Matt Williams pulls the hidden ball trick for the third time, nabbing rookie Jed Hansen

ByThis Day in Baseball

Matt Williams must have an honest face, because he pulls the hidden ball trick for the third time, nabbing rookie Jed Hansen, in the Indians’ 6 – 2 win over the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader. Williams uses the same ploy in all three instances. He asks the runner if he would step away from the bag so that he can brush off the dirt. The runners comply, and Williams slaps the tag on. The Royals win the opener, 10 – 3.

1997 – At San Francisco, Brian Johnson homers in the 12th inning to give the Giants a 6 – 5 win over the Dodgers and a tie for the lead in the National League West. Rod Beck gives up three singles in the 10th, but strikes out Todd Zeile and gets Eddie Murray on a double play.

ByBaseball

1997 – At San Francisco, Brian Johnson homers in the 12th inning to give the Giants a 6 – 5 win over the Dodgers and a tie for the lead in the National League West. Rod Beck gives up three singles in the 10th, but strikes out Todd Zeile and gets Eddie Murray on a double play.

In a game in which the Braves become the first franchise to clinch six consecutive postseason berths, the team establishes a new major league record for grand slams. In the first inning of a 10-2 rout over New York, Ryan Klesko blasts the club’s twelfth four-run homer of the season, surpassing the mark set last year by both the Orioles and Mariners.

ByBaseball

In a game in which the Braves become the first franchise to clinch six consecutive postseason berths, the team establishes a new major league record for grand slams. In the first inning of a 10-2 rout over New York, Ryan Klesko blasts the club’s twelfth four-run homer of the season, surpassing the mark set last year by both the Orioles and Mariners.

Mark McGwire blasts his 53rd homer, the most since 1961, to pace the Cards to a 12 – 9 win over the Cubs. Rod Myers serves up the gopher ball.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mark McGwire blasts his 53rd homer, the most since 1961, to pace the Cards to a 12 – 9 win over the Cubs. Rod Myers serves up the gopher ball.

Mo Vaughn responds to the boos of the crowd with a two-run home run in the 8th inning to lead Boston past Toronto, 4 – 3. Vaughn, who makes it 4 – 2 with the homer off Dan Plesac, is booed during introductions and during his first three at-bats in response to his earlier comments that he does not want to return to the Red Sox next season.

ByBaseball

Mo Vaughn responds to the boos of the crowd with a two-run home run in the 8th inning to lead Boston past Toronto, 4 – 3. Vaughn, who makes it 4 – 2 with the homer off Dan Plesac, is booed during introductions and during his first three at-bats in response to his earlier comments that he does not want to return to the Red Sox next season.

Ryan Klesko has four hits including a grand slam off Bobby Jones, to pace the Braves to a 10 – 2 win over the Mets. Jones faces eight batters, walking four and retiring none. Greg Maddux easily wins his 19th. Klesko’s slam gives the Braves 12 for the year, a new major league record. The Braves set another record as they become the first team to clinch six straight postseason appearances.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ryan Klesko has four hits including a grand slam off Bobby Jones, to pace the Braves to a 10 – 2 win over the Mets. Jones faces eight batters, walking four and retiring none. Greg Maddux easily wins his 19th. Klesko’s slam gives the Braves 12 for the year, a new major league record. The Braves set another record as they become the first team to clinch six straight postseason appearances.

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1997 – Jeff Bagwell launches his 40th homer of the season in a 15-3 laugher over San Diego. Sean Bergman is the victim. Bagwell’s blast comes in a six-run fourth that extends the lead to 13-1. Ramon Garcia benefits from the offensive support for his seventh win.

ByTom

1997 – Jeff Bagwell launches his 40th homer of the season in a 15-3 laugher over San Diego. Sean Bergman is the victim. Bagwell’s blast comes in a six-run fourth that extends the lead to 13-1. Ramon Garcia benefits from the offensive support for his seventh win.

At Wrigley Field, Kevin Tapani pitches a one-hitter for his first National League shutout and Sammy Sosa breaks a scoreless tie with a two-run, 6th-inning homer as Chicago beats Cincinnati, 5 – 0. Bret Boone’s leadoff single in the 6th is the only Reds hit.

ByBaseball

At Wrigley Field, Kevin Tapani pitches a one-hitter for his first National League shutout and Sammy Sosa breaks a scoreless tie with a two-run, 6th-inning homer as Chicago beats Cincinnati, 5 – 0. Bret Boone’s leadoff single in the 6th is the only Reds hit.

For the second straight day, the Giants lose on a home run, as the Braves win, 6 – 4. Eddie Perez’s grand slam in the 6th gives the Braves a major league record-tying 11 slams for the year.

ByBaseball

For the second straight day, the Giants lose on a home run, as the Braves win, 6 – 4. Eddie Perez’s grand slam in the 6th gives the Braves a major league record-tying 11 slams for the year.