Top News:
Associated Press:
Rally Nats — Washington overcomes 7-run deficit to stun Yankees — WASHINGTON (AP) — It's hard to think of a more demoralizing scenario. The Washington Nationals, losers of five straight, were down seven runs to the New York Yankees, whose fans had turned RFK Stadium into a home-away-from-home.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
NATIONALS 11, YANKEES 9 — Chacon, Rivera and Rest of Staff Waste 7-Run Lead in Washington — WASHINGTON, June 17 — Twice in about 19 hours this weekend, Mariano Rivera was called into a game in the eighth inning. Once he was dominant. The second time he was ragged. But he was hardly the only one.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats shock Yanks late — Team erases seven-run deficit to break losing skid — WASHINGTON — Trailing the Yankees by seven runs in the fifth inning on Saturday afternoon, the Nationals' dugout was very quiet. Riding a five-game losing streak, it was tough to fathom a comeback was in the offing.
Basil / Federal Baseball:
Robinson's Revenge? — We all have these little creatures inside of us. They're part of us in a sense, but we would no doubt disavow associations with them. They're like immoral independent contractors. — I don't know anything about psychology—no joke, my freshman year survey professor …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Williams's Blast Sinks the Nationals — This all could have been remembered simply for the return of the New York Yankees, who last stepped on the turf at RFK Stadium in 1971, when they played the final game here against the old Washington Senators, a game that never ended because fans stormed …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Anna hasn't lost her touch — Mr. and Mrs. Kristin James Benson and family returned to Flushing last night and reminded us why so many Mets fans wish they were still here — and why the Mets are relieved that they aren't. — Mr. Benson, better known as Kris, was customarily tidy …
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ponson is sent to bullpen — The Cardinals have notified pitcher Sidney Ponson of at least his temporary assignment to the bullpen while they contemplate promoting Anthony Reyes from Class AAA Memphis to make Thursday's start against the Chicago White Sox. — Pitching coach Dave Duncan …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Rob Rossi / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Casey contract talks on the horizon — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — Discussions with Pirates first baseman Sean Casey on a contract extension are expected to begin after the All-Star break. — A three-year deal totaling $18 million is a safe starting point for negotiations, according to a source within the organization.
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
It's welcome back, Kapler: Popular outfielder gets call-up — ATLANTA - Gabe Kapler can't pitch and his call-up from Triple A yesterday won't make up for losing starter Matt Clement to the disabled list. — Nor does he wield the kind of stick that's going to earn him a spot tucked behind David Ortiz …
Discussion:
Hartford Courant
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Associated Press:
Padres-Angels Preview — San Diego Padres starter Jake Peavy looks to avoid losing three straight starts for the first time since his rookie season when he faces the Los Angeles Angels in the middle game of a weekend interleague series at Angel Stadium. — Peavy (4-7, 4.96 ERA) …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: LaRoche suffers setback — Third base prospect undergoes MRI after tear in right shoulder — OAKLAND — Dodgers third base prospect Andy LaRoche's arrival to the Major Leagues has been delayed because of a slight labrum tear in his throwing shoulder, suffered on Thursday night …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Associated Press:
M's in Bonds' future? Slugger mum — SEATTLE (AP) — It took less than a day for slowing superstar Barry Bonds to field the inevitable question, a tantalizing one that has been bouncing around baseball for months. — Has he thought about moving to the AL and becoming a designated hitter next season …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
GM: Hot Volquez to stay put — Despite rotation troubles, Rangers won't call up pitcher — ARLINGTON - Rangers general manager Jon Daniels sees a starting rotation that is struggling. He sees a minor leaguer who is tearing up Triple-A. — His reaction: Stay the course.
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Des Moines Register:
Prior bypasses Des Moines for Chicago — Mark Prior will make his first start of the season Sunday against the Detroit Tigers — instead of pitching in Des Moines for the Iowa Cubs — after missing the first 2 months with a strained shoulder. — ''It's been a long, hard road …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Claussen goes on DL with sore shoulder — Claussen goes on DL with sore shoulder — CINCINNATI (AP) — Shortly before midnight, Cincinnati Reds interim pitching coach Tom Hume got a phone call. — Left-hander Brandon Claussen was on the line. It was a few hours after one of the worst outings …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
Darren Everson / NY Daily News:
Get outta town! — Boos, Birds hammer Heilman in Mets' return home — Nobody's perfect, although nobody at Shea seems to understand that sometimes. — You'd think that the Mets' sizzling start would buy everyone some cover from the boo-birds - slumping pitchers included. But you'd be wrong.
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Rodriguez tries to beat critics to punch by saying: 'Hit me' — The following column was written with the knowledge, approval and blessing of Alex Rodriguez. — Which makes it a whole lot less fun to write. — But he stunk yesterday. You know it. I know it. He knows it.
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