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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Santana takes Mets to ‘different level’ … PHILADELPHIA — As you watched Johan Santana overmatch the Phillies on Friday in his first visit to Philadelphia as a Met, it was hard to resist asking this question: — Suppose he'd been a Met last year. — Suppose the Mets could have sent Santana …
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Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Santana, Wright lead Mets over Phillies — PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Hostile fans, a hitter-friendly ballpark and a potent lineup didn't intimidate Johan Santana. He passed his biggest test with the New York Mets so far. — Santana struck out 10 over seven innings, David Wright fell a homer short …
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Santana brings his ace game as Mets down Phillies — SO TAGUCHI'S vocabulary is not as extensive as many major league ballplayers. One of the only Japanese imports who eschews the use of a translator, the Phillies outfielder instead taught himself how to speak English using such American cartoons as “Finding Nemo” as study aids.
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Baseball Musings
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Hey, you, calm down — A few notes for those of you on the ledge: — * The Yankees have played 18 straight days. Kids making shoes in factories in Third World countries don't work 18 straight days. — * The following players have missed games because of injury: Andy Pettitte …
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Philly.com:
Angels' Hunter OK after his high-priced car is hit — Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Torii Hunter was smiling and joking during batting practice and preparing to play the Seattle Mariners last night. — He wasn't grinning a few hours earlier, when his new car was rear-ended at a stop light near the ballpark.
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Associated Press:
After wreck, Hunter leads Angels to win — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Torii Hunter's day started with bump—to his new Bentley. It ended with a catch—a homer-saving grab with two outs in the ninth inning on a drive by Richie Sexson. — Hunter shrugged off the stiffness in his neck …
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6-4-2
Charlie Nobles / MLB.com:
Young complies with manager, cuts hair — First baseman's ‘special barber’ trims bushy locks in Miami — MIAMI — Nationals manager Manny Acta, concerned that injured infielder Dmitri Young's big, curly Afro was becoming too much of a distraction, told the injured first baseman …
Sports Illustrated:
Canseco's ‘Max’ identity revealed … MIAMI — As the Justice Department pursues its perjury investigation of Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco may put his credibility at risk during a scheduled interview with federal agents next week if the author of Vindicated discloses the identity of “Max.”
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Yankees Blog, New York Post, YanksBlog.com, Hot Stove New York, FanHouse, iYankees and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Charlie Nobles / MLB.com:
Lopez's attitude earns him two starts — Ex-All-Star infielder starts at second on Friday, short Saturday — MIAMI — The Nationals are struggling, Felipe Lopez has kept a good attitude despite losing his starting job and manager Manny Acta is aware of Lopez's pedigree as a National League All-Star.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Gardner placed on DL; Waechter promoted — MIAMI GARDENS - Right elbow inflammtion has landed reliever Lee Gardner on the disabled list. The Marlins have selected the contract of right-hander Doug Waechter from Triple-A Albuquerque to replace him.
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FishStripes
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Glavine goes on DL for first time — Veteran lefty's hamstring slow to heal; James called up, will start Saturday — Tom Glavine's strained right hamstring has landed the Braves pitcher on the disabled list for the first time in his 22-year major-league career.
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Liner to left true sign that Ortiz is all right … Ironically, yesterday didn't start off looking as if David Ortiz [stats] would hit a grand slam to break free of his torturous offensive struggles. — You could just see it in his face before last night's game against the Rangers.
Dave Van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Reed Johnson latest to get shot leading off for Cubs — Without Alfonso Soriano, the leadoff spot has become a black hole for the Cubs, not that Soriano was exactly a burning ray of sunshine. — Three batters other than Soriano have led off— Mike Fontenot, Ryan Theriot and Eric Patterson …
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays, Longoria reach deal - 9 years, $44-million — Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, left, and Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president for baseball operations, answer reporters' questions at a Tropicana Field news conference today after announcing Longoria's new contract.
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