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
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, The Voice of Yankees Universe, Fack Youk, A Die Hard Yankees Fan, Sliding Into Home and Bats
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Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
Phil Hughes Time Has Come — Some thoughts on Phil Hughes, working out of the bullpen, via Peter Abraham today - … Here's some up-to-date stats for you... Phil Hughes, in his big league career, as a starting pitcher: — 28 Games, 621 Batters Faced, an Opp BA/OBA/SLG line of .265/.341/.436, and a SO/BB Ratio of 1.90
NY Daily News:Today's Top Picks
Discussion:
Grand Cards, Newsvine, YanksBlog.com, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues and iYankees
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
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Red Sox stage own comeback, beat O's in 11 innings — BALTIMORE (AP) — One day after being victimized by the greatest comeback in Baltimore Orioles history, the Boston Red Sox staged an improbable rally of their own. — The Red Sox used a four-run ninth inning to pull even …
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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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Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Dukes Optioned to Class AAA — The Washington Nationals sent Elijah Dukes to AAA Syracuse on Wednesday morning, saying Dukes was not a “finished product” and needed to play every day rather than sit on the bench in the majors. — The move came in response to the team's acquisition …
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Mark Zuckerman / The washington times Blogs:Dukes sent to Class AAA [updated]
Discussion:
William World News
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Webb will not have shoulder surgery — D-backs ace will rest, exercise, hope for September return — PHOENIX — Brandon Webb will not undergo right shoulder surgery and hopes to return to action in September, the D-backs ace told MLB.com on Wednesday. — On Tuesday, Webb completed …
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 …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Post Game: Mets 1, Brewers 0 — The Mets defeated the Brewers by the score 1-to-0 this afternoon. — For a full recap and boxscore, click here. — The Least You Should Know: — Mike Pelfrey was brilliant this afternoon despite committing his fifth balk of the season …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Trade deadline looms, excitement begins — October serves as baseball's platform month, the time when legends and scapegoats are made for the ages. Yet for many fans, July can be equally thrilling and deflating. — Yes, welcome to peak trading season. Friday, July 31, at 4 p.m. E.S.T., marks the non-waivers trading deadline.
Discussion:
iYankees
MLB:
Pittsburgh Pirates players question timing of trades — The reaction in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse to Tuesday's trades wasn't as vocal as it was when Nate McLouth was dealt to the Braves for three players last month. But that doesn't mean Pirates players were happy with the timing, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Hot hitters squeezed out of Reds' order — Cincinnati (37-38) vs. Arizona (31-46), 7:10 p.m. ET — CINCINNATI — Some of the hottest bats the Reds have right now never left the dugout during Tuesday's game vs. the D-backs. — Outfielders Jonny Gomes and Chris Dickerson weren't in the starting lineup …
Gerry Fraley / Fox Sports:
A's GM Beane not so far ahead of the pack — There is no truth to the rumor Sony scrapped the proposed “Moneyball” movie because lead actor Brad Pitt said “Connie Mack thought up all of this stuff first,” after reading the screenplay's ode to Oakland general manager Billy Beane.
Jin Az / Beyond the Box Score:
BtB Power Rankings: Through Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 — More photos » by David Banks - AP — The White Sox on are on the rise once again, largely on the backs of Gavin Floyd and the rest of this fine pitching staff. (AP Photo/David Banks) — Browse more photos »
Discussion:
Basement Dwellers
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
July 2 Projected Top 25 List — The players below from Latin America are ranked based on their expected signing bonuses, not their projected talent. In fact, that is important enough that it bears repeating: The rankings are not an attempt to gauge the talent, but a way to forecast the market.
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Morgan = Dunn — When the Nationals signed Adam Dunn over the winter to a 2 year, $20 million contract, the reaction from the sabermetric community was almost unanimously positive towards the move for Washington. For a fraction of his original asking price, they got the guy who had become something …
Associated Press:
Ricky Romero wins third straight start, beats Rays 5-0 — TORONTO — Ricky Romero pitched four-hit ball over eighth innings, Rod Barajas, Adam Lind and Scott Rolen each homered and the Toronto Blue Jays end the Tampa Bay Rays' seven-game winning streak with a 5-0 victory Wednesday.
Thunderbaseball / Mike Ashmore's Thunder Thoughts:
McAllister Among Five Thunder All-Stars — Five members of the Trenton Thunder were named to participate in the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Game today. — In addition, Tony Franklin will manage the North Division, and will be accompanied by his staff. — Zach McAllister is in his first season …
