Top News:
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.
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Maddux hot commodity as contenders seek help — HOUSTON — Major-league sources acknowledged Tuesday that the Cubs have been contacted by multiple teams interested in trading for pitcher Greg Maddux. — No discussions have gotten serious between general manager Jim Hendry and any of those clubs …
Discussion:
Ben Maller
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.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Millwood: Side work a must — Sore right-hander says bullpen session crucial to making Friday start — ARLINGTON - Kevin Millwood's status for Friday's start remains in question. — The right-hander continues to feel better but is still experiencing an ache in his right biceps muscle.
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Trade a plus for Hairston — ARLINGTON - Jerry Hairston Jr. had no grand expectations of how much playing time he would get when he was traded by the Cubs to the Rangers for Phil Nevin on May 31. — But he figured the situation would have to be an upgrade over Chicago.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Rookie taking struggles in stride — ARLINGTON — After taking a called third strike three times Monday night against the Blue Jays, Jason Botts was eager to get to the ballpark Tuesday. It would be good to take batting practice, work with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, get in the lineup and crank out a few hits.
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.
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Torre says offense is bigger need — Manager sees outfield help as more important than pitching — CLEVELAND — With the trade deadline less than four weeks away, Joe Torre knows that a move or two could be made to bolster the Yankees for the second half.
Discussion:
Atheists are not doing things …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Sox taken deep Schilling is lit up for three homers — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Walk into the Devil Rays' clubhouse, canvass the room, and you will walk out with this conclusion: Personal feelings aside, there remains immense respect for 39-year-old Curt Schilling.
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Tough to swallow — Sox can't stomach loss to Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Curt Schilling leaned forward in his recliner in the middle of the visitors clubhouse at Tropicana Field early yesterday afternoon, watching television in awe as Takeru Kobayashi gobbled down a record 53 hot dogs …
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
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
NY Daily News:
Pelfrey should be next on Omar's list — If it's possible to be in a crisis state with a double-digit lead in the division, well, the Mets were on the verge. You knew things were a little tense at Shea yesterday when Pedro Martinez tried to lighten the pregame mood by donning his Yoda mask …
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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 …
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
Zachary Levine / MLB.com:
Notes: Abreu hopes history repeats — Final Vote winner in '04 seeks another trip to All-Star Game — PHILADELPHIA — Bobby Abreu will need some help if he is to be selected to his third consecutive All-Star Game. — Then again, he's needed help before, and gotten it.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Tony Kuttner / MLB.com:Notes: Verlander needs fan support
Discussion:
detroittigertales.blogspot.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Divided, conquered — Ramirez speaks out; wild pitch scores two as Prior falls to 0-4 — HOUSTON — Is the Cubs offense taking too much of the blame for the team's collapse? — After the Cubs stranded 10 runners and went 1-for-9 with men in scoring position in a 7-2 loss to Houston on Tuesday …
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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 …
