Live updates: Best of Saturday's MLB action

Thanks to their fifth straight win Friday night (SF 4, ATL 2), the Giants come into Saturday sitting in first place in the NL West. They’ve won 13 of their last 15 games overall and are a half-game up on the Dodgers. San Francisco was 5.5 games back at the start of this 13-2 stretch.

The recent hot streak coincides almost perfectly with the return of Hunter Pence, who is hitting .273/.310/.473 (119 OPS+) with two home runs and 12 RBI in 14 games since coming back from his broken forearm. Pence is not only productive, but he’s also a big time leader in the clubhouse. We’ve seen it in the postseason for years.

While Pence’s return sparking the club to an extended winning stretch is a fun narrative, the team’s recent success starts with the pitching staff. They’ve thrown eight (!) shutouts this month, including four during the 13-2 stretch. They also allowed two of fewer runners four times, so in eight of those 13 wins, the staff allowed no more than two runs.

The bullpen has done a lot of the heavy lifting — the relievers collectively have a 3.13 ERA during the 13-2 stretch. There’s a reason San Francisco is 26-0 (26-0!) when leading after six innings. The offense and rotation are giving the bullpen the lead and those guys are nailing it down. Perfect formula.

The Giants will look to extend their most recent winning streak to six games — as well as extend their NL West lead — Saturday night against the Braves. The defending World Series champs are baseball’s hottest team at the moment.

The Giants are currently atop the NL West. (USATSI)

Here is Saturday’s edition of Eye on MLB, your one-stop shop for everything that happens in the world of baseball. Game recaps, milestone updates, important highlights, news and notes … you’ll find all of that and more right here. Check back in through the day for updates, or come back Sunday morning for the finished product. Your call.

Today’s MLB action (all times ET) (Full scoreboard)

Twins 3, Blue Jays 2 (Box score): Three extra-base hits led to Minnesota’s three runs: Chris Herrmann homered in the third, Trevor Plouffe hit an RBI ground-rule double in the fourth, and Brian Dozier had the go-ahead RBI triple in the seventh. Kyle Gibson allowed two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings and the Twins bullpen held the Jays to one hit in 3 1/3 innings. Kevin Pillar went deep for Toronto. The Twins have won 24 of their last 34 games.

Here are the games still underway or upcoming:

Milestone Watch

Longest active hit streak: Ian Desmond comes into Saturday having hit safely in his last 13 games. Several players are tied for the second longest hit streak at nine games.

History lesson of the day: On this date in 1982, Cal Ripken Jr. started a streak of 16+ seasons without a day off:

Possibly more to come later.

Daily Awards

Ugly swing of the day: This is from Friday night, but it’s worth sharing Saturday. Fernando Rodney got Michael Bourn to corkscrew himself into the ground:

Quote of the day: Dan Uggla isn’t playing a whole lot for the Nationals these days, but he is a valuable veteran leader in the clubhouse. As reliever Aaron Barrett told James Wagner of the Washington Post, Uggla does his leading with hugs:

“He’s just a big bicep teddy bear,” reliever Aaron Barrett said. After a grin and laugh, Barrett continued: “The hugs are fantastic. I love it. It’s very comforting.”

Service time manipulation of the day: The Dodgers have been using veteran Chris Heisey as an up-and-down outfielder this season, calling him up whenever an extra position player is needed. He was sent down again Saturday, just a few days shy of being able to refuse the assignment:

Dogs of the day: It’s bring your dog to the park day in Philadelphia, so here are some lovable pooches:

Check back throughout the day.

Injuries, News & Rumors

Dodgers activate Yasmani Grandal from DL, send down Chris Heisey

Rangers DFA Tommy Field to call up Alex Gonzalez

Royals send down Paulo Orlando to make room for Alex Rios

Nationals place struggling SP Stephen Strasburg on DL

Report: Blue Jays SP prospect Miguel Castro has finger issue

Shoulder bruise has Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria sidelined

Report: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu out, but x-ray on finger OK

SP Jorge De La Rosa a no-go Saturday for Rockies

Yankees 2B Stephen Drew still starting despite struggles

Brewers RP Jonathan Broxton loses hold of setup role

Orioles SP Bud Norris could pitch Wednesday in Houston

Rockies 1B Justin Morneau now on 15-day DL

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow’s MLB action (all times ET)

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