Engel Beltre, an outfielder for the Frisco Rough Riders of the AA Texas League, is caught on tape throwing a trash can into the crowd in response to heckling by fans following manager Steve Buechele’s ejection from a game in San Antonio, TX. Beltre will be handed a 15-game suspension and will also face criminal charges of disorderly conduct for his actions. Two fans are also charged for their role in the fracas, although officials are unable to identify which players also threw bats into the stands.

ByTom

Engel Beltre, an outfielder for the Frisco Rough Riders of the AA Texas League, is caught on tape throwing a trash can into the crowd in response to heckling by fans following manager Steve Buechele’s ejection from a game in San Antonio, TX. Beltre will be handed a 15-game suspension and will also face criminal charges of disorderly conduct for his actions. Two fans are also charged for their role in the fracas, although officials are unable to identify which players also threw bats into the stands.

The Cleveland Indians bang five home runs in a 9 – 4 win over the Royals. Jack Hannahan hits two of the long balls, Shin-Soo Choo has a three-run shot, and Grady Sizemore and Matt LaPorta hit the other homers. Justin Masterson is now 5-0 for the first-place Indians.

ByTom

The Cleveland Indians bang five home runs in a 9 – 4 win over the Royals. Jack Hannahan hits two of the long balls, Shin-Soo Choo has a three-run shot, and Grady Sizemore and Matt LaPorta hit the other homers. Justin Masterson is now 5-0 for the first-place Indians.

The Red Sox win a wild 13 – 12 game over the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Jason Varitek goes 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and Marco Scutaro is also 3 for 5, with 4 runs scored for the winners. But starter Josh Beckett cannot hold an early 5 – 0 lead and is chased after 3 innings, having given up 8 runs. Scott Schoeneweis earns his first win of the year in relief, and Jonathan Papelbon has to be summoned to pitch the 9th for the save. For the Jays, Lyle Overbay is 3 for 5 with a homer and 4 RBI, and Jose Bautista also has a homer and 4 RBI.

ByTom

The Red Sox win a wild 13 – 12 game over the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Jason Varitek goes 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and Marco Scutaro is also 3 for 5, with 4 runs scored for the winners. But starter Josh Beckett cannot hold an early 5 – 0 lead and is chased after 3 innings, having given up 8 runs. Scott Schoeneweis earns his first win of the year in relief, and Jonathan Papelbon has to be summoned to pitch the 9th for the save. For the Jays, Lyle Overbay is 3 for 5 with a homer and 4 RBI, and Jose Bautista also has a homer and 4 RBI.

The Phillies sign their star first baseman Ryan Howard to a five-year contract extension worth between $125-138 million. The deal should help set the price-tag for three other first basemen who may become free agents at the end of the season, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. However, Howard will go into rapid decline and his huge contract will prove to be an albatross for the Phils.

The Phillies sign their star first baseman Ryan Howard to a five-year contract extension worth between $125-138 million. The deal should help set the price-tag for three other first basemen who may become free agents at the end of the season, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. However, Howard will go into rapid decline and his huge contract will prove to be an albatross for the Phils.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Phillies sign their star first baseman Ryan Howard to a five-year contract extension worth between $125-138 million. The deal should help set the price-tag for three other first basemen who may become free agents at the end of the season, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. However, Howard will go into rapid decline and his huge contract will prove to be an albatross for the Phils.

The Brewers pound the Pirates, 17 – 3, for their 22nd consecutive win over the Bucs at Miller Park, dating back to 2007. They have won all four of their games with Pittsburgh this year by a combined score of 53-5. Pirates OF Ryan Church comments: “There are no words to describe it. It’s embarrassing. That about sums it up.”

ByTom

The Brewers pound the Pirates, 17 – 3, for their 22nd consecutive win over the Bucs at Miller Park, dating back to 2007. They have won all four of their games with Pittsburgh this year by a combined score of 53-5. Pirates OF Ryan Church comments: “There are no words to describe it. It’s embarrassing. That about sums it up.”

The 2009-2010 Cuban Serie Nacional awards are given out. Alfredo Despaigne of Granma, the batting average and home run leader, is named MVP for the second straight season.

ByTom

The 2009-2010 Cuban Serie Nacional awards are given out. Alfredo Despaigne of Granma, the batting average and home run leader, is named MVP for the second straight season.

Josh Johnson pitches a three-hitter and strikes out 12 as the Marlins beat the Padres, 10 – 1. For good measure, Johnson matches the Padres’ hit total by himself and drives in 3 runs.

ByTom

Josh Johnson pitches a three-hitter and strikes out 12 as the Marlins beat the Padres, 10 – 1. For good measure, Johnson matches the Padres’ hit total by himself and drives in 3 runs.

In St. Louis, birthday boy Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs homers and drives in five runs in Chicago’s 10 – 3 win over St. Louis. The Japanese right fielder, who lost his starting job late in 2008 because of a prolonged hitting slump, is now batting .371 on the year.

ByTom

In St. Louis, birthday boy Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs homers and drives in five runs in Chicago’s 10 – 3 win over St. Louis. The Japanese right fielder, who lost his starting job late in 2008 because of a prolonged hitting slump, is now batting .371 on the year.

The Rangers lose 8 – 5 to the Orioles. When Omar Vizquel comes in as a defensive substitute for Texas, he becomes the third player in major league history to play shortstop at age 42, following Luke Appling (1949) and Honus Wagner (1916).

ByTom

The Rangers lose 8 – 5 to the Orioles. When Omar Vizquel comes in as a defensive substitute for Texas, he becomes the third player in major league history to play shortstop at age 42, following Luke Appling (1949) and Honus Wagner (1916).

Boston completes a three-game sweep with a 4 – 1 victory over the Yankees, Boston’s 10th consecutive victory. Jacoby Ellsbury pulls off a straight steal of home against Andy Pettitte in the 5th inning in the game’s key play. Justin Masterson has now won both of his starts in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka.

ByTom

Boston completes a three-game sweep with a 4 – 1 victory over the Yankees, Boston’s 10th consecutive victory. Jacoby Ellsbury pulls off a straight steal of home against Andy Pettitte in the 5th inning in the game’s key play. Justin Masterson has now won both of his starts in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka.