Top News:
Anthony Perez / Tampa Bay Times:
Former Plant High standout Kyle Tucker gets called up by Astros, gets a hit in MLB debut — Times staff, wires — HOUSTON — Former Plant High standout Kyle Tucker was called up by the Astros from Triple-A Fresno. — The No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 draft started in leftfield …
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Associated Press:
Gurriel, Bregman homer in Astros' 12-6 win over White Sox — The Houston Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 12-6 Saturday for their fifth straight win. — HOUSTON - Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman each homered and Charlie Morton won his 11th as the Houston Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 12-6 Saturday for their fifth straight win.
Paul Sullivan / Baltimore Sun:
Astros slap down White Sox again in 12-6 win as James Shields, bullpen struggle
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke is 34 years old. He is throwing his fastball slower than ever. He has had stretches this season when his slider, which last year was perhaps his best secondary pitch, has not been reliable.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — The idea hasn't just crossed David Peralta's mind, it's been there for a while. To make the National League All-Star team? He's dreamed about it, made it a goal, and he came up empty when asked to consider what the honor would mean to him. — “Ah,” he said, pausing.
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … It's been a rough season for Alex Avila. — Avila, who was signed to a two-year deal in January to take over as the Diamondbacks' starting catcher this season, has struggled to the tune of a .124 batting average to go along with 54 strikeouts in 45 games.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and AZ Snake Pit
Tyler Drake / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks reinstate Alex Avila from DL, option Bracho to Reno
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
ESPN:
Yankees' Aroldis Chapman exits as left knee tendinitis flares up — New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman left Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a recurrence of left knee tendinitis. — Chapman struck out Randal Grichuk before exiting in the ninth inning, escorted by a team trainer.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Why J.A. Happ may still be Yankees best trade option despite disastrous audition
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Aroldis Chapman leaves Yankees game with possible leg injury
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Stripling throws another gem in Dodgers 3-1 win over Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ross Stripling has tentative plans to go to Lake Tahoe or somewhere close by in California during the All-Star break. He'll happily trade the lake for the sweltering July heat of Washington D.C.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon plans to lighten catcher Willson Contreras' workload with return of Victor Caratini — Photos from the Cubs' 8-7 win against the Reds on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — Willson Contreras is catching more often than any major-leaguer …
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant headed out soon on minor-league rehab assignment — Photos from the Cubs' 8-7 win against the Reds on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant fielded ground balls at third base for a long time Saturday morning, but that will probably …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds bullpen blows 5-run lead in loss to Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: Lester eyes NL-best 12th win, A's stay hot — A look at what's happening around the majors today: — CHICAGO'S ACE — Jon Lester has put together some ace-worthy seasons during his 13-year major league career, including four All-Star appearances and a runner-up finish in the Cy Young voting two years ago.
Associated Press:
Snell helps Rays blank Mets 3-0 — NEW YORK (AP) — Tampa Bay's Blake Snell and Wilson Ramos are hoping they both get selected to the American League All-Star team. Saturday afternoon's performance at Citi Field may have strengthened the batterymates' chances.
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Alan Saunders / Associated Press:
Phillies top Pirates, 3-2 for sixth straight win — PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies won another one-run game to extend their winning streak to six games. — Nick Williams, Scott Kingery and Jorge Alfaro drove in runs on consecutive at-bats in the seventh inning to help Philadelphia win 3-2 on Saturday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bucs Dugout
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' power surge couldn't have come at more perfect time for Yankees — TORONTO — A recent power surge has vaulted Aaron Hicks into the middle of the Yankees' lineup. — Hicks has five home runs in his last five games, including a three-homer performance July 1 against the Red Sox.
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Aaron Hicks exits game against Blue Jays, replaced by Clint Frazier
George A. King III / New York Post:
Gary Sanchez feels ready to return — but he won't get to
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles busy fielding offers from Dodgers, six other teams on Manny Machado — The Orioles continue to move quickly toward trading shortstop Manny Machado in advance of this month's nonwaiver trade deadline and are in the process of fielding offers from seven teams, according to an industry source.
UPI:
Orioles, Twins meet in duel of old pitching pals — MINNEAPOLIS — After wearing the same uniform for the past four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Alex Cobb and Jake Odorizzi face off Sunday as Cobb's Baltimore Orioles try to avoid a sweep when they take on Odorizzi and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
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Associated Press:
Reynolds drives in career-best 10, Nationals win again — WASHINGTON (AP) — Mark Reynolds homered twice and drove in a career-high 10 runs, Max Scherzer won for the first time since June 5, and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 18-4 on Saturday night.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Has Matt Harvey made himself into a quality trade target? — CHICAGO — The last few nights of Matt Harvey 's time in New York were dark and full of errors. In Cincinnati, things have brightened for the former Dark Knight. So the question now: What's next?
Curtis Crabtree / Associated Press:
Robinson Cano apolgizes to fans, Mariners for 80-game suspension — Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano apologized to his teammates, the organization and the fans for his 80-game suspension for violating baseball's drug agreement. — Cano tested positive for Furosemide …
Discussion:
Reuters and Associated Press
