WEST
Angels
The team optioned RHP Matt Shoemaker to Triple-A Salt Lake and selected six-year veteran LHP Wade LeBlanc to the major league roster. LeBlanc, who signed a minor league contract in November as a free agent, was 5-1 with a 3.69 ERA with Salt Lake. He had a combined 20-32 record and 4.51 ERA in 96 big league appearances with the Padres, Marlins and Astros, including 68 starts. … For the second straight year, Mike Trout’s 10th homer of the season came against the Royals in his 47th game.
Astros
RF George Springer became the first Houston rookie to homer in four straight games. Lance Berkman was the previous Astros player to do it, in July 2010. Manager Bo Porter: “This guy is a three-way player. He can impact the game when he’s in the batter’s box. He can impact the game on defense. He can impact the game on the basepaths. He brings it every day, is what I love about him.”
Athletics
Manager Bob Melvin issued a message to his slumping team to take the “slow torture” approach of grinding out at-bats rather than the “instant kill” of a home run that ends a rally rather than starts one. “Homers can be rally killers but when you end up hitting four or five of them on the day you can probably make a different statement,” said C Derek Norris, who helped snapped Oakland’s four-game losing streak with a grand slam. … 3B Josh Donaldson was leading the All-Star voting at 3B when totals were announced. Last year’s AL All-Star 3B, Miguel Cabrera, told the San Francisco Chronicle, Donaldson should be on this year’s team. “He’s been consistent for two years. He’s done what it takes to make the team – and I hope he will,” Cabrera told the newspaper.
Mariners
LHP James Paxton (back) said he was not sure when his next throwing session would be after making his first rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma. … 2B Robinson Cano’s streak of reaching base in a career-high 31 straight games ended with a 0-for-4 day last week. … It was a “Turn Back the Clock” night last week, back to 1979. NBA great Lenny Wilkens, coach of the city’s only major championship that year, tossed out the first pitch. Manager Lloyd McClendon caught it.
Rangers
RHP Tanner Scheppers, out since April 18 with elbow inflammation, had his first rehab outing with Double-A Frisco and will make three more with Triple-A Round Rock before being eligible to return. … Ron Washington passed Bobby Valentine on the franchise’s career list for most games managed with 1,187. … From YahooSports.com: “It’s not always easy when you walk into a clubhouse and the first thing you hear, you might be starting tonight. As long as you’re giving the team a chance to win, there’s not much more you can do,” said RHP Scott Baker, who pitched six innings and allowed two runs to earn his first quality start since Sept. 14.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
