The Reds do all their scoring in the first three innings to beat Houston, 13 – 8, in the first of two. Cincy adds a 4 – 2 win in the nitecap to sweep as Johnny Bench hits his 250th homer.

For the second consecutive game, Cincinnati’s Pete Rose hits a leadoff homer, this one his club-record 693rd extra-base hit. Rose jump starts the Reds to a 9 – 3 win over the visiting Giants.

Sadaharu Oh, joining Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, becomes the third professional to hit 700 home runs. The 33 year-old Yomiuri Giants’ slugger, who will finish his career with 868 career homers, is the first player to accomplish the feat in Japan.

Orioles outfielder Reggie Jackson, tying an American League record shared by five players, hits a home run in his sixth consecutive game. The 13th inning round-tripper off Danny Frisella does not help in the Birds’ 4-3 loss to the Brewers, who scored two runs in the top of the frame in the Memorial Stadium contest.

The Angels fire manager Dick Williams. Norm Sherry takes over the reins.

The Mets lose to the Reds, 4 – 0, on Fred Norman’s four-hitter.

Montreal trades OFs Jim Dwyer and Pepe Mangual to the New York Mets for OF Del Unser and INF Wayne Garrett.

Walter Alston wins his 2,000th game as Dodger manager.

A tentative agreement between the players and owners on labor contracts is reached. The formal agreement will be announced August 9th.

In a pre-game promotion at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 34 couples are married at home plate. The nuptials are then followed by Championship Wrestling in an evening billed as “Headlocks and Wedlocks.” The Braves then pin a 9 – 8 loss on the Mets.