Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Papelbon proves to be a dominant factor — In discussing the New York Yankees dynasty of the late 1990s, veteran right-hander David Cone once described closer Mariano Rivera as "The X Factor." Now, inside the walls of antiquated Fenway Park, that is precisely what Jonathan Papelbon is becoming for the Red Sox.
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
RELATED ITEMS:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Big jam, but he preserved tie — Even with the game-ending two-run shot by David Ortiz, and the impressive outing by Curt Schilling, Jonathan Papelbon was making heads shake in the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday, his 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief providing a necessary backdrop for the rest of the game's heroics.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Angels fall short of sweep in Arizona — PHOENIX — Orlando Hudson broke open a tie game by drilling a three-run homer in the fifth inning as the Diamondbacks handed the Angels a 9-7 loss in front of 24,778 on Sunday afternoon. — The loss prevented the Angels from getting their first sweep …
Discussion:
6-4-2
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
RELATED ITEMS:
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
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
RELATED ITEMS:
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Bonds makes early exit with ailing knee — Slugger walked and scored in second and did not return — SAN FRANCISCO — Giants slugger Barry Bonds left Sunday's game against the Oakland A's following the second inning after aggravating his surgically repaired left knee.
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
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
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
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 …
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 …