Top News:
Chuck Carlton / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' rookie sweats first win — ccarlton@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - Rangers rookie pitcher Luis Mendoza spent an anxious ninth inning watching from the dugout Friday, waiting to see if five solid innings would translate into his first major league victory.
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Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Roger Clemens replaced by Phil Hughes today — The rare six-man turn through the Yankees' rotation was lessened by one when rookie Ian Kennedy was scratched from today's start after experiencing stiffness in his upper back during a bullpen session Wednesday.
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New York Post
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Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Yanks squander ninth-inning rally, fall 2-1/2 behind Red Sox — Joe Torre stressed earlier this week that the Yankees won't stage any champagne celebrations for clinching the wild card as long as an AL East title remains a possibility. — Hold the bubbly for now on both counts.
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New York Post
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets fight off rain delay, rally to hold off Marlins — MIAMI - A blown three-run lead. Six errors. Sound familiar? — Well, this time the Mets benefited from baseball butchery. — Suspending their stretch dive, the Mets won for just the second time in eight games, beating the Marlins …
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New York Post
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NY Daily News:
Mets a different club when Pedro Martinez pitches — MIAMI - Pedro Martinez doubles as a superstar and a good luck charm. Just his ethereal presence can reverse the whole Met karma, like one of those many movies where somebody's unfortunate essence passes from one person to another.
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New York Post
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' generation gap widens — Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garicaparra gets set to make a throw to first base to put out Arizona's Miguel Montero in the fourth inning Friday night. The Diamondbacks routed the Dodgers, 12-3. — L.A.'s clubhouse rift appears to grow as young players fire back at Kent …
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Catbird in the Nosebleed Seats
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks keep West lead, rip Dodgers — PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks won in a rout Friday night, with the old man on a roster of youngsters leading the way. — Tony Clark drove in four runs, including a two-run homer, and the Diamondbacks beat free-falling Los Angeles 12-3 for the Dodgers' sixth consecutive loss.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett uncorks milestone victory — Ace helps Red Sox inch closer to another postseason berth — ST. PETERSBURG — A 95-mph heater effortlessly purred out of Josh Beckett's right hand, and all Jonny Gomes could do was stand there and watch it for strike three.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:
Hurler's home is put on market — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It remains unclear what it means to Curt Schilling's future with the Red Sox, but the Boston pitcher this week placed his Medfield, Mass., home on the market. … Schilling, who bought the home from former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Gonzalez cuts his teeth at third — Guillen sizes up the Twins; rotation set for end of season — MINNEAPOLIS — Less than stellar results during 181 at-bats for Andy Gonzalez in 2007, coupled with shaky defense at third base, have proven to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Milledge banned three games, appeals; Beltran hurts knee — MIAMI - Lastings Milledge received a three-game suspension for Thursday's confrontation with umpire Jim Joyce, which the outfielder complicated by returning from the dugout after being escorted away. He appealed the decision and went 0-for-5 last night.
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New York Post
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Boras talks up Sox clients — Agent spins positive take on negativity … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Scott Boras and the 2007 Red Sox [team stats] might routinely be separated by miles, priorities and agendas, but there is no arguing that baseball's most powerful agent has had a sizable role …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Pena leaves with hand injury — Nats outfielder is listed as day-to-day after exiting in sixth — WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Wily Mo Pena left Friday night's game against the Phillies because of a right hand contusion. He's listed as day-to day.
Associated Press:
Pirates' prez denies report they've found new GM — PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates denied Friday they've chosen Cleveland Indians special assistant Neal Huntington as their next general manager, saying their search is ongoing. — Pirates president Frank Coonelly …
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Notes: Campillo, McLaren suspended — Righty also fined for Thursday's incident against Angels — ANAHEIM — Right-hander Jorge Campillo received a four-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball on Friday morning for throwing a head-high pitch at Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero the previous night.
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Caffeinated Confines
