Top News:
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 …
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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 …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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
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
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Fans' attention centers on clutch Bernie — Bernie Williams had forged countless Opening Day memories from his 15 previous years in pinstripes, so it was fitting that Johnny's Damon's home debut still held a few nostalgic moments for his center-field predecessor.
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Kinsler suffers dislocated left thumb — Rookie second baseman likely headed to DL — ANAHEIM — Rangers rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler is probably headed for the disabled list after dislocating his left thumb in a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Showalter shuffles lineup — Teixeira to DH while bruised finger heals — ANAHEIM — Manager Buck Showalter switched up his struggling lineup for Tuesday's game with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. — Kevin Mench, dealing with a sore right foot, was on the bench, while Adrian Brown started for him in right field.
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Lofton Just About Ready for Return — PITTSBURGH — Center fielder Kenny Lofton endured a grueling pregame workout without pain in his calf, and the Dodgers plan to activate him from the disabled list in time to begin the homestand Friday against the San Francisco Giants.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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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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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
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Borchard in jeopardy — Lawton's return likely will drop OF from roster — CLEVELAND — Joe Borchard's time with the Mariners might not last past today. — Borchard is the likeliest of the Mariners to be moved off the roster to make room for Matt Lawton …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Miami Herald:
Ramirez shows his worth — Josh Beckett gave the Boston Red Sox another outstanding start Tuesday, and Mike Lowell went 4 for 4 in his Fenway Park debut. But the key player obtained by the Marlins in that big November trade, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, gave South Florida baseball fans a taste of why he was so coveted.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
At 3rd, Crede 2nd to none — White Sox teammates believe he's worthy of a Gold Glove — DETROIT — The White Sox improved their hitting in the off-season when they traded for slugger Jim Thome from Philadelphia and they fortified their starting rotation when they acquired Javier Vazquez.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Second stent puts Brocail's return on hold — MIAMI - Padres reliever Doug Brocail underwent a second angioplasty yesterday after recent tests discovered a coronary blockage separate from the one that required surgery March 11. — Manager Bruce Bochy said Brocail reported feeling heartburn …
Chris Haft / Mercury News:
Rainout not welcomed — THEY'LL PLAY TWO COME THURSDAY — The Giants joined the rest of the Bay Area in complaining about the weather after Tuesday night's game against Houston was rained out. — The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Thursday, since this is the Astros' only visit to San Francisco.
