Top News:
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Ortiz's Red Sox HR chase has Maryland connection … In 2004, the Boston Red Sox's World Series victory ended the "Curse of the Bambino," ushering the sour memory of Baltimore-born legend Babe Ruth out the door. — This month, another one of Maryland's favorite baseball sons likely …
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox settle for split vs. Yanks — Bullpen troubles, Pena's struggles in left contribute to loss — NEW YORK — The sweep the Red Sox were looking for in Saturday's day-night doubleheader became as elusive as the line drive that Jason Giambi scorched just out of the reach of Wily Mo Pena in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 2.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Snyder and Jarvis start in twin bill — Boston (79-69) at New York (90-57), 1:05 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. ET — Two seasons ago, the Red Sox completed the most remarkable comeback in baseball history by winning Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS at Yankee Stadium. On Sunday, the Red Sox will hope to spend …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Split With Red Sox Puts Division Title Within the Yankees' Reach
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:Damon's a feast for hungry Yankees
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:WANG'S THE ONE — RIGHTY SHOULD OPEN PLAYOFFS
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
David Lennon / Newsday:
It's mind-boggling — Pedro trying to get his head together after brutal effort in return — PITTSBURGH - The day after his upsetting return at PNC Park, Pedro Martinez reported no physical fallout from the ugly three-inning stint against the Pirates. — His right calf …
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David Lennon / Newsday:
The wait continues for Mets — PITTSBURGH — In the end, it was the Pirates who stormed the field, the sellout crowd of 37,623 screaming and dancing at PNC Park. As for the Mets, the night was over, but the wait continues for another day. — Ronny Paulino's two-out double off Aaron Heilman …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
The Rise and Fall of the Dodgers and the Cardinals — AFTER the games of July 26, the St. Louis Cardinals led the National League Central with a 58-42 record and the Los Angeles Dodgers were in last place in the N.L. West with a 47-55 record. If they had been in the same division …
Discussion:
The 26th Man
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano fourth in history to reach 40-40 — Outfielder's steal of second against Brewers secures milestone — WASHINGTON — Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano became the fourth player in Major League history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season with his steal …
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Denver Post:
Coming of age: It's time for a progress report — On Monday and Tuesday, the Rockies owners and assorted decision-makers will gather for their organizational meetings at Coors Field. The 2007 payroll will be established, with no windfall expected despite a slight bump in attendance.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Bonds won't be honored — MLB does not plan to recognize Giants slugger when he breaks Aaron's NL home run record — Giants notes — ST. LOUIS — Major League Baseball has no plans to recognize Barry Bonds when he hits his next two home runs to tie and break Hank Aaron's National League record of 733.
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NY Daily News:
Wild, wild West — As Padres, Dodgers swing for playoffs, revived Barry creates Giant dilemma — As the regular season winds down without suspense in this town, Barry Bonds, Ryan Howard, the Francisco Liriano-less Minnesota Twins and the San Diego Padres are all ratcheting it up for ... the Big Finish.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Angel H. Verdejo / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Ojeda re-adjusts to big leagues — ARLINGTON - Miguel Ojeda, for whom the Rangers traded in July and called up two weeks ago, is working every day and looking for his chance to break into the starting lineup. — But with Hurricane Lane on top of Mexico's Pacific coast …
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Slugger hits No. 57, but 10-year-old turns it into a double — HOUSTON - What is it about left field at Minute Maid Park that keeps making people sick? — First Jeff Conine. Now Brandon Hilgedick. — You know who Conine is, but you didn't know who Brandon Hilgedick was until …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Kendrick Not Hitting, but He's Still Starting — ARLINGTON, Texas — After the Angels' offensive woes continued in Thursday night's 2-1 win over the Rangers, Manager Mike Scioscia stressed the need for his team to score more runs and said he would "look very closely" at his lineup "to see if there are any alternatives."
Discussion:
MLB.com
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Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Taking Their Swings at What's a Pivotal Count — Alex Rodriguez says it's 1-1. Johan Santana believes it's 0-0. Ryan Howard claims it's 2-0, and no one is challenging Howard much these days. — Talk to major leaguers about which is the most pivotal count, the ball-and-strike state …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Mark Polishuk / MLB.com:
Jays mount walk-off comeback — Hill wins game with 10th-inning, two-run homer — TORONTO — A ninth-inning, game-tying rally, a blown lead in extra innings, and a game-winning walk-off home run. — Just another day at the office for Toronto manager John Gibbons. — "Never in doubt," Gibbons joked.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
NY Daily News:
Lineup Torre's big test — If there has been one defining element about the Yankees in the 11 years of Joe Torre's stewardship, chemistry would have to be it. Adherence to the program. Fitting in. And those players who didn't, including Raul Mondesi, Kenny Lofton and Tony Womack, had abbreviated stays here.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
No dirt from Dusty...for now — If his tenure here ends when the season does, don't expect the Cubs manager to lash out at anyone. That may come at a later time. — As he enters the final two weeks of the four-year deal that brought him to Chicago, Dusty Baker understands why many view …
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
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