Top News:
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Jays move Jesse Litsch to DL — Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jesse Litsch has landed on the 15-day disabled list. — The American League club announced just prior to Friday night's game against the Houston Astros that the right-handed pitcher is suffering from right shoulder impingement.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Batter's Box Interactive …
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Associated Press:
Johnson Hits 2-Run Homer as Astros Beat Blue Jays — TORONTO (AP) — Chris Johnson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Friday night. — The Astros (16-29), owners of the worst record in baseball …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Mitchell's Homer Lifts Dodgers to Win — CHICAGO (AP) — The matchup didn't seem favorable for the Los Angeles Dodgers. No. 9 hitter Russell Mitchell batting with two outs in the ninth against Chicago White Sox closer Sergio Santos, who hadn't given up a run or blown a save all season.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Ramona Shelburne / ESPN:
MLB probes Dodgers' Ethier for obscene gesture … LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball is looking into photographs that show Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier making an obscene gesture at a photographer before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.
Discussion:
NotGraphs Baseball, USA Today, Associated Press, The Big Lead, Yahoo! Sports and Dodgers Blog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Rizzo discusses ump confrontation with Torre — BALTIMORE — Mike Rizzo said he spoke to Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field operation Joe Torre on Friday about the incident that occurred between the Nationals and umpires after Thursday's game against the Mets.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Next step of progress in sight for Zimmerman — BALTIMORE — Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain, is expected to start baseball activities in Viera, Fla., by the end of the month, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.
Associated Press:
Dickey Buckles Yanks With Knuckler in 2-1 Mets Win — NEW YORK (AP) — R.A. Dickey regained command of his knuckleball and confounded the Yankees for six innings, Daniel Murphy homered and a youthful Mets lineup won the Subway Series opener 2-1 Friday night in front of a surprisingly lackluster New York crowd.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Sahadev Sharma / ESPN:
Bill Buckner ‘excited’ for return — Bill Buckner said he's excited to work Friday's Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, providing color commentary in the Cubs' booth. — “[I don't come back to Fenway] very often,” Buckner said. “It'll be enjoyable, I'm excited about it.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Walker Drives in 5 as Pirates Beat Tigers 10-1 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Neil Walker homered and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Detroit Tigers 10-1 on Friday night. — Walker's two-run double in the sixth off Detroit reliever Brayan Villarreal helped break open a tight game.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Bless You Boys
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Walkoff homer pushes Brewers to 7-6 win over Rockies in 14 innings — MILWAUKEE — When Jason Hammel hit Ryan Braun in the arm with a pitch in the fifth inning, the whole mood of Friday's game changed. — A palpable tension developed, infecting players and umpires.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Purple Row
Associated Press:
Marlins beat Rays 5-3 — MIAMI — Logan Morrison hit a game-tying homer in the fourth inning and doubled in the Florida Marlins' two-run eighth to help them beat Tampa Bay 5-3 on Friday night. — Morrison scored Florida's final run from third on a sacrifice fly to the first baseman.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Associated Press:
Jeff Francis gets first win, Royals beats Cardinals 3-0 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jeff Francis threw 7 2-3 innings, outdueling Chris Carpenter and leading the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. — Francis (1-5), who had pitched well several times …
Associated Press:
Halladay wins; Francisco, Ibanez go deep against Rangers — PHILADELPHIA - Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez homered, and Roy Halladay threw eight strong innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. — Halladay (6-3) struck out seven and walked one for the NL East-leading Phillies.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Rookie's bunt RBI lifts Indians over Reds 5-4 — CLEVELAND — Rookie pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carrera bunted home Shin-Soo Choo from third base with two outs in the eighth inning, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night in the Ohio Showdown's series opener.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports