Homer Bailey of the Reds throws the first no-hitter of the season, defeating the Giants, 3 – 0; Bailey also pitched the last no-hitter of 2012. He strikes out 9 while only a 7th-inning walk to Gregor Blanco keeps him from a perfect game. 1B Joey Votto makes a heads-up play to save the bid, however: one batter after Blanco’s walk, he fields a soft liner off the bat of Buster Posey, but realizes he has no play at first base, as Bailey is late in coming to cover; instead he throws to third base, where Todd Frazier tags out Blanco, turning Posey’s potential hit into a fielder’s choice.

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On July 2, 2013 Homer Bailey of the Reds throws the first no-hitter of the season, defeating the Giants, 3 – 0; Bailey also pitched the last no-hitter of 2012. He strikes out 9 while only a 7th-inning walk to Gregor Blanco keeps him from a perfect game. 1B Joey Votto makes a heads-up play to save the bid, however: one batter after Blanco’s walk, he fields…

The Orioles acquire P Scott Feldman from the Cubs in return for Ps Pedro Strop and Jake Arrieta in the first significant trade since the start of the season.

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On July 2, 2013 The Orioles acquire P Scott Feldman from the Cubs in return for Ps Pedro Strop and Jake Arrieta in the first significant trade since the start of the season.   Source: Baseball Reference July 2

16-year-old Italian shortstop Marten Gasparini signs with the Kansas City Royals, with a $1.3 million bonus. It marks a new record for a signing bonus for a European amateur, topping the $800,000 German outfielder Max Kepler got from the Minnesota Twins.

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On July 2, 2013 16-year-old Italian shortstop Marten Gasparini signs with the Kansas City Royals, with a $1.3 million bonus. It marks a new record for a signing bonus for a European amateur, topping the $800,000 German outfielder Max Kepler got from the Minnesota Twins.   Source: Baseball Reference July 2

Having already matched Roger Clemens’ 1997 feat of winning his first 11 decisions of the season, the Tigers’ Max Scherzer becomes the first pitcher since “Rocket Roger” in 1986 to roll off 12 straight wins at the start of the year. Scherzer defeats the Rays, 6 – 3, although he is still two wins shy of Roger, who began his breakout season with 14 straight W’s. In support of Scherzer’s pitching, Miguel Cabrera has a four-hit game, including a pair of homers against Alex Colome.

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Having already matched Roger Clemens’ 1997 feat of winning his first 11 decisions of the season, the Tigers’ Max Scherzer becomes the first pitcher since “Rocket Roger” in 1986 to roll off 12 straight wins at the start of the year. Scherzer defeats the Rays, 6 – 3, although he is still two wins shy of Roger, who began his breakout season with 14 straight W’s. In support of Scherzer’s pitching, Miguel Cabrera has a four-hit game, including a pair of homers against Alex Colome.

The Phillies end a six-game winning streak by the Dodgers with a 16 – 1 shellacking. Delmon Young has a career-high 6 RBI and John Lannan wins his first game for the team. For the Dodgers, it’s their biggest losing margin since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

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The Phillies end a six-game winning streak by the Dodgers with a 16 – 1 shellacking. Delmon Young has a career-high 6 RBI and John Lannan wins his first game for the team. For the Dodgers, it’s their biggest losing margin since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

Pitcher Steven Matz has a great debut as he goes 3 for 3 at the plate and pitches into the 8th inning to lead the Mets to a 7 – 2 win over the Reds, completing a doubleheader sweep. He becomes the first pitcher to drive in 4 runs in his debut, settling down after allowing a home run to the first batter he faces, Brandon Phillips.

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Pitcher Steven Matz has a great debut as he goes 3 for 3 at the plate and pitches into the 8th inning to lead the Mets to a 7 – 2 win over the Reds, completing a doubleheader sweep. He becomes the first pitcher to drive in 4 runs in his debut, settling down after allowing a home run to the first batter he faces, Brandon Phillips.

Japan’s players union calls for the resignation of Nippon Pro Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato following revelations that Kato introduced a new baseball without discussing with or notifying players. The new livelier ball has resulted in a sharp increase in home runs. Kato’s claim that he did not know the ball was changed does little to give anyone confidence in his leadership.

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On June 27, 2013 Japan’s players union calls for the resignation of Nippon Pro Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato following revelations that Kato introduced a new baseball without discussing with or notifying players. The new livelier ball has resulted in a sharp increase in home runs. Kato’s claim that he did not know the ball was changed does little to give anyone confidence…

Ismel Jiménez is named Serie Nacional Most Valuable Player for 2012-2013; the Sancti Spiritus hurler had gone 9-0 with a 1.06 ERA and is the first pitcher to win MVP since Maels Rodríguez 11 years earlier. Norge Luis Ruíz takes the Rookie of the Year Award. SS Yordan Manduley and OF Dayron Varona are the only players to win both Offensive All-Star and Gold Glove honors at their positions.

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Ismel Jiménez is named Serie Nacional Most Valuable Player for 2012-2013; the Sancti Spiritus hurler had gone 9-0 with a 1.06 ERA and is the first pitcher to win MVP since Maels Rodríguez 11 years earlier. Norge Luis Ruíz takes the Rookie of the Year Award. SS Yordan Manduley and OF Dayron Varona are the only players to win both Offensive All-Star and Gold Glove honors at their positions.

The Pirates win their sixth straight game on the road, 4 – 2 over the Mariners, thanks to a two-run single by Jordy Mercer with two outs in the 9th. With the Cardinals’ 4 – 3 loss to the Astros, the Bucs are now tied for the lead in the NL Central.

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The Pirates win their sixth straight game on the road, 4 – 2 over the Mariners, thanks to a two-run single by Jordy Mercer with two outs in the 9th. With the Cardinals’ 4 – 3 loss to the Astros, the Bucs are now tied for the lead in the NL Central.

The White Sox hold a 4 – 3 lead over the Mets with two outs in the 9th inning, but manage to blow it in the most embarrassing fashion, after Daniel Murphy hits a routine pop-up in front of the mound. 2B Gordon Beckhamcomes charging in, trips on P Addison Reed’s foot and falls to the ground, in the process bowling over 3B Conor Gillaspie, who is positioned under the ball. The ball drops to the ground and rolls away from Reed while David Wright takes advantage of the confusion to score all the way from second base and tie the game. Luckily, the Sox manage to score a run off LaTroy Hawkins in the bottom of the inning to escape with a 5 – 4 win and save a little face.

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On June 25, 2013 The White Sox hold a 4 – 3 lead over the Mets with two outs in the 9th inning, but manage to blow it in the most embarrassing fashion, after Daniel Murphy hits a routine pop-up in front of the mound. 2B Gordon Beckhamcomes charging in, trips on P Addison Reed’s foot and falls to the ground, in the process bowling…