Top News:
Associated Press:
Niese, Mets keep Atlanta on the skids — ATLANTA — Jonathon Niese is gaining confidence as the season comes to a close. The difference is obvious to Mets manager Terry Collins. — “That's the Jon Niese we know,” Collins said. “That's the guy who pitches to contact, makes pitches, locates it, moves it around, changes speeds.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Associated Press:
Mets deal blow to Braves' fading playoff hopes
Mets deal blow to Braves' fading playoff hopes
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, ESPN and Talking Chop
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
eMail Q&A: Will the Mets ever have a New York payroll?
eMail Q&A: Will the Mets ever have a New York payroll?
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Astros Hit 5 HRs, Stop Mariners From Moving Up — HOUSTON — Seattle starter Chris Young got hit hard and the Mariners missed a chance to move up in the AL playoff race, yielding five home runs Saturday night in a 10-1 loss to the Houston Astros. — The Mariners stayed one game behind AL …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and The Crawfish Boxes
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Associated Press:
Brewers blank Pirates to tighten NL wild-card race — PITTSBURGH — Elian Herrera sprinted home on Logan Schafer's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 on Saturday night to tighten the race for the second National League wild-card spot.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB
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Canadian Press:
Zimmermann has two hits, RBI in return as Nationals beat Marlins — MIAMI — Ryan Zimmerman had two hits, including an RBI triple, in his return to the lineup and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 Saturday night. — Zimmerman, who missed 55 games because of a hamstring injury …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Lester, A's stifle Phils to regain top WC spot — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Jon Lester holds Phillies to 5 hits as A's move ahead in wild-card race — OAKLAND, Calif. — Coco Crisp had two hits and drove in a run, supporting another strong outing …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, baseballmusings.com, Athletics Nation and Canadian Press
Canadian Press:
Ortiz homers twice to lead Red Sox over Orioles — BALTIMORE — David Ortiz hit two home runs, including a two-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted the Boston Red Sox past the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 Friday night. — Although the AL East-champion Orioles are still in the running …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Camden Chat and Surviving Grady
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Seeing Eye Ball — The Royals tie the game at one in the bottom of the fifth inning after Jarrod Dyson doubles, and Alcides Escobar hits a grounder up the middle. Ian Kinsler crossed over to the third base side of second and tried to back-hand the ball, but he did not get low enough and it rolled under his glove.
Discussion:
MLive.com and Bless You Boys
Canadian Press:
Butler captures first major league win as Rockies top D-Backs — DENVER — Eddie Butler pitched six solid innings for his first major league win and the Colorado Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Saturday. — Corey Dickerson and Josh Rutledge homered for the Rockies …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Associated Press:
Cards' magic number at 1 with win over Reds — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Cardinals hit three home runs to top Reds, move closer to playoffs — ST. LOUIS — Tony Cruz hit a three-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals connected three times …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, CBSSports.com and Canadian Press
Jake Kring-Schreifels / MLB.com:
Tanaka likely to throw 70-75 pitches in Sunday start — 7/3/14: Masahiro Tanaka pitches seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out three to earn his MLB-leading 12th win — NEW YORK — After a successful bullpen session Thursday and some more long-toss throwing Friday …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Canadian Press:
Kinsler homers, Verlander sharp as Tigers beat up Royals — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers insisted that they weren't trying to make a statement. — They accomplished it anyway. — Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer, everyone in the Detroit starting lineup had a hit by the fourth inning …
Discussion:
Royals Review, Athletics Nation, Associated Press, Bless You Boys and TSN.ca
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Phillies issue statement supporting MLB's decision — Chris Rose and Kevin Millar break down the news of Jonathan Papelbon's seven-game suspension and his future with the Phillies on Quick Pitch — SAN DIEGO — Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon was suspended for seven games and fined …
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Games of the Day — Take a late lunch if you'd like to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch against Edwin Jackson as the Dodgers play the Cubs in an afternoon tilt. If you draw the innings line at 135 IP, Kershaw and Jackson are at opposite ends of the spectrum, Kershaw with the best ERA in the majors, Jackson the worst.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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