Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets acquire reliever Ayala from Nats — Move could help strengthen bullpen as playoff hunt heats up — PITTSBURGH — A trade the Mets hope will be a solution to their bullpen problems — and one that could compound the problems — was consummated Sunday when the team with the third-highest bullpen ERA …
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Mets acquire Ayala from Nats — The Mets have acquired RHP Luis Ayala from the Nationals in exchange for 2B Anderson Hernandez. — Ayala is expected to join the team in Pittsburgh tomorrow. — Ayala had a 5.77 ERA this season with Washington. — The Daily News reported earlier …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals trade pitcher Ayala to Mets — Relief pitcher requested trade; club gets player to be named — WASHINGTON — The Nationals traded right-handed relief pitcher Luis Ayala to the Mets on Sunday morning for a player to be named later, but that player is expected to be infielder Anderson Hernandez.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Associated Press:
Mets add Nats right-hander Ayala to bullpen mix — WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals traded right-handed reliever Luis Ayala to the Mets on Sunday for a player to be named, a move designed to provide depth to New York's struggling bullpen. — The player going to the Nationals is expected …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Joe Saunders, Angels stumble in Cleveland — Left-hander struggles through five innings and Angels can't push tying run across in ninth inning as they lose a series for the first time since June. — CLEVELAND — It was bound to happen sometime, and better now than in October, the Angels figure.
RELATED:
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Tropical Storm Fay threatens Angels series at Tampa Bay — Angels travel to Florida as planned, but might have to evacuate area if weather reaches dangerous levels. — CLEVELAND — Though a possible hurricane awaits them, the Angels traveled as planned to Tampa Bay after Sunday's game.
Discussion:
Angelblog
Associated Press:
Girardi: Yanks' Matsui on track to return Tuesday — NEW YORK — Injured slugger Hideki Matsui is back with the Yankees and is likely to be activated Tuesday, when the club begins a six-game trip at Toronto. — Matsui had 15 at-bats during a simulated game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, facing left- and right-handed pitching.
Pat Borzi / New York Times:
Yankee Home Runs Help Mussina Overcome a Shaky Start — Yankees Manager Joe Girardi frequently refers to himself as an optimist. That posture has been tested the last three weeks, as the Yankees floundered while nearly playing themselves out of the wild-card race.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
RELATED:
The Times-Tribune:
Hughes finished after three and two thirds … In the thrid, Hughes allowed three hits, one of them an infield single and one of them a two-run double by Rich Thompson, the same guy who had the game-winning single off Mark Melancon two nights ago. Hughes fell behind to three of the six batters he faced in the inning.
Associated Press:
Jays pound Beckett, Red Sox in 15-4 win — BOSTON (AP)—Josh Beckett missed his spots early and the Blue Jays made sure he didn't last long enough to find his control. — Alex Rios had five hits, matching a club record with four doubles, and Toronto chased Beckett in the third inning …
Associated Press:
Rockies extend Nationals' skid to 10 — WASHINGTON (AP)—After the Nationals lost their 10th straight game, manager Manny Acta had a few things to say to his team. — Enjoy a barbeque, spend time with your family. These were some of his suggestions on getting the Nationals …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Ethier's 9th-inning HR gives Dodgers win — LOS ANGELES (AP)—The euphoria that filled Milwaukee's dugout after a game-tying rally in the ninth inning quickly disappeared when Andre Ethier came to bat again. — Ethier hit his second homer of the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers recovered …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
