Having already matched Roger Clemens’ 1997 feat of winning his first 11 decisions of the season, the Tigers’ Max Scherzer becomes the first pitcher since “Rocket Roger” in 1986 to roll off 12 straight wins at the start of the year. Scherzer defeats the Rays, 6 – 3, although he is still two wins shy of Roger, who began his breakout season with 14 straight W’s. In support of Scherzer’s pitching, Miguel Cabrera has a four-hit game, including a pair of homers against Alex Colome.

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Having already matched Roger Clemens’ 1997 feat of winning his first 11 decisions of the season, the Tigers’ Max Scherzer becomes the first pitcher since “Rocket Roger” in 1986 to roll off 12 straight wins at the start of the year. Scherzer defeats the Rays, 6 – 3, although he is still two wins shy of Roger, who began his breakout season with 14 straight W’s. In support of Scherzer’s pitching, Miguel Cabrera has a four-hit game, including a pair of homers against Alex Colome.

Japan’s players union calls for the resignation of Nippon Pro Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato following revelations that Kato introduced a new baseball without discussing with or notifying players. The new livelier ball has resulted in a sharp increase in home runs. Kato’s claim that he did not know the ball was changed does little to give anyone confidence in his leadership.

ByBaseball

On June 27, 2013 Japan’s players union calls for the resignation of Nippon Pro Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato following revelations that Kato introduced a new baseball without discussing with or notifying players. The new livelier ball has resulted in a sharp increase in home runs. Kato’s claim that he did not know the ball was changed does little to give anyone confidence…

Ismel Jiménez is named Serie Nacional Most Valuable Player for 2012-2013; the Sancti Spiritus hurler had gone 9-0 with a 1.06 ERA and is the first pitcher to win MVP since Maels Rodríguez 11 years earlier. Norge Luis Ruíz takes the Rookie of the Year Award. SS Yordan Manduley and OF Dayron Varona are the only players to win both Offensive All-Star and Gold Glove honors at their positions.

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Ismel Jiménez is named Serie Nacional Most Valuable Player for 2012-2013; the Sancti Spiritus hurler had gone 9-0 with a 1.06 ERA and is the first pitcher to win MVP since Maels Rodríguez 11 years earlier. Norge Luis Ruíz takes the Rookie of the Year Award. SS Yordan Manduley and OF Dayron Varona are the only players to win both Offensive All-Star and Gold Glove honors at their positions.

The Pirates win their sixth straight game on the road, 4 – 2 over the Mariners, thanks to a two-run single by Jordy Mercer with two outs in the 9th. With the Cardinals’ 4 – 3 loss to the Astros, the Bucs are now tied for the lead in the NL Central.

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The Pirates win their sixth straight game on the road, 4 – 2 over the Mariners, thanks to a two-run single by Jordy Mercer with two outs in the 9th. With the Cardinals’ 4 – 3 loss to the Astros, the Bucs are now tied for the lead in the NL Central.

In a matchup of Japanese starters, Ranger All-Star Yu Darvish and Yankee right-hander Hiroki Kuroda both get a no-decision, with each hurler failing to make it into the seventh inning. New York wins the Bronx ballpark contest with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning when Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki hits a walk-off home run.

ByTom

On June 25, 2013 In a matchup of Japanese starters, Ranger All-Star Yu Darvish and Yankee right-hander Hiroki Kuroda both get a no-decision, with each hurler failing to make it into the seventh inning. New York wins the Bronx ballpark contest with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning when Japanese outfielder Ichiro…

The White Sox hold a 4 – 3 lead over the Mets with two outs in the 9th inning, but manage to blow it in the most embarrassing fashion, after Daniel Murphy hits a routine pop-up in front of the mound. 2B Gordon Beckhamcomes charging in, trips on P Addison Reed’s foot and falls to the ground, in the process bowling over 3B Conor Gillaspie, who is positioned under the ball. The ball drops to the ground and rolls away from Reed while David Wright takes advantage of the confusion to score all the way from second base and tie the game. Luckily, the Sox manage to score a run off LaTroy Hawkins in the bottom of the inning to escape with a 5 – 4 win and save a little face.

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On June 25, 2013 The White Sox hold a 4 – 3 lead over the Mets with two outs in the 9th inning, but manage to blow it in the most embarrassing fashion, after Daniel Murphy hits a routine pop-up in front of the mound. 2B Gordon Beckhamcomes charging in, trips on P Addison Reed’s foot and falls to the ground, in the process bowling…

At Tropicana Field, the Rays halt the Blue Jays’ 11-game winning streak, 4-3, thanks to back-to-back-to-back home runs in the second inning by James Loney, Wil Myers, and Sam Fuld. It is the second time in franchise history that the team has hit three consecutive home runs; Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar, and Dioner Navarro accomplished the feat in Anaheim in 2008.

ByNational

At Tropicana Field, the Rays halt the Blue Jays’ 11-game winning streak, 4-3, thanks to back-to-back-to-back home runs in the second inning by James Loney, Wil Myers, and Sam Fuld. It is the second time in franchise history that the team has hit three consecutive home runs; Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar, and Dioner Navarro accomplished the feat in Anaheim in 2008.

Rookie Yasiel Puig hits his 7th homer in 20 games and drives in the deciding run in the 8th in leading the Dodgers to a 3 – 1 win over the Giants.

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Rookie Yasiel Puig hits his 7th homer in 20 games and drives in the deciding run in the 8th in leading the Dodgers to a 3 – 1 win over the Giants.

The Pirates are also playing well, completing a three-game sweep of the Angels on the road with a dramatic comeback in the top of the 9th. Trailing 6 – 3, they tie the game against closer Ernesto Frieri, with a two-out pinch double by Russell Martin being the key blow, then add four runs in the top of the 10th. Travis Snider is the hero, as he hits a bases-loaded single that ends up scoring three runs when LF J.B. Shuck lets the ball get past him all the way to the wall. Leading 10 – 6, closer Jason Grilli, who has been almost perfect so far this year, gives up three runs, but strikes out Mike Trout with the tying and winning runs in scoring position, as the Bucs hold on for a 10 – 9 win.

ByTom

The Pirates are also playing well, completing a three-game sweep of the Angels on the road with a dramatic comeback in the top of the 9th. Trailing 6 – 3, they tie the game against closer Ernesto Frieri, with a two-out pinch double by Russell Martin being the key blow, then add four runs in the top of the 10th. Travis Snider is the hero, as he hits a bases-loaded single that ends up scoring three runs when LF J.B. Shuck lets the ball get past him all the way to the wall. Leading 10 – 6, closer Jason Grilli, who has been almost perfect so far this year, gives up three runs, but strikes out Mike Trout with the tying and winning runs in scoring position, as the Bucs hold on for a 10 – 9 win.

The Blue Jays keep on winning, recording their 11th straight in defeating the Orioles, 13 – 5, matching a team record from 1987 and 1998. Ryan Flaherty hits two homers in a losing cause as prize off-season acquisition Josh Johnson finally picks up his first win as a Jay.

ByTom

The Blue Jays keep on winning, recording their 11th straight in defeating the Orioles, 13 – 5, matching a team record from 1987 and 1998. Ryan Flaherty hits two homers in a losing cause as prize off-season acquisition Josh Johnson finally picks up his first win as a Jay.