Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees have no answers for Lee — Wang takes first loss of season after receiving no support — NEW YORK — The Yankees were never able to break through against the Indians' suddenly tough Cliff Lee on Wednesday, but that alone hardly sets them apart from the rest of the American League so far this year.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 35: Indians at Yankees — YANKEES — Chien-Ming Wang vs. the Cleveland hitters. — Cliff Lee vs. the New York hitters. — Notes: The Yankees are 8-8 at home, 9-9 on the road and 7-7 in games decided by one or two runs. They're 4-4 against lefties and 13-13 against righties.
Discussion:
New York Post, Let's Go Tribe!, Associated Press, Pinstripe Alley, Baseball Musings and Almost Perfect
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
RUSHING A-ROD ‘LEFT’ TEAM VULNERABLE — PRIVATELY, the Yankees admit they incorrectly handled Alex Rodriguez's initial quad strain. He suffered the injury on April 20 in Baltimore and soon after left the team to be with his wife in Miami for the birth of their second child.
Discussion:
BASEBALL HOT CORNER
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Questions May Follow Clemens's Apology — When Roger Clemens tacitly acknowledged on Monday that he had engaged in extramarital relations, and apologized, he was seen as perhaps undermining the defamation lawsuit he filed in January against his former personal trainer Brian McNamee.
Discussion:
Steroid Nation
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Larry Lage / Associated Press:
Tigers win on Polanco's hit off Papelbon — DETROIT (AP)—The reeling Detroit Tigers looked like they were finally going to break out of their funk against Boston, scoring runs like they were expected to and pitching just good enough to win. — Then the Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit …
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Red Sox comeback goes to waste — Bleeders, blunder cost Sox — DETROIT - The feeling had become delightfully foreign for Jonathan Papelbon [stats]. — In the moments after the Red Sox [team stats]' 10-9 loss to the Tigers last night at Comerica Park, the closer sat a few feet away …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Teixeira's gamble should lead to big payday … Lately, the overwhelming trend for young stars has been to sign early in their careers, to take the money and stay, so to speak. — That's what makes Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira such a rare breed. Incidentally, rare breeds don't come cheap these days.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington, New Jersey Online, ShysterBall, iYankees, MLB Rumors, Pinstripes, Pa, MLB Rumors and Hot Foot
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Associated Press:
Gomez hits Twins' first cycle since Kirby in 1986 … CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Gomez became the first Twins player since Kirby Puckett 22 years ago to hit for the cycle, Livan Hernandez took a shutout into the ninth and Minnesota beat the Chicago White Sox 13-1 on Wednesday night.
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Utley's RBI single gets Phils by Arizona — PHOENIX (AP)—Arizona's Conor Jackson celebrated his 27th birthday face-down in the dirt at first base after a nasty eighth-inning collision, then Eric Bruntlett and Chase Utley rallied Philadelphia to victory. — Bruntlett doubled in the tying run …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
A-Rod's rehab plan takes shape — If you're one of the many people (based on the e-mails) hoping Alex Rodriguez will play a rehab game or two at Trenton or Scranton, you're probably out of luck. — The tentative plan for A-Rod is to fly to Tampa on Thursday and pick up the pace of the workouts at the team complex over the weekend.
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Esteban Loaiza goes on disabled list — Brazoban will be recalled, and Kershaw could be coming to the majors soon. — Esteban Loaiza was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of tightness and spasms in his right shoulder — a move that could create an opportunity …
Discussion:
FanHouse
Owen Perkins / MLB.com:
Mulder sidelined by rotator cuff strain — Cardinals lefty's rehab stint on hold for seven to 10 days — DENVER — Currently in the Minor Leagues on a rehab assignment, Mark Mulder was diagnosed with a mild rotator cuff strain of his left shoulder on Wednesday morning.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Wilson's return pushed back — It probably will be close to the end of May before Jack Wilson is back. — The Pirates' shortstop, out since April 3 because of a strained left calf, yesterday was moved to a less aggressive timeline, one in which he will need two to three weeks before his return.
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Why Frank Thomas belongs in this year's All-Star Game — After watching his distinguished career and his outspoken stance against steroids, it's time to send Frank Thomas to the 2008 All-Star Game (Cast your vote here) — Here's a fact I've been having trouble getting my head around this morning …
Discussion:
FanHouse
Gene Duffey / MLB.com:
O'Connor replaces Chico in rotation — Lefty called up as former starter finds a place in bullpen — HOUSTON — The Nationals are making a change in their starting rotation, naming left-hander Mike O'Connor to start Saturday night's home game against Florida in place of lefty Matt Chico.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba falters as Yanks fall to Tribe — Three-run homer in eighth spoils Pettitte's strong performance — NEW YORK — Joba Chamberlain watched the ball sail toward the right-field wall, bent at his waist and held his face a couple of feet over the Yankee Stadium infield grass.
Discussion:
Bombers Beat
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