The Cubs fire manager Preston Gomez and replace him with Joey Amalfitano. Chicago is 38-52, last in the National League East.

Roy Lee Jackson retires the last 19 batters he faces en route to a complete-game victory in the Mets’ 13-3 rout of the Reds at Riverfront Stadium. The 26 year-old right-hander benefits from his teammates’ 20-hit barrage in the Cincinnati contest.

The Mets play their 3,000th game in franchise history, dropping an 8-3 decision in the nightcap of a twin bill sweep by Cincinnati at Riverfront Stadium. The Amazins have compiled a 1300-1694 (.434) record along with six ties since playing their first game in 1962.

The California Supreme Court rules that Ted Giannoulas, better known as the man inside the San Diego Chicken suit, can appear publicly in chicken suits similar to the one that brought him fame, but not bearing the call letters of San Diego’s KGB radio station. The station had fired Giannoulas when he began appearing publicly in the suit without permission, and claimed it had all rights to the costume, which was first used as a promotional device in 1975.

In an 11 – 7 Cincinnati Reds win over the Montreal Expos, Johnny Bench belts homer #314, establishing a new mark for home runs by a catcher, and #347 overall. The round tripper comes off David Palmer. Bench breaks Yogi Berra’s record and will hold the mark until surpassed by Mike Piazza.

Establishing a new mark for home runs by a catcher, Johnny Bench of the Reds breaks Yogi Berra’s record by hitting his 314th round-tripper as a backstop. The future Hall of Famer has also hit 33 dingers while playing other positions.

After fanning the side in the 2nd inning, J.R. Richard leaves after retiring the first batter in the 4th. The Houston Astros pitcher complains of nausea, and the next day, Houston will place him on the 21-day disabled list. The Astros lose today, 2 – 0, to the Atlanta Braves’ Phil Niekro.