Top News:
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Bartolo Colon solid, Mets' bats do enough to take 3 of 4 from Cardinals — For a second straight game, Citi Field looked as if it had hosted an impromptu ticker-tape parade. Wind sent debris swirling around the diamond. Between innings, workers scurried to collect the detritus.
Discussion:
New York Post, New York Times, New Jersey Online and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Daisuke Matsuzaka earns first major league save to help Mets beat Cardinals — The Mets (12-10) have won four of their last five and took the series against the defending National League champions for their fourth series win of the season. The Mets are two games above .500 for the first time since April 16, 2013.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Metsblog and ESPN
Canadian Press:
Colon, Mets shut down Cardinals in matinee
Colon, Mets shut down Cardinals in matinee
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Viva El Birdos
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Unless Curtis Granderson becomes hitting machine, Mets offense not dangerous enough to contend
Unless Curtis Granderson becomes hitting machine, Mets offense not dangerous enough to contend
Discussion:
Metsblog and New York Post
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
MLB makes 1st major adjustment of replay era, tweaks transfer rule — A catch is a catch again. — Major League Baseball made its first major adjustment of the replay era on Friday, going back to a less strict interpretation of the transfer rule, effective immediately.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Hardy no longer answering contract questions — TORONTO — Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who returned to the O's lineup on Wednesday night for the series finale against the Blue Jays, will no longer discuss the status of his contract, which has him set to be a free agent at the end of this year.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Royals Review
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mookie Wilson: I went from Mets hero to ‘hood ornament’ — Mookie Wilson at an All-Star Game press conference at Citi Field in 2013 — Mookie Wilson isn't feeling loved by the Mets. — The 1986 World Series hero, who still serves as a club ambassador, writes in his soon …
Discussion:
Metsblog, HardballTalk and New Jersey Online
TSN.ca:
Buehrle eyes some history as Blue Jays host Red Sox — The Sports Network — TORONTO - Mark Buehrle eyes up a historic win Friday night when the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Boston Red Sox to town for the opener of a three-game set between American League East rivals.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Canadian Press
Susan Slusser / Oakland Athletics:
A's A.J. Griffin to get second opinion; elbow issue not improved — Shutting A.J. Griffin down for more than a month does not seem to have resolved the discomfort the A's starter was feeling. The right-hander will get a second opinion on his elbow from Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff in Houston next Tuesday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
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Richard Justice / MLB.com:
Crew should ride the wave, not look up — Carrying best record in baseball, Milwaukee trying to keep big picture out of sight — Ride the wave, Brewers. Ride the wave, boys. Who knows where it'll end? Don't look up now. At this point, the worst thing you guys can do is start thinking.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
Phillies beat Wilson, Dodgers with rally in 9th — Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Phillies top Dodgers as Carlos Ruiz doubles off Brian Wilson in ninth — LOS ANGELES — Carlos Ruiz hit a tiebreaking …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, CBSSports.com and ESPN
Rachel Axon / USA Today:
Woman files lawsuit saying she was raped by Reds P Alfredo Simon — A woman who says she was raped by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Alfredo Simon in April 2013 filed a civil lawsuit in Washington D.C. Superior Court on Thursday. — The lawsuit was filed under a pseudonym, Jane Doe.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and Red Reporter
Associated Press:
Donaldson Leads A's Past Astros 10-1 — HOUSTON — Josh Donaldson hit a pair of two-run homers to help the Oakland Athletics cruise to a 10-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night. — It was the first career multihomer game for Donaldson, who connected in the first inning and pushed …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Mick Swasko / redeyechicago.com:
Wrigley's 100th birthday cake uneaten, disposed by Field Museum; Cubs ‘disappointed’ — Wrigley and the Cubs had their birthday cake, and now it's in the trash. — The 400-pound Cake Boss-created birthday cake for Wrigley's centennial was a spectacle at Wednesday's celebration.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, ESPN, HardballTalk, Extra Mustard and New Jersey Online
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Headley strains calf during at-bat, exits in second — WASHINGTON — Padres third baseman Chase Headley left Thursday's game against the Nationals after he came out of the box awkwardly during a second-inning at-bat. — The official word on his injury was a strained right calf …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ian O'Connor / ESPN:
Pineda's folly could sink the season — Fenway's funny scene won't be so funny if Yankees miss playoffs by one game — BOSTON — Just in case Michael Pineda never makes it as a New York Yankee, he decided to prep himself for a second career as a stand-up comic.
Discussion:
New York Post, NY Daily News, Red Sox Monster and Union-News
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Erik Boland / Newsday:
Joe Girardi lashes out at ESPN camera, files a protest
Joe Girardi lashes out at ESPN camera, files a protest
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues