With an enthusiastic RFK crowd chanting “Let’s go, ground crew” the inexperienced group puts on quite a show of ineptitude when they struggle putting the tarp on a very soggy field during the second rain delay of the rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Mets. New York files a protest after the game is called off in the bottom of the eighth, claiming the field became unplayable due to Washington’s inability to cover the field during the 37-minute stoppage of play.

ByTom

With an enthusiastic RFK crowd chanting “Let’s go, ground crew” the inexperienced group puts on quite a show of ineptitude when they struggle putting the tarp on a very soggy field during the second rain delay of the rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Mets. New York files a protest after the game is called off in the bottom of the eighth, claiming the field became unplayable due to Washington’s inability to cover the field during the 37-minute stoppage of play.

Major league players are asked by Commissioner Bud Selig to agree to a 50-game suspension for the first offense, a 100-game suspension for the second offense and a lifelong ban after the third offense for the use of steroids. In addition to the harsher “three-strike” rule, the commissioner is also seeking a ban on amphetamines.

ByTom

Major league players are asked by Commissioner Bud Selig to agree to a 50-game suspension for the first offense, a 100-game suspension for the second offense and a lifelong ban after the third offense for the use of steroids. In addition to the harsher “three-strike” rule, the commissioner is also seeking a ban on amphetamines.

Managers Terry Francona and Lou Piniella are included as part of the six members of the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays who are suspended for their roles in the two bench-clearing incidents during the beanball contest played on April 24th at Tropicana Field. Both managers are suspended one game each. Boston’s 11 – 3 victory, which featured six ejections, also results in multi-game suspensions for Bronson Arroyo (six games), Dewon Brazelton (five games), Lance Carter (five games) and Trot Nixon (two games). The Red Sox and Devil Rays have a history of beanballs and bench-clearing incidents dating back several years. In 108 meetings between the teams since the start of the 2000 season, 120 batters have been hit by pitches. Over the same span, the Boston and Tampa Bay pitching staffs each have beaned 495 batters, easily tied for the most in the majors.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Managers Terry Francona and Lou Piniella are included as part of the six members of the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays who are suspended for their roles in the two bench-clearing incidents during the beanball contest played on April 24th at Tropicana Field. Both managers are suspended one game each. Boston’s 11 – 3 victory, which featured six ejections, also results in multi-game suspensions for Bronson Arroyo (six games), Dewon Brazelton (five games), Lance Carter (five games) and Trot Nixon (two games). The Red Sox and Devil Rays have a history of beanballs and bench-clearing incidents dating back several years. In 108 meetings between the teams since the start of the 2000 season, 120 batters have been hit by pitches. Over the same span, the Boston and Tampa Bay pitching staffs each have beaned 495 batters, easily tied for the most in the majors.

The Washington Nationals exercise Jose Guillen’s $4 million contract option for 2006. Guillen, who was acquired in a trade with the Angels after feuding with manager Mike Scioscia, appears to have found a home in Washington thanks to a very pleased general manager, Jim Bowden.

ByBaseball

The Washington Nationals exercise Jose Guillen’s $4 million contract option for 2006. Guillen, who was acquired in a trade with the Angels after feuding with manager Mike Scioscia, appears to have found a home in Washington thanks to a very pleased general manager, Jim Bowden.

Greg Maddux

In the first matchup between 300-game winners in almost 18 years, Greg Maddux outduels Roger Clemens in the Chicago Cubs’ 3 – 2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The last such showdown occurred in 1987 when Don Sutton of the California Angels defeated Steve Carlton of the Minnesota Twins. Maddux earns his first win of season and 306th of his career, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.

ByBaseball

In the first matchup between 300-game winners in almost 18 years, Greg Maddux outduels Roger Clemens in the Chicago Cubs’ 3 – 2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The last such showdown occurred in 1987 when Don Sutton of the California Angels defeated Steve Carlton of the Minnesota Twins. Maddux earns his first win of season and 306th of his career, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.

Jose Mesa of the Pittsburgh Pirates earns his 300th career save in Pittsburgh’s 2 – 0 victory over Houston. Mesa becomes the 19th pitcher in major league history with 300 saves.

ByTom

Jose Mesa of the Pittsburgh Pirates earns his 300th career save in Pittsburgh’s 2 – 0 victory over Houston. Mesa becomes the 19th pitcher in major league history with 300 saves.

Mark Grudzielanek hits for the cycle in his first four at-bats in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 6 – 3 victory over Milwaukee. Grudzielanek is only the third Cardinals player to hit for the cycle at 40-year-old Busch Stadium, which is being demolished after this season. The others were Ray Lankford on September 15, 1991 against the Mets and Lou Brock on May 27, 1975 against the Padres.

ByTom

Mark Grudzielanek hits for the cycle in his first four at-bats in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 6 – 3 victory over Milwaukee. Grudzielanek is only the third Cardinals player to hit for the cycle at 40-year-old Busch Stadium, which is being demolished after this season. The others were Ray Lankford on September 15, 1991 against the Mets and Lou Brock on May 27, 1975 against the Padres.

 Alex Rodriguez slugs his way to the best performance of his career, hitting three home runs in his first three at-bats off Angels pitcher Bartolo Colón. The Yankees win, 12 – 4, as Rodriguez becomes only the 11th player in major league history to collect 10 or more RBI in a game. He is one RBI shy of the American League record of 11 set in 1936 by Hall of Famer and former Yankee Tony Lazzeri, and two short of the major league mark of 12 shared by Jim Bottomley (1924) and Mark Whiten (1993), both of the Cardinals.
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 Alex Rodriguez slugs his way to the best performance of his career, hitting three home runs in his first three at-bats off Angels pitcher Bartolo Colón. The Yankees win, 12 – 4, as Rodriguez becomes only the 11th player in major league history to collect 10 or more RBI in a game. He is one RBI shy of the American League record of 11 set in 1936 by Hall of Famer and former Yankee Tony Lazzeri, and two short of the major league mark of 12 shared by Jim Bottomley (1924) and Mark Whiten (1993), both of the Cardinals.

ByTom

2005 – At Yankee Stadium, Alex Rodriguez slugs his way to the best performance of his career, hitting three home runs in his first three at-bats off Angels pitcher Bartolo Colón. The Yankees win, 12 – 4, as Rodriguez becomes only the 11th player in major league history to collect 10 or more RBI in a game. He is one RBI shy of the American League record of 11 set in 1936 by Hall of Famer and former Yankee Tony Lazzeri, and two short of the major league mark of 12 shared by Jim Bottomley (1924) and Mark Whiten (1993), both of the Cardinals.

Earl Wilson, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, dies in Southfield, Michigan, at age of 70. In 1962, Wilson became the first black pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter.

ByBaseball

Earl Wilson, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, dies in Southfield, Michigan, at age of 70. In 1962, Wilson became the first black pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter.

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2005 – Back-to-back homers by Adam Everett and Craig Biggio in the first pace the Astros over Ben Sheets and the Brewers, 6-1. Biggio drives in himself for the 1,000th RBI of his career, the second Astro to achieve that many in a Houston uniform. Later, he swipes third for his 399th career steal. Roy Oswalt tosses a complete-game four-hitter while Everett enjoys a three-hit night. 

ByTom

2005 – Back-to-back homers by Adam Everett and Craig Biggio in the first pace the Astros over Ben Sheets and the Brewers, 6-1. Biggio drives in himself for the 1,000th RBI of his career, the second Astro to achieve that many in a Houston uniform. Later, he swipes third for his 399th career steal. Roy Oswalt tosses a complete-game four-hitter while Everett enjoys a three-hit night.