The Heat and the Bulls are back at it tonight at the AAA for game two of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. I’m sticking to my story: Miami in five. Game time tonight is 7:00pm, and you can watch the game on TNT. Remember . . . it isn’t about how many games you lose during the playoffs. You have to concern yourself about winning 16 games.
In yesterday’s other second round opening game,
New York 105 Indiana 79
The Knicks beat the Pacers at their own game, playing suffocating defense and going on a 36-4 run in the second half. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 32 points. The series is now tied at 1-1 as they head for Indianapolis and game 3 on Saturday.
Memphis 99 Oklahoma City 93
Mike Conley finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, and gave the Grizzlies the lead for good with a three-pointer with 1:58 remaining in the contest. The Grizzlies dominated on the boards, and had a 23-6 edge in second-chance points. The series moves to Memphis where the teams will match up in game 3 on Saturday.
TONIGHT:
Chicago @ Miami 7:00 pm TNT
Game 2 Bulls lead series 1-0
Golden State @ San Antonio 9:30 pm TNT
Game 2 Spurs lead series 1-0
THURSDAY:
No games scheduled
FRIDAY:
Miami @ Chicago 8:00 pm ESPN
Game 3 Game 2 being played tonight
Golden State @ San Antonio 10:30 pm ESPN
Game 3 Game 2 being played tonight
Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross is giving most of his fortune to charity after he dies. He is a firm believer in giving back to the community. Maybe he should look at an option like that for the Seven Names Stadium. Charity begins at home, Mr. Ross.
Armando Salguero has some interesting info on some of the Dolphin free agent signees:
I told you the Marlins should have saved some runs for last night. Eric Stults and the Padres shut down the impotent Marlins offense again last night, winning 5-1. Will Venable connected long distance and drove in three runs, Yonder Alonso and Everth Cabrera drove in the other runs for the Padres, who have won 10 out of their last 13 games. Marcell Ozuna singled and doubled and drove in the only run for the Fish. To add injury to insult, the Marlins lost infielder Chris Valaika and starting pitcher Alex Sanabia with injuries. Valaika suffered a broken wrist and Sanabia had to leave the game with tightness in his right groin. Valaika will join Donovan Solano on the DL, after Solano went down with a strained left intercostal. The teams close out their three-game series this afternoon at 3:40 pm. Jason Marquis will toe the rubber for the Padres, Ricky Nolasco gets the ball for the Marlins. You can watch the game on Fox Sports Florida on your satellite or cable system.
The Fish are still bringing up the rear in MLB in runs scored. They’re still last in runs scored with 99 in their 34 games. 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 10-24 99
White Sox 13-18 104
Dodgers 13-19 109
Nationals 17-15 113
Mariners 15-19 118
The Marlins found some inspiration from this article in Philadelphia after a Marlins employee posted it in their clubhouse:
Unfortunately, the feeling and the inspiration didn’t last long.
In the rest of MLB yesterday, first in the National League,
Reds 5 Braves 4
Devin Mesoraco and Shin-Soo Choo hit back-to-back homers in the bottom of the ninth against Craig Kimbrel. Choo’s blast was his second of the game.
Pirates 4 Mariners 1
Andrew McCutchen went 4-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Jason Grilli worked a perfect ninth inning to record his 13th save.
Mets 1 White Sox 0 (10 innings)
Mike Baxter’s pinch-hit single in the bottom of the tenth drove in the game’s only run. Mets starter Matt Harvey was almost perfect, allowing just an infield single to Alex Rios in his nine innings of work, striking out 12.
Cubs 2 Cardinals 1
Nate Schierholtz provided all the offense for the Cubs, connecting on a 2-run homer against Lance Lynn, who suffered his first loss of the season after 5 consecutive wins.
Brewers 6 Rangers 3
Yunieski Betancourt smashed his eighth home run of the season, a two-run blast and Aramis Ramirez also connected long distance.
Rockies 2 Yankees 0
Carlos Gonzalez’ two-run homer off Hiroki Kuroda was the difference in the game. Jorge de la Rosa combined with two relievers to shut out the Yankees.
D-Backs 5 Dodgers 3
Paul Goldschmidt broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. Heath Bell recorded the save for Arizona.
Phillies 6 Giants 3
Chase Utley and Ryan Howard both connected long distance and drove in a pair of runs each.
