In a match-up of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters this year, Roy Halladay of the Phillies tops Edwin Jackson of the Diamondbacks, 7 – 1, with Halladay tossing a complete game. Top Philly prospect Domonic Brownmakes his debut in CF, taking over for an injured Shane Victorino, and hits a double to the wall in his first major league at-bat. The last matchup of hurlers who had thrown no-hitters that year was in September 1991 when Nolan Ryan and Wilson Alvarez squared off.

Giants closer Brian Wilson is fined $1000 for wearing bright orange cleats in a game against the Marlins on July 27th. Wilson wore the offending shoes in the All-Star Game, but they are not legal for regular-season games as they do not conform to Major League Baseball’s rules pertaining to uniform colors. Liking the shoes, Wilson decides to render them legal by covering some of the orange color with a black marker.

Jose Bautista’s storybook season continues as he blasts two homers and nails Orioles baserunner Nick Markakis at third base in Toronto’s 8 – 2 win at home. Bautista has 3 runs scored, 4 hits and 5 RBI in the game while becoming the major leagues’ first 30-homer hitter this year. Ricky Romero defeats Kevin Millwood.

Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg is scratched at the last minute from a scheduled start against the Braves with shoulder tightness, but veteran Miguel Batista steps ably into the breach, throwing five shutout innings as Washington prevails, 3 – 0.

With the spotlight on the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, sitting on 599 homers on his birthday, the Indians’ Josh Tomlin grabs the headlines, giving up only 3 hits in 7 innings in winning his major league debut, 4 – 1. A-Rod finishes the night 0 for 4.

Rehabbing a hip injury in the minor leagues, veteran third baseman Mike Lowell has a tremendous game for the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League, banging 3 homers and driving in 5 runs in a 10 – 6 win over the Toledo Mud Hens. He has been out of action in the major leagues since June 22nd.

Jason Kendall becomes the 5th player in major league history to catch 2,000 games when he starts for the Royals.

Matt Garza pitches the first no-hitter in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, blanking the Tigers, 5 – 0. He is helped by a great over-the-shoulder catch by Ben Zobrist in the 3rd inning. The only baserunner is Brennan Boesch, who draws a 2nd-inning walk but is erased in a double play. Matt Joyce hits a 6th-inning grand slam for the Rays, the first hit allowed by Detroit’s Max Scherzer. Tampa Bay had been no-hit twice this season – by Dallas Braden and Edwin Jackson – and has now featured in three of this year’s five no-nos.

Joe Mauer goes 5 for 5 and drives in 7 runs as the Twins rout Zack Greinke and the Royals, 19 – 1. Danny Valencia also has a night to remember, going 4 for 4 and hitting a grand slam for his first major league homer.

The Angels acquire right-hander Dan Haren from the last-place Diamondbacks in exchange for southpaws Joe Saunders and Patrick Corbin, RHP Rafael Rodriguez, and a player to be named. The addition of the three-time All-Star strengthens an already strong rotation that includes Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, Joel Piniero, and Scott Kazmir, who is presently on the disabled list.