Top News:
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 …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rodriguez Is Turning His Errors Into Lessons — Joe Torre did not have to see Alex Rodriguez yesterday to know he would not be in the starting lineup. Rodriguez fouled a ball off his left big toe on Monday and had X-rays taken yesterday. — "The X-rays were negative," said Torre …
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.
Associated Press:
Phillies-Padres Preview — Adrian Gonzalez is finally living up to his potential. — Gonzalez seeks to maintain his torrid hitting since the All-Star break when the San Diego Padres try to complete a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Bernie Wilson / San Diego Union-Tribune:The hits keep coming for Padres in 10-6 victory
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Angels 7, Indians 5 — Box score — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Saunders pitched seven sharp innings in an emergency start for the ailing Kelvim Escobar and the Los Angeles Angels extended their longest winning streak of the season to eight games with a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
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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.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Clines, Rothschild will sink or swim with Baker — Not many organizations would have gone this long at so bad a clip without at least a coach paying the price for an underachieving group of players. — The Houston Astros, who began Tuesday last in the National League with a .257 batting average …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Prior feels 'great,' could pitch Friday — Rothschild: Pitcher looked 'very good' in side session — From the one-more-time department: — After throwing a side session Monday and proclaiming "I feel great" on Tuesday, Mark Prior is being penciled in to start Friday when the Cubs play in Washington.
USA Today:
Bonds faces possible grand jury indictment, MLB suspension — San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, who has repeatedly denied he knowingly used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, could be indicted as early as Wednesday by a federal grand jury for perjury and tax evasion, according to attorneys involved in the case.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Slumping Crosby keeps moving down the order — The shortstop, batting eighth, connects for his first homer since May 31 — A's notebook — BALTIMORE — As Bobby Crosby's batting average continues to sink, so does his name in Ken Macha's batting order.
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Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Rain delay gives Loaiza fresh start and win against Orioles — BALTIMORE - The A's have come to expect rain delays at Camden Yards, but manager Ken Macha dreaded this one, particularly with a bullpen running on fumes. — After a one-hour, 27-minute break that halted play in the top of the third inning …
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.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Billingsley earns first career victory — Rookie allows six hits, no runs in seven innings vs. D-Backs — PHOENIX — The Dodgers reverted back to a four-rookie alignment Tuesday night and not only didn't lose another game, they didn't lose any equipment, either.
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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 …
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.
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 …
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.
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.


