Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox, Peña walk on air — He's a hometown hero with winning HR in 10th — Such sweet relief, this atmosphere of giddiness that enveloped the Fens last night after the steady drumbeat of gloom and despair that has echoed throughout the ancient ballpark in recent days.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Another top drawer battle at Fenway — Chicago (79-57) at Boston (73-64), 6:05 p.m. CT — On July 7, just three days before the All-Star break, the White Sox and Red Sox began an exciting three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field that appeared to many as a possible preview of the American League Championship Series.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:Sox fail to extend wild-card lead
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Church to stay on bench — Logan to start in center field for Nationals for rest of season — WASHINGTON — Since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on July 22, Ryan Church is hitting .284 (25-for-88) with four home runs and 16 RBIs. It looked like he would be the everyday …
Discussion:
Roto Authority Fantasy …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Trade an investment in future — Beat writer Bill Ladson answers fans' questions about the Nats … Do you think trading Daryle Ward to the Braves was a good move? He was the best bench player of the team. — Alex C., Montreal — Some would argue that Marlon Anderson was the best bench player on the team.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
It's a Breeze for Ortiz — Nats' Starter Takes No-Hit Bid Into the Ninth, Hits a Home Run: Nationals 4, Cardinals 1 — Some days, some events, some moments in baseball are so incongruous they can scarcely be explained. A slap hitter grabs hold of an unsuspecting fastball and drives it over the fence.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Notes: Martinez rejoins Mets — Ace will continue rehab, could start by mid-September — NEW YORK — Pedro Martinez rejoined the Mets on Monday, and though there is still no immediate timetable for his return to the mound, the team is pleased with the ace's progress and expects him back later this month.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — September means fall is in air, not a collapse — September is a beautiful month to spend in New York City. The weather is cooler, the humidity packs up and leaves town, the leaves start to turn yellow, orange and red before crumbling into in a brown heap in October.
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Mets See a Flicker of Life From a Fallen Champion — The Mets will almost certainly end Atlanta's run of division championships at 14. Leaving barely a doubt, they lead the Braves by 18½ games in the National League East. The subdued crowd of 42,428 at Shea Stadium last night reflected that reality.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils' bright future on display in victory — Utley belts walk-off homer; Howard, Hamels play key roles — PHILADELPHIA — Many of the 44,674 came to watch a future Hall of Famer. — As a bonus, they saw the Phillies' future perform wonders for the team's present.
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Gerg Cote / Miami Herald:
Fans missing the magic — Amazement is best served suddenly. As a 100-meter dash is more exciting than a marathon, what impresses most easily in sports is what we can see happening right now — as in one frenetic night at the Orange Bowl, for a totally random example.
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Carlos Frias / Palm Beach Post:
Girardi will fit in birth of his daughter today — MIAMI GARDENS — When your wife is having your baby, priorities change, even for a major-league manager. — Joe Girardi will be with his wife, Kim, who is expecting their third child, when she is induced this morning.
Joe DiGiovanni / MLB.com:
Notes: Billingsley not yet ready to start — Dodgers unsure of Friday night starter against Mets at Shea — MILWAUKEE — It's still not known who will start Friday when the Dodgers play the Mets at Shea Stadium on Friday night, but it won't be Chad Billingsley.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's can't rebound from Zito's rough start — Lefty issues six walks, allows seven runs in 5 1/3 innings — OAKLAND — The various advertising agencies contracted by the A's over the past several years have, though a series of cleverly conceived TV commercials, given the team a reputation for having a great sense of humor.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
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Denver Post:
Speedy Matsui jets his way into Rockies' future plans — Los Angeles - Kaz Matsui continues to play a starring role in "The Fast and The Curious." He remains in the lineup because of his speed, quick bat and, just as important, contract talks that aren't running in circles.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers sign St. Pierre as appendectomy sidelines Big Ben — Minimally invasive surgery expected to cause him to miss two games — By Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Steelers have signed one of their former quarterbacks, Brian St. Pierre …
Discussion:
The Fanhouse
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Buck be back? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions — Can we expect manager Buck Showalter to be back next year, or is there a good chance he will be released during the offseason for being unable to lead the Rangers to the playoffs?
