Top News:
Associated Press:
Mariners-Padres Preview — Seattle's Joel Pineiro hopes to even his record and defeat San Diego for the third time in his career as Mariners and Padres close their series at Petco Park on Sunday. — In his last start, Pineiro (6-7, 5.34 ERA) struggled through 6 1-3 innings …
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Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Padres host Mariners in series finale — Seattle (37-39) at San Diego (39-35 ), 1:05 p.m. PT — It has been a series of extremes in the two games between the Padres and the Mariners. — The first game was about a pitchers' duel, a 2-1 Padres win in 10 innings.
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie's slurring topped only by Ozzie's skating — I keep thinking of a sportswriter who was suspended 30 days, without pay, for a first-case slip of the tongue. I keep thinking of an owner who was banished from baseball, a general manager who was disgraced for life, broadcasters who have lost their jobs.
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ESPN:
Report: Rocker calls sensitivity training a 'farce' — Ozzie Guillen was ordered to attend sensitivity training for a homophobic slur he made about Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. According to John Rocker, Guillen won't get anything out of it. — When Rocker was ordered …
Discussion:
Deadspin
ESPN:
White Sox brass not amused by Guillen's antics — This has not been a good week for Ozzie Guillen. — In the past three days, the White Sox manager has been fined, suspended and, most recently, made headlines for his apparent refusal to attend sensitivity training, as ordered …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Back Injury Puts McPherson on DL — PHOENIX — Dallas McPherson bent over to field a ground ball during batting practice Friday, something he does hundreds of times a week. Only this time, his lower back locked up and the subsequent spasms sent the third baseman to the 15-day disabled list Saturday.
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Matthew Borenstein / MLB.com:
Kim, Rockies set sights on rubber game — Texas (40-35) at Colorado (37-37), 1:05 p.m. MT — He's not a soccer fan. In fact, he never even played. He's not following the World Cup. But that doesn't stop the always relaxing Byung-Hyun Kim from playing a World Cup video …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Walks hurt Marmol, Santana hurts Cubs — Three of rookie's free passes go on to score; Nevin homers — MINNEAPOLIS — If the Chicago Cubs are going to start young pitchers, then they have to live with the growing pains that Carlos Marmol went through Friday night.
Discussion:
1060west
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Associated Press:
Ortiz joins O's, ex-coach Mazzone — BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Russ Ortiz on Sunday, hoping that a reunion with pitching coach Leo Mazzone rekindles the success that made Ortiz a 20-game winner with Atlanta. — "I think Leo is always up for a challenge," Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Phillies should have stopped Myers's start — Here's a toast to the fans who filled Fenway Park yesterday afternoon. David Ortiz rewarded the throng with yet another walkoff wonder, but this crowd did itself proud long before Big Papi unloaded his latest game-winning thunderbolt.
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Showalter searching for starters — DENVER — The Rangers, going into Sunday's game, are 27-8 this season when they get six innings from their starting pitchers. — The problem is getting those six innings from their starters, something that had occurred just four times …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Wakefield, Sox aim to sweep Phillies — Boston (44-28) vs. Philadelphia (35-39), 2:05 p.m. ET — The Red Sox will attempt to sweep a National League East team for the third consecutive series and extend their season-high winning streak to eight when knuckleballer Tim Wakefield takes …
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Elizabeth Aguilar / MLB.com:
Dodgers top Bucs for fourth straight — Furcal delivers biggest blow as LA polishes off sweep — LOS ANGELES — After handedly defeating the Pirates two days in a row, the Dodgers finally saw the Bucs put up a fight on Sunday afternoon. A 14-hit day, however, would hand Los Angeles its fourth straight win, 7-4.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Ira Berkow / New York Times:
33 Innings, 882 Pitches and One Crazy Game — PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 23 — A few years ago, Bruce Hurst recalled Friday afternoon, he was on a golf course in Scottsdale, Ariz., when he ran into Cal Ripken Jr., the likely Hall of Fame shortstop. "I'm sure he didn't remember me …
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Why Mr. Lasorda shouldn't be in our hall of fame — Richard Griffin says the public persona of the baseball celebrity doesn't match reality — Three Canadians — Ron Stead of London, Ont., Ron Hayter of Hudson Bay, Sask., and the late Larry McLean of Fredericton, N.B. — were honoured …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
As Soriano Goes, So Go the Nats — BALTIMORE, June 24 — It is, by now, little mystery. When Alfonso Soriano hits, the Washington Nationals have a chance. When he doesn't, their job becomes far more difficult. — After Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles …
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Home Run Derby not worth risk to Thome — If American League home run leader Jim Thome is asked to participate in the All-Star Game's Home Run Derby, he will say thanks but no thanks. — "It's one of those things where we have such a good thing going and with the injuries I had last year, I don't think I should do it," he said.