Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Second Half Begins With Quiet Debuts — PITTSBURGH, July 14 — The acquisition of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez was touted, by all parties involved, as a move for the long-term success of the Washington Nationals, certainly not a quick solution for this season's woes.
Discussion:
Washington Times, District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko's … and The Nationals Enquirer
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Cabrera may be on way out — Whispered trade with Pittsburgh includes Burnitz, Craig Wilson — NEW YORK — General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that pitching prospect Philip Hughes is as close to untouchable as any player in the Yankees' farm system. — Melky Cabrera on the other hand, may not be.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Julian Garcia / NY Daily News:
Chisox can't bail out Jose — As he batted with two outs in the ninth inning last night, pinch-hitter A.J. Pierzynski was thinking about more pressing matters than White Sox teammate Jose Contreras' streak of 17 straight decisions without a loss. — Pierzynski was trying to find …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Coming full circle — 1st victim puts end to Contreras' streak — NEW YORK — Jose Contreras has been very appreciative of the numerous times the White Sox kept his franchise-record streak alive, but not even a dramatic ninth-inning rally Friday night could prevent his first loss in his last 18 decisions.
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Prior could return on Thursday — Cubs pitcher Mark Prior is sick and tired of being a bench-warmer with the summer heating up and the situation at Wrigley Field sticky as ever. So the competitor in him argued against going on the 15-day disabled list Friday, believing he could come …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Losing turns ugly — Maddux 'good with' leaving Cubs; Jones confronts 2 fans — The All-Star evaluation period may have ended with no casualties, but the frustration continues to mount at Wrigley Field. — While returning to the dugout after grounding out in the ninth inning …
Discussion:
Ivy Chat
Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
D-Backs call up Drew — Shortstop set to make debut in place of injured Counsell — PHOENIX — The future is now for at least one Diamondbacks prospect. — After veteran shortstop Craig Counsell broke a rib in the seventh inning of Friday night's win over the Brewers …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Bittersweet victory for D-Backs — Estrada hits 2-run shot in 9th; Counsell headed to DL with rib injury — Spirits should have been high in the Diamondbacks clubhouse on Friday night after a dramatic, walk-off home run by Johnny Estrada capped a day that began with the announcement of a contract extension for manager Bob Melvin.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Braves, Padres combine for 36 hits, 27 runs — SAN DIEGO (AP) - Adam LaRoche homered twice and drove in five runs, including two on an 11th-inning double, to help the Atlanta Braves to a wild 15-12 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in the highest-scoring game in Petco Park's three-year history.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Thomson suffers setback — Righty headed for DL again, this time with sore shoulder — SAN DIEGO — Just two months ago, there was reason to believe John Thomson was heading for a big payday. Now there's reason to wonder if he'll even receive much attention this offseason on the free-agent market.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Traders Take Aim at Top Pitchers — As the Angels pursue a slugger in trade talks, they have discovered that their highly touted prospects are not necessarily the players most coveted by opposing teams. With young, affordable pitching at a premium, potential trade partners tend …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
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Williams S. Hupp / MLB.com:
Notes: Belisle placed on 15-day DL — Right-hander feels stiffness and soreness in lower back — CINCINNATI — For the second time this season, Reds reliever Matt Belisle has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with back problems. — According to Reds trainer Mark Mann on Friday …
Discussion:
We Heart the Reds
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Midseason flip is more of a big flop … Cincinnati - It's beginning to look as if mediocrity was disguised as prosperity. — The Rockies opened the second half as a contender. The standings said as much. But the way they have played for the past week screams something else, something troubling.
Discussion:
Romo Phone Home
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Over and way out for Beckett — He is the Bridgemaster, the Bombino, the man most likely to send you home with a souvenir if you are sitting in the Monster Seats. Big league hitters, most of them American Leaguers, are takin' it to the streets at a record pace against Red Sox righty Josh Beckett in 2006.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Gary Washburn / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Jones' debut for M's a trial by fire — Prospect starts in CF day after being promoted — TORONTO — The number on the placard above Adam Jones' locker read No. 83, which wasn't accurate. That was the jersey number Jones wore five months ago as a Mariners spring training invitee.
Darren Everson / NY Daily News:
Damon back in center — The Yankees' lineup still is a long way from returning to full strength - it's a matter of weeks, not days. But at least the Bombers' banged-up leadoff hitter missed only a few days, not weeks. — Johnny Damon was back in the starting lineup and in center field last night …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Salmon to Call It Quits Even if He's Short of 300 — The farewell milestone suddenly appears in jeopardy. However, even if he finishes one home run shy of 300, Tim Salmon insists this remains his final season. — "Sure, 300 is a well-rounded number," he said Thursday.
