Two teams who have not been used to playing .500 ball in recent years reach the mark today. The Nationals even their record with a 2 – 1 win over Seattle as John Lannan outduels Erik Bedard thanks to a pair of unearned runs. It is the latest the Nats have been at .500 since their inaugural season in Washington in 2005; they have reached the mark by going 10-1 over their last 11 games. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, the Pirates also reach the magic number as Kevin Correia picks up his 9th win, 5 – 4, over the Orioles, thanks to a costly error by the O’s Blake Davis in his major league debut. Brandon Wood and Michael McKenry both score when Josh Harrison’s 5th-inning ground ball with two outs passes between the second baseman’s legs. Closer Joel Hanrahan remains perfect for the season, registering his 20th save in as many opportunities. Pittsburgh has hovered around the .500 mark all year so far, in a bid to end an 18-year streak of losing seasons.

ByBaseball

Two teams who have not been used to playing .500 ball in recent years reach the mark today. The Nationals even their record with a 2 – 1 win over Seattle as John Lannan outduels Erik Bedard thanks to a pair of unearned runs. It is the latest the Nats have been at .500 since their inaugural season in Washington in 2005; they have reached the mark by going 10-1 over their last 11 games. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, the Pirates also reach the magic number as Kevin Correia picks up his 9th win, 5 – 4, over the Orioles, thanks to a costly error by the O’s Blake Davis in his major league debut. Brandon Wood and Michael McKenry both score when Josh Harrison’s 5th-inning ground ball with two outs passes between the second baseman’s legs. Closer Joel Hanrahan remains perfect for the season, registering his 20th save in as many opportunities. Pittsburgh has hovered around the .500 mark all year so far, in a bid to end an 18-year streak of losing seasons.

The Reds split a doubleheader with the Yankees as Chris Heisey hits three homers in the nitecap for a 10 – 2 win. Johnny Cueto is the winner against journeyman starter Brian Gordon. The Cincinnati leadoff hitter goes deep off Gordon in the first and fifth, and in the eighth frame connects off Hector Noesi in the Great American Ball Park. The Yanks win the opener, 4 – 2, when Jorge Posada, making a rare start at first base, hits a two-run homer, his first long ball since April 23rd

ByBaseball

The Reds split a doubleheader with the Yankees as Chris Heisey hits three homers in the nitecap for a 10 – 2 win. Johnny Cueto is the winner against journeyman starter Brian Gordon. The Cincinnati leadoff hitter goes deep off Gordon in the first and fifth, and in the eighth frame connects off Hector Noesi in the Great American Ball Park. The Yanks win the opener, 4 – 2, when Jorge Posada, making a rare start at first base, hits a two-run homer, his first long ball since April 23rd

The Marlins tie the franchise record for most losses in a month when they are beaten by the Angels in 10 innings, 6-5. The defeat is the team’s 20th out of 22 decisions in June.

ByTom

The Marlins tie the franchise record for most losses in a month when they are beaten by the Angels in 10 innings, 6-5. The defeat is the team’s 20th out of 22 decisions in June.

In the nightcap of a twin bill split with New York, Chris Heisey blasts three homers and drives in half of the Reds’ runs in the team’s 10-2 interleague rout of the Bronx Bombers. The Cincinnati leadoff hitter goes deep off Brian Gordon in the first and fifth, and in the eighth frame connects off Hector Noesi in the Great American Ball Park contest.

ByTom

In the nightcap of a twin bill split with New York, Chris Heisey blasts three homers and drives in half of the Reds’ runs in the team’s 10-2 interleague rout of the Bronx Bombers. The Cincinnati leadoff hitter goes deep off Brian Gordon in the first and fifth, and in the eighth frame connects off Hector Noesi in the Great American Ball Park contest.

The Phillies also have a big inning, scoring 9 runs in the 8th to defeat the Cardinals, in their first game without the injured Albert Pujols, 10 – 2. The Phils score all those runs in spite of not getting an extra-base hit all night, taking advantage of 9 walks issued by Cards pitchers. Reliever Michael Stutes is the beneficiary of the late scoring outburst, while Trever Miller is the loser in a rare decision for the lefty specialist.

ByBaseball

On June 21, 2011 The Phillies also have a big inning, scoring 9 runs in the 8th to defeat the Cardinals, in their first game without the injured Albert Pujols, 10 – 2. The Phils score all those runs in spite of not getting an extra-base hit all night, taking advantage of 9 walks issued by Cards pitchers. Reliever Michael Stutes is the…

The Twins start their game against the Giants on the right foot, as their first 8 batters get hits against Madison Bumgarner, tying a major league record, on their way to a 9 – 2 win. Ben Revere has two hits and two RBI in the frame. The Twins alternate four singles and four doubles and Bumgarner departs after one third of an inning, having given up 8 runs on 9 hits; his only reprieve comes when his opponent, Carl Pavano, comes to bat as the number 9 hitter and strikes out.

ByBaseball

On June 21, 2011 The Twins start their game against the Giants on the right foot, as their first 8 batters get hits against Madison Bumgarner, tying a major league record, on their way to a 9 – 2 win. Ben Revere has two hits and two RBI in the frame. The Twins alternate four singles and four doubles and Bumgarner departs…

Jack McKeon, becomes the second oldest manager in baseball history

ByThis Day in Baseball

Interested in exploring FRANCHISING? We will help you through your journey visit us @ www.franchisingconnection.com On June 20, Jack McKeon, who first managed in the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals in 1973, is back at the helm at age 80, taking over the Florida Marlins after the resignation of Edwin Rodriguez. This makes…

Tim Hudson pitches 8 scoreless innings and launches a rocket home run into the left field stands off Ricky Romero in the 7th inning to drive in both of his team’s runs as the Braves beat the Blue Jays, 2 – 0. Hudson retires 20 straight batters before Mike McCoy draws a walk to lead off the 9th and Yunel Escobar follows with an infield single. Craig Kimbrel then steps in to strike out the next three batters to end the game and earn his 20th save.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 20, Tim Hudson pitches 8 scoreless innings and launches a rocket home run into the left field stands off Ricky Romero in the 7th inning to drive in both of his team’s runs as the Braves beat the Blue Jays, 2 – 0. Hudson retires 20 straight batters before Mike McCoy draws a walk to lead off the 9th and Yunel Escobar follows…

Commissioner Bud Selig rejects a proposed television deal between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Fox Sports for “not being in the interests of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, the game of baseball and the millions of loyal fans of this historic club.” He adds that the deal “would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise to the long-term detriment of the club and its fans.” The rejection also invalidates the terms of the divorce settlement between owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie announced on June 17th. As McCourt is relying on the deal’s approval to meet immediate payroll demands and operating expenses, he risks falling into insolvency, which may prompt Major League Baseball to take over operation of the club in order to put it up for sale.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 20, Commissioner Bud Selig rejects a proposed television deal between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Fox Sports for “not being in the interests of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, the game of baseball and the millions of loyal fans of this historic club.” He adds that the deal “would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise…