Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Robinson pulls Soriano from game — Nationals manager upset about left fielder's lack of hustle — NEW YORK — The Alfonso Soriano saga continued Wednesday night, as Nationals manager Frank Robinson's patience with the left fielder ran out against the Mets.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Go Extras, Exude Drama — Robinson Benches Soriano in Victory: Nationals 9, Mets 5 — NEW YORK, April 5 — They were not only out of it, there was a full-blown controversy, and it involved the man who had created so much tumult in spring training, one Alfonso Soriano, the Washington Nationals' new left fielder.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Patterson Toils With Tightness In His Forearm — NEW YORK, April 5 — Nationals right-hander John Patterson said his performance Wednesday night "was not the way I wanted to start the season," a logical reaction to his four-inning, four-run performance against the New York Mets in a game the Nationals eventually won, 9-5 in 10 innings.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
The Bullpen Can't Save Bannister's Great Start — He walked onto his college baseball team, making it because of a devastating curveball that turned hitters' knees into sawdust. But the Mets drafted Brian Bannister — in the seventh round, no less — because they saw a major league pitcher …
Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
Plenty of Tickets Still Available for Nats' Home Opener — Thousands of seats still are unsold for the Washington Nationals' home opener against the New York Mets on Tuesday, according to team officials, presenting the franchise with the prospect of not selling out its home opener in its second season in the city.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:Team payroll ranks 20th in majors
Discussion:
The Nationals Interest
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Papelbon slams the door — Francona goes to rookie instead of Foulke in ninth inning — ARLINGTON — Just three games into the season, Red Sox manager Terry Francona was by no means attempting to create a closer controversy Wednesday night at Ameriquest Field. All he was trying to do was win a game.
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Foulke puts team ahead of himself — ARLINGTON, Texas - For one game at least, Jonathan Papelbon became the Red Sox closer. — To the man who held the job the last two years, Keith Foulke, the decision was not only the right one but it was handled properly.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
It's Papelbon, case closed: Tito knows rookie is right man for job — ARLINGTON, Texas - No matter what they say, no matter how much the Red Sox try to soften the edges, the message at Ameriquest Field was as blunt as a 95-mph fastball. Keith Foulke is out. Jonathan Papelbon is in.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Torch-passing can't wait — ARLINGTON, Texas — Talk about your short leashes. It looks like Keith Foulke lost his job on the basis of a garbage-time ninth inning Opening Day. — The conventional thinking was that the Red Sox would let Foulkie pitch himself out of the closer role by mid-May.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker hopes home remedy cures the starters' woes — CINCINNATI — In two games, Cubs manager Dusty Baker already has had to call on dependable left-hander Scott Eyre to pitch 2-2/3 innings. Eyre has done well, allowing one unearned run on one hit and two walks, but Baker knows the pattern can't continue.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' comeback falls short — CINCINNATI — After investing $13.5 million to renovate the Wrigley Field bleachers, the Cubs may want to clear another couple of hundred from the budget to make sure Larry Rothschild has enough shoes to get through the year. — Only two games into the season …
Discussion:
1060west
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Depth — It's clear that something happened in the game of baseball, either in the late sixties or early seventies. It was a subtle change, but as it got around the league after starting in football, players on every team were known to use this substance openly.
Discussion:
Black Betsy
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:Future Shock — 2006 Draft Notebook, Part One
Discussion:
JinAZ On Baseball and the Reds
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
New Orleans Is Ready to Play Ball — Nationals' Farm Team Will Open the Season Tonight Amid the Devastation — NEW ORLEANS, April 5 — Returning to New Orleans these days after any period of time away is an exercise in separating the Still-Here from the Still-Gone from the Gone-Forever.
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
For Loney, It's Night to Remember — Rookie first baseman is thankful as he makes his debut for the Dodgers in a 5-4 victory over the Braves and gets his first hit. Garciaparra goes on DL. — James Loney sounded for all the world like Reese Witherspoon the night of the Academy Awards …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Guillen gets a tad upset with Iguchi — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen did his best to make sure his initial conversation with second baseman Tadahito Iguchi did not get lost in translation. — But when he heard that Iguchi had snapped off a "no comment'' to the media …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Mariners Cash In on Lackey — SEATTLE — It was a game that almost defied explanation for the Angels, who were supposed to ride their starting pitching, defense and bullpen to contention in the American League West but suffered major breakdowns in all three areas in Tuesday night's 10-8 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Safeco Field.
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Associated Press:
Yankees' stadium plan clears city council hurdle — NEW YORK — Plans for a new ballpark for the New York Yankees moved forward Wednesday when the city council approved several key aspects of the planned $800 million stadium. — The 45-2 vote cleared the way for some of the team's land-use plans …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins knock cover off ball vs. Jays — Hunter hits grand slam and drives in career-high six runs — TORONTO — All the offseason talk surrounding the Twins centered on whether or not they could rectify their anemic offense. — The club finished dead last in the American League in runs scored in 2005 …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
