Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets fall to Marlins, East lead at 1 1-2 — MIAMI (AP) — The New York Mets twice blew a three-run lead, raising speculation they might be about to blow the NL East. — Florida took advantage of Billy Wagner's absence to rally in the ninth inning, then Dan Uggla hit an RBI double in the 10th …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
No Billy Wagner, big problem: Mets lose heartbreaker in 10th — MIAMI - And now back to panic mode. — The Mets, who mounted an inspirational comeback, squandered a three-run lead in the ninth with closer Billy Wagner unavailable because of back spasms and lost to the Marlins, 8-7 …
Discussion:
New York Post
Yahoo! Sports:
Mets RF Milledge ejected after tirade — MIAMI (TICKER) — New York Mets right fielder Lastings Milledge was ejected in the seventh inning of Thursday's game against the Florida Marlins for an extended tirade directed at plate umpire Jim Joyce. — The mercurial Milledge …
Discussion:
New York Post
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Matchups could get tricky — Playoff pairings could go down to the wire. — Another potential playoff scenario to ponder: With only 2 1/2 games separating the Angels, Indians, Red Sox and Yankees, what happens if all four teams finish the regular season with identical records?
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Postseason is what matters to Red Sox — FOXSports.com, Updated 58 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Repeat after me, Red Sox Nation: — It's not 1978. — In 1978 — hello — there was no wild card. — After the Red Sox blew their 14-game lead to Bucky Bleepin' Dent and Co., they had no chance to win the World Series.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Angels show M's who's boss in West — ANAHEIM, Calif. — On Aug. 25, the Mariners were one game away from leading the American League West. — On Sept. 21, four weeks later, the Mariners are one game away from elimination in the AL West. — For much of this misfortune, Seattle can look within.
Associated Press:
Guerrero, Anderson drive Halos past M's — LIKE THIS STORY? — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Angels moved to the brink of their third AL West title in four years. — Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer, Garret Anderson had two hits and three RBIs and Los Angeles beat …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Padres win 7th straight, half-game out — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Less than a month ago, Brett Tomko was unemployed and working out at a suburban high school, trying to fix his faulty mechanics while hoping someone would sign him. — The San Diego Padres are glad they took a chance …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Associated Press:
Rangers starter Padilla drops appeal of suspension — ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers starting pitcher Vicente Padilla dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension and started serving it Thursday night. — Padilla was suspended Tuesday for intentionally throwing at Oakland's Nick Swisher …
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Anthony Andro / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:Twins' Hunter considers Rangers
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Kapler hopes to manage a comeback as player — It had nothing to do with managing, which remains a possibility in his future. It had everything to do with his health and desire, a realization that he could still be a big league player, instead of the manager of the Single A Greenville Drive.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Astros name Wade as GM … Former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ed Wade is the new general manager in Houston. — The Astros made the announcement official at a news conference Thursday afternoon. Wade emerged from an exhaustive search that lasted nearly a month and included 11 official interviews.
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Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Phillies rally from 4 down to beat Nats — WASHINGTON (AP) — Jimmy Rollins and the Philadelphia Phillies put together yet another comeback victory in a season full of them, then ducked into a cramped clubhouse Thursday night and got to celebrate something they found equally exciting.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Reds' Griffey to miss rest of season — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season because of a strained groin, the latest in a string of injuries to Cincinnati's All-Star outfielder. — Griffey left Wednesday night's game at the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning …
N. R. Kleinfield / New York Times:
Mets Fans Brace, Wincing, for a Familiar Old Feeling: A New York City Flameout — As mortified fans watch the Mets fritter away their once-commanding grip on first place in the National League East, dread infects the city that it might be witnessing a collapse of unprecedented proportions.
Discussion:
Eephus Pitch
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Read: Management is Frustrated — At the website for Sports Illustrated, Jon Heyman writes that it's not only bloggers and fanatical e-mailers who are upset with Willie Randolph, 'who assumes the posture of a man without a care.' — According to Heyman, people within the organization …
Discussion:
Mets Lifers
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Tejada's position will be offseason debate — O's could ask shortstop to move to third — Arlington, Texas - As the Orioles head into the final days of the season, they also are moving closer to having to make a tough decision on their most accomplished player, Miguel Tejada …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Astros deliver knockout at Busch — The Cardinals found bottom Thursday night at half-empty Busch Stadium. — On a night the defending world champions achieved their league's worst run differential within an 18-1 loss, an organization that claims "Baseball's Best Fans" declined to say how many stayed home.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Hairston is Mr. Clutch once again — Padres remain one game back of D-backs in NL West — SAN DIEGO — Of course, he looks. It's September, a pennant race. He can't help himself. — No matter where he stood on Wednesday at PETCO Park — the dugout, left field or at the plate …
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Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:...And Down the Stretch They Come! — The famous horse racing call …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
