Top News:
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Splitting the difference — Braves prevail in opener, fall in second game of DH — The Braves played the Marlins three times in 27 hours, and it looked like it by the end of the doubleheader Tuesday night. — The Braves sleep-walked through the second game, losing 5-1 to rookie Rick Vanden Hurk …
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Jeff Lutz / MLB.com:
Vanden Hurk leads Marlins to victory — Right-hander allows one hit, notches first Major League win — ATLANTA — The crowd of reporters around Rick Vanden Hurk's locker after Tuesday night's game against the Braves caught the Marlins starting pitcher off guard. — "This is a lot of people," he said.
Discussion:
FishStripes
David Lennon / Newsday:
Schoeneweis' leg injury could use relief — Scott Schoeneweis winced last night when asked about the leg problem that has bothered him since spring training. Not from the pain. It doesn't really hurt. But the Mets reliever, not looking to make any excuses for his poor start …
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
METS COVET CUBS ACE — THEY'D CHASE ZAMBRANO, IF ... If the Cubs end up putting ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the trading block, the Mets will go after him. — According to one MLB team executive, the Mets would be "heavily involved" if the Cubs look to trade Zambrano.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets edged by Phils in extras — Glavine denied career win No. 296 for third time — NEW YORK — It isn't a problem yet, and it's well short of being something psychologically challenging. Tom Glavine calls it a rut, and that seems quite appropriate. It is a rut — seemingly not too deep or too wide.
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Utley's HR in 11th helps Phils beat Mets — NEW YORK (AP) — Chase Utley is drawing raves from his manager that were previously reserved for a cherished Hall of Famer. — The quiet star hit a leadoff homer in the 11th inning and drove in three runs, sending the Philadelphia Phillies …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox held at bay — DiNardo and A's keep them in a fog — OAKLAND, Calif.—Until Valentine's Day, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Lenny DiNardo were Red Sox teammates. But then the Sox needed to clear a spot to add outfielder J.D. Drew to the roster, and DiNardo was gone, claimed on waivers by the Oakland Athletics.
ESPN:
Sheff surprised with stir; teammate glad he said it — ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield insists he meant "nothing derogatory" toward Latin players when he said Major League Baseball found it easier to "control them" than blacks. — However, teammate Carlos Guillen said he was happy Sheffield said what he said.
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Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Sheffield clarifies comments — After controversial quote, right fielder discusses interview — ARLINGTON — Tigers right fielder Gary Sheffield says he loves Latinos, he's never had a problem with them and they love him back. — "Leave the poor guy alone," Tigers teammate Ivan Rodriguez …
Discussion:
Roar of the Tigers
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Pedro back on the mound — Encouraging bullpen session has Pedro optimistic he'll return this season — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez is about as confident and optimistic as any rehabbing athlete will ever be. Flashing his effervescent smile yesterday, he walked away …
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Padres beat Dodgers 1-0, move back into first — SAN DIEGO - Marcus Giles singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Trevor Hoffman moved within one save of becoming the first big leaguer with 500 for his career as the Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 Tuesday night to re-claim first place in the NL West.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Six teams represented at Percival workout — Add the Braves and A's to the list of teams interested in free-agent reliever Troy Percival. — Representatives from both those clubs attended Percival's latest workout Tuesday in Riverside, Ca., FOXSports.com has learned.
Geremy Bass / MLB.com:
Burres looks for fourth win in six tries — Baltimore (27-31) at Seattle (29-25), 10:05 p.m. ET — Baltimore's roller-coaster season continues when it heads into the middle stanza of a three-game set against the Mariners. The Orioles will look to avoid a fifth straight loss after beginning …
Randball:
Beer "played a great role" in the affair — A great many thanks to Stu for passing along this link from the excellent blog Lawyers, Guns and Money. It seems Monday marked a very special anniversary: 33 years ago that day, a game between Texas and Cleveland was[ enhanced] …
