Abraham Almonte launched a grand slam, Carlos Santana drove in three runs with a little help from the sun and Josh Tomlin spun seven-plus strong innings to lead the Indians to a 9-2 rout over the Angels on Sunday at Progressive Field.

D-backs manager Chip Hale told Andrew Chafin that the reliever has been “one of the brightest surprises on the team this year,” on Sunday morning.

Edwin Encarnacion maintained his power stroke on Sunday against the Tigers, and in doing so, he extended his Major League-best hitting streak to 25 games.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz surpassed the legendary Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff with home run No. 494 on Sunday afternoon, a towering two-run shot deep into the seats in right field at Citi Field that moved him into sole possession of 27th place on the all-time list.

It’s possible that Rockies left-handed reliever Christian Friedrich has emerged from a rough period built, not beaten.

Rougned Odor continues to get closer to returning to the Rangers’ lineup, manager Jeff Banister said Sunday. The second baseman could be ready to go when the Rangers visit the Padres on Monday, six days after he tore a fingernail on his throwing hand while fielding a ball.

Red Sox lefty Wade Miley helped his cause in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Mets when he made a nifty behind-the-back snag on a ground ball by David Wright.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon has been patient with his bullpen this season while he waits for someone to entrench themselves in a role. But he’ll have to wait a little longer as his relievers continue to work through a stretch in which they have been called on more than ever.

Of the four seasons with Robin Ventura at the White Sox helm, the 2015 campaign has to be considered the most disappointing for the manager and team.

David Freese, out with a fractured right index finger since July 23, was expected to start his third straight game at third base for Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, then be activated for Monday’s series opener against the A’s if all goes well.

Flags flew at half-staff at Turner Field, and while the players, coaches and management did their best to go about their usual pregame routine, Sunday morning simply was unusual. Everyone was still trying to make sense of the tragic death of 60-year-old Greg Murrey, the fan who fell to his death from the upper deck during the seventh inning of Saturday night’s game between the Braves and the New York Yankees.

Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett, an established veteran who hasn’t pitched since July 30 due to a right elbow injury, has said he expects to make at least three Major League starts before the end of the regular season.

Though a right shoulder injury has kept Hanley Ramirez out of the lineup the last three days, interim manager Torey Lovullo expects the slugger will have enough time to appear in a game at first base before the season is out.

With days to spare until the waiver Trade Deadline, the first-place Mets have addressed their most glaring weakness heading into the stretch run. The club officially acquired right-handed reliever Addison Reed from the D-backs on Sunday in exchange for two Minor Leaguers in a move that could bridge a widening gap between their starting pitchers and back-end relievers.

As the Reds’ season spiraled far out of orbit in the second half, first baseman Joey Votto has quietly been one of baseball’s best hitters. It was Votto who hit his 25th home run of the season in the ninth inning in Cincinnati’s 12-9 come-from-behind win over the Brewers.

The long-anticipated matchup between Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 Draft and likely favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, and Twins outfielder Byron Buxton — the No. 2 pick that year — and third baseman Miguel Sano — another Rookie of the Year candidate — will have to wait until the Twins visit Houston next weekend.

Miami has several pitchers on the disabled list who are getting close to rejoining their roster. Jarred Cosart (left inner ear disorder) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Class A Advanced Jupiter on Tuesday, and Jose Urena (left knee contusion) is scheduled to throw two innings for Jupiter on Monday.