Top News:
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.
RELATED:
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, MLB.com, New York Times, New Jersey Online and Metsblog
John Jeansonne / Newsday:
Dillon Gee's return a success as Mets win fourth straight
Dillon Gee's return a success as Mets win fourth straight
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB.com, Amazin' Avenue and ESPN
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
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
For Cubs' Travis Wood, it's live and learn — Starter realizes it will be hard to replicate ERA from 2013, but believes he's improving through some struggles this season — CINCINNATI — Left-hander Travis Wood will be hard pressed to match 3.11 ERA of 2013, but he believes he will benefit …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 and The Good Phight
RELATED:
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
After saving Phils victory, Papelbon says he's ready to move on
After saving Phils victory, Papelbon says he's ready to move on
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and CBSSports.com
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 and ESPN
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yadier Molina Out Eight To Twelve Weeks With Torn Thumb Ligament — Catcher Yadier Molina of the Cardinals has suffered a torn thumb ligament, tweets Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is expected to miss eight to twelve weeks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bucs Dugout
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, HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors, Full Count, Deadspin, Over the Monster, CBSSports.com and Orioles Insider
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 …
Bruce Schoenfeld / New York Times:
The Mystery of the Vanishing Screwball — Hector Santiago of the Los Angeles Angels was sitting at a restaurant table in Glendale, Ariz., in March, holding an orange in his left hand. He formed a circle with his thumb and forefinger, then spread his remaining fingers around the fruit with half an inch between each one.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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:
Red Sox Monster and HardballTalk
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
RELATED:
Joe Resnick / Associated Press:
Pujols' 2-run HR lifts Angels over Blue Jays, 8-7
Pujols' 2-run HR lifts Angels over Blue Jays, 8-7
Discussion:
TSN.ca and 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 …