Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Lopez, Belliard getting job done — Nats' combination has filled in nicely with Guzman on DL — WASHINGTON — The Nationals' double-play combination of shortstop Felipe Lopez and second baseman Ronnie Belliard has been strong this season. Besides playing solid defense …
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Marc Carig / Washington Post:
Nats Show Their Support — Team Wears Va. Tech Hats : Braves 6, Nationals 4 — The Washington Nationals fell behind against a pitcher bound for the Hall of Fame and predictably ended up losing to the Atlanta Braves last night, 6-4. But what otherwise would have gone down as a routine April defeat …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats miss chances to stretch win streak — Williams struggles while Atlanta holds Washington down — WASHINGTON — Last week, the Nationals were able to defeat Braves right-hander John Smoltz by scoring two runs at Turner Field. On Tuesday, they doubled their run total off Smoltz …
Enrico / The700Level.com:
Charlie Manuel Challenges Howard Eskin To Fight — It can't get any worse. That's the only thing I could think while sitting in the first row in left field last night freezing my ass off. It was a completely disheartening game. The Mets showed why they are the real team to beat …
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Manuel confronts reporter after loss — Manager exchanges sharp words following defeat to the Mets — PHILADELPHIA — Manager Charlie Manuel hollered and laced into a profanity-laced tirade after Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Mets, only his 10 minutes of invectives weren't directed at his players.
Discussion:
Philliesflow
Associated Press:
NY Mets 8, Philadelphia 1 — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Freddy Garcia's long-anticipated debut with the Phillies was a bust. — Moises Alou homered twice and drove in three runs, Tom Glavine got his 293rd win and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 8-1 Tuesday night.
Bleed Cubbie Blue:
Past, Meet Future — Yes, the Cubs lost again, to the Padres 4-3 in 14 innings today, and yet another pitching meltdown from Will Ohman was the cause (and I won't blame Jacque Jones for letting the ball get by him, because the run was going to score anyway on the hit).
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Soriano suffers hamstring strain — Center fielder expected to miss a week; Pie called up from Iowa — CHICAGO — An MRI exam on Alfonso Soriano's left leg revealed a minor hamstring strain, and he did not expect to need more than a week to heal. The Cubs medical staff apparently agreed …
Discussion:
Cub Town
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Virginia Tech tragedy hits home — DETROIT — I have to admit, I didn't remember the name at first. — Brian Bluhm. — No, never met him. At least not in person. But I had spoken to him, in the same way that I've spoken to many of you, through the magic of the internet.
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
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Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Billy Wagner Starring as Mr. Efficient — Even if Billy Wagner will be remembered for being a small guy with a huge fastball, he is doing his best to change his legacy. In Wagner's five appearances, he has struck out two batters (Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell) and that was in the same game, April 9 against the Phillies.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Anaconda / Pinstripe Alley:
Wright wins debut as Yanks bomb Tribe, 10-3 — Chase Wright did everything the Yankees could have asked from an emergency starter who was pitching for Double-A Trenton just last week and facing one of the best lineups in the AL. Outside of some jitters and control problems to the first two hitters …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Aaron's No. 755 landing site located — Plaque to mark landing spot of historic homer — MILWAUKEE — It was one of the more forgettable home runs of Hank Aaron's remarkable, record-setting career. But it was nonetheless historic, and the Brewers are going to great lengths this summer to commemorate it.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Denver Post:
Corpas getting Hawkins' key role — Just a couple of hours after getting bumped from his job as the Rockies' primary setup man, all LaTroy Hawkins could do was tip his cap to the man who replaced him. — That would be 24-year-old relief pitcher Manny Corpas.
Sports Illustrated:
Superstar in the making — Reyes continues to improve on dynamic talents — Jackie Robinson would have loved Jose Reyes, the New York Mets shortstop whose mentor may be Rickey Henderson but whose dynamic energy on the field recalls Robinson. Baseball's tribute Sunday to the 60th anniversary …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie to fans: Give Sammy some love — Ozzie Guillen might be reaching. Just as the White Sox manager wanted fans on the South Side to welcome back former Sox great Frank Thomas when the Oakland Athletics came to town last season, Guillen now is asking for the same warmth for Texas Rangers outfielder Sammy Sosa.
