SS Ian Desmond has a memorable major league debut as he homers and drives in 4 runs in Washington’s 8 – 7 victory over Philadelphia. The Nats lead 8 – 2 coming into the 9th, but a pinch grand slam by Matt Stairs and a run-scoring double by Shane Victorino bring the Phils within one. Ron Villone ends the comeback attempt by inducing Ryan Howard to ground into a game-ending double play.

Derek Jeter ties the New York Yankees franchise record for hits held by Lou Gehrig, with his 2,721st hit in the 7th against the Rays. He will pass Gehrig in two days. In the game, Jorge Posada belts a three-run pinch homer in the 8th to give the Yanks a 4 – 2 win. The Rays, the AL East champions last year, have now lost 8 straight and are almost out of the playoff race.

The Red Sox beat the Orioles, 7 – 5. Baltimore’s Brian Roberts hits his 50th double, becoming the fourth major leaguer to reach 50 three times, following Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial.

Boston hits six home runs at home against Baltimore on its way to a convincing 10 – 0 win. Youngsters Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden combine on the shutout while David Ortiz hits his 269th homer as a designated hitter, tying Frank Thomas for the all-time lead at the position.

For their part, the Rangers, Boston’s main rivals for the AL wild card, sweep a doubleheader on the strength of their bats, winning 11 – 9 and 10 – 5 over Cleveland. Marlon Byrd collects seven hits on the day.

The Phillies become the 12th team in major league history to have four players hit 30 home runs as Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez both reach the mark today. They become the second team to have done so with three left-handed batters among the quartet – the other club was also from Philadelphia, the 1929 Phillies.

Two stars are out for the season today. Carlos Pena of the Rays breaks two fingers on his left hand when hit by a pitch from CC Sabathia in the opener of a doubleheader swept by the Yankees, 4 – 1 and 11 – 1. For their part, the Indians announce that Grady Sizemore will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in two days and also needs abdominal surgery after playing in pain all year.

The Houston Astros shock the World Series defending champions Philadelphia Phillies with a four-game sweep in their 3rd consecutive one-run game, winning, 4 – 3.

Chris Carpenter continues his dominating run of pitching for the Cardinals. He throws a one-hitter and strikes out 10 to dispose of Milwaukee, 3 – 0. Jody Gerut strokes a double for the only hit. Carpenter is now 16-3 with a 2.16 ERA and is a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award after injuries limited him to only 5 outings over the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

By losing 4 – 2 to the Cubs, Pittsburgh is assured of finishing below .500 for a record 17th straight year. The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games to drop to 54-82 and have not had a winning record since 1992. They were previously tied with the Philadelphia Phillies, who were below .500 every year from 1933 to 1948.