Top News:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Val's 2 HRs a spark — When you have a season like the Mets are having, you need help from unexpected sources. So give a tip of the cap to Jose Valentin, Mr. Unexpected Source. — Valentin was the offensive star of last night's National League East-clinching 4-0 win over the Marlins at Shea Stadium.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
It's All Good: Mets Finally Clinch N.L. East — Considering how the previous three games had gone, it might have been audacious for the Mets to wrap their clubhouse televisions in plastic early yesterday afternoon in anticipation of a celebratory bath of what promised to taste like the finest Champagne.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Toast of the town! — The Mets had waited for what seemed like forever, 18 long years and one interminable weekend in Pittsburgh, before the coronation could officially take place last night at Shea Stadium. — It was set in motion by the bat of the Marlins' Josh Willingham …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Nomar caps incredible win for LA — Four straight homers tie it in ninth; walk-off puts club in first — LOS ANGELES — It's a real shame the Dodgers have no more games scheduled with the Padres this year, because after finding all sorts of ways to lose to San Diego while dropping 13 …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:Dodgers' bats seize late victory — in rare fashion
Discussion:
Sports Scope
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Can Soriano go 50-50? — Beat writer Bill Ladson answers National fans' questions … What do you think of Alfonso Soriano's chances of being the first player to hit 45 homers and swipe 45 bases or even become a 50-50 guy in baseball history? — Avi R., Montreal
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
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Steven Goff / Washington Post:
Diminished Braves Have Enough to Subdue Nationals — How strange it was, with less than two weeks left in the regular season, to see the Atlanta Braves arrive at RFK Stadium with a losing record, no chance of winning the National League East after 14 consecutive titles and mere days from being extinguished in the wild-card race.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks Finally Find a Spark, and Close in on the Title — The Yankees played two games in New York on Sunday, the second one ending just before midnight. The team spent an hour at the airport in Newark because of an intensive security check, and did not arrive at its hotel here until 4:30 Monday morning.
Discussion:
Hartford Courant
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Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Damon's Wake-Up Call — After Fifth-Inning Ejection, Yankees' Offense Gets Untracked — TORONTO — Johnny Damon, in a daily ritual, walked up to see who was in the lineup and said, "Are we trying?" — The Yankees played four games in two days, flew to Toronto and got to bed about 5 a.m. Monday …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Jeter's blast is magic trick — Lowers boom, number to 3 — TORONTO - There was laughter in Joe Torre's voice yesterday afternoon but also a bit of an edge. That grain of truth to every joke was obvious when Torre - asked if his players were growing impatient to finally clinch …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox suffer ex-treme damage — Ordonez's 2 HRs add insult to fading hope of his former team — The White Sox's sense of urgency was evident Monday night after eight pitches. — Unfortunately, the damage already was done before pitching coach Don Cooper visited the mound and rookie knuckleballer Charlie Haeger began to warm up.
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Nolasco's health a bright spot — Right-hander's knee came through fine after two missed starts — NEW YORK — Not all was lost for the Marlins in their disheartening 8-7 loss in 10 innings to the Braves on Sunday. — Rookie Ricky Nolasco shook off the rust of skipping two starts …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Cranky shoulder hinders Calero — notebook — OAKLAND — Although A's reliever Kiko Calero has appeared just once in the last 11 games, his right shoulder was cranky Sunday and he wasn't available to pitch, according to manager Ken Macha. — Calero's last appearance was Tuesday in Minnesota …
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards fall in 9th — MILWAUKEE — Sifting through the rubble of a ninth-inning loss, the Cardinals were left to ponder an intriguing question: Can Anthony Reyes pitch for this team in October? — The 82-loss Milwaukee Brewers took care of the details Monday when second baseman Tony Graffanino ended …
CBS SportsLine.com:
Full Play-by-Play Los Angeles vs. San Diego — GameCenter · Full Play-by-Play · Box Score · Recap · Game Chart · Photos — PADRES 1ST — Brad Penny pitching: — Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Roberts grounded out to second.
Discussion:
The House That Dewey Built
David Lennon / Newsday:
This time, Pedro isn't life of party — Pedro Martinez was prepared to party before the game even started yesterday, and showed reporters a pair of green-tinted wraparound glasses that he had ready for what he hoped would be a clinching celebration later that night.
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Giants pitchers battered by Rockies in 20-8 loss — Lowry lasts just 1-1/3 innings as S.F. allows its highest run total since '59 — DENVER - The last time the Giants gave up 20 runs in a game, Dwight Eisenhower was president, the U.S. flag had 49 stars and an upstart named Fidel Castro had just established Communist rule in Cuba.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
