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| Carlos Zambrano issued three earned runs on six hits over 6.1 innings in Thursday's disheartening 10-3 loss to the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS at Wrigley Field, with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Cubs now trail 2-0 in the best-of-five series. |
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| Pat Burrell, LF, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 10/2, 10:17 PM CT |
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| Pat Burrell stated that his previously ailing back is fine, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Burrell said, "With all the treatment and stuff and all the excitement of what we're doing, I don't think it will be a problem. The truth is I wouldn't have taken the field if I thought in any way I would jeopardize the team and the position we're in, because ultimately that's the most important thing. Do I want to play? Of course, but the most important thing is the team."
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| Team GM Ed Wade indicated that there is a chance Kazuo Matsui could have surgery in the off-season to repair a disc in his lower back, according to the Houston Chronicle.
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| Matt LaPorta, OF, Cleveland Indians | Thursday 10/2, 9:11 PM CT |
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| Manager Eric Wedge commented on top prospect Matt LaPorta, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. When Wedge was asked if LaPorta has a chance to make the 2009 roster out of spring training, he answered, "I don't think he will do that out of spring training. But from what I've heard, he will get our attention."
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| Ryan Braun, LF, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 10/2, 8:32 PM CT |
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| Ryan Braun went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. Both of his hits were doubles. The Brewers only mustered three total hits in the game. |
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| CC Sabathia, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 10/2, 8:24 PM CT |
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| CC Sabathia was rocked for five earned runs on six hits over 3.2 innings in Thursday's 5-2 loss in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies, with four walks and five strikeouts. |
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| Shane Victorino went 3-for-4 with four RBI in Thursday's 5-2 win in Game 2 of the NLDS against Milwaukee at Citizens Bank Park. He hit two doubles and a grand slam. The Phillies now hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. |
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| Brett Myers, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 10/2, 8:15 PM CT |
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| Brett Myers took care of business in Game 2 of the NLDS as he only allowed two earned runs on two hits over seven innings in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park, with three walks and four strikeouts. The Phillies now hold a 2-0 lead in the series. |
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| Daniel Cabrera received a second opinion on his sprained right elbow, which revealed no further damage, according to the Baltimore Sun. Cabrera was examined earlier this week by University of Miami orthopedist John Uribe. |
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| Dewayne Wise, CF, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 10/2, 5:10 PM CT |
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| Dewayne Wise went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field. |
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| Javier Vazquez was rocked for six earned runs on eight hits over a mere 4.1 innings in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field, with one walk and six strikeouts. |
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| Rookie Evan Longoria went 3-for-3 with three RBI in Thursday's 6-4 win over the White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field. Two of his hits were homers and he led the Rays to their first postseason win. |
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| James Shields was in control in Thursday's 6-4 win over the White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field, as he allowed three earned runs on six hits over 6.1 innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. |
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| Chris Sampson underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a lateral extensor tendon in his throwing elbow, according to the AP. |
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| Geoff Geary, P, Houston Astros | Thursday 10/2, 4:32 PM CT |
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| Geoff Geary underwent surgery Wednesday for repairs to a right hip adductor injury and a torn abdominal muscle, according to the AP. |
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| Rays third baseman Evan Longoria hit a home run in the first two at-bats of his postseason career, joining Gary Gaetti as the only players in baseball history to do so, according to the Boston Globe. |
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| Jim Thome, DH, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 10/2, 3:13 PM CT |
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| In one of the most tiring traditions in sports, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley bet St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard on who would win the playoff series between the White Sox and Rays, according to the Tampa Tribune. Daley bet polish sausages, and assorted food and drink items from the Chicago area, such as peanuts from Fisher Nuts. The three Florida mayors also bet local food items such as oranges, along with locally made cigars. The two cities also pledged to donate sporting goods (Chicago) and beach wear (St. Petersburg) to 150 children in the Boys and Girls Club. |
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| Carlos Pena, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 10/2, 3:01 PM CT |
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| Rays first baseman Carlos Pena had to leave the team's playoff game in the third inning due to blurred vision, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
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| Marlins catcher had three muscle tears in his left hip, and underwent surgery to correct the problem, according to FloridaMarlins.com. |
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| Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 10/2, 2:11 PM CT |
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| The Milwaukee Brewers will go with Ray Durham at second base in their game with the Phillies today instead of Rickie Weeks, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
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| It is likely that the Minnesota Twins will pick up the $950,00 option for next year on Mike Redmond's contract, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. |
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| Dave Bush, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 10/2, 12:20 PM CT |
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| The Milwaukee Brewers will send Dave Bush to the mound against Philadelphia for Game 3 of the NLDS, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The other choice was Jeff Suppan (who they paid $10 million per year in part to pitch in these type of games), but he had an ERA of 8.44 in September. Suppan would probably be the choice in Game 4 if the series makes it that far. |
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| Brandon Webb, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 10/2, 12:17 PM CT |
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| The Arizona Diamondbacks have ace Brandon Webb under their control for two more seasons, but are already talking contract extension with him, according to the Arizona Republic. |
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| As expected, Rays outfielder Carl Crawford is on the team's ALDS roster, and also in their starting lineup for Game 1, hitting fifth, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
