Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Delgado, Brian add up — 3-run shot helps rook to 2nd 'W' — Carlos Delgado took a sip of water. Then, after a delay, he finally popped out of the dugout to take his curtain call (no prodding from Julio Franco required). — "I didn't think it was for me," Delgado said. "It's always loud."
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NY Daily News:
Julio puts focus on Anna — The Mets had just put up an eighth-inning five-spot against the dregs of the Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen to virtually assure four games of daylight between themselves and the Braves on the eve of the first visit of the season from Bobby Cox's boys, only now the Shea throng was booing.
Discussion:
The Metropolitans
NY Daily News:
Willie has 2 things on plate — Even on a gorgeous afternoon in the midst of the best start that any Mets fan could have hoped for, you knew the boos were coming. Apparently someone has to pay for any loss, even when they come nearly two weeks apart, and right now the new villain in town is Jorge Julio.
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.
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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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Beltran being cautious — After playing hurt in 2005, center fielder takes no chances — NEW YORK — A lesson learned last season and a strained right hamstring kept Carlos Beltran from playing Sunday against the Brewers. The Mets' center fielder, who played hurt …
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Long time to reach Trevor time — ATLANTA - Trevor Hoffman exhaled. The reliever was relieved. — Finally, the closer got a change to save a game, and he got it done despite allowing two singles with two outs in the ninth inning yesterday. — "It's nice that it's over," …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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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.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Aardsma to bolster a very busy bullpen — PITTSBURGH — With the Cubs' bullpen already taxed because the starters aren't going deep into games, the team opted to add a 12th pitcher to take the spot of injured outfielder Angel Pagan. — Right-hander David Aardsma was called up from Triple …
Discussion:
Cub Town
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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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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Papelbon has heater, stays cool — He has his own theme music now. ''Bodies," by Drowning Pool. — '' 'Let the bodies hit the floor,' something like that," Jonathan Papelbon said yesterday after stuffing the Seattle Mariners with another 1-2-3 ninth in a 3-2 Red Sox victory.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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
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 …
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 …
