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2002 – Jose Vizcaino smacks a leadoff homer on his way to a 5-for-5 night during a 6-1 victory in Cincinnati. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th but must wait until the ninth when Houston explodes for five runs to get the victory. They remain four games behind St. Louis in the Central Division chase. 

ByTom

2002 – Jose Vizcaino smacks a leadoff homer on his way to a 5-for-5 night during a 6-1 victory in Cincinnati. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th but must wait until the ninth when Houston explodes for five runs to get the victory. They remain four games behind St. Louis in the Central Division chase. 

Alex Rodriguez becomes the sixth player and the first infielder to compile five consecutive 40-home run seasons. The Rangers’ shortstop joins Ralph Kiner (1947-51), Duke Snider (1953-57), Ken Griffey Jr. (1996-2000), Sammy Sosa (1998-2002), and Babe Ruth (1926-32), who established the record with seven straight 40-homer seasons.

ByBaseball

Alex Rodriguez becomes the sixth player and the first infielder to compile five consecutive 40-home run seasons. The Rangers’ shortstop joins Ralph Kiner (1947-51), Duke Snider (1953-57), Ken Griffey Jr. (1996-2000), Sammy Sosa (1998-2002), and Babe Ruth (1926-32), who established the record with seven straight 40-homer seasons.

The Padres down the Expos, 6 – 5. In doing so, they set a new major-league record for pitchers used in a season when reliever Jonathan Johnson pitches a perfect 7th to earn the win. Gene Kingsale caps a four-run 8th with a two-run pinch double. A streaker, clad in shorts, then runs across the field and slides into second base at Kingsale’s feet.

ByBaseball

The Padres down the Expos, 6 – 5. In doing so, they set a new major-league record for pitchers used in a season when reliever Jonathan Johnson pitches a perfect 7th to earn the win. Gene Kingsale caps a four-run 8th with a two-run pinch double. A streaker, clad in shorts, then runs across the field and slides into second base at Kingsale’s feet.

Going, going, Yan. For the second day in a row, Tampa Bay’s Esteban Yan gives up a two-out homer in the 9th, and it costs him his closer’s job. Yesterday, Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer to give Kansas City a 6 – 5 win. Today, Brent Mayne ties the score with a solo home run, then Mike Sweeney ices it for K.C., 7 – 3, in the 12th with a three-run shot. Ibanez adds a homer.

ByBaseball

Going, going, Yan. For the second day in a row, Tampa Bay’s Esteban Yan gives up a two-out homer in the 9th, and it costs him his closer’s job. Yesterday, Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer to give Kansas City a 6 – 5 win. Today, Brent Mayne ties the score with a solo home run, then Mike Sweeney ices it for K.C., 7 – 3, in the 12th with a three-run shot. Ibanez adds a homer.

Homering in the 7th inning off Mariners starter James Baldwin, Yankee All-Star Alfonso Soriano becomes the first second baseman to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. Bobby Bonds is the only other Yankee to post a 30/30 season, accomplishing the feat in 1975. New York OF Bernie Williams singles in his first at bat to give him 11 consecutive hits. He makes an out his next time up to fall one short of the major league record.

ByBaseball

Homering in the 7th inning off Mariners starter James Baldwin, Yankee All-Star Alfonso Soriano becomes the first second baseman to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. Bobby Bonds is the only other Yankee to post a 30/30 season, accomplishing the feat in 1975. New York OF Bernie Williams singles in his first at bat to give him 11 consecutive hits. He makes an out his next time up to fall one short of the major league record.