Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals sending Carlos Martinez for another series of exams on muscle strain — MINNEAPOLIS • The reports back from St. Louis about Carlos Martinez's schedule as he recovers from what was described as a mild muscle strain have now given rise to a prescription.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Giants' Brandon Belt says plate umpire cheated him to ‘get the game over with’ — A series-ending loss to the National League-worst Reds wasn't the only thing that left Giants slugger Brandon Belt raw on Wednesday. — It was how that 6-3 defeat ended that rubbed the left fielder the wrong way.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Giants slugger Brandon Belt questions umpire's integrity after questionable call ends game — SAN FRANCISCO - Brandon Belt's habit of taking borderline pitches and often getting rung up has long frustrated Giants fans. — On Wednesday it was the San Francisco first baseman who expressed his frustration …
Michael Wagaman / Associated Press:
Crawford has 4 hits, Belt homers as Giants beat Reds 5-3
Crawford has 4 hits, Belt homers as Giants beat Reds 5-3
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Gabe Kapler explains unorthodox ninth-inning bullpen decision — BALTIMORE — Edubray Ramos had struck out Baltimore Orioles boppers Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo — on six pitches, no less — in a classic save situation Wednesday when Phillies manager Gabe Kapler signaled to the bullpen for embattled closer Hector Neris.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Todd Karpovich / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Pivetta strikes out 11, Phillies beat Orioles 4-1 — Nick Pivetta tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts, — Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Wednesday in a wet interleague matchup. — Philadelphia (24-16) climbed eight games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2011 season.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and The Good Phight
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles lose, 4-1, as Andrew Cashner pays penalty for third trip through lineup again
Orioles lose, 4-1, as Andrew Cashner pays penalty for third trip through lineup again
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Camden Chat
Associated Press:
Red Sox manager Alex Cora surprised by Carson Smith's injury comment — BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he was surprised to hear that reliever Carson Smith feels that fatigue could have contributed to his dislocated pitching shoulder. — Smith was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Agent asks Red Sox to trade Blake Swihart
Agent asks Red Sox to trade Blake Swihart
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, CBSSports.com, CBS Boston, NESN.com, Over the Monster and MLB Trade Rumors
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers … CONNECT — You'd think after becoming the first Diamondbacks pitcher in franchise history to face three different Cy Young Award winners in a row that nothing could faze right-hander Matt Koch. Especially after the way things worked out for him.
RELATED:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Mets place Cespedes on the disabled list — Yoenis Cespedes spent about a week trying to play through his latest lower body injury. Now, he and the New York Mets are opting to play it safe. — The team placed Cespedes, an outfielder, on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday …
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Jake Seiner / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Happ reaches 3 times, allows 2 runners as Jays thump Mets
Happ reaches 3 times, allows 2 runners as Jays thump Mets
Discussion:
Associated Press
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Ex-Hernando High standout Christian Arroyo gets called up — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Rays' decision to be cautious with RF Carlos Gomez's groin tightness got Hernando High product Christian Arroyo a late-night phone call, an early morning flight from Durham, N.C. …
RELATED:
Tampa Bay Times:
Rays call up Hernando High's Christian Arroyo, put Carlos Gomez on DL
Rays call up Hernando High's Christian Arroyo, put Carlos Gomez on DL
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays edge Royals in Anthony Banda's Tampa Bay debut
Rays edge Royals in Anthony Banda's Tampa Bay debut
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and DRaysBay
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers prospect mailbag: Is Derek Hill considered a bust? — Welcome to the weekly Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions. Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by email at gsipple@freepress.com. … Don't write him off yet, Philip.
Associated Press:
Wade leads Lake County over South Bend 5-2 — EASTLAKE, Ohio (AP) — Austen Wade had two hits and scored two runs as the Lake County Captains defeated the South Bend Cubs 5-2 in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. — South Bend started the scoring in the first inning.
Associated Press:
Perez induces double play, leads Scranton/WB to 3-1 win over Lehigh Valley — SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Oliver Perez got Danny Ortiz to hit into a double play in the eighth inning, leading the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to a 3-1 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Wednesday.
Associated Press:
Derek Jeter staying positive despite frustrations with Marlins' record, attendance — MIAMI — Derek Jeter was chatting with a cluster of fans during Miami Marlins batting practice Wednesday when a preschooler wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap asked him to sign a baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, True Blue LA and ESPN
Charles Odum / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Acuna gets big hit as Braves score 3 in 8th, beat Cubs 4-1 — ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuna Jr. drove in — Ozzie Albies with the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning to send the — Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Wednesday night. — Carl Edwards Jr. (2-1) allowed five straight baserunners …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Ficociello, Salter lift Erie over Binghamton 10-3 — BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) — Dominic Ficociello doubled three times, driving home two runs as the Erie SeaWolves topped the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 10-3 on Wednesday. With the loss, the Rumble Ponies snapped a five-game winning streak.
Associated Press:
Plutko, Cabrera lead Columbus to 6-1 win over Gwinnett — COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Melky Cabrera singled three times, and Adam Plutko allowed just two hits over six innings as the Columbus Clippers defeated the Gwinnett Stripers 6-1 on Wednesday. — Plutko (4-3) picked up the win after he struck out eight while allowing one run.
Scott Boeck / KHOU-TV:
Justin Verlander anticipated a PED denial from Robinson Cano - who did not disappoint — Justin Verlander has been one of Major League Baseball's most outspoken players when it comes to positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. — Justin Verlander has been one of Major League Baseball's …
Discussion:
USA Today, MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mariners' Robinson Cano suspended 80 games by MLB
Mariners' Robinson Cano suspended 80 games by MLB
Discussion:
MLive.com, Daily Mail and Pinstripe Alley