Top News:
Boston Globe:
Padres appear to have edge in Wells talks — OAKLAND, Calif. — David Wells is still scheduled to face Toronto's Roy Halladay tonight at Fenway Park when the Red Sox begins a 10-game homestand, but barring a last-minute change of heart by general manager Theo Epstein, it's likely …
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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.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres will add Seanez, Cassidy — PHOENIX - Relievers Rudy Seanez and Scott Cassidy soon will rejoin the Padres. — Seanez, cut by Boston last week, cleared waivers and has reached an oral agreement with San Diego, which plans to activate him before tomorrow's game against the Reds.
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
White Flag: Wells Deal Done? — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Red Sox are not going to admit that they are conceding any chance to make the playoffs. Still, their actions might speak for them. — ESPN reported the Red Sox are close to completing a trade that would send lefthander David Wells …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' Offense Stands Out, but Defense Is Overlooked — For the last 11 games, the Mets have fielded every ground ball cleanly, caught every fly ball without incident and thrown every ball on target. And yet over the same span, the most prominent story lines have centered on David Wright's slump …
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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'
David Lennon / Greenwich Time:
David's grand slam leads another rout, dispels talk of slump — DENVER - Maybe now the questions will stop for David Wright. For weeks, Wright heard that his deepening slump was caused by everything from the home-run derby to his new $55-million contract to using the wrong toothbrush.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rivera and Giambi Taking Medical Tests — Mariano Rivera and Jason Giambi played in yesterday's doubleheader, so their health status is not alarming to the Yankees. But the team was concerned enough about them to schedule magnetic resonance imaging exams.
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Associated Press:
Wang steps up again for Yankees, shuts down Tigers — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang has overtaken Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina to become the New York Yankees' ace. — Wang tied Toronto's Roy Halladay and Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox …
Jessica Fargen / Boston Herald:
Good news for Papi — Sources say Ortiz passes heart tests, out of hospital — David Ortiz' heart appears healthy and he could be on the field as early as next week, based on test results yesterday that could finally give Sox fans a reason to cheer, a source said.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers owner looks ahead to winter — Owner not conceding AL West, but hot A's are pulling away — ARLINGTON - Rangers owner Tom Hicks won't concede the AL West race. But he sure did come close Wednesday. — Returning to Ameriquest Field after watching his team lose two of three …
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Bad shoulder puts Crisp on sidelines — OAKLAND, Calif. - The Red Sox' unimaginable string of injuries and misfortune incurred another addition yesterday when Coco Crisp was scratched from the starting lineup just before the 7-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics with a strained left shoulder.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:Repeat sweep — Sox limp home after dropping sixth in a row
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards' Bennett leaves with back sprain — Cleared to play, Molina takes over despite strained right elbow — ST. LOUIS — Bad news collided with good news for the Cardinals catchers on Wednesday night. — Yadier Molina was cleared to play on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a muscle strain in his right elbow.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
For the Books, Nationals Face History Questions — Records by Senators, Expos Are at Issue — Over the final month of the season, Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano will almost certainly hit at least two more home runs. When he does, he'll establish a franchise record — most homers in a season.
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.
StarTribune.com:
Twins lose Castillo, game to the Royals — Kansas City made it two victories in a row, and Minnesota's troubles were compounded when its second baseman got hurt. — Hitless in his past 15 at-bats, Joe Mauer is struggling through his biggest slump of the season, with his major league-leading average down to .350.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Guillen claims no intent to plunk — CHICAGO - With all that was said and what else was implied after Delmon Young's eventful debut, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had a few things he wanted to say Wednesday. — Guillen said he did not order starter Freddy Garcia to hit Young …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
