Top News:
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Frustrated Cubs fall further into abyss — As badly as they performed Friday in Wrigley Field in one more loss to the San Diego Padres, the testament of the Cubs' woes came after the 10-5 finish — from the visitors. — "It's a frustrating game,'' catcher Mike Piazza said after his season-best four-hit game with two RBI. "
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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Associated Press:
Padres-Cubs Preview — After the way they played Friday, the Chicago Cubs probably wouldn't mind if rain washed out the remainder of their series against the San Diego Padres . — The Cubs try to avoid their sixth straight loss to the Padres this season when the teams continue a three-game series on Saturday at Wrigley Field.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Thompson may replace hurt Williams — Towers: Triple-A starter known for his accuracy — The Padres effectively replaced No. 2 starting pitcher Shawn Estes. Now they'll try to overcome losing Woody Williams, who will take a 3-1 record and 3.27 ERA onto the disabled list, owing to the torn left calf muscle he suffered yesterday.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:Williams tears calf muscle, out indefinitely
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Rowand has surgery on broken nose — Center fielder put on 15-day disabled list; Roberson called up — CINCINNATI — As Aaron Rowand lay in a hospital bed with his surgically repaired nose, players at Great American Ball Park were still discussing the game-saving catch that put him there.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Answering Call to Arms — CINCINNATI - The Cole Hamels Show finally arrived, and he showed everybody why so many people have made such a fuss. — Hamels threw five scoreless innings in his Phillies debut. He allowed just one hit. — The prized lefthander got a no-decision …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Wright / Washington Times:
Nationals give back game in 11 — CINCINNATI — The Washington Nationals have seldom lost a game in as excruciating fashion as last night. — In a series finale at Cincinnati, the Nationals took a three-run lead in the 11th inning after Chad Cordero pitched two brilliant, scoreless innings.
Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Macha, Torre feel each other's pain — A's, Yankees managers both dealing with a rash of injuries on their clubs — A's notebook — NEW YORK — A's manager Ken Macha had a long conversation with his counterpart, Joe Torre of the New York Yankees, behind the batting cage before Friday's game.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' win is short and sweet — BOSTON - It was a miserable night, full of rain sheets, a whipping wind and occasional patches of chowder-like fog. There are worse ways to start a road trip. — Despite the deplorable conditions that made for the team's shortest game in 10 years …
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Fluto Shinzawa / Boston Globe:
Offense dries up in rain — Rangers' Loe blanks Red Sox before game is called in the bottom of the sixth — Last night, the Red Sox were fighting the weather. They were fighting Texas starter Kameron Loe's heavy, biting sinkers. Most of all, they were fighting the pace that the Rangers …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Kinsler will not be rushed — BOSTON - Second baseman Ian Kinsler, who has been out for a month with a dislocated thumb, made his second rehab start at Triple A Oklahoma on Friday night. He is expected to play several more games at Oklahoma before being activated from the disabled list.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
New arrival, another move for Rangers' Nix — Nix would shift to right at Oklahoma if Guzman lands in center field — BOSTON - The minor league trade that brought speedy outfielder Freddy Guzman to the Rangers on Thursday likely means major changes for Laynce Nix.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:Rangers add speed with Guzman, Rojas
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Surgery on Matsui's wrist successful — Fracture expected to sideline Yankees left fielder three months — NEW YORK — Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui underwent successful surgery on Friday morning, roughly 12 hours after suffering a fractured left wrist in the first inning of Thursday's game against the Red Sox.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Chris Haft / Contra Costa Times:
Giants stoop to last place — Dodgers put their rivals in the cellar; Bonds goes homerless again — SAN FRANCISCO - When Barry Bonds escorted Willie Mays onto the AT&T Park diamond for the Hall of Famer's pregame 75th birthday celebration Friday, nobody suspected that this would be the left fielder's finest moment of the evening.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Carmona in, Graves out for Tribe — Indians hopeful prospect, Betancourt can help right ship — CLEVELAND — First, Danny Graves' hair was cut. — Then, Graves himself was cut. — The Indians designated the veteran Graves for assignment after Friday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers, giving them 10 days to trade or release him.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Willie to go with Gonzo — MILWAUKEE - Jeremi Gonzalez, whose big-league career nearly ended at Shea on July 24, 1998, makes his Mets debut tonight against the Brewers. — Gonzalez, who didn't pitch again in the big leagues for five years, underwent two major elbow surgeries …
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Notes: Rumors fly about outfielders — Injured Matsui leaves Yankees looking for alternatives — MINNEAPOLIS — When Torii Hunter heard the news of Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui breaking his wrist, it wasn't something that really seemed to impact him. — But on Friday, the news took a much more personal turn.
