In a surprise trading-deadline deal, the Reds send future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox in exchange for right-hander Nick Masset and minor league infield prospect Danny Richar. The All-Star outfielder, who had to approve the move to Chicago, is completing his final season of a nine-year contract and didn’t expect Cincinnati to pick up the $16.5 million club option for 2009.

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In a surprise trading-deadline deal, the Reds send future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox in exchange for right-hander Nick Masset and minor league infield prospect Danny Richar. The All-Star outfielder, who had to approve the move to Chicago, is completing his final season of a nine-year contract and didn’t expect Cincinnati to pick up the $16.5 million club option for 2009.

In a three-team swap, Boston finally accomplishes the much-anticipated departure of Manny Ramirez from Beantown, trading the unhappy outfielder to the Dodgers. Former Pirates player Jason Bay will now roam left field for the Red Sox, with Pittsburgh receiving outfielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Craig Hansen from Boston as well as getting third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-hander Bryan Morris from Los Angeles to complete the last-minute trading deadline deal.

ByBaseball

In a three-team swap, Boston finally accomplishes the much-anticipated departure of Manny Ramirez from Beantown, trading the unhappy outfielder to the Dodgers. Former Pirates player Jason Bay will now roam left field for the Red Sox, with Pittsburgh receiving outfielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Craig Hansen from Boston as well as getting third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-hander Bryan Morris from Los Angeles to complete the last-minute trading deadline deal.

The Indians lose, 14 – 12, to the Tigers in Detroit’s first game without Rodriguez, an 11-inning affair. The star catcher is Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppach, who ties the major league record with 5 extra-base hits in the game. Shoppach doubles three times, homers twice, walks once and is retired once; he scores four and drives in three.

ByBaseball

The Indians lose, 14 – 12, to the Tigers in Detroit’s first game without Rodriguez, an 11-inning affair. The star catcher is Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppach, who ties the major league record with 5 extra-base hits in the game. Shoppach doubles three times, homers twice, walks once and is retired once; he scores four and drives in three.

The Yankees, in need of a catcher due to Jorge Posada’s season-ending surgery, obtain 13-time Gold Glove winner Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for reliever Kyle Farnsworth. The 36 year-old All-Star backstop waives his no-trade clause to go to New York, which completes the deal a day before the trading deadline.

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The Yankees, in need of a catcher due to Jorge Posada’s season-ending surgery, obtain 13-time Gold Glove winner Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for reliever Kyle Farnsworth. The 36 year-old All-Star backstop waives his no-trade clause to go to New York, which completes the deal a day before the trading deadline.

The Royals, with a 4-3 victory at McAfee Coliseum, sweep the A’s in Oakland for the first time in two decades. The last time Kansas City broke out the broom in O-town was in June of 1988.

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The Royals, with a 4-3 victory at McAfee Coliseum, sweep the A’s in Oakland for the first time in two decades. The last time Kansas City broke out the broom in O-town was in June of 1988.

In a 4-1 win over the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium, Mets third baseman David Wright scores in his 13th consecutive game, establishing a new franchise record. Teammate Carlos Beltran had set the previous team mark in 2006.

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In a 4-1 win over the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium, Mets third baseman David Wright scores in his 13th consecutive game, establishing a new franchise record. Teammate Carlos Beltran had set the previous team mark in 2006.

In a surprising pre-deadline trade, the banged-up Braves, and the first-place Angels exchange first basemen, with switch-hitting slugger Mark Teixeira being sent to Los Angeles with Casey Kotchman and minor league pitching prospect Steve Marek going to Atlanta. Teixeira, acquired from Texas last July in a seven-player deal which included Jarrod Saltalamacchia, is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

ByBaseball

In a surprising pre-deadline trade, the banged-up Braves, and the first-place Angels exchange first basemen, with switch-hitting slugger Mark Teixeira being sent to Los Angeles with Casey Kotchman and minor league pitching prospect Steve Marek going to Atlanta. Teixeira, acquired from Texas last July in a seven-player deal which included Jarrod Saltalamacchia, is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

With a tip of his helmet for the ovation from the Rangers fans, Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges his achievement of reaching 3,000 hits in professional baseball. The 34 year-old Mariners outfielder had collected 1,278 hits with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League, and his first-inning single off Texas right-hander Luis Mendoza was his 1,722nd hit with Seattle during eight seasons with the team.

ByBaseball

With a tip of his helmet for the ovation from the Rangers fans, Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges his achievement of reaching 3,000 hits in professional baseball. The 34 year-old Mariners outfielder had collected 1,278 hits with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League, and his first-inning single off Texas right-hander Luis Mendoza was his 1,722nd hit with Seattle during eight seasons with the team.

With a tip of his helmet for the ovation from the Rangers fans, Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges his achievement of reaching 3,000 hits in professional baseball. The 34 year-old Mariners outfielder had collected 1,278 hits with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League, and his first-inning single off Texas right-hander Luis Mendoza was his 1,722nd hit with Seattle during eight seasons with the team.

ByTom

With a tip of his helmet for the ovation from the Rangers fans, Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges his achievement of reaching 3,000 hits in professional baseball. The 34 year-old Mariners outfielder had collected 1,278 hits with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League, and his first-inning single off Texas right-hander Luis Mendoza was his 1,722nd hit with Seattle during eight seasons with the team.

The Angels, with the top record in baseball, defeat one of baseball’s best pitchers, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who entered the game with a record of 11-1, 7 – 5 over Boston. Home runs by Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter are the big blows. In a losing cause, Manny Ramirez homers for the 20th time this season and becomes the 8th player in history with 14 straight 20-homer seasons. Three days from now, Ramirez will be traded.

ByBaseball

The Angels, with the top record in baseball, defeat one of baseball’s best pitchers, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who entered the game with a record of 11-1, 7 – 5 over Boston. Home runs by Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter are the big blows. In a losing cause, Manny Ramirez homers for the 20th time this season and becomes the 8th player in history with 14 straight 20-homer seasons. Three days from now, Ramirez will be traded.