Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Wagner makes it bit of a wild finish — WASHINGTON - Billy Wagner's velocity was up, but his control was off. The closer hit 96 mph while walking three batters in the ninth inning against the Nationals. — "It's ugly, but I've had uglier games," he said about yesterday's 31-pitch appearance.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Young Friends Help Bond the Mets and the Nationals — WASHINGTON, April 11 — The rookie pitcher Brian Bannister naturally wanted nothing to do with Brian Schneider's towering pop fly while it floated in the sunny sky above. Catcher Paul Lo Duca dropped his mask, peeked into the glare …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
No Walks, Little Talk, but Rookie May Have Right Stuff — WASHINGTON, April 11 — The Mets know what it is like to be teased by a young pitcher. In the last two decades, they have watched several of their prospects climb through the minors before quickly slipping into mediocrity or oblivion.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets applaud Banni-star — Rook takes fight out of Nationals — WASHINGTON - Brian Bannister shied away from the inside corner during his first time through the Nationals' lineup, trying to avoid the spark that could set off a brawl. — In the end, there were no bean balls …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Lack Luster — Offense Listless, Crowd Lethargic, Defeat Sluggish: Mets 7, Nationals 1 — When all the fans settled into their seats under the sun, long after Vice President Cheney had skipped his ceremonial first pitch into the dirt in front of Washington Nationals catcher Brian Schneider …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Streaking Sox make it five straight — In Fenway Park opener, Lowell notches four hits — BOSTON — They took off their road grays, threw on their home whites and not a whole lot else changed. And considering the way they played in their season-opening trip through Texas and Baltimore …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Sore shoulder lands DeJean on disabled list — Phoenix - If the Rockies want to call bullpen member Mike DeJean, they will have to reach him on his cellphone. — What had become increasingly clear in his mind for two weeks became impossible to ignore as DeJean flew back to Denver …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Phils have many problems — Pat Gillick has been GM for some bad teams, but he's never seen one start like this. The first step: More big hits. — ATLANTA - Pat Gillick has never seen a start like this. — Not in 17 years in Toronto. — Not in three years in Baltimore or four years in Seattle.
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Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Philadelphia Phillies — It's a little early for scoreboard watching, but it was impossible not to keep tabs on some of the out-of-town action yesterday, particularly the fray out in Cincinnati, where the Reds hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Though they were not opponents on this day …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Halos' winning ways vs. Texas continue — Kennedy comes through in ninth in comeback victory — ANAHEIM — Not all of the heroes have left. — Some of the familiar names from the 2002 title run are gone, but a few remain, and Adam Kennedy proved Tuesday night that there is still some thunder in their sticks.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
THT Interview: John Dewan — If you've looked up Zone Ratings or line drive information, or used the Retrosheet file format, John Dewan has improved your sporting life. If you've read online boxscores or real-time line scores, John Dewan has improved your sporting life.
Discussion:
Sabernomics
Winter Olympics / Chicago Sun Times:
With his extension official, Lee stumps for Dusty — First baseman Derrek Lee wants the extension parade to march on. — After his four-year contract extension was announced Tuesday, Lee said he hopes to see manager Dusty Baker kept in the fold with a long-term deal.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Chat with Randolph opened eyes — Mets outfielder Floyd has found motivation to gut out injuries — NEW YORK — As Cliff Floyd prepared to leave the Mets clubhouse Saturday afternoon, Willie Randolph pulled him aside. Manager and left fielder discussed the circumstances of the rain-interrupted weekend …
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
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Jay Jaffe / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List — Week of April 9 — With one week of play in the books and the tempers of last week's angry mob of White Sox fans in need of more stoking (2-4 record be damned), it's time to break out the first in-season edition of the Hit List. This week marks the debut of the Hit List Factor …
Fox Sports:
Wright could play his way into Cooperstown — That Mets third baseman David Wright appears to be toe-deep in a Hall-of-Fame career shouldn't come as much of a surprise. — Long before Wright was drafted in 2001 with the 38th overall pick, insiders were aware of his astounding potential.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Loaiza looks to get up to speed in second start — notebook — MINNEAPOLIS — Esteban Loaiza walked around the clubhouse before Tuesday's game with a heating pad covering his right shoulder. — No cause for concern. — "We had an off-day yesterday," he said. "I'm just warming it up."
