Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Espinosa homers twice, drives in six in rout — WASHINGTON — Danny Espinosa is the reason the Nationals were able to overcome a three-run deficit and pound the Mets, 13-3, at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon. — The rookie infielder went 4-for-5, hit two home runs and knocked in six runs …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Morgan considering winter ball options — WASHINGTON — Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan said Monday that he is thinking about playing in the Dominican Winter League after the Major League season is over. — Morgan said his decision on playing winter ball will be made after his hearing with the league office on Friday.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Tim Britton / MLB.com:
Yankees edged by O's despite solid A.J. — NEW YORK — In the parlance of baseball, momentum within a season equates to the next day's starting pitcher. Reduced more narrowly, momentum within a game is only as good as the next inning's pitcher, and his ability to post the all-important shutdown inning.
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Will Leitch / New York Magazine:
Bronx Mirage — Why won't the Yankees win the World Series?
Discussion:
Yankeeist, Pinstripe Alley and It's About The Money
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Frustration Simmers but Doesn't Boil Over in Loss
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Associated Press:
Thome and Kubel homer in 5th inning, Twins beat KC — MINNEAPOLIS—Jason Kubel hit a go-ahead homer and Jim Thome launched his 585th career home run moments later, powering the Minnesota Twins past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Monday. — The fifth-inning shots by Kubel and Thome kept …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Adalberto Mendez debuts with 6 innings, 1-hit ball vs Phils — PHILADELPHIA — Adalberto Mendez pitched one-hit ball for six scoreless innings in his major league debut before injuring himself, and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-1 Monday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, FishStripes and Associated Press
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Michael Radano / MLB.com:
Phillies' bats stifled in Game 1 loss to Fish — Worley's solid first start goes for naught vs. Mendez and Co. — PHILADELPHIA — Maybe it just seems like the Phillies struggle every time they encounter a pitcher for the first time. — Maybe it's an illusion that rookie hurlers bring …
Associated Press:
Neil Walker homers, Pirates beat first-place Braves 3-1 — PITTSBURGH — Neil Walker hit a two-run homer, Brian Burres limited Atlanta to one run over six innings in his first start in more than three months and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the slumping Braves 3-1 on Monday.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
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MLB.com:
Outfielder Baxter joins Padres from Triple-A — Lefty Garrison designated to open spot on 40-man roster — SAN DIEGO — Outfielder Mike Baxter, who hit .301 with 58 extra-base hits with Triple-A Portland this season, joined the Padres before Monday's game against the Dodgers at PETCO Park.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres end skid at 10, protect NL West lead — Stauffer solid in spot start; Hundley homers, drives in two — SAN DIEGO — Tim Stauffer allowed one run in four innings in a spot start on Monday as the Padres snapped a 10-game losing skid with a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers in front of a crowd of 23,574 at PETCO Park.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
A's offense does plenty, gets Anderson another win — OAKLAND, Calif.—Coco Crisp and Matt Carson each hit solo home runs to back Brett Anderson, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 Monday. — Anderson (4-6) allowed four hits in a season-high 7 2-3 innings and left to a standing ovation.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and baseballmusings.com
Brian MacPherson / Providence Journal:
On rehab assignment, Varitek talks of playing in 2011 — PAWTUCKET — No matter what happens with his Red Sox team the rest of the way, Jason Varitek isn't about to make the final month of the season any sort of farewell tour. The 38-year-old catcher will be a free agent after the season ends …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Over the Monster and MLB Rumors
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Maddon advocates balanced schedule — BOSTON — When asked if this season's pennant race has been more challenging than 2008's, Rays manager Joe Maddon answered, “Yes.” Then he explained why. — “I'm saying yes because of the [rise] of Toronto and now Baltimore,” Maddon said.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gomez sets plan to reclaim a starting job — MILWAUKEE — Erstwhile Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez isn't happy about being buried on the bench, but he has a plan to reclaim his job from rookie Lorenzo Cain next spring. — Gomez said he will play a longer than usual schedule with Escondido …
