August 18

2018 – With a 7 – 1 win over their rivals, the Athletics come into a tie with the Astros for the lead in the AL West division. As late as July 10th, the Astros still had a ten-game lead, and it seemed the best the A’s could hope for was to catch the second-place Mariners for the second wild card spot. In today’s game, a re-born Trevor Cahill holds the defending World Champions to 1 hit over 7 innings and his teammates tie a club record with 8 doubles.

2017 – Manny Machado caps a three-homer night with a walk-off grand slam off Keynan Middleton to lead the Orioles to a 9 – 7 win over the Angels. The two teams combine for ten long balls at Camden Yards, including career homer #609 by Albert Pujols of Los Angeles, who ties Sammy Sosa for most by a player born outside the United States.

The Orioles put on a power display in defeating the Astros, 13 – 5, hitting 6 homers, two each by J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis. Hyun Soo Kim adds four hits as the O’s jump on rookie starter Joe Musgrove. The win puts Baltimore in a second-place tie with Boston in the AL East, 1 1/2 games behind first-place Toronto in what has been a year-long see-saw race among the three teams.

At their mid-year meeting in Houston, TX, Major League Baseball owners approve the sale of the Seattle Mariners to a group led by John Stanton and consisting of former minority owners of the team’s stock, with Nintendo of America only retaining a small share. On the meeting’s margin, Commissioner Rob Manfred states that he is considering some radical rule changes to speed up the game and increase offence, such as limiting pitching changes and defensive shifts, and introducing a pitch clock as has been done in the minor leagues.

The Red Sox hire Dave Dombrowski, who was replaced as the president and general manager of the Tigers earlier this month, to run the organization’s baseball operations. Ben Cherington, after leading Boston to the World Series two seasons ago, declines to continue as the GM of the last-place team, but will assist during the club’s transition.

The Red Sox hire Dave Dombrowski, who was replaced as the president and general manager of the Tigers earlier this month, to run the organization’s baseball operations. Ben Cherington, after leading Boston to the World Series two seasons ago, declines to continue as the GM of the last-place team, but will assist during the club’s transition.

2015 – The changes continue in Boston as the team announces that Dave Dombrowski, recently let go as General Manager of the Tigers, has been hired as Vice-President in charge of baseball operations. GM Ben Cheringtonhands over his resignation in the wake of the announcement.

2014 – With the Athletics idle, the Angels move into first place in the AL West for the first time this year after a 4 – 2 win over Boston. They now have the best record in the majors at 73-50, a half-game in front of division rivals Oakland.