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 …
Mark Herrmann / Newsday:
Yankees — Jeers are Unit of measure — Wild Johnson booed after getting pulled in fourth as woes go on — In one of his recent pep talks with Randy Johnson, Joe Torre told his struggling ace that all that matters is winning. "And winning," the manager said, "doesn't have to be pretty."
Jackie MacMullan / Boston Globe:
Ortiz disputes this 'inside' story — NEW YORK — The headline on the back page of the New York Post taunted David Ortiz. — ''Drop Papi!" the paper proclaimed in bold letters. Several copies were littered about the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, and Ortiz made his first examination of it around 3:35 p.m. yesterday.
Rich Hofmann / Philly.com:
Billy gets his money's worth — 'THERE'S A closer, Billy," the one guy shouted at Billy Wagner, as Phils reliever Tom Gordon left the adjacent bullpen and headed out to pitch the top of the ninth inning. The Phillies fans, shouldered in along the railing above the Mets' — bullpen, were hoarse and happy.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Slow Roller Misplayed by Heilman Is Decisive — PHILADELPHIA, May 9 — The crowd that filled Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night was faced with an unusual predicament. — The locals were here mainly to boo Billy Wagner, the left-handed closer who left the Phillies for the Mets in the off-season.
Discussion:
Metsville.com
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
J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:Phillies face their toughest challenge of 2006
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Blinq, Metsblog.com and Philly Sports & Minutiae
Eric Barrow / NY Daily News:
Pelfrey striking on farm — BINGHAMTON - The Mets may be hesitant to bring up Mike Pelfrey, the jewel of their farm system, but the 22-year-old righthander may force their hand after another impressive outing for Double-A Binghamton last night. — Overpowering at times and poised beyond his years …
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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.
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 …
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Game Shortage — Short days stink. There aren't enough games, and seldom any day games to let me spread out my baseball pleasure. With the lack of games usually comes a lack of injuries for me to talk about. While I'm all for an injuries shortage, I want it to be an issue of quality, not one of quantity.
Discussion:
CardNilly
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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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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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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 …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Blalock hitting to all fields — ARLINGTON — Third baseman Hank Blalock has been spraying balls all over the field this season, forcing teams to go away from the shift they often play on him. — "I think as a hitter it gives you a better chance of being successful …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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
