Ken Griffey sets record with 13th homerun in April
Ken Griffey sets record with 13th homerun in April
Seven Astros have multi-hit performances in an 11-7 thrashing at San Diego. Bill Spiers, Jeff Bagwell, Thomas Howard and Brad Ausmus have three-hit games in the 18-hit attack.
1997 – Seven Astros have multi-hit performances in an 11-7 thrashing at San Diego. Bill Spiers, Jeff Bagwell, Thomas Howard and Brad Ausmus have three-hit games in the 18-hit attack.
After four months of on-and-off negotiations, the New York Yankees acquire the rights to Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu from the San Diego Padres for $3 million. Irabu’s team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, gave the Padres exclusive rights to the 27-year-old righthander, but Irabu refused to sign with them, saying he would only go to the Yankees.
After four months of on-and-off negotiations, the New York Yankees acquire the rights to Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu from the San Diego Padres for $3 million. Irabu’s team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, gave the Padres exclusive rights to the 27-year-old righthander, but Irabu refused to sign with them, saying he would only go to the Yankees.
Cubs stop losing streak at 14 straight
The Chicago Cubs stop their season-opening losing streak at 14 games, rallying in the 6th inning to beat the New York Mets, 4 – 3, in the second game of a doubleheader. The Mets won the opener 8 – 2. Chicago’s 0-14 start sets a National League record and is the second worst behind the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who began 0-21.
Mark McGwire becomes the fourth major leaguer to hit a home run over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium
Mark McGwire becomes the fourth major leaguer to hit a home run over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium. The Athletics first baseman joins Harmon Killebrew (1962), Frank Howard (1968), and Cecil Fielder (1990) as the only players to accomplish the feat.
Craig Biggio blasts two homers to topple Los Angeles
1997 – Craig Biggio blasts two homers to topple Los Angeles, 3-1, at Dodger Stadium. His solo shot off Ismael Valdes stakes the Astros to an early lead but Raul Mondesi ties the game with a blast off Chris Holt. After Tim Bogar doubles, Biggio takes Tom Candiotti deep in the eighth for the game-winner.
Aloha – Cards and Padres play first game in Hawaii
On April 19, 1997, a major league game is played in Hawaii for the first time. The St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres play a doubleheader at Aloha Stadium, with the Cardinals winning both games, 1-0 and 2-1.
At Shea Stadium, the Cubs lose their 13th consecutive game to match the longest losing streak in the franchise’s 122-year history. Reliever Turk Wendell, wearing #13, is tagged with the loss when Chicago is defeated by New York, 6-3.
At Shea Stadium, the Cubs lose their 13th consecutive game to match the longest losing streak in the franchise’s 122-year history. Reliever Turk Wendell, wearing #13, is tagged with the loss when Chicago is defeated by New York, 6-3.
Roger Pavlik of the Rangers becomes the first starting pitcher in the American League to begin a game by walking the first four batters. The Blue Jays take advantage of the All-Star hurler’s wildness by scoring five runs in the frame en route to a 6-5 victory at the Ballpark in Arlington.
Roger Pavlik of the Rangers becomes the first starting pitcher in the American League to begin a game by walking the first four batters. The Blue Jays take advantage of the All-Star hurler’s wildness by scoring five runs in the frame en route to a 6-5 victory at the Ballpark in Arlington.
The Chicago Cubs set the mark for worst start in National League history, making three more errors as they extend their losing streak to 12 with a 4 – 0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Chicago broke the modern NL record of 0-10 set by the 1988 Atlanta Braves and the overall record of 0-11 by the 1884 Detroit Wolverines.
The Chicago Cubs set the mark for worst start in National League history, making three more errors as they extend their losing streak to 12 with a 4 – 0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Chicago broke the modern NL record of 0-10 set by the 1988 Atlanta Braves and the overall record of 0-11 by the 1884 Detroit Wolverines.
