July 6, 1979, The Los Angeles Dodgers purchase the contract of a young lefty from Yucatan for $120,000 named Fernando Valenzuela and assign him to Lodi in the California League where he posts 1.13 ERA in 24 innings. He makes his MLB debut 14 months later and give up just two earned runs in his…
Carl Yastrzemski’s 3-run homer in the first gives Boston a lead at Comiskey Park, but the White Sox eventually tie the game at 6. In the 10th inning, former Bosox pitcher Jim Willoughby serves up a home run to Fred Lynn, Lynn’s 13th, and Boston wins, 7 – 6. Bill Campbell picks up the victory.
1977 – After being called out on strikes by umpire Paul Pryor, Jose Cruz belts the game-winning homer in the 14th inning to give Houston a 2-1 triumph in Los Angeles. Cruz argues he has only two strikes on him and Pryor admits his mistake. Jose promptly sends the next pitch from Mike Garman into the right field stands.
In Atlanta, the Reds outlast the Braves, winning 15 – 13. The Braves spot the Reds six runs, then tie it up with a 6-run 4th inning. The Braves tie in the 7th at nine apiece, but the Reds score six in the 8th inning, four on a grand slam by Dave Concepcion. Atlanta scores one in the 8th and three in the 9th to complete a wild game.
After 1,887 plate appearances without a home run from the start of his career, Cubs outfielder Greg Gross finally goes deep when he homers off Don Stanhouse, a three-run shot to left field with two outs in the sixth-inning, in the team’s 8-6 victory over the Expos at Wrigley Field. The 24 year-old’s homerless drought establishes a new major league record, far surpassing runner-up Duane Kuiper, who recorded his first round-tripper needing 355 fewer trips to the plate to accomplish the feat.
Houston’s J.R. Richard allows 10 walks but no runs in shutting out the Mets, 1 – 0, in 10 innings. Starter Jon Matlack is the losing pitcher.
For the second time this season against the Braves, a team uses three sacs (no flies) in an inning. Houston does it in the 9th in a 6 – 2 win behind J.R. Richard.
1973 – Leo Durocher pulls Jerry Reuss with a cozy 7-1 lead in the doubleheader opener in Montreal. The Expos storm back for a 12-8 decision then thump the Astros again, 14-6, in the nightcap. Reserve catcher John Boccabella blasts two home runs in one inning for five RBIs. Ron Fairly also goes deep twice in the nightcap. Giddy Canadians taunt Durocher. Reuss fumes afterwards.
Chicago Cub P Fergie Jenkins beats the Padres, 8 – 5, for his 13th straight win over San Diego. The streak began on May 12, 1969.
The Expos take two in a doubleheader with the Astros, 12 – 8 and 14 – 6. In the first game, John Boccabella hits two home runs in the 6th inning for Montreal.
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