Ballbug: Brewers' Morgan suspends Giants fandom (MLB.com)

Associated Press:

Mark Teixeira, Swisher power Yankees over A's — NEW YORK — Mark Teixeira hit a grand slam and Nick Swisher had a three-run drive in a nine-run third inning and the New York Yankees ambushed the Oakland Athletics early for a 17-7 victory in the searing heat Friday night.

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and Athletics Nation

New York Post:

BOX SCORE — “The players you talk to say he is the best setup man in the game,” Damon said of his former teammate and housemate with the Yankees. “He has opened some eyes.” — Scheduled to work in front of Joba Chamberlain and Soriano when the season opened, Robertson was pushed …

Discussion: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, HardballTalk, Full Count, It's About The Money, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues

Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Soriano, Chavez continue with rehab work

Discussion: HardballTalk and CloserNews

Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:

Sources: Red Sox, Royals have discussed Francoeur — The Red Sox are among the teams interested in Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran. But some in the industry anticipate that Beltran will insist on his using his no-trade clause to remain in the National League.

Discussion: Boston Globe, NESN.com and Full Count

Red Sox extend Mariners' skid to 13 — BOSTON — Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] continued his July power surge with his seventh home run of the month and John Lackey picked up his third consecutive win as the Boston Red Sox [team stats] extended Seattle's losing streak to 13 with a 7-4 win over the tumbling Mariners on Friday night.

Discussion: Boston Herald, Yahoo! Sports, Lookout Landing and Over the Monster

Jayson Stark / ESPN:

What ‘available’ really means — Ubaldo Jimenez, Hunter Pence, James Shields are on the market, but to what extent? — ESPN.com — It's one of the most dangerous words in the English language this time of year: — Available. — If you're any baseball player on Planet Earth …

Discussion: Talking Chop and Phillies Nation

Baseball's latest trade deadline buzz … The Astros' asking price on Hunter Pence has been so prohibitive that competing teams believe he will stay in Houston. Supposedly Houston wants at least three good pieces, probably young, major-league-ready talent.

Discussion: The Todd Van Poppel …, MLB Rumors, Full Count and Baseball Nation

Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:

After two years off and numerous setbacks, Brandon Webb needs another shoulder surgery — Brandon Webb hasn't pitched in the majors since Opening Day of 2009, undergoing shoulder surgery that August and experiencing multiple setbacks on the road to recovery.

Jeff Zrebiec / Orioles Insider:

Trade edition of news, notes and opinions — Earlier this week, Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail met with owner Peter Angelos to discuss potential moves with the trade deadline now nine days away. I'm told that there is nothing imminent at this point …

Discussion: HardballTalk and Full Count

Discussion: CloserNews

Associated Press:

Cole Hamels dominates as Phillies beat Padres — PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels tossed eight dominant innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres for the eighth straight time, 3-1 on Friday night. — Hamels (12-5) allowed one run and three hits, striking out 10.

Discussion: Phillies Nation and The Good Phight

Associated Press:

Wright leads Mets past Marlins 7-6 — MIAMI — David Wright came off the disabled list swinging, and his two RBI doubles Friday helped the New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins 7-6. — The five-time All-Star was activated before the game after being sidelined for two months with a back injury.

Discussion: Associated Press, Yahoo! Sports, Amazin' Avenue and Fish Stripes

Associated Press:

Uggla's pinch-homer in 9th lifts Braves past Reds — CINCINNATI (AP) — Dan Uggla 's first career pinch-hit home run lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. — Uggla, who missed the last two starts with a strained left calf, batted with two outs …

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports, Talking Chop and Associated Press

Fox Sports:

Reds' deadline needs remain a mystery — Reds general manager Walt Jocketty had a clever line when John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer asked him if the team had targeted a specific area to improve. — “It depends on which day,” Jocketty said. — On Thursday night, I posed the same question …

Discussion: Cincinnati Reds

JonPaulMorosi / mlbbuzz:

Sources: Indians, Pirates interested in Iannetta — The Rockies entered Friday facing a 10-game deficit in the National League West, amid reports of their openness to trading ace Ubaldo Jimenez. — If they ultimately deal Jimenez — and even if they don't — why stop there?

Discussion: HardballTalk, Purple Row and MLB Rumors

MLB.com:

Brewers' Morgan suspends Giants fandom — SAN FRANCISCO — It's all business this weekend for Brewers center fielder Nyjer Morgan, but nine months ago he was just another giddy Giants fan celebrating San Francisco's World Series win. — Morgan was born in San Francisco and makes his offseason home in nearby San Jose.

Associated Press:

Nelson Cruz slugs Rangers to rout of Blue Jays — ARLINGTON, Texas — Nelson Cruz broke out of an extended slump with a career-high eight RBIs and Colby Lewis took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his 10th victory as the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-2 on Friday night.

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:

No emotional send-off for Carlos Beltran in likely Citi Field finale — NEW YORK - What was likely Carlos Beltran's final home at-bat as a Met came and went without so much as a whimper - a harmless ninth-inning pop-up that fit neatly with an otherwise invisible afternoon in Flushing.

Discussion: MetsBlog.com

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and MetsBlog.com