After trying to get Juan Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa to bolster their failing offense, the Yankees acquire David Justice from the Indians for Ricky Ledee and two players to be named later. When Shane Spencer goes down in 10 days, Justice will take over LF. The trade occurs minutes before the start of the game against Detroit, an 8 – 0 Yankee win, and Ledee is scratched from the lineup. The Yanks tie a major-league record with three sacrifice flies in one inning.

The Giants defeat the Rockies, 10 – 1, as OF Ellis Burks drives home seven runs against his old teammates on a double and two home runs.

Texas defeats Anaheim, 5 – 0, as John Burkett, Jeff Zimmerman and John Wetteland combine on a one-hitter. A double by Matt Walbeck off Burkett is the Angels’ only hit.

Not a single major league game is scheduled to be played. With the exception of All-Star breaks and labor shortages, it is the first time this has happened during the regular season in 25 years, since April 30, 1973.

Bud Selig calls a special session of the owners for July 9th in Chicago.

John Olerud hits two homers and Butch Huskey, Matt Franco and Todd Hundley also homer during a nine-run Mets comeback over the last three innings as they edge the Pirates, 10 – 8. For Franco, his home run is his 6th straight successful pinch-hit. Kevin Young is 4 for 5, including a homer, for the Bucs. John Franco picks up his 19th save, and the 342nd of his career, putting him in 4th place on the all-time save list.

In New York, the Indians score seven runs off the usually stingy David Cone, but the Yankees outlast the Indians, 11 – 10. With his 9th-inning single, Sandy Alomar Jr. extends his hitting streak to 26 games, 6th longest in Tribe history.

In Atlanta, Keith Lockhart bangs a pinch grand slam as the Braves overcome a five-run deficit to beat the Phillies, 6 – 5. Phils starter Scott Ruffcorn does not give up a hit in 5 1/3 innings, but exits after walking four batters, hitting two, and tossing two wild pitches. Ron Blazier relieves with two on and a 5 – 0 lead, but gives up an RBI single and Lockhart’s slam. Fred McGriff’s tie-breaking triple in the 7th pins the loss on Billy Brewer.

Dodger pitcher Pedro Astacio wins for the first time in 11 starts and Eric Karros knocks in four runs as Los Angeles beats the San Diego Padres, 10 – 4. It is LA’s first win in 11 games with the Pads. Danny Jackson loses and is now 0-4 since the Padres acquired him for Fernando Valenzuela.