Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
The good feelings disappeared in a New York minute — NEW YORK - The ancient house of horrors came back to bite the Red Sox in the butt one last time. — It was all going perfectly. Theo Epstein was having a better week than Barack Obama, the Sox were positioned to sweep the Yankees off the playoff map …
Discussion:
Providence Journal, NY Daily News, Dan Shaughnessy Watch, Boston Sports Media Watch and New York Post
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David Lefort / Boston Globe:
Beckett scratched — Josh Beckett has been scratched from his scheduled start on Friday, and the Red Sox ace plans to have his ailing right elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews. — In a postgame interview, manager Terry Francona said Beckett was seeing Andrews as a precaution.
Yahoo! Sports:
Nationals SS Guzman hits for cycle — WASHINGTON (TICKER) —Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman hit for the cycle in an 11-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. — Guzman hit a solo home run to left field as part of the Nationals' five-run first inning and lined …
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Duking It Out — Elijah Dukes hits two home runs tonight against the Dodgers.
Duking It Out — Elijah Dukes hits two home runs tonight against the Dodgers.
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Associated Press
Katie Strang / Newsday:
Hank has eyes on Sabathia, Burnett for offseason — A day after promising that the Yankees will be busy in the offseason addressing their needs, Hank Steinbrenner yesterday named two pitchers in whom the Yankees have interest. — “Everybody's looking at [CC] Sabathia and [A.J.] Burnett …
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Cashman still believes in Yankees' youth movement — Their 3-2 walk-off victory over the Red Sox allowed a little euphoria and relief into the Yankees' clubhouse for a day, but no one should kid himself. There will be no sprint to the finish line for this team.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, River Ave. Blues, It is about the money, stupid and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Olivo expresses frustration with playing time, Hillman — Miguel Olivo is ticked. Not even the guy known in some circles as “Smiley” can ignore it any longer. — “It's only, what, (29) more games?” he said. “I'm going to do my best during that and that's it.”
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays designate Stairs for assignment — Trade talks indicate veteran may sign with contending club — ST. PETERSBURG — The Blue Jays have designated Matt Stairs for assignment and are working out a trade that could potentially send the veteran to a contending club.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
MLB, umpire: Call against Aybar was wrong — ST. PETERSBURG — Upon further review, umpire Doug Eddings was wrong about the controversial obstruction call involving Willy Aybar in Sunday's game at Chicago. — Mike Port, MLB's vice president of umpiring, told the St. Petersburg Times …
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MLB FanHouse
Michael Schwartz / MLB.com:
Dodgers drop finale as Kershaw falters — Left-hander optioned to Triple-A after disheartening defeat — WASHINGTON — Dodgers manager Joe Torre has talked all week about needing one big hit to win one big game that could snap Los Angeles out of a funk that gets worse by the day.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Hamels outstanding, but 'pen falters — Ace's seven innings of one-run ball spoiled by Cubs' rally — CHICAGO — No one had to move or look. Everyone knew. — Aramis Ramirez left no doubt on the final landing spot of this unfortunate baseball. The roar of 40,362 told Phillies reliever Chad Durbin …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Rays take series behind Jackson — Starter hurls seven innings of one-run ball for 11th victory — ST. PETERSBURG — Diving catches in left field? Solo homers? A dazzling seven starting innings? — Just about the only thing on Thursday night that didn't mirror Wednesday's win was the fate of the Red Sox-Yankees game.