The Royals bullpen saw its scoreless streak end Friday at 41â…“ innings, the longest such streak in the majors since the Kansas City Athletics put together a stretch of 44 innings in a row in 1966. One contributor is lefthander Matt Strahm, a 24-year-old West Fargo, N.D., native who had tossed 10â…“ consecutive scoreless innings during the streak. Strahm, who missed 2013 and part of 2014 because of Tommy John elbow ligament surgery, will get a chance to start next year.

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While the Twins wait for Nick Burdi to get healthy and resume his march to the majors, younger brother Zack is making the White Sox think about calling him up in September. Zack Burdi, a reliever like his brother, was drafted in the first round in June but has already reached Class AAA, having recorded 48 strikeouts in 33 minor league innings this season.

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Too bad for the Twins that Detroit plays three more games at Target Field this season. Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is batting .615 at Target Field this season, and the 37-year-old switch hitter has a career average of .370 in 46 career games there.

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There's a crack in the wall that has been the Cleveland starting rotation. Josh Tomlin has a 10.80 ERA over his past five starts, leading to speculation that the righthander could be dropped from the rotation. Indians manager Terry Francona, however, backed Tomlin on Thursday after he gave up seven runs over 4â…“ innings in a 9-0 loss to Texas.