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LEADING OFF: Utley, Mets get 1 more showdown; Perez hurt

Posted May 28, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley hits a Grand Slam home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, May 28, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors Sunday:

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WHAT'S NEXT?

A day after Chase Utley dodged Noah Syndergaard's 99 mph fastball and then hit two homers, the Dodgers wrap a series against the Mets. Utley is playing at Citi Field this weekend for the first time since his late takeout slide in last year's playoffs broke the right leg of then-Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada, and Saturday's incident with Syndergaard had an air of inevitability. LHP Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 1.48) is up for the Dodgers against RHP Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.44)

SALVY DOWN

The Royals are hoping for good news on durable catcher Salvador Perez, who left Saturday's 8-7 win against the White Sox with an injured left leg. The All-Star was taken for a MRI, and the extent of his injury was not announced. The preliminary diagnosis was a bruised left thigh. Since the start of 2014, Perez leads the majors in starts at catcher by a wide margin with 322.

SALE UP

LHP Chris Sale (9-1, 2.26 ERA), who leads the AL in wins, complete games (three) and opponents' batting average (.179), is to start the series finale for the White Sox against the Royals. Sale allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings last time out against Cleveland, his first loss this year.

COOL IN COLORADO

Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (7-1, 2.38) enters his start with a streak of 18 1/3 scoreless innings against Colorado. He's 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in five starts at Coors Field.

CLEVELAND ROCKS

The Indians are finally in first place and try to stay there while they complete a series against Baltimore. Cleveland is atop the AL Central for the first time since winning on opening day in 2014. The Indians are 26-21, despite missing OF Michael Brantley and RHP Carlos Carrasco because of injuries.

EOVALDI UP

Yankees RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 3.95) looks to extend his career-high stretch of winning four consecutive starts when he faces Tampa Bay RHP Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 3.46) in the series finale. Eovaldi has a 2.16 ERA over his past four outings.

ROLLING HILL

LHP Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18) gets the start for the A's against Detroit. He's undefeated over his past four outings and his seven wins through May are the most for an A's pitcher since Mark Mulder won eight in 2003. RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55) goes for Detroit.

New York Mets catcher Rene Rivera (44) watches as Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley (26) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 28, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press

Umpire Adam Hamari, right, throws New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) out of a baseball game as he argues the ejection of New York Mets' pitcher Noah Syndergaard during the third inning, Saturday, May 28, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, center, is tended to after a collision following his catch of a fly foul ball for the out on Chicago White Sox's Adam Eaton during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 8-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, center, is helped off the field after getting injured catching a fly foul ball for the out on Chicago White Sox's Adam Eaton during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert slid into Perez just after the catch. The Royals won 8-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) The Associated Press

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