Top News:
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Anderson leads Halos past Mariners — Left fielder drives in three; Lackey goes nine shutout innings — SEATTLE — For their biggest game of the season thus far, the Angels had the right combination to throw at the Mariners. — John Lackey — in a diminished condition with a throat infection …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Matthews wants a September to remember — Angels starting pitcher John Lackey threw his second consecutive seven-hit shutout agains the Mariners on Monday night in a 6-0 victory at Safeco Field in Seattle. Lackey (16-8) struck out five and didn't walk a batter.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Yankees are losing at this game of catch — NEW YORK — For a flickering moment, there was a race in the American League East, when the Yankees cut the margin to four games eight days ago. But there is no more. At least not now. — The three-game series that begins tonight offers …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
No sizzle for Sox series — Distance puts a chill on rivalry — DETROIT - The Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry tonight at the Stadium, but this series figures to have a different feel to it than your typical late-season New York-Boston matchup. — That's because the Yankees …
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Back in good standing: Sox relish opportunity for control of AL East — NEW YORK - It has been 12 years since the geniuses of baseball have been called upon to assign a "magic number" to the Red Sox [team stats]' run at the American League East crown. — But if the next three games …
Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Hermida's offense heating up — MIAMI GARDENS — After battling injuries his rookie season and starting slowly at the plate this year, the Marlins must have wondered if they would ever see the player who was the can't-miss prospect for three seasons. — But Jeremy Hermida finally has shown …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Marlins look to play spoiler — Club hopes to knock Braves out of playoff contention — MIAMI — Stuck in last place in the National League East, the Marlins are now in position of playing the role of spoiler. — The Braves, meanwhile, headed into Monday seven games behind …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Is Ramirez the NL MVP? — Beat reporter Joe Frisaro answers Marlins fans' questions — Do you think that Hanley Ramirez is a legit National League MVP candidate despite the Marlins not being in much of a playoff race this season? — Players on teams with losing records typically …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
MINAYA PLANS TWO WAVES OF SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS — The Mets plan to make minor-league promotions in two waves — one on Saturday on the first day permitted, and the second after Triple-A New Orleans' season ends, according to Minaya. Joe Smith and David Newhan figure to be the first call-ups …
Discussion:
Cyclones Nation
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pedro takes major step toward big leagues — JUPITER, Fla. - It was a strategy move, but Pedro Martinez was having none of it. — Frank Cacciatore, manager of Single-A St. Lucie, looked at the situation and thought the move was obvious. Martinez had one out and runners on second and third in the sixth inning of a tie game.
Larry Lage / Associated Press:
Tigers chase Mussina, rout Yankees 16-0 — DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander found his groove on the mound, and the Detroit Tigers rediscovered their stroke at the plate. — Verlander shut down the New York Yankees with his best stuff since throwing a no-hitter while Detroit roughed …
Discussion:
Associated Press, TigerBlog, Bless You Boys, Bronx Banter, Mack Avenue Tigers and MLB.com
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
NL Central — The Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers for three games, with the Cubs leading the division by 1 1/2 games. It's the last time this season the two clubs face each other. … The Cubs lead the season series so far despite Milwaukee out homering them 20-9.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Time Torre throws changeup at rotation — DETROIT - A few days ago, Mike Mussina scoffed at any notion that he needed to pitch well last night to retain his spot in the rotation. — "Who would they replace me with?" Mussina asked dismissively. — Three innings into a third straight disastrous start …
Discussion:
New York Post
MLB.com:
McReynolds to be missed by many — Scout was a major influence in the baseball community — You won't find a copy of "Moneyball" in the office of Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan, but you will find a copy of "The Baseball Scout's Notebook" within easy reach of his desk.
Discussion:
Catbird in the Nosebleed Seats
