Top News:
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Free-agent Feliz looks for multiyear contract — (09-23) 19:46 PDT San Francisco — With all due respect, if Pedro Feliz returns to the Giants in 2008, he'd like a multiyear contract. Feliz was a free agent for the first time last winter and preferred a one-year deal …
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Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Padres fall into tie for wild-card lead — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bud Black still likes San Diego's situation with six games to go, even though the Padres' problems are mounting. — Fast. — Missing two injured outfielders, San Diego lost its fourth straight game Monday night — and sole possession of the wild-card lead.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Padres acquire OF Lane from Astros — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Needing a fast fix in their injury-depleted outfield, the San Diego Padres acquired Jason Lane from the Houston Astros on Monday for a player to be named or cash. — Lane was expected to join the club Tuesday …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros trade Lane to Padres — Move ends outfielder's six-year run with Houston — Ed Wade made his first move as the Astros' general manager on Monday, trading Jason Lane to the Padres in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. — The trade was apparently completed …
Yahoo! Sports:
Washington (69-87) at NY Mets (87-68) — The NL East-leading New York Mets hope the lowly Washington Nationals don't give them trouble this time as the teams open a three-game set Monday. — New York (87-68) squandered a pair of early four-run leads in losing two of three contests at Washington (69-87) last week.
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Nationals thump Mets, lead over Phillies is 2 — The Nationals are a team of up-and-comers and reclamation projects. There isn't a household name on the roster and they've been out of the playoff picture pretty much since the season started. And now they have become an enormous headache for the Mets at a critical juncture.
Discussion:
New York Post
Maureen Mullen / Boston Herald:
Lynn: Ellsbury has familiar look — In 15 games as a September call-up, the Red Sox [team stats]' 6-foot-1, lean, left-handed center fielder went 18-for-43, hitting .419 with two doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBI, setting the stage for a historic rookie season.
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
Yankees Rookies Dress Up in Oz Costumes — NEW YORK (AP) — Joba Chamberlain raised his oversized paws, shook his shaggy brown mane and let out a feeble roar. Looking and acting every bit the Cowardly Lion, the big reliever was ready for a scrap Monday. — "Put 'em up!
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Pitching coach opts to 'explore options' — Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has left the Marlins because of what sources described as a dispute over his salary for next season. — With a 66-90 record and six games left, the Marlins are headed toward one of the worst finishes in their 15-year history, largely because of poor pitching.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
George Vecsey / New York Times:
East Races Are as Different as N.L. and A.L. — At 6:08 p.m. on my laptop digital clock yesterday, both New York teams had the bases loaded. Alex Rodriguez was at bat in the Bronx while Carlos Delgado was up in Florida, two of the great hitters of this generation.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Hill shut down for season — Righty will need surgery for nerve problem in forearm — NEW YORK — Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will miss the rest of the season because of a nerve problem in his right forearm. Like right-hander John Patterson before him, the radial nerve needs to be decompressed.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Buehrle shut down after killing bear — MINNEAPOLIS — The deal was if Mark Buehrle got his bear, he was out of the starting rotation for the rest of the season. — Saturday night, the White Sox left-hander kept up his end of the bargain. — Buehrle went bear hunting in northern Minnesota …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Harris pleased with Kearns — Hitting coach happy with slugger's second-half production — NEW YORK — Nationals interim hitting coach Lenny Harris has been on the job since May and he said his most pleasant surprise has been right fielder Austin Kearns.
USA Today:
Mazzone's magic yet to mend Orioles' mound woes — BALTIMORE — Leo Mazzone arrived in Baltimore nearly two years ago armed with immaculate credentials, a three-year, $1.5 million contract and a Herculean assignment: return the Orioles pitching staff to respectability.
Larry Lage / Associated Press:
Rondell White is "99 percent" sure this will be his last week as a ballplayer — DETROIT (AP) — Rondell White plans to retire after finishing this season with the Minnesota Twins. — The popular outfielder and designated hitter said there is a "99 percent chance" he will hang up his spikes for good after this week.
