The Yankees are the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year after a 6 – 5 win over the Angels. Alex Rodriguez drives in Brett Gardner on a sacrifice fly in the 9th; he has a homer and 3 RBI in the game. Mariano Rivera pitches a scoreless 9th inning for the save.

ByBaseball

The Yankees are the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year after a 6 – 5 win over the Angels. Alex Rodriguez drives in Brett Gardner on a sacrifice fly in the 9th; he has a homer and 3 RBI in the game. Mariano Rivera pitches a scoreless 9th inning for the save.

Diamondback slugger Mark Reynolds establishes a new single-season strikeout mark for the second year in a row when he misses a 1-2 breaking ball from Madison Bumgarner, his 205th K of the campaign. Prior to breaking his own dubious mark and extending it with another whiff in the sixth inning, the 26 year-old third baseman collected his 100th RBI of the season in Arizona’s 10-8 Chase Field victory over San Francisco.

ByBaseball

Diamondback slugger Mark Reynolds establishes a new single-season strikeout mark for the second year in a row when he misses a 1-2 breaking ball from Madison Bumgarner, his 205th K of the campaign. Prior to breaking his own dubious mark and extending it with another whiff in the sixth inning, the 26 year-old third baseman collected his 100th RBI of the season in Arizona’s 10-8 Chase Field victory over San Francisco.

2008 – The Mets fall to one game up in the wild card race, losing 9 – 5 to the Cubs. Chicago clinches home field advantage for the playoffs. Pitcher Jason Marquis hits a grand slam and drives in 5 in the win. It is the second grand slam by a pitcher off New York hurlers this year, the first team since the 1977 Cubs to allow two such slams. Jon Niese takes his first major league loss.

ByBaseball

2008 – The Mets fall to one game up in the wild card race, losing 9 – 5 to the Cubs. Chicago clinches home field advantage for the playoffs. Pitcher Jason Marquis hits a grand slam and drives in 5 in the win. It is the second grand slam by a pitcher off New York hurlers this year, the first team since the 1977 Cubs to allow two such slams. Jon Niese takes his first major league loss.

Moises Alou hit safely in his 26th straight game, setting a new franchise mark for the New York Mets

Moises Alou hit safely in his 26th straight game, setting a new franchise mark for the New York Mets

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 22, 2007, Moises Alou hit safely in his 26th straight game, setting a new franchise mark for the New York Mets in a single season. Alou went hitless in his first three at-bats before singling to start the ninth inning. At 41 years and 80 days old, Alou became the oldest player in…

On the day he is scheduled to return to the team after rehabilitating his right knee and left ankle at home, the Orioles inform Rafael Palmeiro not to report to the team. The first baseman/DH, who tested positive for steroids earlier in the season, continues to stir up more controversy as the 40 year-old veteran states the reason for failing the drug test due to a vitamin B-12 shot given by his teammate, Miguel Tejada.

ByBaseball

On the day he is scheduled to return to the team after rehabilitating his right knee and left ankle at home, the Orioles inform Rafael Palmeiro not to report to the team. The first baseman/DH, who tested positive for steroids earlier in the season, continues to stir up more controversy as the 40 year-old veteran states the reason for failing the drug test due to a vitamin B-12 shot given by his teammate, Miguel Tejada.

An American Society of Microbiology’s study of the number of people who wash their hands after using a public restroom reports 83 percent of patrons take advantage of the available soap and water. Of the 6,300 bathroom users monitored, Turner Field was found to have the worst hygiene where approximately a quarter of the patrons (37% male and 16% female) did not wash their hands after using the facilities during a Braves game.

ByBaseball

An American Society of Microbiology’s study of the number of people who wash their hands after using a public restroom reports 83 percent of patrons take advantage of the available soap and water. Of the 6,300 bathroom users monitored, Turner Field was found to have the worst hygiene where approximately a quarter of the patrons (37% male and 16% female) did not wash their hands after using the facilities during a Braves game.

When he whiffs Albert Pujols in the 3-2 loss to the Cardinals, Ben Sheets breaks the Brewers’ single-season strikeout record. The 26 year-old Louisiana native surpasses Teddy Higuera’s mark of 240 established in 1987.

ByThis Day in Baseball

When he whiffs Albert Pujols in the 3-2 loss to the Cardinals, Ben Sheets breaks the Brewers’ single-season strikeout record. The 26 year-old Louisiana native surpasses Teddy Higuera’s mark of 240 established in 1987.

2004 – Raúl Ibañez of the Seattle Mariners ties an American League record with six hits in Seattle’s 16 – 6 victory over the Anaheim Angels.

ByBaseball

2004 – Raúl Ibañez of the Seattle Mariners ties an American League record with six hits in Seattle’s 16 – 6 victory over the Anaheim Angels.

Alfonso Soriano hits his 13th leadoff home run of the season to establish a new major league mark. The Yankees second baseman shared the record with Brady Anderson, who led off with 12 round-trippers for the 1996 Orioles.

ByBaseball

Alfonso Soriano hits his 13th leadoff home run of the season to establish a new major league mark. The Yankees second baseman shared the record with Brady Anderson, who led off with 12 round-trippers for the 1996 Orioles.

For only the third time in major league history, a Korean pitcher and a Japanese pitcher oppose one another as Expos’ hurler Tomo Ohka faces Jae Weong Seo as starters at Shea Stadium. Both Pacific Rim right-handers throw well, but neither gets the decision as Montreal beats the Mets on misplayed fly balls in the ninth, 4-2.

ByBaseball

For only the third time in major league history, a Korean pitcher and a Japanese pitcher oppose one another as Expos’ hurler Tomo Ohka faces Jae Weong Seo as starters at Shea Stadium. Both Pacific Rim right-handers throw well, but neither gets the decision as Montreal beats the Mets on misplayed fly balls in the ninth, 4-2.