Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Valentine shuffles rotation leading into All-Star break — OAKLAND — Manager Bobby Valentine made some adjustments to his pitching rotation, bumping Aaron Cook up to Wednesday, when he will pitch the finale of this seven-game road trip against the Oakland Athletics.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Jimmy Durkin / ESPN:
Red Sox place Matsuzaka (neck) on 15-day DL — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Boston Red Sox placed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a strain of his right trapezius muscle. — Matsuzaka experienced tightness in the same muscle, which stretches from the neck to the shoulder, during spring training.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Cruz steals home on suicide-squeeze try, Dodgers beat Reds — LOS ANGELES — Luis Cruz doubled home the go-ahead run in his second game with the Dodgers and stole home on the next pitch, leading Los Angeles to a 3-1 victory over Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Associated Press
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Sutton's Walkoff HR Lifts Pirates to 8-7 Win — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Drew Sutton hit a one-out solo homer in the bottom of the ninth and the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to eight games over .500 for the first time in 20 years with an 8-7 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bucs Dugout and Yahoo! Sports
MLB:
Ozzie erupts in profanity-laced rant after loss … Heath Bell's latest blown save led to Ozzie Guillen's latest blowup. — In an attempt to divert attention from the embattled Bell, Guillen unleashed a profanity-laced tirade Tuesday following the Miami Marlins' heartbreaking 13-12 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com Sports News … and Baseball Prospectus
Fox Sports:
Never underestimate Cardinals GM — A few weeks back, a high-ranking Cardinals official said that the team's strategy at the July 31 non-waiver deadline would hinge largely on the health of right-hander Chris Carpenter. — Well, that strategy is now defined.
Mperri / MetsBlog.com:
Final Score: Mets 11 Phillies 1 — The Mets (44-37) defeated the Phillies (36-46) by the score of 11-1 tonight at Citi Field. … For a full recap and box score, check out SNY's In-Game Live. — Meredith Perri: Just about everything went right for the Mets tonight.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Yahoo! Sports
MLB.com:
Halladay throws second bullpen session — NEW YORK — It is painfully clear the Phillies need Roy Halladay back in the rotation as soon as possible. — He is getting closer. — He threw his second bullpen session before Tuesday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Desmond, Nationals Pound Lincecum, Top Giants 9-3 — WASHINGTON (AP) — All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond hit his 14th home run, and the Washington Nationals became the latest team to beat up on Tim Lincecum, pounding the struggling right-hander hard early and often Tuesday night in a 9-3 victory.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
White Sox pound Oswalt and Rangers 19-2 — CHICAGO—Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn and Alex Rios homered in the first inning off Roy Oswalt and All-Star Chris Sale won his 10th game Tuesday night and the Chicago White Sox routed the Texas Rangers 19-2. — Playing in his first home game …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Orioles slip past Mariners 5-4 — SEATTLE—Robert Andino homered in the ninth off Seattle reliever Charlie Furbush to give the Baltimore Orioles a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night after starter Wei-Yin Chen flirted with a perfect game for more than six innings.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Twins top Tigers for season-high fifth win in a row — DETROIT — Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe hit homers in a five-run third and Ryan Doumit had a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, lifting the Minnesota Twins to an 8-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
Volstad loses again as Cubs fall to Braves 10-3 — ATLANTA—The Chicago Cubs hoped Chris Volstad would return from the minors a better pitcher, more mature and better equipped to avoid big innings. — Instead, Volstad gave up five runs in the fifth as Chipper Jones had five hits and drove …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Dave Skretta / Associated Press:
Kauffman Stadium transforming into All-Star venue — (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File) AP Sports Writer / July 3, 2012 — KANSAS CITY, Mo.—On a piece of metal scaffolding beyond the left-field wall at Kauffman Stadium, construction workers bolted together a table under a sweltering midday sun …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
RELATED:
Paul Casella / MLB.com:
Commissioner discusses All-Star Game, replay
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com and SI Tracking Blog
