AROUND THE HORN
Cubs: Daulton Varsho drilled a two-out, three-RBI double in the 10th inning then scored on a throwing error by Andrelton Simmons to give the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-6 comeback win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Arizona only got one hit off Cubs starter Justin Steele, but came to life against the bullpen, riding a three-run eighth inning into extras. Rowan Wick (1-1) gave up Varsho’s double.
Arizona has won three straight games after ending a six-game losing streak in Thursday’s series opener. Varsho finished 3 of 5 with three RBIs and is second on the Diamondbacks with eight doubles this season. Diamondbacks relievers Joe Mantiply, J.B. Wendelken, Ian Kennedy (3-2) combined for a pair of scoreless innings before Mark Melancon entered in the 10th for his ninth save of the season. Against Melancon, Simmons singled to shortstop to score Christopher Morel from second. Simmons moved into scoring position by stealing second with Ian Happ representing the tying run at the plate. Melancon fanned Happ before Jonathan Villar hit his fifth double of the year to score Simmons. But Seiya Suzuki struck out.
Tigers, Guardians: The threat of thunderstorms and an ominous forecast postponed Saturday’s game between the Tigers and Guardians more than three hours before the first pitch. This is the fifth weather postponement for the Guardians at home this season.
Phillies: Bryce Harper returned to the Phillies lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday after he missed the previous five games because of soreness from a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow.
The reigning NL MVP hit third for the Phillies against the Dodgers and righthander Mitch White. The 29-year-old Harper is batting .305 with nine home runs, 14 doubles, 27 RBIs and a .634 slugging percentage. He has been playing exclusively at designated hitter since injuring his arm on a throw from right field last month. He last played the field at Miami on April 16. “The last couple of days were tough for me,” Harper said before the game. “Woke up yesterday feeling good and today feeling better, as well.”
Mets: The Mets on Saturday placed pitcher Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain. The move is retroactive to Thursday. Scherzer left his start on Wednesday night after experiencing tightness in his side. An MRI performed Thursday revealed a moderate to high-grade internal oblique strain, according to the Mets. Scherzer is expected to be out six to eight weeks. It is another blow to the Mets’ rotation. Ace Jacob deGrom has not pitched yet due to a stress reaction in his right scapula, and Tylor Megill is on the IL with right biceps tendinitis.
Blue Jays: Bo Bichette hit two home runs, pitcher Alek Manoah matched his careerhigh with eight innings, and the Blue Jays beat the Reds 3-1 on Saturday. Bichette’s first was solo home run off Reds right-hander Hunter Greene in the fourth, No. 50 of Bichette’s career, and added a two-run blast off Luis Cessa (2-1) in the seventh. All six home runs this season have tied the game or given the Blue Jays the lead. Greene allowed one run and four hits in six innings, walking two and striking out six. Manoah allowed one run and seven hits to snap a three-start winless streak