Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte, Joba pitch Yankees to win — Sweep averted in Baltimore with a little help from Giambi — BALTIMORE — The bullpen gates swung open for the ninth inning, and Mariano Rivera coasted across the outfield, the same graceful gait the Yankees closer has showcased for years.
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iYankees
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees pitching gets Joba done — BALTIMORE - Starting next week, there might be some new Joba Rules. — Joba Chamberlain made what was likely his final relief appearance Wednesday night, combining with Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera to lead the Yankees to a 4-2 win, salvaging the final game of the three-game set.
Discussion:
The Bronx Stop
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 53: Yankees at Orioles — YANKEES — ORIOLES — Andy Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) vs. the Baltimore hitters. — Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 3.62) vs. the New York hitters. — and just for kicks ... Jobamania vs. the Baltimore hitters — Notes: RHP Chris Britton is here.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Not this time — O's can't match Tuesday's magic; Guthrie pays — Less than 24 hours earlier, the Orioles' offense had broken out with one of its best efforts of the season. But that performance figured to be difficult to duplicate last night, not just because nemesis Andy Pettitte was on the mound …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Rare Signs of Life Uncovered at Shea — Among the criticisms of the Mets in this inconsistent season is that they lack a reliable bullpen and that their hitters do not compete with tenacity when trailing in late innings. — Neither rap was valid Wednesday night after Fernando Tatis drove home …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds option Patterson to Minors — Infielder Phillips promoted from Triple-A Louisville — CINCINNATI — Struggling center fielder Corey Patterson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville by the Reds on Wednesday. — The contract of infielder Andy Phillips was selected from Louisville to replace Patterson.
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Paul DePodesta / It Might Be Dangerous:
Baek for Wells — This is precisely why this forum exists! — I've gotten a number of questions/comments about this trade already, so I'll provide a quick view into our thinking. — Cha Seung Baek is a 6'4", 225 lb, 28-year old (turns 29 tomorrow) RHP from Pusan, Korea.
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Associated Press:
Pedro almost as sharp as Price in Class A start — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets ace Pedro Martinez pitched six sharp innings in a Class A start Wednesday night, staying on track to return to the majors next week. — The three-time Cy Young winner strained his left hamstring …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Some familiar faces still looking for work … Craig Biggio left Major League Baseball on his own terms. He joined the 3,000-hit club last June, took a farewell tour with the Astros and retired at the end of the 2007 season. Now he's ready to embrace a new role as coach of his son Conor's baseball team …
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Enrique Rojas / ESPN.com:Reports: Sosa plans to retire after 2009 WBC
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Dice-K to be examined Friday — SEATTLE - Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely accompany the team to Baltimore tonight and then shoot off to to Boston Friday to visit with team physician Dr. Thomas Gill and also be given a precautionary MRI in his ailing right shoulder.
Discussion:
SOX1FAN
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Sean McAdam / Projo SoxBlog:Matsuzaka leaves game because of shoulder ‘fatigue’; next start uncertain
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SOX1FAN, Boston Globe, Fox Sports, The House That Dewey Built, ESPN.com and Center Field
Gregg Bell / Associated Press:
Bedard 2-hits Red Sox in 7, M's win 1-0 — SEATTLE (AP)—Fastballs that flew past Boston's flailing bats. Curves sharp enough to break the will of the Red Sox. Then, diving cut fastballs and tricky changeups. — So this is why Seattle traded five players to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.
Associated Press:
Galarraga, Thames lead Tigers by Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Armando Galarraga came within two outs of his first complete game and shutout in the majors, Marcus Thames hit two homers and the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Doug Tucker / Associated Press:
Twins' rally extends Royals' skid to 10 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—This one hit the Kansas City Royals like a sucker punch to the belly, and perhaps planted the seeds of an ugly clubhouse rebellion. — Craig Monroe's three-run homer with two out in the ninth capped a five-run rally …
Discussion:
The Griddle
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Fans to pick games for Yankees DVD — Voting for Yankee Stadium tribute is under way — The mission: Vote now to decide which games should be included in the “Essential Games of Yankee Stadium” DVD that will come out later this year. — The problem: You can choose only five.
Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Davis ripped in homecoming — PHOENIX (AP)—Doug Davis said the emotion didn't get to him Wednesday night. The San Francisco batters sure did. — Ray Durham drove in four runs with a solo homer and a three-run single and the Giants spoiled Davis' homecoming with an 11-3 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Display by Angels, City Hall is All-Star caliber — Team owner Arte Moreno and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle sit side by side during announcement of the 2010 game being awarded to the club. — The Angels were for sale, and two of the bidders dropped by to check out the stadium, on the same day.
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Sean Brennan / NY Daily News:
Bullpen's Amazin' night adds to sense of relief — What a difference a couple of days - and a nearly unhittable bullpen - can make for the Mets. — Following Monday night's loss to the Marlins, all the talk was centered on Willie Randolph's future and whether the Mets were about to sink into the abyss.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
