Thursday, September 11, 2008

jump aboard the playoff express

Baseball Update:
The New York Yankees were in an unfamiliar place, aiding a team into the playoffs while having no shot of punching a ticket themselves. As the Angels topped the Yanks, 4-2 giving Francisco Cordero his 56th save of the year and the Rangers fell to the Mariners, 8-7, Los Angeles became the first team to clinch a spot in this year's playoffs.

Torii Hunter and Pudge Rodriguez were both suspended two games for their altercation during Monday's game between the Yanks and Halos.

The White Sox haulted the Blue Jays 10 game winning streak with their 5-6 victory and they did it without the aid of Carlos Quentin (wrist), Paul Konerko (knee) and Joe Crede. Instead leaning on veteran ace Mark Buehrle back ups Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson, who singled in the game winning run in the 8th.

Even with the win, Chicago could not add some breathing room between themselves and the Twins after Kevin Slowey held serve with a seven inning performance, in which he only gave up one earned run in Minnesota's 7-1 bashing of the Royals. The Twins have won nine out of their last 12 games at home.

There home will be different in 2010, and the Twins are hoping to show it off in 2014, pushing to get the all-star game to make a stop in Minnesota.

It was a battle until the end between the Rays and the Red Sox but Carlos Pena's three run homer in the 14th turned out to be the difference maker in Tampa Bays' 4-2 victory. The Rays leave Boston with a 2 1/2 game lead.

The Mets certainly made it interesting blowing a six run lead only to march back in the seventh off of David Wright's go ahead single to beat the Nats, 13-10. Wright added a two run homer in the eighth to cushion the lead. Jose Reyes passed Mookie Wilson as the all-time Mets steals leader with his 282th career stolen base in the third inning.

The Phillies were overpowered by the Marlins in their 7-3 loss. Ricky Nolasco struck out eight in 7 2/3 inning to get the win. Philadelphia dropped 3 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East.

With CC Sabathia on the hill, the Brewers were able to end their latest three game slide, edging the Reds, 4-3 and perventing a three game sweep. Mike Cameron singled in the go-ahead run to give Milwaukee the win.

Ted Lilly and the Cubs survived the Cardinals, 4-3. Lilly was uninjured in a collision with Yadier Molina at homeplate. The same could not be said for Molina who had to leave the game a few innings later after taking a knee to his left thigh in the play.

Testimony began on Wednesday in the Pedro Alvarez grievance hearing filed by the players' association. Alvarez had agreed to a $6 million contract with the Pirates shortly after the midnight draftee signing deadline on August 15th but when he later refused to sign the actual contract he was placed on the restricted list.

And in more bad news for the Bucs, they fell to the Astros, 7-4 thanks in part to Miguel Tejada's grand slam in the sixth inning. The Astros supplanted the Cardinals for third place in the NL Central and fourth in the wild card as they continue their torrid pace.

The lowly Giants completed their sweep of the Diamondbacks, 4-3, just as Manny Ramirez was blasting two homeruns for the Dodgers in their 7-2 rout of the San Diego Padres.

Giants outfielder Fred Lewis will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.

The Braves took out the Rockies, 9-5 after Bobby Cox announced he will be back for 2009.

Scott Lewis had a pretty impressive debut for the Indians, shutting down the Orioles in his three hit eight inning gem on the way to the Tribe's 7-1 win.

Nascar Update:
The defending Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday admitted to ESPN the Magazine that from December 2004 to January 2006, he used testosterone and had obtained HGH from the same anti-aging center that has been linked to MLB and NFL players, but denies using it.

Whether and car permitting, Joey Logano will make his cup debut at New Hampshire this weekend in the #96 for Hall of Fame Racing.

He may not be following Tony Stewart to Stewart Haas in 2009, but everything is all good between crew chief Greg Zipadelli and his driver Stewart after Smoke's verbal diarrhea after Sunday's race at Richmond.

Have you been hanging out with Whitney Houston lately, because that's some good crack you must be smoking to even suggest a race through the streets of Manhattan.

News&Notes: Brian Griese will start for the Bucaneers in place of injured QB Jeff Garcia...The Saints Marques Colston will be out for four to six weeks with an injured thumb...With Ike threatening, Texas has postponed its game with Arkansas...Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers have been fined $20,000 each, but not suspended after being kicked out of the rookie symposium...Baron Davis is leaving Reebok to sign with Chinese apparel maker Li Nigh...The US beat Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier. It was their fifth straight win.

Check this out: I’m not one for being all sentimental or whatever, but today is 9/11. The New York Times had an interesting article on the New York landscape before and after the attacks. Click here for the photos.

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