Yard Clippings: The Week That Was in MLB

USA TODAY Sports explores who's trending up and down after another week of Major League Baseball:

5 up

Ironic names for pitchers: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey threw his second career no-hitter and now has thrown MLB's last two no-nos. He allowed only one man to reach base, via walk, in shutting down the slumping defending champion San Francisco Giants. Though Bailey's birth certificate reads David, perhaps parents hoping to raise a future ace should name their kid 'Dinger' or 'Four-bagger.'

Boston Red Sox: Nobody in baseball is hotter than the Beantown boys right now. The Red Sox just wrapped up a homestand over which they went 8-1. That has helped Boston seize control of the American League East.

Comeback bids: We imagine Texas is a little bit different from Taiwan, where 41-year-old Manny Ramirez most recently played. But the Rangers hope he adjusts quickly back to life in the United States — they offered him a minor league deal this week.

Confidence boosters: If players are ever in need of a little ego spike, head down on the farm. Alex Rodriguez spent a few days with the Class A Charleston Riverdogs andwas treated like a God. Fans flocked to the park to see the New York Yankees third baseman go hitless in consecutive nights of a rehab assignment.

Anti-Jinxes: Often, with a pitcher working on a special performance on the mound, team social media accounts are reluctant to acknowledge them, fearing they'll jinx it. On Bailey's near-perfect night, the Reds' Twitter account threw caution to the wind, commenting on the no-hitter as early as the third inning.

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Jonathan Papelbon: Apparently, Papelbon feels quite strongly about who represents the National League in this month's mid-summer classic. The Philadelphia Phillies reliever said it would be an "absolute joke" if Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig was named to the All-Star team. Hilarious, right?

Starlin Castro: It wasn't so long ago that the Chicago Cubs shortstop became the youngest player ever to lead the National League in hits. But now, Castro has fallen off the map. That spells worry for the Cubs, again in full rebuild mode.

Agent feuds: Bench-clearing brawls are for wimps. The real fights are between baseball agents, one new and one old, using rap as an outlet. Scott Boras will likely not be showing Jay-Z the ropes in his new baseball ventures.

Bryce Harper: The young Washington Nationals slugger announced his return from the disabled list as only he could: with a home run in his first at-bat back. After the homer, Harper went on an 0-for-18 drought with seven strikeouts resulting in manager Davey Johnson giving him a few games off.

Deadline deals: Baseball fans might not have to wait until the day of the non-waiver trade deadline to see if their team is involved in any blockbusters. It appears the general managers are picking up their phones a little earlier this year. The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs 

Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals. Opened in 2006.  Elsa, Getty Images

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