Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Nats concerned about Johnson, not loss — Johnson collides with Kearns trying to catch a popup in right — NEW YORK — The Nationals actually suffered two losses on Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium, though the outcome of the game was far less important to Washington players.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Johnson breaks leg in collision at Shea — First baseman leaves game on stretcher in eighth inning — NEW YORK — A jarring collision left first baseman Nick Johnson lying in pain on the right-field turf, halting play for several minutes of the Nationals-Mets game on Saturday.
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Batter's Box Interactive …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals' Johnson Suffers Broken Leg — Femur Fractured in Collision on Field: Mets 12, Nationals 6 — As soon as Nick Johnson's body slammed off that of Austin Kearns, he rolled limply to the turf, screamed in agony and flung his glove in the air, his expression mixing frustration with pain.
Associated Press:
Pirates-Padres Preview — When the San Diego Padres leave Petco Field on Sunday following the end of their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates , they are hoping it isn't for the last time this season. — San Diego (82-72) has a 1 1/2-game lead in the NL West after Saturday's 2-1 win …
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Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Hensley, Friars look to finish off Bucs — Pittsburgh (65-90) at San Diego (82-72), 1:05 p.m. PT — With eight games remaining in their regular season, the Padres have 82 wins. — San Diego didn't reach that number until the last day of the season in 2005, narrowly finishing the season above .500, despite taking the division.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Like all great relievers, Smith wanted to start — Back then, and it wasn't all that long ago, nobody ever started off as a closer. Nobody began his professional baseball career with the plan - or desire - to become the all-time saves leader. — "The day the Chicago Cubs told …
Mark Polishuk / MLB.com:
Snyder starts as Sox aim to finish strong — Boston (83-72) at Toronto (81-73), 1:07 p.m. ET — The scouting report on Kyle Snyder is fairly simple. When his slow curveball is on, he can be dominating. When it isn't on, however, things rarely go well for the right-hander.
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Mark Polishuk / MLB.com:
Chacin eyes fourth win over Red Sox — Boston (83-72) at Toronto (81-73), 1:07 p.m. ET — Conventional wisdom dictates that to compete in the American League East, the Blue Jays have to play well against the Yankees and Red Sox. Toronto still has some work to do with New York …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies err in salesmanship — Vinny Castilla was born on July 4, so he knows a little something about celebrations. Today, Castilla will start at third base at Coors Field, bathing in standing ovations during each at-bat as he waves goodbye to Rockies fans.
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Owen Perkins / MLB.com:
Notes: Morillo readies for debut — 22-year-old skips Triple-A en route to Major Leagues — DENVER — Add Juan Morillo to the list of Rockies making a quick jump from Double-A to the Majors — though Morillo's trip has the illusion of being even faster than most, thanks to a 100-mph fastball …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
The one potential flaw for each contender … Achilles was the greatest of the Greek warriors in the Trojan War. As a child, his mother dipped him in the River Styx. The water made him invulnerable except for his heel, by which his mother held him. Eventually, that's how Achilles was defeated, a strike to his heel.
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
That Season Ticket on eBay? It Could Cost Seller the Seat — The Yankees are revoking the season tickets of fans who have sold their unused tickets on StubHub.com and other Web sites and are looking to start their own entity to sell tickets in the lucrative secondary market.
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Parity on the Field (Maybe), Dollar Disparity (Definitely) — To some, parity is an ugly six-letter word. To Commissioner Bud Selig, parity is pretty. This season, he said, reflects that development. — "Absolutely," he said emphatically. — One week remains in the regular season.
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Notes: Park makes surprising return — Righty activated a month after having intestinal surgery — SAN DIEGO — A little less than a month ago, it didn't seem likely that Chan Ho Park would be where he's at now, with a little over a week to go in the regular season.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
