Top News:
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Pineda ejected for foreign substance — BOSTON — New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda was ejected from Wednesday night's game with the Boston Red Sox in the second inning for having a foreign substance on his neck that he was applying to the baseball.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Faith and Fear in Flushing, Over the Monster, Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Yanks' Pineda Ejected After Pine Tar Is Spotted — BOSTON — Michael Pineda's two-year recovery from a shoulder injury and his promising start to the season is a compelling tale of perseverance and success. — But those good feelings have been replaced by accusations, even mockery …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox to call up right-hander Alex Wilson, option Daniel Nava
Red Sox to call up right-hander Alex Wilson, option Daniel Nava
Discussion:
The Strike Zone and HardballTalk
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wacha has wacky night as Cards go quietly — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — NEW YORK • All's quiet from the Cardinals' lineup. — Last year's leading force in the National League has had a hard time revving so far this season and remains a wheezing …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and HardballTalk
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Unless Curtis Granderson becomes hitting machine, Mets offense not dangerous enough to contend — I really don't think this is Jason Bay all over again, but I do think the Mets talked themselves into Granderson because they knew they had to sign a relatively big-name outfielder …
Discussion:
New York Post and Metsblog
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Mets can't muster any offense in 3-0 loss to Cardinals and Adam Wainwright
Mets can't muster any offense in 3-0 loss to Cardinals and Adam Wainwright
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Metsblog, Newsday and ESPN
Joshua Green / Businessweek:
John Henry and the Making of a Red Sox Baseball Dynasty — It's Opening Day at Fenway Park, more than an hour before game time, and the seats are already jammed. No surprise here. Boston Red Sox fans feed on emotion. Today's capacity crowd skipped work and school for the chance to mainline …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings and ESPN
New York Times:
Up Close on Baseball's Borders — Steve Rushin of Sports Illustrated has called the line running through Connecticut that separates Yankee fans and Red Sox fans the Munson-Nixon line. Mr. Rushin came up with the name — in honor of the late Yankee catcher Thurman Munson …
Discussion:
Metsblog, Purple Row, Brew Crew Ball, HardballTalk, Gaslamp Ball, Extra Mustard, NESN.com, New Jersey Online and Athletics Nation
Erik Boland / Newsday:
Joe Girardi lashes out at ESPN camera, files a protest — BOSTON — Joe Girardi believes ESPN was out of line and took it out on the mobile camera the network had perched on the dugout railing. — After Michael Pineda's ejection, the camera swung around and focused in the tunnel.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Joe Morgan / MLB.com:
Cishek's closer numbers up with the best of them — ATLANTA — Steve Cishek has quietly joined Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel and Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman as one of the best closers in baseball. The Miami right-hander entered Tuesday having converted 32 consecutive save chances dating back to June 8 …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Mike Vorkunov / New Jersey Online:
Terry Collins pleased with Daisuke Matsuzaka's transition to bullpen, thinks he could be closer — Daisuke Matsuzaka has allowed one run over four innings out of the bullpen this season. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images) — NEW YORK — Daisuke Matsuzaka only has three relief appearances in his career …
Discussion:
NESN.com and HardballTalk
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Blue Jays blow lead in loss against Orioles — When Brett Lawrie strokes a home run, it is time for his fellow teammates in the dugout to duck for cover. — After delivering a lethal blow, the supercharged third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays will motor around the bases with a purposeful stride …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Camden Chat
csnphilly.com:
Phillies lose, Hamels mystified by early hook — LOS ANGELES - Twenty-one games into the season, the bullpen is clearly the weakness of this Phillies team. On Wednesday night, the club's relievers allowed three runs in the late innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled away for a 5-2 win at Dodger Stadium (see Instant Replay).
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
Associated Press:
Indians Trip Royals 5-3 — CLEVELAND — Jason Kipnis drove in Nick Swisher with a two-out double in the seventh inning, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. — Kipnis ripped his double off Kelvin Herrera (0-1) into the gap in right-center …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Andrew Simon / MLB.com:
Air Force serviceman returns 500th HR ball to Pujols — WASHINGTON — Tom Sherrill brought no scouting reports or spray charts with him to Nationals Park for Tuesday night's Nationals-Angels game. All he had was his intuition, but that turned out to be enough to put the longtime Angels fan …
Discussion:
NESN.com
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Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Pujols joins 500-homer club with second blast
Pujols joins 500-homer club with second blast
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Halos Heaven