Top News:
Associated Press:
Rays edge Red Sox in 1st game of doubleheader — BOSTON — David DeJesus had a solo homer and drew a bases-loaded walk, and Tampa Bay's bullpen pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings to lift the Rays to a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Discussion:
ESPN, Boston Globe, DRaysBay and Canadian Press
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rules give Rays no say in playing doubleheader — BOSTON — The Rays had their reasons for not wanting to make up Wednesday's rainout as part of a split doubleheader today, likely including how they've been struggling, losing six of seven with their pitching staff tattered.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Globe and DRaysBay
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
For starters, Rays at Red Sox, on a long day at the park — UPDATE, 12:29: Rays manager Joe Maddon reiterated that they preferred to play only one game today and have the makeup of Wednesday's rainout pushed back “based on a lot of different factors,” but since the Red Sox got their way to play two today …
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Over the Monster
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — The Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox and Rockies …
(USATSI) — The Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox and Rockies …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, River Avenue Blues, MLB Daily Dish and Pinstripe Alley
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Mets and Yankees Have Identical Records, if Not Identical Expectations — The Mets and the Yankees arrived at the soggy end of April on Wednesday with identical 15-11 records. Twice in the last decade they have finished the season with the same mark: in 2006, when both made the playoffs, and in 2008, when both missed.
Discussion:
New York Post, Newsday, Purple Row, Amazin' Avenue, Metsblog and ESPN
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Mitch Abramson / NY Daily News:
Juan Lagares says he's ready to join an outfield platoon with Mets when he comes off DL — Before he was sidelined with a hamstring injury, Lagares, 25, was the Mets' top hitter, batting .314 with seven RBI and a homer in 13 games. — LAS VEGAS — Juan Lagares slipped through a side entrance …
Discussion:
Metsblog, New York Post and ESPN
Todd Dewey / Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Mets center fielder has come long way
Mets center fielder has come long way
Discussion:
Metsblog, New Jersey Online and ESPN
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Kershaw whiffs nine in second rehab start — Likely to rejoin LA rotation next week, he allows one earned run in five innings — MINNEAPOLIS — With a likely return to the rotation next week in Washington, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw made his second Minor League rehab start Wednesday night …
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The Strike Zone
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Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Zack Greinke is sharp again in Dodgers win; Clayton Kershaw could return soon — MINNEAPOLIS — The Dodgers started their two best pitchers on the same night Wednesday, one in Minnesota and one in Chattanooga, Tenn. And both were predictably dominant, with Zack Greinke giving up only an unearned run …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Rick Eymer / MLB.com:
Giants think Cain will return to mound Monday — SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy scanned the field during Wednesday night's warmups to make sure right-hander Matt Cain wasn't trying to play catch somewhere. — Cain, who was scratched from Tuesday night's start after cutting …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
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New York Times:
Major League Baseball Shakes Up Its Investigative Unit — In the wake of the Alex Rodriguez doping case, which drew accusations of unethical behavior by Major League Baseball's top investigators, the league has fired some members of its investigative team and moved to restructure the unit.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Chavez Pitches A's to Sweep of Rangers in 12-1 Win — ARLINGTON, Texas — Jesse Chavez allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings, Eric Sogard matched his season total with three RBIs on Wednesday night and the Oakland Athletics completed a three-game sweep with a 12-1 rout of the sloppy Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
ESPN, Athletics Nation and CBSSports.com
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Renteria optimistic about closer options — CINCINNATI — When a team has only had six save opportunities through most of the first month of the season, it's fair to assume closer options aren't first and foremost on the mind of a manager guiding a struggling team.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
This Date In Baseball — 1917 — Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs pitched a double no-hitter for nine innings, but the Reds won 1-0 on two hits in the 10th. Jim Thorpe drove in the winning run. — 1923 — Walter Johnson recorded his first shutout …
Discussion:
Pearly Gates
Cliff Corcoran / Sports Illustrated:
One month down: Early MLB award contenders — One month into his third season Mike Trout is exactly where he ended his first two: in second place in the AL MVP race. — With the calendar turning to May, it is time for Awards Watch to get down to business.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, The Strike Zone and ESPN