Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN.com:
MLB, union will deny Pujols-type deals in future — Major League Baseball and the Players Association have informed teams and agents that they will no longer approve personal-service deals and special “milestone” bonus clauses similar to those contained in Albert Pujols' contract with the Angels …
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com and Associated Press
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Final: Yankees 6, Red Sox 2 — Game over: Yankees 6, Red Sox 2: Eppley allowed a single before Mariano Rivera dispatched of the sad sack Sox from there. — Sox are now 4-9 and losers of four straight. They have dropped 29 of 40 going back to last year. Yikes.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Pinstripe Alley, baseballmusings.com, Red Sox Monster and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Chavez Hits 2 HRs, Yanks Top Red Sox 6-2 — BOSTON (AP) — Alex Rodriguez took over fifth place with his 631st career home run, Eric Chavez added two homers and the New York Yankees spoiled the Boston Red Sox 100th anniversary celebration of Fenway Park with a 6-2 win Friday.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports
Josh Liebeskind / MLB.com:
Spacious Safeco may help struggling hitters — SEATTLE — On first glance, Safeco Field might be the worst place for the struggling White Sox offense to play a three-game series. — But the spacious ballpark, commonly known as pitcher-friendly, just might be the cure for the White Sox woes.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and South Side Sox
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Chris Perez willing to pay the price for his Tweets: Indians Insider — SEATTLE — A $750 fine is not going to take the Tweet out of Chris Perez. — The Tribe's closer says his Tweeting style isn't going to change and that he may appeal the fine imposed on him by Joe Garagiola Jr. …
Discussion:
Bats and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Associated Press:
No charges filed against Cubs SS Castro in assault claim — CHICAGO (AP) - Cook County prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro for criminal sexual assault. — Spokeswoman Sally Daly tolds the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday that (http …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Blue Jays turn first triple play in 33 years — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have turned their first triple play in 33 years. — The Kansas City Royals had runners on first and second in the third inning Friday night when Eric Hosmer lined out to first baseman Adam Lind …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Cuddyer Helps Rockies Beat Brewers 4-3 — MILWAUKEE (AP) — Michael Cuddyer hit a tiebreaking RBI single off closer John Axford in the ninth inning Friday night, and the Colorado Rockies held on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3. — Norichika Aoki hit an inside-the-park home run for Milwaukee …
Discussion:
Purple Row and Associated Press
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Giants hold on to beat Mets 4-3 in 10 innings — NEW YORK—Hector Sanchez hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning off Frank Francisco, and the San Francisco Giants came back after blowing the lead in the ninth and just hung on to beat the New York Mets 4-3 Friday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Yu Darvish's Command Problem — The quality of Yu Darvish's stuff is glaringly obvious. His fastball sits between 91-95 MPH and has serious run, while he throws a pair of breaking balls that dive differently and works in an 89 MPH cutter with late action.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation
UTSanDiego.com:
Hamels counts himself among alienated Padres fans — Back in spring training, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was quoted as casting aspersions on Padres fans. Turns out, he was talking as a Padres fan. — Well, ex-fan, maybe. Alienated fan, to be sure.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Willingham Has 3 RBIs in Twins' Win — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Josh Willingham extended his season-opening hitting streak to 14 games with a go-ahead three-run double and the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Friday night. — Willingham's hit in the seventh off Joel Peralta puts …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Twinkie Town and DRaysBay
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Altuve bats second for first time with Lowrie in lineup — HOUSTON — Friday marked the first time this season that second baseman Jose Altuve batted second in the lineup while shortstop Jed Lowrie was also in the lineup. Altuve hit in the No. 2 spot the first six games of the year …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Detwiler, Ankiel Lead Nats to 2-0 Win Over Marlins — WASHINGTON (AP) — Ross Detwiler and three relievers combined on a four-hitter, Rick Ankiel homered and had three hits and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Friday night. — Detwiler (2-) allowed three hits …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Associated Press
New York Post:
A-Rod slumping vs. southpaws leaves Yankees cleanup a mess — It all made baseball sense. When the Yankees were facing righty starters, Joe Girardi sensed a vulnerability because he was batting Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano second and third, respectively.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Mark Viera / New York Times:
Yankees 7, Twins 6: Curtis Granderson Hits 3 Homers as Yankees Beat Twins
Yankees 7, Twins 6: Curtis Granderson Hits 3 Homers as Yankees Beat Twins
Discussion:
Hardball Times and Pinstripe Alley