Top News:
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs' Drew hits for cycle — Shortstop is third player in team history to achieve feat — PHOENIX — You will have to forgive some of the D-backs for not realizing that Stephen Drew was going for history when he stepped into the batter's box in the seventh inning Monday afternoon at Chase Field.
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Mike Heika / Associated Press:
Vicious cycle: Texas Rangers belted by Beltre, Seattle — mheika@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - Ron Washington said before Monday's game that he was worried his bullpen was wearing down. — The Rangers' manager couldn't have known how prophetic that was.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Steve Herrick / MLB.com:
Dominant Lee breaks 20-win mark — Shutout makes lefty first Tribe hurler to milestone since '74 — CLEVELAND — On Sept. 1, 2007, Cliff Lee was one of the players the Indians called up from Triple-A Buffalo when the team expanded its roster. — The left-hander had struggled for most of the season …
Discussion:
Blue Collar Baseball
RELATED:
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Lee first Tribe 20-game winner since '74 — CLEVELAND (AP)—Once inside the clubhouse, Cliff Lee's teammates popped open champagne and toasted his latest win, his biggest win. — Exactly one year after being brought back from the minor leagues, Lee had something major to celebrate: He's Cleveland's first 20-game winner in 34 years.
Mark Remme / MLB.com:
Fresh start to September for Red Sox — Byrd, big sixth ensure Orioles won't play spoilers in opener — BOSTON — It certainly wasn't the equivalent of Clay Buchholz's no-hitter when the Red Sox and Orioles met exactly one year ago. But the way balls were flying in the cool Boston air on Monday …
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Cashman Takes to the Road — Brian Cashman doesn't travel with the Yankees very often, so it was a bit startling to see him on the field at Comerica Park on Monday morning, chatting with Reggie Jackson and Kevin Long and - yes — hugging Gary Sheffield. — Cashman couldn't define his reasons …
Discussion:
iYankees
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Notebook: Promotions on tap — PHOENIX — The Cardinals will officially promote six players from Class AAA Memphis today after elevating lefthanded reliever Randy Flores on Monday. — Today's arrivals will include infielder Brian Barden, who starred for Team USA's bronze medal entry at last month's Olympics.
Discussion:
C70 At The Bat
Josh Kalk / Hardball Times:
Anatomy of a player: Josh Beckett — Josh Beckett has become one of the premier postseason pitchers in the big leagues. After winning a ring with the Marlins, he was traded to the Red Sox and was on a Series winner again last year. Expectations were high for him this year …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers roster expansive all year — Racked by injury, club sees light September schedule — LOS ANGELES — Clubs cushion the blow of Spring Training cuts by reassuring players that it takes more than 25 men to win a pennant. But the way the Dodgers have gone about it, this year is extreme.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Prospect Zimmermann won't join Nats — Talented right-hander to be shut down with biceps tendinitis — WASHINGTON — Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was clearly the Nationals' top pitching prospect this season. He was a combined 10-4 with a 2.88 ERA for Class A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Associated Press:
Brewers GM wants changes to scorers' procedure — Brewers Dispute Scoring Of Sabathia's One-Hitter — MILWAUKEE — One day after CC Sabathia pitched a controversial one-hitter against Pittsburgh, Milwaukee's general manager said he may lobby to have changes made to the way official scoring decisions are made.
Discussion:
PBC Blog, Associated Press, ESPN, The LoHud Mets Blog, Bucs Dugout, The Griddle and Brewers Blog
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Free Agent Starters By Strikeout Rate — By Tim Dierkes [September 1 at 3:45pm CST] — The free agent market offers fewer than thirty viable starting pitchers. If you're looking for dominance, here's how they rank by strikeouts per nine innings: — Player — K/9 — John Smoltz — 11.57
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Hill's will never severed — Catcher recalled 11 months after almost losing three fingers — CHICAGO — Cubs catcher Koyie Hill will be happy to shake your hand. He's glad to still have a hand to shake. — Hill was told he'd never play again after he severed three of his fingers and his thumb during a freak accident on Oct. 16.