Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
These performances difficult to watch — You've heard of the twi-night doubleheader and the day-night doubleheader? Say hello to the day-night-morning doubleheader. — Make that day-night-mourning doubleheader. — In one of the ugliest and most painful twin bills in the long history …
RELATED ITEMS:
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Johnson to face Beckett — Boston (69-52) vs. New York (72-48), Saturday, 1:20 p.m. ET — After winning the longest nine-inning game in Major League history, the Yankees hope to be a little more economical on Saturday. But as long as the bottom line results in a win, no one in pinstripes will complain.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com: Beckett to take on Johnson — New York (72-48) at Boston (69-52), 1:20 p.m. ET
MLB.com:Red Sox recall right-hander Jermaine Van Buren from Triple-A Pawtucket
Discussion:
The Griddle
Patrick Reusse / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins confound logic in a buckle-up-and-hang-on run to contention — Can someone, anyone, explain how this hurting, haggard and hard-luck team is so relentless in its overachievement? — This comes to you from a guy who was in attendance as a fan when the Twins played their first game at Met Stadium on April 21, 1961.
RELATED ITEMS:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Dye uses old-fashioned method to raise power — MINNEAPOLIS — Jermaine Dye attended Cosumnes River College in California, but now the White Sox right fielder is earning his master's degree in slugging. — Dye tied his single-season high for home runs Friday night when he slugged his 33rd …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Rotation in double digits — Lineup to stick through set; Guillen comments on suspensions — MINNEAPOLIS — Mark Buehrle apparently realized he was the last member of the White Sox starting rotation to reach double-digit victories this season, judging by his humorous response to the topic Friday evening.
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Opportunity awaits Tejeda — DETROIT - Robinson Tejeda is aware the Rangers did not trade David Dellucci for 19 1/3 innings, a 1-3 record and a 9.78 ERA. — But he also believes the adversity he has encountered this year and the time he has spent at Triple A Oklahoma will help him rediscover …
RELATED ITEMS:
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Feldman appeals to common sense — Reliever: If guy charges, 'I'm not going to stand with arms crossed' — DETROIT - Reliever Scott Feldman has decided to appeal his six-game suspension. — Feldman said his understanding is the league gave him four games for hitting Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy and two games for fighting.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks-Padres Preview — The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are locked up in races for the NL West and the wild card, but neither team seems to playing as if they want to go to the postseason. — The rivals continue a three-game series at Petco Park on Saturday.
RELATED ITEMS:
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Padres send Hensley to battle Snakes — Arizona (61-61) at San Diego (61-61), 1:05 p.m. PT — The Padres knew they had no choice but to open this current series with the Diamondbacks in a big way. — They were swept in a four-game series by the Giants, and Friday's series opener with Arizona was the time to respond.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano and Zimmerman Are Driving Force for Nats — Ryan Zimmerman was in the dugout preparing for his first at-bat Friday night when Alfonso Soriano blasted a gargantuan home run on to the concourse in center field at Citizens Bank Park. "He's an amazing player," Zimmerman said hours later.
RELATED ITEMS:
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Ricciardi blogged down by Wells rumour — GM says ex-aide is `officially an idiot' — Aug. 19, 2006. — BALTIMORE—Clearly it is not as easy as it looks, leaving the employ of a major-league ballclub to become a baseball columnist. Ask Keith Law. — In last night's blog posting on ESPN.com …
Greg Stoda / Palm Beach Post:
Commentary: Girardi unable to speak above Loria's silence — MIAMI GARDENS — Joe Girardi is twisting in the South Florida breeze. — It's no fun to watch, and almost certainly going to get worse. — That it has come to this ridiculousness in Girardi's first season as a baseball manager at any level …
Discussion:
Sweaty Men Endeavors
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
After Shea, Life Diverges for Two Mets — Twenty years ago, Lenny Dykstra and Wally Backman were the pesky twins at the top of the Mets' championship lineup. They wreaked havoc on the basepaths, and like many of the other players on that team, partied hard off the field.
RELATED ITEMS:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Jeter's Secret? It's Simple: Play to Win — Derek Jeter was the host of "Saturday Night Live" in 2001, and he was nervous about it all week. He had no acting or comic background, and certainly had never performed on live television at Rockefeller Center.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Rookie Young gets call to spell Byrnes — SAN DIEGO - When Chris Young got called into his manager's office Thursday afternoon in Tacoma, Wash., he wasn't sure what to expect. Then the blood rushed from his face when Triple-A Tucson manager Chip Hale said he wouldn't be in the lineup because he hadn't paid a past fine that was due.
Discussion:
The Griddle
NY Daily News:
Williams takes Pedro start — Dave Williams will make his Mets' debut tonight, taking Pedro Martinez's spot in the rotation. The lefthander was acquired May 25 from the Reds, along with $500,000 to cover half of his remaining salary, for minor-league pitcher Robert Manuel.
