Francisco Cordero blows his third consecutive chance to save a game when the A’s tie the game 4-4 in the ninth and then score two in the next frame to beat the Rangers, 6-4. The Dominican closer’s fifth blown save establishes a big league mark for the first month of the season and overshadows the sixth straight game that the Ranger outfielder Kevin Mench has homered, a grand slam that sets a team record.

ByTom

Francisco Cordero blows his third consecutive chance to save a game when the A’s tie the game 4-4 in the ninth and then score two in the next frame to beat the Rangers, 6-4. The Dominican closer’s fifth blown save establishes a big league mark for the first month of the season and overshadows the sixth straight game that the Ranger outfielder Kevin Mench has homered, a grand slam that sets a team record.

Mike Piazza hits his 400th career home run in San Diego’s 3 – 2 loss to Arizona at PETCO Park. Piazza is the 41st player in major league history to reach the 400-homer plateau, and one of nine active players to do it.

ByTom

Mike Piazza hits his 400th career home run in San Diego’s 3 – 2 loss to Arizona at PETCO Park. Piazza is the 41st player in major league history to reach the 400-homer plateau, and one of nine active players to do it.

Kevin Mench sets a Texas Rangers record by homering in his sixth straight game, a 6 – 4, 10-inning loss to Oakland. Mench’s grand slam in the 4th inning is his second during the streak and the third of his career. He has 20 RBI this season, all in the last seven games.

ByTom

Kevin Mench sets a Texas Rangers record by homering in his sixth straight game, a 6 – 4, 10-inning loss to Oakland. Mench’s grand slam in the 4th inning is his second during the streak and the third of his career. He has 20 RBI this season, all in the last seven games.

Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds strikes out eight over eight innings of one-hit ball to earn his fourth win, a 5 – 0 shutout of Washington.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds strikes out eight over eight innings of one-hit ball to earn his fourth win, a 5 – 0 shutout of Washington.

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Taylor Buchholz gets his first big league win and The Astros’ all-time franchise record climbs above .500 for the first time since early 1962. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2006 – Taylor Buchholz gets his first big league win, blanking the Pirates, 3-0. Buchholz has a one-hitter with one out to go before an error and a single causes Manager Phil Garner to bring Brad Lidge in to get the final out. Craig Biggio scores all three runs using a single, a double and a homer. The Astros’ all-time franchise record climbs above .500 for the first time since early 1962. 

At Rogers Centre, Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox hits two home runs in the 12-inning, 7 – 6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Ramirez’s first homer is his 200th with the Red Sox and 436th for his career. He also hit 236 homers with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the fourth major leaguer to hit 200 homers with two different teams, after Jimmie Foxx, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro.

ByTom

At Rogers Centre, Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox hits two home runs in the 12-inning, 7 – 6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Ramirez’s first homer is his 200th with the Red Sox and 436th for his career. He also hit 236 homers with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the fourth major leaguer to hit 200 homers with two different teams, after Jimmie Foxx, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro.

Alfonso Soriano hits three home runs and matches his career high with five RBI to lead the Washington Nationals to a 7 – 3 victory over John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Alfonso Soriano hits three home runs and matches his career high with five RBI to lead the Washington Nationals to a 7 – 3 victory over John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.