Elephant Rumblings: Jorge Mateo shows off speed in Triple-A All-Star Game

A’s Coverage:

• Gallegos: A’s set to buy in preparation for second-half run...
• Lockard: The A’s are poised for a postseason push — What are their trade needs and who are their potential targets? ($)
• Maun: Lazaro Armenteros ends drought with two homers...

MLB News:

• Healey: Noah Syndergaard in demand as Mets discuss possible trades...
• Drellich: Baseball’s midterm CBA negotiations bring early pessimism, disdain... ($)
• Piecoro: Buy? Sell? Diamondbacks, GM Mike Hazen facing ‘complicated decision’ as deadline looms...
• ESPN: Phillies righty Jake Arrieta to pitch while Phillies evaluate elbow...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Lindbergh: The Era of Breakout Batters...
• Sarris: Is the new ball changing the way pitches move? Or is something else at play? ($)
• Keri: Appreciating the irreverent, sharp-witted legacy of Jim Bouton, who tore down the clubhouse’s fourth wall... ($)
• Clemens: Adam Ottavino Keeps Them Guessing...

Today in Baseball History:

• 1914 — Babe Ruth breaks in with Boston, striking out in his first at bat, but pitching a 4 - 3 win over Cleveland. With the score 3 - 3 in the 7th, Duffy Lewis pinch hits for Ruth, singles, and later scores the winning run. Dutch Leonard strikes out four of the six batters he faces in relief.
• 1985 — Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to record 4,000 strikeouts, fanning Danny Heep in the 6th inning of Houston’s 4 - 3 win over the Mets. Ryan finishes with 11 strikeouts in seven innings but gets no decision. Bill Doran’s 5th hit drives home Dickie Thon in the 12th with the winning run.

Best of Twitter:

• Jorge Mateo was electric on Wednesday night. He beat out an infield single, stole a base and crushed this triple to right center...

• It looks like rehabbing lefty Sean Manaea is working on more than just his pitching down in Stockton...

• Never change, Dallas...