After firing Sean Berry as the club’s hitting coach, the struggling Astros name Jeff Bagwell to fill the position for the remainder of the season. The former All-Star first baseman, who retired with a lifetime .297 batting average, is the all-time team leader with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs.

After firing Sean Berry as the club’s hitting coach, the struggling Astros name Jeff Bagwell to fill the position for the remainder of the season. The former All-Star first baseman, who retired with a lifetime .297 batting average, is the all-time team leader with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs.

18-year-old Mike Trout, the youngest player in the game, hits a double and single and fellow Angels prospect Hank Conger hits a three-run homer to lead the United States to a 9 – 1 victory over the World team at the 2010 Futures Game in Anaheim. Eric Hosmer collects four hits for the winners, while Desmond Jennings scores three runs, but it is Conger who receives the Larry Doby Award as MVP of the game.

18-year-old Mike Trout, the youngest player in the game, hits a double and single and fellow Angels prospect Hank Conger hits a three-run homer to lead the United States to a 9 – 1 victory over the World team at the 2010 Futures Game in Anaheim. Eric Hosmer collects four hits for the winners, while Desmond Jennings scores three runs, but it is Conger who receives the Larry Doby Award as MVP of the game.

The White Sox take advantage of five home runs – two by Carlos Quentin, including a grand slam, and one each by Alex Rios, Andruw Jones and Dayan Viciedo – to beat the Royals, 15 – 5. It’s the Sox’s 8th straight win and puts them in first place in the AL Central at the All-Star break, capping a remarkable turnaround that has seen the Pale Hose win 25 of its last 30 games after a slow start to the season.

The White Sox take advantage of five home runs – two by Carlos Quentin, including a grand slam, and one each by Alex Rios, Andruw Jones and Dayan Viciedo – to beat the Royals, 15 – 5. It’s the Sox’s 8th straight win and puts them in first place in the AL Central at the All-Star break, capping a remarkable turnaround that has seen the Pale Hose win 25 of its last 30 games after a slow start to the season.

Philadelphia wins 1 – 0 over the Reds to complete a four-game sweep. It is the first time since 1913 that the Phils have recorded consecutive 1 – 0 victories. Cole Hamels pitches scoreless ball into the 8th inning and relievers J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge record the last four outs of the game. Jimmy Rollins becomes the first National Leaguer since Roger Maris in 1968 to drive in the only run in consecutive 1 – 0 wins.

Philadelphia wins 1 – 0 over the Reds to complete a four-game sweep. It is the first time since 1913 that the Phils have recorded consecutive 1 – 0 victories. Cole Hamels pitches scoreless ball into the 8th inning and relievers J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge record the last four outs of the game. Jimmy Rollins becomes the first National Leaguer since Roger Maris in 1968 to drive in the only run in consecutive 1 – 0 wins.

Washington has its best offensive game since relocating from Montreal in 2005 in beating Houston, 13 – 2. The Nats collect 21 hits – the most for them since the move – and Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn homer in consecutive at bats in the 6th, also a first. Craig Stammen pitches a complete game for the win.

Washington has its best offensive game since relocating from Montreal in 2005 in beating Houston, 13 – 2. The Nats collect 21 hits – the most for them since the move – and Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn homer in consecutive at bats in the 6th, also a first. Craig Stammen pitches a complete game for the win.

The Yankees hit a season-high 5 home runs in Los Angeles, including two by Alex Rodriguez, but they still lose, 14 – 8, to the Angels, who have scored 24 runs in two games since their two most potent offensive weapons, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter, hit the disabled list simultaneously on July 9th. Rodriguez moves past another steroid-tainted player, Rafael Palmeiro, for 10th on the all-time major league home run list.

The Yankees hit a season-high 5 home runs in Los Angeles, including two by Alex Rodriguez, but they still lose, 14 – 8, to the Angels, who have scored 24 runs in two games since their two most potent offensive weapons, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter, hit the disabled list simultaneously on July 9th. Rodriguez moves past another steroid-tainted player, Rafael Palmeiro, for 10th on the all-time major league home run list.

One strike away from ending a decade of dominance, National League closer Trevor Hoffman yields a two-run triple to Michael Young of the Texas Rangers, giving the American League a come-from-behind 3-2 All-Star Game victory at Pittsburgh’s picturesque PNC Park. The timely three-bagger keeps the Junior Circuit unbeaten in the Midsummer Classic since 1997, compiling a 9-0-1 record.

One strike away from ending a decade of dominance, National League closer Trevor Hoffman yields a two-run triple to Michael Young of the Texas Rangers, giving the American League a come-from-behind 3-2 All-Star Game victory at Pittsburgh’s picturesque PNC Park. The timely three-bagger keeps the Junior Circuit unbeaten in the Midsummer Classic since 1997, compiling a 9-0-1 record.

Prior to the start of the fifth inning of the All-Star Game played in Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, Vera Clemente is escorted onto the field by 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski to accept the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband. With the scoreboard showing replays of Roberto, tears flowing from AL skipper Ozzie Guillen, and the heartfelt ovation from the crowd, the ceremony honoring the Pirates’ Hall of Famer becomes a truly memorable moment in the history of the Midsummer Classic.

Prior to the start of the fifth inning of the All-Star Game played in Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, Vera Clemente is escorted onto the field by 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski to accept the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband. With the scoreboard showing replays of Roberto, tears flowing from AL skipper Ozzie Guillen, and the heartfelt ovation from the crowd, the ceremony honoring the Pirates’ Hall of Famer becomes a truly memorable moment in the history of the Midsummer Classic.

Carlos Beltran, selected to be an American League All-Star, will now have an opportunity patrol the National League outfield instead. The former Royals fly catcher, traded to the Astros last month, is invited by Senior Circuit skipper Jack McKeon to replace Ken Griffey, Jr., on the star-studded roster.

Carlos Beltran, selected to be an American League All-Star, will now have an opportunity patrol the National League outfield instead. The former Royals fly catcher, traded to the Astros last month, is invited by Senior Circuit skipper Jack McKeon to replace Ken Griffey, Jr., on the star-studded roster.

The Marlins send P Ryan Dempster to the Reds for OF Juan Encarnacion, IF Wilton Guerrero, and minor league P Ryan Snare. Florida then sends OF Cliff Floyd, Guerrero, minor league P Claudio Vargas and $1.5 million to the Expos in exchange for Ps Carl Pavano and Graeme Lloyd, IF Mike Mordecai and minor league P Justin Wayne.

The Marlins send P Ryan Dempster to the Reds for OF Juan Encarnacion, IF Wilton Guerrero, and minor league P Ryan Snare. Florida then sends OF Cliff Floyd, Guerrero, minor league P Claudio Vargas and $1.5 million to the Expos in exchange for Ps Carl Pavano and Graeme Lloyd, IF Mike Mordecai and minor league P Justin Wayne.