Top News:
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
No second thoughts about Cano decision — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of Robinson Cano's major-league debut, and the schedule-makers gave him the treat of returning to the stadium where he began his career. — So, standing in the Tropicana Field …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Off the Bench, Sheffield Gets a Yanks' Rally Going — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 4 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were one out from taking a lead into the seventh-inning stretch Thursday. The bases were empty, and the next Yankees hitter was Bubba Crosby, who had cracked his bat on a grounder and struck out.
NY Daily News:
Sheffield delivers in pinch — ST. PETERSBURG - A badly bruised left wrist had kept Gary Sheffield from playing since Saturday, but he didn't take long to make an impact in his return. — It was Sheffield's two-out, pinch-hit single that started the Yankees' seventh-inning rally …
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
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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.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Nationals Give New Boss Another Loss
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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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
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
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
Paul Harris / MLB.com:
Angels bust out bats to halt skid — Rookie additions make immediate impact in win — DETROIT — The kids came to the Angels' rescue on Thursday. — Led by Mike Napoli and Tommy Murphy, who were both called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday night, the Angels beat Detroit, 7-2, to snap the team's six-game losing streak.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Behind the Broadcast Curtain With the Wizard of YES — Gary Sheffield's drive looked fated to soar over the left-center field fence at Yankee Stadium last Thursday night. John Filippelli, watching in his 36th-floor Manhattan office at the YES Network, said, "Oh, that's gone!"
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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 …
