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It doesn't get any better than this from all angles as we head into 4th of July Hardball. The Shows best W-L the Swingin' Athletics of East Bay Hardball coming in at 51-30 tackle the Motor City Kitties leading the Junior Circuit Central at 44-34. The A's are coming off sweeping the Fightin' Fish in Little Havana and have won 8 of 10. The Tigers have also been hit winning 8 of 10 as the Kansas City Royals are on the same block and lurking.
#SwinginElephants OAKLAND (51-30)
@
#MotorCityKitties DETROIT (44-34)
Three-Piece Junior Circuit Treat
from
COMERICA PARK
Monday June 30, 2014 7:08pm ET
OAK Kazmir (9-3) vs DET Sanchez (5-2)
Tuesday July 1, 2014 7:08pm ET
OAK Mills (1-0) vs DET Porcello (10-4)
Wednesday July 2, 2014 1:08pm ET
OAK Chavez (6-4) vs DET Verlander (6-7)
The A's Scott Kazmir has been locked in all season long as the young Jesse Chavez looks like a young former A's Hurler Tim Hudson. Both Sanchez and Porcello have held their end of the bargain up on that Tigers Staff now if they can just get Verlander going.
Hitting Stars
#ATHLETICS
3B J. Donaldson .250 avg 18 HR 61 RBI
1B B. Moss .264 avg 18 HR 59 RBI
LF Y. Cespedes ..272 avg 14 HR 55 RBI
The French stuck to the game plan as did the "Super Eagles" of Team Nigeria and the game was in a dead heap as the 2K14 World Cup Round of 16 deserves more than a "Round of Applause". Both France and Nigeria played unbelievable Futbol an was deadlocked until the 79th minute when France Midfielder Paul Pogba scored to make it 1-0 France. That goal stood up until the 90th minute and stoppage time when the French iced the contest or shall I say the "Super Eagles" iced the contest as Nigeria Defender Joseph Yoba puts the ball in his own net.
The Nigerians were besides themselves as they still had a shot to at least tie it and send the contest into extras! Now the French will play the winner of Germany and Algeria as the 2014 FIFA World Cup's Plot thickens. France Star Striker Karim Benzema took five shots and four of the five were on net. The French have to be pulling for ALgeria as a France/Germany Final 8 Tilt would be just what the doctor ordered.
Imagine you were on the Redbirds or Tribe today and what is your mindset going against the reigning NL Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers or the M's "Kid Felix" Hernandez. It has to be get to them early wit that Ash, Maple, or Bamboo or die trying!
Well the Redbirds had to be thinking they were going to get it today as Kershaw was looking for some retribution from that poor October 2013 Outing as the Redbirds put him and the Dodgers in the Mississippi in the NLCS! Kershaw blanked the Card 6-0 with a Tab of...7 IP 5 H 2 BB 13 SO as he moves to 9-2 W-L in 2014 and a 2.04 ERA. Isn't ironic when he came back the Dodgers slowly are starting to put it together as He and Greinke every 5th day have it cranked up as well as the New Josh Beckett and Ryu doing what he does.
Note: As we go to press LAD is tied with the Gigantes for 1st in the NL West...
Now moving on to the great Northwest talking about a 44-38 W-L M's Squad that has quietly stayed close enough to the Halos and Athletics to garner major attention in the AL West Standings. Well Kid Felix hammered the Cleveland Indians on Sunday 3-0 and his Tab went...8 IP 1 H 0 R 3 BB 9 SO..as he moves to 10-2 with a sparkling 2.10 ERA. He is the M's "Bread and Margarine" on the hill but if they can get a consistent Iwakuma and one other consistent arm they will stay in that AL West race to the Finish. Oh by the way Robbie Cano went Two-Run Blast and do not forget about his impact at the Dish, in the field,m and more importantly in the Clubhouse!
Note: M's just 7.5 games out of the AL West lead held by Swingin' Athletics at an MLB Best W-L of 51-30...Yikes!
The Sun will rise on Planet Earth as it shall rise in the "Valley of the Sun" on the new Phoenix Suns. The surprise in the Logo for the 2013-14 season as the Suns fell short of getting into "Fight 4 Larry"they are absolutely loaded like Baked Potato. Not to mention they have plenty of Checks to write as that Cap is looking for a Max Deal or a nice piece which ever one comes first. Add 2013-14 3rd Team All-NBA in Point God Goran "Dungeons & the Dragon" Dragic with the Morris Twins and a plethora of "Back then they didn't want me now I'm they all on Me" Players like Gerald "I look like Juvenile the Rapper" Green and the "Birmingham Baron" from UK Lexington in Eric Bledsoe.
