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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
More on Wang's day — OK, finally have the definite numbers on Wang: — 7 innings — 9 hits — 5 runs — 4 earned — 0 walks — 11 strikeouts — 91 pitches / 70 strikes — “Good day,” Wang said. “Sinker down more, but sometimes got higher and the ball didn't sink.”
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Initial report on Wang — Chien-Ming Wang threw 91 pitches today in Tampa today, 70 for strikes. — I'm still gathering the details in terms of hits and runs, but he struck out 11 without a walk and was averaging around 91 with his fastball. — Wag pitched in an extended spring training game …
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The Sommer Frieze, River Avenue Blues, The Voice of Yankees Universe and Generation Third
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:Wang throws 91 pitches in extended spring game
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iYankees
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Cubs' Piniella lays down the law to Milton Bradley — Milton Bradley entered Lou Piniella's office at 10:17 a.m. Thursday morning, with a white towel wrapped around his waist and a blue towel covering his head. — Bradley wasn't hiding from the paparazzi, but did not want to advertise his visit to Piniella's office.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Out until healthy, Bradley adjusting — Outfielder speaks about injury, relationship with media — CHICAGO — This is not how Milton Bradley wanted to start his tenure with the Cubs. — The outfielder knows he's battled a series of injuries, and now he's sidelined with a nagging groin injury.
Jeff Wilson / Texas Rangers:
Kason Gabbard traded — The Rangers have traded left-hander Kason Gabbard to Boston, the team who traded him for Eric Gagne in 2007, for cash considerations. The Red Sox have assigned him to Triple-A Pawtucket and are expected to send him to extending spring training.
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Boston Globe
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
BIG PAPI TO JOBA: DON'T THROW AT US — BOSTON — If young Joba Chamberlain misbehaves tomorrow night, he might face a spanking from someone else's Papi. — With Chamberlain scheduled to start for the Yankees in the opener of a three-game series against the Red Sox, David Ortiz yesterday …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Valverde hopes to be ready for finale — Houston (6-9) vs. Los Angeles (10-5), 7:05 p.m. CT — HOUSTON — Jose Valverde was not available to pitch in Wednesday's game, and the same could apply for the Astros' finale with the Dodgers on Thursday. — Valverde was stricken with two injuries …
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Byrd ready to return to big leagues — Veteran pitcher has been throwing for three months — Paul Byrd is ready to fly again. — At least that's what he told Yahoo! Sports recently. — Byrd, who made 30 starts for the Indians and Red Sox last season but chose to sit out free agency …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Eaton pitches O's past White Sox — O's starting pitcher strikes out nine, walks none in 7 1/3 innings — Orioles starting pitcher Adam Eaton throws against the Chicago White Sox. Eaton gave up two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out nine hitters in the game.
Associated Press:
Mariners blank Rays behind Ichiro's homer, Hernandez's arm — SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki lined James Shields' second pitch of the game for a home run and ace Felix Hernandez helped his injury riddled team with a seven-inning gem in the Seattle Mariner's 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Jim Peltz / Los Angeles Times:
Chad Billingsley throws another gem for Dodgers — He shuts out the Astros for 7 1/3 innings while Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake provide the offense with run-scoring hits. — Reporting from Houston — Chad Billingsley stayed undefeated by pitching another gem tonight as the Dodgers beat …
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Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Blue Jays place closer Ryan, LHP Romero on DL … TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays put closer B.J. Ryan and starter Ricky Romero on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, the latest setbacks for a team with an already thin pitching staff. — The two left-handers joined four Toronto righties on the DL.
Sun-Sentinel:
Q&A: Marlins' Wes Helms talks about his love for kickboxing — Being a major leaguer is accomplishment enough for most people, but Marlins' reserve infielder Wes Helms has another notch on his belt — actually it's the belt itself. Helms has a black belt in kickboxing, which he took up in 1995 to improve his agility.
Associated Press:
Bush takes no-hit bid into 8th inning, Brewers beat Phillies — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dave Bush held Philadelphia hitless for 7 1-3 innings before pinch-hitter Matt Stairs homered off the foul pole, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Phillies 6-1 Thursday. — Several innings …
Marc Berman / New York Post:
CARTER OUT OF MANAGERIAL LOBBYING BUSINESS — Gary Carter is just down the Long Island Expressway now as first-year manager of the Long Island Ducks. But don't expect the Mets former Hall-of-Fame catcher to be lobbying for the Flushing job if Jerry Manuel's club tailspins.
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Surfing the Mets:
Uh-oh: Cardinals 5, Mets 2 ... Jerry to shake up lineup — Now what? Well, after the Mets lost to the Cardinals, 5-2, on Wednesday night to fall two games under .500, Jerry Manuel plans to shake up his lineup. Well, shake it up for a day, anyway. — Carlos Beltran will move to third …
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