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 …
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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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Caught napping on the job — Cubs stumble to 10th loss in last 12 games despite Lee's return — MINNEAPOLIS — Derrek Lee was driven from Des Moines to Minneapolis after Saturday night's game at Triple-A Iowa, getting only a few hours of sleep before his long-awaited return to the Cubs' lineup.
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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
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
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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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Associated Press:
Bonds leaves game with knee irritation — SAN FRANCISCO —Barry Bonds left Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics after the second inning with irritation in his left knee, a day after the San Francisco slugger connected for his 719th home run. — Bonds is day to day.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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.
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 …
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
Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
What The Hell Does George Will Know? — It was more than 700 Sundays ago that I found myself in my father's house on the morning his oil burner busted. As we waited and shivered in anticipation of a local heating technician who would deign to show up on the Sabbath, we wordlessly stared at whatever was on television in his kitchen.
Ryan Quinn / MLB.com:
Notes: Ellis ready for rehab assignment — Second baseman will play for Sacramento on Monday — SAN FRANCISCO — A's manager Ken Macha said second baseman Mark Ellis will have a rehab assignment in Triple-A Sacramento on Monday. — Ellis has been on the 15-day disabled list since fracturing …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
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
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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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 …
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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