Top News:
Canadian Press:
All-Star Freeman has three hits as Braves beat Reds — ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman celebrated his newly won All-Star berth by driving in four runs with three hits and the Atlanta Braves beat Mat Latos and the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Thursday night. — Freeman held off Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Associated Press
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Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Heyward hopeful hamstring strain isn't serious - updated — Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward is injured as he slides into third base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, July 11, 2013, in Atlanta. Heyward left the game.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
No Puig: Freeman, Delabar take final ASG spots — Freddie Freeman set a record with 19.7 million votes to earn his first All-Star berth. — So much for Puig-mania sweeping the country. Give this contest to Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman. — Freeman and Toronto reliever Steve Delabar won …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Jeter brightens Bronx, exits too soon — Cap's comeback turns out good, bad and — with an MRI pending — possibly ugly — NEW YORK — Three months into the regular season, it finally felt as if there was a real Yankee game at Yankee Stadium. — After 91 games of watching the Lyle Overbays …
Discussion:
Deadspin and HardballTalk
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Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Will Mets trade Marlon Byrd? Explaining their deadline approach; Ominous injury for Yankees' Derek Jeter; Other deadline notes — Marlon Byrd is the perfect candidate to be traded this month, right? A veteran on a one-year contract, distinguishing himself with dynamic play …
Discussion:
Metsblog and Mets Merized Online
Associated Press:
Streaking Dodgers Beat Rockies 6-1 — LOS ANGELES — Chris Capuano pitched shutout ball for 6 1/3 innings, Mark Ellis drove in four runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 6-1 on Thursday night for their fifth win in a row. — The Dodgers moved above .500 for the first time since April 15.
Discussion:
Purple Row, True Blue LA and ESPN
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MLB.com:
Richard to have surgery, won't return this year — SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Clayton Richard will have season-ending surgery to his left shoulder as soon as next week, though there is some upside to his malady. — Richard, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 22 …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and HardballTalk
Canadian Press:
Buehrle, Blue Jays set for showdown with Tillman, Orioles — (Sports Network) - Chris Tillman eyes his 11th win of the season Friday when the Baltimore Orioles open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards. — Tillman lost for the first time in eight decisions …
Discussion:
TSN.ca, Bluebird Banter and Camden Chat
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Chris Davis discusses steroids: ‘I have never taken them. I have no reason to’ — Orioles slugger says Roger Maris owns baseball's true single-season home run record — Chris Davis feels baseball's true single-season home run record was Roger Maris' 61 in 1961.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Camden Chat
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Towers: Relief help bigger target for trade — PHOENIX — Trade rumors have linked the D-backs to a number of high-profile starting pitchers, but the team seems more likely to add bullpen help. — “I'm not as concerned probably with our starting pitching and looking externally …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A Signature Moment for Citi Field, a Ballpark Still Without One — As he took batting practice before the first game ever played at Citi Field, in 2009, Jody Gerut felt small. Soon he would inaugurate the Mets' new ballpark as the first batter for the San Diego Padres, and he never expected to hit a home run.
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / Ultimate Astros:
Astros close to finalizing deal to move spring home to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. — Close to finalizing a deal to move their spring training home from Kissimmee, Fla., to Palm Beach Gardens, Astros officials visited some of the top spring training sites in Arizona last week to model their future Grapefruit League home.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Bluebird Banter, Metsblog and ESPN