July 27 1918 — Brooklyn rookie Henry Heitman completed one of the shortest careers in major league history. Heitman appeared on the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals, gave up four consecutive hits and then left the game, never to play a major league game again. 1930 — Ken Ash of Cincinnati got his last major league victory by throwing one pitch. Ash came into relieve in the fifth inning and got Chicago’s Charlie Grimm to hit into a triple play. Ash was removed for a pinch hitter and the Reds beat the Cubs 6-5. 1946 — Rudy York of Boston hit two grand slams and drove in 10 runs as the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns 13-6. 1950 — Del Ennis of the Philadelphia Phillies drove in seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings of a 13-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Ennis doubled with the bases loaded in the seventh and hit a grand slam in the eighth. 1959 — New York lawyer William Shea announced the formation of the Continental League. New York, Houston, Toronto, Denver and Minneapolis-St.... [More]

May 27 1904 — Dennis McGann of the New York Giants stole five bases in one game to set a major league record. 1937 — Carl Hubbell, working in relief for the New York Giants, won his 24th straight game over two seasons. Hubbell pitched two innings and Mel Ott hit a ninth-inning home run to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2. Hubbell’s string started July 17, 1936. 1955 — Norm Zauchin of the Boston Red Sox knocked in 10 runs with three home runs and a double in the first five innings of a 16-0 victory over the Washington Senators. 1960 — Baltimore catcher Clint Courtney used the “big mitt” for the first time to catch knuckleball pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm. The mitt, designed by Paul Richards, was 50 percent larger than the standard. Nothing got by Courtney as the Orioles beat the New York Yankees 3-2. 1968 — Montreal and San Diego were awarded National League franchises as the league expanded for the first time in seven years. 1974 — Pittsburgh’s Ken Brett beat the San Diego Padres 6-0 with a two-hitter... [More]

May 21 1926 — Earl Sheely of the Chicago White Sox hit three doubles and a home run against the Boston Red Sox. Sheely doubled in each of his last three at-bats the previous day to give him seven consecutive extra-base hits, tying a major league record. The six doubles in the two games also tied a major league record. 1943 — In the fastest nine-inning night game in American League history, the Chicago White Sox beat the Washington Senators 1-0, in 1 hour, 29 minutes. 1948 — Joe DiMaggio had two home runs, a triple, double and single to lead the New York Yankees to a 13-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. 1952 — Duke Snider’s home run highlighted a 15-run first inning in the Dodgers’ 19-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Brooklyn. Snider, Pee Wee Reese and Billy Cox each made three plate appearances in the first inning. 1986 — Rafael Ramirez of Atlanta had four doubles in seven at-bats as the Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 9-8 in 13 innings. 1996 — Larry Walker drove in a career-high six... [More]

July 271918 — Brooklyn rookie Henry Heitman completed one of the shortest careers in major league history. Heitman appeared on the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals, gave up four consecutive hits and then left the game, never to play a major league game again.1930 — Ken Ash of Cincinnati got his last major league victory by throwing one pitch. Ash came into relieve in the fifth inning and got Chicago’s Charlie Grimm to hit into a triple play. Ash was removed for a pinch hitter and the Reds beat the Cubs 6-5.1946 — Rudy York of Boston hit two grand slams and drove in 10 runs as the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns 13-6.1950 — Del Ennis of the Philadelphia Phillies drove in seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings of a 13-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Ennis doubled with the bases loaded in the seventh and hit a grand slam in the eighth.1959 — New York lawyer William Shea announced the formation of the Continental League. New York, Houston, Toronto, Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul... [More]

May 271904 — Dennis McGann of the New York Giants stole five bases in one game to set a major league record.1937 — Carl Hubbell, working in relief for the New York Giants, won his 24th straight game over two seasons. Hubbell pitched two innings and Mel Ott hit a ninth-inning home run to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2. Hubbell’s string started July 17, 1936.1955 — Norm Zauchin of the Boston Red Sox knocked in 10 runs with three home runs and a double in the first five innings of a 16-0 victory over the Washington Senators.1960 — Baltimore catcher Clint Courtney used the “big mitt” for the first time to catch knuckleball pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm. The mitt, designed by Paul Richards, was 50 percent larger than the standard. Nothing got by Courtney as the Orioles beat the New York Yankees 3-2.1968 — Montreal and San Diego were awarded National League franchises as the league expanded for the first time in seven years.1974 — Pittsburgh’s Ken Brett beat the San Diego Padres 6-0 with a two-hitter and... [More]

June 231917 — In baseball's greatest relief effort, Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox relieved pitcher Babe Ruth with nobody out and a man on first. The base runner was cut down stealing and Shore retired all 26 batters he faced to gain a 4-0 victory over Washington. Ruth walked Eddie Foster to open the game and was ejected after arguing with umpire Brick Owens.1930 — Hack Wilson drove in six runs on five hits, including the cycle, to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 21-8 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field.1950 — Hoot Evers' game-winning home run in the ninth inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees as the teams combined for 11 home runs, a major league record. The Yankees hit six and the Tigers five.1961 — The Philadelphia Phillies overcame two, nine-run, deficits to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-11. The Phillies trailed 9-0 and 11-2 before they scored four runs in eighth and six runs in ninth.1963 — Jimmie Piersall, playing for the Mets in New... [More]

