Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Robinson happy with team's mood — Guillen may be close to extended Spring Training — MILWAUKEE — After winning just 14 of their first 41 games, the Nationals are 9-4 in their last 13 games and slowly trying to creep back to the .500 level. — If they take at least two out of three …
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Eli Saslow / Washington Post:
The Power Trip Continues — Soriano Hits Solo Homer, Grand Slam as Nats Complete Sweep: Nationals 8, Brewers 4 — MILWAUKEE, June 4 — He stated much less with his two home runs than with the indifference that followed. Alfonso Soriano never sauntered or pumped a fist. Heck, he hardly even smiled.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Several starters get day off — Johnson, Zimmerman, Byrd all out of Sunday lineup — MILWAUKEE — Manager Frank Robinson made several lineup changes for Sunday's game against the Brewers. He sat first baseman Nick Johnson in favor of Robert Fick, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols beset with nagging pain — On the day he went on the disabled list for the first time in a career full of more favorable firsts, Albert Pujols reported difficulty sleeping, occasional pain when breathing and increased soreness in his right side, Cardinals officials said Sunday.
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R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:Pujols out indefinitely with muscle strain
Discussion:
The 26th Man
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Red Sox Are Coming, but Jeter May Miss Out — BALTIMORE, June 4 — There is no good time for a good team like the Yankees to lose a good player like Derek Jeter to a bruised right thumb, as they did Sunday when they fell, 11-4, to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. But the timing was especially bad.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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ESPN:
Former umpire Eric Gregg suffers massive stroke — Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his wide strike zone and well-documented weight problems, suffered a massive stroke Sunday and was unconscious, his son Kevin told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Gregg was hospitalized at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Freel finishes off Astros — Reds complete first sweep in Houston since 1999 — HOUSTON — If the Reds manage to stay in contention late into the season, this was the kind of day that could be regarded as one of the key reasons. — In a game against the Astros that was tied four times …
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NY Daily News:
Rookie's high-fives a real low blow to Giants — The Shea crowd, having long since exhausted its collective lungs booing Barry Bonds in every at-bat, was standing and cheering deliriously, and now Lastings Milledge, the Mets' 21-year-old flash-and-dash wunderkind, was joining in with them …
Contra Costa Times:
Winning games is sore A's feat — FRANK THOMAS woke up sore Sunday morning. His left foot, with which he's had a contentious relationship the past few years, was telling him sad stories. He was sore when he drove to the ballpark, sore when he put on his uniform, sore as he stood for the national anthem.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Clement, Red Sox tame Tigers — Pitcher rebounds as offense shines — DETROIT — With Matt Clement temporarily quieting the debate over whether he is still qualified to pitch in the big leagues, represent the city of Boston, and retain membership in the human race …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Reality bites — Yanks just better — Even if she could, the fat lady hasn't gotten up off the couch yet. — So as the Red Sox enter the Bronx beast's belly tonight for the start of a four-game series, here's one fun morsel to chew on: The Yankees are better.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs inclined to keep Prior on slow track — Pitcher to make 3rd rehab start Thursday — ST. LOUIS — While Mark Prior may be ready to pitch in the majors by next week, the Cubs aren't planning to rush him back, despite the huge hole they've dug themselves.
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USA Today:
Willis not at wits' end with the Marlins — MIAMI — Dontrelle Willis, wearing an oversized Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears jersey, strolls into the Florida Marlins clubhouse. — He greets everyone as if he were at his high school reunion. He hugs. Slaps palms. Waves. And can't stop smiling.
Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Sanchez to remain starter says Littlefield — With Joe Randa getting closer to a return from the disabled list, Pirates general manager David Littlefield yesterday reversed course and said Freddy Sanchez would remain the team's starting third baseman.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Franklin says he could help Phillies' rotation — LOS ANGELES - The Phillies need a veteran to bolster their ailing, stumbling starting rotation. Ryan Franklin figures they have one. — Him. — "It's got to be something going around in their heads," Franklin said. "I'm ready."
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Trying to avoid a sick bay — DENVER - The Marlins won't be required to wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of germs when they take on the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park the next three days. — But that idea was discussed in the wake of an intestinal virus that recently sickened …
Associated Press:
Brewers' Uecker files restraining order against woman — MILWAUKEE — Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker filed a restraining order against a woman he contends has been harassing him for years and last week confronted him at a hotel pool over his refusal to assist her charity work.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Marlins sweep across dance floor — Florida got its first sweep in Denver, and the good vibes had the young Marlins dancing in the clubhouse. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — DENVER - A few hours before the Marlins knocked off the Colorado Rockies 4-3 on Sunday for their first sweep …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Much amiss for Tavarez — Location problems plaguing reliever — DETROIT — Slumped in a chair in front of his locker, Julian Tavarez played with his hands, one finger over the other, again and again. He stared at them, defeated, as if bewildered by what they had done.
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
St. Petersburg Times:
On 16th try, Waechter gets win — ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Maddon expects Doug Waechter 's life to change after his win Sunday, his first in nearly 10 months. — "You sleep better," Maddon said after the Rays' 10-5 victory. "Food tastes better. You like your dog a little more."
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Laird, Teixeira spark Rangers — Catcher, first baseman combine for eight of Texas' 10 runs — CHICAGO — Gerald Laird, the Rangers' once and future starting catcher, is making a compelling case for getting the job right now. — Manager Buck Showalter knows that the numbers are getting harder …
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Barmes not part of roster moves — Considering Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes entered Saturday night's game against Florida in a 13-for-104 slump, it would not have been a big surprise to find him apartment shopping in Colorado Springs today. — But instead of getting sent to the Triple-A Sky Sox …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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