A SCHEDULING NOTE: I WILL NOT HAVE A BLOG TOMORROW (FRIDAY, MAY 17). BOTH THE HEAT AND I ARE TAKING THE DAY OFF. SEE YOU AGAIN ON MONDAY.
Turn out the lights, the party’s over. The Heat ended the Chicago Bulls’ season last night at the AAA, winning 94-91, but it definitely wasn’t just a walk in the park. Miami got off quickly, taking a 22-4 lead in the first quarter, but the Bulls retaliated and took the lead, 38-36. Chicago led at halftime, 53-47, and they took a 77-69 lead into the fourth quarter. No problem. A couple of Shane Battier 3-pointers, along with a pair of free throws brought Miami to within 2, 81-79. Then it was a couple of Norris Cole baskets, including a spectacular left-handed dunk that gave Miami the lead. LeBron James finished with 23 points, Dwyane Wade finished with 18, but it was Wade’s fourth quarter heroics that impressed me. After going 3-10 from the court in the first three quarters, Wade was taken to the locker room to get his knee re-taped. He came back and went 3-3, and had a brilliant 45-second sequence in which he had a blocked shot, a defensive rebound, an offensive rebound, and a put-back dunk that capped of his night.
All kidding and joking aside, my hat’s off to the Bulls. It would have been very easy for them to fold, first after losing three games in a row before last night’s game, and then in the first quarter yesterday when the Heat opened a lightning-fast 18-point lead. This team has an incredible amount of heart and determination, and refused to go down quietly. Miami will now face the winner of the Indiana-New York series. The Pacers lead that series 3-1. If Indiana closes the series out tonight, the two teams will tipoff the Eastern Conference championship series on Monday night. If the series is extended to at least six games, the series will begin on Wednesday night, against whomever wins. By the way, Miami was 1-2 against the Pacers this season, and a woeful 1-3 against the Knickerbockers. They were, however, 72-12 against everybody else, and are 45-3 in their last 48 games.
In the other semifinal game last night,
Memphis 88 Oklahoma City 84
We will have a new Western Conference champion this year as the Grizzlies eliminated the Thunder, taking the series in five games, winning last night 88-84. Great defense and double-doubles from Zach Randolph and Mike Conley led the big bears to the win. Randolph finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Conley contributed with 13 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Memphis will face the winner of the San Antonio-Golden State series. The Spurs hold a 3-2 advantage in that one.
TONIGHT’S GAMES:
Indiana @ New York 8:00 pm TNT
Game 5 Pacers lead series 3-1
San Antonio @ Golden State 10:30 pm TNT
Game 6 Spurs lead series 3-2
While we wait for the next Miami Heat victim, here's a great idea for all of you: Tomorrow and Saturday, (5/17 and 5/18), head down to the Homestead-Miami Speedway and get your car washed and drive your vehicle 1 lap around the oval track. The Car Wash takes place in the track's garage area on Friday and on Pit Row on Saturday. Your $20 donation benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, and Driving for a Cause. Here's the link for all the details:
In Dolphin news, Armando Salguero of the Herald is trying to make it rain on my parade. His glass is half-empty, instead of half-full:
This is not a recording: The Marlins lost again last night, as Mike Leake and three relievers combined to shutout the offensively-challenged Fish, 4-0. Shin-Soo Choo provided all the offense the Reds needed with two home runs. Miami did manage 11 hits in the game, but, of course, went only 1-10 with runners in scoring position. Aroldis Chapman closed out the ninth inning in spectacular fashion, hitting over 100 MPH on seven pitches to rookie Derek Dietrich who kept fouling them off, before striking out looking at a changeup. That last pitch was just not fair. The series will end tonight, as Jose Fernandez takes the mound against Mat Latos. Game time is 7:10 pm at Marlins Park. The Arizona Diamondbacks will be here for a three-game series beginning tomorrow night.
Of course, the Fish are still bringing up the rear in MLB in runs scored. They’re still last in runs scored with 108 in their 39 games, a woeful 2.76 runs per contest. I will be posting the “bottom five” rankings in runs scored until the Marlins aren’t on the list. We could be here a while.
TEAM W-L Runs
Marlins 11-28 110
Dodgers 17-22 134
White Sox 17-21 136
Nationals 21-19 138
Phillies 19-22 148
In the major leagues yesterday, first in the National League,
Indians 10 Phillies 4
Jason Kipnis homered and doubled twice, driving in three runs. Nick Swisher and Mike Aviles homered.
