Top News:
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
At long last — As they stated repeatedly during their introductory press conference last night, the Lerner family and Stan Kasten are in this for the long haul. — They intend to build the Washington Nationals into a long-term success, on and off the baseball field.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Washington pitchers belted by Florida — Hernandez gives up seven in five innings, Eischen four more — WASHINGTON — Principal owner Mark Lerner and team president Stan Kasten made their first appearance at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium since Major League Baseball announced that the Lerner group would take control of the Nationals.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Give New Boss Another Loss — Lerners Witness Shellacking by Marlins: Marlins 11, Nationals 3 — When Matthew LeCroy struck out with the bases loaded, accounting for the final out in a miserable 11-3 loss to the Florida Marlins last night at RFK Stadium, Theodore N. Lerner …
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko's …
S.V. Date / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins' stadium aid in reach — TALLAHASSEE — With no warning and just two days left in the legislative session, a second $60 million subsidy for the Florida Marlins on Wednesday made it further than ever in the Florida Senate after Miami members attached it to another sports stadium bill.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Miami Herald:
Foe's maneuver may sink Marlins' funds — A bill to give the Florida Marlins $60 million in tax breaks for a new stadium may fail again in the state Senate. The legislative session ends today. — meklas@MiamiHerald.com — TALLAHASSEE - On the final nail-biting day of the lawmaking session …
Brent Kallestad / Associated Press:
Governor open to state help for Marlins baseball park in Hialeah — TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Jeb Bush signaled Thursday he's open to a proposal to give state help to Miami-Dade County for a new Florida Marlins baseball park in Hialeah. — The proposal is riding on a bill already passed …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres take lumps, but Dodgers get goose egg — LOS ANGELES - Clay Hensley was Rocky Balboa, bleeding between rounds but continuing the fight. — It paid off for the surging Padres, who scored a 3-0 victory at Dodger Stadium last night. — The team's fifth straight win …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Sexson held out — CHICAGO — When Richie Sexson came to the park Thursday, he was in the starting lineup. — When the game began, he wasn't. — When the game ended, he was in the on-deck circle. — When the Mariners were packing to leave Chicago, he was walking gingerly.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Eddie's no longer every day — CHICAGO — Manager Mike Hargrove has taken primary responsibility for closing Mariners games away from Eddie Guardado. — Hargrove said while Guardado would still be called the closer, the actual job of closing would be spread among the rest of the bullpen.
Associated Press:
Bonds gets a day off from starting lineup — MILWAUKEE (AP) - Barry Bonds' pursuit of the Babe might have to wait until Philadelphia. — Bonds wasn't in the starting lineup for the San Francisco Giants' game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. — He still had a bit of a headache …
Ken Daley / MLB.com:
Notes: Coach suspended five games — Third-base coach Smith suspended for spitting during spat — ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers third-base coach Steve Smith was slapped with a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine Thursday, penalties stemming from his confrontation last Friday …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Pete Alfano / Dallas Star-Telegram:
These American idols have lost their fear factor — George Lucas may not be making any more Star Wars movies, but that doesn't mean we've seen the last of the Evil Empire. — Yes, the hated, despised, reviled, insufferable and arrogant Yankees are in town for a three-game weekend series …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
It's almost Lima Time — Jose Lima was pulled from last night's Triple-A Norfolk game after two innings and received congratulatory handshakes from teammates, but Mets officials insisted they aren't bailing on John Maine for Sunday's start. Not yet, anyway.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Notebook: Pujols is hobbled — Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols fouled a breaking pitch off his left ankle during a first-inning at-bat Thursday. He ended the plate appearance by grounding to second base. He limped noticeably running to first before slamming his helmet.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
John Delcos / The Journal News:
Randolph's hunch pays off — NEW YORK — With a hunch like he had last night, Willie Randolph should have gone to Vegas. — The Mets' manager had a feeling about outfielder Endy Chavez, and he went with his gut and played him over Xavier Nady in right field.
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Tony DeMarco / MLB.com:
Notes: Griffey's knee injury still an issue — Outfielder's return remains a question mark — DENVER — They're saying it's not really any worse. But it certainly isn't getting any better, either. — Still feeling the discomfort of a strained tendon in the back of his right knee …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Starter needed for Saturday — Fernandez to be recalled Friday; Clark working hard on swing — MILWAUKEE — This, and not much more, is known about the Brewers' starting pitcher for Saturday: It will not be Dana Eveland. — After Thursday's win over the Giants …
