Overview

• The Mets were outscored 30-4 in a three-game sweep by the Pirates, marking their most lopsided series defeat in franchise history and dropping them to 3-13 over their last 16 games.
• Aaron Judge ended New York’s offensive slump with two home runs in a four-homer, 12-5 victory over the Athletics, lifting the Yankees off a four-game skid and holding their AL East lead.
• Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. allowed eight runs in 3⅓ innings in his return from the injured list, contributing to a 12-3 loss to the Cubs that raised concerns about Houston’s rotation depth.
• The Angels fell to 40-41 at the season midpoint after a 15-9 loss to the Nationals, the first time they’ve drifted below .500 despite early rotation stability.
• Orioles starter Zach Eflin exited with lower back tightness in the first inning of an 11-3 defeat to the Rays, intensifying Baltimore’s search for reliable pitching as it hovers near mediocrity.