Top News:
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Rodriguez strikes out on 4-2 pitch — Angels don't notice mistake and have no course for appeal — DETROIT — Yes, it even can happen in the Major Leagues. — Angels second baseman Sean Rodriguez actually struck out in the fourth inning on Thursday at Comerica Park on a 4-2 pitch.
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Rogers ponders future after tough day — Southpaw lasts only two-plus as Angels take rubber game — DETROIT — The fact that Kenny Rogers took the mound Thursday on one of the Tigers' Senior Days promotional games was an odd coincidence, not a reason for reflection.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Sweep revenge in sight for Mets? — Eight. That's how many wins in a row the Phillies posted against the Mets to close last season and contribute to one of the greatest collapses - or comebacks, depending on your perspective - in baseball history. — Now, the Mets have a chance for payback.
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Ted Berg / SNY.tv:
There's something happening here — Why Mets have improved ain't exactly clear — The Mets hold a three-game lead over the Phillies with a three-game series at Shea kicking off on Friday. If the Mets win two of three, everyone will holler about how they've finally gotten past last September …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Mike Klingaman / Baltimore Sun:
Ex-Orioles infielder Todd Cruz dead at 52 — Six weeks ago, during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Orioles' last world championship, Todd Cruz stood on the field at Camden Yards and reveled in the moment. — “Being with these guys here is like being a little kid …
Discussion:
SportsJustice
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Paul Doyle / Hartford Courant:
Pedroia Surprise MVP Candidate — BOSTON — With every hit, the chants grew louder at Fenway Park. — By the time the Red Sox finished their homestand with a victory over the Orioles Wednesday, cries of “MVP, MVP” reverberated each time Dustin Pedroia stepped into the batter's box.
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David Singh / MLB.com:
Twins end road trip with loss to Jays — Team falls 1 1/2 games behind White Sox in AL Central — TORONTO — It was a road trip the Twins had been dreading all season. — Their longest such trek in 39 years, the Twins endured 14 games in 15 days, across four different cities …
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Wily Kazmir dominates Yanks in finale — Rays ace allows just one hit in picking up his 11th victory — ST. PETERSBURG — Six goose eggs by Scott Kazmir and a healthy dose of Willy Aybar put the Rays back in business on Thursday night. — Thanks to the pair's contributions …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Martis outpitched in Nats debut — Rookie labors through five innings; Belliard strains groin — ATLANTA — Nationals right-hander Shairon Martis and catcher Luke Montz made their Major League debuts on Thursday night against the Braves, marking the first time in franchise history …
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Tom Saladino / Associated Press:Braves rookie Parr shuts down Nats 2-0
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Buzz Bissinger / New York Times:
Sympathy for the Slugger — I don't like Barry Bonds. I don't like his insouciance and swagger and surliness, his general contempt for anybody who doesn't share the familial intimacy of his last name. I prayed that he would not break the single-season record for home runs in 2001 …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
La Russa expects commitment from club — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (Chris Lee/P-D) — PHOENIX — Just over three weeks remain in the first installment of his two-year contract. Tony La Russa says he likes his team and likes his job. — But with the Cardinals listing toward …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Marking time: Six look back at McGwire's home-run achievement — IT WAS A STORY told with exclamation points, not question marks. It was a tale writ large and narrated in heroic terms. It was a Paul Bunyan character with Popeye forearms riding to the rescue to save baseball after a ruinous strike.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
The Empire Strikes (Again). Star Wars Ads Invade MLB.com — A few short months ago, the baseball community was abuzz regarding the integrated advertisement for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull within MLB.com's schedule of games. — Now, get ready for Darth Vader.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers suffer fourth straight loss — Milwaukee's lead in NL Wild Card standings cut to four games — MILWAUKEE — After an awesome August, the Brewers are sputtering in September. — On the heels of a 20-7 August, the Brewers have dropped four in a row to start the final month …
