Top News:
Associated Press:
Ichiro homers off Rivera as Mariners stun Yankees — SEATTLE (AP) — This time, there was no where for Ichiro Suzuki (FSY) to run and hide. — A day after scurrying away from his Seattle teammates in the outfield following a game-winning hit, Suzuki had no choice but to face the mob waiting at home plate.
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Yahoo! Sports
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Ichiro's walk-off shot saves Felix's gem — Catalyst stuns Yankees in ninth to give ace 16th victory — SEATTLE — Down to their final out against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera on Friday night, Mike Sweeney hit a double, and Ichiro Suzuki followed with a walk-off home run …
Sports Illustrated:
Rosales … PHOENIX(AP) Leading the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks by three runs in the third inning, the Colorado Rockies looked as if they would solidify their hold on the NL wild card lead. — “And then nothing,” Colorado manager Jim Tracy said. “That was the end of the road.”
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Yahoo! Sports
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Arizona defeats Rockies 7-5 — PHOENIX — The Rockies are quickly discovering that there is no rest for the hunted. — And the National League wild-card leaders are starting to wilt under the pressure. — They squandered an early 4-1 lead and lost 7-5 to the Diamondbacks on Friday night at Chase Field.
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AZ Snakepit
Associated Press:
Howard, Rollins spark Phillies' victory over Atlanta — ATLANTA (AP) — Ryan Howard (FSY) homered twice, Jimmy Rollins (FSY) hit a three-run shot, and the Philadelphia Phillies overcame a shortened start by rookie J.A. Happ (FSY) to end Atlanta's seven-game winning streak with a 9-4 victory Friday night.
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Yahoo! Sports
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Sports Illustrated:
Central intrigue: Twins climb to within 3 of Tigers … MINNEAPOLIS(AP) Michael Cuddyer 's two-run homer was all Brian Duensing needed to beat Detroit and move Minnesota within three games of the AL Central lead, energizing the Twins in a 3-0 victory over the Tigers Friday night.
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Associated Press:
Holliday homer gives Cardinals 3-2 win over Cubs — ST. LOUIS — Matt Holliday homered off Aaron Heilman leading off the bottom of the ninth inning giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night, reducing their magic number for clinching the NL Central to six.
Associated Press:
Kazmir notches first win with Angels in key victory vs. Texas — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Scott Kazmir (FSY) pitched six scoreless innings to get his first victory for the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels and Vladimir Guerrero (FSY) homered in a 2-0 victory Friday night over the slumping Texas Rangers …
Associated Press:
Setback might end Carlos Delgado's tenure with New York Mets — NEW YORK — Carlos Delgado might have played his last game for the New York Mets. — Delgado — The slugger had another setback while rehabbing from right hip surgery and it appears increasingly unlikely that he'll be able …
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NESN.com
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
La Russa welcomes Twitter co-founder — Issues resolved, St. Louis native Dorsey throws first pitch — ST. LOUIS — Evidently there are no hard feelings. Perhaps that's the power of baseball. — St. Louis native and Cardinals fan Jack Dorsey visited Busch Stadium on Friday night as a local-boy-made-good.
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Davis Would Return To D'Backs Or Brewers — Doug Davis has played his entire National League career with two teams: the D'Backs and Brewers. Now that he's about to become a free agent, Davis tells Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic that he'd return to either club.
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
Free Tickets Come With a Catch: The Game — If for no other reason than the game was played and the tickets were printed, they came. Not many of them. But they looked at the standings that day, saw two of the worst teams in baseball squaring off in a meaningless game in Queens, and decided to come anyway.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Associated Press:
Marlins save best for last, snap nine-game skid in Cincinnati — CINCINNATI (AP) — All those big numbers were weighing on the Florida Marlins, who needed something sensational to keep from slipping farther behind in the NL wild card race. — They got it against one of the NL's top closers.
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Yahoo! Sports
Canadian Press:
SHIELDS SNAPS HOME LOSING STREAK AS RAYS POUND JAYS — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — James Shields finally got a win at home, after waiting nearly half the season. — Eight straight Tampa Bay batters reached base to start a six-run third inning that helped Shields and the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4 Friday night.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Street takes big step toward return — PHOENIX — Huston Street's 2009 detour is about to end. — The Rockies' injured closer threw about 25 pitches in a simulated game today and emerged confident and pain-free. Street said he's been told he will be activated for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
TSN.ca:
BUCHHOLZ BEATS ORIOLES FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT VICTORY — The Sports Network — Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Clay Buchholz won his fifth straight decision after allowing one run in six innings, and the Boston Red Sox strengthened their stranglehold on the American League wild card race with a 3-1 victory over Baltimore.
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Over the Monster
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
Tribe waiting for seeds to bloom — Cleveland (61-85) at Oakland (68-78), 10:05 p.m. ET — OAKLAND — Some days are good. Others are bad. — Some days will call for a pat on the butt. Others will require a kick in the butt. — But, according to manager Eric Wedge …
Polls / Brew Beat:
Sunday to be Gallardo's season finale — Thanks to MLB.com contributor J.R. Radcliffe, who is covering the Brewers tonight in my wake, for passing along this note: — Yovani Gallardo will pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in what will serve as his final outing of the 2009 season.
NY Daily News:
Roger Clemens using Twitter to talk to fans ‘right from the heart’ — “Hey Gang...It's official...I'm a Twit! ;D Enjoy the ride!” - Roger Clemens, June 17, 2009. — Roger Clemens, the former Yankee and Mitchell Report star, has taken to posting on Twitter to stay in touch with fans and friends - and even some of his enemies.
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The Joy of Sox
