Top News:
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."
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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
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 …
StatsGuru / Baseball Musings:
Throwing Like a Girl — What a woeful job the press did on covering Randy Johnson last night. None of them state the obvious, that Johnson's mechanics are screwed up. The Boston Globe, New York Daily News and New York Newsday all basically have the same story. Here's Posada in the Globe:
Jackie MacMullan / Boston Globe:
Johnson's struggles loom large — NEW YORK — Catcher Jorge Posada was in the corner of the subdued Yankees clubhouse informing reporters there was nothing wrong with Randy Johnson's velocity. — ''He threw one pitch 101 miles per hour tonight," Posada insisted. — ''No, that wasn't me," Johnson deadpanned.
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
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.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phenom Hamels to be called up to Phils — Lefty to start in Cincinnati on Friday; Madson sent to bullpen — PHILADELPHIA — The International League may throw as big a party as the Phillies faithful, who have been waiting for this day. — Cole Hamels is leaving the baffled hitters …
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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 …
Baseball America:
Daily Dish: May 10 — It was just another night for the Yankees' Jose Tabata. The 17-year-old had three more hits, including a double, for low Class A Charleston to extend his hitting streak to eight games and raise his season line to .368/.398/.552. — "He is just a pretty special kid," Charleston manager Bill Mosiello said.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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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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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols does it again — Chris Carpenter would be among the first to tell you that considerable luck is involved in winning 21 games, although when he won that many last year there really weren't any he didn't deserve to win. — But bad luck can skew this equation, too.
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
