Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Smoltz admits 'We're not as good as them' — New York — If an epitaph were written for this Braves season, it should include something like this: "In close games they played hard, but not very well." — The Braves were on the wrong side of another close one Wednesday …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Shawn Green's single lifts Mets and bails out bullpen — The Braves are done. The Phillies are nearly finished, too, even before they arrive in Flushing tomorrow. — Yet even with a 4-3 win last night over Atlanta salvaged by Shawn Green's eighth-inning RBI single …
Discussion:
New York Post
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Guillermo Mota gives no relief for Mets - again — The boos cascade down regardless of the situation for Guillermo Mota, usually beginning before he even unleashes a single pitch. — In what might have been a Shea first, Mota was booed even when he was announced as the winning pitcher during …
Discussion:
Yes Joe, It's Toasted.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Shawn Green lifts Mets over Braves — Guillermo Mota won't need to go into hiding thanks to Shawn Green. — Summoned to protect a two-run lead with the bases loaded and two out in the eighth, Mota surrendered a game-tying single to Jeff Francoeur. But Green's RBI single a half-inning later …
Los Angeles Times:
Lowe misses start with a hurt hand — The season that Derek Lowe felt was long grew even longer Wednesday, his start pushed back by a contusion in his pitching hand. — Lowe was hurt playing catch with Jonathan Broxton during pregame warmups Tuesday, as a ball missed his glove and struck …
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Notes: Evans to interview for GM — Former Dodgers general manager to meet with club Thursday — HOUSTON — The Astros will conclude their first round of general manager interviews on Thursday when they meet with two candidates — assistant GM Ricky Bennett and Dan Evans …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mussina sharp as Yankees win seventh in a row — TORONTO - When Joe Torre ambled out to the mound last night, Mike Mussina thought the manager was going to ask how he felt about pitching to lefty Lyle Overbay with two runners on base. Torre stood close to his righthander and spoke quietly until …
Discussion:
New York Post
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Joba Chamberlain's scoreless run over — TORONTO - After giving up the first run of his big-league career last night, Joba Chamberlain is no Slow Joe Doyle. — Chamberlain allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning last night when Alex Rodriguez made a bad throw on a grounder that would've ended the inning.
Discussion:
New York Post
Amy Shipley / Washington Post:
Ump Tells Lout To Not Shout, So He's Out — There were so few fans at Dolphin Stadium for Wednesday's game, a season ticket holder got thrown out for heckling the umpire too loudly. — In the fifth inning of the Florida Marlins' 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals …
Discussion:
FishStripes, Washington Times, Baseball Musings, Palm Beach Post, District of Baseball and William World News
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Joe Torre brushes back Jays' A-Rod video game — TORONTO - Alex Rodriguez and the Blue Jays have a heated history this season, with A-Rod getting plunked twice in retaliation for his infamous "Ha!" play, when he distracted Toronto fielders from an infield pop.
USA Today:
Baseball on HGH: 'We're doing everything we can' — Major League Baseball, furious at the continued criticism of its drug-testing policy, is convinced the program is the strongest in U.S. sports despite there being no practical test for human growth hormone.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
As Yankees Look to Cash in Now, Stars Await in 2008 — No matter how their season ends, the Yankees will have little time to savor victory or dwell on defeat. They have major personnel decisions to make in the immediate aftermath of the season. — Actually, they have already decided on the basics …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper could be back by Friday — New York — After sitting out this week's important series against the Mets with a sore oblique muscle in his right side, oft-injured third baseman Chipper Jones believes he could be ready to play Friday when the Braves open a series against the Nationals in Washington.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Notes: El Duque ailing just a bit — Despite the pain, veteran is still scheduled to pitch on Monday — NEW YORK — Orlando Hernandez insisted that he was feeling fine on Tuesday night — as fine, at least, as a pitcher can feel after allowing eight runs in three-plus unattractive innings.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Ortiz comes to rescue again for Red Sox — As the night went deeper, and the zeros advanced across the scoreboard next to "BOSTON," it became increasingly difficult not to notice what was happening next to "NYY." — A seventh straight win by the Yankees, and a loss by the Red Sox in the rubber …
