Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 77: Mariners at Yankees (updated with Hinske audio) — YANKEES (44-32) — Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.38). — MARINERS (39-37) — Suzuki RF — Branyan 1B — Lopez 2B — Griffey DH — Gutiuerrez CF — Balentien LF — Woodward 3B — Johnson CF — Cedeno SS
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Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Hours remain to make ASG vote count — Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight to pick their favorites — At this time last year, fans were pushing Ryan Braun from fourth place to first among National League outfielders in the final week of All-Star voting. — We can't wait to see what you are up to this time.
Discussion:
Fack Youk
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MLB.com:
All-Star rosters expand to 33 players — NL and AL will each carry a 13th pitcher on staffs — Major League Baseball moved on Wednesday to alleviate a nagging problem, expanding All-Star rosters for the July 14 game in St. Louis to include one more pitcher, for a total of 33 players on each squad.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Hanley records RBI in 10th straight game — Shortstop's streak the longest in the Majors in 2009 — MIAMI — Hanley Ramirez's RBI rampage continues. — The Marlins shortstop dropped a two-run double in the third inning off Washington's Jordan Zimmermann, extending his club-record string …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
Bonifacio often confounding, but he can be electrifying — Well, it was all on display in the opening three innings Wednesday, good and bad, pro and con, the reason the Marlins should end this Emilio Bonifacio experiment right now and the proof they should keep the laboratory open for him all season.
Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
The 39 strikeouts: Dodgers take series from Rockies with 1-0 finale victory — After striking out 17 Colorado Rockies in 13 innings Monday and 12 in nine innings Tuesday, Dodger pitchers wrapped up an almost dominating performance against their Rocky Mountain rivals, fanning 10 in a 1-0 victory today at Dodger Stadium.
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Torrealba added to roster, Phillips designated for assignment
Torrealba added to roster, Phillips designated for assignment
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Kiley McDaniel / Unfiltered:
July 2nd Live Updates — As I discuss in the article that should be going up shortly, I'm not even sure what to expect as far as players that will sign today and what information will be available. That being said, I already have one confirmed signing, and it's a big one …
Los Angeles Times:
Angels run into trouble — Rangers cut AL West lead to a half-game on Hank Blalock's walk-off homer, his second of the game. — Maybe it was the oppressive 98-degree heat in the Ballpark at Arlington, but the Angels seemed dazed and disoriented for much of Wednesday evening …
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Indians Prospect Faked Age, Identity — Major League Baseball has caught another high-profile prospect from the Dominican Republic misrepresenting his age and identity. — MLB's latest catch is Indians shortstop Jose Osoria, who signed for $575,000 last year on July 2.
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Franco: ‘No leadership there’ — (UPDATED) MILWAUKEE — Longtime Mets closer John Franco blasted his struggling former team in a radio interview this week, saying there is no leadership in the clubhouse and “too much individuality.” — Franco, who became the Mets' all-time saves leader during …
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Yahoo! Sports:
Source: Cubs deal for Rockies' Baker — The Chicago Cubs have acquired Jeff Baker — from the Colorado Rockies, according to a source close to the club. — It is unclear who the Rockies will receive in return for Baker or the Cubs' plans for him. — Baker, an infielder …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jared Diamond / MLB.com:
Choosing when to rest A-Rod a puzzle — New York (45-32) vs. Seattle (39-38), 7:05 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — Yankees manager Joe Girardi knows he eventually needs to rest Alex Rodriguez. He has seen firsthand what happens when Rodriguez plays too often while recovering from right hip surgery …
Henry Wofford / msnbc.com:
Personal struggle leads Snell back to Indianapolis — Indianapolis - A former major league pitcher is back in Indianapolis following a tough personal battle. — Ian Snell returned to Indianapolis last week, back to the friendly confines of Victory Field. — “It's something about this stadium that brings out the best of me.
Bruce Jenkins / Bruce Jenkins' Three Dot Blog:
On Mullin, Bad Words and Hypocrites — It seems like a natural fit: Chris Mullin, New York guy and deposed general manager of the Warriors, going back to his home town for a job in the Knicks' front office. I just wonder if Mullin, having taken a hard look at the scene, wants to make that move.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers make flurry of roster moves — Stults, Ellis, Jones optioned with Manny's return on horizon — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made a handful of personnel moves Wednesday, in part to prepare the roster for the Friday return of suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez.
Associated Press:
Braves 11, Phillies 1 — ATLANTA (AP) — Jair Jurrjens allowed his first hit with two outs in the seventh inning on a night the Atlanta Braves finally gave him some run support, beating the reeling Philadelphia Phillies 11-1 on Wednesday. — Jurrjens (6-6) began the night …
Ethan J. Skolnick / Sun-Sentinel Blogs:
Men's Health says we're in failing health (as a sports city) — And you thought only our schools were failing. — This is paraphrased from a press release: … Well, OK then. — Anyway, who's No. 1? — Arlington, TX. It got an A+. So did Aurora, CO (2) and Colorado Springs, CO (3).
Discussion:
FishStripes
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' Kelly Johnson reacts to benching — What's good for Martin Prado is not so good for Kelly Johnson, after manager Bobby Cox said Tuesday night that it was time to give Prado a shot at the everyday second base job. — But the numbers stacked up against Johnson …
MLB.com:
Pirates sign third round selection Evan Chambers, 13th round selection John Gourley and 18th round selection Ryan Beckman — The Pittsburgh Pirates today agreed to terms with outfielder Evan Chambers, the club's third round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
White Sox 6, Indians 2 — CLEVELAND (AP) — Jose Contreras got a rare road win as the right-hander, shipped to the minors earlier this season, pitched eight superb innings and the Chicago White Sox won their fifth straight, 6-2 over the lifeless Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe!
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yanks confirm Nady will have surgery — Right elbow operation certain to end outfielder's season — NEW YORK — Unable to avoid the inevitability any longer, the Yankees announced on Wednesday that outfielder Xavier Nady has abandoned his attempts to rehab his right elbow …