Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Vidro's homer all Nationals can muster — Armas pitches solid five innings, but bats are silent — HOUSTON — Right-hander Tony Armas Jr. may have been the losing pitcher in the Astros' 6-1 victory on Friday night at Minute Maid Park, but it was a victory for him in a big way.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Guillen leaves after being hit on forearm — Outfielder hit by pitch for fourth time in young season — HOUSTON — Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen left Friday's game against the Astros after being hit by a pitch. — With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, Astros right-hander Brandon Backe threw …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Guillen: Rematch Could Be 'Real Ugly' — HOUSTON, April 7 — A day after he was hit by two of Pedro Martinez's pitches — and with suspensions impending for one of his teammates and his manager within the next week or so — Washington Nationals right fielder Jose Guillen vowed that his feud …
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Robinson awaits suspension — Reliever Rodriguez will likely sit for three games — HOUSTON — Nationals manager Frank Robinson said that he and reliever Felix Rodriguez face automatic suspensions after both were ejected by crew chief Rick Reed on Thursday against the Mets.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Astros' Backe Snuffs Nats — Houston Starter Yields Just Three Hits in Six Innings: Astros 6, Nationals 1 — HOUSTON, April 7 — Brandon Backe wasn't supposed to be the tough one. That should be left to Saturday's opponent, Roy Oswalt, who won 20 games in each of the last two seasons.
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
With or without deal, Lee ending talks today — Cubs officials always have bristled in any contract negotiations at imposing deadlines, but Derrek Lee surprised them by setting one for himself and the organization after Friday's game without first telling them of his intentions.
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Lee gives Hendry Saturday deadline
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Ecstatic Schilling set to face O's — Boston (3-1) at Baltimore (2-2), 4:35 p.m. ET — The last few days have likely gone slowly for Red Sox ace Curt Schilling. When he pitches like he did in Monday's opener against the Rangers, all Schilling wants to do is take the ball again.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Chen set for season debut — Boston (3-1) at Baltimore (2-2), 4:35 p.m. ET — The Orioles got bombarded on Friday night, allowing 14 runs and 16 hits to take their second straight loss. This one was different, though. Baltimore fell down by 11 runs and battled back before ultimately falling, 14-8.
Associated Press:
Klesko to miss 2-4 months for shoulder surgery — SAN DIEGO — Padres first baseman Ryan Klesko will have surgery on his left shoulder Monday and expects to miss two to four months. — Klesko has been bothered by soreness in his throwing shoulder since late in spring training and started the season on the disabled list.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox's Cushy lead is gone in a flash — Garland stumbles, can't hold 6-run edge — KANSAS CITY — A makeshift offense did its part Friday night. Unfortunately for the White Sox, Jon Garland failed to hold a six-run lead that would have seemed automatic in 2005.
David Picker / New York Times:
Franco Embraces His Role as Diplomat in the Dugout — After Carlos Beltran broke his season-opening 0-for-9 slump by hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, he was in no mood to celebrate. But after some coaxing by Manager Willie Randolph and the reserve Julio Franco …
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mets try to solve Marlins' Willis — Florida (1-3) at New York Mets (3-1), 1:10 p.m. ET — The Mets' hitters have left no doubt about their ability to put together rallies, forcing 19 runs across the plate over the last two nights. — New York will be asked to produce at a higher level …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Gagne surgery a success — Dodgers closer could return to action in two months — PHILADELPHIA — Friday morning surgery on Eric Gagne's right elbow nerve was termed a success by doctors and he could be back in action in two months, according to the Dodgers.
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Dave Newbart / Chicago Sun Times:
New bleachers a hit with fans — The renovations to the famed bleachers at Wrigley Field paid off nearly immediately for Cubs fan Kyle Peterson. — Peterson was sitting in the front row of the left-field corner when he snagged the first Wrigley home run of the year off a deflection.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Charlie / Bucs Dugout:
On Chris Shelton — I feel like revisiting this, so here's Brian Graham: … Well, apparently it does. Oops. — Shelton is no Albert Pujols. But he's a solid slugger, far better than any hitter except the Pirates currently have except Jason Bay. If the Pirates had kept Shelton …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cubs send Cards to cold shower — CHICAGO — Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo's scouting report to manager Tony La Russa for Friday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs was succinct. — "Frio," relayed Oquendo as he re-entered Wrigley Field's visitors clubhouse dressed for polar bear.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
