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Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Lesson for Hamels... or was it? — WASHINGTON - You can only learn if you accept the lesson. — In his fourth major league start, Cole Hamels walked light-hitting Royce Clayton with a 3-2, two-out changeup, his signature pitch, instead of his fastball, which yesterday he zipped in at 93, 94 mph.
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Phillies Nation
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Guillen Returns, Hill Stops Phillies — Long after the Washington Nationals closed out a 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday afternoon, thousands of fans milled around the field at RFK Stadium, asking questions of and receiving autographs from the men who are, somehow, on as good a roll as any team in baseball.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen not worried about rumors — Nats right fielder's name has come up in trade discussions — WASHINGTON — Right fielder Jose Guillen has often said that he wants stability with the Nationals, but he is on the trade block and his days with the team are likely numbered.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Corps providing little relief — It's very easy to understand the problem with the Red Sox bullpen. It's inconsistent. And the issues were never more evident than in yesterday's doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. — From the 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Josh Beckett …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Highs and lows — Ortiz stages a walkout in Game 1; Rangers rough up Pauley in nightcap — The difference between yesterday and May 28, 1998 was that Brent Mayne was due up after Buck Showalter, then managing the Diamondbacks, walked Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of ninth in an 8-6 game.
Mark Murphy / Boston Herald:
Papi walks off some pain: Home run eases recent frustration0-3800 — There was one particularly lonely moment Saturday night, when David Ortiz remained in the batter's box staring out at an empty center field after launching yet another inning-ending pop-up.
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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Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
Evolving Draft Strategies — Last Tuesday, 1,502 young ballplayers were selected in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft. A few talented guys will move quickly through farm systems and contribute to a major league team as soon as next year. Many more will spend …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
What will side effects be? — Drug probes bound to change the game — Last week, Major League Baseball conducted its annual amateur draft. For hundreds of high school and college players, to be drafted is the first tangible step toward realizing the dream of playing in the big leagues.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Team pushing Bay as All-Star starter — SAN FRANCISCO — In one corner of the Pirates' clubhouse yesterday, Jason Bay was being asked by a reporter about being in the midst of perhaps one of the great offensive seasons in franchise history.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Time may be up for Ortiz — Jason Grimsley might not be the only pitcher who gets his contract terminated by the Diamondbacks today. — If Russ Ortiz isn't careful, the same fate may await him. The difference is, the Diamondbacks know they'll have to pay Ortiz - in one form or another.
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.
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.
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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