Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A mayday call in second month? — I don't want to panic or overreact, but is it possible the Red Sox season is already over? Is it time for Danny Ainge to toss a white towel onto the Fenway lawn? — Was run prevention a giant sack of fool's gold? — Did Theo Epstein know this might …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
At Fenway, seats are full but something is missing — Star power, electricity, pizzazz, call it what you want. It's lacking in Boston. — There's no Joe Mauer, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder . . . name your superstar of choice.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tommy Craggs / Deadspin:
Today In Hilarious Baseball Stat-Geek Mockery: Dan Shaughnessy And Pudding — Ladies and germs, I give you Dan Shaughnessy, from his aforementioned Globe column: — What the joke lacks in verisimilitude (no stat geek has ever insisted that homers are overrated) and originality ("sun-deprived …
Greg Johns / Mariners blog:
Slumping Mariners fire hitting coach Cockrell — Looking for answers for the worst offensive team in the American League, the Seattle Mariners fired hitting coach Alan Cockrell on Sunday morning. — Alonzo Powell, the club's Triple A hitting coach, has been names as his replacement.
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Mariners part ways with Cockrell — Triple-A counterpart Powell promoted to big leagues — SEATTLE — The Mariners have dismissed hitting coach Alan Cockrell and promoted Triple-A hitting coach Alonzo Powell, the club announced on Sunday. — Powell will assume the role of the Mariners' hitting coach effective immediately.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Giants halt Mets' 9-game home winning streak — NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Rowand hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning after the Giants blew a two-run lead for Tim Lincecum , and San Francisco ended the New York Mets ' nine-game home winning streak with a 6-5 victory Sunday.
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Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Post Game: Giants 6, Mets 5 — The Giants (18-12) defeated the Mets (17-14) by the score of 6-5 this afternoon at Citi Field. — The Mets lost for the first time at Citi Field since April 21, ending their ten game home winning streak. — For a full recap and box score, check out SNY.tv here.
Associated Press:
Braden throws 19th perfect game in MLB history — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in major league history, a dazzling performance for the Athletics in a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. — Braden threw his arms in the air after Gabe Kapler grounded out to shortstop for the final out.
Associated Press:
Cubs fall to the Reds 5-3 — CINCINNATI — Joey Votto hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to help Mike Leake and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Sunday. — Votto connected on Ryan Dempster's first pitch after he was visited by manager Lou Piniella.
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TSN.ca:
ASTROS USE PADRES ERRORS TO AVOID SWEEP — The Sports Network — Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Hunter Pence went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning, as the Astros took advantage of a pair of late errors from the Padres to avoid a three-game sweep at Minute Maid Park.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Blackburn, Twins blank Orioles in Mauer's return — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A few adjustments have paid big dividends for Nick Blackburn . — Blackburn threw seven strong innings, Denard Span had his third three-hit game of the month and the Minnesota Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 Sunday to earn a split of the four-game series.
Wayne Coffey / NY Daily News:
In 48th season with New York Yankees, Gene Monahan faces lonely battle — The quietest Yankee is walking down a corridor in the home clubhouse, his team on the road, his life in upheaval, the hardest spring of his life slamming into him like a fastball in the ribs.
Ben Goessling / The Goessling Game:
Slaten called up; Chico DFAed (but staying) — The Nationals rounded out their bullpen this morning by purchasing the contract of left-hander Doug Slaten from Triple-A Syracuse, giving them another left-hander who could free up Sean Burnett to take a broader role in the seventh inning.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Outfielder Jenkins admits retirement is near — PHOENIX — Even after putting out feelers to all 30 teams earlier this year and getting nothing more than Minor League offers, former Brewers All-Star and Phillies World Series champ Geoff Jenkins still is not ready to utter the word retirement.
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Ending slump serious business for Tex — Levity preceded Mark Teixeira's third homer, but he was dialed in for the at-bat … BOSTON — Something happened at Fenway Park on Saturday that players who participated in the game will be talking about for years, if not decades, to come.
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