Top News:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees' A.J. Burnett visibly angry after Joe Girardi pulls him from 9-4 loss to Minnesota Twins — MINNEAPOLIS - Joe Girardi might not have any problems with A.J. Burnett, but the righthander's struggles - not to mention his antics - may be starting to wear on the Yankees.
Discussion:
joy of sox, River Avenue Blues and The Yankee Analysts
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Hank Waddles / BronxBanterBlog.com:
Much Ado About Nothing — Here's the recap: The Twins beat the Yankees on Saturday night, blitzing through A.J. Burnett and cruising to a comfortable 9-4 win. — Now here's the interesting part. Burnett was bad. Unspeakably bad. He couldn't locate either his fastball or his curveball …
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Burnett Leaves Early in Anger, and Girardi Heatedly Defends Him — MINNEAPOLIS — Yankees Manager Joe Girardi's support of A. J. Burnett went to a new level Saturday when he angrily lashed out at questions about the pitcher's most recent debacle after the Yankees' 9-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Girardi must hold Burnett accountable — It's high time the Yankee manager takes a stand against his pitcher's behavior — MINNEAPOLIS — Either Joe Girardi is one of the staunchest managerial defenders of any and all players who have ever worn a Yankee uniform or he is a lot more afraid …
Discussion:
Subway Squawkers, Pinstripe Alley and Yankees Fans Unite
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Berkman willing to return — CHICAGO • Pending free agent Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman says he would entertain another one-year contract following this season but added that he would also be prepared to retire if not approached by one of a handful of contending teams.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Denver Post:
Ubaldo Jimenez's trade was spurred by downturn in success, right offer from Cleveland Indians — The fallout from a late May meeting at Coors Field between general manager Dan O'Dowd and pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez shook the Rockies' world. — O'Dowd called Jimenez into his office.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com, On the Rox and Purple Row
Art Stapleton / NorthJersey.com:
Mets punish K-Rod, but Brewers come away with 11-9 victory — NEW YORK - Citi Field turned into bizarro world Saturday, serving as a fitting setting for yet another deflating outcome for the Mets in their 11-9 loss to the Brewers. — Francisco Rodriguez made his return to the ballpark …
Discussion:
NY Daily News, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and MLB.com
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Associated Press:
Royals use eight-run sixth to beat Wakefield, Red Sox — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer each drove in two runs in an eight-run sixth inning to help the Kansas City Royals rally to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-4 on Saturday night, depriving Tim Wakefield of his 200th victory.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Over the Monster
NorthJersey.com:
Popper: Mets not sure if Pelfrey worth the cost — During the heat of the action before the non-waiver trade deadline, I talked to a few scouts, trying to scour for information about possible deals, but also in getting an idea of what the value was outside the organization for some of the Mets' players.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Andre Ethier held out of lineup against Rockies — The right fielder had the ingrown portion of a toenail removed Friday and sat out the opening of a three-game series at Colorado. — Andre Ethier, shown during a game in July, missed Friday's game due to a toe infection but is expected to play Saturday.
Discussion:
CloserNews
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's Rich Harden baffles Blue Jays in 2-0 win — Rich Harden was still in warm-up mode when Friday night's game began, or so it seemed when he made an error on Yunel Escobar's comebacker and then walked the next two batters to load the bases. — A bad situation to be in right out of the gates …
Discussion:
The Yankee Analysts, Eye on Baseball, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
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Associated Press:
Walker Gets 3 Hits, Pirates Beat Reds 5-3 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Charlie Morton gave a sheepish smile, and he fumbled through a stock answer. — Asked what his secret is against the Cincinnati Reds this season, Morton was keeping his lips sealed. — For the first time in four starts …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Altuve's inside-the-park HR helps Astros win — HOUSTON (AP)—Rookie Jose Altuve(notes) and J.D. Martinez(notes) are giving the Houston Astros a good look at their future. — Altuve hit an inside-the-park drive for his first major league home run, a leadoff shot that sent the Astros over the San Francisco Giants 7-5 Saturday night.