Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
One-hit wonder — Lester's superb 8 innings leads Sox shutout of KC — With starters becoming an endangered species — Tim Wakefield's cranky back putting him at least temporarily out of commission along with David Wells (balky knee), Matt Clement (sluggish shoulder), and Lenny DiNardo …
Discussion:
The House That Dewey Built
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Kelsie Smith / Boston Globe:
Peña is aching to help — Now healed, his bat should give sagging offense a boost — When Red Sox strongman Wily Mo Peña underwent surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left hand, it made some wonder whether his power would be the same. Would he still be able to crush balls …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Wakefield awaits test results — While the Red Sox made a couple of roster moves yesterday, activating outfielder Wily Mo Peña and recalling righthanded reliever Jermaine Van Buren, there was no immediate resolution to the team's most overriding concern, the health of starter Tim Wakefield.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Rockies' Shealy in trade sights — The Pirates are one of five teams pursuing Colorado Rockies first baseman Ryan Shealy through a trade. — Shealy, 26, spent the entire season with Class AAA Colorado Springs before being recalled Monday to participate in the current series.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
King could be next reliever to hit road — Colorado interested in Red Sox's Seanez — Pittsburgh - Ray King spoke with David Cortes before the latter left. King told him to clear his head and welcome work in Triple-A Colorado Springs. But with the clubhouse door revolving, King wonders if he's next.
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
They Fix It by Being Themselves — Two months ago, it felt like a steam room. — On Tuesday, it felt like a family room. — Players who once glared at each other were now sitting on huge couches next to each other, rumpled and crumb-streaked and joking.
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Newsday:
Boss prefers Soriano over Abreu — When George Steinbrenner spoke Saturday about "a guy I prefer," reporters followed up with a question about Bobby Abreu, and the Yankees' principal owner spoke positively of the Phillies' outfielder. — But Abreu is not the player The Boss had in mind.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Begin Preparing for Soriano Trade — MIAMI, July 18 — The Washington Nationals, fresh with the possibility that the Seattle Mariners will become a serious contender to acquire left fielder Alfonso Soriano, have started scouting the Mariners' system for prospects.
MLB.com:
Indians acquire RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Mike Adams. Sikorski will join the Indians in Anaheim prior to tonight's game.
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Girardi expects Ramirez to build on power — MIAMI GARDENS - Rookie shortstop Hanley Ramirez is blossoming into one of baseball's rare commodities - a leadoff hitter with power. — Ramirez homered Tuesday for the third time in as many games, which gives him nine this season.
Discussion:
FishStripes
sethspeaks.net:
Analysis of Two Young Guns — Good morning and welcome to SethSpeaks.net!! I hope that your stay here is enjoyable. If you do enjoy it, please, tell a friend!!! Thanks! OK, that was a little weird. The highlight of today's posting is another in my "Analysis" series as you will see below.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Giants could be looking to deal — The Giants are interested in trading for Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro, according to two major-league sources. — The disclaimer: — A third source with knowledge of the Giants' intentions says Vidro hasn't been discussed.
Dave Skretta / Associated Press:
At age 94, O'Neil becomes oldest-ever pro baseball player — KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil never got a free pass in life. — The grandson of a man brought to this continent a slave, O'Neil moved to Kansas City to avoid racial persecution in the Deep South.
Baltimore Sun:
O's, Phils discuss swap … Hoping to bolster their offense at the non-waiver trade deadline for both the present and the near future, the Orioles have discussed sending starter Rodrigo Lopez to the Philadelphia Phillies for one of their two expensive outfielders, Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Jose, Mets still in stitches — CINCINNATI - Jose Reyes, who missed six straight starts with a cut left pinkie, quickly got tested with a pair of sharp double-play grounders in his return to the lineup last night. Reyes, mostly affected when catching balls, said Scott Hatteberg's second-inning shot stung …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinal notebook: Gall bound for Korea — Gall bound for Korea — Twice the organization's minor league player of the year, outfielder John Gall was released by the Cardinals on Monday so that he could sign with a professional team in Korea. Gall, 28, was in his fourth season with Class AAA Memphis …
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Blown call, rain delay prolong Mariners' misery — Yankees win, get new life on disputed play — NEW YORK — The Mariners have had more than their share of extra-inning games lately — three times in five games since last week's All-Star Game. — Seattle has lost all three …
