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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: CC shows he's a big winner — BOSTON - Strictly by the numbers, CC Sabathia's start didn't meet the standards for an ace vs. ace matchup. But then again, he did meet the only standard that really matters, outpitching the other ace, Josh Beckett, and beating the Red Sox Sunday night.
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Circling The Bases
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Yahoo! Sports:
Damon's contribution typifies Yankees' surge — BOSTON - The bruise on his left knee, the result of a foul ball that ricocheted off his bat two nights earlier, had yet to complete its natural cycle of discoloration - fire-engine red, a touch of magenta, indigo blue. But because Johnny Damon
Sports Illustrated:
Sabathia … BOSTON(AP) Derek Jeter needed one pitch to reach a milestone and get the Yankees going again. — New York's leadoff batter hit the first pitch of the game for a homer, his 2,700th career hit, and the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 Sunday night with five homers off Josh Beckett .
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Celebrate Bad Day for Beckett — BOSTON — The Yankees have seen Josh Beckett at his best, and now they have seen him at his worst. In their final game at Fenway Park this season — until a possible playoff date, anyway — the Yankees stung their nemesis for five home runs Sunday night.
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Red Sox Monster
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Patience was not a virtue this time — As I charted the pitches Josh Beckett threw tonight, one thing stood out as the game went on: The Yankees weren't showing much patience. — Five at-bats were over in one pitch. Four lasted two pitches and seven were over in three pitches.
Tim Britton / MLB.com:
Mets seek relief for 'pen from Parnell — New York (57-67) vs. Philadelphia (71-50), 1:10 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — Oliver Perez lost one game for the Mets on Sunday. The Mets hope Perez's inability to get out of the first inning doesn't also cost them the series finale with the Phillies on Monday afternoon at Citi Field.
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John Schlegel / MLB.com:
Deal for Wagner hits potential roadblock — Red Sox, veteran closer must resolve issues, agent says — The Red Sox and Billy Wagner reportedly need to resolve some issues in order for the veteran reliever to waive his no-trade clause and clear the way for a deal with the Mets.
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Circling The Bases
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:Billy Wagner willing to change Sox
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Sox vs. Stripes, ESPN.com, Pinstripe Alley, sox1fan.com, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com and New York Times
Gary Armida / fullcountpitch.com:
Mariners Get Defensive — The Seattle Mariners are in the midst of a fine rebound season from their 101 loss 2008 season. The organization has changed the culture in so many ways. First year General Manager Jack Zduriencik had quite a challenge in rebuilding the once proud franchise.
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Time for Tampa Bay Rays to dress up for success — The Rays pose in their black Ring of Fire attire before leaving Tropicana Field for Toronto to begin a key seven-game road trip. — ST. PETERSBURG — The bus was parked outside, and the charter was waiting at the airport.
Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
Despite lowest payroll in major leagues, team architect Beinfest expects success Marlins' postseason chase not a shocker — Here's what you do: The next time someone calls the Marlins a surprise story, or talks of their surprise season, or marvels at how surprising it is for the smallest little payroll …
Howie Rumberg / Yahoo! Sports:
Unassisted triple play ends Phils' win over Mets — Buzz up! — NEW YORK (AP)—It happened so fast, Eric Bruntlett — needed a few moments before he realized he had just ended a game with an unassisted triple play. — Bruntlett became the second player in major league history …
Associated Press:
Smoltz dominates Padres in Cardinals debut — SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Smoltz (FSY) cleared his mind of all the bad things that happened to him with the Boston Red Sox, fixed his delivery and had a brilliant debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. — Smoltz struck out a season-high nine …
Associated Press:
Roberts, Reimold lead Orioles past White Sox — CHICAGO — Brian Roberts had three hits, Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat Mark Buehrle and the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Sunday. — Jason Berken (3-11) won just for the second time since May 26.
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Camden Chat
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies to sign Ortiz; Giambi deal close — Pact with righty likely official Sunday; slugger would add depth — DENVER — The Rockies will announce on Sunday the signing of veteran right-hander Russ Ortiz to a Minor League contract, and they're close to signing slugger Jason Giambi to a Minor League deal …
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