Top News:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
A shot heard 'round Bronx — Randy takes epidural for back — The Yankees are taking a last shot - literally - at getting Randy Johnson ready to pitch in the postseason. Johnson, the 43-year-old lefthander whose back has been bothering him for weeks, had an epidural yesterday …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Associated Press:
Yanks' Johnson has herniated disc, playoffs in doubt — NEW YORK — Yankees lefty Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that could prevent him from pitching in the playoffs next week. — The injury was discovered during an MRI exam Thursday.
NY Daily News:
Sheffield's finally putting himself first — Learning to play first base has turned out to be "more work" than Gary Sheffield envisioned, but he is making it his priority right now, in the interest of helping the Yankees win a championship. He does this without complaint but not without a feeling that he is due compensation.
Bill Finley / New York Times:
Ailing Back Puts Johnson's Postseason in Peril — Randy Johnson has a herniated disk in his lower back and the Yankees have a potential problem. Penciled in as the Game 3 starter next week in the American League division series, Johnson may instead be sidelined for part or all of the postseason.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Ignore Negatives and Hope They Go Away — The television stationed above John Maine was spouting gloom and doom. No Pedro Martínez? No ace? No chance. And so on. Maine glanced up, rolled his eyes and dismissed the talk by spitting a stream of tobacco juice before focusing on a chess match in front of him.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets squeeze past Nationals — Club continues its success in one-run contests this season — WASHINGTON — Define these Mets any way you choose — division winners, postseason participants, National League Division Series favorites, injury-diminished champions or New York's other team.
Discussion:
Metsquire
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Facing free agency, Nixon reflects on his stay — Like Bill Haselman , then the catcher behind the plate, now the Red Sox first base coach, Trot Nixon was wearing a Red Sox uniform Sept. 18, 1996. You might have missed him, on the end of the bench during that night's game in Detroit, as Roger Clemens pitched.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
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Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Manager sees bright future after pitcher's 1-hitter — BOSTON (AP) — One day after Daniel Cabrera ended his inconsistent season with a near no-hitter, Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo predicted a bright future for the 25-year-old right-hander — again. — "He's got a real good note to go home …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox close out season against O's — Baltimore (69-90) at Boston (84-75), Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET — The grind that the Red Sox began in mid-February under the soothing sun in Fort Myers, Fla., will wind down this weekend at Fenway Park, when the Orioles come to town for a three-game series.
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
More Players Are Taking the Train to the Game — To Heath Bell, the term "subway series" describes his life this season. That's how he goes home after a night's work at Shea Stadium. — An hour and a half after the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on a muggy night this season …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
'Adrenaline' prompts Giles' quick return — PHOENIX - Padres right fielder Brian Giles, emboldened by the power of adrenaline, returned to the lineup last night, one day after a sprained right ankle caused him to miss just his fourth start of the season. — "I know with the meaning …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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Josh Suchon / Contra Costa Times:
Zito gets call in A's playoff opener — Loaiza is tabbed as the Game 2 starter, with Harden or Haren to follow in Game 3 — ANAHEIM - From Vida Blue and Catfish Hunter in the 1970s, to Dave Stewart every time in the late '80s and early '90s, to Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson this decade …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano to meet with Nats — All-Star slugger's future with club remains up in the air — WASHINGTON — Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano said on Friday night that he and agent Diego Bentz will meet with front-office personnel next week in hopes that Soriano can remain with the club past this season.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Champagne arrival inspires fiery Olsen — MIAMI GARDENS — Marlins pitcher Scott Olsen arrived at Dolphin Stadium on Friday just in time to see bottles of champagne being wheeled into the ballpark, just in case the Phillies win the wild card this weekend. — "I hate the Phillies …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Santana silences A's in final start — Righty's seven scoreless innings cap impressive year — ANAHEIM — If only this string of games had meant something. — So strong was the belief they would be a factor at the end of the year, the entire clubhouse had circled the closing stretch …
Discussion:
6-4-2
David Lennon / Newsday:
Sure sign that Mets are tired of Milledge's antics — WASHINGTON - KNOW YOUR PLACE, ROOK! — The hand-scrawled message hung above Lastings Milledge's locker after Friday's 4-3 victory over the Nationals. At the bottom of the two sheets of paper was written, "Your Teammates."
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Michael Lazarus / Fox Sports:
Ranking the closers: Regular-season finale — For our final regular-season edition of Ranking the Closers, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at the entire season, rather than just the last 30 days. — We simplified our formula a bit, taking out strikeouts/nine innings …
