Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Projecting career stats is an inexact science … Here at ESPN, we're pretty sure we've put Pedro Gomez's face on your TV screens enough times to alert you to the fact that some guy named Barry Bonds is about to hit a fairly momentous home run. — Well, it's time to change the subject (at least for the next minute and a half).
Discussion:
Babes Love Baseball
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A-Rod belts historic 500th homer — Yanks slugger becomes 22nd member of prestigious club — NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez became the 22nd member of the prestigious 500 home run club on Saturday, slugging a three-run homer off Kyle Davies of the Kansas City Royals for the landmark blast.
Associated Press:
A-Rod becomes youngest to hit 500 homers — NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player in major league history to hit 500 home runs, sending the first pitch he saw Saturday just past the foul pole in left field. — Rodriguez stood at home plate for a second …
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
A-Rod youngest to 500 HRs, Yankees roll — NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez leaned to his right and watched the ball as it sailed toward the foul pole in left. When it stayed true, he raised his hands in the air — the long wait for No. 500 was finally over.
MLB.com:
Kennedy claimed on waivers by Arizona; Lugo recalled from Sacramento — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A's today announced that left-handed pitcher Joe Kennedy has been claimed on waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. To take his spot on the roster, the A's have recalled right-handed pitcher Ruddy Lugo from Triple-A Sacramento.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks scour waiver wire for help — PHOENIX (AP) — The NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks made no move before the trade deadline, but they are making the most of the waiver wire. — The Diamondbacks added three veterans over the past two days to bolster depth heading in to an anticipated pennant run.
Discussion:
Washington Post
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Wilson waives no-trade clause — Shortstop Jack Wilson has informed the Pirates he will accept a trade to any of the six teams named in his limited no-trade clause, including the Detroit Tigers. — The Pirates and Tigers continue to discuss a multiplayer deal …
RELATED:
Bob Smizik / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Needed: Exorcist for Pirates' woes
Discussion:
Between the Lines
insideBayArea:
Bradley vents: Billy Beane betrayed him — SAN DIEGO — Milton Bradley is in contention, he's hitting .370, he's Oakland's huge loss and San Diego's monumental gain. He should be happy. — But Bradley is still hurt, very hurt, exceedingly hurt. — Not in a physical sense …
RELATED:
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:Bad-luck Milton Bradley strains right hamstring
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Aybar heading to minors after rehab stint — Infielder Willy Aybar has rejoined the Braves' minor-league system after "successfully completing a rehabilitation program for substance abuse," the Braves announced Saturday. Aybar hasn't played a game all year after opening the season …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Logan gets center field job — Outfielder's hot bat gives him edge over Langerhans — WASHINGTON — It appears that the Nook Logan/Ryan Langerhans platoon is over — at least for now. Manager Manny Acta, going with the hot hand, has decided that Logan will be the everyday center fielder.
Discussion:
DC Pro Sports Report
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:It's Another Happy Ending for the Nats
Discussion:
William World News
Associated Press:
Theriot keys 6-run inning as Cubs win — CHICAGO (AP) — Ted Lilly certainly doesn't mind pitching in front of big crowds at Wrigley Field in the middle of a playoff chase. — Ryan Theriot legged out an RBI-infield single with two outs that started a six-run third inning …
Associated Press:
La Russa to bat RHP Pineiro to 8th — Adam Kennedy, the Cardinals' second baseman, batted ninth. — "I've been thinking about it for a while. Our offense has been very erratic," La Russa said. "We're just not getting enough guys on base. (What) we're trying to do is get a legitimate position player in the lineup."
Discussion:
Associated Press
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Tigers' Perez says substance he used was OK'd by doctors … Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez does not only think his 80-game suspension was unfair, but also believes he might be a victim of the way the drug programs are handled in baseball. — Perez was suspended for 80 games Friday …
Associated Press:
Jays' Thomas 20th on all-time HR list — TORONTO (AP) — Frank Thomas is targeting a big finish, both for himself and for the Toronto Blue Jays. — Thomas hit two home runs to pass Eddie Murray for 20th place on the all-time home run list, and the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 9-5 on Saturday.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Trembley hopes Baez will save day for bullpen — Veteran takes over as closer, ending committee experiment — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Intent on shoring up his struggling bullpen, manager Dave Trembley said yesterday that he will abandon the closer-by-committee approach and primarily use Danys Baez to save games.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
'Wally' roughs up shocked Lucchino — SEATTLE — For a few minutes, onlookers must have wondered if Wally the Green Monster was attempting career suicide. — Name another Red Sox employee with the gall to treat CEO Larry Lucchino the way the team mascot did Thursday on one of the hottest days of the year at Fenway Park.
