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Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
J.D. Drew: Pain and pleasure — RF belts two HRs — With all the strained muscles and broken bones that have plagued the Red Sox [team stats] lately, right fielder J.D. Drew [stats]'s nagging injuries, from a hamstring pull to a stiff neck, are easily overlooked. — But they're no less annoying.
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Red Sox Monster
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Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Mets manager Jerry Manuel covets ace pitcher over reliever as Cliff Lee remains top commodity — WASHINGTON - Jerry Manuel's priorities are clear in advance of the July 31 trade deadline: If forced to choose between an ace starter and a setup man, the Mets manager would take the ace.
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Anthony Dicomo / MLB.com:
Mets unsure of Perez's role when healthy — Manuel suggests left-hander may enter for key relief situations — SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Hours before Oliver Perez made his first rehab start for Class A St. Lucie, Mets manager Jerry Manuel provided some indications of how Perez may be used when he returns.
Michael Salfino / Wall Street Journal:
How Much Needs To Be Offered To Get Cliff Lee?
How Much Needs To Be Offered To Get Cliff Lee?
Discussion:
Mariners blog
George Henry / Associated Press:
Infante's 2-RBI single lifts Braves in 11th inning — ATLANTA—Omar Infante's two-run single with no outs in the 11th inning helped Atlanta rally for a 4-3 victory over the Florida Marlins on Friday night, the Braves' 15th final at-bat win. — The Braves have won two straight overall and five of seven.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves overcome miscue, drop Fish in 11 — Venters allows run to score, but Infante hits walk-off single — ATLANTA — Josh Johnson's presence didn't prove to be nearly as detrimental as what would have been an ugly 11th inning if the Braves wouldn't have had the opportunity to come …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
TSN.ca:
BLOOMQUIST, ROYALS EDGE ANGELS IN 10 — Sports Network — Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Willie Bloomquist singled home the winning run in the 10th inning to lift Kansas City to a 2-1 comeback win over the Angels in the opener of a three-game set at Angel Stadium.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Halos 'pen can't finish off Saunders' gem
TSN.ca:
CORA AND NIESE LIFT METS OVER NATS — The Sports Network — Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Alex Cora drove in three runs to back Jon Niese's solid pitching performance, as the New York Mets held off the Washington Nationals, 5-3, in the second test of a four-game set at Nationals Park.
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Amazin' Avenue
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TSN.ca:
SCHERZER STRONG ON MOUND AS TIGERS TOPPLE MARINERS — The Sports Network — Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Johnny Damon hit a two-run home run and Max Scherzer worked eight innings to help the Detroit Tigers take a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game set.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny appears headed to disabled list — Ramirez sits for second consecutive game against D-backs — PHOENIX — The Dodgers are expected to place outfielder Manny Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained right hamstring. It will be his second stint on the disabled list this season …
Associated Press:
Price takes no-hitter into fifth but Twins rally to take down Rays ace — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Danny Valencia (FSY) had two hits and the go-ahead RBI in the seventh inning and the Minnesota Twins outlasted David Price (FSY) and the Tampa Bay Rays for a 2-1 victory Friday night.
Tim Powers / MLB.com:
Blum injures elbow while getting dressed — SAN DIEGO — Although Geoff Blum injured his right elbow in an unusual way on Thursday night, the impact of his injury is no less serious. — Blum felt a “pop” in his elbow while putting on his shirt following Thursday's contest against the Padres, according to manager Brad Mills.
R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Garcia, Cardinals muzzle Brewers 5-0 — ST. LOUIS—Rookie Jaime Garcia bounced back from his worst start with seven innings of three-hit ball and Matt Holliday doubled twice and drove in a run in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Dukes signs deal with independent league — If Elijah Dukes wants to be a Major League outfielder once again, he will have to start that journey in the Atlantic League. — Dukes, who was released by the Nationals during Spring Training, signed with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League, the team announced on its Web site Thursday.
Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Interested In Ty Wigginton — The Yankees have some interest in Ty Wigginton, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. Price suggests the Yankees would be interested in the 32-year-old as a part-time player, rather than as an everyday starter. — In 299 plate appearances for the Orioles …
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