The Royals, after a miserable 7-19 July that plummeted them seemingly out of contention, suddenly can do no wrong in August. Behind Alex Gordon’s two home runs and yet another dominant performance by right-hander Ian Kennedy, the Royals thumped the Twins, 10-0, on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi showed why the Rangers were interested in trading for him last month.

Talented Cuban prospect Yulieski Gurriel is set to make his much-anticipated Major League debut Sunday. Houston manager A.J. Hinch revealed after Saturday night’s 12-2 win over the Orioles that Gurriel has been called up and will be in the Astros’ lineup as the team’s designated hitter for its series finale in Baltimore on Sunday. First baseman Tyler White was sent down to Triple-A Fresno to make room for Gurriel on the roster.

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and catcher Jose Lobaton were activated from the 15-day disabled list before Saturday’s 11-9 win over the Braves, while catcher Pedro Severino and right-hander A.J. Cole were optioned to Triple A Syracuse.

Maximum levels of chill.

After the Astros used first baseman Tyler White as a pitcher Thursday, the Orioles turned to utility man Ryan Flaherty to toss the ninth in Saturday’s 12-2 loss.

The only thing reigning Saturday afternoon at the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Championship … was the rain. The Chicago Bandits and Scrap Yard Dawgs started Game 2 of their best-of -three semifinal series in the morning at University of Alabama’s Rhoads Stadium, but by the time the sixth inning rolled around at 12:54 p.m. local time, so did the lighting, thunder and, of course, the rain. Lots of it.

The Astros took a two-run lead two batters into Saturday night’s game and never looked back as they scored double digits for the second straight night in a 12-2 rout of the Orioles at Camden Yards. Houston, which had lost five straight before Friday, has scored 27 runs over the past two games.

No matter the role, reliever or starter, David Phelps has delivered. The right-hander stepped up yet again on Saturday night, striking out nine and allowing just two hits in the Marlins’ 3-1 win over the Pirates at PNC Park.

From his first Major League game and hit on Wednesday to his first error on Friday, this week has been full of new experiences for Dansby Swanson.

After recalling right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for Saturday’s game, the Orioles optioned him back to Triple-A Norfolk after the 12-2 loss to the Astros. Despaigne was called up to provide long relief, and he came on to allow four runs over three innings after Chris Tillman didn’t get out of the third inning.

The patron saint of selfies.

Two Beat the Streak players remain within range of the grand prize, as user “csteele12” improved to 43 games by picking Xander Bogaerts, and fellow player “jmd4221” remained right behind at 41 games by staying pat Saturday night.

Robbed of a hit in his first at-bat on Saturday night at PNC Park, Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki wasn’t denied his second time up. The 42-year-old lined a double to right off Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl in the fourth inning for his 3,008th career hit.

Yoenis Cespedes proved that he is fully healthy Saturday, crushing a pair of solo home runs as the Mets bounced back from consecutive losses in San Francisco, and three straight overall, to beat the Giants, 9-5, at AT&T Park.

Two losses are all it takes to send a team home from the Little League World Series, and all four of Saturday’s contests pitted teams vying to play another day. Mexico and Rhode Island used their bats to stay alive, while Curacao advanced with strong defense at the expense of traditional power Japan. California extended its stay in Williamsport by showcasing enviable ability on both sides of the ball.

Whether the Mets are capable of reversing their August freefall to remain within striking distance in the National League playoff race will hinge on more than just one game. But Yoenis Cespedes’ performance Saturday reminded them, at the very least, that they have a batter dominant enough to alter a season.