports will work the right-hander out as both a pitcher and infielder.

Right-hander Kyle Zimmer, the Royals’ No. 2-ranked prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will miss the remainder of the season.

Two of the National League’s top clubs are battling in Chicago this week as the Cubs and Mets play a three-game set at Wrigley Field. The series continues today with a marquee pitching matchup between All-Stars Noah Syndergaard and Jake Arrieta.

The Braves’ top two prospects, Dansby Swanson and Sean Newcomb, were among the top prospect performers in the Minors as they helped Double-A Mississippi to a 5-0 win on Monday night.

Adam Lind spoiled Chris Sale’s bid to win his 15th game, as he hit a three-run, walk-off home run to highlight a four-run ninth as the Mariners topped the White Sox.