Rockies beat the Cards again Thursday

“I never know how much carries over, what does or doesn’t carry over”

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has been pleading with his team to play more relaxed. via KTVO Kirksville

Who says Izzy can just opt out?
So much for sticking it out. Jason Isringhausen is the latest fireman to close out his own role. Is that the right move for the Cards?

Brewers give Braun 8-year, $45M deal
Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers‘ history.

Drew, Webb lead D’backs to 8-5 win over Rockies

Backed by Stephen Drew’s career-high four hits, Brandon Webb became the major leagues’ first nine-game winner when the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-5 on Thursday night. via Journal Gazette

Furcal’s absence more painful

“We miss a lot of things about Furcal”

Like the paparazzi catching some starlet as she roams the Hollywood shopping meccas in baggy sweats and no makeup, two different teams have caught the Dodgers without Rafael Furcal this week. via Redlands Daily Facts

Scoreless streak over, but Indians still edge A’s

NL primed to take power from AL (finally)
The AL has been better for awhile (see: interleague record, World Series, All-Star games). But Dayn Perry says that could soon change.

Verlander loses seventh in Tigers‘ 2-0 loss

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. via Buffalo News

Safeguards sought as umpire injury toll grows
A series of head and neck injuries to umpires has Major League Baseball looking for long-term answers beyond the scrambling necessary …

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Stairs goes up and away, as Jays beat Twins

“More importantly, you need to take advantage of them.”

The Toronto Blue Jays are starting to catch some breaks. Fredericton’s Matt Stairs hit a grand slam and Roy Halladay rebounded from a shaky start to help the Blue Jays beat the Twins 6-5. “You got to get some … via CANOE

M’s hit depths

“You’re never as good as you look, you’re never as bad as you look”

The numbers just keep rolling by in a punishing barrage. Twelve losses in 14 games, including a spiritless 5-2 defeat at Rangers Ballpark on Tuesday. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

MLB owners get tougher on drugs; maple bats next?
Baseball owners unanimously ratified tougher drug testing rules Thursday, and commissioner Bud Selig said he will now turn his …

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Sabathia tosses 5-hit shutout, fans 11 in Tribe win

“Everyone is working hard. Everyone wants to be that guy each night.”

Indians blank A’s for major league-leading seventh shutout Cleveland leads 2-0 Tue 5/13 @CLE 4, OAK 0 >Wed 5/14 @CLE 2, OAK 0 OAK @ CLE 12:05 ET Series tied 4-4 Fri 4/4 @OAK 6, CLE 3 Sat 4/5 @OAK 6, CLE 1 Sun … via ESPN

Cano 4-for-4 in Yankees win over Rays

“When you don’t score runs, you don’t look good. We bring energy every day, but the bottom line is it has to translate into wins.”

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Hank Steinbrenner criticized the Yankees, and Joe Girardi held a pregame team meeting with his struggling team. via WQXI-AM Atlanta

Brewers sign slugger Ryan Braun to $45M contract
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to an eight-year, $45 million contract. The contract includes this …

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Plan in place for financing Rays new park
Rays have financing set for park The Rays presented a preliminary financing plan to the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday that laid out their ideas for how to pay for the proposed $450 million waterfront ballpark at the current site of historic Al Lang Field.

Royals again sweep Tigers in 3-game set (AP)

Neither the Detroit Tigers nor the Kansas City Royals saw this sweep coming. Jose Guillen homered and drove in three runs, Gil Meche pitched seven solid innings and the Royals beat Detroit 8-4 Thursday to complete another three-game sweep of the Tigers. Kansas City won its season-best fourth straight and improved to 6-0 this season against the skidding Tigers, who have lost four in a row and 10 of…

Phils’ Hamels gets first career shutout (AP)

Cole Hamels finally finished what he started. The Philadelphia left-hander pitched his first career shutout, Ryan Howard homered and the Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Thursday night. “I’m always wanting to go out there and finish it,” said Hamels, who lowered his ERA from 3.36 to 2.89. “It was nice to finally get that done.” Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino also homered and drove in two…

Subway Series features new faces
Subway Series features new faces The 12th installment of the Subway Series gets underway on Friday, as the Yankees welcome the one that got away, pitcher Johan Santana, to the Bronx.

