Top News:
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Dillon Gee returns to mound as Mets top Braves 4-1 for four-game winning streak — Gee went seven innings, holding the Braves to one run on six hits. He walked one and struck out four in his first major-league start since May 10 for his fourth win. — Dillon Gee was anxious.
Discussion:
New York Post, New York Times, MLB.com, New Jersey Online, Metsblog and ESPN
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Travis d'Arnaud leading Mets' power surge — If last night's shot deep into the left field seats off Ervin Santana wasn't proof enough, consider this little tidbit: On the golf course d'Arnaud says he hits his driver 370 yards off the tee. — You didn't really need to see it to know the ball was gone.
John Jeansonne / Newsday:
Dillon Gee's return a success as Mets win fourth straight … Of course, the Mets don't want to be just another statistic. But, in baseball, there is no avoiding excess numerical data, so here goes: — Wednesday night's 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves gave the Mets their first four-game winning streak in a full year.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB.com, Amazin' Avenue and ESPN
Associated Press:
Hernandez Cruises, Phillies Beat Brewers 4-1 — MILWAUKEE — Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley homered to support Roberto Hernandez's solid start, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1 on Wednesday night for their third straight win over the NL Central leaders.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, The Good Phight and Canadian Press
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Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
After saving Phils victory, Papelbon says he's ready to move on — MILWAUKEE - There was thought, Ryne Sandberg said, to granting Roberto Hernandez a shot at his first complete game in almost a year. The sinkerballer limited Milwaukee to one run in eight innings Wednesday on 84 pitches.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and CBSSports.com
Matthew DeFranks / MLB.com:
Angels, fans giving big push for Richards in Final Vote — Righty overwhelmed, humbled by support; balloting ends today, 1 p.m. PT — ANAHEIM — Garrett Richards had never had his name used as a hashtag. — But then the 26-year-old right-hander was named an American League Final Vote candidate Sunday …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
For Cubs' Travis Wood, it's live and learn
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Giants Spoil Hammel's Debut, Beat A's 5-2 — SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Pence homered and drove in two runs, Matt Cain tossed six strong innings and the San Francisco Giants spoiled Jason Hammel's debut for Oakland with a 5-2 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, ESPN and Associated Press
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Rob Bradford / WEEI:
THE A.J. PIERZYNSKI PROBLEM WAS WORSE THAN ANYBODY COULD HAVE IMAGINED — It had a really good chance of being bad when it started. — By the end, it was worse than anybody could have expected. — When the Red Sox designated A.J. Pierzynski for assignment Wednesday …
Discussion:
Union-News, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com, Full Count, Deadspin, Over the Monster and Orioles Insider
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox To Designate A.J. Pierzynski For Assignment
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Minor League Ball, Pearly Gates, CBSSports.com, Twinkie Town, Gaslamp Ball and Al's Ramblings
Erik Malinowski / Fox Sports:
Swing away: The untold story of the first Home Run Derby — By the summer of 1985, the baseball-loving people of Minnesota had completely fallen for their Twins, even though the franchise rarely gave them a compelling reason. The team hadn't finished a season with a winning record since 1979 …
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Lind to miss six to eight weeks with foot fracture — ANAHEIM — The Blue Jays' injury situation went from bad to worse on Wednesday afternoon, when it was revealed that first baseman Adam Lind has a non-displaced fracture in his right foot. — Lind said the doctors expect him to be out for the next six to eight weeks.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Trade Rumors
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Joe Resnick / Associated Press:
Pujols' 2-run HR lifts Angels over Blue Jays, 8-7
Discussion:
TSN.ca, HardballTalk and Canadian Press
Associated Press:
Ryan Braun back for Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun has returned the Brewers starting lineup and lower down in the batting order. — Braun, who has been bothered by a bad back, was slotted into the fifth spot for Thursday afternoon's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after sitting out the previous two contests.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
BP mishap leaves Beltran with facial fractures — CLEVELAND — Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran sustained two small facial fractures in a batting-practice mishap on Wednesday afternoon, but the club is hopeful that the veteran switch-hitter will avoid a trip to the disabled list.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Brewers Sign No. 5 International Prospect Gilbert Lara — The Brewers have signed 16-year-old Dominican infielder Gilbert Lara, the No. 5 international prospect for July 2, for $3.1 million. — At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Lara is a strong, physical righthanded hitter who has an unorthodox approach …
