Today in Baseball History: April 22nd

2008 On April 22, 2008, John Smoltz strikes out Felipe Lopez of the Washington Nationals for his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming the 16th pitcher to reach that mark.

2007 On April 22, 2007, four consecutive Boston batters hit home runs off Yankee pitcher Chase Wright at Fenway Park. The consecutive homers tie a major league mark, which has been accomplished just five times. The Red Sox batters are Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek.

1980 On April 22, 1980, Barry Foote hits a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Chicago Cubs a dramatic 16-12 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs' catcher finishes the game with eight RBIs.

1970 On April 22, 1970, New York Mets ace Tom Seaver ties a major league record by striking out 19 batters in a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. Seaver also strikes out the last 10 batters he faces, setting another big league mark. Earlier in the day, Seaver was officially presented with the 1969 National League Cy Young Award.

1959 On April 22, 1959, the Chicago White Sox score 11 runs in one inning-with the benefit of only one hit. Chicago puts together the bizarre rally on 10 walks, three errors by the Kansas City A's, and a hit batsman. The White Sox go on to defeat the A's, 20-6.

1915 On April 22, 1915, the New York Yankees wear their famed pinstripes for the first time. Although they are not the first club to use the vertical stripes, the Yankees become so associated with them that writers will commonly refer to the team as the "Pinstripers."

1915 On April 22, 1915, Napoleon Lajoie commits five errors in the Philadelphia A's 7-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The newly acquired second baseman becomes the seventh player to commit that many errors in a game.

1914 On April 22, 1914, future Hall of Famer Babe Ruth makes his pitching debut for the minor league Baltimore Orioles of the International League. The left-handed throwing Ruth allows only six hits in shutting out the Buffalo Bisons, 6-0. At the plate, Ruth picks up two singles in four at-bats.