The Giants get one of the top players available at the trading deadline, Mets All-Star CF Carlos Beltran, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Giants send top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to New York, but the Mets will be responsible for a significant portion of Beltran’s remaining salary.

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The Giants get one of the top players available at the trading deadline, Mets All-Star CF Carlos Beltran, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Giants send top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to New York, but the Mets will be responsible for a significant portion of Beltran’s remaining salary.

For the second straight season, the Cardinals trade a starting outfielder near the trading deadline in an effort to secure more pitching when they trade center fielder Colby Rasmus, along with relievers Trever Miller and Brian Tallet, to the Blue Jays in exchange for Edwin Jackson (acquired from the White Sox a few hours earlier) and relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski. Last year, the Redbirds dealt right fielder Ryan Ludwick to San Diego in a three-team deal that brought Indian starter Jake Westbrook to St. Louis.

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For the second straight season, the Cardinals trade a starting outfielder near the trading deadline in an effort to secure more pitching when they trade center fielder Colby Rasmus, along with relievers Trever Miller and Brian Tallet, to the Blue Jays in exchange for Edwin Jackson (acquired from the White Sox a few hours earlier) and relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski. Last year, the Redbirds dealt right fielder Ryan Ludwick to San Diego in a three-team deal that brought Indian starter Jake Westbrook to St. Louis.

Ervin Santana, facing only two hitters over the minimum, no-hits the Indians at Progressive Field, 3-1

Ervin Santana, facing only two hitters over the minimum, no-hits the Indians at Progressive Field, 3-1

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ervin Santana, facing only two hitters over the minimum, no-hits against the hometown Indians at Progressive Field, 3-1. The Tribe’s only run against the Angels’ right-hander is the result of a first-inning wild pitch run following an error by shortstop Erick Aybar.

The Braves beat the Pirates, 4 – 3, in 19 innings in a game that ends on a very controversial play. After 6 hours and 39 minutes of play at Turner Field, Braves P Scott Proctor grounds to Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez; Julio Lugotakes off from third base and Alvarez’s throw to C Michael McKenry easily beats him to the plate, however umpire Jerry Meals calls him safe with the winning run. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle argues vociferously, and even though television replays show that Lugo was tagged out, the run is allowed to stand. Daniel McCutchen is the unlucky loser, in spite of giving up only that run in 5 1/3 innings as neither team scores after the 3rd inning until the deciding run. It is the longest game by time in both teams’ history. Immediately after the game, the Pirates launch a formal complaint about the disputed call to the Commissioner’s office. Tomorrow, both Meals and MLB Vice-President Joe Torre will acknowledge that the call was wrong, but that it will not be reversed. The tough loss marks the beginning of the end for the Bucs, who have been playing above .500 and battling for first place in the NL Central: on July 29th, they will start an 11-game losing streak and tumble well out of contention.

ByBaseball

The Braves beat the Pirates, 4 – 3, in 19 innings in a game that ends on a very controversial play. After 6 hours and 39 minutes of play at Turner Field, Braves P Scott Proctor grounds to Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez; Julio Lugotakes off from third base and Alvarez’s throw to C Michael McKenry easily beats him to the plate, however umpire Jerry Meals calls him safe with the winning run. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle argues vociferously, and even though television replays show that Lugo was tagged out, the run is allowed to stand. Daniel McCutchen is the unlucky loser, in spite of giving up only that run in 5 1/3 innings as neither team scores after the 3rd inning until the deciding run. It is the longest game by time in both teams’ history. Immediately after the game, the Pirates launch a formal complaint about the disputed call to the Commissioner’s office. Tomorrow, both Meals and MLB Vice-President Joe Torre will acknowledge that the call was wrong, but that it will not be reversed. The tough loss marks the beginning of the end for the Bucs, who have been playing above .500 and battling for first place in the NL Central: on July 29th, they will start an 11-game losing streak and tumble well out of contention.

The Reds trade LF Jonny Gomes to Washington for two minor leaguers, P Chris Manno and OF Bill Rhinehart. The move opens a spot in the line-up for top prospect Yonder Alonso.

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The Reds trade LF Jonny Gomes to Washington for two minor leaguers, P Chris Manno and OF Bill Rhinehart. The move opens a spot in the line-up for top prospect Yonder Alonso.

Two players extend their hitting streaks into interesting territory today. Emilio Bonifacio of the Marlins reaches 24 games with a single off Jordan Zimmermann in his team’s 11 – 2 win at Washington, and Boston’s newly clean-shaven Dustin Pedroia extends his streak to 23 games with a 4-for-5 night against the Royals as the Red Sox come out on top in a slugfest, 13 – 9.

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Two players extend their hitting streaks into interesting territory today. Emilio Bonifacio of the Marlins reaches 24 games with a single off Jordan Zimmermann in his team’s 11 – 2 win at Washington, and Boston’s newly clean-shaven Dustin Pedroia extends his streak to 23 games with a 4-for-5 night against the Royals as the Red Sox come out on top in a slugfest, 13 – 9.

Justin Germano throws the 5th perfect game in the history of the International League. Germano pitches the gem for the Columbus Clippers against the Syracuse Chiefs.

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Justin Germano throws the 5th perfect game in the history of the International League. Germano pitches the gem for the Columbus Clippers against the Syracuse Chiefs.

One day after being shut out at home on four singles by Brett Cecil, the Rangers explode for 27 hits in a 20 – 6 drubbing of the Minnesota Twins. They score at least three runs in each of the first five innings, a scoring feat only accomplished two other times since 1900, to cruise to the highest run total in the American League this year. Lead-off hitter Ian Kinsler drives in 5 runs for Texas, while All-Star RF Michael Cuddyer of the Twins moves to the mound in the 8th inning and escapes without allowing a run after loading the bases.

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One day after being shut out at home on four singles by Brett Cecil, the Rangers explode for 27 hits in a 20 – 6 drubbing of the Minnesota Twins. They score at least three runs in each of the first five innings, a scoring feat only accomplished two other times since 1900, to cruise to the highest run total in the American League this year. Lead-off hitter Ian Kinsler drives in 5 runs for Texas, while All-Star RF Michael Cuddyer of the Twins moves to the mound in the 8th inning and escapes without allowing a run after loading the bases.

The Yankees extend the Mariners’ franchise-worst losing streak to 16 games with a 10 – 3 win in New York. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira homer and have three RBI each.

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The Yankees extend the Mariners’ franchise-worst losing streak to 16 games with a 10 – 3 win in New York. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira homer and have three RBI each.