Overview

• Boston released Walker Buehler and promoted 22-year-old Payton Tolle, who debuted with 5 1/3 strong innings and eight strikeouts before a 4-2 loss to the Pirates at Fenway Park.
• Paul Skenes held the Red Sox to two runs over six innings and Pittsburgh rallied off the Boston bullpen, with Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen delivering key doubles and a late squeeze adding insurance.
• The Red Sox deepened an already top-ranked relief corps by activating Justin Slaten, while closer Aroldis Chapman continues a standout season with 26 saves, a 1.04 ERA and a 0.673 WHIP.
• Kyle Schwarber became the 21st player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game, setting a Phillies record with nine RBI in a 19-4 rout of the Braves to bolster Philadelphia’s NL East lead.
• Philadelphia followed with a 2-1 win over Atlanta without an extra-base hit, as Schwarber scored both runs on savvy baserunning to secure at least a series split and steady the division race.