Top News:
NY Daily News:
Once again, the choke's on Alex — Error latest Bosox blunder — Maybe it wouldn't have mattered by night's end. Maybe Randy Johnson was going to come unglued at some point anyway. Or maybe it all turns out differently if Alex Rodriguez fields a ground ball hit right at him by David Ortiz in the third inning.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett, Sox roll to win over Yankees — Right-hander goes seven innings; bats rap 16 hits in victory — NEW YORK — It sure looked like Josh Beckett was laboring through the first inning Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. The hints to back such an assumption were 30 pitches and the blast …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Boss & Bosox spank Yanks — A-Rod, Randy get roughed up — The booing started in earnest after David Ortiz's fourth-inning double and got louder once Randy Johnson started trudging off the mound. Johnson, who was wilder than he's been all season, bore the brunt of fans' frustration last night …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Beckett sparkles under lights in Big Apple — NEW YORK - Josh Beckett did not wash his hair in champagne after another victory at Yankee Stadium last night. — His seven-inning start was near championship-caliber, however, in the Red Sox' 14-3 romp over the Yankees.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Martinez finally gets his control — PHILADELPHIA — Pedro Martinez always has been considered the key to postseason dreams for the Mets, but with the back end of the rotation in turmoil, it seems even more so these days. That's what made the first few innings of last night's 5-4 loss …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Heilman's pitch to start is turned down again — PHILADELPHIA - After Victor Zambrano suffered a season-ending elbow injury, Aaron Heilman acknowledged approaching Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson, again asking to be considered for a starting role.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Heilman penned — Though he would like to start, Randolph says Aaron Heilman's value is in relief role — It was not exactly surprising that the Mets picked Jeremi Gonzalez, a minor-league journeyman, to start Friday's game against the Brewers at Miller Park.
Mark Schmetzer / MLB.com:
Notes: Loss of Patterson hurts — Bowden can go home again; Guzman out for year — CINCINNATI — Washington manager Frank Robinson estimates that the absence of right-hander John Patterson from Washington's rotation has cost the Nationals at least two wins and maybe three.
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Sam Donnellon / Philly.com:
Philadelphia Phillies — There were two things you could always count on when assessing the National League East in March. — One was that, no matter how it appeared on paper, the Braves were going to win the division. — The other was that no matter how it appeared on paper in March, the Mets were not.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
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J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:
Phillies face their toughest challenge of 2006 — At the end of this series, the Phillies will have a better idea who they are and where they are headed. For the Mets, it's a test to see how they match up with their closest NL East competitor. — Both teams were able to shake off …
Associated Press:
Brewers-Padres Preview — Once again, the San Diego Padres are finding May to their liking. — The Padres (17-15) look to win their 10th straight game on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers (16-16) at Petco Park. — San Diego is on its longest winning streak since …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:Cubs prepare for Bonds' historic chase
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Even Francoeur walks — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur entered the three-game series without a walk in 133 plate appearances. But that streak didn't last long against a Marlins staff that has been averaging nearly five walks a game as Brian Moehler managed to do in the sixth inning …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Associated Press:
Kendall: MLB 'has turned into a badminton league' — TORONTO — Oakland Athletics catcher Jason Kendall ripped Major League Baseball after dropping his appeal of his four-game suspension on Tuesday. — Kendall was suspended and fined for charging Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey in a game on May 2.
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Hamels' debut could be Friday — The Phillies' top prospect appears to be on the fast track to the big leagues. — One of the most eagerly awaited Phillies debuts in recent history could take place Friday in Cincinnati. — Team officials met yesterday to discuss the future of pitcher Cole Hamels …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
Sports Illustrated:
First Person — Dontrelle Willis, Marlins Pitcher — As told to Ben Reiter — On being 24 and having six younger teammates — I have a good time with these younger guys. They tend to have more enthusiasm. But it's not like I'm the wise owl or anything. I'm still learning myself.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
AP Exclusive: Baseball's union could scrap new drug policy if no labor deal by August — AP Exclusive: Baseball's union could scrap new drug policy if no labor deal by August — NEW YORK (AP) — Major league players can scrap the sport's toughened drug rules if they don't have a new labor contract …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Contreras to DL —but don't panic — Sox ace's back better, but he'll sit until at least May 20 vs. Cubs — The twinkle in White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's eye spoke volumes Tuesday about his optimistic nature after it was announced pitcher Jose Contreras had been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 5.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
