At Nationals Park, Mark Worrell becomes the eighth player in Cardinals history to hit a home run in his first big league at-bat. The rookie reliever, who also pitched two scoreless innings, hit his monstrous three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch from Washington’s Tim Redding in the sixth inning of a 10-9 St. Louis loss.

ByTom

At Nationals Park, Mark Worrell becomes the eighth player in Cardinals history to hit a home run in his first big league at-bat. The rookie reliever, who also pitched two scoreless innings, hit his monstrous three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch from Washington’s Tim Redding in the sixth inning of a 10-9 St. Louis loss.

At Fenway Park, Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp takes exception to being hit in the hip by Rays’ starter James Shields, and the Boston outfielder shows his displeasure by charging the mound, igniting a bench clearing brawl that will result in the ejections of the combatants along with Tampa Bay’s Jonny Gomes and the suspension of eight players. In yesterday’s game, Rays skipper Joe Maddon accused Crisp of intentionally trying to injure his second baseman Akinori Iwamura on a stolen base attempt.

ByTom

At Fenway Park, Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp takes exception to being hit in the hip by Rays’ starter James Shields, and the Boston outfielder shows his displeasure by charging the mound, igniting a bench clearing brawl that will result in the ejections of the combatants along with Tampa Bay’s Jonny Gomes and the suspension of eight players. In yesterday’s game, Rays skipper Joe Maddon accused Crisp of intentionally trying to injure his second baseman Akinori Iwamura on a stolen base attempt.

Chipper Jones hits his 400th career home run, becoming the third switch-hitter to reach this level. Eddie Murray and Mickey Mantle had reached the mark previously. Ricky Nolasco gives up the homer. Jones has a four-hit game to move his average to .418, the top mark in the majors at this point of the season. The Braves top the Marlins, 7 – 5.

ByTom

Chipper Jones hits his 400th career home run, becoming the third switch-hitter to reach this level. Eddie Murray and Mickey Mantle had reached the mark previously. Ricky Nolasco gives up the homer. Jones has a four-hit game to move his average to .418, the top mark in the majors at this point of the season. The Braves top the Marlins, 7 – 5.

The 2008 amateur draft is held. The Tampa Bay Rays, picking first overall for the third time in four years, select high school shortstop Tim Beckham. The Pittsburgh Pirates take Pedro Alvarez of Vanderbilt University second, the first college player taken. The first pitcher selected is Brian Matusz, going fourth, to the Orioles.

ByTom

The 2008 amateur draft is held. The Tampa Bay Rays, picking first overall for the third time in four years, select high school shortstop Tim Beckham. The Pittsburgh Pirates take Pedro Alvarez of Vanderbilt University second, the first college player taken. The first pitcher selected is Brian Matusz, going fourth, to the Orioles.

2008 – Joe Mauer drives in two runs on a sacrifice fly to become the first major leaguer to accomplish that since Alex Ochoa in 2001. Down 5 – 2 in the 5th against Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles, the Minnesota star flies to Adam Jones at the warning track. Nick Punto scores and after Jones falls while trying to throw, Carlos Gomez comes around from second base.

ByTom

2008 – Joe Mauer drives in two runs on a sacrifice fly to become the first major leaguer to accomplish that since Alex Ochoa in 2001. Down 5 – 2 in the 5th against Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles, the Minnesota star flies to Adam Jones at the warning track. Nick Punto scores and after Jones falls while trying to throw, Carlos Gomez comes around from second base.

Randy Johnson moves into second place on the all-time major league strikeout leaderboard. He strikes out 8 in 6 1/3 innings, most importantly getting Mike Cameron in the 1st to pass Roger Clemens for second place with 4,673. The 44-year-old “Big Unit” trails only Nolan Ryan but will not catch him.

ByBaseball

Randy Johnson moves into second place on the all-time major league strikeout leaderboard. He strikes out 8 in 6 1/3 innings, most importantly getting Mike Cameron in the 1st to pass Roger Clemens for second place with 4,673. The 44-year-old “Big Unit” trails only Nolan Ryan but will not catch him.

Mike Lieberthal, signing a one-day contract for a mere four dollars, can retire happily as a member of the Phillies. The team’s popular former backstop, who spent the first 13 of his 14 major league seasons with Philadelphia, throws out the ceremonial first pitch, receiving a loud cheer from the large crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

ByTom

Mike Lieberthal, signing a one-day contract for a mere four dollars, can retire happily as a member of the Phillies. The team’s popular former backstop, who spent the first 13 of his 14 major league seasons with Philadelphia, throws out the ceremonial first pitch, receiving a loud cheer from the large crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

The Pirates top the Cards, 14 – 4, thanks to a grand slam by Luis Rivas and fine pitching from Paul Maholm. It is Tony LaRussa’s 2,000th game as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, passing Red Schoendienst for first in franchise history.

ByBaseball

The Pirates top the Cards, 14 – 4, thanks to a grand slam by Luis Rivas and fine pitching from Paul Maholm. It is Tony LaRussa’s 2,000th game as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, passing Red Schoendienst for first in franchise history.

In a rare big-name match-up in A ball, the Vero Beach Devil Rays beat the St. Lucie Mets, 2 – 0. Pedro Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner on a rehab start, allows two runs in six innings to take the loss. The win goes to David Price, the top pick of the 2008 amateur draft, making his second pro start. Price allows two hits and no walks in six shutout frames, fanning nine. Martinez says: “He’s amazing, that kid.” The two will be pitching in the World Series at the end of the year.

ByBaseball

In a rare big-name match-up in A ball, the Vero Beach Devil Rays beat the St. Lucie Mets, 2 – 0. Pedro Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner on a rehab start, allows two runs in six innings to take the loss. The win goes to David Price, the top pick of the 2008 amateur draft, making his second pro start. Price allows two hits and no walks in six shutout frames, fanning nine. Martinez says: “He’s amazing, that kid.” The two will be pitching in the World Series at the end of the year.