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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NY Daily News:
A-Rod, Yankees have a blast in Bronx — Alex Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking homer, Andy Pettitte pitched seven strong innings and the Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Wednesday night for their seventh consecutive victory. — Johnny Damon and Melky Cabrera also went deep for the Yankees on a blustery night in the Bronx.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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
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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Mike DiGiovanna / Angels Unplugged:
Baserunning blunders cost Angels — ARLINGTON, Texas—This hasn't been a banner night on the basepaths for the Angels, who are known for their aggressive baserunning but ran their way into some costly outs against the Texas Rangers. — Trailing by three runs, Chone Figgins led off the top …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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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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.
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.
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
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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.
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]
Dukes sent to Class AAA [updated]
Discussion:
William World News
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 …
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 …
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!
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 …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
GM Melvin intently eyeing trade market — Several obstacles in way of pulling off big Deadline deal — MILWAUKEE — The calendar turned to July on Wednesday, and Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was looking to deal. That Milwaukee entered the month with a two-game lead …
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 …
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Post Game: Mets 1, Brewers 0 — The Mets defeated the Brewers, 1-0, inn Miller Park 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 …
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
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 …