Top News:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander, Tigers search for sweep — Detroit (78-41) at Boston (68-50), 7:05 p.m. ET — No Tigers pitcher of any experience level has won 15 games in a full season since Willie Blair and Justin Thompson in 1997. Rookie Justin Verlander could this year do it just after the midpoint of August.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Wells wraps up series against Tigers — Detroit (78-41) at Boston (68-50), 7:05 p.m. ET — With darkness appearing one minute earlier each day and the temperature cooling down, even in the hottest of playoff races, the looming shadow of October baseball grows exponentially.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:No Go For Wily Mo — Misplays Fly Ball In 9th, Watches Strike 3 To End It
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Struggling Red Sox look to deal with Toronto — The Red Sox, seeking to boost their offense, are talking to the Blue Jays about a trade for infielder/outfielder Eric Hinske, FOXSports.com has learned. — Hinske, who has cleared waivers, was pulled from the Jays' lineup Wednesday night …
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Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Source: Sox sign Haverhill's Pena — According to a source, the Red Sox have signed first baseman Carlos Pena, the former Northeastern star who most recently had been playing for the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate. The club had no comment on the matter prior tonight's game at Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Source: Sox get Hinske from Jays — The Red Sox traded for slugger Eric Hinske earlier tonight, according to a major league source, a move that should immediately impact the club's lefty-lacking offense. — It was not immediately known what the Red Sox sent the Toronto Blue Jays in return …
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
New York Times:
The Yankees' Lion in Winter — George M. Steinbrenner 3rd, his face puffy, limping on a painful knee, walked slowly, then stumbled a bit, to the podium at the makeshift ballpark where the Yankees held yesterday's groundbreaking for their new stadium. — This was a glorious morning for Steinbrenner …
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — House that Greed will build — The Boss says his new ballpark will be "better for the fans." — This is not the biggest lie he has told concerning Yankee Stadium, his cash machine on the banks of the Harlem River, only the latest. — This morning, George Steinbrenner …
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
Who will wear the AL crown? — Not only has the National League transformed into Quadruple-A, as far as I can tell the Dodgers and Mets are the only two NL teams capable of doing anything in October. And by "anything," I mean not "getting swept in the World Series."
Dan Gelston / Associated Press:
Martinez placed on 15-day disabled list — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez has the kind of mild calf injury that probably wouldn't keep him off the mound in the postseason. — But with the New York Mets holding a double-digit lead in the NL East, there's no way they're taking any chances with their All-Star ace.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Notes: Green sits out again — Outfielder the subject of trade rumors with the New York Mets — DENVER — For the second straight game, right fielder Shawn Green was out of the starting lineup. — D-Backs manager Bob Melvin said with the trade talk that has been swirling around Green …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
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Associated Press:
Froemming umpires 5,000th game — BOSTON (AP) — Bruce Froemming's day began with a few congratulatory phone calls early in the morning. His family was in town to watch him work, and he was honored during an on-field ceremony at Fenway Park. — It's not often an umpire is in the spotlight for doing something good.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Dishing From Behind the Dish: Phillies' Coste Continues a Journey — The Phillies' Chris Coste self-published 2,000 copies of a 228-page book about his life in the minors. He was called up from Scranton on May 21. — Chris Coste's second book was done.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Stairs' veteran presence a bonus — ARLINGTON — The Rangers' trade deadline addition of outfielder/designated hitter Matt Stairs didn't attract nearly the attention that adding outfielder Carlos Lee did, and that's a fair difference. — At 38 years old, Stairs is no longer the same home run threat he once was.
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:Relief is hard to come by for Rangers
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Edmonds diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome — ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome Wednesday, one day after leaving a game because of dizziness and blurred vision. — Edmonds underwent an MRI on Tuesday night …
Seth Mnookin / The Feeding the Monster Blog:
Take baseball, race, and religion. Add Denis Leary. Mix. — WEDNESDAY MORNING EDIT: In retrospect, this was the most fun I had on Tuesday night. — Denis Leary and Lenny Clark came by the NESN broadcast booth for an inning of tonight's game. It started out smoothly enough — you know …
Sports Illustrated:
Enough already — Media blitz of Lo Duca's personal life beyond absurd — All right, I'm calling Uncle. I have officially had enough of Paul Lo Duca's love life. — Look, any honest former sorority girl will admit that a little gossip can be entertaining.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
ESPN:
Pirates' Sanchez defying the odds — Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez made his contribution to team camaraderie in May when he bought a Ping-Pong table for the PNC Park home clubhouse. To no one's surprise, the ultra-competitive Freddy Sanchez is now ranked No. 1 ahead of shortstop Jack Wilson …
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN
