Top News:
Jay Greenberg / MLB.com:
Coffey deals with nosebleed on mound — PHILADELPHIA — It couldn't have been the rare air of the Nationals at .500, because that disappeared three games ago. But suddenly Todd Coffey's nose began bleeding before he pitched to Ryan Howard in the fourth inning Thursday night, necessitating a delay for treatment.
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Jay Greenberg / MLB.com:
Riggleman, Eckstein give hitters pep talk — PHILADELPHIA — Even if Roy Halladay loomed Thursday night to turn the afternoon meeting manager Jim Riggleman and hitting coach Rick Eckstein called with the Nationals' struggling hitters a waste of words, Riggleman clearly felt time was one thing that couldn't be wasted.
Jay Greenberg / MLB.com:
Ankiel remains out; Morse pinch-hits — PHILADELPHIA — Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel missed a third consecutive game Thursday night with a sprained wrist, and is likely to be out at least one more. — “If not two more,” said manager Jim Riggleman. “He is not taking batting practice.”
Associated Press:
Roy Halladay, Raul Ibanez lead Phillies over Nationals 7-3 — PHILADELPHIA - Roy Halladay struck out 10 in seven sharp innings, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep with a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
Jay Greenberg / MLB.com:
Nationals' Stairs notches 100th career pinch-hit
Alex Speier / WEEI:
JENKS, WHEELER TO DL; HILL, ATCHISON UP — The Red Sox will place relievers Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks on the disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Angels in order to clear roster spots for right-hander Scott Atchison (recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket) and left-hander Rich Hill (selected from Pawtucket).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Over the Monster and FenwayNationWorld
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Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Baffling White Sox fall into deep hole — FILE - In this May 1, 2011, file photo, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen reacts to a solo homer by the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game they lost 6-4 in Chicago. It's perplexing, frustrating and confusing for the ChicagoWhite Sox …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
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Francisco Liriano / Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers accuse MLB of foul play in finance probe — The Los Angeles Dodgers “are running out of air,” the team's vice-chairman said Thursday. — Strangled, he said, by baseball. — Smothered, he said, by a leisurely investigation. — Suffocated, he said, by a rigged game.
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Francisco Liriano / Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers are shells of their former selves
Dodgers are shells of their former selves
Discussion:
MLB.com, Dodgers Blog and ESPN
Associated Press:
Justin Upton's hit gives Arizona 3-2 win in 11 — PHOENIX - Gerardo Parra and Chris Young homered off Huston Street in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks stunned Colorado 3-2 in 11 innings on Thursday night to take two of three from the Rockies. — Justin Upton's bloop single …
Discussion:
Purple Row and AZ Snake Pit
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Peavy has right stuff; debut may be days off — Jake Peavy pitched six perfect innings — and one far from perfect — in a 100-pitch outing for the Class AAA Charlotte Knights on Thursday night. — The 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner hopes the rehab start against the host Toledo Mud Hens was his last in the minors.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals call up Hosmer: ‘The time is now’ — Slugger will be in the lineup on Friday against the A's — KANSAS CITY — The Royals couldn't wait any longer — first baseman Eric Hosmer will be in their lineup on Friday night. — Hosmer, who might be the hottest hitting prospect …
Discussion:
Royals Review, Minor League Ball and Let's Go Tribe
Associated Press:
Ailing Jeter sits; Yanks lose to Tigers — DETROIT (AP) — Brennan Boesch homered and drove in three runs, and the Detroit Tigers took advantage of some sloppy fielding to beat the New York Yankees for the third straight time, 6-3 on Thursday. — Derek Jeter didn't play for the Yankees …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Associated Press
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Fox Sports:
Tigers suddenly have teeth again
Tigers suddenly have teeth again
Discussion:
Detroit Free Press, MLive.com and MLB Rumors
Michael McCarthy / USA Today:
Rashard Mendenhall fired by Champion over Osama bin Laden tweets — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is being dropped as an endorser by corporate sponsor Champion over his controversial tweets objecting to the celebration over the death of Osama bin Laden in some parts of the U.S.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and NESN.com
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Russ Adams Retires — Infielder Russ Adams has decided to retire, reports Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Adams has played the last two seasons for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, beginning this season hitting just .180/.296/.246 in 72 plate appearances.
Discussion:
ESPN and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Prado's homer gives Braves sweep over Brewers — ATLANTA - Martin Prado hit a tie-breaking homer in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Thursday night to complete a four-game series sweep. — Prado led off the eighth with a drive to left off Kameron Loe (2-3) for his third homer.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Maddon in favor of expanded replay review — Below: — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon thinks Major League Baseball should examine controversial calls this season to see whether expanded instant replay would have an impact on those situations.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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