Blue Jays complete sweep in extras
Blue Jays complete sweep in extras Joe Inglett came off the bench as a pinch-hitter and singled home the winning run in the 11th inning, as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Minnesota Twins, 3-2, to complete a sweep of their three-game series.

Edmonds makes Cubs debut
Edmonds makes Cubs debut A day after signing with the Cubs, and less than a week after being released by the Padres, Jim Edmonds started in center field against his former team Thursday.

Astros rally from 6 down to edge Giants (AP)

Lance Berkman is going to ride this hitting tear he’s on as long as possible. Same goes for Houston manager Cecil Cooper, who continues to be amazed by his club’s gutsy play. Berkman splashed his major league-leading 15th home run into McCovey Cove to break a ninth-inning tie, helping the Astros rally past the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Thursday for their 11th win in 13 games.

Surging Pirates resume set with slumping Cards

The Pittsburgh Pirates have recently become very familiar with the winning feeling. via WKRC-TV Cincinnati

Sweepless with Seattle: Texas Rangers lose, 4-3

“I think we’ve been playing well”

The last time the Texas Rangers had an off day, manager Ron Washington went home to New Orleans unsure if he’d return with his title still in tact. via The Dallas Morning News

Reds should follow Florida’s winning formula

Break up the Reds … now The Real McCoy Cincinnati Reds baseball news The Real McCoy Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any … via Journal-News

Rangers go for home sweep of Mariners

The Texas Rangers try and complete a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners this afternoon when the AL West rivals conclude their set at Rangers Ballpark. via WKRC-TV Cincinnati

Scoreless streak over, but Indians still edge A’s

NL All-Star ballot impressive | VOTE NOW

Wilson makes first Triple-A rehab start
Wilson makes first Triple-A rehab start

Dempster does it all in win vs. Padres
Dempster does it all vs. Padres Cubs starter Ryan Dempster allowed just six hits in 8 1/3 shutout innings and knocked in the game’s first run in a 4-0 win Thursday against the Padres.

Bay’s blast leaves Cards all wet
Bay’s blast leaves Cards all wet The Pirates used a pinch-hit homer from Jason Bay in a four-run eighth to record a come-from-behind 11-5 win over the Cards in the rubber game of a three-game set.

Manny makes another memorable play
Manny makes another memorable play Any notion that outfielder Manny Ramirez’s march toward 500 home runs would affect other parts of his game was put to rest when the dreadlocked slugger flashed some serious leather to ignite an incredible inning-ending double play from the warning track in the fourth inning.

A’s pitchers enroll in Hitting 101
A’s pitchers take Hitting 101

Inside Pitch: Deals bring early returns
Inside Pitch: Deals bring early returns It’s never too early to check the status of some of the offseason moves and how they are impacting this season’s races. MLB.com’s Jim Molony takes a look at some of the early returns.

Edmonds makes Cubs debut
Edmonds makes Cubs debut A day after signing with the Cubs, and less than a week after being released by the Padres, Jim Edmonds started in center field against his former team Thursday.

MLB owners get tougher on drugs
Baseball owners unanimously ratified tougher drug testing rules Thursday, and commissioner Bud Selig said he will now turn his attention to whether maple bats have become dangerous. Players have until May 23 to ratify the drug agreement, which will increase the frequency of tests and the authority of the program’s independent administrator. “A lot of it can be enacted right away,” Selig said.

Rollins’ energy refuels Phils

“Our whole lineup definitely feeds off Jimmy”

Jimmy Rollins had been back with the Phillies for just an hour, but already his influence was being exerted in the clubhouse. via Delawareonline.com

Pirates 8, Cardinals 4

“That’s a tough time for a guy and a lot of times there’s nothing you can say”

Paulino singled in the go-ahead run in a four-run 10th inning for his second crucial hit in an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night. via Fox Sports

Brewers sign Braun to 8-year, $45M deal (AP)
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to an eight-year, $45 million contract. The contract includes this season and a seven-year extension, meaning Braun will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, general manager Doug Melvin announced Thursday. The deal exceeds the six-year, $31 million contract signed by Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who fell short…

Mota, not Gagne, blows it for Brewers (AP)

Eric Gagne got another view of a blown save — from the bench. Juan Pierre hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning off Guillermo Mota, and the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a three-run deficit to beat the Brewers 6-4 Wednesday night and stop a season-high, five-game losing streak. “When you lose five games in a row and have to come back in somebody else’s ballpark, hopefully this gets us…

