Top News:
Associated Press:
Steinbrenner: Cashman on hook for 2007 finish — NEW YORK — Despite constant speculation about manager Joe Torre's job, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner says someone else also needs to deliver as the team looks to reverse its floundering start: general manager Brian Cashman.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Lester right on course — He retires the first 11 in rehab start — Lefthander Jon Lester took another significant step toward a return to Boston, allowing just one run on five hits in five innings in Pawtucket last night. — Lester retired the first 11 batters of the game and left with the score tied at 1.
Jay Jaffe / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List: Busting Out from Below — Despite dropping a series to the Yankees in the Bronx, the Sox continue to enjoy a large cushion in the AL East. Even with Manny Ramirez hitting a paltry .250/.332/.407 (at least he's up to Being Manny Jiminez), slumping J.D. Drew at .237/.346/.333 …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins pitchers plagued by walks — MIAMI GARDENS — The most walks the Marlins allowed in a game was 12 on Oct. 5, 2001, but that record should have an asterisk. Outfielder John Mabry, called in to pitch during a 20-3 loss to the Braves, walked three batters.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Associated Press:
Marlins drop Phils in 11 — MIAMI (AP) — The Marlins and Phillies swapped shoves in a standoff Thursday night, then played past midnight before Miguel Cabrera made Florida a winner. — Cabrera doubled off the scoreboard to score Hanley Ramirez from first base with no outs in the 11th inning, and the Marlins beat the Phillies 5-4.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Tracy calls clutch hitting 'deplorable' — ST. LOUIS — It takes quite a bit to get Jim Tracy's dander up, so it might raise an eyebrow that he used the word "deplorable" yesterday to describe the Pirates' hitting with runners in scoring position.
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
O's lose series finale to Jays — Struggling reliever Baez allows Rios' 10th-inning homer — BALTIMORE — The Orioles eased off veteran reliever Danys Baez in the eighth inning Thursday night, but they gave the struggling setup man an even tougher assignment.
Chris Kline / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Gio Deals In Zebulon — ZEBULON, N.C.-We'll have more from White Sox lefthander Gio Gonzalez soon, but we felt like his Thursday outing had to me immediately addressed. — The 2004 first-round supplemental pick struck out 12-one shy of his career-high in Double-A Birmingham's 2-1, 11-inning loss to Carolina.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets not having 2nd thoughts — ATLANTA — History keeps repeating itself at second base for the Mets, who once again have asked a backup player to leave the bench and step to the forefront of their everyday lineup. This year, it is Damion Easley. Last year, it was Jose Valentin.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
ESPN:
Bengals coach apologizes for police comments — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has apologized for comments he made on Dan Patrick's ESPN radio show about Cincinnati police possibly profiling his players. — "Yesterday, I gave a radio interview and made some comments that did not illustrate …
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Braun brought up for his bat — Dessens placed on 15-day DL — San Diego - With third base turning into a black hole offensively in a lineup struggling to score runs, the Milwaukee Brewers could wait no longer to call up Ryan Braun. — The Brewers announced late Thursday night that Braun …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Percival's comeback intriguing to Marlins — · The Marlins' search for a closer has shifted back outside the organization. — A source who has spoken with the club said Wednesday the Marlins are closely monitoring Troy Percival's comeback bid. A long-time member of the Los Angeles Angels …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Hancock's father files suit against restaurant — ST. LOUIS — The father of Josh Hancock filed suit Thursday, claiming a restaurant provided drinks to the St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher even though he was intoxicated prior to the crash that killed him.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation, The View From The Bleachers, Associated Press, MetsMole.com, Baseball Crank and Our Book of Scrap
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
Smoltz first with 200 wins, 150 saves — ATLANTA (AP) — For only the second time in a regular-season game, John Smoltz sensed an extra excitement that normally only comes in the postseason. — "Euphoria," Smoltz said. — For baseball's all-time leader in postseason wins, the added edge made him feel right at home.
