Top News:
Jared Diamond / MLB.com:
Yankees gaining confidence in Wang — Yankees (42-32) at Mets (37-36), 8:05 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang still hasn't won a game for the Yankees this season. But he has done enough in his recent losses to prove to manager Joe Girardi that he deserves a little more job security.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Rivera takes place in history with No. 500 — Yankees' closer just second player to hit saves milestone — NEW YORK — Another save? You'd have to excuse Mariano Rivera if that particular milestone didn't boost his excitement level — after all, he's been there and done that, now 500 times and still counting.
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
‘Fans’ split Citi with Mets crashing — If the Mets crash in Flushing and there are no Mets fans around to witness it, did it really happen? — More importantly, does it still count? — Well, it did, and it does, and in a sense you can't really blame the Mets fans for not wanting to see it.
Associated Press:
Rivera earns 500th career save as Yankees sweep Mets — NEW YORK (AP) — Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever to reach the milestone, and the New York Yankees beat the punchless Mets 4-2 on Sunday night for a Subway Series sweep.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Perfect time for Cubs to waive bye-bye to Carlos Zambrano — Carlos Zambrano covers his face as he listens to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. (Nam Y Huh, Associated Press / June 28, 2009) — As Lou Piniella was saying on Friday, enough's enough. — Get Carlos Zambrano out of here, even if the Cubs have to give him away.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Associated Press:
Danks, Linebrink blank Cubs; Getz steals home — CHICAGO (AP) — The squeeze was on as Chris Getz made a dash from third and headed for the plate. — When Carlos Zambrano threw outside and wild, Getz got a steal of home Sunday and the White Sox were on their way to a whacky 6-0 victory over the Cubs.
Bud Shaw / Plain Dealer:
Indians tradition: Summer garage sale — The Indians are becoming accomplished in maximizing the trade value of their assets during failed seasons. That's the organizational upside and downside all in one unembraceable bottom line. — Better that lack of opportunity leaves Mark Shapiro less gifted in this means of roster building.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
O's sign top '09 Draft pick Hobgood — Righty inks Minor League deal with $2.42 million bonus — BALTIMORE — Matt Hobgood's professional journey is ready to begin. The Orioles signed Hobgood, their first-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft and the Gatorade National Baseball Player …
David Ely / MLB.com:
Quiet night for Manny with Inland Empire — Slugger goes 0-for-2, makes one putout in outfield — SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — While suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez provided plenty of fireworks during his first game as an Inland Empire 66er, the sizzle in his bat was absent on Sunday.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers place Robertson on 15-day DL — Club recalls Taiwanese left-hander Ni from Triple-A — HOUSTON — Taiwanese pitcher Fu-Te Ni is getting his shot in the big leagues. Nate Robertson, meanwhile, is facing the likelihood of surgery, albeit a relatively minor one.
Chad Jennings / Scranton Times-Tribune:
Yankees say Jackson having a strong season, despite criticism to contrary — In an online chat this month, ESPN.com baseball analyst Keith Law was asked a question about New York Yankees first-round draft pick Slade Heathcott. — “He'll sign,” Law wrote.
Larry Stone / The Seattle Times:
Bulletin: Mike Morse traded for outfielder Ryan Langerhans — Jack Zduriencik just announced that the Mariners have acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans from the Nationals for Mike Morse. Langerhans, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions as well as first base.
Thunderbaseball / Mike Ashmore's Thunder Thoughts:
Game 74: Pre-Game Notes (Bleich Called Up, One More Start For Johnson) — 5:15 PM — Jason Johnson quotes: “It was my first time being in front of a crowd in two months, and I had a little bit of nervous energy going on at the beginning of the game. I think once I got through that first inning …
Discussion:
The Chuck Knoblog
JSOnline:
Brewers asked about DeRosa — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the NL Central race.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Cook's gem gives Rox sweep of A's — Colorado earns fifth sweep of Tracy era — OAKLAND, Calif. — If anyone still wonders how much Aaron Cook means to the Rockies, consider what Troy Tulowitzki said after Cook smothered the A's on Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
With Harrison on DL, Texas eyes arms — General manager Daniels thinks starter market will be thin — ARLINGTON — Matt Harrison's arm problems could force the Rangers to make starting pitching a priority in any trade discussions they have with other teams.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Beck / Beck's Blog:
Figaro sent down, French to start Friday — We have a rotation switch: Alfredo Figaro was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo after the game, and Luke French is coming back up. He'll join the Tigers in Oakland, work briefly out of the bullpen there and then start Friday's series opener at Minnesota.