Top News:
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz may be nearing the end after another rough night … NEW YORK - John Smoltz once won 24 games as a starter for the Atlanta Braves. He once saved 55 games as a closer. In his 20-year career, Smoltz has a World Series ring, a Cy Young Award and more than 3,000 strikeouts.
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
In reverse gear and skidding fast — NEW YORK - Billy Traber on the mound. Kevin Youkilis in left. John Smoltz in the showers, possibly contemplating retirement. — And the Red Sox sinking like a stone in the American League East. — Not exactly what you had in mind …
Amy K. Nelson / MLB:
Boston Red Sox's John Smoltz faces uncertainty after another rough outing — Another rough outing leaves question marks about right-hander's future … NEW YORK — About 30 minutes before first pitch on Thursday night, John Smoltz was in the depths of this new stadium, tossing a football, his spirals tight, his throws aggressive.
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Time to pull plug on John Smoltz project — NEW YORK - It seemed like a good idea at the time. — When the Red Sox [team stats] signed John Smoltz last winter, it was with the notion they could afford to have him come along slowly after shoulder surgery, integrate him into the rotation sometime …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 108: Red Sox at Yankees — YANKEES (65-42) — Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58). — RED SOX (62-44) — Ellsbury CF — Pedroia 2B — Martinez C — Youkilis LF — Ortiz DH — Drew RF — Lowell 3B — Kotchman 1B — Lowrie SS — Pitching: RHP John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12).
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox suffer along with John Smoltz — Miserable failure — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — NEW YORK - With a grade that had him on academic probation coming in, John Smoltz faced the stiffest test of his 2009 season last night against the New York Yankees.
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Associated Press:Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, MLBPA plan Saturday news conference for 2003 drug test
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Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:Bay reinjures hamstring; status up in air
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yanks add depth by acquiring Gaudin — Possible fifth starter excited about coming to New York — NEW YORK — Poll the Yankees, and they'll tell you the most significant difference between now and June, between winning and losing, has been their bullpen.
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Erik Boland / Newsday:
Yankees get pitcher Gaudin from Padres — New York Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett wipes his face in the dugout after being pulled during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, in Chicago. Burnett gave up 10 hits and seven runs in 4 2-3 innings including walking in two runs.
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
It's time to say goodbye — The hammer fell today and it hurts like hell. — They're putting the ol' baseball scribe out to pasture and if there are teardrops on your screen, well, that's from me, just an old softie. — My run is over - 37 years of bliss, doing a job that wasn't a job.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets could deal Wagner before return — SAN DIEGO - Billy Wagner could be on a contender in September. — As the former closer nears a return to the majors following Tommy John elbow surgery, a Mets insider suggested the organization would be open to dealing Wagner by the Aug. 31 postseason-roster deadline …
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Phillies GM: Happ will remain in rotation — PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could not say Thursday if Pedro Martinez will join the rotation next week. — But he could say J.A. Happ will remain in the rotation the remainder of the season. — “Happ's not going anywhere,” Amaro said.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Scherzer a student of the stats — Right-hander uses obscure numbers to analyze science of pitching — Not long after Diamondbacks pitcher Yusmeiro Petit nearly threw a no-hitter Tuesday night, Max Scherzer was on his iPhone in the visitor's clubhouse, bringing up a Web site with charts …
James Kannengieser / Amazin' Avenue:
You Always Fear What You Don't Understand — Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest is a blog dedicated to coverage of the Mets and Yankees. The tone of the site is similar to sports talk radio. There is an open and prominent aversion to statistical analysis, except for the occasional pieces by Howard Megdal.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Wrapping it up from the Bronx — A few assorted things: — • Jorge Posada played with a No. 15 decal on his mask in honor of Thurman Munson, whose funeral was 30 years ago today. “Just something I wanted to do,” he said. “He means a lot to me.” — Posada is reading Marty Appel's new book on Munson.
Chuck Finder / PBC Blog:
Prime draft choice Cain set to sign — Pending a physical examination Friday morning, Texas prep left-hander Colton Cain is expected to sign with the Pirates soon after and report to Bradenton Saturday to commence his professional career. — Cain, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound …
Surfing the Mets:
Mets reacquire Anderson Hernandez from Nats — The Mets have reacquired infielder Anderson Hernandez from the Nationals for prospect Greg Veloz. Here's the announcement: — Hernandez, 26, hit .251 (58-231) with 25 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, one home run and 23 RBI in 77 games with the Washington Nationals.
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