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| Ryan Tucker, P, Florida Marlins | Thursday 10/2, 11:21 AM CT |
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| The Florida Marlins have named hurler Ryan Tucker their minor league pitcher of the year after the righty sported an ERA of 1.58 in more than 90 innings in Double-A, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. |
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| Marlins reliever Doug Waechter was taken off the team's 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. |
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| John Danks, P, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 10/2, 11:14 AM CT |
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| Trading John Danks to the White Sox for Brandon McCarthy still pains Rangers owner Tom Hicks, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Our staff made the judgment that Danks was two years away, and they were absolutely wrong. The comforting thing for me now is we have a new leader, and if Nolan had been there, we never would have done [the Danks deal]. And we will never trade a No. 1 pick, a left-handed pitcher again," Hicks said. |
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| Jason Giambi, 1B, New York Yankees | Thursday 10/2, 11:07 AM CT |
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| It is possible that Jason Giambi could return to his former team, the Oakland A's, in the offseason, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com. |
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| Red Sox starter Josh Beckett will throw a bullpen session on Thursday, which will have a great deal of influence on whether or not he will be able to pitch Game 3 of the team's ALDS against the Angels, according to the Boston Herald. |
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| At his press conference on Wednesday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he thinks that Yankees hurler Mike Mussina is leaning towards retirement, according to the Lower Hudson Journal News. |
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| The New York Mets are likely going to pick up the $12 million option on first baseman Carlos Delgado's contract, according to the New York Daily News. |
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| Nick Punto, SS, Minnesota Twins | Thursday 10/2, 9:34 AM CT |
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| The Minnesota Twins are said to be leaning towards keeping soon-to-be free agent Nick Punto, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. |
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| Mets manager Jerry Manuel has been offered a two-year contract to return to the team, but negotiations are still ongoing, according to New York Newsday. |
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| Mike Timlin, P, Boston Red Sox | Thursday 10/2, 8:52 AM CT |
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| Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin was not put on the team's postseason roster, according to the Boston Globe. "I think our obligations are to put the best out there we can," Boston manager Terry Francona said. |
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| Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson will get the pins out that were stabilizing his broken wrist in a week, and will begin his rehab a day later, according to the Arizona Republic. |
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| Eric Byrnes, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 10/2, 8:31 AM CT |
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| Arizona outfielder Eric Byrnes has a no-trade clause in his contract, but he would think about waiving it if the team wants to move him, according to the Arizona Republic. “No one wants to be somewhere that they’re not wanted, so if it came down to that, sure,” he said. |
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| White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin said he is feeling good enough that he believes he will be ready to go if the team makes it to the ALCS, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
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| Greg Maddux, P, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 10/2, 7:44 AM CT |
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| Greg Maddux came out of the bullpen and threw a scoreless inning for the Dodgers in their playoff victory over the Cubs, according to the L.A. Times. He says he would not be averse to being used two days in a row. |
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| Jeff Mathis, C, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 10/2, 7:32 AM CT |
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| Angels catcher Jeff Mathis will get the start behind home plate in Game 2 of the ALDS to catch Ervin Santana according to the L.A. Times. "From what we're looking at on the defensive side, Jeff and Ervin have been incredible together," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. |
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| The Los Angeles Angels will make a serious attempt to re-sign first baseman Mark Teixeira when the season concludes, according to the Los Angeles Times. |
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| Pat Burrell, LF, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 10/2, 12:54 AM CT |
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| Pat Burrell was in the lineup a day after he left a workout with back discomfort. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and exited the game in the seventh inning. |
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| Alfonso Soriano was one of several Cubs who struggled against some excellent Phillies pitching on Wednesday. He was 0-for-5 for the day. |
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| Howie Kendrick, returning from a left hamstring injury, struggled in Wednesday's Game 1 loss to the Red Sox. He was 0-for-4 with a strikeout and left six runners on base. |
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| Torii Hunter, CF, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 10/2, 12:46 AM CT |
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| Torii Hunter was 2-for-3 with the Angels lone RBI. He also drew a walk in Wednesday's 4-1 loss. |
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| David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox | Thursday 10/2, 12:43 AM CT |
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| David Ortiz stretched his hitting streak in AL division series games to 12 with his ninth-inning RBI single. |
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| Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI and also reached base on a three-base error by Gary Matthews. Ellsbury did it on the other side of the ball as well by making a diving catch that robbed Mark Teixeira of a hit. |
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| John Lackey, P, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 10/2, 12:33 AM CT |
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| John Lackey pitched better than he had of late but it was not good enough for the win in Game 1 of the NLDS. He surrendered a sixth inning home run to Jason Bay that put the Angels behind for the rest of the night. He gave up four hits, two walks and recorded five strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. |
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| Jason Bay, LF, Boston Red Sox | Thursday 10/2, 12:30 AM CT |
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| Jason Bay stepped up big in his first career postseason game. He was 2-for-4 with two RBI, both coming on his sixth inning home run off of Angels' starter John Lackey. The hit gave the Red Sox the lead for good in their 4-1 NLDS victory. |
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| Jon Lester, P, Boston Red Sox | Thursday 10/2, 12:26 AM CT |
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| Jon Lester was exceptional in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Angels. He allowed one unearned run over seven innings while striking out seven. The Red Sox have now defeated the Angels 10 straight times in the postseason. |
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