Top News:
Associated Press:
Cano, Granderson power Yankees — NEW YORK (AP) — Robinson Cano hit a grand slam after Maicer Izturis ' two-out error in the seventh inning and the New York Yankees overcame another shaky performance by Mariano Rivera to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Thursday.
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Girardi expects A-Rod return later next week — Alex Rodriguez is expected to rejoin the New York Yankees during their trip to Minnesota next week, according to manager Joe Girardi. — Rodriguez, out since July 8 with a torn meniscus in his right knee that was surgically repaired July 11 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Power outage for Adrian Gonzalez — MINNEAPOLIS — When Adrian Gonzalez agreed to compete in the Home Run Derby, he shrugged off the notion that his swing might be adversely affected. — But he has only one homer since the All-Star break. — Coincidence?
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Associated Press:
Collmenter helps D-backs beat Astros, move atop NL West — PHOENIX — Josh Collmenter scattered four hits over seven innings and Willie Bloomquist homered to start a three-run first inning and help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Houston Astros 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, The Crawfish Boxes and baseballmusings.com
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Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks defeat Houston Astros to take NL West lead — Opportunity knocked for Josh Collmenter and the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. — Then they opened the door, grabbed it and slammed it shut on the Houston Astros in the form of a 6-3 victory at Chase Field.
Discussion:
Getting Blanked and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Will Alfonso Soriano be a fit with the Cubs in 2012? — Alfonso Soriano runs out a sixth inning home run during the Cubs 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals Wednesday August 10, 2011 at Wrigley Field. Tom Cruze~Sun-Times — Hack Wilson. Andre Dawson. . . .
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Cameron Maybin homers, Padres rally past Mets 3-2 — NEW YORK - Cameron Maybin homered and stole two bases before scoring the tiebreaking run on an error by substitute shortstop Ruben Tejada, rallying the San Diego Padres past the New York Mets 3-2 on Thursday for a split of their four-game series.
Discussion:
Associated Press
R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Wolf, Brewers beat Cards for 13th win in 14 games — ST. LOUIS (AP)—The Milwaukee Brewers showed no sense of satisfaction in the clubhouse, even though they'd just won for the 13th time in 14 games and appeared to be pulling away in the NL Central. — Far from it.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Pirates Re-Sign Michael Crotta — The Pirates re-signed Michael Crotta to a minor league contract, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (on Twitter). Pittsburgh designated the right-hander for assignment at the end of July and appear to have released him since.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Florida Marlins place Hanley Ramirez on disabled list — At least in the short term, the Marlins ended the speculation about when Hanley Ramirez might suit up again. The answer now is no earlier than Aug. 18. That's when Ramirez will be eligible to come off the disabled list.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Sports Illustrated:
Under The Knife: Cards need more than threats to protect Pujols … The Moneyball movie is coming out soon and with a trailer that makes the story seem like a cross between Seabiscuit and Hoosiers, a whole population of people who haven't read the book, seen the term used and misused …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Associated Press:
Niemann wins sixth straight decision, Royals sweep Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have momentum heading into a week of important division games. — Jeff Niemann won his sixth consecutive decision, Ben Zobrist had a two-run triple and the Rays completed a four-game sweep …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Matthew Pouliot / HardballTalk:
MLB announces postseason schedule, eliminates off days — Except for travel days, there will be no off days in this year's postseason schedule. MLB announced the postseason dates today, with the ALDSs beginning on Friday, Sept. 30, followed by the NLDSs on Saturday, Oct. 1.
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