Interleague Play Memorable Moments

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 20, 2011

Interleague Play Memorable Moments

Giants take first ever interleague game

The Rangers played host to the Giants in the first interleague regular season game in MLB history. San Francisco edged out Texas 4-3 thanks in part to right fielder Stan Javier, who blasted the first interleague play home run ever.

David Cone achieves perfection

Cone stifled the Vladimir Guerrero-led Expos, retiring 27 straight batters on just 88 pitches (68 of which were strikes) and striking out 10. Ironically, Cone achieved the feat in front of Don Larsen and Yogi Berra -- the batter of the only perfect game in World Series history -- who were in attendance for Yogi Berra Day.

Clemens drills Piazza

The feud begins. Clemens hit Piazza in the helmet with a fastball, knocking the Mets star to the ground with a concussion. The injury caused Piazza to miss the All-Star game. Just a few months later in the 2000 World Series, the two players nearly came to blows after Clemens inexplicably tossed a piece of Piazza's broken bat at the catcher (inset).

Astros no-hit Yankees

Following a perfect first inning with two strikeouts, Houston ace Roy Oswalt strained his right groin n his second pitch of the second inning and immediately left the game. No problem. Pete Munro (2 2/3 innings), Kirk Saarloos (1 1/3), Brad Lidge (2), Octavio Dotel (1) and Billy Wagner (1) didn't allow a single hit over the remaining eight innings for the first no-hitter against the Yankees in 45 years. It was the most pitchers ever to combine on a no-hitter in major league history.

Clemens reaches 300 wins, 4,000 strikeouts

The Rocket joined two exclusive fraternities (300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts) in the same momentous ballgame. Clemens overwhelmed the Cardinals, allowing two runs while striking out 10 over 6 2/3.

Michael Barrett slugs A.J. Pierzynski

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, one of the game's most notorious rabble-rousers, ran over Cubs catcher Michael Barrett to score on a sacrifice fly. Pierzynski emphatically slapped home plate and went to pick up his helmet when Barrett collided with him and slugged him in the face, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. Barrett received a 10-game suspension for the sucker punch.

Justin Verlander no-hits Milwaukee

With a filthy arsenal that includes a high-90s heater, hard-breaking curveball and knee-buckling changeup, everyone knew that Justin Verlander had no-hit stuff. Then 24 years old, Verlander put it all together against the Brewers, striking out 12 and walking four. Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy knew his team was in trouble right off the bat: "I think the pressure started mounting in the first inning, when he was throwing 100 mph with that curveball and changeup, you know?" Hardy told MLB.com. "When he can throw them all for strikes, he's tough to hit."

Sammy Sosa joins 600-homer club

As a member of the Texas Rangers, Sosa became the fifth player ever to hit 600 homers. And he did it against the Cubs, the team for which he blasted 545 of his career homers. No. 600 came off Jason Marquis.

Ken Griffey Jr. returns to Seattle

The former Mariners star returned to Seattle for the first time since being traded to the Reds after the 1999 season. The often-injured outfielder went 5-for-13 with two home runs in the three-game series, which included a 16-1 Cincinnati win in the opener. Of course, Griffey made an even bigger return when he rejoined the Mariners in 2009, playing a year and a half before retiring.

World Series rematch

Call it a consolation prize: The Yankees took the 2009 title in six games, but the Phillies took two of three in the Bronx in the interleague rematch the following summer. Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick put together strong outings on the mound to lead Philadelphia. Derek Jeter went 0-for-11 in the series.

Edwin Jackson no-hits Tampa Bay

The Diamondbacks righthander was so wild at the beginning, he didn't look like he'd get deep into the game -- let alone finish the fourth no-hitter of the season. Jackson walked eight in the 1-0 win over the Rays (seven in the first three innings) and threw 149 pitches for the fourth no-hitter in interleague play.