Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 77: Yankees at Pirates — YANKEES (41-35) — PIRATES (36-40) — Darrell Rasner (4-4, 3.64) vs. the Pittsburgh hitters. — Tom Gorzelanny (5-6, 6.59) vs. the New York hitters. — Notes: Justin Christian was called up today and is starting in left.
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Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Bucs beat Yanks for first time since '60 — PITTSBURGH (AP)—For one night, it was 1960 all over again for the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Jose Bautista and Ryan Doumit homered and the Pirates turned back the clock nearly a half-century, beating the New York Yankees 12-5 on Tuesday night …
Discussion:
The Griddle, Where have you gone …, Bucs Dugout, YanksBlog.com, River Ave. Blues and NJ.com
Yankees Blog:
Damon hurting; Christian called up — PITTSBURGH — With Johnny Damon sidelined by an injured foot, the Yankees today called up outfielder Justin Christian for tonight's game against the Pirates at PNC Park. — Chrisitan is in the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing left field.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Pending Pinstripes, Sliding Into Home, The Bronx Block, iYankees, WasWatching.com and Scott Proctor's Arm
Todd Krise / MLB.com:
Mazeroski kicks off set vs. Yanks — Former Pirates great throws out ceremonial first pitch Tuesday — PITTSBURGH - Who would have imagined that one man's throw could make such a noise? — When Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski's ceremonial first pitch hit the glove of Pirates manager John Russell …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Sheets To Test Free Agency — By Tim Dierkes [June 24 at 10:16pm CST] — Brewers ace Ben Sheets is in the midst of a monster contract year, and he's planning on testing the open market after the season. The Brewers might've had a chance to sign him to an extension, but GM Doug Melvin decided to pass.
Discussion:
iYankees
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers to try out pitching experiment — Class A Brevard County looks to switch up starters' mindsets — ATLANTA — Brewers ace Ben Sheets believes the extinction of the Major League complete game can be traced to the Minors, where strict pitch counts protect prospects from injuries …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Tavarez elects free agency — Reliever rejects outright assignment, ends short Milwaukee stint — ATLANTA — Right-hander Julian Tavarez surprised the Brewers on Tuesday when he rejected an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues and prompted the team to release him.
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Sheets has eye on free agency — Atlanta - I spoke with Brewers ace Ben Sheets before the game tonight to ask about his upcoming free agency and if there was any chance the club might sign him before he tests the market this fall. — Suffice it to say that Sheets is headed for free agency.
Discussion:
Spitting Seeds
Associated Press:
Plate ump Brian O'Nora hit in head by broken bat — KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Plate umpire Brian O'Nora was hit in the head by a shattered piece of Miguel Olivo's broken bat, forcing him out of Tuesday night's game between the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals.
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Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Mariners defeat listless Mets 11-0 — NEW YORK (AP)—Jerry Manuel's first week as New York Mets manager mirrored the tenure of predecessor Willie Randolph—up and down, with some encouraging performances and a few letdowns. — And Manuel already seems frustrated by the Mets' erratic play.
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets sign first round pick Ike Davis … The Mets signed their first pick of the first round, power hitting first baseman Ike Davis of Arizona State. It is believed Davis, the son of former Yankees reliever Ron Davis, received in the range of $1.5 million.
Globe and Mail:
Marcum gets good news on elbow — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum received good news about his injured right elbow from arm specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday. — During an examination in Birmingham, Ala., Andrews confirmed Marcum was suffering from strained ligaments around the elbow and forearm.
ESPN.com:
M's Hernandez in walking boot, eyes quick return — NEW YORK — Felix Hernandez hobbled around the Seattle Mariners clubhouse Tuesday with a walking boot protecting his injured left ankle, and manager Jim Riggleman said the ace right-hander still hopes to make his next start.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Rob Iracane / Walkoff Walk:
Joe Morgan Besmirches Ernie Banks, Is Completely Wrong — ESPN baseball ‘analyst’ Joe Morgan is notorious for gallimaufries and assorted verbal miscues when talking about players during games. He'll misquote people, incorrectly recite stats, or worst of all, sully the career of one of baseball's all-time greats:
