16-year-old Italian shortstop Marten Gasparini signs with the Kansas City Royals, with a $1.3 million bonus. It marks a new record for a signing bonus for a European amateur, topping the $800,000 German outfielder Max Kepler got from the Minnesota Twins.

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On July 2, 2013 16-year-old Italian shortstop Marten Gasparini signs with the Kansas City Royals, with a $1.3 million bonus. It marks a new record for a signing bonus for a European amateur, topping the $800,000 German outfielder Max Kepler got from the Minnesota Twins.   Source: Baseball Reference July 2

Andy Pettitte passes Whitey Ford for the most strikeouts in New York Yankees history when he records his 1,957th in the Yankees’ 10 – 4 win over the Twins. The win goes to reliever Joba Chamberlain, his first of the year, as he benefits from a three-run outburst off reliever Jared Burton in the 8th. The Yankees then add four runs in the top of the 9th as they end a five-game losing streak.

ByTom

Andy Pettitte passes Whitey Ford for the most strikeouts in New York Yankees history when he records his 1,957th in the Yankees’ 10 – 4 win over the Twins. The win goes to reliever Joba Chamberlain, his first of the year, as he benefits from a three-run outburst off reliever Jared Burton in the 8th. The Yankees then add four runs in the top of the 9th as they end a five-game losing streak.

Bryce Harper homers in his first game back with the Nationals after missing over a month following a collision with an outfield fence in which he hurt his knee. The Nats defeat the Brewers, 10 – 5.

ByTom

Bryce Harper homers in his first game back with the Nationals after missing over a month following a collision with an outfield fence in which he hurt his knee. The Nats defeat the Brewers, 10 – 5.

After a 14-inning marathon further lengthened by a two-hour-and-twenty-minute rain delay, the Pirates defeat the Brewers, 2 – 1, for their 9th straight win. Both starting pitchers have to leave after the 2nd-inning thunderstorm, but relievers Tyler Thornburg for Milwaukee and Vin Mazzaro for Pittsburgh are both outstanding, the latter retiring all 15 batters he faces in order. Trailing 1 – 0, the Bucs tie the game on a pair of hits off Jim Henderson in the 8th and Russell Martin finally ends the game with a pinch-hit single off Francisco Rodriguez in the bottom of the 14th.

ByTom

After a 14-inning marathon further lengthened by a two-hour-and-twenty-minute rain delay, the Pirates defeat the Brewers, 2 – 1, for their 9th straight win. Both starting pitchers have to leave after the 2nd-inning thunderstorm, but relievers Tyler Thornburg for Milwaukee and Vin Mazzaro for Pittsburgh are both outstanding, the latter retiring all 15 batters he faces in order. Trailing 1 – 0, the Bucs tie the game on a pair of hits off Jim Henderson in the 8th and Russell Martin finally ends the game with a pinch-hit single off Francisco Rodriguez in the bottom of the 14th.

Eddie Gamboa throws a seven-inning no-hitter for the Bowie BaySox against the Harrisburg Senators in the first game of a doubleheader in the Eastern League. A week ago, Gamboa, who began throwing the knuckleballonly this year, had taken a no-hitter into the 8th inning of a game against Altoona.

ByTom

Eddie Gamboa throws a seven-inning no-hitter for the Bowie BaySox against the Harrisburg Senators in the first game of a doubleheader in the Eastern League. A week ago, Gamboa, who began throwing the knuckleballonly this year, had taken a no-hitter into the 8th inning of a game against Altoona.

On the day of Seattle’s 39th annual Pride Parade, the Mariners become the first major league team to fly a rainbow gay pride flag. The move comes a few days after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

ByTom

On the day of Seattle’s 39th annual Pride Parade, the Mariners become the first major league team to fly a rainbow gay pride flag. The move comes a few days after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

“When it comes to compassion, the Rays are batting .000.” – DELCIANNA WINDERS, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the PETA Foundation. Miguel Cabrera, joining Luis Gonzalez of the Dodgers, becomes only the second player to hit a homer into the 10,000-gallon touch tank at Tropicana Field. The Tigers slugger’s round-tripper draws the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who, in a written letter to the Rays’ organization, requests the team to allow the 30 or more captive cownose rays be returned to their natural habitat because the animals are subject to harassment, loud crowds, and at the risk of being injured by baseballs.

ByTom

“When it comes to compassion, the Rays are batting .000.” – DELCIANNA WINDERS, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the PETA Foundation. Miguel Cabrera, joining Luis Gonzalez of the Dodgers, becomes only the second player to hit a homer into the 10,000-gallon touch tank at Tropicana Field. The Tigers slugger’s round-tripper draws the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who, in a written letter to the Rays’ organization, requests the team to allow the 30 or more captive cownose rays be returned to their natural habitat because the animals are subject to harassment, loud crowds, and at the risk of being injured by baseballs.

Chris Davis hits a pair of homers, including his major league-leading 30th, to lead the Orioles to an 11 – 3 win over the Yankees. Davis’s 5 RBI give him 79, just 6 shy of his career high for a season.

ByTom

Chris Davis hits a pair of homers, including his major league-leading 30th, to lead the Orioles to an 11 – 3 win over the Yankees. Davis’s 5 RBI give him 79, just 6 shy of his career high for a season.

The Phillies end a six-game winning streak by the Dodgers with a 16 – 1 shellacking. Delmon Young has a career-high 6 RBI and John Lannan wins his first game for the team. For the Dodgers, it’s their biggest losing margin since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

ByBaseball

The Phillies end a six-game winning streak by the Dodgers with a 16 – 1 shellacking. Delmon Young has a career-high 6 RBI and John Lannan wins his first game for the team. For the Dodgers, it’s their biggest losing margin since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

Pitcher Steven Matz has a great debut as he goes 3 for 3 at the plate and pitches into the 8th inning to lead the Mets to a 7 – 2 win over the Reds, completing a doubleheader sweep. He becomes the first pitcher to drive in 4 runs in his debut, settling down after allowing a home run to the first batter he faces, Brandon Phillips.

ByBaseball

Pitcher Steven Matz has a great debut as he goes 3 for 3 at the plate and pitches into the 8th inning to lead the Mets to a 7 – 2 win over the Reds, completing a doubleheader sweep. He becomes the first pitcher to drive in 4 runs in his debut, settling down after allowing a home run to the first batter he faces, Brandon Phillips.