The American League defeats the National by a score of 3 – 1 in the annual All-Star Game, played in Cleveland. Indians C Sandy Alomar Jr. hits a two-run home run and is named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Alomar is the first hometown player to homer since Hank Aaron in Atlanta in 1972.

ByBaseball

The American League defeats the National by a score of 3 – 1 in the annual All-Star Game, played in Cleveland. Indians C Sandy Alomar Jr. hits a two-run home run and is named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Alomar is the first hometown player to homer since Hank Aaron in Atlanta in 1972.

Baseball’s realignment committee discusses a variety of plans including one that would have as many as 14 teams changing divisions and leagues next year. Kansas City would switch to the National League, and baseball’s eight Pacific and Mountain time zone teams could be grouped together if the sport switches back from six divisions to four in 1998. With the addition of Arizona to the National League next season and Tampa Bay to the American League, baseball’s current plan calls for two 15-team leagues in 1998 with three divisions in each. The Major Leagues have till August 1st to present next year’s schedule to the players’ association.

ByBaseball

Baseball’s realignment committee discusses a variety of plans including one that would have as many as 14 teams changing divisions and leagues next year. Kansas City would switch to the National League, and baseball’s eight Pacific and Mountain time zone teams could be grouped together if the sport switches back from six divisions to four in 1998. With the addition of Arizona to the National League next season and Tampa Bay to the American League, baseball’s current plan calls for two 15-team leagues in 1998 with three divisions in each. The Major Leagues have till August 1st to present next year’s schedule to the players’ association.

|

Tony Eusebio singles home Derek Bell in the bottom of the ninth to upend Cincinnati, 6-5. 

ByTom

1997 – Tony Eusebio singles home Derek Bell in the bottom of the ninth to upend Cincinnati, 6-5. Jeff Bagwell wallops two home runs and drives in four to pace the Astro attack. Luis Gonzalez also homers. Deion Sanders takes Mike Hampton deep to tie the game at five all. 

In Detroit, the Tigers top the Orioles, 14 – 9, their 3rd straight win after 11 consecutive losses. Brian Johnson and Travis Fryman homer for the Tigers while teammate Bobby Higginson adds a two-run inside-the-park homer, his fifth round tripper this week. For Scott Erickson (11-4), it is the worst start of his career for Baltimore, allowing all 12 runs, 11 earned, and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Willie Blair (6-4) takes the win in relief. The O’s are led by Rafael Palmeiro’s homer, triple and single and homers by Geronimo Berroa, Jeff Reboulet and Tony Tarasco.

ByBaseball

In Detroit, the Tigers top the Orioles, 14 – 9, their 3rd straight win after 11 consecutive losses. Brian Johnson and Travis Fryman homer for the Tigers while teammate Bobby Higginson adds a two-run inside-the-park homer, his fifth round tripper this week. For Scott Erickson (11-4), it is the worst start of his career for Baltimore, allowing all 12 runs, 11 earned, and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Willie Blair (6-4) takes the win in relief. The O’s are led by Rafael Palmeiro’s homer, triple and single and homers by Geronimo Berroa, Jeff Reboulet and Tony Tarasco.

Roger Clemens becomes the American League’s first 13-game winner this season, pitching a four-hitter as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees, 2 – 0. Clemens has 10 strikeouts and one walk in his first shutout of the year. Ramiro Mendoza takes the loss.

ByBaseball

Roger Clemens becomes the American League’s first 13-game winner this season, pitching a four-hitter as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees, 2 – 0. Clemens has 10 strikeouts and one walk in his first shutout of the year. Ramiro Mendoza takes the loss.

At Anaheim, Chuck Finley allows four hits and strikes out 13 to lead the Angels to a 8 – 0 shutout over the Mariners. Dave Hollins’ fourth inning grand slam is the big blow, while Darin Erstad also homers, the first by a lefty off Jeff Fassero (8-5) in over three years. Tim Salmon also hits a solo homer in the third, his third in three games. Fassero leaves the game in the 3rd inning after spraining his right ankle fielding Craig Grebeck’s bunt single.

ByBaseball

At Anaheim, Chuck Finley allows four hits and strikes out 13 to lead the Angels to a 8 – 0 shutout over the Mariners. Dave Hollins’ fourth inning grand slam is the big blow, while Darin Erstad also homers, the first by a lefty off Jeff Fassero (8-5) in over three years. Tim Salmon also hits a solo homer in the third, his third in three games. Fassero leaves the game in the 3rd inning after spraining his right ankle fielding Craig Grebeck’s bunt single.

Giants P Shawn Estes holds the Rockies to one hit in 8 2/3 innings as San Francisco shuts out Colorado, 4 – 0. Quinton McCracken’s single is Colorado’s only hit as Estes fans 11 and walks only 2. Rod Beck comes in to record the last out.

ByBaseball

Giants P Shawn Estes holds the Rockies to one hit in 8 2/3 innings as San Francisco shuts out Colorado, 4 – 0. Quinton McCracken’s single is Colorado’s only hit as Estes fans 11 and walks only 2. Rod Beck comes in to record the last out.

After hitting a bouncer down the Astrodome’s first base line, Tim Bogar comes all the way around to score when Manny Ramirez doesn’t play the ball after it comes to a stop under the bullpen bench. The Indians outfielder, unaware of the park’s ground rules, begins signaling to the umpire that the ball is out of play as the Astros infielder circles the bases for an easy inside-the-park home run.

ByTom

After hitting a bouncer down the Astrodome’s first base line, Tim Bogar comes all the way around to score when Manny Ramirez doesn’t play the ball after it comes to a stop under the bullpen bench. The Indians outfielder, unaware of the park’s ground rules, begins signaling to the umpire that the ball is out of play as the Astros infielder circles the bases for an easy inside-the-park home run.