Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Terry Francona wants no part of Fenway's celebration — Don't look for former manager Terry Francona at Fenway Park when the Red Sox celebrate the 100th anniversary of their beloved ballpark a week from Friday against the Yankees. Francona is still smarting from the way things ended between himself …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk, Red Sox Monster, Baseball Nation and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
RELATED:
Scott Lewis / Drunk Jays Fans:
Here's One Way to Taunt a Red Sox Fan — The scene: Casey Janssen sits down Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a called third strike for the second out of the ninth inning. One female Blue Jays fan in attendance decides she's had enough of a visiting Red Sox fan, who probably spent most of the evening reminding …
Discussion:
Boston Globe and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Bard gets no help from his BABIP — TORONTO — A good way to evaluate how well a pitcher is throwing is to count how many times the batter swings and misses at his pitches. — It's a simple, raw way of looking at things. Throwing a ball right by a major league hitter means you're doing something right.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Over the Monster and Baseball Nation
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Bautista isn't worried by slow start — What, me worried? — So says Jose Bautista, the Toronto Blue Jays slugger who has been uncharacteristically off with the bat so far through five games this season. — And when you consider that the Jays will be going up against Jon Lester …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Strasburg Outpitches Santana in Messy Matchup — NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Strasburg outpitched Johan Santana for six innings in a marquee matchup of aces on the mend, and the Washington Nationals' bullpen made the lead stand up for a 4-0 victory over New York on the 50th anniversary of the Mets' first game.
RELATED:
Tim Smith / NY Daily News:
The NY Mets just can't catch a break as David Wright's fractured pinkie takes the luster …
The NY Mets just can't catch a break as David Wright's fractured pinkie takes the luster …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Detwiler Shines, Helps Nats Give Mets 1st Loss
Detwiler Shines, Helps Nats Give Mets 1st Loss
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, NY Daily News, Baseball Nation and New York Times
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets 3B Wright suffered broken right pinkie
Mets 3B Wright suffered broken right pinkie
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and SI Tracking Blog
Associated Press:
Votto's 4 Hits Help Reds Rally Past Cards 4-3 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Joey Votto tied a career best with four hits and scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Chris Heisey's ninth-inning single, capping a comeback from a three-run deficit and leading the Cincinnati Reds over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Wednesday.
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds, Phillips come to terms on six-year deal
Reds, Phillips come to terms on six-year deal
Discussion:
Mark My Word and MLB Rumors
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Moores says Padres sale will proceed — SAN DIEGO — San Diego majority owner John Moores said Tuesday that the ownership group is moving ahead with plans to sell the franchise. — The Padres announced that Steve Greenberg of Allen & Company and John Moag of Moag & Company have been retained …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Gaslamp Ball
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Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Hellickson hit on head by ball, taken to hospital — UPDATE, 12:49: Obviously early to speculate, but Hellickson's next start is Saturday. And Maddon said he'd use Davis in relief today is needed. So that could mean a call-up if Hellickson can't go, though Cobb pitched Tuesday and Torres today.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, NESN.com and SI Tracking Blog
Geoff Baker / Boston Herald:
Mariners lose a tough one-run game — ARLINGTON, Texas — One could forgive some suspected hyperbole from Blake Beavan after he guessed he'd witnessed “thousands” of games at this ballpark while growing up. — It might have sometimes felt like thousands for the present …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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Jon Weisman / Variety:
Exclusivity the key to trumping uncertainty — The Dodgers' deal hinged on big TV rights fees. But how much bang for their buck do networks and cable companies really get? — How high is too high for local TV sports rights these days? The new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
ESPN.com:
Miami survey: Marlins' Guillen should keep job — Ozzie Guillen is viewed unfavorably by nearly half of Cuban-Americans surveyed in an ESPN-commissioned poll, but nearly two-thirds of Miami residents, and 56 percent of Cuban-Americans, think Guillen should keep his job despite comments …
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog
Josh Leventhal / Baseball America:
Wilmington Group Hopes To Move Ballpark Plan Forward — (updated) Hopes for Carolina League baseball coming to Wilmington, N.C., took a significant step forward when the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties announced this morning at al press conference that they have a plan in place …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Grilli Gives Up Ethier's Homer in Pirates' Loss — LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates faced four of the NL's elite starting pitchers in their first four games of the season, yet still emerged with a split. — That impressive result didn't feel particularly comforting to the Pirates …
RELATED:
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Torre: Kemp ‘probably the best player’ in MLB
Torre: Kemp ‘probably the best player’ in MLB
Discussion:
Associated Press and HardballTalk