Wally the Green Monster, the Red Sox’s mascot, goes missing before today’s game with the Yankees, making the team suspect a dastardly deed by Yankee fans. Boston Police issue an all-points bulletin looking for a “green and furry [character] … and sporting a permanent grin to the face on an extremely large head.” It turns out to be a misunderstanding as Wally is located a few hours later, taking an unauthorized tour of his home city.

In a meeting of unlikely playoff contenders, the A’s stun the Orioles with 6 9th-inning runs, overcoming a 9 – 8 deficit for a 14 – 9 win at Camden Yards. Ryan Cook had just coughed up 3 runs in the 8th, but the A’s rally against closer Jim Johnson to win their 12th game in their last 14 tries.

The Cardinals hit a homer in each of their first 5 innings in beating the Cubs, 9 – 6. Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Lance Berkman, Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig all go deep off Travis Wood at Wrigley Field as Wood ties a team record with 5 gopher balls. The last team to have such a performance was the Astros on October 2, 2004.

Today’s big trade involves former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, sent by the Brewers to the Angels in return for SS Jean Segura and Ps Ariel Pena and John Hellweg, with the Halos outbidding their division rivals the Rangers in the process. In another deal, the Giants acquire SS Marco Scutaro from Colorado for Charlie Culberson.