Top News:
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox creep closer to Tigers with win — This one came as a bonus, like finding a nice big bone during baseball's Dog Days of August. — Beating the Tigers is really nothing new to the White Sox this season, considering their 8-3 head-to-head mismatch. Beating the Tigers with four unearned runs …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
RELATED ITEMS:
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Contreras notches 1st career shutout — White Sox take opener from Tigers — It not only had a playoff feel, it had playoff blueprint. And a playoff result. — Jose Contreras—who started each of the three White Sox postseason series openers last year—pitched his first career shutout Friday night …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Fields headed to winter ball — Prospect to play outfield ahead of Spring Training — CHICAGO — When rosters expand on Sept. 1 and Josh Fields gets the call to the Majors with a handful of his Minor League cohorts who also have earned the brief promotion, don't look for the youngster to get much playing time.
Leslie Parker / MLB.com:
Notes: Sox present Fisk with ring — Guillen honors former teammate with World Series memento — CHICAGO — A baseball legend who never got a World Series ring in his 13 seasons with the White Sox finally got one before Saturday's White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros designate Wilson for assignment — Move made to make room for rookie right-hander Hirsh — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros were faced with a difficult decison on Saturday when they had to decide who to remove from the 25-man roster in order to open a spot for rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh.
Discussion:
The Griddle
RELATED ITEMS:
Sports Illustrated:
Astros designate Wilson for assignment to make room for Hirsh — HOUSTON (AP) -Astros outfielder Preston Wilson was designated for assignment on Saturday, a roster move Houston made so it could promote pitcher Jason Hirsh from Triple-A Round Rock. — "I guess it's just the nature of the business,'' Wilson said. "
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Despite Cabrera's Slump, Lineup Staying the Same — NEW YORK — There is no question the Angels' offensive resurgence and their 19-7 run in July coincided with Orlando Cabrera's move from the second to third spot in the batting order. — The Angels were 35-41 on June 27 …
RELATED ITEMS:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Boomer busts five-game skid — Wells records career victory No. 228 and first of season — BOSTON — The uniquely passionate and large fandom that follows the Red Sox couldn't help but be in full-throttle, fret mode on the heels of the club's 1-5 road trip through last-place posts Tampa Bay and Kansas City.
RELATED ITEMS:
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' Volquez steps into a comfort zone — Pitcher has worked on fastball command and feels more prepared — ARLINGTON - Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor had a straightforward message for 23-year-old Edinson Volquez when they worked in the bullpen Thursday.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED ITEMS:
D.C. Reeves / MLB.com:
Notes: Young back in the fold — Veteran signs Minor League deal with likely Sept. 1 callup — ARLINGTON — Eric Young, a key contributor to the 2004 Texas Rangers, was signed to a Minor League contract on Friday. — The 39-year old was released by the San Diego Padres on Aug. 1 to make room for the newly-acquired Todd Walker.
TSN.ca:
HOMEMLBNEWS STORYReds place Mercker on 15-day DL — Sports Ticker — PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - A troublesome elbow has again turned Kent Mercker into a spectator. — The Cincinnati Reds placed the veteran lefhander on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday and recalled lefthander Chris Michalak …
ESPN:
Report: Loria was talked out of firing Girardi — Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria had to be talked out of firing manager Joe Girardi after a loss last Sunday, the Palm Beach Post reported Saturday, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the situation.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Glavine solid, but Mets fall to Nationals — Veteran lefty fans seven, allows two runs in six innings — WASHINGTON — Their large, comfortable lead in the National League East allows the Mets to view developments with a perspective different from those of other teams in the division.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
RELATED ITEMS:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Without Varitek, young staff caught off guard — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One thing is obvious: The Red Sox pitching staff really misses Jason Varitek. — Nobody is pointing fingers at Javy Lopez and Doug Mirabelli, but the small nuances of Varitek's game are lost inside the white lines.
RELATED ITEMS:
Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
Livan's debut spoiled by Marlins rookie — Righty lasts eight innings, but is outdueled by Johnson — PHOENIX — Having not yet played the Marlins this year, the Diamondbacks did not know quite what to expect from the young, energetic ballclub on Friday night. — But Arizona soon realized just how dangerous Florida can be.
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Pavano in fan flap — Carl Pavano was involved in a verbal dispute with a fan at his rehab outing in Tampa on Thursday night, during which he made an off-color remark alluding to the fan's sexual orientation, according to sources. — The fan was heckling Pavano all night …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
