Top News:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Wickman designated for assignment — Veteran closer converted 20 of 26 save opportunities — ST. LOUIS — Adam Dunn said goodbye to Bob Wickman's 12th-inning fastball on Thursday night, and the Braves said goodbye to Wickman on Friday afternoon. — Somewhat surprisingly …
RELATED:
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves cut ties with Wickman — Designate closer for assignment — St. Louis — In a fairly surprising move in the heat of a pennant race, the Braves cut ties with closer Bob Wickman on Friday, designating the 38-year-old for assignment. — Braves manager Bobby Cox …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
SIXTH SPOT IS NO HELP FOR DELGADO — With his struggles continuing, Carlos Delgado's time in the fifth spot has expired, at least for now. — Whether it's temporary is to be determined, but Delgado again was dropped to sixth in the batting order last night.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
RELATED:
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Delgado hits sixth and the skids — Carlos Delgado smiled when asked about the significance of his place in last night's lineup against the Dodgers. — "I just go to the plate a minute later, as far as I'm concerned," Delgado replied. — The scuffling first baseman and former cleanup man …
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Yankees lose in 11 innings — The Yankees lost a torturously long and delayed game 9-6 in 11 innings. Read below for more info. — Kat.OBrien@Newsday.com — DETROIT - The longest and latest of games came to a conclusion at 3:32 a.m with a three-run walkoff homer in the 11th inning by Carlos Guillen.
RELATED:
Billfer / The Detroit Tiger Weblog:
Game 128: Yankees at Tigers — PREGAME: The Tigers take another crack at Roger Clemens who they had no trouble hitting last week, they just had trouble scoring. The Tigers mustered 10 hits in 6 innings, but only 2 runs thanks to 8 strikeouts which all seemed to come with guys on base.
George King / New York Post:
NO GUARANTEES FOR MOOSE — TORRE REFUSES TO ENDORSE ROTATION SPOT — With talk swirling through the Yankees universe that Mike Mussina could be pitching for his rotation spot Monday night against the Tigers, the right-hander said he isn't feeling the pressure. — "Who would they replace me with?"
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Sharp Schilling caps off dominant doubleheader — CHICAGO - As players got dressed and attempted to end the longest of days by making the first bus back to the hotel, Curt Schilling [stats], David Ortiz [stats] and Ozzie Guillen teamed up to speak volumes about the Red Sox [team stats]' current lot in life.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
RELATED:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Opener with White Sox washed away
Opener with White Sox washed away
Discussion:
Associated Press, Yahoo! Sports, Boston Globe, South Side Sox, Union-News and Baseball Musings
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Boomer back on Big Apple hill — David Wells always has loved New York. It's where all of the biggest moments in his career have happened, from pitching his perfect game in 1998 to winning the World Series later that same year. Now he is looking to the Big Apple for one more small miracle.
Discussion:
New York Post
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers can't make a move — Wells arrives, but offense fails in the clutch in a 5-2 loss to Mets that drops L.A. 31/2 games back in wild-card race. — NEW YORK — If the message wasn't clear before Friday, the Dodgers made it official just after 5 p.m. when newly acquired pitcher David Wells stepped …
Associated Press:
Weaver bests Halladay, Angels keep lead — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jered Weaver didn't pitch as long as Roy Halladay did — just better. — Weaver threw six scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Angels got RBI singles from Vladimir Guerrero, Maicer Izturis and Orlando Cabrera to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 Friday night.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Associated Press:
Rockies score 5 in 9th, top Nationals — DENVER (AP) — Matt Holliday sparked a five-run, ninth-inning rally, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Friday night. — The Rockies, who had lost two straight to the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, avoided falling back to .500 …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Maddux first 10-20 pitcher, leads Padres in rout of Phillies — CBSSports.com wire reports — PHILADELPHIA — Passing Cy Young didn't faze Greg Maddux. Moving ahead of his older brother was a bit more exciting. — Maddux became the first pitcher to win 10 games in 20 consecutive seasons …
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Howard on pace to break strikeout record — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — When he connects, the Phillies' Ryan Howard can hit the ball a long way. Making contact is the slugger's biggest problem. — The reigning NL MVP is on pace to set the major league record for strikeouts in a season.