Top News:
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Phil Humber pitches White Sox to 1-0 win over Cubs — CHICAGO—Phil Humber, backed by strong defense, pitched shutout ball for seven innings and Juan Pierre singled in the only run Saturday, lifting the Chicago White Sox past the Cubs 1-0. — Humber (8-4), who made the team in spring training …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Pierre starting to turn on pitches early in count
Pierre starting to turn on pitches early in count
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Sign Venezuelan Catcher Jose Garcia — The Mets have signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Garcia. Bonus terms were not immediately available. — A 16-year-old from San Felipe, Garcia was considered one of the top catchers this year. He's a 5-foot-11, 180-pound switch-hitter with a line-drive swing and good catch-and-throw skills.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and Mets Merized Online
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Padres Sign Jose Ruiz For $1.1 Million
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Cubs Sign Enrique Acosta For $1.1 Million
Cubs Sign Enrique Acosta For $1.1 Million
Discussion:
Pirates Prospects and MLB Rumors
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Carmona strains quad while taking tumble — CINCINNATI — Indians starter Fausto Carmona looked a little beaten up, and perhaps a touch embarrassed, after his abbreviated performance in Saturday's 3-1 Interleague victory over the Reds. — The injury that forced Carmona to exit the contest …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Let's Go Tribe
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Associated Press:
Ross, Braves slam Orioles 5-4 — ATLANTA — David Ross hit his second career grand slam and the Atlanta Braves held on for a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night. — Tim Hudson pitched six innings and Jordan Schafer made a couple of nice plays in center field …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Camden Chat, Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Ramirez Homers Twice to Lead Marlins Past Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hanley Ramirez hit a grand slam and solo shot for a career high-tying five RBIs, helping the Florida Marlins overcome Josh Hamilton's two homers to beat the Texas Rangers 9-5 Saturday night.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Associated Press
Ben Bolch / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti not ready to unload just yet — Contenders could be interested in players such as Hiroki Kuroda and Jamey Carroll, yet Colletti says the Dodgers might make a push before the trading deadline. — Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti, shown talking with Manager Don Mattingly …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Kotchman, Ruggiano Spark Rays Past Cardinals 5-1 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Casey Kotchman drove in three runs with a double and Justin Ruggiano hit a two-run homer during a five-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday night.
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Young sparks Arizona's win over Oakland — OAKLAND, Calif. — Chris Young had three hits and four RBIs, including a two-run homer, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Saturday night. — Joe Saunders (5-7) pitched seven-plus innings for Arizona …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and Athletics Nation
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
McDonald times it right — HOUSTON - Darnell McDonald has been through a lot of disappointments in his professional baseball career. And, boy, would he like to avoid another one. — After watching Mike Cameron get designated for assignment this week, it had to serve as a wake-up call to the 32-year-old outfielder.
Larry Lage / Associated Press:
Giants hit 3 home runs in 15-3 victory over Tigers — DETROIT—The Detroit Tigers have been getting roughed up lately, irritating manager Jim Leyland. — Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford homered in a five-run first inning, Miguel Tejada had a grand slam in a five-run third …
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
In outfield, he may have hit upon something — The subject on my mind was the designated hitter, but in the course of research it became apparent that perhaps the more intriguing question was, where have all the great outfielders gone? — People in the game have been kvetching for years …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Hold Their Breath After Reyes Grabs His Hamstring — For weeks now, Jose Reyes has been the force behind the Mets' resurgence, keeping them in games with his bat and his aggressiveness on the bases. But on a muggy Saturday afternoon, a chill went through Mets fans as Reyes was linked …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, MetsBlog.com, New York Post, Associated Press, ESPN and Wall Street Journal
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mariners Sign Helsin Martinez For $2 Million (Update: Mariners Say No Deal) — Update (July 3, 3:22 AM): Mariners vice president of international operations Bob Engle said the Mariners do not have any deal with Martinez. The text of the original report from yesterday is below.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Royals Sign Elier Hernandez For $3.05 Million
Royals Sign Elier Hernandez For $3.05 Million
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish, River Avenue Blues and Royals Review
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Rangers give Nomar Mazara $5M bonus
Rangers give Nomar Mazara $5M bonus
Discussion:
Larry Brown Sports, Baseball America, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com, Lone Star Ball and HardballTalk