Top News:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Lester swept up in fun — Lefthander whiffs 10 to finish off Nationals — It was with a small, understated fist pump, and a wipe of the face with the top of his jersey that Jon Lester found a way to celebrate the 92-mile-per-hour fastball that exploded past Matthew LeCroy …
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Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Notes: Confidence in bullpen — Francona expresses desire to give young relievers responsibility — BOSTON — As Craig Hansen stood in front of his locker in the Red Sox clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, he hoped this would be the last time he would have to answer questions about returning to the big-league roster.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lester, Ortiz lead Sox to sixth straight — Rookie fans 10, Papi hits slam as Red Sox sweep Nationals — BOSTON — Dazzling Red Sox prospect Jon Lester has a long way to go before he reaches David Ortiz's cult status in and around Fenway Park. However, it's not a stretch to say that the young gun …
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Red Sox Pound Nats Again — Third Straight Loss Leaves Team Searching for Answers: Red Sox 9, Nationals 3 — BOSTON, June 21 — They came here on such a high that their manager said they might not need a plane to fly north from the District. But on Wednesday night …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Johnny: Sox fans should hail Pedro — PHILADELPHIA - When the Mets go to Boston next week for Pedro Martinez's first trip to Fenway since leaving town, Johnny Damon hopes the ex-Red Sox ace hears the cheers Damon didn't when he went back. — "He was an absolute god there," Damon said.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Pen pitches in for Jaret win — Five Yankees hold Phils to zeroes — PHILADELPHIA - The Yankees are missing two of their top sluggers because Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield are injured, losses that might cripple other teams. But, as Derek Jeter put it, "what we have is what we have.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Giambi Says He's Doing Things Right — PHILADELPHIA, June 21 — Because of the reported steroid use of his past and because baseball still does not test for all performance-enhancing drugs, Jason Giambi may never be able to convince people that he is clean.
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Four Pitch In To Help Wright — Yankees Combine On Three-Hitter — PHILADELPHIA — Except for the familiar blue and gray and the "New York" across the chest, the Yankees bear little resemblance to the team America loves to hate. — But even with their lineup defanged by injuries …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Associated Press:
Guillen apologizes for using slur in reference to columnist — Outspoken Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen apologized yesterday for using a derogatory term in referring to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti, then kept up his criticism of the writer.
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Mark Kreidler / ESPN:
No raves for Ozzie's rants … Can we all agree that certain words are so potentially hurtful they should be used either rarely or never? — Good. Then let's not call it a suspension. Let's call it an intervention. — C'mon, White Sox, rescue your guy before he goes Archie Bunker on the rest of the world.
Contra Costa Times:
Lowry's lowered velocity raises concern — Giants notebook — SAN FRANCISCO — Noah Lowry's diminished velocity aroused manager Felipe Alou's concern Wednesday. — Alou called Lowry's stuff "very mild," citing the left-hander's fastball, which often ranged in the 84-85 mph neighborhood.
Kristen Zimmerman / minorleaguebaseball.com:
Youth is served in Futures Game rosters — Maybin, Liz and Hughes to take field on All-Star Sunday — They come from all over the world and are at different stages of their professional careers but have one thing in common — Major League potential. — The 50 Minor Leaguers that adorn …
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Angels salvage series finale — Izturis' bases-clearing double in the eighth propels club — SAN FRANCISCO — It was Jeff Weaver's turn on Wednesday to provide some quality innings, yet be denied a victory. — But in a positive twist to the story, the offense responded with a late-inning rally …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Associated Press:
Feds want to know who leaked grand jury testimony — SAN FRANCISCO — The Bush administration urged a federal judge Wednesday to force two San Francisco Chronicle reporters to divulge who leaked them secret grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes who took part in the government's probe …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Wood realizes he might be done for year — CLEVELAND — Kerry Wood has no concrete answers about what the rest of the season holds for him. Asked if he has doubts about whether he'll pitch again this season, Wood acknowledged that uncertainty is clouding his mind as he continues to work …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Little Asks Izturis to Switch to Third Base — The Dodgers, unsure whether Bill Mueller will play again this season and unconvinced that Willy Aybar can play third base every day, told Cesar Izturis on Tuesday that he is their new third baseman. — "That's the only spot we've got," Izturis said.
