Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Middle men run hot, cold — Iguchi, Uribe above average in own ways at second and short — ANAHEIM — They were new to each other, yet worked well together last year. — This April represents a different story, but the White Sox anticipate a happy ending for second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and shortstop Juan Uribe.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox have turned West Coast corner — ANAHEIM — Improvement in late-inning relief and fundamentals made April 2006 just as sweet for the White Sox as the start of last year's championship season. — They matched last April's 17-7 mark in impressive style Sunday, capping a rare three …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Umpire's Statement Prompts an Inquiry — The Angels have asked the commissioner's office to investigate the circumstances behind an umpire's alleged claim that the team has a "well-documented" problem with A.J. Pierzynski, Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said Sunday.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ken Gurnick / losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com:
Dodgers drop heartbreaker to Padres — Bullpen unable to hold five-run lead in ninth for effective Lowe — SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers bullpen, having survived elbow operations to Eric Gagne and Yhency Brazoban in less than a month, finally melted down in spectacular fashion on Sunday.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Repko's production pays off — Outfielder's mix of power, speed making up for struggling Cruz — SAN DIEGO — Jason Repko started in left field for the Dodgers on Sunday over the slumping Jose Cruz Jr., and it could become a regular gig. — "This guy has been very productive every …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Gagne resumes throwing — Dodgers closer confident he'll return in three to four weeks — SAN DIEGO — A little more than three weeks after surgery to remove a nerve near his elbow, Eric Gagne resumed tossing on Saturday. — Actually, Gagne admitted he tossed a little two days earlier …
Discussion:
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sox fans should cheer Damon now, boo later — Really, this isn't so complicated: Red Sox fans should cheer Johnny Damon when he returns to Fenway Park on Monday night, then treat him the same way they will every other Yankee over the next four years. — Which is to say, boo him. — Loudly.
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox Nation
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Damon and Yanks Back Johnson's Shaky Outing — So what single element best encapsulates the Yankees' wacky 17-6 victory against Toronto yesterday on a gloriously sunny day at Yankee Stadium? — Is it the two home runs by center fielder Johnny Damon, who is approaching top form as he nears his return to Fenway Park?
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: Parties call feud imaginary — Scioscia, Guillen talk; Gregg to start in Escobar's spot — ANAHEIM — Manager Mike Scioscia and his White Sox counterpart buried a non-existent hatchet Sunday morning. — The two managers spoke on the phone from their respective clubhouses …
Discussion:
Watching All Angels
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
'Headhunter' warnings irk Guillen — Tired of being target of MLB, he protests — ANAHEIM — A day after ripping Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen shifted his anger to Major League Baseball for the repeated warnings his team has received for past plunking incidents.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angry White Sox Beat Angels — Chicago Manager Guillen is mad at Scioscia after Escobar hits Pierzynski during L.A.'s 2-1 loss. — Did he or didn't he? — Did Angel pitcher Kelvim Escobar hit Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski on purpose on Saturday as payback for last year's American League championship series?
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Report: Garcia violates IBAF drug policy — Venezuela paper claims positive test for marijuana at Classic — According to the Venezuelan daily newspaper Lider, Chicago White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia violated the International Baseball Amateur Federation anti-doping policy when marijuana …
Alan Eskew / MLB.com:
Notes: A's to hold meeting on Monday — Pitching issues at the forefront of discussion topics — KANSAS CITY — The Esteban Loaiza situation in particular, and the Athletics pitching overall, will be addressed on Monday in a meeting with general manager Billy Beane in Anaheim.
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Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:Kendall doesn't share same view as critics
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
It's Not Loretta's Month — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta has struck out once every 17.5 plate appearances, one of the best ratios in the American League. So he has lived up to his reputation as a contact hitter. — But putting the ball in play hasn't produced results.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Pitchers Schilling, Kazmir get their signals crossed up
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Dodgers-Padres Preview — The San Diego Padres are desperate for some offense. A win would also be welcome. — They'll look to end a five-game losing streak when they wrap up a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on Sunday. — The Padres (8-15) …
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Jason / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost — Ninth inning, nobody out, Chipper Jones on first after David Wright kicked away a tough ground ball. — Gary — perfectly understandably, and properly — was talking about how this was the kind of game that historically had gotten away from the Mets at Turner Field.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Matsui impresses in return — Second baseman's defense gives skipper options — ATLANTA — Kaz Matsui hasn't been an overwhelming force since he replaced injured Anderson Hernandez at second base last week. But he has performed well in his first seven games …
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Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
His past behind him, Day starts today — Nationals notes — ST. LOUIS — Zach Day today will start for the Washington Nationals for the first time in nearly a year. Both Day and the Nationals can only hope the outcome is better this time around. — His previous start with the Nationals …
