David Ortiz rocked the first pitch he saw from Matt Andriese in the first inning of Wednesday’s 4-3 loss for a home run to right-center field, his 30th of the season. And with Dustin Pedroia on second base, he also recorded his 100th RBI of the year to give Boston a 2-0 lead. Ortiz became the oldest player to reach 30 home runs in a season at 40 years, nine months and six days old. Ortiz, who will retire after this year, is also the only player to record 30 homers and 100 RBIs in each of the past four seasons.

Manny Machado lit up the scoreboard all night and Matt Wieters contributed a late three-run homer to help the Orioles slug their way past the Nationals, 10-8, at Nationals Park on Wednesday night. Both Wieters and Machado — who finished with four hits, including his 29th homer — drove in four runs in support of left-handed starter Wade Miley, who was acquired by Baltimore last month and earned his first win as an Oriole with five-plus innings of two-run ball.

The two teams with the best records in the American League, the Rangers and Indians, open a four-game series tonight in Texas, with ace Cole Hamels set to take the mound for the Rangers.

Across two games vs. the O’s, Nats rookie Trea Turner matched Andre Dawson (June 4-7, 1983, with the Expos) and Dimitri Young (May 31-June 1, 2007, with the Nationals) as the two players in franchise history with a hit in eight consecutive plate appearances.

Red Sox rookie outfielder Andrew Benintendi was helped off the field after spraining his left knee while being tagged out near second base in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s 4-3, 11-inning loss to the Rays. He was replaced by Chris Young in left field during the bottom of the seventh. Benintendi will be further evaluated on Thursday.

That’s a special gift.

Welcome to DraftKings fantasy baseball, the Official Daily Fantasy Game of Major League Baseball. The players listed within this article are in position to provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.

Albert Pujols moved his name up the record books on Wednesday night belting his 584th career home run in the Angels’ 8-2 win over the Blue Jays, passing former teammate Mark McGwire into sole possession of 10th on the all-time list.

That’s dedication.

Grasping for ways to correct their poor and puzzling home record, the Cardinals leaned on two of their most reliable sources on Wednesday. With punches of power from the offense and another dazzling performance from budding ace Carlos Martinez, the Cardinals coasted to an 8-1 victory to even their three-game series with the Mets.

Jose Fernandez put an end to his slump in record fashion on Wednesday night, tossing seven scoreless innings while striking out nine in the Marlins’ 3-0 victory over the Royals, snapping their nine-game winning streak.

Padres southpaw Christian Friedrich is happy to share his love of soccer, a central element in his between-starts conditioning routine.

The pair of winners’ bracket games to close Wednesday’s Little League World Series action provided late-day drama in totally different ways. After Panama edged South Korea in a 3-2 pitchers’ duel, New York won a scintillating slugfest, 13-10, over Kentucky in the nightcap, highlighted by an other-worldly performance from second baseman Jude Abbadessa, who went 5-for-5 with six RBIs and three runs scored.

Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur is headed to the Marlins in a three-team trade that also involves the Rangers. Rangers Minor League shortstop Dylan Moore was sent to the Braves, while Texas received three international signing slots, one from Atlanta and two from Miami.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre’s 2,900th Major League hit was a game-winner. Beltre’s two-out double in the eighth inning drove home Ian Desmond with the go-ahead run, and the Rangers held on for a 6-5 victory over the Reds on Wednesday night at Great American Park.

What does Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton do for an encore after making one of the best catches of his career? He goes back to work and takes away another hit with another tremendous defensive effort.

First Albert Pujols, then David Ortiz. Two majestic home runs, two moments to savor and celebrate, eight minutes apart Wednesday night. Two opportunities to be reminded how lucky we’ve been to watch these guys play baseball. Sometimes, the baseball gods deliver more than we deserve.