Top News:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
Geoff Baker / Toronto Star:
Jays lose Hinske, game to lowly D-Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A bewildered Eric Hinske stood in the visitors' clubhouse Wednesday night awaiting word on which dugout he'd be in Thursday. — But sources in Boston later confirmed that Hinske would next be playing at Fenway Park …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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 …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs pull out 18-inning affair vs. Astros — Murton ties it with a homer and wins it with a two-run single — HOUSTON — This one took a team effort. — All 25 players on the Cubs roster got into Tuesday's 8-6, 18-inning win over the Houston Astros, including the late-night hero Matt Murton …
RELATED ITEMS:
Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Cubs' O'Malley tosses gem in big-league debut — HOUSTON — Emergency starter Ryan O'Malley pitched eight impressive innings in his major league debut and Michael Barrett homered to help the Chicago Cubs complete a three-game sweep of the slumping Houston Astros with a 1-0 win Wednesday.
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander wild in Tigers' loss — Rookie phenom issues seven walks, only one intentionally — BOSTON — Justin Verlander was suspected to be tipping his pitches when he lost to the White Sox last weekend. His loss on Wednesday wasn't a matter of what pitches were coming, but where they were going.
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
Ryan Mink / MLB.com:
Yanks break ground for new stadium — Ceremony features bows to history, excitement for future — NEW YORK — Armed with shiny baseball bat shovels and Yankees hard hats, those responsible for bringing a new stadium to the New York Yankees and the Bronx dug in on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Church of Baseball
Jon Greenberg / MLB.com:
Royals reach deal with Grudzielanek — Kansas City signs second baseman to contract extension — CHICAGO — Before Wednesday's game against the White Sox, a rumor quickly spread through the press box at U.S. Cellular Field that Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was being traded to the Tigers.
Discussion:
Beck's Blog
RELATED ITEMS:
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Notes: Punto sidelined by sore knee — Twins, thin on bench, not making a roster move for now — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins' limited number of bench players hadn't really seemed a problem — that is until Nick Punto arrived at the ballpark on Tuesday with a sore left knee.
Associated Press:
Giants-Padres Preview — San Francisco first baseman Shea Hillenbrand finally came through for the San Francisco Giants . — Hillenbrand looks to build off a strong night at the plate when the Giants continue their four-game series with the San Diego Padres Wednesday at Petco Park.
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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."
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 …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels Get Some Hits in on Rangers — Gregg and Donnelly are ejected after plunking consecutive Rangers batters; Kennedy charges the mound after he is hit during 9-3 loss to Texas. — ARLINGTON, Texas — The Angels got their pound of flesh Wednesday night, and it will cost them …
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.
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Pirates hope to Motor in Tigers' path — Blossoming talent, guidance of Littlefield have Bucs headed up — In six weeks, the Pittsburgh Pirates will finish what will be their 14th consecutive losing season and perhaps the team's second 100-loss season in the last six years.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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 …
