Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Chilling in Charm City — Red Sox ace dominates Birds to notch second victory — BALTIMORE — Frigid air filled Camden Yards on Saturday afternoon, with one exception. It came in the form of the heat that emanated from Curt Schilling's right arm. — With two on and two outs in the bottom …
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Defense leaving its mark — With new blueprint in place, Red Sox winning close games — BALTIMORE — Run prevention. It was a buzz phrase around the offices of Yawkey Way all winter, as the front office reconstructed a team that was successful last year, but flawed.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Lee relaxes deal deadline — Young Cedeno opens season on a hot streak — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee softened his call for a Saturday deadline to resolve his possible contract extension, but he did reiterate that he wants the matter resolved soon so he can focus on baseball.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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.
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:With or without deal, Lee ending talks today
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Mets get Vargas turned around — NEW YORK — When starting pitcher Jason Vargas left the Marlins' team hotel Friday for Shea Stadium, he got on a train and went in the wrong direction, ended up in Brooklyn and frantically doubled his way back to Manhattan before catching the right train.
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Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins shift for Delgado — NEW YORK — Marlins coach Perry Hill is not a big proponent of over-shifting his infielders. But Hill had a different scouting report on Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado. — One that included 521 at-bats. — "I don't like to shift,'' said Hill, who coaches the infielders. "
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Wells gives up seven runs in rehab start — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — David Wells was hit hard in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, giving up seven runs and six hits in five innings Friday night. — "It is what it is, it's a bad night," said Wells, placed on the disabled list last Saturday — retroactive to March 27.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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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.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Notes: Belliard sits with odd injury — Tribe second baseman strains calf walking to the dugout — CLEVELAND — It's not often a player gets injured between innings. — But that's just what happened to Ronnie Belliard on Friday night. — The Indians' second baseman suffered a mild strain …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Brazelton set to take the bump — Colorado (2-2) at San Diego (1-2), 7:05 p.m. PT — Pitcher Dewon Brazelton's Padres debut on Saturday against the Rockies is arguably one of the more anticipated debuts for San Diego this season. — The 25-year-old came to San Diego in December in a trade …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Notes: Barmes finding his stroke — Colorado shortstop trying to settle in early in the season — SAN DIEGO — Colorado shortstop Clint Barmes did not begin this year with the thunder he took into 2005, but it's not too late to make early-season noise. — Last year, Barmes homered off …
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Estes put on DL with elbow injury — Towers: No. 2 starter out four to six weeks — Shawn Estes knows the difference between pain and hurt. — "Every pitcher experiences pain and discomfort," Estes said. "I feel discomfort almost every day. Usually it comes and goes."
Bernie Miklasz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As a 'core guy,' Encarnacion must improve — CHICAGO — Four games are hardly a fair or indicative trial, but Cardinals right fielder Juan Encarnacion is struggling to get out of the gate in the early days of the season. — In Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs at a chilled, windswept Wrigley Field …
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Is personal character A's latest way to find value? — Seattle — As readers of "Moneyball" know, the A's front office is always trying to find an undervalued commodity and take advantage of it. First, it was on-base percentage, college pitchers, players who didn't fit prescribed physical modes.
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.
