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, DRaysBay and Boston Globe
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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:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster 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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — The Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox and Rockies …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, MLB Daily Dish, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Trade Rumors
Danny Abriano / Metsblog:
Game Recap: Rockies 7 - Mets 4 — Bartolo Colon was crushed in the opener of a four-game set in Colorado as the Mets (15-12) lost to the Rockies (17-13) by the score of 7-4 Thursday night >> Read the full recap and box score at SNY.tv. — Need to Know: Bartolo Colon got the start and struggled mightily …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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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
Mitch Abramson / NY Daily News:
Juan Lagares says he's ready to join an outfield platoon with Mets when he comes off DL
Discussion:
New York Post, Metsblog and ESPN
Todd Dewey / Las Vegas Review-Journal:
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 …
Discussion:
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:
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
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves To Extend Chris Johnson — 6:04pm: The deal is complete, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter), who says the contract is for three years and includes a club option. That means that Atlanta will buy out both of Johnson's final two arb-eligible seasons along with a free agent year …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and CBSSports.com
Canadian Press:
Orioles beat slumping Pirates in first game of doubleheader — BALTIMORE - Steve Pearce had three hits and two RBIs in his return to the Orioles, and Baltimore beat the skidding Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Thursday in a doubleheader opener. — Nick Markakis homered and No. 9 hitter Ryan Flaherty drove in two runs for the Orioles.
Discussion:
MLB, Camden Chat and Bucs Dugout
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:
The Strike Zone, Athletics Nation and ESPN
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 and Athletics Nation
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