Top News:
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Royals get 4 in 5th, defeat Red Sox 6-5 — BOSTON (AP) — The Kansas City Royals left the slumping Red Sox answering questions about the surging Yankees. — "Are the Yankees back in it?" Boston's Coco Crisp said. "They were never out of it." — Riding high with a 12-game lead …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Sanders likes thought of trade to the Sox — The trade talk is inevitable, and Reggie Sanders knows it. — The 39-year-old outfielder plays for the last-place Kansas City Royals, notching a double in three at-bats during their 9-3 win against the Red Sox [team stats] last night at Fenway Park [map].
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves sign Julio Franco — Hoping that a blast from their past will help fill a glaring need, the Braves signed 48-year-old first baseman Julio Franco for the rest of the season. — The oldest player in the majors, who turns 49 on Aug. 23, was dropped by the New York Mets last week …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Associated Press:
Franco signs with Braves after release from Mets — ATLANTA — Julio Franco will get another chance to swing the bat in the big leagues. — The 48-year-old utilityman signed with Atlanta on Wednesday, rejoining the Braves a week after he was cut by the New York Mets.
Associated Press:
Angels send struggling Santana to minors — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Struggling right-hander Ervin Santana was sent to the minors by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, a day after he was shelled by Tampa Bay and lost his fifth consecutive decision. — Santana fell to 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA in 19 starts.
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Associated Press
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Ben Bolch / Los Angeles Times:
Santana sent to minors — Struggling right-hander is optioned to triple-A Salt Lake a day after giving up 14 hits and seven runs in six innings. — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Angels' patience with Ervin Santana finally ran out today as the team optioned the struggling right-hander to triple-A Salt Lake …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
AMBRES CALLED UP TO BIG CLUB — The Mets temporarily will be without Damion Easley, who was put on the bereavement list yesterday and was replaced by Triple-A outfielder Chip Ambres. — Easley also wasn't with the Mets for Monday's game against the Padres. The Mets reserve is with his father, Raymond.
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Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Bonds sits again, Cubs rip Giants 12-1 — CHICAGO (AP) — Just when it seemed Matt Cain could do no wrong, the Chicago Cubs came up with the kind of breakout innings that have landed them right back in the NL Central chase. — Carlos Zambrano pitched five shutout innings to become …
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rolen leaves team to have shoulder examined — The Cardinals' tattered lineup took another hit today when third baseman Scott Rolen left the team in Florida and returned to St. Louis to have his left shoulder examined by team physician Dr. George Paletta. — Rolen also will receive …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres shell out bucks for draft picks — The Padres have guaranteed a franchise-record $6.9 million to draftees this year and are still negotiating with three players chosen among the top 10 rounds. — The total includes $1.4 million paid to 2006 selections Matt Latos and Jeremy McBryde, two pitchers signed in May.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Dontrelle Willis is a Poor Pitcher — The Marlins found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-0 score as Kip Wells pitches eight strong innings, allowing just two hits. But on the other side, Dontrelle Willis pitches another bad game. He gives up eleven hits in just three innings. His ERA is now 5.13.
Associated Press:
While Bonds nears record, trainer still jailed — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds thinks he has it rough these days? — While the San Francisco Giants slugger shows signs of strain as he struggles to hit five more home runs and become Major League Baseball's career home run king …
John Delcos / The LoHud Mets Blog:
Franco: Clubhouse influence overrated — Sure, Julio Franco had his moments with the Mets. He even had a few this year. He just didn't have enough of them to prevent his release. Franco signed today with the Braves, which wasn't really a surprise. — However, what was a surprise …
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
Associated Press:
Long-term deal: M's to be paying Ichiro until 2032 — NEW YORK — The Seattle Mariners will be paying Ichiro Suzuki for at least a quarter century. — The All-Star outfielder's new contract extension calls for the team to defer $25 million of the $90 million he is owed …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 92: Blue Jays at Yankees — Here is the lineup: — YANKEES — Damon DH — Jeter SS — Abreu RF — Rodriguez 3B — Matsui LF — Posada C — Cano 2B — Phillips 1B — Cabrera LF — Pettitte LHP (5-6, 4.27) — Pregame chatter: Yanks are facing Roy Halladay …
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