Live blog: The best of Saturday's MLB action

At one point this month, the Rangers were able to climb to within 1 1/2 games of the AL West leading Astros. Now, less than two weeks later, Texas came into Saturday five games back in the division after losing six straight and seven of their last eight games overall.

The Rangers did snap the losing streak on Saturday afternoon (TEX 4, TOR 0) thanks largely to Yovani Gallardo, who held the high-powered Blue Jays to three hits in 8 1/3 scoreless innings. Texas is now 38-37, a half-game up on the Angels for second place in the AL West (pending the outcome of the Halos’ game on Saturday night).

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, still have the American League’s best run differential at plus-88 following the loss, but they’re only 40-36 overall and in fourth place in the AL East. That’s a bit of a misnomer, however. Look at the AL East standings coming into Saturday:

Four teams within one game of the top spot! That’s crazy. The other five division leaders had at least a two-game lead coming into Saturday. At some point a team in the AL East will get scorching hot and run away with the division, right? I’m not so sure. This might go right down to the wire.

The Rangers were able to snap their six-game losing streak while the Blue Jays were unable to gain ground in the AL East race on Saturday afternoon. They’ll wrap up their series on Sunday.

The Rangers and Blue Jays will meet again on Sunday. (USATSI)

Welcome to Eye on MLB. Here we’ll keep track of everything that happens in the world of baseball on Saturday. Game recaps, milestone updates, important highlights, news, notes, rumors and lots more. Check back throughout the day for updates or come back for the finished product Sunday morning. Your call.

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

Postponed: Indians at Orioles: Saturday night’s game was postponed due to rain, the O’s announced. They’ll make this game up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Sunday.

Postponed: White Sox at Tigers: Saturday afternoon’s game was postponed due to rain, both teams announced. The game will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Monday, September 21.

Rangers 4, Blue Jays 0 (recap | box score)

Milestone Watch

Longest active hit streak: It’s still Jason Kipnis of the Indians. He comes into Saturday riding a 20-game hit streak. Only 36 more to go to tie Joe DiMaggio!

Pujols watch: Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is sitting on 1,650 RBI for his career. He’s two shy of tying Tony Perez for 28th place all-time.

Possibly more to come later.

Daily Awards

Position change of the day: Joey Gallo is playing center field for the Rangers on Saturday. He’s played 13 career games in the outfield, all in left field.

Nameplate of the day: Mr. Met has his own dressing room at Citi Field:

Stat of the day: The Astros lead MLB in three-true outcome percentage, meaning the number of plate appearance that end in a walk, strikeout or home run:

Force out of the day: Here is your standard, everyday 1-4-6 force out at second base:

Meeting of the day: Yankees righty Nathan Eovaldi and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, the only two MLB players from Alvin, Texas, finally met on Saturday.

More to come throughout the day.

Injuries, News & Rumors

Giancarlo Stanton has broken bone in left hand | Marlins should sell

Johan Santana shuts down for year, gets release from Blue Jays

Bryce Harper to miss third straight for Nationals

Rays activate Tim Beckham from DL, send him to Triple-A

Red Sox LF Hanley Ramirez remains sidelined by wrist injury

Padres’ Cory Luebke throws perfect inning in rehab game

Aaron Sanchez to throw off mound for Blue Jays

Athletics C Stephen Vogt avoids serious injury after HBP

Padres SP Josh Johnson (elbow) to resume throwing program

Click here for more MLB player updates.

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

Full slate of games on Sunday, as always. The big story of the day will be the MLB debut of Mets southpaw Steven Matz. Baseball America ranked Matz as the 33rd best prospect in baseball coming into the season. He has a 2.19 ERA and a 94/31 K/BB in 90 1/3 Triple-A innings this year.

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