Opening arguments set for Monday in Clemens trial
(Yahoo! Sports)

WASHINGTON (AP) The Roger Clemens perjury retrial could turn into an ad hoc forum on the general problem of drug use in baseball, depending on the outcome of the latest lawyers’ spat over the landmark congressional hearing that eventually landed the seven-time Cy Young Award winner in court.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/04/19/opening-arguments-set-for-monday-in-clemens
-trial-yahoo-sports/

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Sports Radio Interviews " Blog Archive "
Colorados Jamie Moyer Becomes the Oldest Pitcher Ever to Win a Major League Baseball Game

Sports Radio Interviews " Blog Archive " Colorado?s Jamie Moyer Becomes the Oldest Pitcher Ever to Win a Major League Baseball Game

Jamie Moyer discusses setting the record for being the oldest starting pitcher to win a game in league history, why records aren?t why he returned to the game, his success being proof that you don?t have to be the most athletic player on the field, winning the record-setting game with a 23-year-old catcher as his battery mate, being asked to leave the game and coach 20 years ago, this year?s Rockies team and its chances to contend, and facing 8.9 percent of the MLB hitters to have ever played.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2012/4/19/2960653/sports-radio-interviews-blog-archive-c
olorados-jamie-moyer-becomes

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Can Yankees Phil Hughes not tank tonight

LAST GAME vs. TWINS: The New York Yankees are down 1-2 games to the Minnesota Twins, so at best they can split the four-game set but that entails winning the game tonight. Winning is something the Yankees know how to do, and especially against the Twins,[...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ladylovespinstripes/~3/BKfY1o6XpQg/

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Cardinals set to place 1B Berkman on DL (Yahoo!
Sports)

ST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Cardinals are set to place first baseman Lance Berkman on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf injury he aggravated chasing a popup.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/04/19/cardinals-set-to-place-1b-berkman-on-dl-yah
oo-sports/

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Opening arguments in Clemens trial to start
Monday (Yahoo! Sports)

WASHINGTON (AP) Questioning of potential jurors in the Roger Clemens perjury case was completed Thursday after nearly four days, and opening arguments are set for Monday afternoon

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/04/19/opening-arguments-in-clemens-trial-to-start
-monday-yahoo-sports/

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Kansas City looks forward to All-Star Game
(Yahoo! Sports)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Royals owner David Glass believes his young team will be in contention by the All-Star break, despite starting 3-9 and failing to win a home game yet this season.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/04/19/kansas-city-looks-forward-to-all-star-game-
yahoo-sports/

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Ivan Rodriguez retiring in Texas on Monday
(Yahoo! Sports)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Ivan Rodriguez is going back to Texas to retire.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/04/19/ivan-rodriguez-retiring-in-texas-on-monday-
yahoo-sports/

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Miami Marlins offense explodes behind a dominant
Mark Buehlre, Marlins beat Cubs 9-1

Last night, the rubber.  Today, the sweep? I think the questions regarding run support for our rotation will begin to fade away after last night?s 9-1 win over the Cubs.  Last night, a pair of sculpture-spinners from

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http://marlinmaniac.com/2012/04/19/7318/

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Know Your Foe #5: Rockies Back On the Road to
Milwaukee

In lieu of the standard assessment of the opponent, Hangwith'em Rach from Brew Crew Ball was gracious enough to take some time and swap some Q&A questions with us over here at Purple Row so we could get the fan insight into the Milwaukee squad.

1. So Fielder is gone. Do you miss him? Obviously you miss the production, but are the Brewers as a team really missing him?

As fans, we miss him, of course. Prince was a lot of fun to watch. There aren't many players quite like him. The Brewers' strategy was to try to replace Fielder's production with multiple players. Rickie Weeks is the only remaining member of the infield from 2011. Fielder, Casey McGehee (3B) and Yuniesky Betancourt (SS) were replaced with Mat Gamel, Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez. No one expected Gamel, who had less than 200 big league plate appearances before this year, to replace Prince by himself. On paper, this looks like a winning strategy. The defense on the left side of the infield should be better and collectively, the offense should be just as good as it was last year. On the field, however, Ramirez is out to a terrible start. He's put up a .103/.163/.154 line. Gonzalez has been only slightly better at .214/.267/.500. Gamel has started to play with a lot more confidence recently and is at .283/.333/.436. It's early, though, so hopefully the three-headed monster will come through and make Fielder's departure less painful.

