Top News:
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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TSN.ca:
CUBS' WELLS FLIRST WITH NO-HITTER, BEATS REDS — The Sports Network — Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Randy Wells took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and pitched into the eighth, as the Chicago Cubs took a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the continuation of a four-game series.
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Thome passes Killebrew on all-time HR list — DH's second homer of day gives him sole possession of 10th — MINNEAPOLIS — Jim Thome took over sole possession of 10th place on the all-time career home run list on Saturday afternoon after belting career home runs Nos. 573 and 574.
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Tigers Add Top Venezuelan OF Vasquez — The Tigers have signed Venezuelan outfielder Danry Vasquez, one of the top hitters on the international market. — Vasquez, a 16-year-old from Valencia, has a projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame with broad shoulders and an advanced lefthanded bat.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Yankees score 11 times in third against Jays — NEW YORK—The New York Yankees have scored 11 runs in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. They sent 14 batters to the plate during the 37-minute marathon. — The 11-run inning Saturday tied the Blue Jays' franchise record for most allowed …
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
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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.
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
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Rays Sign Dominican OF Araujo For $800,000 — The Rays have signed Dominican center fielder Yoel Araujo for $800,000, according to an international source. — The bonus for the righthanded-hitting Araujo, who at 16 is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, is a club record for an amateur player signed out of the Dominican Republic.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Henry Schulman / SFGate:
Molina apparently got the trade news the wrong way — There is a common courtesy afforded to players when they are traded, optioned or released. They are called into a meeting with an official from the team and told before they hear it from any unofficial source, such as the media.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog
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 …
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.
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.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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