Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.

He started out slow Friday night, but Indians pitcher Danny Salazar packed the heat to strike out nine and lead the Tribe to a 6-1 victory over theRoyals.

MORE:

The righty went eight innings with just one run, three hits and five walkson top of his Kyle Seager Jersey nine Ks. The lone run came inthe top of the third, which seemed to wake Salazar up.

"His stuff was so good," Indians manager Terry Francona said, . " Matt Festa Jersey When you are throwing that hard, and he starts throwing that breaking ball and changeup a lot of good weapons. He did a good job, because they came into the series swinging the bat pretty good."

Salazar is6-3 and lowered his ERA to 2.24 with the win. The Indians now trail the Royals in the AL Central by only ahalf game.

Along with Salazar'sstellar performance, home runs bycatcherYan Gomesand rookie outfielderTyler Naquin padded the Indians' victory. It was Naquin's first career homer.

Salazar wasn't the only hot hand on the day. JohnLackey joined Friday's club of elite pitchers, striking out nine and walking just two over 6 2/3 inningsto help the Cubs shut out Arizona 6-0.

Player of the day

Evan Gattis, Astros The Houston catcherwas on fire at the plate, going 4 for 5with a home run and four RBIs in the Astros' 12-2 routof the Athletics.

Highlight

Adrian Beltre blasted a Gerson Bautista Jersey three-run homer in the first inning to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead over the Mariners. He also hit a two-run double in the third to cushion the Rangers' 7-3 win.

Three things to know

The Dodgers placed Yasiel Puig on the 15-daydisabled list Friday after he strained his left hamstring. Scott Van Slyke was activatedfrom the DL to take his place.

David Ortiz became the third Red Sox player afterTed Williams and Carl Yastrzemskito hit500 doubles and 400 home runs. Ben Gamel Jersey He hit his 500th double in Boston's 5-2 lo s to theBlue Jays.

Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan snapped aneight-start winle s streak with one run Yusei Kikuchi Jersey ,five hits,three walks and two strikeoutsover 6 1/3 inningsin a 7-2 win over the Nationals.

What's next

Diamondbacks (24-33) at Cubs (38-15), 2:20 p.m. ET Jason Hammel saw his last start cut short with a hamstring crampbut will try to redeem himself in the second game of the Cubs' series against the Diamondbacks. Hammel will face off againstEdwin Escobar, who had aterrible MLB debut against the Astros on Monday. Escobar allowed eight runs in 3 1/2 innings before he was pulled.

Mets (30-23) at Marlins (29-26), 4:10 p.m. ET Bartolo Colon games arealways must-see and he will try to turn in a solid outing and improve his 4-3 record and3.39 ERA. He has allowed justthree combined runs in his past two starts. Opposing Edwin Encarnacion Jersey the portly veteran is Marlins lefty JustinNicolino (2-3, 4.50), who hasn't wonsince May 3.