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
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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
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.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle gradually regaining past form — Trust in four-seam fastball allowing lefty to build confidence — CHICAGO — Taking a quick glance back at the White Sox bullpen while he was working on Saturday afternoon against the Tigers, Mark Buehrle viewed an image that would have rarely come …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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.
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.
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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
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.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
The Mets' $oriano in 2007? — WASHINGTON — The Mets repeatedly tried to trade for Alfonso Soriano during his final two years in Texas, but they refused to give up Jose Reyes, Scott Kazmir or Lastings Milledge. — Once this season is over, however, all Soriano will cost the Mets is money …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Dodgers Take the Lead Out West, for Now — WHEN the Los Angeles Dodgers supplanted San Diego in first place in the National League West on Thursday, they completed a remarkable cycle. Their climb to the top meant they had been in every one of the five places in the division standings since the All-Star Game.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Notes: Howard not all that jazz — Ex-trombone player chose right career path, says brother — PHILADELPHIA — In the neverending search to learn more about Ryan Howard, this nugget was uncovered: He played the trombone. — This gem has been provided by Howard's older brother, Chris …
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
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Aybar headed to DL — Chipper expected back at third for series finale on Sunday — ATLANTA — When Chipper Jones comes off the disabled list on Sunday, Willy Aybar will be going on it. — Aybar, who has served as the Braves starting third baseman while Jones …
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
Yost benches struggling Jenkins — ATLANTA (AP) — Milwaukee manager Ned Yost benched veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins Friday and said he would look at prospects Gabe Gross and Corey Hart the rest of the season. — Jenkins, a 1995 first-round pick, ranks fourth on the team's all-time home-run list …
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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 …
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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.
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 …
