Top News:
ESPN:
Report: Red Sox get catching help in Javy Lopez — Looking for help at catcher following the injury to captain Jason Varitek, the Red Sox have acquired veteran Javy Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles, ESPN Radio 890 in Boston reported. — Lopez, who will join the team tomorrow in Tampa …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Deal is struck for Orioles' Lopez — The Red Sox acted quickly yesterday in addressing their need to fill the gaping hole left by the knee injury to catcher Jason Varitek. According to major league sources, Boston has struck a deal for disgruntled Baltimore catcher Javy Lopez in exchange …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Going, going ... gone — Indians go deep as Sox fall a game behind Yankees — While Craig Hansen warmed up to begin the eighth inning, a trivia question flashed on the JumboTron in center field. Who was the last Red Sox pitcher to homer in a game? — The answer? Josh Beckett.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
In a catch phase: Sox make deal for O's Lopez — On the day captain Jason Varitek underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, the Red Sox all but officially completed a deal last night that will bring Baltimore Orioles catcher Javy Lopez to Boston. — All that remains is the signature of commissioner Bid Selig.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Girardi set to turn to Olivo — With Matt Treanor going on the disabled list because of a strained left shoulder, Miguel Olivo can expect to handle the bulk of the Marlins' catching duties the next two weeks. — ''Olivo is going to catch a lot,'' manager Joe Girardi said.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Willis' work pays off — Cabrera backs lefty up with game-winning three-run double in eighth inning — MIAMI GARDENS — He shows emotion all the time. After a big strikeout. After a big defensive play. After his team scores. — About the only time Dontrelle Willis is unreadable is when it comes to balls and strikes.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Cabrera clears bases in eighth, Marlins take series from Mets — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — MIAMI — Angry after giving up a run, Dontrelle Willis shouted at the plate umpire as he walked off the mound. One inning later, he threw a celebratory roundhouse punch as he skipped to the dugout.
Julian Garcia / NY Daily News:
Giambi has familiar look — Cory Lidle was having flashbacks yesterday, and they weren't caused by the heat. Instead, Jason Giambi was the one responsible. — When Giambi blasted a three-run home run in the first inning of yesterday's 8-1 win over the Blue Jays, and later knocked …
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Ray Sánchez / Newsday:
Matsui's wrist sore — Hideki Matsui met with hand specialist Melvin Rosenwasser yesterday and will see the doctor again next week because of tenderness in his left wrist. — Matsui, rehabbing from a broken wrist suffered May 11, has said he hopes to play by the end of the month.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Associated Press:
Mets lock up Reyes with four-year, $23.25 million deal — NEW YORK — Jose Reyes can count on buying a nice, big house in New York. — The speedy All-Star shortstop signed a $23.25 million, four-year contract extension with the Mets on Thursday, the sides working quickly this week to ensure him a home through the 2010 season.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Can Tribe scare up runs for Westbrook? — Cleveland (46-60) at Boston (64-42), 7:05 p.m. ET — Jake Westbrook could use a little luck. — The Indians' sinkerball-throwing right-hander hasn't had much of it his last two starts. In those starts, against the Twins and Mariners …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic — Q: Is it too soon to put my name on the waiting list for playoff tickets? Shawn Chacon, a couple of middling Class AA players and a part-time outfielder ... Woo-hoo! We will! — We will rue the day that the Pirates made a colossal blunder …
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Something's Rotten in Den...ver — Thanks to all of you who checked in with assistance on the Tejada/Tehama thing. I've added the name of the Orioles' shortstop to my Word dictionary, which has solved the problem. As always, writing for people smarter than yourself has its privileges.
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MLB.com:
Royals, No. 1 pick Luke Hochevar agree to terms — Kansas City signs Hochevar to four-year Major League deal — KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms on a four-year Major League contract (through 2009) with Luke Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2006 June Free Agent Draft …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Doc writes that life behind bars is 'torture' — The reunion at Shea is scheduled for Aug. 19, when everyone will officially be transported back to 1986. On that day, Keith Hernandez will still be the lean, chiseled hitter who was impossible to retire after the seventh inning.
George Vecsey / New York Times:
Trades Hurt, but They're Part of Game — SALARY dumps are a blight on baseball. I hate to see teams waving the white flag in August, telling the fans: "Please, don't expect anything from us for the rest of the season. We're just trying to save some money."
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
