Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wetteland let go as bullpen coach — Former closer had disagreements with manager Robinson — WASHINGTON — After Thursday's loss to the Rockies, the Nationals dismissed bullpen coach John Wetteland because of philosophical differences with manager Frank Robinson.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Rockies Complete Sweep Of Nats — When the latest humiliation ended and an 8-1 thrashing at the hands of the Colorado Rockies became official, Frank Robinson remained on the top step of the home dugout at RFK Stadium. He turned to face his team as they scooped up their belongings and headed to the clubhouse.
Ken Wright / Washington Times:
Rockies sweep the Nats — How quickly things turn in baseball. — Just last weekend, the Washington Nationals were seemingly the hottest team in the game. Now, they are staggering after getting swept in a four-game home series against the Colorado Rockies.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Ross homers a day after being hit in jaw with pitch — MIAMI GARDENS — Outfielder Cody Ross was back in the starting lineup Thursday — and homered in his first at-bat — one day after getting hit in the jaw with a fastball. — Ross' jaw still was sore and his lower lip was swollen …
Discussion:
Ben Maller
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Top pick agrees to deal; signing bonus $1.525M — · The Marlins on Thursday agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Brett Sinkbeil, a right-hander out of Missouri State. — Sinkbeil, who will receive a $1.525 million signing bonus, is expected in South Florida today for a news conference.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Ross' return sparks Marlins — Outfielder homers following scare; Fish win fifth straight — MIAMI — If the youthful Marlins have shown anything this season, it's the ability to bounce back. — Cody Ross certainly rebounded from a scary moment and became another Florida hero.
Discussion:
FishStripes
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Magadan relieved of duties as hitting coach — With a batting average that ranks 12th in the 16-team National League, a team slugging average that's dead last and not one regular player hitting above .300, the Padres have been a disappointment offensively, referred to often as the Popgun Padres
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Rodriguez, It Would Seem, Gets Worst of Yanks' Tough Day — There were many reasons for the Yankees' 8-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians yesterday on a splendid afternoon at Yankee Stadium. — They included a sub-par performance by starter Mike Mussina (8-3), a base-running mistake by Derek Jeter …
Red / Surviving Grady:
He Was a Good Guy. Loved His Red Sox. — My dad passed away Tuesday morning. And I couldn't be happier. — Understand: I mean no disrespect. I loved my dad like you read about. But his passing — on the heels of a number of days of waiting around a cold hospital room — came as great relief.
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Javier Lopez / boston.redsox.mlb.com:Red Sox acquire lefthanded pitcher Javier Lopez from Chicago White Sox …
Greg Wagner / MLB.com:
Cabrera's single lifts Angels in extras — Guerrero belts 16th home run; Lackey has solid outing — ANAHEIM — The streaking Orlando Cabrera delivered a two-out, game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning that helped the Angels take down the Royals, 3-2, in front of 41,649 at Angel Stadium on Thursday.
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Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds — Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins traded infielder Juan Castro back to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for minor league outfielder Brandon Roberts. — Castro was batting .231 with five doubles …
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
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Phil Sheridan / Philly.com:
Phillies can't simply 'settle' for wild card — The nicest thing you can say about the Phillies' performance yesterday is also the most damning thing you can say about them as a team: — It is notable that they turned in a competitive, professional performance against the New York Mets.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jason Brummond / MLB.com:
Wakefield will try to salvage finale — Boston (36-27) at Minnesota (30-34), 8:10 p.m. ET — MINNEAPOLIS — Red Sox manager Terry Francona is hoping Tim Wakefield, or any of his starters for that matter, can give him quality starts on a regular basis. — With Keith Foulke on the 15 …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Mathieson set to make leap to majors — Scott Mathieson knew something was up when he saw he'd missed two calls after he returned from his morning workout at the gym across the street from his hotel in Erie, Pa., on Tuesday. When John Morris and Tom Filer, coaches at Double A Reading …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Yankees' Last Trip to R.F.K. Ended With Fan Rampage — Last day of the 1971 season. Top of the ninth, the Yankees down, 7-5, to the Senators. Final game ever for the Senators in Washington, before they skedaddled to Arlington, Tex. — Robert F. Kennedy Stadium was the site of a peculiar wake …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Full circle — Back in Miami, Marlins' Alfredo Amezaga is a long way from having one meal a day at Taco Bell — Phone calls home to Mexico of any prolonged duration were beyond Alfredo Amezaga's financial means. So for two years he spoke to family in staccato.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Billingsley solid in debut as LA wins — Dodgers break through in seventh to salvage finale — SAN DIEGO — If it didn't match the drama and degree of difficulty of Edwin Jackson's winning birthday debut against Randy Johnson three years ago, Chad Billingsley came a close second Thursday based on clubhouse reviews.
Discussion:
6-4-2
