Top News:
Associated Press:
Johnson Hits 2-Run Homer as Astros Beat Blue Jays — TORONTO (AP) — Chris Johnson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Friday night. — The Astros (16-29), owners of the worst record in baseball …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Rizzo discusses ump confrontation with Torre — BALTIMORE — Mike Rizzo said he spoke to Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field operation Joe Torre on Friday about the incident that occurred between the Nationals and umpires after Thursday's game against the Mets.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Next step of progress in sight for Zimmerman — BALTIMORE — Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain, is expected to start baseball activities in Viera, Fla., by the end of the month, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Frustration mounts for Nats after call in ninth
Frustration mounts for Nats after call in ninth
Discussion:
Nats Insider and All Nats All the Time
Sahadev Sharma / ESPN:
Bill Buckner ‘excited’ for return — Bill Buckner said he's excited to work Friday's Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, providing color commentary in the Cubs' booth. — “[I don't come back to Fenway] very often,” Buckner said. “It'll be enjoyable, I'm excited about it.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox acquire Morales from Rockies
Red Sox acquire Morales from Rockies
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish, Purple Row and SoxProspects News
Associated Press:
Dickey Buckles Yanks With Knuckler in 2-1 Mets Win — NEW YORK (AP) — R.A. Dickey regained command of his knuckleball and confounded the Yankees for six innings, Daniel Murphy homered and a youthful Mets lineup won the Subway Series opener 2-1 Friday night in front of a surprisingly lackluster New York crowd.
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Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Subway Series: Buffalo vs. Bronx — Justin Turner, right, who spent part of this season with the Class AAA Buffalo Bisons, got the game-winning hit for the Mets on Thursday. — But confidence only goes so far when the biggest professional rivalry he — along with about a third of the Mets …
Discussion:
Subway Squawkers
Ramona Shelburne / ESPN:
MLB probes Dodgers' Ethier for obscene gesture … LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball is looking into photographs that show Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier making an obscene gesture at a photographer before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.
Discussion:
USA Today, NotGraphs Baseball, Associated Press, The Big Lead, Yahoo! Sports and Dodgers Blog
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Associated Press:
Walker Drives in 5 as Pirates Beat Tigers 10-1 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Neil Walker homered and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Detroit Tigers 10-1 on Friday night. — Walker's two-run double in the sixth off Detroit reliever Brayan Villarreal helped break open a tight game.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Long-toss debate shakes up MLB draft — Prep right-hander Dylan Bundy, perhaps the top talent in one of the most loaded Major League Baseball drafts in years, has informed several teams not to select him because of fears they'll try to change his throwing program, a source close to Bundy told Yahoo! Sports.
Discussion:
B3: Big, Bald and Beautiful, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, Pirates Prospects, Minor League Ball and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Marlins beat Rays 5-3 — MIAMI — Logan Morrison hit a game-tying homer in the fourth inning and doubled in the Florida Marlins' two-run eighth to help them beat Tampa Bay 5-3 on Friday night. — Morrison scored Florida's final run from third on a sacrifice fly to the first baseman.
Associated Press:
Halladay wins; Francisco, Ibanez go deep against Rangers — PHILADELPHIA - Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez homered, and Roy Halladay threw eight strong innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. — Halladay (6-3) struck out seven and walked one for the NL East-leading Phillies.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Baseball America:
Prospect Hot Sheet: May 20 — Team: high Class A Lake Elsinore (California) — Why He's Here: .448/.500/.966 (13-for-29), 4 HR, 3 2B, 11 RBIs, 9 R, 4 BB, 5 SO, 4-for-4 SB — The Scoop: The California League may be the only place in the galaxy where Gyorko's .392 average would not lead the way.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues and MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com