Top News:
Michael Schwartz / MLB.com:
D-backs can't get bats untracked — Arizona manages just six hits in loss to Padres — PHOENIX — Although the D-backs missed Padres ace Jake Peavy Sunday afternoon, it did not matter the way Justin Germano pitched. — Germano, who got the start after San Diego moved back Peavy's turn …
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Andrew Bagnato / Associated Press:
Germano leads Padres over Diamondbacks — PHOENIX (AP) — The San Diego Padres gave rookie Justin Germano a big job Sunday — beat All-Star Brandon Webb and avert a three-game sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks. — Germano responded by driving in a run and giving up none to help the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 4-0.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox's old faces could end up in new places — BALTIMORE — American League Central "showdowns" with Cleveland and Detroit are looking more and more like a string of spoiler games and auditions for 2008 for the White Sox. — The Sox acknowledge that's their unenviable position entering …
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Sally Jenkins / Washington Post:
Time for Bonds To Go First Class — There is a way for Barry Bonds to redeem the irredeemable situation that baseball is in. He could preserve the integrity of the game, assuming he wishes to preserve anything but himself, with a decent gesture that would earn back the public's trust.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Stephen Fastenau / MLB.com:
Phils handed 10,000th loss — Right-hander Eaton allows six runs in four-plus innings — PHILADELPHIA — Many of the Phillies' bags were packed and sitting by their lockers before Sunday's game against the Cardinals. — It's a standard practice of every road trip …
Bill Konigsberg / Associated Press:
Reyes homers, Perez pitches Mets by Reds — NEW YORK (AP) — Oliver Perez was back on the mound for the New York Mets, and for one afternoon at least, their offense showed signs of returning to form, too. — Jose Reyes homered, Perez won in his return from the disabled list …
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Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Jeter homers as Yankees climb over .500 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez concedes the New York Yankees have a lot of work ahead. — Still, winning three of four games against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to climb above .500 for the first time in more than three weeks is a nice start …
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Maholm tilts starters' scale — ATLANTA — Look at Paul Maholm as the swing vote. — When he pitches as well as he has in his past nine starts, the Pirates' rotation goes from having two steady contributors in Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny to a majority of three.
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New York Post:
SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...RON DARLING — Q: The wildest story about what it was like to be young, single and a Met? — A: If we went to a nightclub, a restaurant or a bar, we were the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus every place we went. We filled up the arenas, we thrilled people …
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Associated Press:
Lee ends HR drought as Cubs sweep Astros — CHICAGO (AP) — Derrek Lee knows the reason why the Cubs are winning now. — Lee broke a streak of 126 at-bats without a home run with a three-run shot in the second inning to help the Chicago Cubs complete a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros with a 7-6 win on Sunday.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Biggio to start fewer games for rest of season
Biggio to start fewer games for rest of season
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Ichiro smashes yet another barrier — Ichiro Suzuki was a revolutionary from the day he sent foot in the major leagues, so maybe it only stands to reason that he now has a revolutionary contract, too. For all of the money that has been thrown around in baseball in recent years, never has so much gone to a man with so little power.
Discussion:
Mariners Blog
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Notes: Gotay going great as starter — Second baseman thriving in new role as everyday player — NEW YORK — It's been a tough summer for Jose Valentin. The Mets' second baseman has been persistently plagued by a gimpy right knee, an injury that won't fully be healed without offseason surgery.
Tim Booth / Associated Press:
M's lose Suzuki, fall 11-7 to Tigers — SEATTLE (AP) — Marcus Thames made certain Sunday wouldn't be a repeat of the World Series for Jeff Weaver. — Thames hit a two-out, three-run homer off Weaver in the fourth inning, Justin Verlander pitched seven solid innings in Detroit's 11-7 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels can't keep lid on Rangers — Teixeira's home run against Speier in 11th inning caps Texas rally, and Shields' scoreless streak is broken. Figgins sets club record for steals. — The Angels won the cap-tipping contest, and the Texas Rangers won the war, ending Scot Shields' 24 2 …
Steve Henson / Yahoo! Sports:
Bonds rips Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO& Remember the happy, playful Barry Bonds who welcomed one and all at the All-Star Game only five days ago? — He's buried under a 0 for 20 slump, including a humiliating series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that included three losses and a flurry of strikeouts …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Decision looming on Otsuka — Young looking for extra bases; Cruz swinging with confidence — ANAHEIM — The Rangers are facing a Tuesday deadline with reliever Akinori Otsuka, who is still feeling discomfort in his right elbow and remains unavailable.