Photo: Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

Trot Nixon put on a hitting clinic in Cleveland's win over Baltimore on Sunday

• Atlanta practically used its entire lineup to help them score 5 times in the 7th inning and come back to defeat Los Angeles, 6-4. Edgar Renteria had 2 hits, 2 runs, and 2 RBI, and rookie Jarrod Saltalamacchia added 2 hits and an RBI to pace the Braves. The Dodgers wasted a solid performance from Randy Wolf who allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings. He gave up 6 hits and struck out 8.
• Jake Peavy allowed just one hit while striking out 10 in 7 innings to lead the Padres to a 3-1 win over the Marlins. Scott Olsen also pitched well. He gave up just one earned run on 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings for Florida.
• Derek Jeter had 2 hits and 2 walks, scored, and drove in a run, and Darrell Rasner pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings as the Yankees shut out the Mariners, 5-0, on the day Roger Clemens announced his decision to return to New York.
• Trot Nixon went 5-for-5 with a double, 2 runs, and 4 RBI to lead a 16 hit attack and help the Indians to a 9-6 win over the Orioles. Ramon Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a double and 4 RBI for Baltimore.
• Nick Swisher had 2 hits, including a solo home run, and Jack Cust walked, homered, and scored twice as the A’s beat the Devil Rays, 5-3. B.J. Upton hit his 6th home run for Tampa Bay.
• Prince Fielder went 3-for-3 with 2 home runs, 3 runs, and 3 RBI, and Ben Sheets allowed 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings as the Brewers defeated the Pirates, 6-4.
• Dustin Pedroia had 3 hits, and J.D. Drew drove in 2 runs as the Red Sox held off the Twins, 4-3, to win their 20th game of the season. Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 10th save in the victory for Boston.
• Craig Monroe went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, 3 runs scored, and 4 RBI, and Curtis Granderson tripled, homered and knocked in 3 as the Tigers roughed up the Royals, 13-4. Chad Durbin pitched a solid game for Detroit, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 2/3 innings.
• Braden Looper allowed just one run over 6 innings, and Adam Kennedy contributed 3 hits for the offense as the Cardinals beat the Astros, 3-1. Carlos Lee had 3 hits for Houston.
• Daryle Ward had 2 hits and drove in the game winning run in the 10th inning to lead the Cubs to a 4-3 walk-off win over the Nationals. The win was the 5th straight for Chicago. Angel Guzman allowed just one run on 2 hits in 5 innings for the Cubs. Shawn Hill pitched 6 strong innings for Washington, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits.
• Kenny Lofton, Michael Young, and Mark Teixeira each hit solo home runs, and Kameron Loe allowed just one run on 3 hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Rangers nipped the Blue Jays, 3-2, to sweep the 3-game series. Toronto has now lost 6 straight.
• Josh Hamilton hit 2 home runs and drove in 3, and Ryan Freel tripled, homered, walked twice, stole a base and scored 3 times as the Reds ripped the Rockies, 9-3.
• A.J. Pierzynski hit a pinch-hit 2-run homer to tie the game in the 8th inning and then drove in the winning run with an RBI single in the 10th to lead the White Sox to a come-from-behind win over the Angels, 4-3. Robb Quinlan doubled, homered, had 3 hits, scored twice, and drove in 2, and Tommy Murphy had 3 hits for Los Angeles.
• Livan Hernandez allowed just one run on 6 hits in 7 innings, and Eric Byrnes reached base 4 times, stole a base, and scored twice as the Diamondbacks beat the Mets, 3-1. Arizona finally put an end to New York’s 13-game winning streak at Chase Field.
• Shane Victorino homered, had 2 hits, scored twice, and drove in 2 runs, and Ryan Howard hit a home run, walked, and had 2 RBI as the Phillies spoiled Tim Lincecum’s major league debut by beating the Giants, 8-5. Lincecum lasted just 4 1/3 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits (2 home runs) and 5 walks. He struck out 5.  

