Top News:
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Tavarez toughs one out: Focuses once on field — ATLANTA - Last night was all about adjustments, and reflections, for Julian Tavarez [stats]. — The raw surface that encompassed the end of his right middle finger suggested a blister worse than the Red Sox [team stats] …
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Five Sox homers back Tavarez's gem — Righty stymies Braves; Papi, Manny go deep in blowout — ATLANTA — A batting barrage and a pitching masterpiece. It isn't often that a team can combine both of those forces in one night, but the Red Sox had all of that going for them and more in Wednesday's 11-0 romp over the Braves.
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:Shots To Chops — Red Sox Hit Five Homers In Second Shutout Of Braves
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Renteria gets extra spring vs. Red Sox
Discussion:
The GYS Network
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Dontrelle Willis expects to make next start for Florida Marlins — CHICAGO Dontrelle Willis was back on the field Wednesday morning, playing his usual day-after game of catch and expressing optimism he would be able to make his next start. — He wants to make three more starts …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins rally past White Sox on Wood's pinch home run — Jason Wood, you just won a game for the Marlins with your first pinch home run in the major leagues. — What are you going to do now? — Get up early this morning and drive to Disney World, believe it or not.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Willis' next start could be pushed back — CHICAGO — The Marlins arrived at U.S. Cellular Field to an encouraging sight before Wednesday's game - Dontrelle Willis playing catch in the outfield with pitching coach Rick Kranitz. — Less than 24 hours earlier, Willis lasted just one inning …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Once Again, Yankees' Bats Are Stifled by Rockies — The Yankees came here as the hottest team in the American League. With their rollicking offense in the thin air of Colorado against a traditional also-ran, the Yankees had reason to believe they would thrive at Coors Field.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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T.J. Quinn / NY Daily News:
Giambi close to a deal to talk to Mitchell — Jason Giambi is expected to become the first active player to agree to speak to baseball's Mitchell Commission on doping today, handing Bud Selig a major victory, but also angering many players who feel Giambi is being punished for speaking the truth.
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Rangers interested in Jones — Michael Barrett on Wednesday doesn't have any direct bearing on the Cubs' philosophy or intentions heading toward next month's trade deadline. But that doesn't mean they're done dealing. — The Cubs have talked with the Texas Rangers and several other teams …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:Rangers Interested In Jacque Jones
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Fast start, Guthrie end O's losing streak at 9 … SAN DIEGO // Jeremy Guthrie stepped out of the dugout in the first inning last night and resisted the urge to pinch himself. If this was a dream, he didn't want to wake up. Just go directly to the mound, with no sudden movements, and bask in a moment that didn't seem real.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Ayala Is Back, Speigner and Abreu Depart — Luis Ayala smiled broadly as he grabbed his glove yesterday afternoon. The right-hander, once a stalwart of the Washington Nationals' bullpen, was active for a major league game for the first time since September 2005, finally …
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Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Sosa becomes fifth player to hit 600 HRs — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Sammy Sosa's 600th homer resembled so many that came before — except this time the Chicago Cubs were on the other side. — Playing for the Texas Rangers after a year out of baseball, Sosa became the fifth member …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
As the Mets Flounder, Gómez Could Be a Catch — Carlos Gómez has few friends in New York, so he has been surprised when strangers have stopped him, acted as if they had known him forever and talked about the catch. Five weeks into his major league career …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Henderson here to help — Special instructor on tap to work with Reyes, Gomez — NEW YORK — With the return of summer — actually, one day before its return — has come the return of a man who used to own summer in these parts, one Rickey Henley Henderson, also known as Jose Reyes' personal tutor.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ludwick's homer is winner in 14th — The Cardinals committed four errors Wednesday night. They left the bases loaded in the ninth inning after having scored the tying run with just one out, and failed to score in the 12th after again loading the bases with one out.
Mark Hale / New York Post:
SANTANA MAY ROCK BIG APPLE — If the Mets or Yankees want to land Johan Santana for 2009, it sounds as if his main priority when finding a new destination will be his comfort level. — "I want to be comfortable. I want to feel comfortable," the Twins' 28-year-old lefty ace said yesterday.
