Top News:
Associated Press:
Padres-Dodgers Preview — The San Diego Padres have clawed their way back into first place in the NL West. — Now, they'll look to create some breathing room atop the division when they wrap up a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday at Dodger Stadium.
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Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Peavy aims to keep Friars atop NL West — San Diego (78-70) at Los Angeles (78-71), 7:10 p.m. PT — The Padres clawed their way past the Dodgers with a 2-1 win on Sunday, earning them a half-game lead in the National League West. — However, if they don't win in the series finale on Monday …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
With timing down, Murphy clocks one — NEW YORK — David Murphy led off the first game of yesterday's day-night doubleheader by slamming a Jaret Wright fastball into the right-field bleachers at Yankee Stadium for his first major league home run. Tall, lanky, and with a sweet swing, Murphy …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Red Sox happy to take two — Yankees' clinch plans put on hold — NEW YORK — The party invitations do not have an expiration date. Sooner than later, the Yankees will have their celebration, just as they have in each of the previous eight seasons, and only the place and time remain to be determined.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Associated Press:
White Sox turn second triple play of season — CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox turned a triple play, their second of the season, in the first inning Monday night against the Detroit Tigers. — Both of Chicago's triple plays have come with Mark Buehrle on the mound.
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Wright Thompson / ESPN:
Tigers confident they'll be playing in October … DETROIT — Brandon Inge has gotten all sorts of things in the mail from fans, but this, well, this was the weirdest. With the Tigers' American League Central Division lead down to one game, with a critical three-game series against the White Sox looming …
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Sports Illustrated:
Change of tune? — Yankees' Williams may retire to further music career — Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams is contemplating retirement, though not for the usual reasons. It isn't because age or diminishing skills have taken their toll; judging by this year and last, Williams' skills …
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Yankee rookies get Boss treatment — As part of hazing tradition, players dress like Steinbrenner — NEW YORK — The Yankees are an organization steeped in tradition. From their 26 World Series titles to the Hall of Famers who have called Yankee Stadium their home, tradition is a big part of what makes the Yankees who they are.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
O'Connor, Nats Enjoy Some Sweet Relief — Kearns Breaks Up No-Hitter; Bullpen Dominates Brewers: Nationals 6, Brewers 1 — For four innings yesterday, the Washington Nationals were headed directly in one direction. Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Doug Davis hadn't allowed a hit.
Discussion:
Washington Times, MLB.com, District of Baseball, The Griddle, The Nationals Enquirer and William F. Yurasko
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: A Mets' celebration remains on ice — Kevin Conrad, who runs the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park, had to make more than his usual amount of decisions over the weekend. — With the New York Mets — and their imminent clinching of the National League East championship present …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Izzy in NY; Eckstein travels; Edmonds stays at home — While Cardinals relief ace Jason Isringhausen was headed for New York for the first in a series of consultations relative to his ailing left hip, shortstop David Eckstein accompanied the team to Milwaukee on Sunday.
Discussion:
Redbirds Fun
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Phil Mushnick / New York Post:
FOX GETS LOST IN THE CROWD — IT'S GETTING easier. Once you get past the stunned wonder stage, and then the anger stage, TV becomes funny. — Saturday, top of the first of Red Sox-Yanks, David Ortiz, in the wake of his impolitic remarks about Derek Jeter, came to bat to a hurricane of boos.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Morning Ten Pack, 9/18/06 — Adam Cowart, RHP, Short-Season Salem-Keizer (Giants) — A 35th-round pick by the Giants this year, Cowart served as the ace for a Volcanos team that had a league-best record of 55-21 that then took three of four games from Boise to win the Northwest League title.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Where will Soriano land next season? — Even before Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano reached 40 homers and 40 stolen bases, rival executives were growing increasingly excited by his availability as a free agent. — After watching Soriano make several athletic plays against his team …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Yost not satisfied with season — Manager expects Brewers to live up to raised expectations — WASHINGTON — In a reversal from seasons past, Brewers manager Ned Yost said he purposely "ramped up" the team's preseason expectations this year. The skipper is not thrilled with the results.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
David Gassko / Hardball Times:
Jonathan Papelbon and Replacement Level — Let's talk about replacement level for a moment. Almost everything there is to know about replacement level is actually contained within this article, but I want to discuss one specific aspect. It's called chaining, and it's one of the most important …
