Top News:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Baker: Cubs are not out of it yet — Chicago manager won't talk about the future, just this season — MILWAUKEE — The Cubs are playing better, but it has nothing to do with the pressure being off and them conceding the season. There may be 11 teams ahead of them in the National League Wild Card race …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Spotlight's off, Cubs turn it on — Jones, Mabry homer; Marmol evens record — MILWAUKEE — With the pressure off and the focus of the city squarely on the White Sox, the Cubs suddenly are looking like world-beaters. — A 6-3 victory Tuesday night at Milwaukee, coming on the heels of an 8-3 homestand …
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
Boston Globe:
Ex-Peabody star Allison suffers heroin overdose — The sad saga of former Peabody High ace and Florida Marlins pitching prospect Jeff Allison , whose once-promising baseball career has been derailed by drug problems, took another disappointing turn Monday when, according to a Medford Police report, he suffered a heroin overdose.
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Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Report: Marlins top pick Allison has second overdose — Marlins pitching prospect Jeff Allison has reportedly suffered his second overdose in just over two years. — According to The Boston Globe, Medford, Mass., police found Allison unconscious Monday in an apartment building.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Piazza tags Pedro for two HRs, but Mets hold off Padres — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Mike Piazza hit the ball so well, he turned the cheers to boos. He almost turned the game in the San Diego Padres' favor, too. — Piazza hit two more home runs off Pedro Martinez …
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Kevin Druley / MLB.com:
Red Sox try to end three-game slide — Boston (65-46) at Kansas City (39-73), 8:10 p.m. ET — Stop the skid. — That will be the Red Sox's mission as they look to end a three-game losing streak Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium. — Despite Tuesday's loss, Boston is 3-1 against Kansas City in 2006.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Kevin Druley / MLB.com:
Papelbon can't stop skid — All-Star closer unable to protect one-run lead in ninth — KANSAS CITY — Appropriately, the play that the Red Sox were unable to execute Wednesday night, ultimately leading to their 5-4 loss to the Royals, was called a "do or die."
Discussion:
Cursed To First
Associated Press:
Nats strand 14 runners but sneak by shaky Dontrelle, Fish — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — WASHINGTON — Dontrelle Willis kept helping the Washington Nationals put runners on base, then helping them come around to score. — He gave up one run on a wild pitch and another on a throwing error …
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MLB.com:
Indians and Reds complete trade — OF Todd Hollandsworth sent to Cincinnati for player to be named; Outfielder Franklin Gutierrez recalled from AAA Buffalo — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, sending OF TODD HOLLANDSWORTH …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds, Nats GMs discuss Majewski — Still no resolution over trade involving injured reliever — CINCINNATI — Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky finally had a conversation with Nationals GM Jim Bowden, but apparently it yielded little resolution or satisfaction.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Utley right in middle of Phils' big inning — Second baseman laces key three-run double, hustles to score — ATLANTA — At the core of Philadelphia's eventful, extended seventh-inning offensive barrage stood Chase Utley, pumping his fist at second base one second and daringly sliding into home the next.
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Ross' walk-off caps Reds' wild win — Cincinnati overcomes early four-run deficit against St. Louis — CINCINNATI — When thinking of Reds hitters capable of delivering gargantuan home run blasts, David Ross wouldn't even put David Ross near the top — or bottom — of the list.
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Mitchell Investigators to Try Again With Baker — WHAT did Dusty Baker know and when did he know it? Maybe he did not know anything, but whatever the level of Baker's knowledge, the Mitchell steroids investigators may yet have a chance to ask him. — They had their first chance to speak to Baker …
Larry Shenk / MLB.com:
Catching up with Kent Tekulve — Longtime Bucs closer surpsingly became a Phillie in 1985 — PHILADELPHIA — He knew as soon as the visiting bullpen gate opened at Veterans Stadium that Philadelphia fans would shower him with boos. — It was mostly a case of booing the uniform and not the person.
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Abreu leaps into the fire — CHICAGO - Well, he's got the clothing part down already. Bobby Abreu walked into the New York Yankees clubhouse at 4:30 p.m. sharp Tuesday, the top four buttons of his white shirt undone. Throw in a pair of jeans so distressed they needed therapy …
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
Defense helps Batista baffle Giants — Arizona turns club-record five double plays to back righty — PHOENIX — If given the choice, Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin would rather his pitchers give up one too many hits, rather than issue an exorbitant amount of bases on balls.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit

