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 …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
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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
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Arms buildup continues with deal for Johnson
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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
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.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Sweeney expects to return before All-Star break — Mike Sweeney continued his rehab process Wednesday by working through a second day of early batting practice that was better at the end of 50 swings than at the beginning. — "It's not how you start," he declared. "It's how you finish.
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Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week — David Riske is now the highest-paid member of the White Sox's bullpen. — When the White Sox traded Javy Lopez to the Red Sox for David Riske, the cost of Chicago's bullpen rose about 45%. Riske only makes $1.8 million a year, but the Sox bullpen …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Wagner suffers first loss with Mets — Closer gives up two runs in ninth to spoil Reyes' big night — NEW YORK — The stunning success on their most recent trip put the Mets at a seemingly contradictory point in their summer. Because they did so much — winning nine of 10 games in Los Angeles …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Reyes shifts gears — There have been nearly as many official no-hitters thrown in baseball history as there have been cycles recorded. The Mets, who have never tossed a no-no in their 45 seasons, continue to do their best to skew that statistic in the other direction.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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 …
Discussion:
The Sports Frog
Winter Olympics / Chicago Sun Times:
Lee agrees to minor-league rehab stint — CLEVELAND — Despite indications Tuesday that injured first baseman Derrek Lee was pressing to get back in the Cubs' starting lineup as soon as this weekend in Minnesota, that timetable has been delayed by a minor-league rehab assignment.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