As for the loss of leadership, Corey Hart had the following to say this winter:

"Prince is pretty vocal, but I wouldn't have called him our team leader. I think you actually lose more with losing Craig than you do with losing Prince. Obviously, [Fielder's] ability on the field is way above your average player, but I think we're going to miss Craig Counsell more in the clubhouse than we are Prince. He's a great, fun guy, but it's nice to have those older guys who have been there and won. Any time Craig talks, it doesn't matter what was going on, you're going to listen. I think Prince had the kind of makings of it, but you don't lose as much as you do losing a guy like Craig Counsell." http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/2012/01/27/hart-on-fielder-playing-first-base/

2. Following up, I'm personally jealous that you got Aramis Ramirez. How are you liking him? What is he bringing to the table outside of on field production?

To be honest, it's strange to see him in a Brewers uniform. Sometimes I forget that he doesn't play for the Cubs any more. He had a good game on Wednesday against the Dodgers (2 hits, HR) but before that he had been bad--4 hits in 43 plate appearances bad. I don't know enough about him yet to judge his off-the-field behavior and his contributions to the team in that regard. But Bob Brenly didn't like him so he can't be all bad, right?

3. Coming into the season, what would you say the Brewers biggest need was? Has the first dozen games changed your mind at all?

Following the 2011 season, I thought that the biggest need was to replace Prince (and get rid of Betancourt in the process). The first dozen games have certainly made me aware of other potential needs that I may have overlooked, but I still think that this is the key to a return to the post-season. I think the starting pitching and bullpen will be fine. I'm most concerned about the offense and what might happen if Ramirez doesn't hit.

4. I'm sure you're sick of talking about it, but how long does Greinke stay in Milwaukee?

Any sentence that starts with "I'm sure you're sick of talking about it" that doesn't end in Braun and steroids is a great question to me! Negotiations between the Brewers and Greinke were "tabled" last week. Doug Melvin, the Brewers GM, said that discussions may resume at some point during the season. Melvin rarely tips his hand so it is difficult to predict anything from this statement. My best guess as to what will happen is that Greinke will either sign a five-year deal with the Brewers before the All-Star game or he will leave in free agency after the season. This is based purely on my speculation that Greinke likes pitching for Milwaukee but may become too expensive if he pitches well.

Arbitrary Prediction: Rockies take the opener on the wings of Chacin's first good start of 2012. Pomeranz drops a tight one to Narveson (who only goes 1 out into the 6th) thanks to some shutdown work from the Milwaukee bullpen. Game 3 goes to the shootout, and the Rockies emerge with one point after the SOL.

Seriously, Rockies take 1 of 3.

Projected Starters:

Friday, 4/20/12 at 6:10PM MT

Jhoulys Chacin vs Shaun Marcum

Saturday, 4/21/2012 at 5:10PM MT

Drew Pomeranz vs Chris Narveson

Sunday, 4/22/2012 at 12:10PM MT

Jeremy Guthrie vs Yovani Gallardo

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Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLGGeorge Kottaras9123510384400.417.5631.250Carlos Gomez9244831031121.333.360.542Norichika Aoki991300012300.333.455.333Jonathan Lucroy10294911263700.310.400.621Corey Hart1136811404851100.306.419.750Ryan Braun114251240154921.286.347.452Mat Gamel124391211132830.279.326.419Rickie Weeks1245610302281610.222.340.422Cesar Izturis7140300010000.214.214.214Zack Greinke350110000200.200.200.400Alex Gonzalez9313620262801.194.265.452Aramis Ramirez11436620163820.140.191.256Nyjer Morgan11322400000811.125.125.125Travis Ishikawa770000000400.000.000.000Yovani Gallardo360000000200.000.000.000Shaun Marcum240000010100.000.000.000Randy Wolf230000000101.000.000.000Chris Narveson230000000200.000.000.000Manny Parra410000000100.000.000.000Tim Dillard600000000000.000.000.000Marco Estrada500000000000.000.000.000Kameron Loe400000000000.000.000.000John Axford500000000000.000.000.000Jose Veras500000000000.000.000.000Francisco Rodriguez700000000000.000.000.000

Pitching

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIPKameron Loe1-04000005.14111121.69.94Jose Veras1-05000004.13111342.081.38Manny Parra0-04000006.210320182.701.65Marco Estrada0-05000006.05221373.001.33Shaun Marcum1-122000013.085522123.46.77Yovani Gallardo1-133000017.2199948164.581.53Zack Greinke1-133000017.217101003195.091.13Tim Dillard0-06000006.18540335.681.74Francisco Rodriguez0-17000116.06441676.002.00Chris Narveson1-12200009.010872457.001.56John Axford0-05000203.23430587.362.18Randy Wolf0-12200009.118111124810.612.36

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Milwaukee Brewers Injuries

Probable

Player Injury Type Injury DateAlex Gonzalezother-excused04/18/2012

15-Day

Player Injury Type Injury DateBrandon Kintzlerelbow03/26/2012

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Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2012/4/19/2959379/know-your-foe-5-rockies-back-on-the-ro
ad-to-milwaukee

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Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks Series
Preview

After taking two of three from the New York Mets, Atlanta heads out west to take the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game series. The Diamondbacks are coming off a series against the Pirates that saw them lose two of three at home. For the year, Arizona is 7-5, two games back of the N.L. West leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

Offense:

The Braves catch a break going up against the Diamondbacks offense as the hot hitting Chris Young (.410/.500/.810 with five home runs) is on the disabled list with a bruised right shoulder.

