Top News:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Johan, Delgado keep Mets alone in first — Ace's solid effort backed by slugger's two homers, four RBIs — NEW YORK — Eighteen innings and roughly half a day after they arrived at Shea Stadium, the Mets left learning little they didn't already know. They are still a flawed contender …
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets say Wagner may be out for season — NEW YORK (AP)—Billy Wagner is expected to miss the rest of the season, leaving the New York Mets without their All-Star closer as they try to maintain a slim lead in the NL East. — Wagner has been sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a tender pitching elbow.
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: Santana comes up aces in his biggest start yet — The Phillies were threatening to sweep the Mets and make this feel eerily like September 2007, when Jerry Manuel was asked between games of Sunday's doubleheader what type of pressure Johan Santana would face as he took the mound Sunday night.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Wagner could be done for season — Billy Wagner walked off the mound in disgust a few minutes ago after he was forced to cut short his first session against hitters since Aug. 16 in Pittsburgh. — In between games of today's split doubleheader, Wagner was pitching to Gustavo Molina when he bounced a slider off his foot.
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
A-Rod knows it's over — You could tell as soon as he said it that he would regret it. But Alex Rodriguez, when asked about the Yankees being passed by the Blue Jays in the standings, said the following: — “Toronto's playing really well,” he said. “I'll tell you what …
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David Singh / MLB.com:
Rays edged by Blue Jays in finale — Tampa Bay remains positive despite having lead trimmed — TORONTO — Before the Rays embarked on their current nine-game road trip to Toronto, Boston and New York, they identified it as one of the club's most important treks of the season.
It is about the money, stupid:
IIATMS Exclusive: Paul DePodesta — I've been lucky enough to be able to get a few minutes of San Diego Padres Assistant General Manager Paul DePodesta's time. I had emailed Paul before I visited San Diego and while he was busy at the time (with things like trading Greg Maddux!), he was generous enough to take some questions from me.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers end turnaround with sweep — LA wins eighth straight, pushes Arizona 1 1/2 games back — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks, completed a perfect homestand, ran their win streak to eight and extended their lead in the division to a season-best 1 1/2 games.
Discussion:
Sons of Steve Garvey
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
30 teams, 30 theme songs — Well, the season is winding down once again. By this time, we have a good idea of what each team is capable, and what their hopes (if any) are for the rest of the regular season and beyond. We know which teams have floundered, surprised, or merely trudged along.
Chris Smith / New York Magazine:
Après George le Déluge — As the tyrant fades away and his team fades with him, it has now become all too apparent that the Boss was really the straw that stirred the drink. — For the Yankees, it might have been a celebration, or it might have been a wake.
The Times-Tribune:
Postgame notes: “That's the best I've ever seen him.” … Some of the numbers are amazing, starting with the 94 pitches, 75 for strikes — “That's unbelievable,” manager Dave Miley said — but those numbers get even more impressive when you look at just the fastballs.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
K-Rod closes out win with 55th save — Anderson drives in go-ahead run on a sac fly in the eighth — CHICAGO — Mike Scioscia has caught and managed some superb closers in his 30 years in the game. He's not sure he's ever seen one with Francisco Rodriguez's resilience or mental toughness.
