Aroldis Chapman of the Reds sets a new record by notching a strikeout in his 40th straight relief appearance, dating back to August 21, 2013. The previous record had been held by Bruce Sutter since 1977. Chapman strikes out the side against the Pirates on the way to his 20th save of the year.

The Cardinals record a very rare putout in the 6th inning of their game against the Pirates. With two men on and P Edinson Volquez attempting a bunt, the Cardinals defend the play by having their two corner infielders rush towards the batter, while the SS covers third base and the 2B goes to first base. However, when Volquez pops up the ball towards the third base line and does not immediately run, 3B Matt Carpenter sees an opening for a potential double play and lets the ball drop, then throws to second base, forgetting that it is uncovered. But a heads-up play by CF Jon Jay results in a 5-8 putout at second, as he picks up the throw, then runs to the second base bag ahead of the runner for the out. However, the Pirates still manage to score 5 runs in the inning, on their way to a 9 – 1 win.

Chicago wins the All-Star Game’s Final Man Vote as P Chris Sale of the White Sox is the top vote-getter in the American League, and 1B Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs does the same in the National League.

The Mets beat Atlanta to win its 4,000th game since starting as an expansion team in 1962. The milestone victory is recorded by rookie right-hander Jacob deGrom, who strikes out 11 batters in seven shutout innings in the team’s 8-3 win at Citi Field.

R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays snaps an 11-game home winning streak by the Angels, pitching 7 scoreless innings in a 4 – 0 win. The winning streak ends one short of the Angels’ franchise record, set in 1967. For their part, the Blue Jays had lost their last 7 games on the road.

The Mets record the 4,000th win in franchise history, dating back to 1962, by defeating the Braves, 8 – 3.

The Angels defeat the Blue Jays, 5 – 2, to even their all-time record to 4,272-4.272 with 3 ties, the first time they have been at .500 as a franchise since starting off their inaugural 1961 season 1-1. It is the Angels’ 5th straight win and 11th straight at home.

The two squads in the 2014 All-Star Game are named. The 68 players chosen include 25 first-timers. OF Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays leads the popular vote for the second time in four years with 5.8 million votes, while SS Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies is the leading vote-getter in the National League.

The Athletics pull off a blockbuster trade, acquiring starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs in return for three top prospects, SS Addison Russell, OF Billy McKinney and P Dan Straily.

Rays manager Joe Maddon, known for keeping his team loose throughout the long season by implementing fun and innovative ideas, uses Tommy Tutone’s song 867-53O9 Jenny as the inspiration for his lineup. The last-place team’s batting order against Detroit has the center fielder (8) leading off, followed by the shortstop (6), then the left fielder (7), with the third baseman (5) batting cleanup, and so on, leaving the second baseman and catcher to bat in the eighth and ninth position.