There were many great performances today so we’re going to award the BDD Player of the day to 4 worthy candidates:

San Diego’s Jake Peavy

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Peavy, Jake  (W, 4-1)	7.0	1	1	0	2	10	0	1.75

Cleveland’s Trot Nixon

	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	BB	LOB	AVG
Nixon, Trot RF	5	2	5	4	1	0	0	.320

Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder

	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SO	LOB	AVG
Fielder, Prince 1B	4	3	3	3	2	0	1	.298

Cincinnati’s Ryan Freel

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	3B	HR	AVG
Freel, Ryan 2B-CF	3	3	2	1	2	1	1	.280

The Boss issued the following statement regarding the Roger Clemens signing:

“As I pledged just a few days ago, I will do everything within my power to support Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and this team as we fight to bring a 27^th championship back to New York.   

“Roger Clemens is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of.  The sole mission of this organization is to win a World Championship.” 

Whether Clemens brings enough to the Yankees at this stage to get them into the post-season remains to be seen.

And in somewhat of an unprecedented move, the Boston Red Sox also issued a statement:

“We met with Randy Hendricks earlier this week and, at Randy’s request, made an offer to Roger Clemens. We offered a substantial salary and suggested, for health purposes, that Clemens return on approximately the same timetable as last year. Today we learned from Randy that Clemens has signed elsewhere.” 

Hmm…interesting since Hendricks said no offer was made by any team other than the Yankees. Looks like the greatest rivalry in sports is heating up again.

Some people have asked me about the sites I visit each day, baseball or otherwise. So today I’m going to present a special edition of Linked Up…the everyday edition.

Baseball Sites – Daily Visits

MLB.com – Gets better every day. Have to give MLBAM credit for putting together a great product.

Baseball America – Still the best at what they do.

The Hardball Times – Some of my favorite writers post here and I love the THT Daily.

Baseball Musings – David’s work is chronicled everywhere. I mainly use BM as my portal to all things baseball.

Sabernomics – Everything JC writes turns to gold!

Baseball Sites – Regular Visits

Talking Chop – No matter what others say, the best Braves blog out there…I guess I’m a little biased though J

The Blog on the Book – Tango is one of my favorites. Just takes me a little more time to get through all the stats stuff sometimes.

Brew Crew Ball – Jeff’s work is on just about every Internet site out there, but it’s fun watching him get fired up about these new successful Brewers.

Royals Authority – Again, I’m a little biased but these guys cover this team like very few others.

Baseball Analysts – More writers and more substance than just stats…exactly what I like.

Heater Magazine – I said it before, and I’ll say it again. If you don’t have a subscription, go get one! Now!

Other Sports

Blogging the Boys – The best blog out there for my favorite NFL team…the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys.com – Official site of the Cowboys. Good stuff for Dallas fans

Gaming

Operation Sports and Forums – For someone who owns Xbox 360 and PS3, this is an essential site for the sports video game player.

Strat-O-Matic Forums – Have to keep up on my baseball leagues, new developments, and announcements.

News

MSNBC – A little more liberal than I like but still informative. More conservative than CNN and more liberal than Fox. A nice middle of the pack news site.

WSJ.com – The online version of the Wall Street Journal. Top notch.

It was just announced during the Yankees – Mariners game on the YES Network that Roger Clemens has agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees.

Clemens said in an interview that he will target the end of the month to get back on the mound.

From the Yankees PR Department...

The Yankees announced today that they have signed seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens to a minor-league contract.

The 44-year old Clemens made 19 starts with the Houston Astros in 2006, posting a 7-6 record with a 2.30 ERA and102 strikeouts (113.1IP, 89H, 34R, 29ER, 29BB).  He signed a one-year contract with the Astros on May 31, 2006 after going 13-8 with a career-best 1.87 ERA in 32 starts with Houston in 2005.  2006 was the 10^th consecutive season that Clemens has posted a winning record, and he has now done so in 21 of his 23 Major League seasons.

Photo: Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

The Tigers will have to do without Joel Zumaya for the next several weeks

The Dodgers placed infielder/outfielder Marlon Anderson on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Andy LaRoche from Triple-A Las Vegas. LaRoche was batting .235 with three homers and 11 RBI for the 51s.

Don't be surprised to see LaRoche remain in Los Angeles for good. There's not much more for him to prove, and with the way Wilson Betemit is struggling, now is as good a time as ever for the young slugger to take over 3rd base.

