Top News:
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Boo hoo Sox fans: Renteria heard you last year — ATLANTA - Sitting at his locker in workout clothes prior to last night's game, a wad of smokeless tobacco clenched between his teeth, Edgar Renteria finally fessed up. — You got to him. — That's right, Red Sox fans.
RELATED ITEMS:
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Red Sox seek to extend streak — Boston (40-28) vs. Washington (32-40), 7:05 p.m. ET — Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox seem to be making a weekly habit of proving that a pitcher's record is one of the more deceptive statistics in baseball. — In 2005, Wakefield finished with 16 wins and a 4.15 ERA.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
RELATED ITEMS:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Smoltz not seeking trade — Veteran right-hander can veto any move — ATLANTA — Wearing his usual smile and showing no signs of being a disgruntled employee, John Smoltz came to Turner Field on Tuesday afternoon and proclaimed there's no reason for anybody to believe he's seeking a trade.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Trachsel looking for third straight — Cincinnati (38-32) at New York (43-26), 7:10 p.m. ET — The Mets will try to bounce back after losing the first game of a series two times in a row. — Against the Orioles last Friday, the Mets were surprised by a team on a three-game losing streak.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
RELATED ITEMS:
David Briggs / MLB.com:
Home-field matters — Garner, Guillen will play to win 2006 All-Star Game — PITTSBURGH — Last year's Fall Classic won't be lost on Phil Garner when he manages the National League in next month's Midsummer Classic. — His Astros were swept by Chicago, but Garner knows the complexion …
RELATED ITEMS:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Devil Rays deal Gathright to Royals for LHP Howell … The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for center fielder Joey Gathright, ESPN.com has learned. — The Rays also sent minor league second baseman Fernando Cortez to the Royals in that deal.
RELATED ITEMS:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Baseball Won't Save Samples For Testing — While Commissioner Bud Selig reiterated that Major League Baseball was eventually hoping to find a urine test to detect human growth hormone, he said he did not envision freezing urine samples from baseball players for future testing.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Segui: I told O's about need for hGH … Former Orioles first baseman David Segui, who revealed over the weekend that he is one of the players named in Jason Grimsley's affidavit on drug use in baseball, said Tuesday that he informed the club in 2003 that he had obtained a prescription for human growth hormone.
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
State of the NBA Finals — Forget about who's winning the championship. I'm starting to feel like the future of the NBA is at stake. — We just spent the past two months raving about the "New And Improved" NBA — end-to-end action, loads of points, dramatic endings …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Damon, Yanks rally to upend Phillies — Center fielder laces go-ahead two-run triple in four-run eighth — PHILADELPHIA — It appeared as though the Yankees had run out of chances on Tuesday after Ryan Howard's seventh RBI of the night gave the Phillies a two-run lead in the seventh inning.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Seat-diving, wall-crashing players … Where there's a wall, there's a way. — Where there's a will, there's a wall. — Something like that. — We're working on a slogan here, a slogan we'll be posting over the clubhouse door for our new favorite team: — The All-Run-Through-A-Wall team.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels Hitters Are Baffled Again — Cain, 21, comes within four outs of a no-hitter as L.A.'s offense remains in its slump in a loss to the Giants. Escobar is a tough-luck loser again. — SAN FRANCISCO — A sense of urgency seemed to permeate the Angels' clubhouse Monday afternoon …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Pitching staff down to 12 — Barnwell called up, Simpson designated for assignment — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers made a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon to allow veteran right-hander Rick Helling to join the starting rotation and to bolster the infield depth behind him.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball