Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Sox can hear footsteps: Yanks creep back in, testing club's mettle — Ten, nine, eight, seven. Either this is a lesson in counting backward or the Red Sox [team stats] are starting to self-destruct. — For now, at least, let us assume that this is a test and only a test.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
RELATED:
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Red Sox lose, lead in AL East down to 7
Red Sox lose, lead in AL East down to 7
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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
Yahoo! Sports:
Mets recall utilityman Anderson — SAN DIEGO (TICKER) — The New York Mets recalled veteran utilityman Marlon Anderson shortly after their series-ending 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. — Anderson is expected to be with the Mets on Thursday after a weeklong stint with New Orleans - New York's Class AAA affiliate.
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Marlon gets call; Glavine goes for 299 — SAN DIEGO - Marlon Anderson is expected to join the Mets tonight in Los Angeles. — Anderson, who signed with the Mets last week, needed time at Triple-A New Orleans to get in game shape because of a 17-day gap without playing since his last game with the Dodgers, who cut him.
Discussion:
New York Post
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.
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Ordonez leads Tigers past Santana, Twins — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins were forced to take another frustrating step back, thanks to Magglio Ordonez's mastery of Johan Santana and the relentless Detroit Tigers. — Ordonez homered and drove in all three runs against his fellow Venezuelan …
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.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Big inning dooms Millwood, Rangers — Right-hander surrenders four runs in second as Texas falls — OAKLAND — The play was out of the Rangers' past, a vision of one of the most pivotal plays in club history. — Those who remember the 1996 division playoff against the New York Yankees remember …
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Collaborative effort drops Phillies — Veterans, youngsters combine to deliver series victory — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are trying to have it all ways, infusing youth and clinging to proven product while contending for a title. It's no easy trick for manager Grady Little …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Bedard scratched with sore neck; Cabrera fills in — Left-hander misses side session, will start Friday vs. Oakland — SEATTLE - Erik Bedard will have to wait two more days to see whether he can extend his streak of 16 scoreless innings. The Orioles left-hander was scratched …
Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Angels drop second straight to Rays — Colon strong early, but walks get to right-hander — ST. PETERSBURG — There wasn't much to crow about on Wednesday night. The pitching started strong, but it ended with a whimper. The offense took charge, and then fell silent.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Greg Johns / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
M's inch closer to Angels — Victory over Baltimore cuts AL West deficit to 1 1/2 games — Maybe it was the damp, fall-like weather that arrived in mid-summer. Or perhaps the seven pitching changes by two managers battling desperately for a victory. Or maybe, just maybe …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
MLB.com:
Aki's Diary: New bundle of joy — Iwamura, wife welcome a baby boy during All-Star break … The big day finally came over the All-Star break, when my wife, Misaki, and I had our first child, a baby boy, Taiki. We are so fortunate to have had a healthy child; he was born on July 10 and weighed in at seven pounds, three ounces.
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
Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Ibanez searches for power — McLaren hopes rest reinvigorates left fielder — Coming off the best year of his career, Raul Ibanez isn't pleased with the way his production is progressing this summer. But the Mariners left fielder sees good things happening around him and can't wait to join the party himself.