THREE UP ▲ THREE DOWN ▼

WHAT’S TRENDING IN MLB

The ups

The Angels authored the season’s most indelible image Friday night, combining to throw a no-hitter in their first game at Angel Stadium since the death of Tyler Skaggs. The players all wore jerseys bearing Skaggs’ name and No. 45, and spread the garments on the mound after the game. Winners of five games in a row through Friday, the Boston Red Sox remain in the hunt for a wildcard spot. The defending champions hope the return of Nathan Eovaldi will bolster the bullpen. The Cleveland Indians did a commendable job hosting the All-Star game, including an emotional appearance by pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Indians right-hander Shane Bieber, who struck out the side in a scoreless inning, was selected most valuable player.

The downs

Credit to New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen for admitting defeat. After puffing out his chest in the offseason and declaring “come get us” to his National League East rivals, he had this to say after the team limped into the second half 10 games below .500: “They came and got us.” In losing to the Washington Nationals on Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies fell to 14-22 over the last 36 games. The skid has caused them to descend from first to third place in the NL East. The All-Star game took place without the two highest-paid free agents from last offseason: Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper and San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado. They will have 121⁄2 and 91⁄2 years, respectively, to make up for their middling first few months with their new teams.