Top News:
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
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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.
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 …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:No big-time performance — Who knew that David Wells …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Ross' 7-RBI outburst may change Dodgers' minds — PITTSBURGH — If this was Cody Ross' last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he certainly gave them something to remember him by. — Ross hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in successive at-bats and the Dodgers rode a big game …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Ross homers twice to power Dodgers — Lowe solid for six frames to help team earn split with Bucs — PITTSBURGH — Baseball officials, when faced with tough personnel choices, claim the players make the decisions by their performance. — If that's the case, Cody Ross isn't going anywhere soon …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: No panic over pitching staff — Manager Little believes that team will adjust to early troubles — PITTSBURGH — A new day, the same topic for manager Grady Little, who spent the pregame again discussing his team's pitching woes. — Aaron Sele and D.J. Houlton are the most experienced pitchers …
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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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
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Associated Press:Nationals send down Watson, Gonzalez, recall Church, Harris
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Backe departs with sprained elbow — Houston starter lasts two innings against Giants — SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Backe threw a fastball to Lance Niekro and immediately knew something wasn't right. His pitching coach and head athletic trainer knew it, too, and soon after …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Arizona noticing Colorado's revival — Phoenix - For eight seasons, opponents have arrived at first base and offered Rockies star Todd Helton sympathy. "Wait until next year" was more a warning than a condolence. — One week into Year 2 of a full-blown youth movement, everything is different.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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.
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.
