After missing fifty contests for a PED infraction in April 2008 while playing for the Giants, Eliezer Alfonzo becomes the first player to be suspended twice under the MLB drug program. The Colorado catcher will appeal the 100-game suspension, having the ban overturned for procedural reasons when his urine sample is not handled in the manner outlined in baseball’s agreement with the players.

Braves’ fireballer Brandon Beachy establishes the modern franchise record for strikeouts in a season by a rookie pitcher when he whiffs eight batters in 4.1 innings, bringing his to total to 160. Irv Young struck out 156 in 1905 when the team played in Boston and were known as the Beaneaters.

With their 3-2 loss to St. Louis, the Pirates extend their record streak of consecutive losing seasons to 19 straight years, the longest in American professional sports history. The Bucs, who led the NL Central by a half-game on July 20, have lost 38 of 54 contests since then, leaving the team with a 67-82 won-loss record.