A rarity in any professional game occurs when both teams have to use position players on the mound. In the second game of a doubleheader, the Tulsa Drillers bring in catcher Brian Esposito (who has pitched briefly in the minors) in the 10th inning, their 6th hurler of the game. The Springfield Cardinals counter with Matt Pagnozzi, another backstop, an inning later. After 3 scoreless innings, Pagnozzi allows 4 runs in the 13th, while Esposito goes 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the 7 – 3 win.

ByBaseball

A rarity in any professional game occurs when both teams have to use position players on the mound. In the second game of a doubleheader, the Tulsa Drillers bring in catcher Brian Esposito (who has pitched briefly in the minors) in the 10th inning, their 6th hurler of the game. The Springfield Cardinals counter with Matt Pagnozzi, another backstop, an inning later. After 3 scoreless innings, Pagnozzi allows 4 runs in the 13th, while Esposito goes 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the 7 – 3 win.

Josh Hamilton, who at one point goes deep 13 consecutive times, hits a record-setting 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby, but falls short in the finals, losing to Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, 5-3. With 71 year-old former coach Clay Counsil pitching, the Rangers outfielder breaks Bobby Abreu’s mark of 24 set in 2005.

ByTom

Josh Hamilton, who at one point goes deep 13 consecutive times, hits a record-setting 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby, but falls short in the finals, losing to Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, 5-3. With 71 year-old former coach Clay Counsil pitching, the Rangers outfielder breaks Bobby Abreu’s mark of 24 set in 2005.

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7/14/2006: Chris Woodward of the Mets hit a ball that cleared the basket in left center at Wrigley Field for an apparent home run off Greg Maddux. However, the ball was ruled in play and Woodward reached third for a triple. He later scored on a sacrifice fly. The Mets beat the Cubs, 6-3.

ByThis Day in Baseball

7/14/2006: Chris Woodward of the Mets hit a ball that cleared the basket in left center at Wrigley Field for an apparent home run off Greg Maddux. However, the ball was ruled in play and Woodward reached third for a triple. He later scored on a sacrifice fly. The Mets beat the Cubs, 6-3.

Defeating their historical arch rivals, the Giants become the first team to win 10,000 games as a franchise by edging the Dodgers in LA, 4-3. The Giants, who started as the New York Gothams in 1899, have posted a 10,000-8,511 record during the club’s 123 seasons in the National League.

ByTom

Defeating their historical arch rivals, the Giants become the first team to win 10,000 games as a franchise by edging the Dodgers in LA, 4-3. The Giants, who started as the New York Gothams in 1899, have posted a 10,000-8,511 record during the club’s 123 seasons in the National League.

The first-known baseball card, which is part of a children’s educational game, illustrating several boys playing together in a field as one pitches a ball to another holding a bat, makes its public debut at the Smithsonian Institution. The discovery of the historic card, discovered in a Maine attic, dates back to the early 19th century, predating other known cards by several decades.

ByTom

The first-known baseball card, which is part of a children’s educational game, illustrating several boys playing together in a field as one pitches a ball to another holding a bat, makes its public debut at the Smithsonian Institution. The discovery of the historic card, discovered in a Maine attic, dates back to the early 19th century, predating other known cards by several decades.

Houston fires Jimy Williams and names Phil Garner, a former Astro, as the interim manager through the rest of the season. The 60 year-old former skipper, who had a .515 (215-197) winning percentage in his three years at the helm, including this season’s 44-44 record, was roundly booed by the hometown Minute Maid Park crowd at yesterday’s All-Star Game.

ByTom

Houston fires Jimy Williams and names Phil Garner, a former Astro, as the interim manager through the rest of the season. The 60 year-old former skipper, who had a .515 (215-197) winning percentage in his three years at the helm, including this season’s 44-44 record, was roundly booed by the hometown Minute Maid Park crowd at yesterday’s All-Star Game.

Nelson Barrera, Mexico’s career home run and RBI leader, is electrocuted trying to free metal roofing from high-tension wires. The 44 year-old ‘Admiral’, who hit 455 home runs during his 26-year Mexican Baseball League tenure, had hoped to continue playing so that he could hold the career Triple Crown by also reaching the career hit record.

ByTom

Nelson Barrera, Mexico’s career home run and RBI leader, is electrocuted trying to free metal roofing from high-tension wires. The 44 year-old ‘Admiral’, who hit 455 home runs during his 26-year Mexican Baseball League tenure, had hoped to continue playing so that he could hold the career Triple Crown by also reaching the career hit record.

The Royals defeat the Angels, 12 – 3, as Raul Ibanez hits a grand slam in the 1st inning and a three-run home run in the 2nd inning to tie a club record with seven RBIs.

ByBaseball

The Royals defeat the Angels, 12 – 3, as Raul Ibanez hits a grand slam in the 1st inning and a three-run home run in the 2nd inning to tie a club record with seven RBIs.

The Twins beat the Rangers, 5 – 4, despite a pair of home runs by Alex Rodriguez. The round-trippers give Rodriguez his 6th 30-home run season, breaking Ernie Banks’ record for shortstops.

ByBaseball

The Twins beat the Rangers, 5 – 4, despite a pair of home runs by Alex Rodriguez. The round-trippers give Rodriguez his 6th 30-home run season, breaking Ernie Banks’ record for shortstops.

Bobby Valentine wins his 1,000th career game as a manager when Glendon Rusch and closer Armando Benitez combine to throw a one-hitter in the Mets’ 2-0 victory over the Red Sox. Trot Nixon’s first inning bunt single, a result of the New York starter’s inability to cover first base, is Boston’s only hit in the Shea Stadium contest.

ByTom

Bobby Valentine wins his 1,000th career game as a manager when Glendon Rusch and closer Armando Benitez combine to throw a one-hitter in the Mets’ 2-0 victory over the Red Sox. Trot Nixon’s first inning bunt single, a result of the New York starter’s inability to cover first base, is Boston’s only hit in the Shea Stadium contest.