The front-running Padres trade Double-A right-hander Wynn Pelzer to obtain veteran infielder Miguel Tejada from the Orioles, who also include more than $1.15 million in the deal. San Diego is hoping the 36 year-old former American League Most Valuable Player can help the potential playoff team, both in the field and at the plate, with his 14 years of experience in the major leagues.

After Roy Oswalt gives his approval to a trade from the Astros to the Phillies, Philadelphia sends J.A. Happ, outfielder Anthony Gose, and shortstop Jonathan Villar to Houston for the three-time All-Star hurler and a considerable amount of cash. The 32 year-old right-hander compiled a respectable 3.24 ERA, but posted only a 6-12 record, due to a severe lack of run support.

There is a frenzy of deals in anticipation of the trading deadline. The Phillies acquire P Roy Oswalt from the Astros for P J.A. Happ and minor leaguers Anthony Gose and Jonathan Villar; the Astros then flip Gose to Torontofor another top prospect, 1B Brett Wallace. In other deals, the Rangers acquire Jorge Cantu from the Marlins for minor leaguers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda; the Twins bolster their bullpen with All-Star closer Matt Capps, pried from Washington for young C Wilson Ramos; and the Padres obtain veteran infielder Miguel Tejada from Baltimore for minor league P Wynn Pelzer.

Giants closer Brian Wilson is fined $1000 for wearing bright orange cleats in a game against the Marlins on July 27th. Wilson wore the offending shoes in the All-Star Game, but they are not legal for regular-season games as they do not conform to Major League Baseball’s rules pertaining to uniform colors. Liking the shoes, Wilson decides to render them legal by covering some of the orange color with a black marker.

With the trading deadline approaching, a few clubs are making moves. The Tigers, reeling from a number of injuries, obtain 3B Jhonny Peralta from Cleveland for minor league P Giovanni Soto, while the Dodgers acquire veteran OF Scott Podsednik from the Royals for minor leaguers Lucas May and Elisaul Pimentel.

In a match-up of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters this year, Roy Halladay of the Phillies tops Edwin Jackson of the Diamondbacks, 7 – 1, with Halladay tossing a complete game. Top Philly prospect Domonic Brownmakes his debut in CF, taking over for an injured Shane Victorino, and hits a double to the wall in his first major league at-bat. The last matchup of hurlers who had thrown no-hitters that year was in September 1991 when Nolan Ryan and Wilson Alvarez squared off.

Jason Kendall becomes the 5th player in major league history to catch 2,000 games when he starts for the Royals.

Rehabbing a hip injury in the minor leagues, veteran third baseman Mike Lowell has a tremendous game for the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League, banging 3 homers and driving in 5 runs in a 10 – 6 win over the Toledo Mud Hens. He has been out of action in the major leagues since June 22nd.

With the spotlight on the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, sitting on 599 homers on his birthday, the Indians’ Josh Tomlin grabs the headlines, giving up only 3 hits in 7 innings in winning his major league debut, 4 – 1. A-Rod finishes the night 0 for 4.

Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg is scratched at the last minute from a scheduled start against the Braves with shoulder tightness, but veteran Miguel Batista steps ably into the breach, throwing five shutout innings as Washington prevails, 3 – 0.