There is a frenzy of trades as the trading deadline approaches. The Indians make two big deals, first acquiring P Ubaldo Jimenez from Colorado, then sending 2B Orlando Cabrera to San Francisco. In the unusual position of being buyers this year, the Pirates pry 1B Derrek Lee from Baltimore to replace the underachieving Lyle Overbay. Their rivals in the NL Central, the Cardinals, add SS Rafael Furcal from Los Angeles, the Diamondbacksadd P Jason Marquis from Washington, the Rangers get P Koji Uehara from Baltimore, the Red Sox add 2B Mike Aviles from Kansas City, and the Tigers get Ps Doug Fister and David Pauley from the Mariners. In all cases, the deals involve prospects in return, many of them in the lower reaches of the minor leagues, and the occasional player who has just reached the majors.

Derek Holland pitches his third shutout in five starts as the Rangers defeat the Blue Jays, 3 – 0. He is the first Ranger pitcher to throw 4 shutouts in a season since Doc Medich in 1981. Mitch Moreland hits a two-run homer in the 2nd.

The Yankees complete a doubleheader sweep of the Orioles with a huge 1st inning in the nitecap, after winning the opener, 8 – 3. The Bronx Bombers score 12 runs as they chase Zach Britton, just back from the minors, after only one out, but not before he gives up 9 runs. They roll to a 17 – 3 win, accumulating 24 hits, as Ivan Nova benefits from the outburst; Robinson Cano goes 5 for 5 with 5 RBI, while Nick Swisher hits a two-run homer in each game.

The Phillies acquire Hunter Pence from the last-place Astros for a trio of highly-touted minor leaguers, Jarred Cosart, Jon Singleton, and Josh Zeid. The 28 year-old right-fielder joins Philadelphia with a .309 average, 11 homers, and 62 RBIs.

Two hitting streaks of more than 20 games end today, and a new one is born. Boston’s Dustin Pedroia goes 0 for 4 to end his streak at 25 games in a 3 – 1 loss to the White Sox. The Marlins’ Emilio Bonifacio is also kept hitless in a 5 – 0 loss to the Braves, ending his streak at 26 games, the second-longest in team history. During that game, Atlanta 2B Dan Uggla hits a three-run homer to get a hit in his 20th straight game in support of Brandon Beachy’s pitching.

With their 10-9 victory, the visiting Mets complete a four-game sweep in Cincinnati for the first time in franchise history. The Great American Ball Park victory is especially rewarding because Carlos Beltran, the team’s best offensive player, was traded to San Francisco during the series.

The Mets officially announce the club has acquired 21 year-old right-hander Zack Wheeler, a top minor league prospect from the Giants, in exchange for outfielder Carlos Beltran and cash considerations. New York bids farewell to their All-Star outfielder, who is batting .289 along with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in the final season of his seven-year deal with the team.

2011 – The Indians acquire Japanese OF Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs for two minor leaguers, P Carlton Smith and OF Abner Abreu.

“While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals’ intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong.” – FRANK COONELLY,president of the Pirates. At approximately 2:30 a.m. ET, the Pirates filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner’s Office expressing their extreme disappointment by the way its 19-inning game against the Braves ended earlier this morning. The statement shares the organization’s dismay of umpire Jerry Meals not seeing the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate that resulted in Atlanta’s 4-3 victory at Turner Field.

The Pirates, at approximately 2:30 am, file a formal complaint with the Commissioner’s Office expressing their extreme disappointment by the way its 19-inning game against the Braves ended earlier this morning. The statement shares the organization’s dismay of umpire Jerry Meals not seeing the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate that resulted in Atlanta’s 4-3 victory at Turner Field. “While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals’ intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong.” – FRANK COONELLY,president of the Pirates.