Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Francona: Today not Clement's time — Rookie Pauley gets the nod in Game 2 — Red Sox manager Terry Francona threw a curve last night when he announced the pitching lineup for today's separate-admission doubleheader against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Lester, Sox end up all wet in long day: Phenom labors in soggy MLB debut0-5697
Lester, Sox end up all wet in long day: Phenom labors in soggy MLB debut0-5697
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Michael Point / MLB.com:
Clemens shines in second tuneup — CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Stage two of The Rocket's relaunch came off without a hitch Sunday in front of an overflow, record-setting crowd of 9,022 fans at Whataburger Field. — Roger Clemens, throwing 73 pitches in a six-inning stint …
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Associated Press:
Rocket science — Clemens fans 11 in second minor-league tuneup — CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Chalk up another record for Roger Clemens, who looks as dominant as ever less than two weeks from his scheduled return to the majors. — The seven-time Cy Young Award winner struck out 11 …
USA Today:
Cubs coaches go cellular — The Chicago Cubs' Dusty Baker will show off his new toy Tuesday night. And come Wednesday morning, all the cool managers will have to have one. — Old-school Wrigley Field will go high-tech during the Cubs' next home game with the introduction …
Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Mauer sets record by getting on base four times again — At age 23, Joe Mauer can already say he's done something that Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds never did. — Mauer has reached base four times in five consecutive games. According to the Society for American Baseball Research …
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Pitch counts elevated — Crede returns; Mackowiak takes grounders at third — CHICAGO — The elevated pitch counts and stunted innings pitched totals coming from the White Sox rotation over the past four starts are very uncharacteristic of one of the most efficient starting fives in all of baseball.
Ray Sánchez / Newsday:
A-Rod on booing: I'm used to it now — As usual, Alex Rodriguez was one of the first Yankees out of the clubhouse after Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics. On a glorious June afternoon, the $25-million third baseman was drowned in boos at Yankee Stadium for the third consecutive game.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Ramirez injured for Marlins — X-rays reveal no serious damage for rookie shortstop — SAN DIEGO — A scary moment for Marlins rookie Hanley Ramirez may not be as worrisome as the incident appeared. — Ramirez was assisted off the field Sunday afternoon after being bumped into the stands …
Discussion:
Marlins Today
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers rally in ninth to topple Rox — Heroics from Alomar, Martin follow Kemp's pair of long balls — DENVER — While playing for the Cleveland Indians through the 1990s, Sandy Alomar Jr. witnessed that prolific farm system develop Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome and Brian Giles.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Is Reached on an Error a Statistical Reach? — The apprehension that Chipper Jones feels while playing third base against burly sluggers like Albert Pujols derives from the quite reasonable concern that a smoking liner could soon be shot right down his gullet.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
With Milledge, Sensation Matches Anticipation — PHOENIX, June 10 — About four hours before a recent game at Shea Stadium, Lastings Milledge was sitting by his locker, hands wrapped tightly around a bat, when he spotted Cliff Floyd sprawled over an arm of a couch.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cards Interested In Victor Diaz — Walt Jocketty and the Cardinals are currently mulling over various options to add an outfield bat, and one player who is definitely on the radar is Victor Diaz. — The 24 year-old Diaz had a fine year in 2005 between Triple A and the Majors.
Associated Press:
Marlins-Padres Preview — No matter how the Florida Marlins fare in the finale of their three-game series with the San Diego Padres on Sunday at Petco Park, they'll finish with a successful road trip. — The Marlins (22-37) have gone 5-3 so far on the nine-game trip …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Hill, Nationals cruise to shutout win — Rookie limits Phillies to two hits over seven sharp innings — WASHINGTON — After right-hander Shawn Hill underwent elbow reconstruction in late 2004, manager Frank Robinson wondered if the Expos lost another prospect for good to injury.
Discussion:
Nats Triple Play
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Saving the Streak: Braves Regroup to Thwart Doomsayers — JOHN SCHUERHOLZ has a message for all Braves believers: — "Wavering is O.K. I'll accept wavering." — But nothing more. Not concession, not capitulation, not despair. The Atlanta Braves have risen before when they had to, and they will rise again.
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Stealing's Sliding Value — In Era of Prodigious Homers, Orioles' Patterson Runs Against the Grain — There are those who would argue that what Corey Patterson is doing on the base paths this season is virtually worthless in this era of giant sluggers and inflated home run totals.
Discussion:
Dan Agonistes
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie's stance on steroids indefensible — It doesn't matter today that Ozzie Guillen is a champion manager. Once again, he has embarrassed his profession with a senseless and irresponsible rant. At a time when baseball needs strong, honest leadership from all corners to restore …
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