Top News:
Laurel J. Sweet / Boston Herald:
Lucchino stands behind Bobby Valentine — Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino made clear today that he's “not going to walk away” from manager Bobby Valentine and that the embattled skipper would remain on the job for the rest of the season. — In addition, Lucchino pointed …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Arguing Strop's quick pitch, Adrian, Valentine ejected — BALTIMORE — Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez prides himself in always being ready to hit, and that's exactly why he was infuriated enough on Wednesday night to be ejected for just the second time in his career.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
ESPN:
Henry: No one called for Valentine's firing — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry on Wednesday vehemently denied a Yahoo! Sports report that players had called for a managerial change at a July 26 meeting with ownership in New York. — “No one in that meeting at any time took the position that Bobby …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix, Dan Shaughnessy Watch, Sports of Boston and ESPN.com
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
John Henry answers Yahoo! story
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball Nation, baseballmusings.com, Sports of Boston and Over the Monster
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
In the latest Sox soap opera, blame is widespread
Discussion:
Hit and Run, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, WEEI, Sports of Boston, Avenging Jack Murphy and Baseball Nation
Teri Thompson / NY Daily News:
BALCO founder Victor Conte says Melky Cabrera's positive testosterone test not surprising, many more dopers are flying under radar — Conte calls synthetic testosterone, which is what San Francisco outfielder is believed to have tested positive for ‘biggest loophole in drug testing.’
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Gibson favors stricter penalties for PED use — ST. LOUIS — As soon as he heard the news about Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson went to his computer to look at the numbers. — In nine games against the D-backs …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Vinnie Duber / MLB.com:
Reddick out of A's lineup with tooth issue — Melvin takes the opportunity to give his outfielder a needed day off — KANSAS CITY — Josh Reddick is down a tooth, and it meant the A's were down a middle-of-the-order hitter for Wednesday night's game against the Royals.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Associated Press:
Smith, Getz lead Royals over Athletics — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Will Smith pitched seven strong innings, Chris Getz doubled home the go-ahead run and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night. — Smith (4-4), a 23-year-old rookie left-hander …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Associated Press:
Reds hit three homers to back Leake over Mets — CINCINNATI, Ohio — Scott Rolen and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back home runs, and Mike Leake pitched his second complete game of the season, helping the Cincinnati Reds extend their win streak to five with a 6-1 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
FUENTES LEAVES CARDINALS — The Cardinals do not expect lefty Brian Fuentes to return to the team this season after the pitcher notified club officials on Monday that he had to attend to a personal matter at home in California and would not be reporting to the ballpark.
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Umpire Gibson exits after freak play at the plate — Greg Gibson needed stitches and went for precautionary X-rays after Torii Hunter rolled into the umpire with his cleat. (Getty) — ANAHEIM — Home-plate umpire Greg Gibson was knocked out of Wednesday's game at Angel Stadium …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Cardinals Beat Diamondbacks 5-2 — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright allowed two runs in six innings and the St. Louis Cardinals got home runs from David Freese and Allen Craig in a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. — Rafael Furcal's two-run triple in the sixth gave the Cards a three-run lead.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Rays get nothing in perfect game by King Felix — As much as they've struggled offensively this season, it seemed like only a matter of time until the Rays got no-hit. — Wednesday, Seattle's Felix Hernandez did it to them. — And made it a perfect game at that, in a 1-0 final.
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Getting Blanked, Lookout Landing, Minor League Ball and baseballmusings.com
