Top News:
Dallas Morning News:
Wilkerson's still swinging — Since his introductory press conference, Brad Wilkerson and I have shared a special bond. You might call it good, old-fashioned hate. — OK, hate might be a little strong, but he is, after all, a Florida Gator and I'm Johnny Georgia Bulldog. It creates a little tension.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Kings of the two-out rally — SEATTLE — The Rangers have scored nearly half their runs (31 of 66, or 47 percent) with two outs. — There are two ways to look at that trend. One is, wow, lots of clutch hitting. The other is, why aren't they scoring earlier in innings?
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker pitches deal for ace — Says it may be time to extend Maddux — LOS ANGELES — Greg Maddux's future was on the mind of Dusty Baker before Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium, and the question of how long the 40-year-old right-hander can continue to pitch was put to the Cubs manager.
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
'Old' Maddux ... new contract? — LOS ANGELES — Contract extensions have been a hot topic for the Cubs this season. So it wasn't surprising that when manager Dusty Baker was asked if the team would have to seriously assess re-signing Greg Maddux after the season, he chimed in with an earlier scenario.
Discussion:
Ivy Chat
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres cap three-game set vs. Rockies — San Diego (5-8) at Colorado (8-6), 12:05 p.m. PT — With MLB.TV, the only place to watch the series finale, Chan Ho Park makes his second start of the season on Wednesday. It's Park's first start at Coors Field since 2001 when he was with the Dodgers.
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Associated Press:
Padres-Rockies Preview — Matt Holliday broke out of his slump and the Colorado Rockies stopped a two-game slide with one swing of the bat. — The third-year major leaguer will look to continue his game-winning form as the Rockies (8-6) meet the San Diego Padres in the series-deciding third game on Wednesday.
Ryan Vb / Cardinals Diaspora:
On the Road with Jim Bowden — Reassurance is in order. Suppan had a bad game. It happens. It's Supe; he'll work it out. In the pitching preview I contributed over at Beyond the Boxscore, I called Supe the "'96 Honda Civic of pitchers," emphasizing his reliability and general lack of panache.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen sore after taking BP — His left oblique still hurting, but he may play Wednesday — PHILADELPHIA — Outfielder Jose Guillen took three rounds of early batting practice on Tuesday afternoon and swung the bat freely, but he still felt some soreness in his left oblique …
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Church's Slam Caps Nats' 3rd Straight Win
Discussion:
Washington Times, Capitol Punishment, William F. Yurasko's …, District of Baseball and DCist
NY Daily News:
Hernandez joins injury crowd — Anderson Hernandez was scratched after experiencing back spasms as he bent for a grounder during batting practice yesterday. The second baseman joined Carlos Beltran (hamstring) and Cliff Floyd (rib cage) in the trainer's room.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Fox Sports:
Man of the 'House: Chris Shelton — Why he's the Man ... When the ball dropped on the 2006 baseball season none but the most abiding of fans would've known the name "Chris Shelton." — Well, that's changing. In a big way. — At this writing, the Detroit Tigers' slightly pudgy …
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Zambrano Is Efficient but Ineffective — The usual problem with Victor Zambrano is that his pitches often do not find the plate. Last night, for a change, they found too much of it, especially when the Atlanta Braves' Andruw Jones was at the plate. Jones hit two-run homers in consecutive …
Discussion:
Metsquire
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Nationals close to finding new owner — Decision could be made as early as next week — A decision to choose the new owners of the Washington Nationals is coming down to its final days, with an announcement possible sometime next week, a source familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday.
Matthew Schuerman / New York Observer:
We Got The Hits—Hits. — The Mets came out with a new theme song today, which like its title ("Our Team. Our Time.") and the advertising slogan it accompanies ("The Team. The Time. The Mets."), celebrates terminal punctuation. Our question: Can 45,000 fans rap all at the same time?
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Johnson Doesn't Know What Hit Him — TORONTO, April 18 — Your team is down by four runs with one out in the top of the first inning. When you finally come to bat, a future Hall of Famer will be facing you. What are you thinking in the home dugout? — "You figure it's over," …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Milestone for Gonzalez in win — Slugger becomes 21st player with 500 doubles and 300 homers — PHOENIX — Luis Gonzalez appeared in the postgame interview room wearing a Diamondbacks undershirt. — The uniform of the once skinny kid from Tampa, Fla., whose Major League dreams …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
ESPN:
25. B.J. Upton, SS, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (21) — The Devil Rays are employing people such as Ty Wigginton, Nick Green and Damon Hollins in their everyday lineup, so it's fair to speculate about why they're leaving B.J. Upton in Durham. On the one hand, Upton's defense at shortstop …
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Notes: Sledge optioned to Triple-A — Center fielder steps down to get batting practice — DENVER — Terrmel Sledge stuffed his equipment bag on Tuesday afternoon at Coors Field and prepared for a trip back in time — a temporary one, he hopes — to the Minor Leagues.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Eddie not blown away — Closer able to shake off dismal ending in Boston — Eddie Guardado got at least one good review after blowing Monday's game in Boston. — The Mariners closer's family was in the stands at Fenway Park and saw him surrender a two-out …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Prospect Is Suspended 50 Games for Steroids — MINNEAPOLIS — The Angel organization got its first dose of baseball's stiffer drug penalties Tuesday when Karl Gelinas, a pitcher at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, was suspended 50 games without pay for a first-time steroid offense.