• Rich Hill was his usual effective self, allowing just one run on 6 hits in 6 innings, and Aramis Ramirez had 2 hits, including a home run, as the Cubs ran off their 4th straight win, a 5-3 decision over the Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores had 3 hits apiece for Washington.
• Matt Albers pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings, and the offense erupted behind a grand slam by Hunter Pence, 4 hits by Mark Loretta, and 3 RBI from Carlos Lee as the Astros torched the Cardinals, 13-0.
• Darin Erstad had 2 hits, a walk, a stolen base and 2 RBI, and Jon Garland allowed 3 runs over 7 innings as the White Sox doubled up the Angels, 6-3.
• Barry Bonds hit career home run number 744 and walked 3 times, and Pedro Feliz picked up 2 hits, a home run, and 3 RBI to lead the Giants to a 9-4 win over the Phillies. Omar Vizquel had 3 hits and Ryan Klesko tripled, walked, scored twice, and drove in 2 runs for San Francisco.
• Chien-Ming Wang pitched 7 innings of perfect baseball, and Derek Jeter had 3 hits, a double, and 2 RBI to carry the offense as the Yankees cruised to an 8-1 win over the Mariners.
• Jay Payton had 3 hits and 2 RBI, and Ramon Hernandez homered and drove in 4 to provide all the support Daniel Cabrera would need, as the Orioles beat the Indians, 8-2. Cabrera allowed just one run on 3 hits in 7 innings for Baltimore.
• Rafael Furcal had 3 hits, and Wilson Betemit hit a pinch-hit home run as the ex-Braves haunted their old teammates on the way to helping Los Angeles defeat Atlanta, 6-3. Kelly Johnson singled, walked, and drove in 2 runs for the Braves.
• J.J. Hardy was at it again on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBI to lead the Brewers to a 6-3 win over the Pirates. Milwaukee becomes the first team to reach 20 wins in the major leagues this season. Adam LaRoche had 3 hits, a double, and an RBI for Pittsburgh.
• Brian Giles had 3 hits, and Josh Bard added 2 hits and 2 RBI, including the game winner in the 12th inning, as the Padres edged the Marlins, 7-6. Miguel Olivo had 3 hits and 2 RBI for Florida.
• Johan Santana allowed just one run through 5 innings, and the bullpen shut the door as the Twins nipped the Red Sox 2-1. Manny Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia each had 2 hits for Boston.
• Chris Iannetta homered, tripled, and drove in 2 runs, and Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday added 3 RBI apiece to lead the Rockies to a 9-7 win over the Reds. Colorado scored 7 times over the 6th and 7th innings to rally for the win.  Ryan Freel had 3 hits and 2 RBI, and Josh Hamilton doubled, tripled, had 4 hits and scored 4 times for Cincinnati.
• Magglio Ordonez doubled, homered, scored twice, and drove in 2, and Craig Monroe had 2 hits, a double, and 2 RBI as the Tigers rallied for 3 runs in the 8th inning to defeat the Royals, 7-5. Placido Polanco also had 3 hits for Detroit.
• Scott Kazmir allowed just one run on 5 hits over 6 innings, and Ty Wigginton hit 2 home runs, but it was Brendan Harris’ 12th inning RBI single that gave the Devil Rays a 3-2 walk-off win over the A’s. Nick Swisher had 3 hits, and Joe Kennedy pitched 7 strong innings for Oakland, giving up just one run on 3 hits.
• Michael Young doubled, homered, drove in 5 runs, and scored 3 times, and Vicente Padilla allowed just one earned run on 6 hits in 7 innings as the Rangers beat up Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays, 11-4. Mark Teixeira had 3 RBI and Matt Kata had 3 hits, a double, and scored 3 times for Texas. Alex Rios went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles for Toronto.
• Shawn Green went 2-for-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, a stolen base, and 3 RBI, and Carlos Delgado reached base 4 times and scored 2 runs to help the Mets continue their dominance over the Diamondbacks, 6-2. Jorge Sosa allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 1/3 innings for New York. Arizona has now lost 5 in a row.  

BDD Player of the Day – New York Yankees Chien-Ming Wang