Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
No Relief From the Nationals' Starter — Hernandez Lasts Only 12/3 Innings: Red Sox 11, Nationals 3 — BOSTON, June 20 — Here were the two guys to defy any obsession with radar guns, who respond to urges for harder and faster with softer and slower. Tim Wakefield took the mound Tuesday night …
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
One more instance of Rhodes kill — PHILADELPHIA - No matter his uniform's color, the town or the situation, the Yankees always seem to pound well-traveled reliever Arthur Rhodes the way they did last night in the pivotal eighth inning of their 9-7 victory over the Phillies.
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Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Yanks Call On Higher Power — Howard (Seven RBI) No Match For Rivera — PHILADELPHIA — Like a comic book titan, Ryan Howard terrorized the others time after time. He sent Mike Mussina's ERA soaring and flipped Mike Myers for a loop. — On the last page, he was staring down Mariano Rivera.
Discussion:
New York Times
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Howard Has 7 R.B.I., but Yankees Rally to Win
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Notes: Randolph raves about Reyes — Streaking shortstop locked in at top of Mets lineup — NEW YORK — Mets skipper Willie Randolph spent a good part of his pregame conference with the media discussing the maturation of Jose Reyes. — The topic of Reyes came about because of the Mets …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets' bats get back on Trach — 4 homers back Steve — Willie Randolph settled into a chair in an interview room, responded to an inquiry about Cliff Floyd's health, then faced a zinger of a second question. — "You were 9-1 on your last road trip. You dropped three of your last four at home.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
David Picker / New York Times:
Practice Helps Nady Find His Timing, and It's Right on Time — Xavier Nady returned to the Mets' lineup Monday, but he went hitless in four at-bats. Nady said that his timing was off, the result of not playing in the majors since the end of May. He pledged to spend some extra time in the batting cage to sharpen his swing.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards Thursday starter becoming clear — Reyes likely to get the call against the White Sox — CHICAGO — Rookie Anthony Reyes is almost certain to start the Cardinals' game on Thursday against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, but the right-hander has not officially been announced at this point.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Plunk! La Russa's return doesn't go well — Cardinals' manager chooses a fine night to start beanball war, writes Phil Rogers — Oh, brother. — Tony La Russa is a good guy, but he never has been a good loser. Maybe it was just coincidence that his pitcher, Sidney Ponson …
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Lee takes BP, eyes weekend return — CLEVELAND — First baseman Derrek Lee might make his return to the Cubs' starting lineup this weekend in Minnesota. — He wasn't quite ready to predict an exact date for his comeback, but he made it clear he is leaning toward returning this weekend …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Willis club's top winner as Marlins ties wins mark — BALTIMORE — The 1997 World Series champion Marlins never did it. Neither did the 2003 group that brought a second title to South Florida. — No team in the franchise's 14-year history has been hotter for longer than this $15 million, future-is-now assemblage.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Laurence Miedema / Contra Costa Times:
Giants get just enough to beat Lackey, Angels — Morris pitches well and hits a two-run double off S.F.'s Series nemesis — SAN FRANCISCO - It took almost four years, but the Giants finally got their series-clinching win against the Angels. — Sure, it'll never make up for the heartbreaking failures …
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San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres edge Rangers but Trevor makes it exciting — ARLINGTON, Texas - Mike Cameron hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning to help the Padres beat the Texas Rangers 6-5 on Tuesday night - but just barely. — Trevor Hoffman got the final three outs for his 17th save of the season.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Yanks' eye on Jacque — PHILADELPHIA - It's no secret the Yankees have several glaring needs, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to fill them on the trade market. — One source said GM Brian Cashman is running into the same wall on almost every call he makes …
Contra Costa Times:
Moises Alou to have MRI — Giants notebook — SAN FRANCISCO — Moises Alou missed his third game in a row because of a cranky lower back, and the ailment has the Giants medical staff concerned enough to schedule the veteran outfielder for an MRI exam today.
Kelsie Smith / Boston Globe:
A sense of relief for Francona — Bullpen gets job done this time — On a night when the manager introduced himself to the starting pitcher at 4 p.m., and when that pitcher entered the game with a 22.50 ERA, you need to have faith in your bullpen. — Last night, Terry Francona had no option …
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
When Cora's time comes, he makes most of it — It's a given that Alex Cora will do the little things every time he steps on the field. But lately he's been doing the big things, too. — Last night that meant going 3-for-3 with a walk, steal, RBI and three runs scored in the Red Sox' 11-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Discussion:
SawxBlog
Associated Press:
If it's 'best for team,' Smoltz says he's open to trade talk — ATLANTA — John Smoltz said he's ready to leave Atlanta if a trade can help the last-place Braves. — The 17-year veteran, who's played his entire career in Atlanta, said his once-firm opinion against leaving the Braves changed this year.
