Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A Nation worries about its ace — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - While New England slept, the Tampa Bays Rays evened the American League Championship Series last night, winning a 5-hour-27-minute marathon, 9-8, on B.J. Upton's sacrifice fly in the 11th at 1:35 this morning.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
In Long Night of Home Runs, Upton's Sacrifice Pulls Rays Even — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Red Sox pushed, but the Rays shoved back. The Red Sox slapped the Rays, but they smacked back. It was a game the Red Sox wanted to win but one the Rays desperately needed to win.
Discussion:
THE BASEBALL SAVANT
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
The lineup explained — The Red Sox, as posted previously, made some alterations to their lineup tonight, most notably taking out right fielder J.D. Drew and inserting Coco Crisp. The move had nothing to do with Drew's health, either his long-ailing back or his right shoulder, which was struck by a Grant Balfour fastball last night.
Jack Curry / New York Times:
To Ortiz, the Rays Appear To Be Feeling the Pressure — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — David Ortiz of the Red Sox saw faces, lots of faces, on Friday night. They were different from the faces Ortiz had noticed before. To Ortiz, the Tampa Bay Rays' expressions made them seem tentative.
Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
Shooting from The Lip: Mets, Yanks should stay away from Manny — Both the Mets and Yankees, who are a little desperate these days as they watch the baseball postseason go on without them, should stay away from Manny Ramirez. Let the Dodgers pay him. And have him.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES — Colletti walks line between baseball genius and scapegoat — (10-12) 04:00 PDT Los Angeles — Word on the street here a few months ago was that Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti better not sign a long-term lease on his Los Angeles apartment.
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Manny on the Mets — LOS ANGELES — We're in this brave, new world in which Manny Ramirez actually asks reporters if they have any more questions for him. Seriously. And this came after a session of about 10 minutes by his locker. A few of us stuck around, and when Manny caught wind …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Beckett received shot — He had injection for oblique injury — Josh Beckett appears to be progressing toward full health, but team sources confirmed that the Red Sox pitcher required an injection of a painkiller and anti-inflammatory medication after injuring his right oblique during …
Ian / SOX & Dawgs:
Please Don't Quit Your Day Jobs — I am not sure there are really any words to explain this from the end of the TBS postgame coverage after Game 2 of the ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. — At least they all agree they were brutal.
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Mets are legends in their own minds — There's a feeling around the Mets that somehow they are the uncrowned champions of the National League, the best team with the worst luck, or some such nonsense. — They tell themselves they should have been in the 2006 World Series …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
George A. King III / New York Post:
HANK: I'M STILL IN CHARGE HERE! — TAMPA - Sitting behind his desk at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Hank Steinbrenner yesterday spit on the notion he has taken a step back in running the Yankees. — “There is one very important point here,” Steinbrenner told The Post during an exclusive half-hour session.
Associated Press:
Philadelphia takes control — PHILADELPHIA — There are so many big hitters in Philadelphia's potent lineup, no one ever expected it would be pitcher Brett Myers who put the Phillies in control of the NL championship series with his bat. — Myers did better at the plate than on the mound …
Discussion:
Washington Post, Mike's Baseball Rants, ESPN, Phillies Nation, USA Today, Camden Chat and Associated Press
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