Top News:
David Singh / MLB.com:
Rasner to test new mechanics vs. Jays — New York (49-44) at Toronto (46-47), Saturday, 1:07 p.m. ET — TORONTO — Although Darrell Rasner has struggled to maintain his early-season success, the Yankees starter believes that he may have discovered the root of his recent problems on the mound.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 94: Yankees at Blue Jays — YANKEES (49-44) — BLUE JAYS (46-47) — Darrell Rasner (4-7, 4.94) vs. the Toronto hitters. — Jesse Litsch (8-5, 4.01) vs. the New York hitters. — Notes: The Yankees are 0-2 on their road trip, having scored two runs in the two games. ...
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
A-ROD & GIAMBI BECOME POP-GUNS IN BIG SPOT? — In an attempt to find some reasons why the Yankees have issues scoring runs this season - when they're not facing the Mariners or Astros - I decided to look at how New York has done, this season, to date, in terms of “slugging” in High Leverage game situations.
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Seattle's Ibanez on Mets' radar for outfield help — Now that the Mets know Moises Alou isn't coming around the corner, they can turn their attention to trading for a replacement before the July 31 non-waivers deadline. — One name on the Mets' radar, according to a baseball official, is Seattle leftfielder Raul Ibañez.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays ace Kazmir blasts teammates' focus — CLEVELAND — LHP Scott Kazmir accused teammates of paying more attention to their competitors' results than their own play and said that is a primary reason for the Rays' recent struggles. — “We've got to worry about ourselves and concentrate …
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Rachel Cohen / Associated Press:
Easley homers, Mets win seventh straight — NEW YORK (AP)—The pain rippled through Damion Easley's leg as he twisted away from an inside pitch. The New York Mets second baseman needed to take a few extra moments before stepping back in the batter's box. — Easley bought enough …
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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Dayn Perry / Baseball Prospectus:
Can Of Corn — Double Standards — The unfortunate reality—both now and throughout recent decades—is that football as the NFL practices it is the most popular sport in the United States. There's no accounting for taste, of course, but this fact nonetheless speaks ill of our ability …
Associated Press:
Halladay's 2-hitter lifts Jays by Yanks — TORONTO (AP)—When it comes to Roy Halladay, Derek Jeter has seen enough. The New York Yankees shortstop considers his American League East rival to be the game's best starter. — Halladay threw a two-hitter and Matt Stairs and Rod Barajas homered …
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William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
Cheers for Giambi, but Silence for Bonds — Barry Bonds must be kicking himself. — As he watches Jason Giambi morph from pariah to hero, being feted with mustache day at Yankee Stadium in support of a failed All-Star candidacy, Bonds has to be thinking, “You mean, all I had to do was say I did it.”
ESPN:
Sources: Nats GM, assistant under investigation … Federal authorities and Major League Baseball are investigating Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden and special assistant Jose Rijo for their possible roles in a growing financial scandal involving the signing of players …
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, Associated Press, MissChatter, Nats Triple Play, The Nationals Enquirer and Bucs Dugout
Newsday:
Church: New tests ‘went very well’ — Ryan Church had tests in Cleveland during the past few days, and the results were encouraging enough that the outfielder and the Mets are cautiously optimistic that he'll be able to return to the team, Newsday has learned.
Richie Rich / Home Run Derby:
Is this Kid drinking beer at Wrigley Field? — So this afternoon, it was a hot one at Wrigley Field as the Cubs beat the Giants 3-1. — Temperature was in the mid-eighties, humidity in the 50-60% range - it probably felt closer to 90 degrees. It's enough to make a kid sitting in the front row at Wrigley really dehydrated.
