Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Fenway firepower cements Sox sweep — Each starter collects at least one hit in 23-hit attack on Twins — BOSTON — Just call it the Boston tee-off party. How else to describe the utter destruction done by the Red Sox's offense in an 18-5 romp over the Twins on Wednesday?
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
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Baxter Holmes / Boston Globe:
Near triple-play gets Gardenhire tossed — How often do you see a called triple play get turn into an RBI single? — The Twins nearly turned a triple play in the seventh inning, but after further review, the center fielder Denard Span didn't make a clean diving catch on a fly ball from Jason Varitek.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Sox spread the wealth — There are no AL leaders, just contributors galore — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — Eighteen runs and 23 hits from 11 players all wearing the same uniform. So it went yesterday at Fenway Park [map], where the cookie-cutter Red Sox …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
RHP Harden joins Cubs from Athletics — CHICAGO (AP)—Rich Harden's baseball career took a major detour, and when he arrived at Wrigley Field a bit sleep deprived Wednesday he felt several emotions. — He'd gone from the West Coast to the Midwest, from the American League to the National …
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:A's trade Harden to Cubs in six-player deal; Harden calls it ‘bit of a shock’
Doug Tucker / Associated Press:
Quentin's HRs rally ChiSox from 5 down — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Carlos Quentin's towering home runs kept Chicago close, then the White Sox went ahead without so much as a pitch being thrown. — Fighting back from a 5- deficit Wednesday night, the White Sox scored the go-ahead run …
Discussion:
Royals Review
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Bullpen falters in loss to White Sox — Reliever Ramirez balks in go-ahead run in eighth inning — KANSAS CITY — The Royals are still 0-for-Chicago. — The first-place White Sox defeated the Royals for the fifth straight time this season, 7-6, on Wednesday night as 16,502 fans watched at Kauffman Stadium.
Discussion:
Kansas City Star
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox happy to win, sad to lose Ozuna — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A temporarily flooded clubhouse and the disbelief over popular utility player Pablo Ozuna being cut were only part of the White Sox's woes Tuesday night. — They were -for-9 with runners in scoring position in the first seven innings …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Fox Sports:
Cardinals starter Mulder leaves game — Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder left his comeback start against the Philadelphia Phillies after throwing only 16 pitches and recording one out in the first inning on Wednesday night. Mulder, coming back from two shoulder operations …
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Steve Politi / New Jersey Online:
Bob Sheppard not able to be at All-Star Game — Bob Sheppard, whose deep and unmistakable voice has announced the action at Yankee Stadium for 57 years, said yesterday that he is not feeling well enough to announce the upcoming All-Star Game in the Bronx. — “I am not going to be physically able …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Byrnes may avoid hamstring surgery — Gonzalez also considering going with non-surgical approach — WASHINGTON — Outfielder Eric Byrnes is leaning towards taking a non-surgical approach to recovering from his torn left hamstring, but even if that were to be successful he would still likely miss the rest of the 2008 season.
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Los Angeles Times:
K-Rod lets it slip away as Texas stuns Angels — Leading by two runs with one out to go, Angel relief ace gives up a run-scoring single to Young and a game-winning home run to Hamilton. — Josh Hamilton hit a two-run home run with two out in the ninth inning, lifting the Texas Rangers over the Angels, 5-4, Wednesday night.
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
M's need a bidding war — The one thing yesterday's trade of Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs did was establish Erik Bedard as one of the top remaining options for contenders on the pitching front when it comes to trades. In fact, I'd say Bedard is the best option right now.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
postGame: Mets 5 Giants 0 — The Mets (47-44) defeated the Giants (39-52) by the score of 5 to 0 in Shea Stadium. — The Mets have won five games in a row, which matches their longest winning streak of the year. — For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers will change hitting coach again — Mike Easler will be replaced by Don Mattingly after the All-Star break. — With the Dodgers' offense ranking among the worst in the league, the club is expected to change hitting coaches at the All-Star break by replacing Mike Easler with Don Mattingly …
Associated Press:
Hal Steinbrenner disappointed in Yanks' season — NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner emerged from a closed-door meeting in manager Joe Girardi's office Wednesday to say he was disappointed in the New York Yankees' performance this year yet reluctant to trade prospects for veterans in hopes of a spark.
