Top News:
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.
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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.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Bullpen Coach Wetteland Is Given the Boot — The Washington Nationals fired bullpen coach John Wetteland yesterday, a move made at the behest of Manager Frank Robinson, who said he could no longer put up with what he considered to be a long line of transgressions and insubordination that was affecting the chemistry of his relief corps.
Discussion:
Examiner
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox fire back with Buehrle, not beanballs — ARLINGTON, Texas — Mark Buehrle was the most effective form of retaliation Thursday night against Texas. — Buehrle limited the Rangers to six hits in eight innings of an 8-2 victory that helped the White Sox restore peace after Wednesday night's debacle.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Riske a shot in arm for ailing bullpen — Sox acquire veteran right-handed reliever in swap with Boston — ARLINGTON, Texas — The White Sox insist embattled rookie reliever Sean Tracey was going to be optioned to Triple-A Charlotte even before he failed to hit Hank Blalock in a retaliation plot Wednesday night.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Donnelly Frustrated With His Role — Wednesday night was the last straw for reliever Brendan Donnelly. Nothing against his buddy, Scot Shields, but when Manager Mike Scioscia summoned Shields for a fourth consecutive day, in the eighth inning with the score tied against the Royals …
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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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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 …
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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
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Overtime — No time for an intro. — Powered by an overtime win for the Oilers, the Randy Johnson game in the PIP, and trying to follow the advanced techniques used on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, on to the injuries: — The Orioles are killing me, Smalls.
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
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Harden has a good laugh over false 'surgery' story — If Rich Harden can smile much about a widely circulated Internet report that he needs Tommy John surgery, it's only because it's so far from the truth. — Not only is Harden not slated for surgery to repair the sprained ulnar collateral ligament …
Discussion:
6-4-2