Top News:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Why Urena hitting Acuna needs to be a wake-up call for MLB — Headhunting, knockdowns, chin music, brushbacks, rib-roasting — the practice has been around so long, there are all sorts of terms for it. In the 21st century, there is only word we need: unacceptable.
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or Not? Rockies games are must-see television — After the shenanigans from Jose Urena on Wednesday, it was a less eventful day on Thursday across the majors ... Dr. Feelgood: Thankfully, Ronald Acuna Jr. was back in the lineup for the Braves after Urena plunked him in the elbow.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Dahl does damage in win — Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) — JOHN BAZEMORE — ATLANTA — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune:
Column: MLB turns cowardly and stupid in punishment of Jose Urena for intentionally drilling Ronald Acuna — Chicago Tribune — Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. had hit leadoff homers in three straight games. So of course Marlins starter Jose Urena drilled him in the left arm with the first pitch …
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
MLB suspends Jose Urena for six games after intentionally plunking Ronald Acuna Jr.
MLB suspends Jose Urena for six games after intentionally plunking Ronald Acuna Jr.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and AZ Snake Pit
Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by a pitch for being too good, and broadcaster Keith Hernandez is OK with that
Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by a pitch for being too good, and broadcaster Keith Hernandez is OK with that
Discussion:
Paste, Fox News, MLB Baseball News … and Red Reporter
Daily Record:
NL Cy Young race likely will be a battle between NL East aces — Jacob deGrom on his outing in the 2-1 loss to Atlanta Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — With the season winding down, the top candidates are starting to emerge in the awards races. Several should come down to the wire.
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MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Buchholz pitches five-hitter, Diamondbacks beat Padres 5-1 — David Peralta hit a three-run homer and the — San Diego Padres 5-1 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series. — Buchholz (6-2) allowed a leadoff double to — Travis Jankowski but retired the next 13 batters he faced.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - Clay Buchholz does not throw hard anymore. He does not dominate, not in an overpowering sense. And since his pure stuff does not instantly win over believers, he resides among a category of pitchers whose trust is earned over prolonged stretches.
Chicago Tribune:
The many sides of Joe Maddon: The best moments from ‘The Joe Show’ — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — It's difficult to contemplate life without Joe Maddon, but one day he'll be gone and we'll all have a lot less to talk about.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant progressing toward Sept. 1 return — or earlier
Cubs' Kris Bryant progressing toward Sept. 1 return — or earlier
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Eppers / USA Today:
Texas Rangers turn rare triple play vs. Los Angeles Angels not seen in 106 years — The 2017 World Series teams are struggling with injuries and depth. Can they make it back to the postseason? USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — The sixth triple play in Texas Rangers team history turned out to be an incredibly rare one.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sporting News, SBNation.com and FOX 61
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Brian Niemietz / New York Daily News:
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carlos Gomez tossed a ball with phone number on it to female fan at Yankee Stadium — Even from the dugout, Carlos Gomez plays the field. — During the Tampa Bay Rays' visit to the Bronx this week to play the Yankees, the 32-year-old outfielder found time to hit …
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Joe Harris / Associated Press:
Harper drives in 3, Nationals snap skid, beat Cardinals 5-4 — ST. LOUIS (AP) Koda Glover rewarded his manager's faith. — Bryce Harper had three hits and drove in three runs, Glover earned the save in the first opportunity since Ryan Madson was placed on the disabled list …
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Jeff Bidwell / WPSD Local 6WPSD Local 6:
Harper drives in 3, Nationals beat Cardinals 5-4
Harper drives in 3, Nationals beat Cardinals 5-4
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Brew Crew Ball
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Recapping the slam: An oral history of David Bote's big blast — PITTSBURGH — It'll be a night they'll tell their grandkids about, especially Chicago Cubs rookie David Bote. Last Sunday, on national television, Bote hit the only walk-off grand slam in baseball history in which a team …
Tyler Mason / Associated Press:
Forsythe gets 5 hits, Twins outslug Tigers in 15-8 win — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) All that Logan Forsythe has done since arriving in Minnesota is get hits. — The veteran infielder joined the Twins at the beginning of August in a trade that sent popular second baseman Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Joe Knowles / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo's staredown with Pedro Strop was a mind-meld moment — Chicago Tribune — Anthony Rizzo didn't have to say a word to reliever Pedro Strop. His look — reminiscent of Mr. Spock's Vulcan mind meld, without the touching — did all the talking necessary late in Thursday night's Cubs-Pirates game.
ESPN:
Joey Votto (leg bruise) moved to 10-day DL — The Cincinnati Reds have placed first baseman Joey Votto on the 10-day disabled list with a right lower leg contusion, the team announced Friday. — Votto suffered the injury nearly two weeks ago when he was hit by a pitch from the Washington Nationals' Ryan Madson on Aug. 4.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
John Perrotto / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Lester, Happ combine to lead Cubs to 1-0 win over Pirates — Jon Lester pitched six innings to win for the first time in just over a month and — Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 on Thursday night. — Lester (13-5) allowed five hits, struck out eight and had no walks while improving to 3-1 against the Pirates this season.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Mets Set Franchise Mark With 24 Runs — PHILADELPHIA — Jose Bautista hit a grand slam and had a career-high seven runs batted in, and the Mets set a franchise record for runs as they forced the Phillies to use two position players for the final three innings of a 24-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Rob Maaddi / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Bautista drives in 7, Mets set record in 24-4 win over Phils
Bautista drives in 7, Mets set record in 24-4 win over Phils
Discussion:
The Good Phight
David Lengel / The Guardian:
How Billy Beane rediscovered his mad scientist genius at the Oakland A's — The club's sudden and unexpected upturn is a serious threat to American League powerhouses, and confirmation of one man's skills — Billy Beane, the executive VP of baseball operations and resident mad scientist …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Sam McDowell / Kansas City Star:
Royals manager Ned Yost: The young guys will play in season's final six weeks — For four-plus seasons, filling out a lineup card was a relatively easy chore for Royals manager Ned Yost. There was a consistency to the nine names, even if they occasionally changed order. — That has slowly evaporated in 2018.