1981 – In the last ML game at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium, Kansas City clinches at least a tie for the American League West second-half title with a 5 – 2 win over the Twins. Next season, the Twins will play in the brand-new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, MN.

ByBaseball

1981 – In the last ML game at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium, Kansas City clinches at least a tie for the American League West second-half title with a 5 – 2 win over the Twins. Next season, the Twins will play in the brand-new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, MN.

1981 – In the first game of a doubleheader with Chicago, Oakland ties an American League record with eight straight singles in the bottom of the 1st inning, but blows its 5 – 0 lead and loses, 9 – 5. The White Sox take the nightcap, 10 – 3.

ByBaseball

1981 – In the first game of a doubleheader with Chicago, Oakland ties an American League record with eight straight singles in the bottom of the 1st inning, but blows its 5 – 0 lead and loses, 9 – 5. The White Sox take the nightcap, 10 – 3.

Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to throw five no-hitters when the Astros defeat the Dodgers at the Astrodome, 5-0. The Ryan Express, who will finish his 27-year major league career with a record seven no-hitters, previously has thrown hitless gems against the Royals (1973), Tigers (1973), Twins (1974), and Orioles (1975).

ByThis Day in Baseball

Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to throw five no-hitters when the Astros defeat the Dodgers at the Astrodome, 5-0. The Ryan Express, who will finish his 27-year major league career with a record seven no-hitters, previously has thrown hitless gems against the Royals (1973), Tigers (1973), Twins (1974), and Orioles (1975).

1981 – The Phils drub the Cubs, 9 – 2, behind Mike Schmidt and Gary Matthews. Mathews drives in five runs while Schmidt adds his 11th homer in his last 12 games at Wrigley Field. He has hit 33 there.

ByBaseball

1981 – The Phils drub the Cubs, 9 – 2, behind Mike Schmidt and Gary Matthews. Mathews drives in five runs while Schmidt adds his 11th homer in his last 12 games at Wrigley Field. He has hit 33 there.

Steve Carlton fans 12 Expos in 10 innings to break Bob Gibson’s National League strikeout record

Steve Carlton fans 12 Expos in 10 innings to break Bob Gibson’s National League strikeout record

ByBaseball

1981 – Steve Carlton fans 12 Expos in 10 innings to break Bob Gibson’s National League strikeout record (Carlton now has 3,128), but the Phillies lose to the Expos, 1 – 0 in 17 innings. Montreal’s Bryn Smith retires just one batter, but picks up his first major league victory.

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A nutty day at Candlestick Park begins when a skydiver misses the stadium and crashes into the parking lot, breaking both feet. Gary Woods is lifted for pinch-hitter Terry Puhl in the top of the first inning. Nolan Ryan’s apparent single to right fails when he is gunned down at first by Jack Clark. Tony Scott, who stars with four hits including a double and a homer, is tagged out at second after advancing on a base on balls. Somehow, Houston wins, 7-3. 

ByTom

1981 – A nutty day at Candlestick Park begins when a skydiver misses the stadium and crashes into the parking lot, breaking both feet. Gary Woods is lifted for pinch-hitter Terry Puhl in the top of the first inning. Nolan Ryan’s apparent single to right fails when he is gunned down at first by Jack Clark. Tony Scott, who stars with four hits including a double and a homer, is tagged out at second after advancing on a base on balls. Somehow, Houston wins, 7-3. 

1981 – Reds reliever Joe Edelen allows just one hit in six innings of shutout relief as the Reds down the Dodgers, 7 – 3. Dodger 2B Jack Perconte ties the major-league record with 12 assists.

ByBaseball

1981 – Reds reliever Joe Edelen allows just one hit in six innings of shutout relief as the Reds down the Dodgers, 7 – 3. Dodger 2B Jack Perconte ties the major-league record with 12 assists.

The Red Sox snap the Yankees’ nine-game winning streak at Fenway Park, finally beating the Bronx Bombers at home, 8-5. Trailing for most of the game, Boston explodes for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, which includes Rick Miller’s three-run homer off New York reliever Dave LaRoche.

ByBaseball

The Red Sox snap the Yankees’ nine-game winning streak at Fenway Park, finally beating the Bronx Bombers at home, 8-5. Trailing for most of the game, Boston explodes for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, which includes Rick Miller’s three-run homer off New York reliever Dave LaRoche.

Dodger rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela sets the National League rookie mark with his eighth shutout of the season

Dodger rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela sets the National League rookie mark with his eighth shutout of the season

ByBaseball

1981 – Dodger rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela sets the National League rookie mark with his eighth shutout of the season. The record had been shared by Irv Young (1905), Grover Cleveland Alexander (1911) and Jerry Koosman(1968). He ties the major league mark of Russ Ford (1910) and Reb Russell (1913).