Top News:
Michael Walsh / MLB.com:
Nats ride long ball to win — Lineup pounds out three homers; Ortiz picks up the win — WASHINGTON — The theme of change was in the air in the Nationals clubhouse moments after Washington defeated Houston, 4-1, Tuesday night at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Ortiz Provides a Good Start — Nats Right-Hander Gives Up Just One Run in Seven Innings : Nationals 4, Astros 1 — He was the guy they turned to after all the prominent names — from Kevin Millwood to A.J. Burnett to Matt Morris — looked at the Washington Nationals, considered their ownerless status and went elsewhere.
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Another bad Day at RFK for Nats — As far as disappointments go, this was about as bad as it gets. The Washington Nationals didn't just lose 10-3 to the Houston Astros last night; they did so in truly uninspiring fashion with a injury-plagued roster that deteriorates to new levels each day.
Associated Press:
Peavy strikes out 16 in loss to Braves, sets Padres record — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — SAN DIEGO — Jake Peavy needed only seven innings to set a Padres record with 16 strikeouts Monday night but lost because the only ball the Atlanta Braves hit out of the infield against him also happened to leave the yard.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Associated Press:
Braves-Padres Preview — Having won 14 consecutive division titles, the Atlanta Braves are not used to struggling early in the season. — Atlanta (23-22) will try to move two games above .500 for the first time this year when it continues a three-game series at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres (23-22) on Tuesday.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Rookie Thompson ready for second start — Atlanta (23-22) at San Diego (23-22), 7:05 p.m. PT — The Padres turn to their newly arrived right-hander, Mike Thompson, on Tuesday night at PETCO Park. He'll oppose Braves right-hander Jorge Sosa. — In his Major League debut at Arizona's Chase Field …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Grounder past Doumit keys Pirates' 7-3 loss to Arizona — But Tracy, some players differ on play by inexperienced first baseman — PHOENIX — It would be easy to blame Ryan Doumit. — A ball was sliced right at him, it slipped under his glove, and it set the stage for three Arizona runs …
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Jason Grey / MLB.com:
Notes: Pitching will make the difference — Wells throws to hitters; Doumit back in lineup — PHOENIX — What would you say if you were told the Pirates could conceivably win the pennant? — You might look at the 14-31 record and the fact they are in last place, 15 games behind, and think that even considering it was crazy.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Notes: Halladay to get extra day — Right-handed ace to switch starts with Taubenheim — TORONTO — Roy Halladay was on the mound for Toronto on Tuesday, but when exactly he'd be making his next start was still up in the air until he picked up his sixth win of the season.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Morales comes out swinging — Homers, goes 3-for-5 in MLB debut as Angels rally to end skid — ARLINGTON — The mere appearance of Kendry Morales was enough to push the Angels back into the win column. — In his first game as a big leaguer, Morales singled in his first at-bat and drilled …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Sore wrist forces red-hot Pena out of starting lineup — Wily Mo Pena was a late scratch from the starting lineup last night with a sore left wrist, but the Red Sox' surging slugger hopes to return to center field as early as tonight. — Pena, who has hit .371 with two home runs and 15 RBI …
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Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
No call for Bronx cheer with this Bomber — He's the Unbooable Man, right? I mean, who could lower himself or herself to boo Bernie Williams, the Mother Teresa of baseball? — Stupid me. How could I forget? He is a Yankee. — ``Oh, sure," he says, ``I've heard it, especially back around '98.
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Randy Covitz / Sun Herald:
Scout who signed Pujols looks back, now stocks shelves at Wal-Mart — Dave Karaff misses the nomadic life of a baseball scout. Instead of sitting behind home plate at dusty ball fields across the Midwest, aiming his stopwatch and speed gun at hot prospects, Karaff spends his days stocking …
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:Untainted and Unfazed, Pujols Unleashes Power
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Hernandez happy with Nats — Right-hander expresses desire to remain in Washington — WASHINGTON — Right-hander Livan Hernandez has been a League Championship and World Series MVP for the Marlins, and a postseason participant for the Giants, but he reiterated recently …
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Sheff: I'm Boston-bound — NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Gary Sheffield's wagging, violent swing may be back in the battered Yankee lineup as soon as tonight at Fenway Park. — "I feel great. I'm headed to Boston," Sheffield said through a Yankee spokesman after going 1-for-3 with an RBI …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
