Top News:
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.
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:
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 …
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 …
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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USA Today:
Law of economics rules starters' wage scale — In between golf, fishing, working out and whatever other activities kept them busy in the offseason, pitchers entering the last year of their contracts noticed a pleasant development — the price of starting pitching skyrocketed again over the winter.
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Associated Press:
San Francisco Giants … Reports: Grand jury probing possible perjury by Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal grand jury is investigating whether Barry Bonds committed perjury when he testified in 2003 that he never used steroids, according to media reports.
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
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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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:
Brewers beat Cards at own game — Fundamentally sound play leads to 4-3 victory in St. Louis — ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers were under strict instructions to play more like the St. Louis Cardinals. You should not go wrong following orders like this and the Brewers didn't.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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
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
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.".
