Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Break point — School may be out for Baker and many on his staff during All-Star recess — HOUSTON — Dusty Baker and some of his coaching staff may have a restless All-Star break after general manager Jim Hendry announced Tuesday he will use the four-day break to decide whether an overhaul is in order.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
New skipper? Look to rivals' farm system — White Sox Triple-A manager Shines razor-sharp, could be answer to Cubs' woes, writes Phil Rogers — Evaluating? — Jim Hendry has seen this, and he's still evaluating? That's what the Cubs' general manager said on Tuesday in Houston …
Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:
Cubs at point of no return? — HOUSTON — The 2006 season appears to be unraveling completely in a hurry and at all levels for the Cubs. — Before Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros, general manager Jim Hendry said he will evaluate manager Dusty Baker and his coaching staff over the all-star break.
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker may be lost cause — HOUSTON — "Day-to-day'' is no longer a boring cliche with the Cubs. It's the tense reality of manager Dusty Baker's increasingly precarious position. — Baker could be in his final days as the disheveled Cubs dived to 4-17 in their last 21 games with a 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Sore knee stalls Ramírez — All-Star Game is out, says Francona — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Manny Ramírez, who received more fan votes than any player in the American League, will not participate in Tuesday's All-Star Game because of a sore right knee, Red Sox manager Terry Francona indicated yesterday.
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Newsday:
Mets consider calling up Pelfrey — Mike Pelfrey could make his major-league debut Friday night at Shea Stadium against the Marlins. According to a team official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Mets are seriously considering a call-up of their top pick from the 2005 amateur draft.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Come Back to Win and Wagner Saves 300th — On days like yesterday, the Mets' huge lead in the National League East does not seem as insurmountable. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the worst road record in baseball, the Mets assumed the personality of their opponent.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Endypendence Day for Mets — Prevail on fireworks in eighth — Willie Randolph implored his team to keep playing hard until the All-Star break during a rare pregame address yesterday, to not let a 10-1/2-game lead spawn a letup this final week before the Mets temporarily disband.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Victory just out of reach; Nationals 6, Marlins 4 — WASHINGTON — The ball went up and Marlins catcher Matt Treanor's initial thought was two outs, man on first. — Closer Joe Borowski figured the same thing Tuesday during the ninth inning. — Neither noticed Reggie Abercrombie …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Midpoint Is Rock Bottom for Yanks — CLEVELAND, July 4 — The Yankees had better not believe in omens, because their first half of the season could not have ended worse. — In their most lopsided defeat in almost two years, the Yankees were humiliated Tuesday night by the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field, 19-1.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher — CLEVELAND, July 4 — Joe Torre continues to insist that the Yankees' fortunes depend on starting pitching. But a team has to score runs to win, of course, and the Yankees have not done enough of that lately.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Angels need another slugger — The Angels are showing life, averaging more than eight runs per game during their four-game winning streak. — In other words, they might delude themselves again. — The Angels, 11th in the American League in runs scored, need to acquire a big-time run producer to complement Vladimir Guerrero.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Sean Webby / Contra Costa Times:
Bonds' trainer is facing another court date today — BALCO — A federal judge in San Francisco is expected to decide today whether he will put Barry Bonds' personal trainer back behind bars to force him to testify. — Greg Anderson, who was imprisoned last year for his role …
Tony Kuttner / MLB.com:
Notes: Verlander needs fan support — Pitcher one of five players voters can send to All-Star Game — OAKLAND — Tuesday was Justin Verlander's last chance to convince fans he should be selected for the final spot on the American League All-Star roster. — Verlander, one of five candidates voters …
Discussion:
detroittigertales.blogspot.com
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Fireworks in Hargrove's office — DH Everett, manager exchange unpleasantries after loss to Angels — It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without fireworks, and so it was for the Mariners on Tuesday. — About 45 minutes after the game, designated hitter Carl Everett went …
Discussion:
Mariners Morsels
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Bruise to Victory — Garciaparra ties record by getting hit by pitches three times as L.A. moves to within a game of first place with 10-4 win over Arizona. — This was retaliation of the finest order, accomplished with civility and an absence of broken bones, though maybe a minor bruise.
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
No dousing Rockies' desire — Helton's power surge helps Colorado gain share of division lead — Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis, pitching Tuesday night at Coors Field against the Giants, improved his record to 6-7 and lowered his ERA to 4.05 by allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings.
