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Mike Puma / New York Post:
SHELLEY AND MELKY HAVE BANS REDUCED — It was an offer Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan couldn't refuse. — Given an opportunity yesterday to reduce their suspensions stemming from last month's incident with the Rays, both players accepted, and won't have to plead their cases to the commissioner's office.
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Hot Stove New York
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
THIS WAS SPRING PAYBACK — AFTER talking all spring about playing with the Big Boys, the Tampa Bay Rays came into Yankee Stadium last night and kicked the Yankees all over the historical ballpark. — In spring training the Rays ran over young catcher Francisco Cervelli, they steamrolled the entire Yankees team last night.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 4: Rays at Yankees — YANKEES — Notes: Thanks to Kevin Devaney for texting this in. He also reports that Melky Cabrera had his hearing today and had his suspension reduced to two games. So he will sit today and tomorrow. ... Neither Betemit or Duncan have faced Andy Sonnanstine …
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New York Post, Rays Index, DRaysBay, The Chuck Knoblog, The Bronx Block and BASEBALL HOT CORNER
Howie Rumberg / Associated Press:
Rays score 7 in 8th, rip Yankees 13-4 — NEW YORK (AP)—Tampa Bay backup catcher Shawn Riggans was on the bench, studying Yankees batters for his start Saturday when starting backstop Dioner Navarro took a gruesome fall down the dugout steps. — With little time to prepare for an at-bat …
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DRaysBay
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tulo plans to get defensive in practice — For three hours on a sun splashed today, Troy Tulowitzki's field of dreams became a field of squirms. — Tulowitzki nearly won National League rookie of the year honors on the strength of a big bat and brilliant defense. After four games, he has committed two errors.
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Purple Row
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John Branch / New York Times:
Rockies Fans Keep Faith in the Power of Last Season — DENVER — Mayor John Hickenlooper stood on the corner of Blake and 21st Streets, across from Coors Field, reflecting the warmth brought by sunshine and the return of the Colorado Rockies, the defending champions of the National League.
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ESPN
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Johnson positive amid uncertainty — First baseman's status with A's remains a question — OAKLAND — There was a time when Dan Johnson was viewed by the A's as their first baseman of the present and foreseeable future. That time is long gone, but while Johnson is now uncertain …
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MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Pirates, Capps agree to 2 years, $3.05M — PITTSBURGH (AP)—Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps agreed Friday a $3.05 million, two-year contract that runs through 2009 and covers what would have been his first year of arbitration eligibility. — The Pirates and Capps discussed …
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Washington Post
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Rangers left-hander Gabbard beats the Angels — Angels can't solve the pitcher, who keeps them off balance the whole game. — The Angels have one of baseball's most feared right-handed sluggers in Vladimir Guerrero, and over the winter they added Torii Hunter, who has considerable power from the right side.
Discussion:
6-4-2
saber-scouting:
What Is Wrong With Kei Igawa? — Ah, yes, the question that just about every Yankee fan would like an answer to. There's probably a lot wrong with the Japanese southpaw that the Yankees wish they could fix. But, there are also other things that seem to be more obvious, at least to me, that appear to be more correctable.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Jose Canseco still raging over 'roids — Admitted steroid user Jose Canseco pushes campaign against baseball in a sometimes edgy book signing in Chicago — A courtesy cup of black coffee was waiting for Jose Canseco on Friday when he arrived at his seat inside a downtown bookstore …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
O's power past Mariners — R. Hernandez goes 3-for-4 with a home run; L. Hernandez drives in two runs — Ramon Hernandez is congratulated by teammates after his solo home run off Mariners pitcher Cha Seung Baek. (Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. / April 4, 2008)
Rick Maese / Baltimore Sun:
Lack of Brooks statue here is monumental blunder — He still remembers the first professional uniform he ever wore. He was 18 years old, fresh off the bus from Arkansas. The jersey said White Roses across the chest. In his first pro game, the public address announcer in York, Pa. …
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Oriole Post
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Blue Jays sign Rios for six, Hill for four — Rios' contract worth $64 million; Hill's includes three options — TORONTO — Timing is everything. — On Friday, when the Blue Jays arrived back at Rogers Centre for their home opener against the Red Sox, Toronto announced …
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