Andy Van Hekken, with a fastball topping out in the mid-80s, becomes the first American Leaguer to throw a complete game shutout in his debut since Mike Norris in 1975, and the first Tiger since Schoolboy Rowe in 1933. He stops Cleveland, 4 – 0. The Holland, MI native was 5-0 at Toledo (AAA) before his promotion.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Andy Van Hekken, with a fastball topping out in the mid-80s, becomes the first American Leaguer to throw a complete game shutout in his debut since Mike Norris in 1975, and the first Tiger since Schoolboy Rowe in 1933. He stops Cleveland, 4 – 0. The Holland, MI native was 5-0 at Toledo (AAA) before his promotion.

Joaquin Benoit gets credit for a 7-inning save, the longest since saves were first recorded in 1969.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Three Rangers pitchers combine to one-hit the Orioles, winning by a score of 7 – 1. Starter Aaron Myette is ejected after throwing two pitches and replaced by Todd Van Poppel, who throws two hitless innings. Van Poppel is in turn replaced by rookie Joaquin Benoit who does not give up a hit until Jerry Hairston’s leadoff triple in the 9th. Benoit gets credit for a 7-inning save, the longest since saves were first recorded in 1969.

Mark Bellhorn’s Historic Switch-Hit Inning Lifts Cubs

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Milwaukee’s Miller Park, Mark Bellhorn becomes the first National Leaguer and joins Carlos Baerga as the only other switch-hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning. The Cub infielder connects off southpaw Andrew Lorraine to start Chicago’s 10-run 4th-inning and then goes deep again with a three-run homer with two outs off Jose Cabrera.

In the longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville, Kentucky beats Fort Worth, Texas in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting 49 strikeouts are recorded as Fort Worth’s Walker Kelly strikes out 21 in nine two-hit innings, and Louisville’s Aaron Alvey fans 19 batter over nine no-hit innings.

In the longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville, Kentucky beats Fort Worth, Texas in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting 49 strikeouts are recorded as Fort Worth’s Walker Kelly strikes out 21 in nine two-hit innings, and Louisville’s Aaron Alvey fans 19 batter over nine no-hit innings.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville, Kentucky beats Fort Worth, Texas in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting 49 strikeouts are recorded as Fort Worth’s Walker Kelly strikes out 21 in nine two-hit innings, and Louisville’s Aaron Alvey fans 19 batter over nine no-hit innings.

The Expos’ first selection, fifth overall, in the amateur draft, Clint Everts, signs a deal with Montreal which gives him a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Houston Cypress Falls High School’s right-hander, along with teammate left-hander Scott Kazmir (Mets), are only the fourth pair of high school players selected in the first round of the same draft.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Expos’ first selection, fifth overall, in the amateur draft, Clint Everts, signs a deal with Montreal which gives him a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Houston Cypress Falls High School’s right-hander, along with teammate left-hander Scott Kazmir (Mets), are only the fourth pair of high school players selected in the first round of the same draft.

Closer John Smoltz records his 40th save in the 114th game of the Braves’ schedule, making it the earliest point in a season a relief pitcher has reached that mark. Lee Smith of the Cardinals accomplished the feat in his 117th game in 1993, and White Sox closer Bobby Thigpen turned the trick in 118 games en route to setting the major league record with 57 saves in 1990.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Closer John Smoltz records his 40th save in the 114th game of the Braves’ schedule, making it the earliest point in a season a relief pitcher has reached that mark. Lee Smith of the Cardinals accomplished the feat in his 117th game in 1993, and White Sox closer Bobby Thigpen turned the trick in 118 games en route to setting the major league record with 57 saves in 1990.

2002 – Atlanta defeats Arizona‚ 4 – 1‚ as Braves relief pitcher John Smoltz reaches 40 saves in a season faster than any pitcher in history.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2002 – Atlanta defeats Arizona‚ 4 – 1‚ as Braves relief pitcher John Smoltz reaches 40 saves in a season faster than any pitcher in history.

Robb Nen becomes the 16th major leaguer to record his 300th career save

ByThis Day in Baseball

Robb Nen becomes the 16th major leaguer to record his 300th career save when he closes the Giants’ 11-10 victory over the Cubs at Pacific Bell Park. The 32 year-old reliever, who will not pitch again after this season due to multiple surgeries for a torn rotator cuff, is the youngest closer to reach the milestone.

darrell_porter

Darrell Porter found dead at 50 – from toxic effects of cocaine and excited delirium

ByThis Day in Baseball

On August 5, 2002, Darrell Porter left his home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, saying he was going to buy a newspaper and go to the park. That evening, he was found dead outside his vehicle in Sugar Creek, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. An autopsy found he had died of “toxic effects of cocaine.”…