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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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
He's back — Martínez, eyeing Fenway return, has had a striking impact on Mets — NEW YORK — His words are absent the bitterness he expressed at his parting from the Red Sox 18 months ago. When he returns next week to Fenway Park for the first time since leaving the Sox …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Red Sox Pound Nats Again
Discussion:
MLB.com, Federal Baseball, William F. Yurasko's …, THE BELTWAY BOYS and The Nationals Enquirer
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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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
MLB exec not amused by Macha's humidor remark — (06-22) 04:00 PDT Denver — Ken Macha's statement Tuesday that there should be "an investigation'' into the humidor-stored baseballs at Coors Field didn't go over well with Major League Baseball's executive vice president for baseball operations.
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Carroll bandwagon gaining passengers — Greg Reynolds, a pitcher from Stanford who was the Rockies first-round pick in this month s draft, met the media Wednesday at Coors Field. Reynolds plans to sign a contract Friday and then make a brief appearance with the Single-A short-season Tri-City Dust Devils …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies to ink their top pick in draft — Reynolds, a righty from Stanford, will sign on Thursday — DENVER — Any expectations that come with being the highest first-round pick in Rockies history do not bother Greg Reynolds, a right-handed pitcher from Stanford.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Associated Press:
Padres-Rangers Preview — The Texas Rangers ' current stretch of interleague games started off promising, but now the team is hoping to stave off a slump. — The Rangers look to avoid being swept for the second time overall this season when they wrap up their three-game series …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Troy Phillips / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Four ex-Rangers a fit with Padres — ARLINGTON — Around every corner this week in the San Diego Padres clubhouse is a former Ranger. Here, there, everywhere, it seems. — Four ex-Rangers now don Padres gear for the National League West co-leaders. Says one perennial All-Star now with the team …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Hensley on the hill in series finale — San Diego (38-33) at Texas (38-34), 11:05 a.m. PT — A native Texan, from Pearland outside Houston, Clay Hensley figures to be in his element as temperatures head toward triple digits on Thursday as the Padres engage the Rangers in the finale of the series and road trip.
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Sensitivity the issue, Guillen the problem — Try as I do, it's hard to view sports as some sort of guiding light for humankind. You want to believe in this stuff after sitting in a Dallas arena and watching Dwyane Wade, a credit to his hometown and as humble as he is spectacular …
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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.
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.
David Lefort / Boston Red Sox:
Johnson to Sox — The Red Sox added another arm today, trading for struggling Indians righthander Jason Johnson, who has eight losses and an ERA around 6.00 for the season. The Sox get Johnson and cash consideration in the deal in exchange for a player to be named later and cash.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Another rip job — Sox slug 4 homers, continue assault on Cardinals' pitching — The offensive outburst brought back pleasant memories for Jim Thome. — "Whenever you can score the runs like we have, it reminds me a lot of those mid-1990s teams we had there," Thome said Wednesday night …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Ump stands by foul call on Teixeira blast — ARLINGTON - The umpires could feel the Rangers pain. — Bill Welke, the first base umpire who called Mark Teixeira's potential game-winning home run foul in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday, said the call was extremely difficult to make.
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 …
