Top News:
John Lott / National Post:
Disagreement with Jays manager earns radio announcer the weekend off — • Mike Wilner, who covers the Toronto Blue Jays for the team's flagship radio station, has been taken off the job for the weekend series with the New York Yankees following a confrontation Wednesday with Jays manager Cito Gaston.
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Canadian Press:
CECIL STELLAR, BAUTISTA GOES YARD TWICE AS JAYS BEAT YANKEES — TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays stared out at the mound Friday night and saw a part of their recent failed past in A.J. Burnett, and a big part of what they hope is a brighter future in Brett Cecil.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Zambrano loses 3-1 in comeback — Starter looks sharp after 1st inning but offense can't do much against Astros — In his first game since returning to the rotation from a stint as a reliever, Carlos Zambrano talks with catcher Geovany Soto after giving up a double to Houston's Carlos Lee in the first inning.
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Chicago Breaking Sports:
Fed-up Piniella may bench Fukudome, Soto — HOUSTON — Lou Piniella is fed up, and this time he appears to mean it. — “I don't think I want to talk about our offense anymore,” the Cubs manager said Friday after a 3-1 loss to Houston, their fourth in a row. “I think I'm talked out. I am talked out.
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
In Samuel's debut, O's stung by Red Sox — Tillman roughed up early as losing streak reaches nine — BALTIMORE — Friday was supposed to signal the start of a new season at Camden Yards, a fundamentally sound Orioles team that played with enthusiasm and aggression, two attributes interim …
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HardballTalk
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Aaron Fitt / Baseball America:
Wittels Extends Hit Streak To 56 Games — Move over, Joltin' Joe. Make room for Garrett Wittels. — Florida International's sophomore shortstop wasted no time extending his hitting streak to 56 games in Saturday's Coral Gables Regional elimination game against Dartmouth.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox suffer complete collapse in 10-1 setback — Danks, relievers can't stop Indians and offense surprisingly can't solve Masterson — White Sox starter John Danks delivers a pitch against the Indians during the third inning. (Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press / June 4, 2010)
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Ollie to DL? Blanco's disc herniated — Teammates believe Oliver Perez will head to the DL, not the minors Saturday when the Mets activated Jon Niese for a start against the Florida Marlins. — The Mets plan to wait until Saturday to announce a roster move to make room for Jon Niese's activation from the disabled list.
Associated Press:
Rookie Smoak, Hamilton power Rangers' rally past Rays 9-6 — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie Justin Smoak (FSY) homered and had a career-high three hits, Josh Hamilton (FSY) had a homer and two doubles, and the Texas Rangers rallied from an early four-run deficit for a 9-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
New York Mets designate Gary Matthews, place Luis Castillo on DL — NEW YORK — The Mets dumped outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., placed second baseman Luis Castillo on the disabled list and had outfielder Carlos Beltran participate in an extended spring training game for the first time on Friday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Draft Preview: Yankees sticking with plan — New York will take best player available with 32nd pick — NEW YORK — One of the themes the Yankees have stuck by in recent years has been their emphasis on replenishing the farm system, knowing that those players can be promoted to the big league level …
Sports Network / Toronto Sun:
Halladay not perfect, but Phils still top Padres — Philadelphia, PA — Roy Halladay wasn't perfect, but the Phillies' ace still threw seven solid innings and was backed by Shane Victorino's productive night in a 3-2 win over the Padres. — Halladay (8-3), in his first start since retiring …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Sports Illustrated:
Tim Marchman>INSIDE BASEBALL — What are the causes — and the odds — of the Phillies' slump? … Watching the Philadelphia Phillies try to hit lately has been a bit like watching a champion heavyweight flail with a broken fist and two shut eyes. They know what to do; they just can't do it.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation