Top News:
Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Piniella ejected, Cubs' skid reaches six — CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs threw no punches. Manager Lou Piniella kicked dirt and threw his cap, though. — And it was more of the same for the Cubs — this time a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday for Chicago's sixth straight loss.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
A painful defeat: Lowell, Drew injured — Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew [stats], on opposite ends of the performance spectrum, both had to leave last night's 9-5 loss to the Yankees because of injuries. — Lowell, hit by a pitch on the top of his left hand, is questionable for today's game but Drew …
RELATED:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox drop opener to Yankees — Wakefield hit hard in loss; Youkilis extends hitting streak — BOSTON — Tim Wakefield's season has turned into a highly contrasting two sections: His outings against the Yankees, and his matchups with everyone else. — Once again, Wakefield was left without …
Discussion:
Fenway Blogger
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Not Even Clemens Is Immune to Injury Streak — A season rife with injuries took another discouraging turn for the Yankees on Saturday when they learned that Roger Clemens would miss his start in Chicago on Monday with a right groin injury. — Clemens was optimistic that he could return next weekend …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Burnett has tired arm, elbow irritation — As things stand for now, it is only a case of arm fatigue that has caused the Pirates to place Sean Burnett, a starter on their Class AAA affiliate in Indianapolis, on the minor-league disabled list.
RELATED:
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Duke still not dealing in 5-4 loss — Pirates' struggling starter gives up all of Dodgers' runs — Jason Bay hits a double, scoring Jose Bautista in the first inning. — Zach Duke has spent the past few days dissecting video of his spectacular 2005 rookie season in a desperate effort …
Hal Bock / Associated Press:
Gotay, Mets end Arizona's eight-game run — NEW YORK (AP) — The makeshift Mets boosted New York to a 7-1 victory over Arizona on Saturday and manager Willie Randolph knew all along that they could do it. — With his lineup depleted by injuries, Randolph is starting bench players these days …
RELATED:
Hal Bock / Associated Press:
Webb leads Arizona past depleted Mets — NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets will be interested to learn that Arizona's Brandon Webb didn't really feel that great Friday night. — The Cy Young Award winner allowed just four hits over eight innings in a 5-1 Diamondbacks victory …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Belliard Gives Nats Extra-Inning Bounce — Each night, as he waits for a chance that might never come, Ronnie Belliard heads back into the bowels of RFK Stadium. He brings a bat. By himself, he swings. — Last night, he had already gone through those motions, already prepared himself …
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson takes batting practice — Nats first baseman progressing slowly from broken right leg — WASHINGTON — Before Friday's game against the Padres, Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, on the disabled list with a broken right leg, took another significant step toward playing …
Discussion:
We've Got Heart
Dallas Morning News:
Smart choices — The plan is not as simple as hoarding draft choices. It's also about executing smart choices with those picks. It's about making sure the club doesn't pick another Drew Meyer at the expense of Scott Kazmir. Or Jonathan Johnson at the expense of Matt Morris. Or Dan Smith over Mike Mussina.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jeremy Anders / MLB.com:
LaRoche brothers face off for first time — Pirates-Dodgers matchup doubles as family reunion — PITTSBURGH — Adam and Andy LaRoche learned to play baseball together. They learned to hit by stroking line drives in the batting cage in the backyard of their Kansas home …
Discussion:
Dodger Hits
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Notes: Ausmus likely to see less time — Veteran catcher will share more games with recalled Munson — HOUSTON — For the first two months of the season, Brad Ausmus caught 43 of the Astros' 54 games. It's highly unlikely he'll see that much playing time in the near future.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Dodger Thoughts:
Dodger Thoughts: Kuo Up, LaRoche Down — The Dodgers finally pulled the expected trigger, calling up Hong-Chih Kuo and sending down Andy LaRoche, according to Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise. — Update: It continues to depress me to see batting average used as the sole statistic in talking about ballplayers.
Associated Press:
Indians score five in ninth, beat Tigers — CLEVELAND (AP) — A different city, venue and sport produced yet another memorable Cleveland victory over Detroit. — David Dellucci singled home the winning run with two outs to cap a five-run ninth off closer Todd Jones as the Indians rallied past the Tigers 12-11 Friday night.
RELATED:
