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 …
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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
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:Girardi denies rumors he wants to flee from Florida
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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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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 …
Discussion:
MLB.com
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ortiz lifts Nats past Marlins — Right-hander outpitches Willis for his ninth win of the season — WASHINGTON — After the Nationals stopped their three-game losing streak by defeating the Marlins, 5-2, on Wednesday night at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, manager Frank Robinson stopped …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Maybe it's nicer just as a visitor — From 5:20 onward yesterday, it must have felt like a fantasy for Mike Piazza. We all desire to be missed by those from our past, don't we? The love filled Shea Stadium for Piazza's return, from his pregame stretch to batting practice, from a video tribute to his first at-bat.
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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
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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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Associated Press:
Padres-Mets Preview — New York Mets ace Pedro Martinez has bounced back nicely since a stint on the disabled list. — He'll look to turn in another strong start as the Mets continue their three-game series with the San Diego Padres Wednesday at Shea Stadium in a matchup of division leaders.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Hensley to face Martinez — San Diego (58-54) at New York (67-44), 4:10 p.m. PT — The Padres' Clay Hensley returns on Wednesday night to the scene of his Major League debut — Shea Stadium. He'll face none other than Pedro Martinez, a daunting assignment for any pitcher.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Liriano — The intro is often the last thing I write when I'm putting together UTK. Today, I had no question on what it would be. Despite being a football piece, this is one of the best written sports medicine pieces I've ever seen. If you're not amazed and moved at the end of it, you just don't get sports.
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Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:Prospectus Today — On Streaks — Without taking anything away …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
USA Today:
Fantasy leagues can use baseball stats — A federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday that the names and statistics of Major League Baseball players are part of the public domain and can be used at no cost by fantasy sports game operators. — ON DEADLINE: What's your take on fantasy stats being of public domain?
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capecodonline.com:
Gammons back at the ballfield — ESPN baseball analyst and Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons saw his first live baseball game in quite a while yesterday, taking in a few innings of Game 1 of the Cape League's West Division playoffs at Lowell Park. — Gammons, a huge fan of the Cape League …

