Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
John Henry says Red Sox will lead effort to change name of Yawkey Way — The Red Sox have had enough. — At a moment when racial tensions have escalated rapidly and the removal of Confederate statues acts as a flashpoint for violent and racially divisive protests, the Red Sox are ready …
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Associated Press:
Red Sox owner John Henry wants to rename Yawkey Way for David Ortiz — Retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is honored with the renaming of a portion of Yawkey Way to David Ortiz Drive outside Fenway Park in Boston on June 22. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Yankees series in Boston is one of last chances to catch Red Sox in standings — The Yankees vanquished their cross-town foes this week, and now they have their second chance in as many weekends to strike a blow against their hated division rivals. — After finishing off a four-game Subway Series sweep …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Jose Abreu steps in after White Sox rookie Reynaldo Lopez tries to pitch through soreness — White Sox manager Rick Renteria on removing Reynaldo Lopez from Thursday's game against the Rangers with right side soreness on Aug. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: Ross did one thing well in an otherwise messy start — The Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox played a game Thursday in 3 hours, 49 minutes. — No extra innings. No rain delay. No home team batting in the ninth. — That was three minutes faster …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Ex-Rangers lefty Holland returns to ‘where it all started’
Ex-Rangers lefty Holland returns to ‘where it all started’
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Zimmerman's homer lifts Nationals to 2-1 win vs Padres — SAN DIEGO (AP) — With 33-year-old Edwin Jackson mostly frustrating the San Diego Padres for seven innings, Ryan Zimmerman and the rest of the Washington Nationals figured out a way to win on just four hits.
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Dennis Lin / The Charlotte Observer:
Ryan Zimmerman's homer, missed opportunities sink Padres in series opener — Jhoulys Chacin brought the majors' second-lowest home ERA into his start Thursday against the Washington Nationals. On the surface, what ensued did little to affect his reputation as a force in downtown San Diego.
Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
Ryan Zimmerman's eighth-inning home run lifts Nats past Padres, 2-1
Ryan Zimmerman's eighth-inning home run lifts Nats past Padres, 2-1
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Gaslamp Ball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Ervin, Votto lead Reds past Cubs despite Chicago's 6 homers — CHICAGO (AP) — Phillip Ervin hit a two-run homer to snap a tie in the seventh inning and had four RBIs in his first major league start as the Cincinnati Reds rebounded from blowing a nine-run lead to defeat the Chicago Cubs 13-10 on Thursday.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
After roller-coaster win over Cubs, Reds exhale
Brian Hall / UPI:
Minnesota Twins pick up split with Cleveland Indians behind Max Kepler homer — MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning after his slip led to an Indians run in the top of the inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 4-2 to split a day-night doubleheader Thursday at Target Field.
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MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Arizona Diamondbacks ride Patrick Corbin for split with Houston Astros — HOUSTON — Patrick Corbin came within an out of his first complete game in nearly four years, scattering four hits in 8 2/3 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a split of their four-game, home-and-home interleague series …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Fox Sports:
Frustrated Astros look to get back on track vs. A's (Aug 18, 2017) — HOUSTON — Astros manager A.J. Hinch spoke with obvious frustration in the aftermath of another Houston loss on Thursday, the 13th setback in 19 games for top team in the American League.
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Dodgers' success comes mostly from homegrown talent as ownership looks to get out from bloated contracts — So far this has been quite a year for La La Land. — Following on the heels of the mega hit (and for an uncomfortable brief minute Oscar-winning) movie, the Los Angeles Dodgers …
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Toronto Blue Jays escape Tampa Bay Rays — TORONTO — Justin Smoak hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning, Josh Donaldson hit two solo homers and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Thursday. — Smoak hit his 33rd homer of the season with one out against Tommy Hunter (2-4) after Donaldson walked.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Ian Harrison / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Smoak hits tiebreaking homer in 8th, Jays beat Rays 5-3
Smoak hits tiebreaking homer in 8th, Jays beat Rays 5-3
Discussion:
Associated Press, DRaysBay and baseballmusings.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz's current slump has Mets lowering their expectations of him — Steven Matz stood on the bullpen mound last week just taking the ball out of his glove and pulling his arm back over and over again. The Long Island lefty repeated that small step for at least five minutes with Dan Warthen watching closely.
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CSN Philly:
Tonight's lineup: Odubel Herrera sits again; struggling Tommy Joseph slides — The Phillies will be without their best hitter for a third straight game. — Because of a nagging left hamstring, Odubel Herrera is not in the lineup Thursday night when the Phillies kick off a four-game series against the Giants at AT&T Park.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beantown meltdown: Cardinals furious after Fenway fiasco — Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr. slides home with the winning run as the relay throw gets away from St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday. The Red Sox won 5-4. (AP Photo) — BOSTON
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Cardinals lose closer to injury and it could impact the NL Central playoff race
Cardinals lose closer to injury and it could impact the NL Central playoff race
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Paul Gackle / The Charlotte Observer:
Giants bats cool off baseball's hottest pitcher — No one is going to mistake the San Francisco Giants for the 1927 New York Yankees these days. Well, no one other than baseball's hottest pitcher, that is. — Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola should be excused if he left …
USA Today:
How MLB got Williamsport, Pa., ready for big leaguers — The City of Williamsport, PA is accustomed to having its population of 30,000 swell to over 300,000 for ten days every August when the Little League World Series comes to town. What they aren't used to is having Major League Baseball players in their midst.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos