One day after being battered 20 – 11 by the Yankees, the Red Sox get a measure of revenge with a 14 – 1 pasting of their rivals. Kevin Youkilis homers twice and drives in six, while Junichi Tazawa pitches six scoreless innings for the win. For his part, New York starter A.J. Burnett gives up a career-high nine runs in the loss.

The Twins defeat Kansas City, 5 – 4, in a sloppy game that sees both teams’ closers falter. The Twins score three in the 6th thanks to a throwing error, a wild pitch, and a blooper reel play by RF Josh Anderson that allows Denard Span to race around the bases. Coming in to close a 4 – 3 lead in the 9th, Minnesota’s Joe Nathan gives up a two-out home run to pinch-hitter Brayan Pena to send the game into extra innings. The Royals’ Joakim Soria then gives up a single to Alexi Casilla and a triple to Orlando Cabrera to put the Twins back on top and give Nathan another chance to close. But the Royals put two more men on before Mark Teahen finally lines out to right field to end the game.

Julio Borbon continues his hot hitting for the Rangers, banging his first career homer in a 3 for 5 night in which he drives in 3. He raises his average to .536 since his recall from AAA Oklahoma City earlier this month. The Rangers easily beat Minnesota, 11 – 1.

The Houston Astros beat the Florida Marlins, 4 – 1, allowing only 4 hits, thus ending the Marlins’ 15-game streak of at least 10 hits every game, the first streak of that length since the 1937 St. Louis Browns set the record with 18 consecutive such games. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez retires 15 consecutive batters in getting the win.

Cliff Lee continues to dominate since the Phillies acquired him from Cleveland at the trading deadline. He pitches a two-hitter in an 8 – 1 win over Arizona, after taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning. It is his 4th win and 2nd complete game in four starts since the trade.

Bologna takes the Italian Series in five games over T&A San Marino, with a 16 – 2 romp in the finale. Claudio Liverziani goes 8 for 14 with 8 walks and 6 RBI for a 1.537 OPS, winning MVP honors. Just over a week later, the Italian Baseball Federation will suspend Liverziani for a positive amphetamine test during the playoffs.

The Florida Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco pitches his second career complete game against the Houston Astros, allowing 2 earned runs and 3 hits. Nolasco retires 23 consecutive batters after allowing a two-run home run to Carlos Lee. He does not allow another baserunner until Michael Bourn gets an infield hit with one out in the 9th inning.

Jamie Moyer pitches 6 scoreless innings in relief as Philadelphia defeats Arizona, 5 – 1. After a rain delay, Moyer takes over for the man who has shunted him from the starting rotation, Pedro Martinez. It is the veteran Moyer’s first relief appearance since he was called in to pitch in an 18-inning game for Seattle in 2004.

Catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is traded from the Houston Astros to the Texas Rangers for a minor leaguer and a player to be named later, coming back to the team for which he started his superlative career.