Top News:
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
‘Bran-Torino’ takes a ride to All-Star Game — Inge, Victorino win epic contest in Sprint Final Vote — “Bran-Torino” is now a joy ride. — Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino are your choices in the dramatic 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Time running out for LA fans to help Kemp — Balloting for Final Vote ends at 1 p.m. PT on Thursday — NEW YORK — Only one day remains for Matt Kemp fans to show their support and vote for the Dodgers outfielder, who is one of five finalists in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote.
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Midseason Top 25 Prospects — While subscribers can see a more in-depth look at the top 25 prospects and will get a listing of the organizations who have improved their stock and which teams have slipped, we do want everyone to be able to see the listing of the Top 25 Prospects at the midseason.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates ‘pushing’ trade of All-Star Sanchez — The Pirates are “pushing hard” to trade All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, according to a National League executive this morning. — The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are two of the teams with which the Pirates have spoken …
Discussion:
Raise the Jolly Roger, MetsBlog.com, Bucs Dugout, MLB Daily Dish, MLB FanHouse and Where Have You Gone …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Reds talk to Rockies about Atkins — The Reds have talked to the Rockies about acquiring Garrett Atkins while the Red Sox's interest is waning, multiple sources said today. The Reds have liked Atkins since last winter when they considered a swap for Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Phillies and Martinez Getting Close? — There is a very real chance Pedro Martinez will be in the Phillies rotation after the All-Star break. — The Phillies said today they had not signed the free-agent right-hander to a contract, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had no comment …
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Pedro Martinez may have signed with Phillies — According to Candela Deportiva, free agent RHP Pedro Martinez has signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Phillies. … Update, 5:10 pm: — In a post to his Twitter, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes Phillies GM Ruben Amaro declined …
Tom Gage / Detroit News:
Magglio Ordonez, Clete Thomas to platoon in right for Tigers — Detroit — The Tigers will platoon Magglio Ordonez in right field from now on. — Manager Jim Leyland said before Wednesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals that Clete Thomas — newly recalled from Toledo …
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
With enough from Burnett, Yanks roll on — Opportunistic offense sets up club's 12th win in 14 games — MINNEAPOLIS — Only a few pitches into Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Twins, it became apparent to Yankees catcher Jorge Posada that his starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett, had virtually no control over his curveball.
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Zach Schonbrun / MLB.com:
Price outduels Halladay in Rays win — Rookie southpaw allows one run in six innings vs. Jays — ST. PETERSBURG — David Price outpitched Roy Halladay and the Rays completed their midweek turnaround by sweeping Toronto with a 3-2 win Thursday afternoon. — Price rebounded from the worst outing …
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Yahoo! Sports
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TSN.ca:
SHOPPACH HITS GRAND SLAM AS INDIANS EDGE WHITE SOX — The Sports Network — Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Kelly Shoppach hit a grand slam and finished with a career-high five runs driven in as the Cleveland Indians outslugged the Chicago White Sox, 10-8, in the finale of a three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.
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Yahoo! Sports
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Playing his heart out — Dmitri Young had a dream about a week ago, one of those clear-as-day dreams that become imprinted in your mind long after you've awoken and returned to reality. He was back home in California, standing in the kitchen, when suddenly his mother approached him with some advice.
Associated Press:
Orioles take advantage of two Lopez errors, rally past Mariners — SEATTLE — The Baltimore Orioles wasted a big opportunity in the seventh inning. Not in the ninth. — The Orioles took advantage of two errors by Seattle Mariners second baseman Jose Lopez for five ninth-inning runs and went on for a 5-3 victory Wednesday night.
Conor Glassey / Baseball America:
Mariners Sign Baron — The Mariners have signed their highest draft pick so far, supplemental first rounder Steven Baron, a catcher from Ferguson High in Miami. Baron, the 33rd-overall selection, received a $980,000 signing bonus. That's $44,000 more than the estimated slot for that spot.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
JamesK / Amazin' Avenue:
Gary, Keith & Ron Drinking Game — Whether the Mets are winning or losing, there is one constant that makes a television broadcast enjoyable - the announcing of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling. Nationally televised Mets games are usually dreadful because viewers are subjected …
Associated Press:
Late rally lifts Cards over Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Joel Pineiro trusts his sinking fastball again, and that's making all the difference this season. — A year after injuries left him shaken with an ugly ERA, the veteran righthander scattered three hits in his third complete game this year …
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Yahoo! Sports
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets' Perez staggers 5 innings but gets win — After nine weeks on the disabled list, Oliver Perez showed last night that he can still do all the same things he did before he went on hiatus with a bad knee: annoy the fans, frustrate his manager and yet somehow give the Mets a chance to win.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Note: Mets love Prospects, no Deal Imminent — SI.com's Jon Heyman is co-hosting WFAN's mid-day show this afternoon. — To listen to WFAN live, online, click here. — According to Heyman, the Mets had a meeting yesterday to discuss their prospects, and seem to have no interest …
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Mets Lifers