The Yankees, led by home runs off the bats of Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles, beat the Orioles, 7 – 5. Don Gullett wins his 7th of the year.
On July 8, 1976, At Wrigley Field, Randy Jones of the San Diego Padres sets a National League record for most wins by the All-Star break when he posts his 16th victory of the season. The soft-tossing left-hander, who defeats the Chicago Cubs, 6-3, the 26 year-old southpaw’s good fortune runs out when he will…
At Fenway Park, the Red Sox beat the Twins, 8 – 4, as their attendance reaches 1,007,491. It’s the earliest date in club history they’ve topped the million mark.
The Royals jump on Milwaukee starter Bill Travers for five runs in a third of an inning and flatten the Brewers, 9 – 1. The Brewers’ lone run is George Scott’s 16th homer of the year. Mike Hegan pinch hits for Hank Aaron, the 6th time in his career that’s occurred. All the pinch hitters have been lefties.
On July 8, 1974, journeyman shortstop Jim Mason of the New York Yankees ties a major league record by swatting four doubles in a game against the Texas Rangers. Usually a light hitter, Mason will finish the season with only 18 doubles and a mediocre .250 batting average.
Oakland outfielder Claudell Washington, making his first start in the major leagues, strokes a single in the tenth inning to give the A’s a 4-3 victory over the Indians. The 19 year-old rookie’s walk-off hit spoils Gaylord Perry’s attempt to get a record-tying 16th consecutive victory this season.
1973 – Tommy Helms’ two-run single caps a ninth-inning comeback for a 9-7 victory in Montreal. Cesar Cedeno clubs two home runs and Doug Rader adds a solo shot. Bob Watson breaks SS Tim Foli’s jaw while sliding into second, causing a shower of debris to fall from Parc Jarry when Watson returns to left field.
On July 8, 1972, Detroit Tigers pitcher John Hiller makes his first appearance in 18 months after suffering a heart attack in 1971. Hiller’s heart condition had sidelined him for the entire 1971 season. The Tigers lose to the White Sox, 5 – 2, Hiller will post a 2.03 ERA in ‘72 and will win…
Jim Ray Hart ties a modern major-league record with 6 RBIs in one inning (the 5th) with a three-run homer and a three-run triple; Hart is the first player in 59 years to accomplish the feat. The Giants score 11 in the frame. Hart also hits for the cycle as the Giants rout the Braves, 13 – 0. Gaylord Perry is the easy winner, posting San Francisco’s first shutout of the year. Perry will throw four more to lead the National League.
The Orioles again wait until the late innings to beat New York, this time striking in the 9th inning on a Frank Robinson home run and a two-out single by Don Buford. The O’s overcome an 8 – 6 deficit to win, 9 – 8.
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