Top News:
Steve Springer / Los Angeles Times:
Angels complete sweep of Red Sox — Casey Kotchman's double breaks a tie in the eighth and Francisco Rodriguez gets his 40th save. — Knuckleballs or fastballs. — Small ball or big blasts. — Soar ahead or come from behind. — Good teams or bad.
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Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
K-Rod becomes fastest to 40 saves — Closer reaches tally in just 98 games; Smoltz second with 108 — ANAHEIM — By striking out the side to preserve the Angels' 5-3 win over the Red Sox on Sunday, closer Francisco Rodriguez became the fastest pitcher to tally 40 saves in Major League history.
Associated Press:
Angels Rally Again to Complete Three-Game Sweep of Red Sox — Casey Kotchman hit a two-run double to cap a three-run rally in the eighth inning and Francisco Rodríguez reached 40 saves in a season sooner than any other pitcher in major league history, helping the host Los Angeles Angels beat …
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Peter Pascarelli / ESPN:
Pascarelli: Sunday Night Baseball … ANAHEIM, Calif. — The whole idea of chronicling streaks is nothing more than underlining an arbitrarily chosen slice of a season to prove a point — negative or positive — about a player, a team, a trend or whatever suits a statistician's obsession.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wood, DL about to meet for the 12th time — Marmol would be put on the spot as closer — HOUSTON - The blister on Kerry Wood's right index finger is likely to send him to the disabled list for the 12th time in his career. — “We're coming to the point where we're going to have to come …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers near deal for Giants' Durham — GM Melvin unavailable for comment; trade may set up platoon — SAN FRANCISCO — The Brewers and Giants were poised Sunday morning to complete a trade that would send second baseman Ray Durham to Milwaukee. — The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:Brewers add a bat, deal for Giants 2B Durham
Discussion:
ShysterBall, The MLB Source, Bucs Dugout, The Transaction Guy, MLB Rumors, MLB FanHouse and Associated Press
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Wagner to have left shoulder examined — Veteran closer experiences discomfort during save on Sunday — CINCINNATI — The Mets' off-day Monday may become a day for the organization to cross its fingers and hold its breath. On the eve of the team's three-game series against the Phillies …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Not in command — SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — If the Cardinals merely hoped recovering ace Chris Carpenter would begin his long-awaited minor-league rehab assignment without physical complications, Sunday night's four-inning start for Class AA Springfield could be called a success.
Krysten Oliphant / MLB.com:
Astros place Oswalt on 15-day DL — Right-hander still recovering from hip abductor strain — HOUSTON — Roy Oswalt underwent an MRI on Saturday morning that confirmed the right-hander is still recovering from a left hip abductor strain he suffered on June 30.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers stun D-backs in ninth — Five-run rally off closer Lyon creates tie in NL West standings — PHOENIX — “Just get to their bullpen.” — In so many words, there wasn't a Dodgers player after Sunday's stunning 6-5 comeback win who didn't reveal the most obvious of game plans …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
Harris drives in 5, Nats rip Braves 15-6 — ATLANTA (AP)—The Washington Nationals, again led by former Braves outfielder Willie Harris, made Atlanta look like a former contender. — Harris drove in five runs and reached base five times, Jesus Flores had four hits and Austin Kearns hit …
Associated Press:
Mets solve Reds in 10, move into NL East tie with Phillies — CINCINNATI (AP) — Ready for an encore, Shea? — One month after they fired their manager, the New York Mets are headed home with a share of first place and a showdown ahead. Their next act comes at Shea Stadium …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Giambi, Pettitte propel Yankees to sweep of A's — NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte outpitched Oakland All-Star Justin Duchscherer, getting just enough run support from Jason Giambi's homer and a sacrifice fly by Alex Rodriguez to help the New York Yankees hold off the Athletics 2-1 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Torrealba tired of backup role, talks of trade — A month after losing his job, catcher Yorvit Torrealba is losing his patience. The veteran wondered aloud Saturday if he would be better off elsewhere. — “I am really happy for Chris (Iannetta). He's done great, but I want to play,” Torrealba said.
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