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David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets pen falters in 6-4 loss to Astros — The finish line, at least for the regular season, is Sept. 28. That's less than five weeks away. But at this rate, with the Mets already pushing to the point of exhaustion, the needle could be on empty before the division race is officially decided.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Maine wants to pitch but may have to be shut down — It's looking more and more as if John Maine's injured shoulder is going to give out before he voluntarily calls it quits for this season. Maine was so determined to make Saturday's start against the Astros that he received a cortisone shot …
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Madden: Mets ship starting to spring leaks — That was quite a jolt of reality Jerry Manuel got Sunday and, by his own admission, this is not exactly the time for the Good Ship Met to start springing leaks again. — But there they were: an ominous forecast on John Maine …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins Notebook: Struggling Uggla benched — PHOENIX — Second baseman Dan Uggla was blunt Sunday when asked how he prepares on days he's not in starting lineup. — “When you get benched? Nothing,” he said. “You just sit down, wear it. Who knows? At this point now, they're not days off.
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Nolasco gets nod in rubber match — Florida (66-64) at Arizona (68-61), Sunday, 4:10 p.m. ET — PHOENIX — Completing the task has been a challenge for the Marlins' starting pitchers over the past two seasons. — But in his last outing, Ricky Nolasco went the distance at San Francisco …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins Notebook: Amezaga provides defense off bench — Shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the lineup Saturday, forcing the Marlins to return Alfredo Amezaga, perhaps their best defensive player, to the bench. — “Amezaga is terrific. You can put him anywhere on the field …
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FishStripes
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Uggla's struggles land him on Marlins' bench — PHOENIX — The out-of-town fans have mercilessly taunted and teased him since the All-Star break. Opposing pitchers have tormented him. — Finally, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez decided Sunday, he needed to bench All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla.
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Mota has turned season around — I have to give reliever Guillermo Mota credit. He has turned around his season with the Brewers. — In June and July, when no lead seemed safe with Mota on the mound, I admit no one was tougher on him than I was. I even mentioned that he might get released …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Cantu addresses young Mexicans — PHOENIX - The Mexican Little Leaguers were a victory shy of bringing home the title, but countryman Jorge Cantu is no less proud of them. — Cantu spoke to the team before Sunday's 12-3 loss to Hawaii in the championship game.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Oh, my: Omar walks off a 12-inning hero — Omar Quintanilla is a 5-foot-9 utility infielder known for his nifty glove work and a quiet, workmanlike demeanor. — “Walk-off homer” was not listed on his resume. — Until Sunday, when he suddenly morphed into “Kid Dynamite.”
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Bottom9 Baseball
Lynn Jacobsen / Tulsa World:
Naturals nudge Drillers for win — Northwest Arkansas took advantage of a couple of mistake pitches by Chaz Roe to strike early and hold on for a 3-1 victory over Tulsa on Sunday at Drillers Stadium. — Marc Maddox put the Naturals up 1-0 with a solo home run in the first, his fourth of the season.
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
60 seconds with Marlins veteran outfielder Luis Gonzalez — Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins veteran outfielder Luis Gonzalez: — Tell me about your latest charity. — It's my wine charity through the Florida Marlins Community Foundation. It's called Uncork for a Cause (uncorkforacause.com).
Peter Bendix / Beyond the Box Score:
What's Wrong With Clay Buchholz? — Clay Buchholz has been quite a disappointment this year. After throwing a no-hitter last September, Buchholz has posted a miserable 6.75 ERA in 76 innings this season, leaving many people wondering what went wrong. Upon closer examination …
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