Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Agent: Crisp will crack Sox' lineup soon — PHILADELPHIA — Coco Crisp's return to the Red Sox lineup was set back when he required surgery last week to alleviate a painful kidney stone condition that developed complications. But his agent said yesterday the center fielder has ''started …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals go deep to down Cubs — Washington righty Ortiz notches first win of the season — CHICAGO — Whenever the Nationals win a game these days, manager Frank Robinson calls it big, because the victories have been few and far between. Thursday's victory was, indeed …
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Byrd, Church getting a chance — Nationals manager Robinson rotating duo in center field — CHICAGO — Nationals manager Frank Robinson can't seem to make up his mind when it comes to center fielders Marlon Byrd and Ryan Church. — For example, Byrd will start a few games …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Cordero Answers The Call — Nationals' Closer, Bullpen Salvages Finale in Chicago: Nationals 5, Cubs 3 — CHICAGO, May 18 — With the tying runs on base and the winning run at the plate, Frank Robinson stepped out of the visitors' dugout Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field to pay a visit to his closer …
Discussion:
Washington Times, District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko's … and The Nationals Enquirer
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Overlooked O'Connor opens eyes … Mike O'Connor kept falling through baseball's cracks. — That's what happens when you're signpost skinny. — And your reach-back, try-and-hit-this heater sits at 87 mph. And when you're overshadowed in high school by a future big league superstar.
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Not Quite a Rivalry, But in the Neighborhood — Nationals, Orioles Need Time to Develop a History — Late at night on Sept. 10, 1971, the Washington Senators' bus pulled out of a parking lot at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, following a 7-1 loss to Frank Robinson and the mighty Orioles …
David Nakamura / Washington Post:
Lerner Group Plans RFK 'Grand Reopening' — NEW YORK, May 18 — The Washington Nationals' new ownership group is planning a "grand reopening" of RFK Stadium on July 21 in an effort to show it is committed to improving the fan experience for a franchise struggling at the ticket gate.
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko's …
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:Nationals sale unanimously approved
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Pavano Says Right Arm Is Troubling Him Again — It has become as predictable as Mariano Rivera throwing cutters or Jason Giambi taking walks. When Carl Pavano pitches, he gets hurt. For almost a year now, that has been a near certainty. — Pavano, who was supposed to be the Yankees' No. 3 starter …
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:Damon Says Injured Foot Has 'Little Crack' in Bone
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Bannister leaves rehab start early — Right-hander throws just five pitches before tweaking his leg — ST. LOUIS — Twenty-two days after he strained his right hamstring, and one day after he tried to pitch in game for the first time since the original injury …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Loss Raises Tempers — Erstad is heard in clubhouse yelling at teammates to not point fingers after team blows two chances to win during an 8-4, 10-inning loss to Toronto. — The tensions of a highly disappointing season and the frustration of one of the most excruciating …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Missed opportunities cost Angels — Scoring chances in eighth and ninth not cashed in — ANAHEIM — The Angels fell a season-high seven games under .500 with an 8-4 loss in 10 innings to the Blue Jays on a Thursday night at Angel Stadium that brought frustration to the surface.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Barajas boosts Rangers with his bat — NEW YORK - Here's something you haven't been able to say often, if at all, this season: Rod Barajas' bat played a huge role in a Rangers win. — Barajas did it with a bunt and a blast Thursday. — Barajas, who leads the team with three sacrifice hits …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Larry Stewart / Los Angeles Times:
Baseball Returns on Fox — Fox begins its 11th season of baseball coverage Saturday with four regional telecasts, including the Angels and Dodgers. — The announcers will be Kenny Albert and Steve Lyons and the game will be shown in 13% of the country. — To promote the start …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Pirates place unhappy Duffy on restricted list — PITTSBURGH — Outfielder Chris Duffy, unhappy the Pittsburgh Pirates tried to alter his hitting approach after a successful rookie season, was placed on the minor league restricted list Thursday after failing to report to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Marcus Hayes / Miami Herald:
New wall is far out, man — SELDOM DOES A man hurt most by change embrace it. — Chase Utley would have three more home runs had the Phillies not decided to move the leftfield wall at Citizens Bank Park back 5 feet, to 334 feet, and raise it 2 ½ feet, to 10 feet, 6 inches.
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
Joe Rutter / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Reds pitcher continues verbal assault — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — Bronson Arroyo didn't back down Thursday from the disparaging comments he made against the Pirates one night earlier. Instead, he stepped up and continued to assail his former team. — Arroyo, the losing pitcher …
