Top News:
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Top and Bottom — The Nationals head to Fenway Park for a weekend series with the Red Sox. The teams traded roles, as Washington is the first place team and Boston sits in last: … I'll be going to Sunday's game pitting Jordan Zimmermann against Jon Lester.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Boston Globe and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Buchholz's changeup a beauty — Resurgent righty shuts out Orioles — Clay Buchholz (right) was charged up with batterymate Kelly Shoppach after his four-hit, complete-game shutout against the Orioles. (John Tlumacki/Globe Staff) — Clay Buchholz was the worst starting pitcher …
Associated Press:
Clay Buchholz shuts out Orioles in 7-0 Boston win — BOSTON - Clay Buchholz pitched a four-hitter for his third career shutout - all against Baltimore - leading Boston Red Sox [team stats] over the Orioles 7-0 Thursday night. — Buchholz (6-2) struck out six and walked one, throwing 125 pitches, two shy of his career high.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Bleacher Report, Boston Herald, Camden Chat and baseballmusings.com
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Stark: Five teams that have shocked the most in 2012 — Tigers, Mets, Phillies, Rays and White Sox not following the preseason script — The game of baseball is a fascinating invention. Just when we think we might actually understand it, just when we think we might actually know something about it …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Zach Berman / New York Times:
Rays 7, Yankees 3: Yankees Miss Chance to Move Into First — The Yankees started a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week trailing them by one and a half games in the American League East. They gained a game on them in the series, and taking two out of three over a division rival is an achievement.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, Amazin' Avenue, DRaysBay and baseballmusings.com
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Associated Press:
Price Ks A-Rod With Bases Loaded, Rays Beat Yanks — NEW YORK (AP) — David Price struck out eight over five scrappy innings to become the AL leader in wins and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 7-3 on Thursday night to avert a three-game series sweep.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Nerve damage culprit for Teixeira's cough
Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:
Trade candidate Myers on pace to trigger option — Astros closer Brett Myers' $10 million option for 2013 will vest automatically if he finishes 45 games and doesn't end the season on the disabled list, major-league sources told FOXSports.com. — Finishing 45 games isn't the only way for Myers …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Call to the Pen and MLB Rumors
Quinn Roberts / MLB.com:
Mets said to have deal with top pick Cecchini — The Mets and shortstop Gavin Cecchini, whom the team took with the No. 12 pick in the First-Year Player Draft, have agreed to terms on a contract for $2.3 million set to be officially signed on Friday, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
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Adam Rubin / ESPN:
First-rounder Cecchini agrees to terms
First-rounder Cecchini agrees to terms
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Lynn wins 9th as Cards beat Astros 14-2 — HOUSTON—David Freese hit a grand slam and a two-run homer and rookie Lance Lynn struck out a career-high 11 in earning his ninth win as the St. Louis Cardinals cruised past the Houston Astros 14-2 on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Viva El Birdos and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Hudson lifts White Sox past Blue Jays, 4-3 — CHICAGO—Orlando Hudson singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night. — Dayan Viciedo had a one-out single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Pirates End Chapman's Streak, Beat Reds 5-4 in 10 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Michael McKenry drove in the first earned run allowed by Aroldis Chapman with an RBI double in the 10th inning on Thursday night, rallying the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Baseball Prospectus, Bucs Dugout and baseballmusings.com
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Carl Crawford ready to test his elbow — Carl Crawford is set to start a throwing program Friday. It's the latest — and most important — step in his rehab process from wrist and elbow injuries. — Crawford started the season on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left wrist.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk and CBSSports.com