The Monterrey Sultans top the Yucatan Lions in 7 games in the Mexican League finals. Monterrey wins the finale, 2 – 1, behind the pitching of Walter Silva. Karim Garcia scores both of the Sultans’ runs.
After walking the leadoff hitter John Buck in the ninth to spoil his perfect game, Scott Baker gets an out, then yields a single to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney two outs shy of a no-hitter. The Twins’ 25 year-old right-hander from Shreveport settles for a one-hitter, blanking the Royals at the Metrodome, 5-0.
The Chicago Cubs reacquire former hurler Steve Trachsel for the stretch run. They send Scott Moore and Rocky Cherry to the Baltimore Orioles in return for the veteran.
2007 – – It’s a milestone day for the Astros as Roy Oswalt celebrates his 30th birthday by blanking the Cardinals, 7-0. It’s also the first win for new manager Cecil Cooper, replacing the fired Phil Garner. Lance Berkman cracks three hits to pace the offense, including the 250th homer of his career, becoming the third Astro to reach that mark. Luke Scott also goes deep. Craig Biggio ties George Brett for fifth all-time with his 655th career double, his 3,042nd hit.
With Bobby Abreu at bat and Derek Jeter on second base during the bottom of the second inning at Yankee Stadium, visiting Red Sox manager Terry Francona is told to go to the dugout tunnel to show compliance with baseball’s dress code. The Boston skipper, who is known not to wear his uniform jersey underneath his pullover, is upset with the timing of ‘Shirtgate’ because the inspection takes place as the game is being played.
Atop of his right-field foul pole perch at Yankee Stadium, a not-so-shy squirrel watches the Bronx Bombers beat the Red Sox, 5-3. The bushy-tailed good luck charm has become a fan favorite, receiving standing ovations and cheers as he is shown on the scoreboard video screen scampering up and down on the pole.
In a thirty-nine page decision, U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl upholds a New York City law passed in April which bans the use of metal bats in high school baseball games. After Mayor Bloomberg’s veto was overturned by the City Council, legal action was begun by a coalition of bat manufacturers, the USA Baseball organization, various coaches, as well as some of the parents of the scholastic ballplayers.
Citing the need for a fresh start, Drayton McLane, owner of the last place Astros, fires skipper Phil Garner and GM Tim Purpura. Bench coach Cecil Cooper is named interim manager, with long-time team executive Tal Smith appointed as Houston’s general manager, also on an interim basis.
Jake Peavy becomes the Padres leader in career strikeouts when he punches out Orlando Hudson looking at an inside fastball in the first inning of a 3-1 San Diego victory over the Diamondbacks at Petco Park. The right-handed fireballer, who fans 11 in the game, moves past Andy Benes, who had struck out 1036 batters, pitching for the Friars from 1989 to 1995.
2007 – In what would be his last game as Astros manager, Phil Garner sees Houston rally for a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. It pulls the Astros .001 out of the division basement at 58-73. Ty Wigginton’s two-run homer in the eighth is the difference. The next day, Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura are fired. Garner finishes his Houston tenure with a 277-252 record that includes two LCS appearances and one National League pennant. Before the game, the Astros retire Jeff Bagwell’s number 5 in an emotional ceremony.
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