Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Robinson questions one pitch in loss — Manager criticizes Rauch, Schneider for Mets' go-ahead homer — WASHINGTON — The tension was heavy in the home clubhouse after the Nationals lost to the Mets, 3-1, in front of 37,732 at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
There's No Easy Way For Nats — Mistakes on Routine Plays Prove Crucial: Mets 3, Nationals 1 — Marlon Anderson's version was accurate, concise. "I just missed it," he said, and the ball bounced away, allowing the tying run to score and Tony Armas Jr.'s promising afternoon to collapse at Anderson's feet.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Associated Press:
Tucker's HR lifts Mets — On a New York Mets team filled with All-Stars and MVP candidates, it was spare part Michael Tucker who led them to victory. — Tucker hit a solo home run on the only pitch he saw to break an eighth-inning tie and first baseman Carlos Delgado made a nifty catch for the final out …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Movin' on up — South Siders make up 4½ games in 6 days — Now it really gets interesting. — It's the Tigers' turn to check their psyches, feel the breath of the charging champions on their neck and sweat the small stuff after their hope of a runaway season was shattered by a White Sox sweep.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Guillen warns: K.C. can be a royal pain — Sox have to 'keep pushing the pedal' vs. majors' worst team — Two division leaders, the Yankees and the Tigers, have fled town after combining to lose five of six games. But don't tell White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen that things get easier with the lowly Royals coming in for four games.
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Orioles hope to bounce back in finale — Baltimore (51-66) at Boston (67-48), 2:05 p.m. ET — The Orioles will end the second third of their nine-game road trip against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, before taking a day off Monday and a journey to New York on Tuesday.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Brian MacQuarrie / Boston Globe:A League of Her Own — Remember when Fenway Park felt crusty, creaky, and unsafe?
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This walkoff was a slam dunk — Now a new twist to an old story line: the walkoff error. — And another sleepless night for Dominic DiMaggio. — Sometime next winter, when you crack open the Whitman's Sampler of Red Sox 2006 Walkoff Wins, you'll no doubt remember a stunning Saturday …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Associated Press:
Padres-Astros Preview — Houston Astros starter Brandon Backe has lost some velocity on his fastball, but he's finding other ways to get batters out. — The right-hander looks to build off a pair of impressive outings when the Astros (57-59) wrap up their three-game series with the San Diego Padres …
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Williams starts finale vs. Astros — San Diego (59-57) at Houston (57-59), 11:05 a.m. PT — Houston born and educated at the University of Houston, Woody Williams takes the mound on Sunday at his home away from home — Minute Maid Park. — Williams, the Padres' esteemed right-hander …
Big Al / The Wayne Fontes Experience:
EVERYBODY PANIC!!! - Message board edition — Over at Mack Avenue Tigers, Kurt had a very levelheaded post about the Tigers current slump. The slump that all teams have, but the Motor City Kitties managed to avoid...till this week. … Unfortunately, that isn't what most fans are currently thinking.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Leyland cites tipping point — Earlier this season, the Cardinals accused the White Sox of stealing pitch-selection signs from center field. Now the Tigers are claiming the Sox knew what was coming from rookie Justin Verlander in Friday night's game by picking up tip-offs on his pitches.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
CBS SportsLine.com:
Full Play-by-Play Chicago vs. Detroit — GameCenter · Full Play-by-Play · Box Score · Recap · Game Chart · Photos — TIGERS 1ST — Jose A. Contreras pitching: — Ball, Strike looking, Strike looking, Granderson popped out to shortstop.
Jesse Spector / NY Daily News:
The Papel-bunch — BOISE, Idaho - At Memorial Stadium, a sign notes that the Boise Hawks' front offices are "Now located on the corner of Glenwood and Chinden behind Arby's." — Inside, the closest thing the 3,450-seat stadium has to a luxury box is a pair of leather lounge chairs …
MLB.com:
Cubs recall Guzman, place Prior on DL — The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman from Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding roster move, Chicago has placed right-handed pitcher Mark Prior on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 11, with right shoulder tendinitis.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Trip to DL all but ends Prior's season
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves announce front-office moves — Snyder takes over as director of baseball operations — ATLANTA — One year after inducting him into their Hall of Fame, the Braves have decided to bring back Paul Snyder to serve as their director of baseball operations.
Justice B. Hill / MLB.com:
Hafner ties Mattingly for slams in season — Indians slugger hits sixth as part of an 11-run first inning — CLEVELAND — Travis Hafner took a curtain call Sunday. — Actually, Hafner had little choice, because the 25,251 fans in Jacobs Field insisted that the man called "Pronk" …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Wakefield stuck in limbo on return — Based on the calendar, the Red Sox certainly could use Tim Wakefield during the week of Aug. 21. The question is whether Wakefield will get the green light. — "Someone said this and it's true: I feel like I'm in a traffic jam," …
Zachary Levine / MLB.com:
Notes: Ramirez optioned to Triple-A — Righty struggling of late; lefty Shackleford takes his spot — PHILADELPHIA — Elizardo Ramirez had one of the best games of his young career on July 27 in Houston, striking out eight and allowing just one run in 6 2/3 innings.
Discussion:
We Heart the Reds
