John Lackey and rookie Brett Anderson are locked in a scoreless pitching duel for 9 innings before a solo homer by Bobby Abreu in the 10th inning wins the game for the Angels, 1 – 0, over the A’s. Abreu had earlier broken Anderson’s bid for a perfect game in the 7th.

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John Lackey and rookie Brett Anderson are locked in a scoreless pitching duel for 9 innings before a solo homer by Bobby Abreu in the 10th inning wins the game for the Angels, 1 – 0, over the A’s. Abreu had earlier broken Anderson’s bid for a perfect game in the 7th.

The Brewers, absent injured 2B Rickie Weeks, acquire Felipe López from the Diamondbacks to strengthen their lineup. Arizona gets Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes in return.

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The Brewers, absent injured 2B Rickie Weeks, acquire Felipe López from the Diamondbacks to strengthen their lineup. Arizona gets Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes in return.

In the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, ground is broken for the Marlins’ long-awaited retractable-roof ballpark, scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2012. The ceremony, attended by about 5,000 fans, includes Charlie Hough throwing a ceremonial pitch to Benito Santiago, the battery who threw and caught the first pitch in franchise history in 1993. The Fish’s scheduled game with the Philadelphia Phillies is then rained out, demonstrating that the planned retractable roof on the new park is an excellent idea.

ByTom

In the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, ground is broken for the Marlins’ long-awaited retractable-roof ballpark, scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2012. The ceremony, attended by about 5,000 fans, includes Charlie Hough throwing a ceremonial pitch to Benito Santiago, the battery who threw and caught the first pitch in franchise history in 1993. The Fish’s scheduled game with the Philadelphia Phillies is then rained out, demonstrating that the planned retractable roof on the new park is an excellent idea.

SS Julio Lugo is designated for assignment by the Red Sox as Jed Lowrie is about to come off the disabled list. It’s a costly move, since Lugo has a year and a half left on a four-year, $36-million dollar contract.

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SS Julio Lugo is designated for assignment by the Red Sox as Jed Lowrie is about to come off the disabled list. It’s a costly move, since Lugo has a year and a half left on a four-year, $36-million dollar contract.

Ryan Howard, playing in his 658th game, becomes the fastest player to hit 200 home runs when he goes deep off Chris Volstad with his solo shot in the sixth inning in the team’s 4-0 victory in Miami. The previous mark was held by Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner, who played in 48 more contests than the 29 year-old Phillies first baseman to reach the plateau.

ByTom

Ryan Howard, playing in his 658th game, becomes the fastest player to hit 200 home runs when he goes deep off Chris Volstad with his solo shot in the sixth inning in the team’s 4-0 victory in Miami. The previous mark was held by Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner, who played in 48 more contests than the 29 year-old Phillies first baseman to reach the plateau.

The Phillies do it with the long ball in beating Florida, 4 – 0. Raul Ibanez homers twice and Ryan Howard once. For Howard, it is the 200th home run of his career, in his 658th game; he is fastest to reach that mark, beating Ralph Kiner who took 706 games to hit 200 dingers. Jamie Moyer allows one hit over seven innings for the win.

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The Phillies do it with the long ball in beating Florida, 4 – 0. Raul Ibanez homers twice and Ryan Howard once. For Howard, it is the 200th home run of his career, in his 658th game; he is fastest to reach that mark, beating Ralph Kiner who took 706 games to hit 200 dingers. Jamie Moyer allows one hit over seven innings for the win.

Barack Obama, clad in his White Sox jacket, becomes the first Commander-in-Chief to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Midsummer Classic since Gerald Ford tossed the ball at the beginning of the 1976 contest. After warming up in the White House Rose Garden prior to arriving at Busch Stadium, the 44th president’s pitch barely reaches the plate, but doesn’t bounce, thanks to the efforts of Cardinals’ hometown hero Albert Pujols, who moves up from home and reaches out to scoop the low throw.

ByTom

Barack Obama, clad in his White Sox jacket, becomes the first Commander-in-Chief to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Midsummer Classic since Gerald Ford tossed the ball at the beginning of the 1976 contest. After warming up in the White House Rose Garden prior to arriving at Busch Stadium, the 44th president’s pitch barely reaches the plate, but doesn’t bounce, thanks to the efforts of Cardinals’ hometown hero Albert Pujols, who moves up from home and reaches out to scoop the low throw.

The American League runs its unbeaten streak to 13 games (12 wins and a tie) by defeating the National League, 4 – 3, in the 80th All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The win enables the AL to finish the 2000s without losing any All-Star Game (9-0-1) in the decade, the first time either league has ever accomplished this feat. Carl Crawford of the Rays earns MVP honors by climbing over the left field fence to deprive Brad Hawpe of a home run in the 7th inning.

ByBaseball

The American League runs its unbeaten streak to 13 games (12 wins and a tie) by defeating the National League, 4 – 3, in the 80th All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The win enables the AL to finish the 2000s without losing any All-Star Game (9-0-1) in the decade, the first time either league has ever accomplished this feat. Carl Crawford of the Rays earns MVP honors by climbing over the left field fence to deprive Brad Hawpe of a home run in the 7th inning.

The Washington Nationals, owners of the worst record in the major leagues, fire manager Manny Acta. Bench coach Jim Riggleman takes over on an interim basis.

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The Washington Nationals, owners of the worst record in the major leagues, fire manager Manny Acta. Bench coach Jim Riggleman takes over on an interim basis.