Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Joba, Yankees can't avoid the plague … CLEVELAND — The word "bizarre'' doesn't do justice to some events on a baseball field. Randy Johnson once struck and killed a dove with a fastball. A black cat walked in front of the Chicago Cubs' dugout in the summer of 1969, portending the team's late collapse against the Mets.
RELATED:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yanks 1 step from elimination after 11-inning loss to Indians — CLEVELAND - The Yankees are one loss away from a third straight first-round postseason embarrassment. And they have a Perfect Swarm to thank. — Confounded by the Indians - and countless gnats - the Bombers lost, 2-1 …
Discussion:
Hot Stove New York
George King / New York Post:
YANKS VICTIM OF INSECTICIDE — BOMBERS IN 0-2 HOLE AFTER BUGGING OUT — Termites in the bat rack, not Lake Erie midges, did in the Yankees last night. — Though a brief but fierce invasion of Jacobs Field by the local bugs helped the Indians tie the score in the eighth off Joba Chamberlain …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Wrapping it up from Jacobs Field — No audio tonight. There were so many people in the clubhouse that getting any clean tape was impossible. — Not much to say, anyway. The Yankees haven't hit. You can't win many games with one run. It's the entire team.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Return of Ramirez is power boost to lineup … Bat struck ball with a thunderous, unmistakable crack, and it was as if the words themselves were echoing off the angular walls at time-dipped Fenway Park [map]. — Manny's back. — "It feels great, man," Manny Ramirez [stats] …
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A walkoff winner — Homer in 9th by Ramírez puts Sox up 2-0 — Manny Ramírez watched his home run sail over the wall early this morning. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF) — It felt like summer all day, but the Red Sox brought back some of the autumnal magic after midnight …
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Ramirez's walk-off homer lifts Red Sox — BOSTON (AP) — One fan got a baseball. The rest left with another sweet memory. — Manny Ramirez homered off Francisco Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-3 Friday night to take a 2-0 lead in their AL playoff series.
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Angels lead Red Sox 3-2 after 3 innings — BOSTON (AP) — Just as Red Sox fans were celebrating the Yankees loss in Cleveland, the Angels gave them something to worry about. — Chone Figgins and Orlando Cabrera hit RBI doubles on the first two pitches after the crowd cheered the Indians victory …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
GLAVINE TURNS DOWN OPTION — As expected, Tom Glavine turned down his option yesterday to return to the Mets in 2008. — Glavine had a $13 million vesting option. The deadline for his decision was yesterday, but he was a long shot to accept the option. Even by declining it, he can still return to the Mets.
RELATED:
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Analysis: Tracy's future with Pirates was not in cards — Chaotic clubhouse, emotional attachment to Dodgers key to failure — June 24, Anaheim, Calif.: The Pirates are less than 24 hours removed from a 10-1 loss, and strength coach Frank Velasquez is working out feverishly in the exercise room …
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
RELATED:
Los Angeles Times:
Even former Dodger Drew can celebrate when his team is up by two — The columnist still can't get a rise out of the former Dodger. — BOSTON — I did my part. — I said hello to J.D. Drew, and although he didn't immediately fall to the ground and curl up into the fetal position, he didn't do anything to hurt the Angels in Game 1.
Neil Hohlfeld / Houston Chronicle:
Nottebart, Houston franchise's first no-hit pitcher, dies — Area resident, who made history in '63 as a Colt .45, succumbs at 71 — Don Nottebart, who pitched the first no-hitter in Houston franchise history for the Colt .45s in 1963, died Thursday in Cypress.
Discussion:
baseballtoaster.com
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards exercise option on Isringhausen — St. Louis' all-time saves leader will be back for one more year — John Mozeliak made his first official transaction as interim general manager of the Cardinals on Friday, as the club elected to exercise its 2008 contract option on reliever Jason Isringhausen.
