Junichi Tazawa, expected to be a first-round pick in the Nippon Pro Baseball amateur draft, announces that he does not want to be selected so he can sign with a Major League Baseball club. Tazawa was named MVP of the 2008 industrial league tournament and pitched for Japan in the 2007 Baseball World Cup. He will sign with the Boston Red Sox and make his major league debut in 2009.

With a 4-2 victory over the visiting Yankees, the Angels clinch the division flag on the earliest date in the history of the American League West. The Halos, the first club this season to secure a postseason spot, have finished in first place four times in the past five seasons.

In a 3-2 Astros loss at Citizens Bank Park, Charlton Jimerson, pinch hitting for Roger Clemens, homers off Phillies’ southpaw Cole Hamels. The sixth-inning blast to center field makes the Houston rookie the third player in franchise history to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat.

Derek Jeter passes the legendary Babe Ruth on the Yankees’ all-time hits list, adding a first inning single during the 7-1 victory over the Angels in Anaheim to run his career total to 2,519 hits. Lou Gehrig (2,721) is now the only Bronx Bomber with more hits than the club’s current shortstop.

Mark Saccomanno becomes the 20th player to homer on the first pitch he sees in the major leagues. Saccomanno pinch-hits for fellow September call-up Alberto Arias in the 5th inning of a scoreless game and smacks a fastball from Ian Snell to right field for a circuit clout.

The Red Sox break the Cleveland Indians’ attendance record with their 456th consecutive regular-season sellout at Fenway Park. To commemorate the streak, which began on May 15, 2003, team owners, current players as well as club icon Johnny Pesky greet and thank fans entering the ballpark prior to the game against the Rays.

While his former franchise is setting a record for poor play, Chris Young (who the team traded for a pitcher they released shortly thereafter) turns in a gem. He retires the first 23 Brewers he faces before Gabe Kapler homers to rob him of a perfect game. The Padres still win, 10 – 1.

2008 – T&A San Marino wins the Italian Series in 7 games for their first Serie A1 title. Horacio Estrada gets the decision in the 7 – 5 finale over Nelson Cruz in a duel of ex-big leaguers.

Derek Lowe and Chan-ho Park combine on a 2-hit shutout of the Diamondbacks to move Los Angeles within a half-game of first place in the NL West. Andre Ethier goes 5 for 5 with 5 RBI in the 7 – 0 win.