Top News:
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Bay, Sanchez tabbed as NL All-Stars — Outfielder earns starting role; infielder tops among write-ins — PITTSBURGH — Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez won't have to worry about cleaning out their lockers at PNC Park to make room for the visiting National League All-Stars.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Fans should select Nomar, Liriano to final spots — Voters, this is easy. Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra deserves the final spot on the National League All-Star team, Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano the final spot for the A.L. — I selected Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander …
Discussion:
Nick & Nick's Twins Blog
David Lennon / Newsday:
Pedro to miss next start — The health of Pedro Marti.nez officially has become a concern for the Mets, and if there's one thing that can darken an otherwise brilliant first half of the season, this is it. — Martinez was one of six Mets selected yesterday to next week's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh …
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:Littlefield not writing off Bucs' season despite midseason record
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Sid Hartman / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins pitching star leaves Morris in awe — Francisco Liriano's confidence and command of pitches impress the 254-game winner, who knows a little something about those attributes. — Jack Morris, one of the all-time great American League pitchers, watched Francisco Liriano blank the Brewers …
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Mr. Faded Glory / High and Tight:Tomorrow's All-Stars, Today
Discussion:
Rays Index, Can't Stop The Bleeding, St. Louis Cardinals Blog, NY Mets Blog and striketwo.net
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
The choice is yours in Final Vote — Fans get to choose the final All-Star for each league — They are 10 Major League players who have appeared in a combined 5,445 career games, ranging from the 1,408 by All-Star veteran Bobby Abreu of the Phillies to the 18 for hot rookie pitcher Justin Verlander of the Tigers.
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Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Moehler to have an MRI on foot — Right-hander Brian Moehler will undergo an MRI on his sore right foot today and is hoping he'll be able to come off the disabled list shortly after next week's All-Star break. — ''The X-rays were negative. There's no stress fracture,'' said Moehler …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Arroyo to represent Reds in Pittsburgh — Spring acquisition only Cincinnati player to make All-Star team — CINCINNATI — Starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo wasn't even expected to make the Red Sox rotation before Boston dealt him in March. — But Arroyo has repeatedly proven to be the perfect fit for the Reds pitching staff.
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
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Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Cubs club Buehrle, White Sox 15-11 — CHICAGO — Angel Pagan looked like a man ready to party. — BOX SCORE: Cubs 15, White Sox 11 — The rookie wore a pinstriped suit, shades and a silver chain with a cross after hitting his first two career homers on his 25th birthday.
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
No-Hitter Requires a Complete Game — THERE are as many no-hitters in the front office of the Los Angeles Angels as there have been in the major leagues for more than four seasons. — Bill Stoneman, the general manager of the Angels, pitched two no-hitters for Montreal, one in 1969 and the other in 1972.
Contra Costa Times:
A's All-Stars as elusive as hits — THE AMERICAN LEAGUE All-Star team was announced Sunday. Stop us if you've heard this one before — the A's offense got shut out. — So profound is the team's inability to put bat on ball at this point that manager Ken Macha couldn't even feign indignance.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Finally, Bowden Gets To Deal With a Full Deck — For the past 20 months, Nats General Manager Jim Bowden has made what seem like a vast number of trades, free agent signings and draft picks. The impression among Washington fans is that Bowden deserves to be a controversial figure …
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Hill to DL; Astacio Is Activated — The Washington Nationals placed starting pitcher Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Thursday, and reinstated Pedro Astacio from the 60-day disabled list. — Hill experienced inflammation in his right elbow after his last start Wednesday …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
July 31 fire sale not on Hendry's agenda — General manager Jim Hendry said Sunday there will be no "fire sale" of his players by the July 31 trading deadline, which suggests disappointing Cubs stars Aramis Ramirez, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are safe for now.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Notes: Kinney called up to help 'pen — Redbirds to carry 13 pitchers on temporary basis — ST. LOUIS — With a bullpen stretched to its seams, the Cardinals called for a reinforcement on Sunday. Right-hander Josh Kinney had his contract purchased from Triple-A Memphis, and outfielder Timo Perez was optioned to Memphis.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Lo Duca's hot over A-Rod's trot — Alex Rodriguez struck the big blow of the night, but Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca didn't think he handled it in a classy way at all. — When Rodriguez crossed the plate after his third-inning grand slam, the two of them had such a heated exchange …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Rick Braun / JSOnline:
Notes: Weeks boots one — Second baseman commits first error in four weeks — rbraun@journalsentinel.com — Minneapolis - A very nice streak came to an end for Rickie Weeks on Sunday, and it was costly for him and the Milwaukee Brewers. — Weeks' third-inning error …


