Top News:
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Whiz kids — Fireballing Beckett blazes trail for Sox with his third win of the season — On two occasions this season Josh Beckett has pressed his right cleat against the rubber to see a runner on third base with only one out. The result: four batters faced, four Ks, zero runs.
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David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
J Crew — Beckett, Papelbon In Control — BOSTON — Another stellar performance by Josh Beckett was capped off by another breezy save by Jonathan Papelbon. It made the adventures of Wily Mo Pena in right field on a windy day somewhat bearable for a sellout crowd Sunday at Fenway Park.
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Beckett earns pressure points — Jason Varitek wanted to see what Josh Beckett could do in crunch time. Yesterday, Beckett provided an answer. — Rearing back and firing fastballs - as well as the occasional stomach-turning curve - Beckett overpowered the Seattle Mariners whenever they threatened in the Red Sox' 3-2 victory.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Sox lose upper hand without pair of aces: Wakefield victim of bad trend
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Church Arrives in Time to Lead Nats to Series Win — MIAMI, April 16 — There was no evidence that this was on the way, not given what Ryan Church did in spring training, where he hit .200, not given what he did when he went to the minors, where he hit .130, and not given what he did in his first seven …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Federal Baseball, Distinguished Senators, William F. Yurasko's … and The Nationals Enquirer
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Church's heroics lead Nats — Slugger belts pair of homers, including game-winner in ninth — MIAMI — Ryan Church said that his confidence was waning entering Sunday's action, and the lack of it started when the Nationals optioned him to Triple-A New Orleans on March 28.
Tony Jackson / L.A. Daily News:
Saito in position to be setup man — Dodgers manager Grady Little said Saturday that right-hander Takashi Saito, technically a rookie but a veteran of 14 seasons with the Yokohama Baystars of Japan's Central League, is emerging as a strong candidate to fill the still-vacant setup role in the club's bullpen.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Gagne makes clubhouse visit — Two roles for Saito; Izturis' rehab assignment pushed back — LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne on Sunday made his first clubhouse appearance since surgery last week to remove a nerve near his elbow. — Gagne said he finally acknowledged the discomfort …
Associated Press:
Pujols hits 3 homers in Cardinals' win — Albert Pujols was so ecstatic after his third home run of the game gave St. Louis the win, he couldn't help himself from showing off some moves. The normally reserved slugger did a little dance in front of home plate before teammates mobbed …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Baseball Notes | Baserunning gaffe voids O's home run — Baseball Notable — It might have been the longest single in Javy Lopez's career. Without question, it was the most disappointing. — Lopez hit a pitch from John Lackey into the seats at Camden Yards yesterday …
NY Daily News:
Beltran's sore spot — Carlos Beltran felt his right hamstring tighten as he left the batter's box and tried to beat Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder to the bag on a third-inning grounder Saturday. Yesterday he awoke with the muscle sore and was left out of the lineup for the first time this season.
Nate Latsch / MLB.com:
Notes: No timetable for Griffey's return — Reds center fielder out of lineup for fourth straight game — ST. LOUIS — The Cincinnati Reds didn't appear to miss Ken Griffey Jr. much when the center fielder was out of the lineup on Thursday at Chicago, an 8-3 Reds victory.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
No more tarp sliding for Buehrle — Southpaw reportedly fined for Sunday's rain-delay actions — CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle's tarp-diving days officially came to a close Sunday afternoon, now slipping and sliding in its fourth year of rain delay theater. — During the second of two rain delays …
Ray Glier / MSNBC:
Mets cream of NL East? Braves say hold on — Atlanta has talent, attitude to show Pedro, mouthy N.Y. who owns division — Pedro Martinez and the Mets may be riding high right now, but the Braves will likely show them who's boss during their series this week, writes NBCSports.com's Ray Glier.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Yankees sign Pena, Colome — New York gives first baseman, righty Minor League deals — MINNEAPOLIS — The Yankees added some insurance to their organization on Saturday, signing first baseman Carlos Pena and right-hander Jesus Colome to Minor League contracts.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Garcia gets a win, lecture — With the rain pelting down in the top of the fifth and the dirt of the U.S. Cellular Field infield a quagmire, White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi fumbled an easy grounder that would have ended the inning. — Sox starter Freddy Garcia raised his hands …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Re-creating a classic — Before this story gets to the part where the kid lands his dream job because of a video game, some tired fingers and Bill Buckner, let's go back about 20 years. — On Oct. 25, 1986, Conor Lastowka was 5 years old. He lived in Virginia, and bedtime was long …
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Notes: New dad Erstad on Cloud Nine — First baseman flies back to Baltimore after birth of first child — BALTIMORE — Darin Erstad arrived at the ballpark a little more tired than on a normal day. But that's understandable, given the fact this definitely hasn't been a normal week.
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