Top News:
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.
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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 …
Discussion:
New York Post, Rays Index, DRaysBay, The Chuck Knoblog, The Bronx Block and BASEBALL HOT CORNER
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.
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
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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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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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)
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
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 …
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. …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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.
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
Associated Press:
Tejada triple lifts Astros over Cubs 4-3 — CHICAGO - J.R. Towles did a handstand after he was hit by a pitch in the second inning, then homered in the fourth. — Miguel Tejada added a go-ahead triple in the eighth inning as the Houston Astros beat the Cubs 4-3 Friday and sent Chicago to its third loss in four games.
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
Girardi ill, will miss tonight's game (updated) — Howdy, readers. It's Anthony McCarron, pinch-blogging once again for our man Mark. — Here is some news: Joe Girardi is a “game-time” decision on whether he will manage tonight against the Rays because of an upper respiratory infection.
