Top News:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Commissioner's office could discipline Angels — Comments by Manager Mike Scioscia and pitcher Brian Fuentes will be reviewed, along with reports filed by umpires, after the Angels disputed two third-strike calls in Wednesday's 9-8 loss to Boston. — Angels Manager Mike Scioscia …
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Clubhouse Insider:
Umps file complaint after being “verbally abused” by Angels coaches Wednesday night — Rick Reed, the home plate umpire from last night's game, said that he and the rest of the umpiring crew were “verbally abused” by members of the Angels coaching staff at the conclusion of the game.
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Too much home advantage? — Angels notes. — Recommend — BOSTONA packed house of baseball's most rabid fans and the quirkiest playing field in the majors are intimidating home-field advantages for the Boston Red Sox. — But just who is intimidated by that environment is apparently open for debate.
ESPN:
Cracks in the AL contenders — The count was full, the bases were loaded and Brian Fuentes fired a fastball at the lowest part of the strike zone Wednesday night, and when home plate umpire Rick Reed called the pitch a ball — the K Zone indicated that Fuentes' fastball nicked the strike zone …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:Some things that happened tonight
Discussion:
Center Field, Walkoff Walk, Fenway West, The Soxaholix, Over the Monster and Providence Journal
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Scheppers Signs With Rangers; Crow Close — The Rangers announced the signing of supplemental first-round pick Tanner Scheppers on Thursday. — Scheppers, who pitched for Fresno State from 2006-2008 and worked in the independent American Association this summer, received a signing bonus of $1.25 million …
RELATED:
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Crow, Royals Agree To $3 Million Deal — Aaron Crow, the 12th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and the Royals have agreed to terms on a three-year major league contract that includes a $1.5 million bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money. If he spends the duration of the deal …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Buster Olney / MLB:
Kansas City Royals close to signing top pick Aaron Crow, sources say — The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of an agreement with their No. 1 draft pick, pitcher Aaron Crow, for a major league deal that will pay him between $3 million and $4.5 million, sources said.
Adam Rubin / New York Daily News Blogs:
Surfing The Mets — Omir Santos' tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning on Wednesday off lefthander Mike Gonzalez looked like it would lift the Mets to a victory. However, first baseman Daniel Murphy (right) misplayed two balls in the ninth inning, costing Francisco Rodriguez …
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:Errors are costly in Mets' loss to Braves
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
So, here's a little news for you — I was hoping to keep this quiet another day or two so I could compose my thoughts. But that's not possible these days. — So here it is: I'm leaving The Journal News after nearly 10 years and going to work for The Boston Globe.
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe, MLB Rumors, bronxbanterblog.com, River Avenue Blues, Fenway West and Center Field
Associated Press:
Royals' Greinke cuts Tigers division lead with win — DETROIT (AP) — Jim Leyland was unhappy. — Leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on top of his desk, the Detroit manager didn't relish discussing his team's latest loss to last-place Kansas City. — “There's no excuses,” he said.
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Tampa, Staten Island win championships — Affiliates take Florida State, New York-Penn League titles — Trent Lare ended the season in Tampa, nearly three months after starting it on Staten Island. He proved a good luck charm for both teams as the Yankees captured championships …
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees hit the road for key trip — New York (94-53) at Seattle (75-71), 10:10 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — The Yankees zipped up their travel bags after completing their second-to-last homestand by celebrating their 14th walk-off victory of the season on Wednesday, joyously spilling …
Associated Press:
Braves icon Jones hints at retirement after 2010 … ATLANTA (AP) — A drop of almost 100 points from his 2008 NL-leading batting average has Chipper Jones wondering if the end of his career is near. — Jones, 37, hit a career-best .364 last year, his third straight season over .320.
Joe Posnanski:
A Free Country — I'm a big fan of Ken Rosenthal. To me, he is everything I want in a baseball writer. He loves the game, he works like crazy (Robo-thal), he is passionate about things, he breaks stories left and right, and he is open to new ideas. He is also one of the good guys in the business …
Discussion:
THE BOOK, Driveline Mechanics, The Big Lead, crashburnalley.com, Mike Silva's …, River Avenue Blues and Amazin' Avenue
