Francisco Rodriguez, surpassing John Smoltz’s effort for the 2003 Braves by ten games, becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves. The Angels closer strikes out the side in the ninth of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Red Sox, completing a sweep of the reigning World Series champions.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Francisco Rodriguez, surpassing John Smoltz’s effort for the 2003 Braves by ten games, becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves. The Angels closer strikes out the side in the ninth of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Red Sox, completing a sweep of the reigning World Series champions.

The Dodgers, with a five-run ninth-inning rally at Chase Field, beat the Diamondbacks, 6-5, and move into a flat-footed tie (48-50) with Arizona for first place in the National League West. Andre Ethier has the key hit in the comeback victory, a go-ahead triple off the center-field wall, as D-Back closer Brandon Lyon, pitching in his third consecutive game, couldn’t hold a three-run lead.

ByBaseball

The Dodgers, with a five-run ninth-inning rally at Chase Field, beat the Diamondbacks, 6-5, and move into a flat-footed tie (48-50) with Arizona for first place in the National League West. Andre Ethier has the key hit in the comeback victory, a go-ahead triple off the center-field wall, as D-Back closer Brandon Lyon, pitching in his third consecutive game, couldn’t hold a three-run lead.

2008 – The Giants send veteran 2B Ray Durham (.293/.385/.414, 2,024 career hits) to the Brewers for two non-prospects, Steve Hammond (0-4 in his first 4 AAA games) and OF Darren Ford (.230/.322/.303, 48 SB in 49 tries in A ball).

ByBaseball

2008 – The Giants send veteran 2B Ray Durham (.293/.385/.414, 2,024 career hits) to the Brewers for two non-prospects, Steve Hammond (0-4 in his first 4 AAA games) and OF Darren Ford (.230/.322/.303, 48 SB in 49 tries in A ball).