Top News:
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Sign points to the end of streak — Harris fails as Orioles finally win one — BALTIMORE — Willie Harris didn't need a Harvard symbologist in the mold of Robert Langdon standing next to him at first base with two outs in the ninth inning last night to know that the sign relayed to him ordered him not to attempt to steal.
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox get Bird-brained: O's win ends 13-game streak — BALTIMORE - As the saying goes, even the blind squirrel will find a nut now and then. — Last night, the Orioles, with former Red Sox nutty professor Kevin Millar leading the way with his go-ahead, two-run home run in the fourth inning …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox can't steal a sweep — Harris misses sign, thrown out stealing at second to end game — BALTIMORE — Willie Harris is the consummate role player. Perhaps his most important duty for the Red Sox is to utilize his speed when given the call in the late innings. — In his mind, this was the ultimate chance.
NY Daily News:
Lima takes start hoping the end is nowhere near — ST. LOUIS - Jose Lima returns to the mound for this afternoon's series finale with the Cardinals, trying to prove he belongs in the rotation after going 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA in starts against Atlanta and Milwaukee.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Who's better? Willie won't say — ST. LOUIS — Willie Randolph has six World Series rings from his 24 years in the employ of the Yankees and he's not ready to throw them under the bus just yet. Not even with the Mets off to their best start in two decades.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
David Lennon / Newsday:Swingin' in the rain — After lengthy delay in 7th, Mets pull away as Glavine wins sixth
Discussion:
www.transplantedmetsfan.com
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:Delayed gratification — Mets reign in St. Louis
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Blalock swinging hot bat — NEW YORK — Third baseman Hank Blalock continues to have one of the best seasons of any major leaguer. He entered Wednesday batting .345 (seventh in the American League) with 33 RBI (tied for sixth in the AL), and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (18).
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Blalock swinging big — Slugger has knocked in 14 runs for Rangers in May — NEW YORK — Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock's offensive numbers dropped last year and he was almost traded to the Marlins in the offseason. — Both could have been interpreted as ominous developments for the future …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Clayton heads to the bench — Nats skipper hopes move will spark his ballclub — CHICAGO — Damian Jackson had only 27 at-bats entering Wednesday's action, so manager Frank Robinson decided to start Jackson at shortstop over Royce Clayton in hopes of giving the Nationals a spark.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Get One Hit In Another Shutout — CHICAGO, May 17 — Get out the thesaurus and try to think up some words to describe what these Washington Nationals are going through. You might find something fancy and poetic, perhaps even tragic. Jose Vidro, their veteran second baseman, can strip all that down and make it mighty simple.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Yankees' offense leaves Loe low — NEW YORK - The first rule of the sinkerball club: Live by the sinker, die by the sinker. — A week ago, Kameron Loe became the youngest Ranger in more than a decade to pitch a shutout (albeit a rain-shortened one). Wednesday he was searching for explanations …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Notebook: Reyes gets call — Manager Tony La Russa said Class AAA righthander Anthony Reyes can be "listed as the starter" for Saturday's game in Kansas City, but he'll wait to confirm the roster move that will be made to create room for Reyes. — The club probably will reassign a reliever …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Matt Watson / Detroit Bad Boys:
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? — First, a lesson in history: — May 2, 2003 — St. Petersburg Times: Magic adding finishing touches against Pistons … Game 6 final score: Pistons 103, Magic 83 — May 16, 2004 — North Jersey Herald: Nets: Skip the trip
Sports Illustrated:
Hot spots, cold spots (cont.) — Take a look at Adrian Beltre and Juan Encarnacion. While Beltre would have been included with the All-Stars back in 2004, his current chart looks nothing like any of the top power hitters. He still covers the upper half of the plate pretty well but has trouble with anything low.
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Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
The Very-Early-Season-Win-Share All-Stars — It's time to talk Win Shares again. Bill James's creation appears to be one of the most popular parts of The Hardball Times site, based on the many e-mails I've received asking when they would be available. Win Shares are complex, however …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Pavano forced from rehab start — Ailing right-hander cites tightness in right triceps area — NEW YORK — Carl Pavano's comeback to the Yankees appears to be on hold once again. — Pavano, making his third rehab start on Wednesday, the second for Double-A Trenton …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Davies will need surgery — Right-hander diagnosed with torn groin muscles — ATLANTA — As the Braves feared, Kyle Davies will miss a significant amount of time. Just how much time the right-handed starter misses will be better understood after he undergoes surgery on his torn right groin.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Ramirez has left shoulder strain — Shortstop expected to be ready for Interleague set with Rays — ATLANTA — An MRI performed on Wednesday confirmed that shortstop Hanley Ramirez has a left shoulder strain that will require a couple days' rest. — Ramirez said that he felt …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Weaver Finds Source of Woes — Jeff Weaver is like the struggling batter trying to hit a three-run home run with no one on base or go five for four to lift his average. He gets into a jam — and there have been many in a highly disappointing season, in which the Angel right-hander is 1-6 …
Associated Press:
Brewers win third straight in final at-bat — MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Phillies decided to make someone other than Bill Hall beat them, and Geoff Jenkins was ready to give Milwaukee another win in dramatic fashion. — Jenkins' RBI single with two outs in the ninth gave the Brewers …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
