Top News:
NY Daily News:
It's Lima time, again — Lima Time apparently is back. — The Daily News has learned that Jose Lima is expected to rejoin the Mets from Triple-A Norfolk, capping a flurry of moves involving the pitching staff. Yesterday began with the Mets demoting Alay Soler to Norfolk …
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Randolph surprised by Feliciano — Manager says he'll have a talk after reliever questions decisions — NEW YORK — The strains of the last week never have been evident on the face of Willie Randolph. The Mets manager has preached no panic and lived it as well, maintaining the even temperament he demonstrated as a player.
Discussion:
www.transplantedmetsfan.com
Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Panicking? No no no no nooooo — The sewage was rising in the Mets' clubhouse last night, an apt metaphor for a season that might just be going down the tubes. — The mess was only ankle-deep in the moments after their unsightly 11-1 loss to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates …
Joe Posnanski / Kansas City Star:
Blame Guillen, not Redman — This is going to sound derogatory toward Royals pitcher Mark Redman, and I don't mean it that way. This is not his fault. Redman has had a trying year with his father's serious health issues. And Lord knows he's the first Royals pitcher to win five starts in a row since …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
'Punch A.J.' campaign under way — Fans have until 5 p.m. CT on Thursday to cast Final Vote — CHICAGO — Ozzie Guillen doesn't claim to be an expert in matters relating to public relations, although his three-year managerial tenure certainly has thrust the White Sox prominently into the national spotlight on a weekly basis.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Dye will treat Derby like BP — Despite another rough outing, Guillen stands behind Politte — CHICAGO — When Jermaine Dye originally was asked if he would participate in the CENTURY 21 Home Derby on ESPN, as part of the All-Star festivities next Monday night in Pittsburgh …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
John Tomase / Boston Herald:Stars refused to line up: Schilling deserves honor
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Associated Press:
Padres-Phillies Preview — When the Phillies recalled highly touted pitching prospect Cole Hamels on May 12, he was expected to strengthen the rotation and help them contend for a division title. — Instead, Hamels will try to avoid his fifth straight loss and Philadelphia (37-44) …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals walk off with July 4th victory — Zimmerman launches game-winning three-run shot — WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman's home run in the bottom of the ninth inning catapulted the Nationals to a second victory over the Marlins, 6-4, in front of 23,118 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Discussion:
The Curly W
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Petit to get first major-league start Wednesday — Rookie right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit never received a chance to do what he does best — start — when he spent two months with the Marlins earlier this season. — But that will change Wednesday. — Petit, who made seven relief appearances …
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Doc says Rangers' Millwood improved — Team will use caution with aching biceps; next start may be after break — ARLINGTON - Kevin Millwood said he felt better Monday and doesn't want to talk about missing a start right now. But it seems unlikely the Rangers are going to let their $60 million ace make that decision.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
At times, a maddening shift — TAMPA — As David Ortiz stepped into the batter's box to face lefthander Scott Kazmir with two away and the bases empty in the first inning of last night's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, this is what he saw. — Third baseman Aubrey Huff was playing your basic left field.
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
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Damian Cristodero / St. Petersburg Times:All-Star injury won't benefit Crawford
Discussion:
Ben Maller
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rookie's Seasoned Repertory, and Strike Zone, Bewilder the Yankee Batters — CLEVELAND, July 3 — The Cleveland Indians played a road game Sunday, but they made it home in time to watch the Yankees on TV at night. Jeremy Sowers would be facing the Yankees on Monday, seeking his first major league victory.
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Brian O'Neill / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Stats Geek: Pirates could top 1-run loss record — The Pirates' annual hunt for dead October is particularly frustrating this year. Not because there was ever legitimate hope for a winning season, but because there is so much dashed hope in so many winnable games. — Maybe it's time to change our strategy as fans.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
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Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List — Week of July 3 — Rk — Team — Overall W-L — Week W-L — Hit List Factor — Trend — Even after a fundamentally atrocious Saturday, the Tigers remain atop the Hit List. The search is on for a left-handed power bat, possibly capable of playing …
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
Chris Duncan / sports.yahoo.com:
Houston 7, Chi Cubs 2 — Houston 7, Chi Cubs 2 — HOUSTON (AP) — Roger Clemens finally got some run support and won for the first time in his latest comeback. — "All in all, it was a good game," Clemens said. "The guys hit the ball, and that was a lot of fun to see."
Eric Mack / CBS SportsLine.com:
Power Rankings: Amazing stretch has Twins on prowl — For most teams, a nine-game deficit is no cause to celebrate. — The Minnesota Twins will take it. And the way they're playing, they might even be able to do something with it. — One of the pariahs of this space early in the first half …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Even in His Finest Moments, Yankees' Rodriguez Brings Out Detractors — CLEVELAND, July 3 — There is a poster of Alex Rodriguez on a pillar next to Derek Jeter's locker in the visiting clubhouse at Jacobs Field. "The Natural," it proclaims, with Rodriguez's cherubic face smiling beneath a Seattle Mariners cap.
