Top News:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Time for Yanks to face reality — The manager berated the Yankees for failing to capitalize on back-to-back walks to Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter. — The manager berated the Yankees for their listless at-bats in what was supposed to be a showdown weekend against their division rivals.
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: Yankee stars didn't come through — Joe Girardi can have all the meetings he wants, and the Yankees can talk about being embarrassed all they want, but in games like these, big games the Yankees desperately need if they are ever going to look like a contender this season, they have to be able to count on their stars.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks' quiet loss spurs loud meeting — Subpar Pettitte combines with dormant offense to irk Girardi — NEW YORK — The doors to the Yankees' clubhouse were ordered shut on Thursday evening, remaining closed for more than 30 minutes as manager Joe Girardi took his entire roster to task for its lack of consistency on the field.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
They found a spark — NEW YORK - The Red Sox had to get out of Florida to find an easy game. They had to come to the Bronx to find a patsy. — Talk about your alternative universe. — A safe distance from the Big, Bad Trop Dome and those devilish Rays, the Red Sox got back on message …
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
SKIDDING METS A REAL FIGHT CLUB — HERNANDEZ, REYES NEARLY COME TO BLOWS ON PLANE — ST. LOUIS - Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez had to be separated on the Mets' charter plane Sunday night after a tense confrontation over Hernandez's critical comments about the All-Star shortstop.
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Stars aligned for Sabathia deal — Here are 10 reasons why I believe the stars are aligned for the Brewers to trade for Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia, possibly very soon: — 1. The Brewers haven't been to the playoffs for 26 years and are desperate to make a move now to end that drought.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers stunned in ninth by D-backs — Parra's gem spoiled as Arizona scores six times in last at-bat — PHOENIX — Judging by the silence in the Brewers clubhouse Thursday afternoon, no one had the right words to describe what had just happened. — Some guys tried. — “Incredible,” starter Manny Parra said.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers brass meets on Thursday — Melvin, Ash and Yost talk, but won't say what was discussed — PHOENIX — For more than an hour on Thursday, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash met with manager Ned Yost in Yost's office. The trio eventually was joined by head athletic trainer Roger Caplinger.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Inside Pitch: Garcia on comeback trail — Right-hander expects to be fully healthy; could help contender — Freddy Garcia took another step toward returning to the mound this week and could be ready to help a contender by the end of August. — “I saw him pitch this week and he's at 75-80 percent …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Hardball Times:
THT Daily: What a comeback — Player Headlines are courtesy of Rotoworld — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms previous reports that Jeff Francoeur will be sent to Double-A Mississippi. The team apparently wants him to work with Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman, who has tutored Francoeur in the past.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Kearns back in action for opener — Right fielder activated from disabled list in time to face Reds — CINCINNATI — The Nationals activated right fielder Austin Kearns from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder/outfielder Kory Casto to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sky falls on Cardinals — The first pitch of Thursday night's Cardinals-New York Mets game at Busch Stadium was delayed 26 minutes by rain. But Cardinals righthanded rookie Mitchell Boggs never got started at all. — Boggs walked six hitters in his six innings and five of them scored.
Discussion:
Mets Geek
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers bringing up Nomar Garciaparra, Andruw Jones today — As L.A. starts a three-game series in San Francisco, Garciaparra will start at shortstop, a position he hasn't played regularly for four seasons. Brad Penny's return is delayed for about a week.
Discussion:
Dem Bums
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Tony Jackson / Inside the Dodgers:Change in plans: Nomar, Andruw coming back TOMORROW
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
