Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Wells, Sox halted by Jays — Southpaw not sharp in first start; Sox winning streak snapped — BOSTON — When David Wells enjoys his post-playing life a year from now, Wednesday night does not figure to be an outing the left-hander will reflect back to. In fact, expect Wells to wipe …
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Lilly hopes to continue Sox success — Toronto (4-4) at Boston (6-2), 7:05 p.m. ET — Ted Lilly is probably hoping that history repeats itself. Not his last start, though. He'll want to turn in a similar performance to the ones he did against Boston last season.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Clement looks to start new Sox streak — Toronto (4-4) at Boston (6-2), 7:05 p.m. ET — The Red Sox have yet to lose a series in the early portion of this season, and they'll try to keep it that way Thursday night, when they host the Blue Jays in the rubber match of a three-game set.
Tom Yantz / Hartford Courant:
Crisp Gets Three-Year Extension — BOSTON — The Red Sox secured another one of their core players Wednesday when they agreed to a three-year, $15.5 million contract extension with center fielder Coco Crisp. — "We've made a concerted effort to reach agreement with players who we feel are on the upswing …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Paul Kenyon / projo.com:
Red Sox Notebook: Pena wins over fans with show of strength — BOSTON — Wily Mo Pena was among a group of Red Sox players taking extra batting practice yesterday afternoon. It paid off. — Pena, who already has become something of a lightning rod among Fenway fans …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:No big-time performance — Who knew that David Wells …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Dallas Morning News:
Chat transcript: Matthews the Rangers' leadoff answer? — Russ: Two questions: Do you forsee Brad Wilkerson moving down in the lineup and Ian Kinsler moving to leadoff? Is it time for Laynce Nix to go back to the minors? OK, one more, if this road trip continues on the downfall, could Buck Showalter be out relatively soon?
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Greene could have been a Cardinal — MIAMI - Back in 1998, when the Padres were destined to go to a World Series, Khalil Greene was choosing shortstop over a big payoff from the St. Louis Cardinals. — "The Cardinals told me that if Khalil would have agreed to switch to catcher …
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MLB.com:
Nationals recall outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris from Triple-A New Orleans — Outfielder Brandon Watson and catcher Wiki Gonzalez optioned to New Orleans — The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris from Triple-A New Orleans …
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
ESPN:
Manny Being Manny — The season's barely started and Manny Ramirez has already pulled a classic stunt. While watching the Red Sox home opener, Uni Watch noticed that Manny had a pin on his jersey, or a button, or something, right between "Red" and "Sox.".
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Wells set to resume throwing Monday — Kip Wells' recovery from a vein transplant is proceeding smoothly enough that he will resume throwing a baseball Monday. — Maybe sooner, if he has his way. — "As an athlete, you always want to push it," Wells said from Bradenton, Fla., where he is rehabilitating.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Sheffield Jolts Bowa, Then Stings the Ball — With a runner on second base, the best place for Larry Bowa to stand is in front of the third-base coach's box, about 75 feet from home plate. That is where the runner can see him, so that is where Bowa was stationed with Gary Sheffield batting in the first inning yesterday.
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Craig Burley / Hardball Times:
Run Slowly And Carry A Big Bat — I suppose have always known that Bengie Molina was slow. — Being a fan in an American League city, and one with a slavish dedication to watching playoff baseball, I've been familiar with Molina for some time, thanks to his fine work as catcher for the Los Angeles Angels.
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Notes: Mulholland to the DL — Daigle turning heads; Green getting comfortable — PHOENIX — The Diamondbacks on Wednesday placed left-hander Terry Mulholland on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of reliever Casey Daigle from Triple-A Tucson.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Jesse Spector / NY Daily News:
Boss' boys down-write mean — The Yankees' three-game winning streak seems to have George Steinbrenner in a happy mood. — His security forces, however, were quite surly yesterday, shoving away two reporters as they tried to ask The Boss for his thoughts about yesterday's 12-5 win over the Royals.
NY Daily News:
Zambrano finally takes the mound — WASHINGTON - A persistent fever, hamstring strain and rain kept Victor Zambrano confined to the dugout for the season's first seven games. Today, nearly two weeks after he last pitched in a game, he takes the mound as the Mets conclude a series against the Nationals.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Pitching problems continue in loss — Dodgers' hurlers give up 14 hits to the Pirates — PITTSBURGH — There were malfunctions on Wednesday night with the Dodgers' starting pitching, relief pitching and even the dugout phone used to call the bullpen. — "It got rectified," …
