The Astros and Orioles engage in a slugfest in Baltimore, with Houston coming out on top, 15 – 8. After George Springer leads off the game with a homer off Wade Miley, the Orioles set a modern record by hitting four home runs before making an out in their first turn at-bat. Facing Collin McHugh, Adam Jones homers on the first pitch, then Hyun Soo Kim singles, and Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo all homer in succession for a quick 5 – 1 lead. However, the Astros score 5 runs in the 2nd, and keep going from there to win the game. Springer goes 4 for 5 and José Altuve homers and has 5 RBIs for Houston as 8 long balls are hit overall.

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2016 – The Astros and Orioles engage in a slugfest in Baltimore, with Houston coming out on top, 15 – 8. After George Springer leads off the game with a homer off Wade Miley, the Orioles set a modern record by hitting four home runs before making an out in their first turn at-bat. Facing Collin McHugh, Adam Jones homers on the first pitch, then Hyun Soo Kim singles, and Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo all homer in succession for a quick 5 – 1 lead. However, the Astros score 5 runs in the 2nd, and keep going from there to win the game. Springer goes 4 for 5 and José Altuve homers and has 5 RBIs for Houston as 8 long balls are hit overall.

Ichiro Suzuki of the Marlins becomes the 30th member of the 3,000 hit club 

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Ichiro Suzuki of the Marlins becomes the 30th member of the 3,000 hit club with a 7th-inning triple off Chris Rusin of the Rockies in a 10 – 7 Marlins win. What makes it more remarkable is that Ichiro did not collect his first major league hit until he was 27. He is only the second player to reach the milestone with a triple, after Paul Molitor, and the hit comes on the day when the last player to join the club before him, Alex Rodriguez, announced his retirement.

Rockies shortstop Trevor Story ties the National League mark shared by Dave Kingman (Giants,1972) and Albert Pujols (Cardinals, 2001) for the most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break

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Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, with his twenty-first home run, ties the National League mark shared by Dave Kingman (Giants,1972) and Albert Pujols (Cardinals, 2001) for the most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break. Mark McGwire established the major league record, going deep 30 times before the Mid-Summer Classic while playing for the A’s in 1987.

Erik Kratz, who tossed an ineffective inning for the Astros in an 11-1 rout by the Angels in April, becomes the first player in the modern era to catch and pitch for two teams in the same season when he throws a scoreless ninth inning in relief in the Pirates’ 15-4 loss to the Giants at PNC Park. The 36 year-old journeyman backstop, who was obtained from the Halos earlier in the month, allows two hits, striking Brandon Belt for the first out of the frame.

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On June 21, 2016 Erik Kratz, who tossed an ineffective inning for the Astros in an 11-1 rout by the Angels in April, becomes the first player in the modern era to catch and pitch for two teams in the same season when he throws a scoreless ninth inning in relief in the Pirates’ 15-4…

2016 – The Rockies and Marlins set a record by scoring 8 runs, all on solo homers, in a 5 – 3 win by Colorado. The previous record was five runs. Matt Reynolds goes deep twice for the Rockies while Marcell Ozuna does so for Miami.

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On June 20, 2016 – The Rockies and Marlins set a record by scoring 8 runs, all on solo homers, in a 5 – 3 win by Colorado. The previous record was five runs. Matt Reynolds goes deep twice for the Rockies while Marcell Ozuna does so for Miami.

Mookie Betts hits three homers and drives in five runs in a 6 – 2 win over the Orioles

Mookie Betts hits three homers and drives in five runs in a 6 – 2 win over the Orioles

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The Red Sox continue to pound the ball as Mookie Betts hits three homers and drives in five runs in a 6 – 2 win over the Orioles. Xander Bogaerts extends his hitting streak to 24 games with a 7th-inning single. The Red Sox start off with a blast as Betts and Dustin Pedroia go deep back-to-back against Kevin Gausman to open the game.

ESPN fires pitcher-turned-broadcaster Curt Schilling after another controversial rant on social media

ESPN fires pitcher-turned-broadcaster Curt Schilling after another controversial rant on social media

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ESPN fires pitcher-turned-broadcaster Curt Schilling after another controversial rant on social media, this one regarding transgender people and their right to access public bathrooms. Schilling is a repeat offender, having already been suspended late last year for his inopportune political rantings.

Dustin Pedroia turned five double plays to tie Red Sox franchise record

Dustin Pedroia turned five double plays to tie Red Sox franchise record

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April 18, 2016 Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia turned five double plays in a 9-inning game on it tied the team record for most in a game by a second baseman. He tied record was set by Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr on August 8, 1946. The Red Sox will lose the game…

Montreal Expos greats Pedro Martinez and Tim Raines throw the ceremonial first pitch at Stade Olympique in Montreal

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For the third straight year, fans turn out in droves at Stade Olympique in Montreal, QC for the first of two exhibition games by the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox. Over 52,000 pack the stadium to see former Montreal Expos greats Pedro Martinez and Tim Raines throw the ceremonial first pitch. Boston wins the game, 4 – 2, in 10 innings, on Ryan LaMarre’s two-out, two-run double off Pat McCoy.