The Cardinals’ outfield sets a major-league record by failing to record a single putout in a 4 – 2, 13-inning loss to the Phillies. The previous mark was held by the 1905 St. Louis Browns, who played an 11-inning game with no outfield putouts.
The Cubs retire Hall of Famer Billy Williams’ uniform number (26).
At Veterans Stadium, Juan Samuel hits a lead-off triple to right field off Rick Sutcliffe in the Phillies’ 13-7 victory over Chicago. The Philadelphia second baseman’s three-bagger makes him the first player to reach double digits in doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases during his first four seasons in the major leagues.
The Tigers obtain Doyle Alexander from the Braves for right-handed prospect John Smoltz. The exchange will be ideal in the short run for Detroit when their new hurler goes 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA down the stretch to help the team win the AL East, but the minor leaguer they trade away will compile 213 wins and 154 saves during a stellar 21-year major league career.
Oakland A’s first baseman Mark McGwire breaks Al Rosen’s American League rookie record, established in 1950, and ties the major league mark shared by Frank Robinson (1956) and Wally Berger (1930) when he hits his 38th homer of the season. The unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year will finish the season with 49 homers, smashing the existing major league record.
Cardinals 1B Jack Clark sets a National League record by drawing a walk in his 16th consecutive game, a 6 – 0 win over Pittsburgh.
Phillies pitcher Kevin Gross becomes the second pitcher in eight days to be ejected for scuffing the baseball when umpires discover sandpaper in his glove during the 5th inning of a 4 – 2 win over the Cubs. Like Joe Niekro, Gross will be suspended for 10 games, and won’t get his glove returned until August, 1991.
Paul Molitor singles in the 3rd inning against the Rangers to run his hit streak to 25 games. The Brewers win in the 12th, 4 – 3.
At Seattle, Oakland’s super rookie Mark McGwire belts his 38th homer, a solo shot off Mike Moore, to tie the major league rookie record for homers in a season.
With help from Lee Smith, Scott Sanderson beats the Mets, 6 – 3, at Shea Stadium. The loser is Doc Gooden, who snaps his 10-game winning streak against the Cubs. He’ll start another streak of 12 wins.