Top News:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: Minaya's lateral move is only move — Omar Minaya had to find a way to sell some sort of hope to his team as well as his fan base as the Mets' season collapses around him, and that's what he has done here, trading Ryan Church to the Braves for Jeff Francoeur.
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Ted Berg / SNY.tv:
An egging most baffling — Francoeur acquisition difficult to explain — About a month ago, when things really started to crumble for the Mets, I wrote this: … Egads. Maybe I jinxed it. Maybe the Mets are fundamentally jinxed. I'm here, so I haven't quit quite yet …
Discussion:
Mets Minor League Blog, New Jersey Online, MetsBlog.com, Mack's Mets, metsgrrl.com, MLB.com and NY Daily News
Sam Page / Amazin' Avenue:
More Thoughts On The Jeff Francoeur Trade — After reflecting more on the Jeff Francoeur trade and considering the perspectives of the defenders of the move, I'm more convinced it makes no sense. The main arguments for the trade seem to be following: — Jeff Francoeur is a rangier defender, which suits Citi Field.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Minaya's move for Francoeur a wake-up call to Mets — With the trade only a few hours old, it's impossible to know what Omar Minaya really accomplished Friday by shipping Ryan Church to Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur, who must have been hated even more by his manager and front office than Church was.
Associated Press:
New York Mets swap Ryan Church for Atlanta Braves' struggling OF Jeff Francoeur, cash … NEW YORK — The Atlanta Braves traded Jeff Francoeur and cash to the New York Mets for Ryan Church on Friday in a swap of outfielders who had fallen out of favor with their teams. — The deal came with both NL East teams below .500.
Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
Mets trade Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur — The Mets have traded Ryan Church to the Braves for OF Jeff Francoeur. — Update, 6:47 pm, by Matthew Cerrone: — Omar Minaya said the Mets will receive ‘cash considerations’ in the deal from the Braves with Francoeur.
Discussion:
Baseball America, MLB.com, Hot Foot, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Talking Chop, Amazin' Avenue, We're the Team to Beat and umpbump.com
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:Mets, Braves Swap Church For Francoeur
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Amazin' Avenue, Mets Geek, Mets Today, Yahoo! Sports and River Avenue Blues
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Joba Chamberlain struggles as New York Yankees fall 10-6 to Los Angeles Angels … ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joba Chamberlain continued his maddening string of inefficiency, the bullpen proved equally ineffective and the defense provided little help. Considering all that conspired against the Yankees …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Angels strike back to beat Yankees in Anaheim 10-6 — ANAHEIM - Before Friday night's game, Joe Girardi expressed his frustration with the constant criticism aimed at Joba Chamberlain. It's hard to imagine the manager felt the same way after watching the pitcher labor through yet another unwatchable outing.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:Even without heart of order, Angels don't miss a beat
Discussion:
6-4-2
Associated Press:
Sanchez makes most of opportunity, throws no-hitter in front of father — SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-hitter and that was amazing enough. — If not for an eighth-inning bobble, he could've been perfect. — The San Francisco Giants left-hander threw the majors …
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
A most unlikely no-hitter — (07-10) 23:21 PDT — As long as bats and balls connect on warm summer evenings, baseball never will cease to amaze. — The Giants' 33-year no-hitter drought ended at China Basin on Friday night, and the pitcher who threw the nine innings of brilliance …
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Kemp, Dodgers slam Brewers in extras — Slugger connects on granny in 10th after Blake's RBI triple — MILWAUKEE — On a night when Manny Ramirez tied Mickey Mantle on the all-time home run list, Matt Kemp was part Willie Mays Hayes and Pedro Cerrano as the Dodgers beat the Brewers, 12-8 …
Discussion:
Reflections of Blue
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Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:Holy Kemp! Dodgers survive, conquer, survive, 12-8
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Bradford Doolittle / Kansas City Star:
Yuniesky Betancourt: A rather harsh analysis — This is discouraging. It really is. The press release just landed in my e-mail inbox and it really kind of took my breath away. The Royals have traded prospects Danny Cortes and Derrick Saito for Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.
Discussion:
Tangled Up In (Royal) Blue, Royals Authority, The Seattle Times, Bucs Dugout, Mariners Insider and Lone Star Ball
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Bonifacio has fond memories — Florida (45-43) at Arizona (37-50), 8:10 p.m. ET — PHOENIX — Eight years ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Emilio Bonifacio as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic. — For the first time as a Marlin, Bonifacio is back in Arizona taking on his former team.
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
One and done: Evans sent down — Nick Evans could only stave off demotion for one day. He's in the lineup at first base on Saturday for Triple-A Buffalo against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Evans had been told he was headed to the minors before Friday's Mets-Reds game, but the trade of Ryan Church …
Mason Levinson / Bloomberg:
Pitcher Injuries Linked to Preseason Shoulder Strength in Study — Weakness in professional pitchers' shoulders during preseason raises the likelihood of in-season injuries, researchers have found. — The study, written by Dr. Ian Byram of Vanderbilt Medical Center, tested rotator-cuff muscle strength …
Discussion:
Inside the Colorado Rockies
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Mauer accepts invitation to Derby — Catcher has hit a career-high 15 homers this season — Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer has officially accepted an invitation to compete in the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday night at Busch Stadium. — Mauer will be pitched …
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