Trying to hold on to their lead in the NL West, the Diamondbacks acquire 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein from the Blue Jays for Chad Beck.

Trying to hold on to their lead in the NL West, the Diamondbacks acquire 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein from the Blue Jays for Chad Beck.

David Eckstein is traded by the Blue Jays to the Diamondbacks for minor league pitching prospect Chad Beck. The 33 year-old infielder, who played a pivotal role for the 2002 World Champions Angels and was named the 2006 World Series MVP playing for the Cardinals, is obtained by Arizona to provide postseason leadership and experience.

David Eckstein is traded by the Blue Jays to the Diamondbacks for minor league pitching prospect Chad Beck. The 33 year-old infielder, who played a pivotal role for the 2002 World Champions Angels and was named the 2006 World Series MVP playing for the Cardinals, is obtained by Arizona to provide postseason leadership and experience.

The Monterrey Sultans top the Yucatan Lions in 7 games in the Mexican League finals. Monterrey wins the finale, 2 – 1, behind the pitching of Walter Silva. Karim Garcia scores both of the Sultans’ runs.

The Monterrey Sultans top the Yucatan Lions in 7 games in the Mexican League finals. Monterrey wins the finale, 2 – 1, behind the pitching of Walter Silva. Karim Garcia scores both of the Sultans’ runs.

The Chicago Cubs reacquire former hurler Steve Trachsel for the stretch run. They send Scott Moore and Rocky Cherry to the Baltimore Orioles in return for the veteran.

The Chicago Cubs reacquire former hurler Steve Trachsel for the stretch run. They send Scott Moore and Rocky Cherry to the Baltimore Orioles in return for the veteran.

Tony La Russa becomes the winningest manager in franchise history when the Cardinals defeat Cincinnati at Busch Stadium, 8-5. The Redbird skipper surpasses Red Schoendienst, who compiled a 1,041-955 managerial record with St. Louis.
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Tony La Russa becomes the winningest manager in franchise history when the Cardinals defeat Cincinnati at Busch Stadium, 8-5. The Redbird skipper surpasses Red Schoendienst, who compiled a 1,041-955 managerial record with St. Louis.

Tony La Russa becomes the winningest manager in franchise history when the Cardinals defeat Cincinnati at Busch Stadium, 8-5. The Redbird skipper surpasses Red Schoendienst, who compiled a 1,041-955 managerial record with St. Louis.

After walking the leadoff hitter John Buck in the ninth to spoil his perfect game, Scott Baker gets an out, then yields a single to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney two outs shy of a no-hitter. The Twins’ 25 year-old right-hander from Shreveport settles for a one-hitter, blanking the Royals at the Metrodome, 5-0.

After walking the leadoff hitter John Buck in the ninth to spoil his perfect game, Scott Baker gets an out, then yields a single to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney two outs shy of a no-hitter. The Twins’ 25 year-old right-hander from Shreveport settles for a one-hitter, blanking the Royals at the Metrodome, 5-0.

With his major league-leading 49th home run, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard establishes a new club record for home runs in a single season. Last year’s Rookie of the Year’s fourth-inning long ball at RFK Stadium puts him ahead of Hall Famer Michael Schmidt, who hit 48 dingers in 1980.

With his major league-leading 49th home run, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard establishes a new club record for home runs in a single season. Last year’s Rookie of the Year’s fourth-inning long ball at RFK Stadium puts him ahead of Hall Famer Michael Schmidt, who hit 48 dingers in 1980.

A.J. Pierzynski’s sixth-inning blast makes the White Sox the first club in major league history to hit at least 200 home runs for seven consecutive seasons. The catcher’s two-run homer isn’t enough as Chicago loses to the Devil Rays at Comiskey Park, 5-3.

A.J. Pierzynski’s sixth-inning blast makes the White Sox the first club in major league history to hit at least 200 home runs for seven consecutive seasons. The catcher’s two-run homer isn’t enough as Chicago loses to the Devil Rays at Comiskey Park, 5-3.

On the third pitch he sees in the bigs, Jeremy Hermida becomes only the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major-league at-bat. The Marlin rookie pinch-hitter joins Phillies hurler Bill Duggleby, who accomplished the same feat in 1898.

On the third pitch he sees in the bigs, Jeremy Hermida becomes only the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major-league at-bat. The Marlin rookie pinch-hitter joins Phillies hurler Bill Duggleby, who accomplished the same feat in 1898.

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2004 – Given up for dead, the Astros win their fifth straight to creep back within three games of the National League wild card lead. The home run bats go to work in an 8-0 triumph over Cincinnati as Jeff Kent goes deep twice while Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwelland Lance Berkman go back-to-back-to-back in the fourth off Aaron Harang. Brandon Backe gets the shutout with help from three relievers. Houston still needs to overtake four other teams in order to get back to the postseason. 

2004 – Given up for dead, the Astros win their fifth straight to creep back within three games of the National League wild card lead. The home run bats go to work in an 8-0 triumph over Cincinnati as Jeff Kent goes deep twice while Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwelland Lance Berkman go back-to-back-to-back in the fourth off Aaron Harang. Brandon Backe gets the shutout with help from three relievers. Houston still needs to overtake four other teams in order to get back to the postseason.