Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox don't buy into Cabrera's excuse … BALTIMORE - Somehow, it does not appear as if the Red Sox [team stats] are going to buy Daniel Cabrera's excuse that the pitch he whistled behind Dustin Pedroia [stats]'s head in the fourth inning last night "slipped" out of his hand.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Victory dance — Sox step away with win after nearly choosing partners in a dust-up — BALTIMORE - Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp considers Daniel Cabrera "a cool acquaintance." — "We're not best boys," Crisp said, "but we've hung out a couple of times."
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Shouting O's shut out — Daniel Cabrera, the Orioles' 6-foot-9 right-hander with a high-90s fastball and hit-the-mascot lack of control, knows his reputation around the league: He's not afraid to pitch inside, or, for that matter, plunk someone. — So when one of his heat-seeking missiles buzzed behind …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks edge Cardinals — The Diamondbacks are still hopeful because, really, what else can they be with their leader sitting on the bench in the dugout, watching Friday night's rousing 4-2 win from the seat adjacent to his manager? — But if they are cautiously optimistic about the health …
RELATED:
Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Webb prevents Cards from share of lead — PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Webb was good enough, and his bullpen was better. — Webb outpitched Adam Wainwright to earn his 15th victory, and the Arizona relievers blanked the Cardinals in the final three innings in the Diamondbacks' 4-2 victory Friday night.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Mets crush Astros, take six-game lead in N.L. East — The Mets lost a coin flip to Philadelphia yesterday, meaning the Phillies will host a one-game playoff if the teams wind up tied for the NL East crown. — But the Mets leapt closer last night toward ensuring that neither heads nor tails …
Discussion:
New York Post
RELATED:
Mark Hale / Mets Blog:Delgado out, while Gomez is here — Carlos Delgado spoke today …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joining his rival would be no problem for Hunter — Torii Hunter's eyebrows soared Friday when he learned the White Sox have financial room to add an impact player next season. — Minnesota's Gold Glove center fielder also is familiar with the AL Central as a notorious Sox killer …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Harlan Chamberlain sees Joba as Yankee live for first time — KANSAS CITY - Harlan Chamberlain had tears running down his face as his son entered last night's game in the seventh. By the end of the inning, he was pumping his fist and experiencing something he would never forget.
Discussion:
New York Post
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Roger Clemens could return to Yankee rotation at Fenway — Roger Clemens' status for next week is still unknown, but the Yankees have lined up their rotation for a potential Rocket return in Boston against the Red Sox. — Joe Torre announced Phil Hughes, Mike Mussina and Ian Kennedy …
Discussion:
New York Post
Jim Bowden / Examiner:
Nats have shown heart — WASHINGTON (Map, News) - ESPN's Buster Olney went on live national television during spring training to predict the Washington Nationals would lose 130 games this year. He was wrong. — Besides underestimating a group of young hard-nosed players …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats nearly no-hit, sloppy in loss — Smoltz pitches seven hitless frames; Hanrahan, defense falter — ATLANTA — The offense has been the Nationals' Achilles' heel all season. On Friday night, the Nationals showed how bad it could be. Right-hander John Smoltz came close to throwing …
Discussion:
We've Got Heart
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Urgent need of urgency — 4th loss in 5 games keeps Cubs from taking command — PITTSBURGH — Manager Lou Piniella said before Friday night's game that if anyone knew at the end of spring training the Cubs would be tied for first place on Sept. 7, "I don't think anybody would've been too disappointed …
NY Daily News:
Ankiel says he was following doc's order when he got HGH — BY ROGER RUBIN in Phoenix and T.J. QUINN in New York — Without speaking the words "human growth hormone," a subdued Rick Ankiel grudgingly admitted that he received the powerful drugs described in a Daily News story - but said he was only following a doctor's directions.
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Harold Reynolds Says Race Played a Role in His Firing — Harold Reynolds, the former "Baseball Tonight" analyst who is suing ESPN for wrongful termination, said in a court filing yesterday that the network treated him more harshly over a sexual harassment complaint than it treated white employees …