Over in the American League:
Orioles 4 Royals 3
Matt Wieters’ RBI double in the eighth inning was the game-winner. Wieters finished with three RBI.
Indians 1 A’s 0
Zach McAllister and Tommy Milone in a pitching duel. McAllister got the better of it, thanks to an unearned run in the fifth inning.
Twins 6 Red Sox 1
Scott Diamond threw seven shutout innings, Ryan Doumit connected long distance in the win.
Blue Jays 6 Rays 4
Maicer Izturis snapped a tie in the top of the ninth inning with a solo homer. Adam Lind also homered for the Blue Jays in the come from behind win.
Astros 7 Angels 6
Chris Carter blasted a three-run homer, Jose Altuve also went yard. The Astros had lost 10 out ouf 11.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Mets‘ Matt Harvey was totally unhittable yesterday. His nine-inning, one-hit performance was one for the books. In fact, he is only the third pitcher since 1900 to pitch 9 innings, give up one hit or less, strike out at least 12, and get a no-decision. The first two? Tell you later, alligator.
Today’s games, first in the National League:
Mariners @ Pirates 12:35 pm
Felix Hernandez vs AJ Burnett
Braves @ Reds 12:35 pm
Mike Minor vs Mike Leake
Cardinals @ Cubs 2:20 pm
Jake Westbrook vs Carlos Villanueva
Marlins @ Padres 3:40 pm
Ricky Nolasco vs Jason Marquis
Phillies @ Giants 3:45 pm
Jonathan Pettibone vs Barry Zito
Tigers @ Nationals 7:05 pm
Anibal Sanchez vs Jordan Zimmerman
White Sox @ Mets 7:10 pm
Jake Peavy vs Jeremy Hefner
Rangers @ Brewers 8:10 pm
Derek Holland vs Kyle Lohse
Yankees @ Rockies 8:40 pm
David Phelps vs Juan Nicasio
D-Backs @ Dodgers 10:10 pm
Wade Miley vs Clayton Kershaw
Over in the American League:
Royals @ Orioles 7:05 pm
Luis Mendoza vs Chris Tillman
A’s @ Indians 7:05 pm
AJ Griffin vs Justin Masterson
Twins @ Red Sox 7:10 pm
Pedro Hernandez vs Allen Webster
Blue Jays @ Rays 7:10 pm
Ricky Romero vs Matt Moore
Angels @ Astros 8:10 pm
Joe Blanton vs Bud Norris
Around baseball, I continue to ask myself the following questions:
Will Roy Halladay, Josh Johnson, Tim Lincecum, Matt Garza and Chris Carpenter be able to return to form?
Will the Yankees get Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson, and Kevin Youkilis back into their lineup any time soon?
Which manager in Los Angeles is going to be around longer - Don Mattingly with the Dodgers, or Mick Scoscia with the Angels?
When is Jeffrey Loria going to do us all a favor and sell the Marlins to an owner who cares about putting a winner on the field and keeping them at the top?
Are these rookies for real? We all have high hopes for Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez, RHP A.J. Ramos, OF Marcell Ozuna, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, and C Rob Brantly. Other names to keep an eye on:
Cuban-American 3B Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies
C-OF-1B Evan Gattis and RHP Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves
LHP Tony Cingrani of the Cincinnati Reds
OF A.J. Pollock and SS Didi Gregorious of the Arizona D-Backs
RHPs Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch with the Texas Rangers
RHP Shelby Miller, 1B Matt Adams, and RHP Trevor Rosenthal of the St. Louis Cardinals
Speaking of the Cardinals, is there a better-run organization in the Major Leagues? The Marlins could learn a lot from them.
Jayson Stark of ESPN talks about the possible names for new baseball commissioner to replace Bud Light when he finally leaves:
Here are the up-to-the-minute standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
In college baseball. FIU lost to Jacksonville yesterday, 8-3, and play them again today, before heading out to Little-Rock to take on UALR this coming weekend. The University of Miami travel to Wake Forest for a three-game set starting on Friday.
The high school baseball playoffs are in full swing in South Florida. Here is the web site for all the latest:
Speaking of websites, check out my new and improved site:
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.
THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Mets‘ Matt Harvey was totally unhittable yesterday. His nine-inning, one hit performance was one for the books. In fact, he is only the third pitcher since 1900 to pitch 9 innings, give up one hit or less, strike out at least 12, and get a no-decision. The first two?
Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. Pretty good company to keep.
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.
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