2014 – DH David Ortiz blasts two home runs to lead the Red Sox to a 14 – 1 drubbing of the Blue Jays. The homers allow Ortiz to move past another Boston great, Carl Yastrzemski, on the all-time home run list, as Ortiz now has 453 long balls in his career.

2014 – In his fifth major league start, Odrisamer Despaigne comes within four outs of throwing the first no-hitter in the history of the San Diego Padres. The Mets’ Daniel Murphy breaks his bid with a two-out double in the 8th, and David Wright follows with a single that ties the score at 1 – 1, ending Despaigne’s day. Joaquin Benoit is the winner after the Padres score in the bottom of the 9th for a 2- 1 win.

The Angels acquire All-Star closer Huston Street from the Padres in a deal involving six players, all of the others being still in the minor leagues.

The Astros fail to reach a deal with the top pick in the amateur draft, P Brady Aiken, as the deadline for signing players passes. The two sides had reached a tentative deal in early June, but a physical exam disclosed issues with the health of the young lefthander’s elbow, leading the Astros to lower their offer, causing the impasse. It is only the third time that the top choice in a draft fails to sign a contract, following Danny Goodwin in 1971 and Tim Belcher in 1983.

The Royals acquire veteran reliever Jason Frasor from the Rangers, in return for minor league P Spencer Patton.

The American League wins the 2014 All-Star Game, 5 – 3, over the National League. In his last appearance in the mid-summer classic, Derek Jeter leads off the game with a double and scores on a triple by Mike Trout. Jeter goes 2 for 2, while Trout adds an RBI double in the 5th to win the game’s MVP Award.

Yoenis Cespedes successfully defends his title as Home Run Derby champion in the annual event held before the All-Star Game at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN. Cespedes defeats Todd Frazier in the final round, 9 long balls to 1, having hit 28 overall. Ken Griffey Jr. was the only other repeat winner in the event, winning in 1998 and 1999.

Aroldis Chapman of the Reds sets a new record by notching a strikeout in his 40th straight relief appearance, dating back to August 21, 2013. The previous record had been held by Bruce Sutter since 1977. Chapman strikes out the side against the Pirates on the way to his 20th save of the year.

Chicago wins the All-Star Game’s Final Man Vote as P Chris Sale of the White Sox is the top vote-getter in the American League, and 1B Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs does the same in the National League.

The Cardinals record a very rare putout in the 6th inning of their game against the Pirates. With two men on and P Edinson Volquez attempting a bunt, the Cardinals defend the play by having their two corner infielders rush towards the batter, while the SS covers third base and the 2B goes to first base. However, when Volquez pops up the ball towards the third base line and does not immediately run, 3B Matt Carpenter sees an opening for a potential double play and lets the ball drop, then throws to second base, forgetting that it is uncovered. But a heads-up play by CF Jon Jay results in a 5-8 putout at second, as he picks up the throw, then runs to the second base bag ahead of the runner for the out. However, the Pirates still manage to score 5 runs in the inning, on their way to a 9 – 1 win.