LEADING OFF: Franco ties a Mantle mark, Civale returns

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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WANDERFUL FRANCO

Rays rookie Wander Franco keeps putting up impressive numbers and has reached base safely in 36 straight games. That’s the longest active streak in the majors and is tied with Mickey Mantle (1951-52) for the best by an American League player under age 21; Frank Robinson holds that MLB record with 43 in a row for the Reds in 1956.

The 20-year-old Franco tripled in his first at-bat Monday at Fenway Park. He wound up with four hits as the AL East leaders beat Boston 11-10 in 10 innings.

Franco is hitting .290 and has scored 48 runs and driven in 36 since making his big league debut this year. At the time of his promotion in June, he was considered the best minor league prospect in baseball.

HAPPY RETURNS

Aaron Civale returns to the mound when the Cleveland Indians host Minnesota. The 26-year-old Civale (10-2, 3.32 ERA) was in the middle of a breakout season when he sprained the middle finger on his right hand during a start at the Chicago Cubs on June 21.

The right-hander made three minor league rehab starts, going 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA. John Gant (4-9, 3.98 ERA) pitches for the Twins.

BREW MASTERS

Bryce Harper and the Phillies look to beat the NL Central-leading Brewers for the sixth straight time this season when Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.54 ERA) pitches against Eric Lauer (4-5, 3.75) in Milwaukee. Nola is 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA in seven career starts versus the Brewers, including a 6-5 victory on May 4 when he struck out 10 in Philadelphia.

Harper hit one of Philadelphia’s six homers Monday during a 12-0 romp in the series opener. He is batting .383 (18 for 47) with five home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 12 games.

Milwaukee has an 11-game cushion in its division, but the Phillies are chasing a playoff spot....

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Franco-ties-a-Mantle-mark-Civale-16439346.php