Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
History Repeats as Yankees Sweep Red Sox — The sweep was more emphatic last August, when the Yankees rampaged into Fenway Park and won five games to bury the Boston Red Sox. The best the Yankees could do this time was to win three at Yankee Stadium and chisel a chunk from Boston's sizable lead in the American League East.
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ESPN.com:
MLB fashion police check Francona during game — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's style police were patrolling Yankee Stadium, and Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona was pulled over. — During the second inning of Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Chamberlain Draws Boston's Attention — Kevin Youkilis thought Joba Chamberlain's first 98 mile-an-hour fastball over his head might have been accidental. But when Chamberlain followed that with an identical fastball again near his skull, it took Youkilis only a few tenths of a second …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Drew still doesn't know what to do — He's trying to deliver plausible explanation — NEW YORK — Until J.D. Drew starts hitting home runs and driving in big runs, the $14 million-a-year outfielder will not have much comfort in Boston. Nor will he have acceptance.
George King / New York Post:WATSON'S VISIT IRKS FRANCONA
Discussion:
Deadspin, Boston Globe, Boston Globe, Bronx Banter, Uni Watch, SawxBlog, Hartford Courant and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Red-hot Phillies pressuring Mets in NL East — So what clinched it for you? Was it Aaron Rowand's remarkable swinging bunt Tuesday night? CB Bucknor's game-ending interference call on Marlon Anderson Wednesday night? — Pat Burrell's third-inning homer yesterday, which landed just one fan over from the Phillie Phanatic?
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Boston Herald:
Phillies Chase down New York — A rout, a rally and a rare call gave the Phillies their first three wins over the Mets in a pivotal series. — Then came the wildest game of all. — Chase Utley hit an RBI single off Billy Wagner in the ninth inning and the Phillies completed a huge sweep …
Discussion:
New York Post
Robert Macleod / Globe and Mail:
Wells may need surgery — TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays' star centre fielder Vernon Wells, who signed a $126-million contract extension last winter, might require off-season shoulder surgery. — So says general manager J.P. Ricciardi. — "I think we'll look at it a little deeper …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Door could be open for Treanor — Marlins' backup catcher trying to earn bigger future role — MIAMI — No one can accuse Matt Treanor of not paying his dues. — After all, he spent a decade plodding along through the Minor Leagues before getting a big league break.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Call-Ups Likely Will Be Old and New — Major league rosters are allowed to expand from 25 to 40 tomorrow, and the Washington Nationals are likely to get two waves of reinforcements — the first as early as tomorrow, the next after most minor league seasons are over on Tuesday.
Conor Nicholl / MLB.com:
Homers back Bonderman in win — Tigers starter earns first win in August with quality start — KANSAS CITY — Joel Zumaya believes Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman are the American League's best 1-2 punch. The pair has each thrown an impressive performance in the past four days …
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Cubs have the look of winners … CHICAGO — If you're a student of history, billy goats and guys named Bartman, you know there are certain words you should always be wary of using in the same sentence as the term Cubs season. — Magical comes to mind. — Or enchanted, perhaps ... mystical, maybe ... special, possibly.
Michael Phillips / MLB.com:
Listen up: Balester making some noise — Young right-hander working to develop his repertoire — Collin Balester's story is pretty average. Collin Balester is not. — Balester is a tall pitcher from California who was drafted straight out of high school, and he succeeded in the Minor Leagues throwing a hard fastball.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Duffy to have surgery — Chris Duffy, the Pirates' opening-day center fielder, will have surgery on his left shoulder tomorrow, two sources confirmed yesterday. — The surgery will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Los Angeles Angels' team physician who examined Duffy yesterday in Los Angeles.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers willing to gamble on Loaiza — LIKE THIS STORY? — The moment the Dodgers claimed A's right-hander Esteban Loaiza on waivers, they forfeited all leverage in trade discussions. — Their decision to risk absorbing the $8 million-plus remaining on Loaiza's contract was yet another reflection …
Discussion:
Purple Row
