Friday typically brings us a loaded slate of MLB action, but this one was merely almost loaded. That's because the Reds and Cardinals had the night off as they get set for a two-game series in Monterrey, Mexico that starts Saturday. As well, the Tigers and Twins were rained out in Minneapolis, and they'll make up that game as part of split doubleheader on May 11. 

In the early game, the Cubs continued their mostly successful homestand against the Mike Trout-less Angels. Under the lights a big Astros-Mariners series got underway in Seattle, and in L.A. the Brewers and Dodgers got together for an NLCS rematch. The first-place Padres were also in action, and a certain notable rookie had quite a night in the Bronx. Now let's jump in.

Select games can be streamed regionally via fuboTV (Try for free). For more on what channel each game is on, click here.

Baseball scores for Friday, April 12

Machado does it at the plate, in the field

Manny Machado pretty much took over the first-place (!) Padres' win over the Diamondbacks on Friday night. For starters, he hit his fourth home run of the season -- a solo shot that accounted for half the Padres' runs in this one. Best of all was the easy power and accuracy of Machado's throwing arm at the hot corner. Let's watch him do it all, shall we?

Machado last season was a solid enough shortstop, but he's an elite defensive third baseman. That's why it was so key that he agreed to go back to third once he signed with San Diego. He's going to save a lot of runs with that glove work of his.

No, the Padres will not regret this investment. 

Hamels, Cubs getting back on track

Don't look now, but the Cubs are now 3-1 on their current homestand, and pitching -- such a problem during their 2-7 start -- has carried them. Here's more on why the Cubs are now and were always a contender despite that brutal start to 2019. 

First-place Rays win fifth straight

The Tampa Bay Rays continued their winning ways on Friday when they won their fifth straight game, with an 11-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. It's already the second time this season Tampa Bay has won five in a row, and they are 11-3 on the season.

Outfielder Austin Meadows -- one of the three players acquired from the Pirates in last year's Chris Archer trade -- blasted two home runs in the victory. Meadows got things kicked off with a lead-off homer. Take a look:

As the Rays note in the tweet above, Meadows' homer marked the seventh consecutive game that Tampa Bay has scored in the opening inning, a team record. The Rays have outscored opponents 18-1 in the first inning this season.

In the third inning, Meadows hit his second home run of the game, a monster shot to the 500 level at Rogers Centre. Second baseman Brandon Lowe followed with a homer of his own, also a blast to the 500 level. They became the first teammates to hit upper deck homers at Toronto in the same game.

The Boston Red Sox's early season struggles and the New York Yankees' growing list of injuries have certainly helped the Rays' standing in the American League East, but it's the Rays pitching depth and powerful offense that have carried them to a five and a half game lead.

Highlight of the day: Jimenez is on the board (twice)

The White Sox acquired outfielder Eloy Jimenez as part of the July 2017 trade that sent lefty Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs. Jimenez showed perhaps the best raw power of any prospect while in the minors, and he's been a consensus top-10 overall prospect coming into each of the last two seasons. 

After signing an extension with the White Sox, the club put him on the Opening Day roster -- as was deserved -- but the 22-year-old Jimenez was hitting just .279/.326/.302 in his rookie campaign coming into Friday night vs. the Yankees. He'd also entered the night still looking for his first career home run. In the fifth inning, that changed: 

That one, as you can see, put the White Sox up on the host Yankees. Jimenez's first career dinger left the bat at 108.6 mph (encouraging since he's had trouble making hard contact thus far in 2019) and traveled 425 feet. 

But wait: there's more! Here's Mr. Jimenez in the seventh inning of this same game: 

That's Jimenez's blast going 111 mph and 446 feet through the driving Bronx rain (the game went into delay not long after this). This young slugger might already be appointment viewing.

The jury's still out on the White Sox's rebuilding process, but they badly need Jimenez and Yoan Moncada to realize their offensive potential. On that front, consider Jimenez's Friday night effort appears to be an encouraging sign.

Arrieta looks like his old self, picks up career win No. 100

Jake Arrieta and the Phillies dominated the Marlins on Friday. Particularly encouraging for the veteran right-hander was a spike in swings and misses and a highly effective changeup. Here's a look at what that might mean for Arrieta going forward. 

Quick hits