Randy Johnson pitches for the first time in two months, facing three Dodger batters in making his first regular-season relief appearance since he set a record with 16 strikeouts in completing a suspended game on July 18, 2001. Things don’t go as well this time, as he gives up two doubles, and the Giants are crushed by Los Angeles, 12 – 1. Combined with Colorado’s 10 – 4 defeat of the Diamondbacks, the Giants now trail the Rockies by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

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Randy Johnson pitches for the first time in two months, facing three Dodger batters in making his first regular-season relief appearance since he set a record with 16 strikeouts in completing a suspended game on July 18, 2001. Things don’t go as well this time, as he gives up two doubles, and the Giants are crushed by Los Angeles, 12 – 1. Combined with Colorado’s 10 – 4 defeat of the Diamondbacks, the Giants now trail the Rockies by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

In the only other playoff race that’s still up in the air, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6 – 2, thanks to their quirky ballpark. Trailing 2 – 1 in the 8th against Detroit ace Justin Verlander in one of the last-ever regular-season games to be played in the Metrodome, Orlando Cabrera hits a routine fly ball that LF Don Kelly loses against the roof and lets bounce for a double. Two batters later, Jason Kubel hits a two-run single as Minnesota rallies for five runs to win the game and reduce the Tigers’ lead in the AL Central to 2 games.

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In the only other playoff race that’s still up in the air, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6 – 2, thanks to their quirky ballpark. Trailing 2 – 1 in the 8th against Detroit ace Justin Verlander in one of the last-ever regular-season games to be played in the Metrodome, Orlando Cabrera hits a routine fly ball that LF Don Kelly loses against the roof and lets bounce for a double. Two batters later, Jason Kubel hits a two-run single as Minnesota rallies for five runs to win the game and reduce the Tigers’ lead in the AL Central to 2 games.

Peter Moylan pitches his 75th game of the season and still has not allowed a home run; this is a new record for most consecutive homerless outings to begin a season, breaking Chad Bradford’s two-year-old mark.

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Peter Moylan pitches his 75th game of the season and still has not allowed a home run; this is a new record for most consecutive homerless outings to begin a season, breaking Chad Bradford’s two-year-old mark.

Jorge de la Rosa, who started the season 0-6, pitches 8 scoreless innings as the Rockies beat San Francisco, 4 – 3. De la Rosa registers his 15th win in outpitching Matt Cain and prevents Colorado from being swept in the three-game series, but the Rockies’ bullpen makes the game more exciting than need be. Franklin Morales starts the 9th by giving up three singles and a run; Rafael Betancourt comes to his rescue, but an error, a stolen base and an RBI groundout bring the Giants within 90 feet of tying the game before Nate Schierholtz strikes out to end it. Colorado leads S.F. by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

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Jorge de la Rosa, who started the season 0-6, pitches 8 scoreless innings as the Rockies beat San Francisco, 4 – 3. De la Rosa registers his 15th win in outpitching Matt Cain and prevents Colorado from being swept in the three-game series, but the Rockies’ bullpen makes the game more exciting than need be. Franklin Morales starts the 9th by giving up three singles and a run; Rafael Betancourt comes to his rescue, but an error, a stolen base and an RBI groundout bring the Giants within 90 feet of tying the game before Nate Schierholtz strikes out to end it. Colorado leads S.F. by 3 1/2 games in the wild card race.

The Tigers pay tribute to 91 year-old Ernie Harwell, their long-time broadcaster (1960-2002), who recently revealed he has inoperable cancer. The third-inning ceremony during the 4-3 victory over Kansas City includes a three-minute video tribute followed by the Hall of Fame announcer thanking the admiring and supportive fans attending the game at Comerica Park.

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The Tigers pay tribute to 91 year-old Ernie Harwell, their long-time broadcaster (1960-2002), who recently revealed he has inoperable cancer. The third-inning ceremony during the 4-3 victory over Kansas City includes a three-minute video tribute followed by the Hall of Fame announcer thanking the admiring and supportive fans attending the game at Comerica Park.

Mark Reynolds strikes out four times to reach the 200 mark for the second consecutive year as his Diamondbacks lose, 6 – 5, in 10 innings to San Diego. Reynolds set the all-time record with 204 strikeouts last year, but that is now under threat. Justin Upton collects five hits for the losers.

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Mark Reynolds strikes out four times to reach the 200 mark for the second consecutive year as his Diamondbacks lose, 6 – 5, in 10 innings to San Diego. Reynolds set the all-time record with 204 strikeouts last year, but that is now under threat. Justin Upton collects five hits for the losers.

In Boston’s 4 – 1 win over the Angels, David Ortiz hits a home run, a record 270th as a designated hitter, breaking the mark held by Frank Thomas. Daisuke Matsuzaka, making his first start for the Red Sox after a three-month stay on the disabled list, pitches 6 scoreless innings for the win.

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In Boston’s 4 – 1 win over the Angels, David Ortiz hits a home run, a record 270th as a designated hitter, breaking the mark held by Frank Thomas. Daisuke Matsuzaka, making his first start for the Red Sox after a three-month stay on the disabled list, pitches 6 scoreless innings for the win.