Top News:
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 …
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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.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give Hendry two-year extension — GM plans to negotiate deal with Baker at 'appropriate time' — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a two-year contract extension through the 2008 season on Saturday, and one of his first orders of business will be to keep manager Dusty Baker beyond the 2006 season.
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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
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.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Klesko set for surgery on shoulder — First baseman Ryan Klesko is headed to the surgeon's table Monday, ensuring that his understudy, Adrian Gonzalez, will remain in the starting lineup. — Klesko, who could have come off the disabled list next week, said last night he has chosen to have bone-shaving surgery on his left shoulder.
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Mike Shalin / MLB.com:
Boomer roughed up in rehab start — Veteran left-hander surrenders seven runs over five frames — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — David Wells was able to put a shaky rehab start into proper context Friday night. — The veteran left-hander was here to get in his rehab work.
Discussion:
Reb Sox
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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.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks' Star-Studded Lineup Falling Short on Hits — ANAHEIM, Calif., April 7 — The players in the Yankees' starting lineup have made 42 All-Star teams. This season, they will earn about $110 million. Together, they have more star power than a planetarium. — They will play under the weight of those facts all season.
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Angelos turns up Comcast volume … WASHINGTON // Orioles owner Peter Angelos lambasted Comcast Corp. for monopolistic practices and implored the cable giant to televise Washington Nationals games during a congressional hearing yesterday on the standoff that has left 1.3 million D.C.-area households unable to watch their home team.
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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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Ibanez hits new level — Veteran invited into ballclub's leadership circle — The Mariners pulled aside most of the club's veterans for a meeting in the late going of spring training. The front office wanted a discussion of clubhouse rules and requests for player involvement for the upcoming season.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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 …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Foulke makes minor tweaks — BALTIMORE — Keith Foulke has made a few mechanical tweaks in his delivery the past few days. Whatever the changes are — neither Foulke nor pitching coach Al Nipper felt the need to elaborate — Foulke believes he may be on the right track to return to his once dominant form.
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Tracy searching for a leading man — CINCINNATI — Jim Tracy's search for a consistent bat at the top of the Pirates' batting order continued last night. — Nate McLouth made his second start in center field, while Chris Duffy — off to a 1-for-13 start …