D-Backs 5 Braves 3
Eric Chavez went 2-3 and drove in three runs.
Pirates 3 Brewers 1
Neil Walker drove in two runs in support of Wandy Rodriguez, who allowed just one run in his seven innings of work.
Cardinals 4 Mets 2
Daniel Descalso scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.
Cubs 6 Rockies 3
Jeff Samardzija was the man for the Cubs, allowing five hits and two runs in eight innings, and he connected long distance with a runner on. David De Jesus also homered for the Cubs.
Dodgers 3 Nationals 1
Zach Greinke pitched for the first time since breaking his collarbone on April 11th and led the Dodgers to the win. He also had a run-scoring single. The Dodgers are showing signs of life, winning four of their last five games.
Over in the American League:
Padres 8 Orioles 4
Alexi Amarista blasted a two-run homer and also doubled twice. Everth Cabrera had four hits, Kyle Blanks connected long distance.
Blue Jays 11 Giants 3
Adam Lind and JP Arencibia both connected two-run homers.
Mariners 12 Yankees 2
Raul Ibañez hit a grand slam and a two-run homer. The Mariners scored seven times in the first inning against Phil Hughes, who only managed to retire two batters.
Astros 7 Tigers 5
Carlos Corporan drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning with a double. Corporan and JD Martinez homered for the Astros.
White Sox 9 Twins 4
Adam Dunn homered twice and finished with 5 RBI. Dayan Viciedo also connected long distance for the Sox.
Rangers 6 A’s 2
Nelson Cruz blasted a three-run homer, Lance Berkman drove in two runs.
Red Sox 9 Rays 2
Stephen Drew hit a grand slam in the third inning, an eight-run frame for the Sox.
Royals 9 Angels 5
Lorenzo Cain drove in three runs, Salvador Perez and Billy Butler also drove in a pair of runs each in the win.
Today’s games, first in the National League:
Mets @ Cardinals 1:45 pm
Jon Niese vs Adam Wainwright
Brewers @ Pirates 7:05 pm
Hiram Burgos vs Francisco Liriano
Reds @ Marlins 7:10 pm
Mat Latos vs Jose Fernandez
Giants @ Rockies 8:40 pm
Matt Cain vs Jhoulys Chacin
Nationals vs Padres 10:10 pm
Stephen Strasburg vs Edinson Volquez
Over in the American League:
Mariners @ Yankees 7:05 pm
Aaron Harang vs Andy Pettitte
Red Sox @ Rays 7:10 pm
Felix Doubront vs Alex Cobb
Tigers @ Rangers 8:05 pm
Justin Verlander vs Yu Darvish
White Sox @ Angels 10:05 pm
Jose Quintana vs Jerome Williams
Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com thinks that Mariano Rivera’s comeback this year is among the greatest comebacks of all-time:
From Yahoo! Sports, here is a photo gallery of the 50 richest athletes. Just show me the money:
Here are the up-to-the-minute standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
In college baseball, FIU close out their regular season with a three-game series against rival FAU starting on Thursday. FIU is 25-25 this season, having lost 11 of their last 13 games. They are ranked last in the Sun Belt conference in team ERA and last in fielding. If you can’t pitch or field, it is never easy. Meanwhile, the University of Miami Hurricanes also close out their regular season at home with a three-game set against Georgia Tech over at Alex Rodriguez Field (the “Light”). The Canes are going to have to win at least one of the three games of this series to qualify for the ACC tournament, which begins next week. Even if they don’t, they “should” get an at-large invite to the NCAA tournament.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The University of Miami Hurricanes baseball team holds the national record for number of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. How many years in a row? Tell you later, alligator.
Here is the web site for all the latest in high school baseball:
Speaking of websites, check out my new and improved site:
THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The University of Miami Hurricanes baseball team holds the national record for number of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. How many years in a row?
The Canes have gone to the NCAA tournament a record 40 years in a row.
A REMINDER: I WILL NOT HAVE A BLOG TOMORROW (FRIDAY, MAY 17). BOTH THE HEAT AND I ARE TAKING THE DAY OFF. SEE YOU AGAIN ON MONDAY.
Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” radio segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com.
IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE ON MY RADIO SEGMENTS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME FOR ALL THE DETAILS - jerry@descargadeportiva.com
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. Have a GREAT weekend.
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