Top News:
csnphilly.com:
Ryan Howard sits; future with team a major question — Slumping Ryan Howard was not in the Phillies' starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher for the second time in six post-all-star break games on Thursday night, and his future with the team is in serious question.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Acquire Joakim Soria — 10:25pm: The Tigers have announced the deal, making it official. — 9:23pm: The Tigers have agreed to acquire reliever Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout.com was first to report on Twitter.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Bless You Boys, Bucs Dugout, Lone Star Ball and Deadspin
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks must ask: Is bad pitching luck really about luck? — In his second start with his new team on Saturday, New York Yankees right-hander Brandon McCarthy fired six innings of one-run ball against the Cincinnati Reds. As it pertains to the Diamondbacks …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
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Katy Clarke / WFAA-TV:
Rangers washed away with 2-1 loss to Yankees — After five and a third innings, the Texas Rangers were handed a 2-1 loss by the New York Yankees and their grounds crew. — As torrential downpours hit New York City, the Yankees' grounds crew struggled to get a tarp on the infield.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Metsblog:
Game Recap: Mets 3 - Mariners 2 — Result: The Mets defeated the Mariners, 3-2, taking the rubber match of the three-game series. — Need to Know: Bartolo Colon was perfect through 6 2/3 innings before Robinson Cano spoiled things with a single to left. Colon allowed two runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Rays' win streak reaches 7 behind Alex Cobb — ST. LOUIS — Alex Cobb struck out 10 and drove in a run with his first major league hit, leading Tampa Bay to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night, the Rays' seventh straight win. — Cobb (6-6) blanked the Cardinals on five hits over seven innings.
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Canadian Press:
Freeman's three-run HR helps Braves beat Marlins — ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer, Ervin Santana won his second straight start and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Wednesday night. — The victory pulled Atlanta within one game of first-place Washington in the NL East.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Fish Stripes
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
2015 Competitive Balance Lottery Results — The Competitive Balance Lottery for the 2015 MLB Draft took place this afternoon. Twelve competitive balance picks are awarded, with the first six taking place after the first round's conclusion and the next six taking place following conclusion of the second round.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Let's Go Tribe, Camden Chat, Brew Crew Ball and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Yoenis Cespedes has 2 HRs, 5 RBIs in win, exits for sprained thumb — OAKLAND, Calif. — What should have been a runaway win for the Oakland Athletics ended with questions and concerns. — Yoenis Cespedes homered twice and tied a career high with five RBIs before leaving with a sprained right thumb.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Associated Press:
Angels Beat O's on Bases-Loaded Walk in 8th — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kole Calhoun drew a bases-loaded walk from reliever Brian Matusz in the eighth inning after a tying RBI double by Erick Aybar, and the Los Angeles Angels pulled out a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Associated Press
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
David Ortiz reaches 1,500 RBIs — TORONTO — With his fourth home run in three games here Wednesday night, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz became the 53rd player in major-league history to drive in 1,500 or more runs in his career. — Ortiz lined a knuckleball from Toronto's R …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Associated Press
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
AVOIDING AN UNTENABLE LOGJAM IN LOS ANGELES — How motivated are the Dodgers to trade Matt Kemp? How motivated should they be? — Depends whom you ask. — Some rival executives say the Dodgers want to move Kemp. The team certainly is open to trade offers.
Associated Press:
Pence's 3-RBI double sends Giants past Phils — Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Hunter Pence's bases-clearing double in 9th carries Giants by Phillies — PHILADELPHIA — There are no secrets …
Discussion:
MLB and McCovey Chronicles
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