Surging Pirates resume set with slumping Cards

The Pittsburgh Pirates have recently become very familiar with the winning feeling. via WKRC-TV Cincinnati

Pirates 8, Cardinals 4

“That’s a tough time for a guy and a lot of times there’s nothing you can say”

Paulino singled in the go-ahead run in a four-run 10th inning for his second crucial hit in an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night. via Fox Sports

Cubs blow out San Diego in series opener

“I don’t have any answers to it”

So how come they can’t do this anywhere but cold, damp Wrigley Field? Fresh off sweeping the big, bad Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, the Cubs bullied the anemic San Diego Padres 12-3 on Monday night, … via Courier News

Rays, Kazmir agree on 3 years, $28.5M (AP)
Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir agreed Wednesday to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract’s value to $39.5 million over four seasons. The 2007 AL strikeout champion is 36-30 with a 3.63 ERA in 100 major league appearances, including 99 starts.

Drew’s Homer Lifts Arizona Over Colorado

“That being said, you’ve got to perform, execute and make pitches.”

Struggling to find his command, Randy Johnson needed help for his 287th career victory.

Stephen Drew supplied it.

Backed by Drew’s three-run homer, Johnson went five shaky innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Colorado 8-4 on Tuesday night.

The Big Unit (3-1) gave up four runs and nine hits, striking out four and walking none.

“Not his best stuff today, but he gives us five (innings), and we’re in the lead when he leaves and he ends up getting a win,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. Read more

Lilly pitches Cubs past Padres 8-5 (AP)

Ted Lilly has located his strikeout pitch, and Alfonso Soriano has found his batting eye and power. It was a strong combination Wednesday night, one that led the Chicago Cubs over the San Diego Padres 8-5. Lilly fanned 11 in six innings to get his third straight win and Soriano had his second leadoff homer in as many nights.

Baseball Great ‘Goose’ Gossage to Tour Hall of Fame

Famed relief pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage, 56, will get a tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Monday, a prelude to his induction ceremony in July. via 13WHAM

Brewers can afford to add top pitcher
Brewers can afford to add top pitcher The guy who authorizes the paychecks says the Brewers have room in the budget to acquire an expensive, front-line starting pitcher this summer from a team looking to shed payroll.

Big Unit feeling fine after Tuesday start
Big Unit feeling fine after Tuesday start Randy Johnson may not be able to partake in one his favorite pastimes, but he should be fine when it comes to making his scheduled start Sunday against the Tigers.

Royals sliding down AL Central standings

“I can’t give you any specific explanation other than the fact we know we need more offensive production”

The Kansas City Royals have officially fizzled out. After getting off to a decent start to the season, the losses are occurring more frequently and just like that they are five games below .500. They’ve lost … via WFRV-TV Green Bay

Payton’s slam sends O’s past Red Sox
Payton’s slam sends O’s past Sox Daniel Cabrera saw a quality start turn into a victory Wednesday, when he trailed for most of the game and was redeemed by a late grand slam by Jay Payton. With the crowd cheering loudly and demanding a curtain call — and with Payton unwilling to indulge them — Cabrera came out and tipped his cap, congratulating himself for a 6-3 win over Boston.

Doumit out at least four weeks
Doumit out at least four weeks An examination on Wednesday confirmed Ryan Doumit has a fractured left thumb, which will keep him from baseball-related activities for four weeks.

Council approves drug policy revisions
Executive council approves drug policy revisions Major League Baseball’s executive council unanimously voted on Wednesday to approve revisions in the current drug policy. The entire roster of 30 teams is expected to follow suit at Thursday morning’s joint meeting.

Castillo could be headed to DL
Castillo could be headed to DL

Edmonds expected to sign with Cubs
Edmonds expected to sign with Cubs Veteran outfielder Jim Edmonds was on his way to Chicago on Wednesday and is expected to sign with the Cubs if he passes a physical exam.

Cain’s arm, bat lead Giants to victory
Cain’s arm, bat lead Giants to victory Matt Cain lasted eight innings and helped himself by homering Tuesday night as the Giants subdued the Houston Astros, 4-2.

Blue Jays-Twins Preview

“There may be new characters in the clubhouse, but it’s the same philosophy”

The Minnesota Twins may not have much power, but they’re still managing to score runs. via Fox Sports