In San Diego, the Pirates drub the Pads, 10 – 2. Willie Stargell contributes the 302nd home run of his career to pass Ralph Kiner as the all-time Pirate home run leader.
Jim Northrup knocks in eight runs and scores three times as the Tigers rout the Rangers, 14 – 2. The 3 for 4 performance by the Tiger’s leadoff hitter helps him record the 500th run and RBI of his career.
Interrupting Board Chairman M. Donald Grant’s pep talk during a team meeting, Mets reliever Tug McGraw shouts out the words, “Ya Gotta Believe,” which will become the rallying cry for the club, climbing out of the cellar en route to the NL pennant. Although New York beats Houston, 2-1, in 12 innings, their closer’s words of encouragement will not immediately light a fire under the team, as they will continue to struggle until the middle of August.
In a record-setting walkathon between the Reds and Expos, 25 bases on balls are handed out as Montreal strolls to an 11 – 6 win. Well off the American League’s two-team mark of 30, this tops the National Leaguerecord of 23, last reached on July 7, 1911. Six Montreal pitchers walk 16, one short of the record for an NL team, while Reds pitchers Clay Carroll and Tom Hall walk 9. Hal King pinch hits a grand slam for the Reds in the 6th inning, his second pinch dinger in nine days.
1973 – Tommy Helms’ two-run single caps a ninth-inning comeback for a 9-7 victory in Montreal. Cesar Cedeno clubs two home runs and Doug Rader adds a solo shot. Bob Watson breaks SS Tim Foli’s jaw while sliding into second, causing a shower of debris to fall from Parc Jarry when Watson returns to left field.
The Brewers unload on 18-year-old P David Clyde to whip the Rangers, 19 – 5, and hand Eddie Rodriguez his first major league win, a complete game effort. Milwaukee has a five-run 6th and seven-run 7th and is paced by Bob Coluccio’s grand slam and Don Money’s three-run homer.
1973 – Leo Durocher pulls Jerry Reuss with a cozy 7-1 lead in the doubleheader opener in Montreal. The Expos storm back for a 12-8 decision then thump the Astros again, 14-6, in the nightcap. Reserve catcher John Boccabella blasts two home runs in one inning for five RBIs. Ron Fairly also goes deep twice in the nightcap. Giddy Canadians taunt Durocher. Reuss fumes afterwards.
The Expos take two in a doubleheader with the Astros, 12 – 8 and 14 – 6. In the first game, John Boccabella hits two home runs in the 6th inning for Montreal.
Chicago Cub P Fergie Jenkins beats the Padres, 8 – 5, for his 13th straight win over San Diego. The streak began on May 12, 1969.
Dave Concepcion collects a triple, double and three singles to lead the Reds to a 4 – 3 win over the Giants. His 3rd single drives in the winning run in the 9th.
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