Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees' Hopes Are Going, Going ... The grand slam exploded like a gunshot Wednesday night, tearing out the guts of even the most naïve believers in the 2008 Yankees. — The eighth-inning bullet by Dustin Pedroia was like the opening scene of a documentary, many years from now …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
House party — Sox rout Yankees at Stadium — NEW YORK - When Jonathan Papelbon raised his arms as he watched Dustin Pedroia's grand slam soar into the netting above Monument Park, there was joy. There was excitement. — And there was the knowledge that, in one swing of the second baseman's bat …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Hank, Red Sox bomb Yankees — The Yankees needed a Boston Massacre to get themselves back into the playoff race. Instead, they were victimized in a Bronx bloodbath that has likely ended their playoff hopes. — With Hank Steinbrenner watching from the owner's box for the first time since Opening Day …
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Requiem for the Yankees — The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 11-3 tonight, pushing New York seven games back in the wild card standings and for all intents and purposes ending the chance of the Yankees making the playoffs. This isn't a good team playing poorly.
George A. King III / New York Post:
ANOTHER NAIL IN YANKEES' COFFIN — BOMBERS LEAVE HANK STEWING AFTER DEBACLE — The Steinbrenner family and Jack Nicholson saw last night what a lot of other people have been looking at for a while: The end of the baseball world as a generation of Yankees know it.
Kevin Horan / MLB.com:
Phils lose game, ground in NL East — Bullpen allows Mets to stage a comeback of their own — PHILADELPHIA — Anyone looking for a clear-cut National League East favorite to emerge from this week's Phillies-Mets games at Citizens Bank Park may have to wait a little longer.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
postGame: Mets 6 Phillies 3 — The Mets (74-60) defeated the Phillies (73-60) tonight by the score of 6 to 3 in Citizen's Bank Park. — For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv. — “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Ramirez's flub: ‘It happens’ — ATLANTA - By Wednesday afternoon, Hanley Ramirez was more willing to discuss his ninth-inning trouble on a potentially game-ending double-play ball the night before. — But only slightly. — Asked if the ball simply got stuck in his glove before he could throw to first …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Rhodes ready for playoff push — Florida (68-65) at Atlanta (58-75), Thursday, 7 p.m. ET — ATLANTA — In a youthful and overworked Marlins bullpen, Arthur Rhodes brings some much needed veteran leadership. — The 38-year-old left-hander also is armed with a 93-mph fastball and some valuable playoff experience.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Boras challenges Pirates to ‘come clean’ — The one down below looks to be getting overwhelmed with comments, which will make it tough to load. So reload up here. — I will put updates here, too, but I can tell you now that actual reporting has taken up almost all of my time and probably will continue to do so through the evening.
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George A. King III / New York Post:
PAVANO AVAILABLE TO OTHER TEAMS AFTER ONE START — Could “The Idle” be moving? — Carl “American Idle” Pavano is scheduled to start tomorrow night against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium - unless another team wants him. — The Post has learned Pavano was put on waivers within …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Big Apple Sports, WasWatching.com, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Sliding Into Home
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Technology worthy for instant replay — Video headquarters equipped for making clear, efficient calls — NEW YORK — The baseball, as it flew, cued everything around it into action. Careening toward a formerly quiet corner of Yankee Stadium, it first forced two Orioles outfielders to converge …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Lincecum slows Rockies' push for playoffs — SAN FRANCISCO — The letter taunted them. Last weekend, Rockies season-ticket holders received postseason applications in the mail. — Playoffs? The team needed binoculars to see the division leaders. Playoffs?
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Zambrano feels fine, expects to rebound from irritating month — PITTSBURGH - Carlos Zambrano has assured Cubs general manager Jim Hendry his shoulder is fine, allaying fears his August slump is more physical than mental. — “He has no discomfort, he feels good and he's very confident he'll rebound …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves acquire prospect for Kotsay — Atlanta deals veteran for Boston outfielder it's had eye on — ATLANTA — During his time with the Braves, Mark Kotsay influenced the future of the organization. His presence provided a positive influence on the club's younger players …
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