Top News:
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Schmidt: Mets know Phillies are better than them — NEW YORK (AP) — In a pep talk via e-mail, Mike Schmidt reminded the Philadelphia Phillies of their big comeback to win the NL East last season and said “the Mets know you're better than they are.” — With the Phillies opening a crucial …
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils blank Mets, shrink gap in East — Myers masterful in three-hit, 10-strikeout performance — NEW YORK — Music played, but at a reasonable volume. Other than Shane Victorino offering high fives to Scott Eyre's two sons, there were no fist bumps or energetic celebrations of any kind.
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:Mike Schmidt's message to the Phillies
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks deny Morrow a no-no in opener — Betemit picks up Bombers' first hit in eighth with RBI double — SEATTLE — Brandon Morrow's first Major League start was one that he will never forget. Neither will anyone who was present at Safeco Field, though the Yankees certainly will try.
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Morrow flirts with no-no, wins first start — Righty gives up first hit to Yankees after 7 2/3 sterling innings — SEATTLE — The last pitch he threw on Friday night cost right-hander Brandon Morrow a possible no-hitter, but not his first Major League win as a starter, as the Mariners beat the Yankees, 3-1, at Safeco Field.
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Tribune:
Quentin has only himself to blame — Without ever cracking a joke or smiling, Carlos Quentin was funny. — Watch the crazy baseball player work himself into a lather over a strikeout. Look at him want to smash his helmet after a groundout. See those eyes glaring.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
So far, so good: No Quentin, no problem — Uribe hits two of White Sox three homers in romp over Angels — CHICAGO — There's not a player on the White Sox roster, or an individual working as part of this particular organization, who wouldn't rather have Carlos Quentin in the lineup …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Skid hits six as pitching hit hard — Reds rookies tee off on Lilly, Lieber for nine runs by fourth — CINCINNATI — All the Cubs need is one win to be happy again. — Ted Lilly lasted two innings Friday in his shortest outing of the season as the Cincinnati Reds roughed up the Cubs, 10-2, to hand them their sixth straight loss.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Chicagosports / Hardball:
Lou's road trip — Even the trip to the ballpark is becoming an odyssey these days. — Manager Lou Piniella and first base coach Matt Sinatro decided to drive to Cincinnati from Chicago on Friday. With Sinatro behind the wheel and directions at hand from a Google search …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Scully will return for 60th season — Dodgers broadcaster, 80, will continue with same workload — LOS ANGELES — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said Friday he will return to the Dodgers for a 60th season at the microphone in 2009. — Scully, whose current three-year contract runs through 2008 …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Ethier, Lowe carry Dodgers — LA pulls within half-game in NL West after sixth straight win — LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier homered and drove in a career-high five runs and Derek Lowe pitched eight scoreless innings as the Dodgers pulled to within a half-game of first place with a 7-0 rout of over Arizona on Friday night.
Discussion:
Associated Press
David Lennon / Newsday:
Manuel skeptical of rain forecast — With Tropical Storm Hanna expected to sweep through Shea on Saturday, the Mets already have made contingency plans to reschedule the 3:55 p.m. game against the Phillies. If the matinee is washed out, it will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Sunday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
David Singh / MLB.com:
Missed opportunity costs Rays — Tampa Bay's division lead trimmed to 2 1/2 games — TORONTO — As the Rays head to the end of the season in a tight battle for their first playoff berth in franchise history, there is the assurance that every single play of each game will take on added importance.
