Royals face Mariners thankful dismal June is over  —  With apologies to Little Orphan Annie, the sun'll come out today.  —  Considering the month the Kansas City Royals just went through, and that they're currently in often-overcast Seattle, that was no guarantee.

Brian Cashman not miffed with Yankees special adviser Alex Rodriguez praising Red Sox sluggers  —  Among his numerous jobs since retiring from baseball in 2016, Alex Rodriguez presently serves as both a special adviser to the Yankees' front office and as a game analyst on ESPN.

Andrew Knapp's walk-off homer gives Phillies improbable win over Nationals in 13 innings  —  For a few moments Sunday, between pitches in the eighth inning, Gabe Kapler vacated his usual position on the steps of the dugout to retrieve a cup of water.  It was nearly 100 degrees on the field.

Blake Snell, Rays edge Astros 3-2 to wrap up impressive homestand  —  Blake Snell and the surging Tampa Bay Rays are having success against some of the major's best teams.  —  Snell struck out 10, reliever Diego Castillo fanned Jose Altuve in a key spot and the Rays wrapped up an impressive homestand …

Ricky's boys cause fits: Fielding, baserunning errors evidence of ­­'sloppiness'  —  The White Sox manager addresses the team's “focus” after several fielding and baserunning mistakes, include a lapse in judgement by Yoan Moncada by not hustling home.  —  Chicago Tribune

Detroit Tigers snap 11-game losing streak with win over Blue Jays  —  What happened: The Detroit Tigers (37-48) beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 9-1 on Sunday afternoon to snap an 11-game losing streak...The Tigers scored five runs with two outs in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead.

Marquez pitches Rockies to 3-1 win over Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) A fist pump and a late fastball on the cusp of 100 mph was all the indication needed to know just how good German Marquez felt Saturday.  —  He pitched two-hit ball over eight innings and Ian Desmond homered as the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1.

Peraza hits Reds' latest grand slam in 8-2 win over Brewers  —  CINCINNATI — Another day, another Cincinnati grand slam.  —  Jose Peraza kept up the parade of slams, sending Matt Harvey and the Reds over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 8-2 Sunday.

Iowa baseball: Hawkeyes signee Korry Howell inks with the Milwaukee Brewers  —  Iowa's hope to hold onto shortstop signee Korry Howell is officially over.  The former Kirkwood standout has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, Hawkeyes baseball coach Rick Heller confirmed to HawkCentral.

Jon Lester stars on bound and at plate for Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester hit a three-run homer in an eight-run second inning and wound up with his NL-leading 11th victory in the Chicago Cubs' 11-10 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.  —  Ian Happ also homered for the Cubs.

Albert Almora out for Cubs' finale against Twins  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses outfielder Albert Almora's standing as a write-in candidate for the All-Star Game on Sunday, July 1, 2018.  (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. …

Giants, Diamondbacks in good spot despite injuries  —  PHOENIX — As the second half of the season commences, both Arizona and San Francisco have reasons to feel confident as they prepare for the third game of a three-game weekend series Sunday.  —  Both are nearing full health …

Olney: Contenders consider buying low, buying late  —  BRONX, N.Y. — More than a handful of teams benefitted last winter from slow-playing the free-agent market and waiting for the asking prices to fall inevitably.  This is how the Phillies landed Jake Arrieta on a three-year contract …