Top News:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
To Combat Ortiz, Just Add Outfielders — DAVID ORTIZ swung and missed for strike three, and Toby Hall, the Tampa Bay catcher, went to throw the ball to third base, the way catchers do when a batter strikes out for the first or second out. Only this time the third baseman was not there.
Discussion:
Management
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Devil Rays prospect throws bat at plate umpire — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Durham Bulls outfielder Delmon Young threw a bat into the chest of the home plate umpire after being called out on strikes in the first inning of Wednesday night's game at Pawtucket. — Young argued with the umpire after taking a third strike on a 1-and-2 pitch.
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Yanks become running joke — Loss extra annoying — A night of frustration, aggravation and irritation ended with the ultimate in Yankee indignation: Mariano Rivera getting knocked around. — Deflating as that may be, Rivera was hardly the biggest culprit in an exasperating 4-2, 10-inning loss to the Devil Rays at the Stadium.
Associated Press:
Report: Bonds' personal trainer to testify before perjury grand jury — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds' personal trainer has been subpoenaed to testify before the federal grand jury investigating whether the San Francisco Giants' slugger committed perjury, according to media reports Tuesday night.
RELATED ITEMS:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Rotation will be altered slightly — SAN FRANCISCO - The Mets already planned to alter their rotation before yesterday's 7-5 win over the Giants, but after seeing Brian Bannister limp home in the sixth inning while running the bases, some further adjustments may be necessary.
RELATED ITEMS:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:Willie's pitch: Try minors
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Archie Bunker's Army, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Hot Foot and Metsblog.com
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Go Quietly As Reds Sweep — 4th Straight Loss Features One Hit : Reds 5, Nationals 0 — Once upon a time, the stands along the left field line at RFK Stadium would bounce with joy, filled with fans excited about the return of baseball to Washington.
RELATED ITEMS:
Jay Posner / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Piazza comes to in time for 400th — For a day that included a whack on the head with a bat and a loss for his team, yesterday wasn't all bad for Mike Piazza. — The Padres catcher became the 41st major league player to hit 400 home runs, reaching the milestone with a 416-foot blast …
RELATED ITEMS:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Otsuka replaces Cordero as closer — Japanese reliever takes over for struggling incumbent — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have decided to change their closer. — Akinori Otsuka will get a chance to close when the Rangers begin a five-game road trip to Cleveland and Tampa Bay on Friday night.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Mariners make quick work of Sox — Lopez delivers biggest blow as Washburn outduels Buehrle — SEATTLE — A year ago, Jose Lopez might have tried to pull the same two-strike pitch on the outside corner that White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle tempted him with Wednesday.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers recall right-hander Hendrickson — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers recalled right-hander Ben Hendrickson from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, giving the one-time hot prospect a second chance to make a good impression. — Hendrickson likely will pitch long relief for the Brewers …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Travis Nelson / All-Baseball.com, part of MVN:
A SONG FOR THE TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS: YOUR PITCHERS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN' — Cue Nancy Sinatra... You keep saying you've got something for us, — Some winning base-ball? ...but confess. — You keep throwin' balls outside the strike zone, — And now your bullpen doesn't get no rest.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Eventful Day — Let's see what's happened on an eventful day. The Nationals haven't been sold, according to MLB, despite having it announced on the telecast. The Braves have been sold, though it doesn't look like anyone noticed. The Braves are likely to be sold again …
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Clark's willing to be traded — SAN DIEGO - Tony Clark couldn't be happier in Arizona as a member of the Diamondbacks. He makes his off-season home in the Valley, he has started a large charitable foundation there, and he's deeply involved in his family's church.
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Furcal's Footwork Tangles Him Up — HOUSTON — To the untrained eye, shortstop Rafael Furcal's six errors are the result of errant throws and a shaky glove. — To Dodger coach Mariano Duncan, the source of the problem is Furcal's feet. — They aren't moving when the ball is hit.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
A's win has a price: Harden hurts back — Oakland's ace is forced to leave in the fourth inning — ARLINGTON, Texas - The loud music, smiles and backslapping masked the grim reality that the A's could be without their ace, Rich Harden, for a good while. — Harden smiled himself when asked …
John Kruk / ESPN:
Phils need to right their ship — The Phillies are in trouble right now and there are a couple things wrong with them. They've started making the right moves by switching up their batting order to maximize their talent, moving Chase Utley into the No. 2 spot in the order being the most significant.
Discussion:
Mike's Baseball Rants