While not on the DL, outfielder Justin Upton is day-to-day with an injured thumb. Hitting .212/.350/.273 so far, Upton was used as a pinch runner on Wednesday, but still struggles to swing a bat.

Among healthy players, Miguel Montero is hitting .282/.404/.436 with two home runs in 47 plate appearances, while Aaron Hill is hitting at a .220/.333/.512 clip with three home runs so far in 2012. Lyle Overbay is hitting .222/.300/.500 on the year.

Ryan Roberts is hitting only .205/.286/.318 on the year, and Willie Bloomquist is at .256/.275/.410.

Some other struggling Diamondbacks include Paul Goldschmidt, Gerardo Parra, and Jason Kubel. Keeping them that way will be a key for the Braves.

Pitching match-ups and a look at the Diamondbacks bullpen after the jump.

Thursday April 19th, 9:40 PM ET

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Mike Minor

#36 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Dec 26, 1987

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---

Josh Collmenter

#55 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-4

Weight: 235

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 07, 1986

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Josh Collmenter, a revelation is 2011, has gotten off to a rough start so far in 2012. The righthander hasn't made it past the fourth inning in either of his starts this season, and could be in danger of losing his rotation spot if his struggles continue. Collmenter is primarily a fastball (it's a cutter)-changeup pitcher, but he'll mix in a curveball every now and then. So far in 2012, he's thrown his fastball 71% of the time and his change 23% percent of the time. Velocity wise, he isn't a hard thrower, reaching just above 87 miles per hour with his fastball. In 13 innings pitched against Atlanta, Collmenter is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA and five strikeouts.

Friday April 20th, 9:40 PM ET

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Brandon Beachy

#37 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 03, 1986

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Trevor Cahill

#35 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-4

Weight: 225

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Mar 01, 1988

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In game two, Brandon Beachy faces off against Trevor Cahill. Acquired in the offseason from Oakland, the right-hander has pitched well so far in 2012. In terms of stuff, Cahill throws five pitches, a fastball, sinker, slider, curveball, and changeup. Primarily, he uses his sinker, with his change being the primary off-speed pitch. His fastball and sinker both have averaged just over 88 miles per hour this season. Never a big strikeout pitcher, Cahill has gotten a little lucky so far in 2012, sporting a strand rate of over 85%, which is bound to come down soon. He has never faced Atlanta.

Saturday April 21st, 8:10 PM ET

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Tommy Hanson

#48 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-6

Weight: 220

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 28, 1986

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Joe Saunders

#34 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Jun 16, 1981

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In game three, Joe Saunders takes the mound for Arizona against Tommy Hanson. He throws four pitches, including a fastball, sinker, curveball, and a changeup. Working mainly fastball-sinker, his changeup is his main off-speed weapon. Reaching just over 90 miles per hour with his fastball in 2012, Saunders has pitched very well so far this year. In 13.1 career innings against Atlanta, Saunders is 1-0, with an 0.68 ERA and four strikeouts.

Sunday April 22nd, 4:10 PM ET

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Randall Delgado

#40 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 09, 1990

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Ian Kennedy

#31 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Dec 19, 1984

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In the series finale, Randall Delgado takes on Ian Kennedy. In 2012, Kennedy has been throwing five pitches: a fastball, sinker, cutter, curveball, and changeup. Velocity wise, his fastball has averaged just over 90 miles per hour in 2012, while his sinker has been just below that at just over 89 miles per hour. Sporting a 5.67 K/BB ratio and a K/9 of over eight, Kennedy has been pretty successful so far in the young season. He's 0-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 11 strikeouts against Atlanta.

All pitch information from brooksbaseball.net.

Bullpen:

J.J. Putz -RH (CL)

David Hernandez -RH

Brad Zeigler -RH

Craig Breslow -LH

Bryan Shaw -RH

Joe Paterson -LH

Wade Miley -LH

In just over 36 innings total, the Diamondbacks pen has an ERA of 2.21, a FIP of 3.19, and a xFIP of 3.59.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/4/19/2959807/atlanta-braves-at-arizona-diamondbac
ks-series-preview

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