Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett takes aim at win No. 11 — Boston (52-32) at Chicago White Sox (56-30), 1:20 p.m. ET — A pair of 10-game winners will go at it Saturday afternoon in a nationally televised game on FOX. The Red Sox have Josh Beckett, while the White Sox counter with Freddy Garcia.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lester escapes with win in Chicago — Rookie left-hander improves to 4-0; Ortiz homers again — CHICAGO — One thing that is sticking out in these early days of rookie Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester is that he's every bit as capable of getting out of a jam as he is of creating one.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Associated Press:
Padres-Nationals Preview — Coming off one of the best months of his career, Chris Young tries to end his July pitching woes Saturday when the San Diego Padres continue their three-game series against the Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium. — Young (7-4, 3.13 ERA) was the NL pitcher …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Ortiz Can't Help Himself — Nationals' Pitcher, Offense Fall Short Against Padres : Padres 3, Nationals 2 — For a few tantalizing seconds last night, as the ball hung in the air, hooking down the left field line, it appeared something of a minor miracle had occurred in favor of the Washington Nationals.
Hartford Courant:
For Lima, It's Time — Struggles Again; Slam For Willis — NEW YORK — It's safe to say, Lima Time is over. — But the desperate measures that brought Jose Lima to Shea Stadium Friday night can be forgotten as a new era starts today when Mike Pelfrey takes the mound. — But Lima got a chance.
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Willis' exploits are a huge hit — Dontrelle Willis hit his first career grand slam and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings to lead Florida past the first-place New York Mets. 'It was fun,' Willis said. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — NEW YORK - Dontrelle Willis was pitching so miserably …
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
First rehab outing goes well for Rangers' Eaton — ARLINGTON - Adam Eaton felt so good after his first competitive pitching outing in three months that he wants to do it again soon. — Even sooner than expected. — After Eaton threw 25 pitches for Triple-A Oklahoma in its game Thursday …
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
NOTES — Wilkerson wants to play bigger role — ARLINGTON - Brad Wilkerson will admit his first few months as a Ranger have not gone as smoothly as he had hoped. To be honest, they haven't gone as well as the Rangers hoped, either. — Wilkerson, who was the Rangers' primary acquisition …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Hernandez Refuses to Take a Knee — Livan Hernandez is pitching not only with a bum right knee but also, like always, with pride. The injury is the reason he perhaps should consider taking some time off; the pride is why he won't. — Hernandez, struggling through his most inconsistent …
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Associated Press:
Gagne to undergo back surgery — LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne will have season-ending surgery Saturday to repair a herniated disc in his lower back, the latest injury to sideline the Los Angeles Dodgers' All-Star closer. — The announcement was made about 3½ hours before Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants.
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Anderson to Play Despite Struggles — OAKLAND — Although Garret Anderson is batting .198 against left-handed pitching, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday he had no plans to platoon his left fielder. — "We need him to hit lefties the way he can," Scioscia said.
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker calls reported deal offer 'a bald-faced lie' — MILWAUKEE — Unfounded speculation is everywhere about manager Dusty Baker's tenuous situation. — Baker had to shoot down a Friday SI.com report in which Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman cited ''multiple baseball executives'' as sources …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Lee gets night off as he waits for power to go on — MILWAUKEE — Whenever Derrek Lee isn't in the starting lineup, it's news. Lee usually misses just a handful of starts each year. — But after starting 12 straight games since returning from the disabled list, where he was sidelined …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Cards designate struggling Ponson — HOUSTON (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals designated right-hander Sidney Ponson for assignment on Friday. — Ponson started the season 3-0 but lost his last four decisions, including a 4-2 loss to Houston on Thursday night.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers will be buyers in July — Team plans to keep Lee, acquire pitching for postseason push — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers intend to be buyers, not sellers, at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. — The team plans to keep All-Star left fielder Carlos Lee for a run at the postseason …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals get one to grow on — CARDINALS 8, ASTROS 2 — Up next: 3:05 p.m. today, at Houston. TV: KTVI (Ch. 2) — HOUSTON — It's a start. — Where Friday night's 8-2 decision over the Houston Astros takes the Cardinals is a guess. But what sometimes-enigmatic starting pitcher …
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Reds welcome eager Guardado with open arms — "We don't need him until the ninth inning," said Narron of his new closer. — But it was apparent how the Cincinnati Reds felt when he did arrive a few minutes later. It was as if a rock star walked through the door.