May 261916 — Benny Kauff of the Giants was picked off first base three times by Boston's Lefty Tyler. The miscues didn't hurt as New York won its 14th consecutive road victory beating the Braves, 12-1.1925 — In Detroit's 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, Ty Cobb became the first to collect 1,000 career extra-base hits. He finished his career with 1,139.1929 — Pinch-hitters Pat Crawford of the Giants and Les Bell of the Boston Braves hit grand slams in New York's 15-9 victory.1930 — Joe Sewell of the Cleveland Indians, who fanned only three times in 353 at-bats during the season, was struck out twice in the same game by Pat Caraway of the White Sox.1933 — Philadelphia's Chuck Klein hit for cycle in a 5-4 14-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Dizzy Dean went the distance for St. Louis.1937 — Billy Sullivan and Bruce Campbell appeared for the Cleveland Indians as pinch hitters. Each hit a home run, making it the first time two American League pinch hitters hit home runs in the same... [More]

Masterson has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Masterson is expected to be as close to full health as he's been in two years by the time spring training arrives. A free agent after his release from Boston, the right-hander will look to catch on with a new club. His first opportunity offered will likely be a low-risk deal, such as a minor league contract or non-roster invite to camp.

Masterson was released by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson as DFA'd earlier in the month after posting a shaky 5.61 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 59.1 innings. The veteran, who was demoted to the bullpen following the All-Star break, will look to catch on with another team willing to give him another shot.

Masterson was designated for assignment Sunday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

Masterson accumulated 59.1 innings this season for the Red Sox, as he was eventually demoted to the bullpen following a rocky start. A 5.61 ERA and 1.60 WHIP simply wasn't going to cut it, so the Red Sox will likely try out some younger arms instead. Masterson can now choose to accept his designation or test the waters in free agency.

Masterson has been moved back into the bullpen coming out of the All-Star break with Steven Wright getting the promotion from Triple-A to start Saturday against the Tigers.

In two appearances since the All-Star break, Masterson has allowed three earned runs over 2.2 innings. He's also struck out four and walked one, while hitting a pair of batters and throwing two wild pitches.

Masterson allowed three runs on four hits while striking out two in 1.2 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Astros.

Masterson was coming off an impressive three-inning relief stint Saturday, showing more velocity and a good mix. One game later, he gets knocked around. And therein lies the problem with Masterson, who's been unable to establish any consistency this season.

Masterson pitched three scoreless innings of relief in Saturday night's loss to the Angels. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

An encouraging appearance for Masterson, who is no longer in the starting rotation. With the problems some of Boston starters have had getting deep into games, Masterson will be needed for several multiple inning appearances going forward.

Masterson will have his expected start Wednesday against the Marlins, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The Red Sox will only play five games in the final week of the first half, so they'll elect to run a four-man rotation for a little while in order to get their top starters on the hill. Masterson should be available in a relief role throughout the week.

Masterson was shelled for five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out two while recording just 11 outs, but escaped with a no-decision in a game the Red Sox would lose 12-8 in 10 innings against Houston on Friday night.

His first start after being activated from the disabled list (shoulder) was encouraging, but the old Justin Masterson resurfaced in this one, and with an unsightly 6.14 ERA, his spot in the rotation is likely in jeopardy. Rumors have been circulating that Brian Johnson will soon be inserted into the rotation, and this performance will probably only intensify those expectations.

Masterson will remain the rotation and start Friday against Houston, the Boston Globe reports.

This is not surprising news, after Masterson shut down the Rays for five innings Sunday. Whether or not Masterson remains in the rotation long term has yet to be determined. Any stumbles, particularly of the unsightly kind that had his ERA at 6.37 before Sunday, will likely force Boston to go another way.

Masterson's fastball velocity was still down (89-91) in Sunday's return to the rotation, but he showed marked improvement in his slider, a pitch he threw 21 ties that got eight swings-and-misses, the Boston Globe reports. Five of his six punchouts came on the slider.

"You could tell the break was nice," Masterson said. "Tonight, just being able to throw strikes, that's kind of the biggest thing." There were many encouraging signs for Masterson, who threw strikes on 54 of his 84 pitches and didn't walk a batter for the first time all season. For not having pitched in 10 days, Masterson was sharp Sunday, throwing a high percentage of strikes and keeping the Rays off balance with his mix.

Masterson allowed one run (none earned) on five hits while striking out six in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. He was lifted after throwing 84 pitches over five innings.

Masterson, who was taking Joe Kelly's spot in the rotation, gave the Red Sox a nice effort before manager John Farrell turned the game over early to the bullpen. Farrell has not committed to Masterson in the starting rotation beyond Sunday's start, but the right-hander may have earned himself another shot.

Manager John Farrell would not commit to Masterson in the starting rotation beyond Sunday's start, the Boston Globe reports. Masterson was tapped to take Joe Kelly's spot in the rotation.

When Farrell didn't commit to Kelly following his outing Tuesday, speculation grew about promoting Brian Johnson from Triple-A Pawtucket, but the manager eventually settled on Masterson for Sunday's start. Johnson's time is coming, so Masterson needs to pitch well if he's going to stay in the rotation beyond Sunday.

Masterson will move back into Boston's rotation and is slated to start on Sunday, Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports.

The Red Sox optioned the struggling Joe Kelly on Thursday, opening up a spot in their rotation for Masterson. He is 2-2 on the season with a 6.37 ERA over seven starts this season, but has not taken the mound since May 12.