Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Lester tested for cancer — OAKLAND, Calif. - Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club's most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Repeat sweep — Sox limp home after dropping sixth in a row — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Red Sox have been through too much during this misbegotten journey to say they are returning home with trepidation. — But beyond the pleasure of once again sleeping in their own beds …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Francona: Reports on Ortiz are encouraging — OAKLAND, Calif. — Try as he might, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he was unable to reach David Ortiz yesterday on his cellphone. — ``His [message] box was full," Francona said. ``And I have the hot line."
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lester reportedly tested for cancer — Red Sox rookie on disabled list with back injury — OAKLAND — While most of the health-related problems that have plagued the Red Sox in recent days have been well-publicized, there appears to be another one developing behind the scenes.
Sports Illustrated:
Center of intrigue — Who is the team to beat in baseball's best race? — There are pennant races, and then there are pennant races. — The National League wild-card derby is an example of a close race that is existentially meaningless, like the debate over Pluto's loss of planetary status …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Girardi returns to Marlins — Hurricane's reduced threat allows manager to fly to St. Louis — ST. LOUIS — A night of watching on TV made Joe Girardi more anxious to rejoin his surging ballclub. — On Wednesday, Girardi got his chance, as the Marlins first-year manager rejoined his team in St. Louis.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:Girardi returns to Marlins after riding out Ernesto
Discussion:
FishStripes
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
After Winning by a Mile, Mets Reach the Highest Ground — The achievement is only cosmetic. It cannot give the Mets home-field advantage in the World Series or endow them with any special powers or privileges. But it is sweet just the same. — A mile above sea level, the Mets are looking down on the other 29 teams in baseball.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Mound of troubles for Pavano — Carl Pavano was in New York yesterday, but he never set foot in Yankee Stadium, and never had to face his teammates. And it may stay that way for a while. — Pavano yesterday was ordered back into Yankee oblivion — Tampa — after a complete medical procedure …
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Boston Globe:
Sox tickets? Suddenly, they're not so hot — As team slides, demand cools and deals abound — Just a few weeks ago, it was a nearly impossible ticket to get — the Red Sox at home. Now, tickets to Sox games are not only available, they can be had for face value or less.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Rotation having problems — Robinson concerned with starters not going deep into games — WASHINGTON — The Nationals' starting rotation has been struggling in a big way lately. In their last 10 games, entering Wednesday's action, the starters were 1-7 with a 12.65 ERA (52 runs in 37 innings).
Discussion:
Washington Post
Free Lance-Star:
JOSE RIJO — Jose Rijo's official title with the Nationals is special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden, but he's really a coach, scout, advisor and front-office executive rolled into one. The gregarious native of the Dominican Republic won 116 games and was the MVP of the 1990 World Series …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tulowitzki gives glimpse of future … Troy Tulowitzki stood outside the Rockies' clubhouse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, searching for a cellphone signal. Through his eyes, it was easy to see the excitement over what the 21-year-old called the greatest day of his life.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
BoSox close in on Wells trade; Padres likely buyer … The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Triple-A catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres.
Allen Barra / Village Voice:
Atlas Slugged … There have been several indications that this just isn't Alex Rodriguez's year. One came on June 30, the day after he hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 and awoke to headlines that read "Okay, but Do It Again."
