Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks' bats quiet in Ponson's fine effort — Starter delivers with help from defense, but Angels get to Rivera — NEW YORK — If the Yankees' game plan came over-the-counter, the instructions would insist that Mariano Rivera be the ninth inning go-to guy. In non-save situations, though, your results may vary.
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Associated Press:
Angels eke out win over Yankees as Rivera falters — NEW YORK (AP) — Torii Hunter hit an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth, Ervin Santana pitched eight stellar innings and the Los Angeles Angels won their fifth straight game, 1-0 over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
In Rodríguez's Debut, the Yankees Look as if They Need More Help — The Yankees did not meet the Los Angeles Angels this season until Thursday night, three hours past the nonwaiver trading deadline. After their first look at the best team in baseball, the Yankees might wish they had added a few more likely Hall of Famers.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Change in Cubs offense is like night and day — Heat cools bats; club aims for weekend night games — Were the Cubs suffering from a post-Milwaukee hangover in Friday's 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh, or would things have been different if they had been able to play a night game at Wrigley Field?
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Chicago Sun Times:
Cub bats go cold in 3-0 loss — Jeff Karstens and the new-look Pittsburgh Pirates made a strong showing, beating Chicago 3-0 Friday and ending the Cubs' five-game winning streak. — Coming off a four-game sweep at Milwaukee that boosted their lead in the NL Central to five games …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Manny to Sox fans: ‘I love you guys’ — LOS ANGELES — Decked out in a No. 99 Dodgers jersey, and LA cap and a pair of sunglasses, Manny Ramirez was introduced at Dodger Stadium this afternoon, answering questions for just over 10 minutes and sending a message to Red Sox fans.
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Terry Francona has Jason Bay take 5th, Mike Lowell works cleanup — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — With Manny Ramirez [stats] in the rearview mirror, Red Sox [team stats] manager Terry Francona last night moved Mike Lowell up one position in the batting order to cleanup …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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Associated Press:
Rangers fire pitching, bullpen coaches — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—The Texas Rangers fired pitching coach Mark Connor and bullpen coach Dom Chiti after Friday night's 9-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. — Andy Hawkins, who had been the pitching coach at Triple-A Oklahoma since 2006, will replace Connor.
Buzz Bissinger / New York Times:
Where Losing Is Everything — If you happen to be from Philadelphia, as I am, last week's series between the Phillies and the New York Mets was the perfect three-act play for the city of perpetual sports futility — delight followed by deflation followed by convulsive death with the double by Carlos Delgado.
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Rays' bullpen shuts down Tigers in win — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays are counting on Carlos Pena's bat to help them stay in the pennant race. — The struggling slugger homered for the fourth time in eight games Friday night, helping the AL East leaders beat …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Washington Post:
Nationals Let López, Lo Duca Go — On the day of baseball's trading deadline, the Washington Nationals altered the complexion of their roster. But only the smallest part of that alteration came from a trade. A series of bold personnel moves made after yesterday's 8-4 loss …
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, Baseball Crank, The Nationals Enquirer, Nationals Journal, Surfing the Mets and Walkoff Walk
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles on the clock with Matusz — Club has until Aug. 15 to sign No. 4 overall draft pick — SEATTLE - Though the trade deadline has come and gone, the Orioles remain on the clock in their efforts to sign Brian Matusz, the fourth overall pick in June's baseball draft.
Associated Press:
Braves cut Miller after McCann gets doctor's OK — ATLANTA — Brian McCann was cleared for pinch-hit duty on Friday, opening the way for backup catcher Corky Miller to be designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves. — The Braves waited until after batting practice to clear a roster spot …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
