Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg no-hits Class AAA Norfolk Tides over six innings — SYRACUSE, N.Y. — There is no higher class of minor leagues left for Stephen Strasburg, so what happens now? Let him face robots in the bullpen? Make him throw left-handed?
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Donnie Webb / Sports News:
Strasburg dominates with seven strikeouts and no hits in six innings for the Chiefs … It's a Stephen Strasburg world and baseball is just living in it. — The extraordinary pitching prospect of the Washington Nationals made another real-deal performance in his second start …
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Phillies Accused of Using Illegal Methods to Steal Signs — The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the best teams in baseball over the last two seasons, capturing two straight National League pennants and the 2008 World Series. Now, they are dealing with accusations that they are …
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Dale Scott's strike zone in detail — The folks from Brooks Baseball published this Pitch F/X data on the strikes called by Dale Scott today and a reader called it to our attention. — The red triangles are the pitches Scott called strikes thrown by the Blue Jays.
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Tony Lee / NESN.com:
Dale Scott's Questionable Calls Stand in the Way of Red Sox …
Dale Scott's Questionable Calls Stand in the Way of Red Sox …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Scripting Griffey's final chapter — Mariners' dilemma is figuring out the right thing to do with the aging, unproductive icon — His average hovers around the Mendoza Line (.200). His slugging percentage (.225) looks way too much like his area code (206). — He's been outhomered by Yovani Gallardo (1-0).
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Bradley making progress — BALTIMORE — Left fielder Milton Bradley could rejoin the team at some point during the Mariners' next homestand, manager Don Wakamatsu said on Wednesday. — Bradley has been on the restricted list since May 5 with stress-related issues. — “I think everything is going well,” Wakamatsu said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Clubhouse notes: Cruz back, catcher talk — ARLINGTON — Nelson Cruz proclaimed himself healthy and ready to return to the lineup as he spoke to reporters before Thursday's game. He played in two full games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this week and his hamstring feels good.
Marc Hulet / FanGraphs Baseball:
As the (Aaron) Crow Flies — While perusing the Royals' organizational chart the other day, I realized that it's been quite some time since I've heard anything about Aaron Crow. The right-hander, you'll recall, was the ninth overall pick by the Washington Nationals during the 2008 draft.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Brendan Ryan's struggles continue — on the field, at the plate — The two-pronged slump gripping Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan — he is one for his last 23 and has made five errors in his last three games — continued, if not deepened, Wednesday night. But Ryan thought after the Cardinals' 9-6 loss …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Perception not reality for White Sox bats — MINNEAPOLIS — Greg Walker holds a different perspective on offense, and that altered outlook has nothing to do with his team's early-season struggles with the bat. — “Here we sit and there are some ugly numbers out there …
Fox Sports:
Major-league pitching trends up — Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com. His second book, “Reggie Jackson: The Life and Thunderous Career of Baseball's Mr. October,” is available from HarperCollins Publishers. — If you're partial to aficionado's baseball — that is …
Associated Press:
Bud Selig ignores demands to move 2011 All-Star Game — NEW YORK — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is ignoring calls to move next year's All-Star Game from Phoenix because of Arizona's new immigration law. — Asked about such demands at a news conference Thursday following an owners meeting …
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Torrealba delivers against Giants — SAN FRANCISCO — The question has been asked before of Yorvit Torrealba, though he has yet to develop a response that comes remotely close to explaining why he has been so good at knocking in runners in scoring position.