Top News:
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Pineiro aims for second victory — Seattle (5-6) at Boston (7-3), 10:20 a.m. PT — After Joel Pineiro's last start, an up-and-down effort against the Oakland A's, the Mariners right-hander's going to be looking to put two halves together and make one solid whole Saturday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Wakefield to make Fenway debut — Seattle (5-6) at Boston (7-3), 1:20 p.m. ET — The Red Sox will try to break out their bats on Saturday afternoon when they meet the Mariners in the second game of a three-game series. Though Boston did win Friday's opener, it was by the slimmest of margins (2-1).
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
A Sure Schilling — He's 3-0; Fifth Save For Papelbon — BOSTON — Feeling a bit under the weather, Curt Schilling used every ounce of energy in his 39-year-old body. He didn't even lobby to go out for the ninth despite throwing 104 pitches, his fewest in three starts this season.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
Ramirez Goes 0-For-3 — BOSTON — With Curt Schilling on the mound, the threat of rain Friday night was more of a concern for manager Terry Francona than Manny Ramirez's .219 batting average. — Francona might change his tune after Ramirez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Red Sox's 2-1 victory.
Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
Damon would move for Hunter — Yankee willing to play right field if New York acquired Twins star — Just because the New York Yankees signed Johnny Damon to play center field doesn't mean there isn't room for Torii Hunter. — Damon told the Pioneer Press he would be willing to move …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Sam Borden / NY Daily News:Back to square 1 — Yanks .500 as bats go dead again
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Magnificent seven — Glavine extends streak — The Mets are spending the season celebrating the 20th anniversary of their last World Series championship in 1986. But for this accomplishment, they have to go back one year earlier. — The Mets continued to make their fans wax nostalgic …
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Sanchez cleans up Heilman's mess — It was pretty clear who would be starting the games. And with the addition of Billy Wagner, there was absolute certainty about who would be finishing them. The relief pitchers who would bridge the gap between a formidable rotation and a brilliant closer probably …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:With 11 Strikeouts, Glavine Baffles Friend and Foe
Discussion:
Metsquire
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Brazelton sent to bullpen; Hensley starter — MIAMI - Manager Bruce Bochy made it official yesterday, demoting Dewon Brazelton into a long-relief job and filling the No. 4 starting spot with Clay Hensley for Tuesday's game in Denver. — "Hopefully it'll be the best for both pitchers," Bochy said.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Notes: Hensley inserted into rotation — Continuing to recover, Cameron takes swings off tee — ATLANTA — Clay Hensley had a fascinating reaction to Friday's news that he would be taking Dewon Brazelton's place in the Padres' starting rotation on Tuesday night against the Rockies, with Brazelton going to the bullpen.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Wells may be headed to DL — David Wells is expected to miss his next start on Monday and could be headed back to the 15-day disabled list. — The 42-year-old left-hander, who was pounded for seven runs on 10 hits in only four innings in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays …
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Lefty just what pen needed — Wilson comes off DL to add some flexibility; Feldman sent down — OAKLAND, Calif. - Rangers manager Buck Showalter felt a little more comfortable Friday afternoon. — He had a second left-hander he could trust in the bullpen.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
GREINKE EAGER TO PITCH AGAIN — KC starter 'feeling a lot better' and looking forward to playing — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Royals pitcher Zack Greinke said he feels healthy enough, after nearly eight weeks of psychological counseling, to think about returning to the mound.
Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Williams to lead the way for Reds — Cincinnati (7-3) at St. Louis (5-5), 2:15 p.m. ET — The Reds hope to get another dividend from the Dave Williams investment when they take on the Cardinals on Saturday in the middle game of a three-game series. — Williams, who came to Cincinnati …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Lofton Is Activated, but Ross Stays — The light on Cody Ross' cellphone kept blinking. He rounded the bases on television replays Thursday, again and again, and every time he did someone called and left a message of congratulations. — "Before we got to the airport, I already had 15," he said.
ESPN:
2006 Power Rankings: Looking Amazin' so far — On paper the New York Mets entered the season looking like the National League's most loaded team. And only two weeks in, they're backing it up on the field. In fact, they're playing like the best team in the majors.
