Top News:
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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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.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
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
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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Phillies Nation
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Ted Berg / MetsBlog.com:
Francoeur getting MRI — According to SNY, Jeff Francoeur's thumb swelled up overnight and he is now in the Hospital for Special Surgery getting an MRI. — Last night, MLB.com reported that x-rays on Francoeur's thumb taken after the game were negative.
Discussion:
Celebrating …
Ian O'Connor / NorthJersey.com:
Pedro won't win one for Philly, either — NEW YORK — Long before an unassisted triple play undressed the Mets in an only-in-Flushing way, Jerry Manuel watched the winning pitcher from the losers' rail, surely wondering what might have been had he summoned Pedro Martinez in that final, fateful hour at Shea.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:Billy Wagner willing to change Sox
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Baseball Prospectus, MLB Rumors, Sox vs. Stripes, ESPN.com, Pinstripe Alley, sox1fan.com, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com and New York Times
Nick Steiner / Hardball Times:
Huh, so that Smoltz guy is still pretty good... A little while ago, I wrote that the Dfa'd Smoltz still had some stuff in the tank and would be a good pick up for a contending team. The basis behind that was that a lot of his terrible performance in Boston was attributable to luck, and his stuff still looked pretty good.
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George A. King III / New York Post:
GIRARDI SAYS HE WON'T SPLIT UP A.J. AND POSADA — BOSTON — Despite communication problems between A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada during the three most recent games they worked, Joe Girardi doesn't plan to split them on purpose. — “The way that I have caught Jorge and [Jose] …
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Rockies To Sign Russ Ortiz — Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports the Rockies will announce the signing of veteran Russ Ortiz. Along with the signing of Jason Giambi, the Rockies have significantly increased their veteran presence for the stretch run. — Ortiz was released by the Astros …
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