The Suns also get an A-Grade in the 2014 NBA Draft getting the smooth "T.J. Warren the Scoring Machine" from the Wolfpack in the ACC and Canadian PG Tyler Ennis from Orange Nation of Syracuse. With ten players under contract (including both Warren and Ennis) for 2014-15 and a Qualifying Offer out there for PG Eric Bledsoe lookout for the Suns. Taking a look at the 2014-15 Roster of the Phoenix Suns as Desert Pro hoops is back with a vengeance!
PHX Hoops 2014-15 Roster....
PG the "Dragon" Dragic
PG "Birmingham Baron" Bledsoe
SG G. Green
SG A. Goodwin
PG T. Ennis
SF T.J. Warren
C A. Len
PF Morris Twins (2)
PF/C "Plums" PHX Edition
Two Team Options
PG Ismael Smith
PF Shavlik Randolph
#1 Free agent SF PJ Tucker...
The Suns as we go to press without picking up Bledsoe's Qualifying Offer or the two 2014 1st Round Rookie Deals their at roughly $33.75 million under the Salary Cap.
Wow what a turnaround in the Desert as Lead Man former Jazz and "Hilton Magic" (Iowa State Cyclone) Great Jeff Hornacek is the Man talking and leading PHX Hoops! Pacific Division it's not just a Clippers and Warriors thing...ya dig!
They play 162 but I didn't see this coming as the Cincinnati Reds go into AT&T Park and take not one, not two, not three, but four-piece from the NL West leading Giants and they did it from "Bump" and some timely hitting!
Red Legs speedy CF Billy Hamilton started the scoring in the 3rd with an RBI Double scoring Skip Shumacker to make it 1-0 Reds. Giants Starter Tim "Huddy" Hudson (L 7-5...8 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 6 SO) pitched extremely well giving the Home Team a shot as they didn't bring any lumber to the park and haven't in most of June. The Red Legs put a crooked three up in the top half of the 9th to seal the victory and preserve the shutout.
Red Legs Starter Homer "I throw a No No at least once per 162" Bailey was magnificent. His Tab...CG 3 H 0 R 1 BB 7 SO as he had that Giants Line Up off balance all game long. Giants First Baseman/Back Stop Buster Posey broke up the No No in the bottom half of the 7th with a single. The Reds out scored the Giants 20-6 in the four-piece dominating wit their starting pitching.
The Red Legs now leave town at 42-38 and that is good for 2nd in the NL Central 6.5 games behind the Brew Crew. The San Francisco Giants now fall back into a tie with the L.A. Dodgers in the NL West after the Team Chavez Ravine was trailing the Gigantes by 9.5 games just two weeks ago.
We all know the Logo like most Professional Sports is a "What have you done for me Lately" and the Lakers who was dba Team 16 Chips now has fallen back to the scariest word in Professional Sports "Rebuilding". The one positive for the Lakers is they have plenty of Salary Cap Space but they must use it wisely Kobe Bryant (24 months at $48 Million at age 35). KB24 took matters in his own hand with Super-Agent Rob Pelinka signing that extension in October 2013 knowing the Lakers had plenty of Cap Space for his Retirement Package.
Now enough of the Black Mamba dba Vino and in the 2014-15 season dba "Look for the Young Fellas around you Kobe". Lakers Shooting Guard Nick Young dba Swaggy P decided to test the market as he made a poultry get this $1,106,942 in the 2013-14 season and for Team 16 Chips that was a steal. Steve Nash the Artist formerly known as NASH-ty now dba Steve Nash of Santa Clara University Broncos says he is staying put a a $9.7 Million in the 2014-15 season and says," he deserves that Cash" taking a Page out of Kobe's Book. Let's take a closer look at the 201-15 Roster as the Black Mamba, Robert Sacre, and Nash are the only one on the Books for 2014-15 including 2014 Lottery Pick Julius Randle of UK Lexington.
the LAKERS 2014-15 Roster as we go to press...
SG #24 Bryant
PG #10 Nash
C #50 Sacre
PG @Kbutta5
PF J. Randle (2014 st Rd Pick)
Combo G J. Clarkson (2014 2nd Rd 46th Pick)
Those three players count against the 63.2 Million 2014-15 NBA Salary Cap at $34.1 Million...@KButta5 has a Team Option of $915K for 2014-15 that I assume the Lakers picked up or will pick up..
Most likely back with the 2014-15 Lakers that played with the 2013-14 Lakers...as the Lakers have six and need at least 13!
SG X-Man Xavier Henry
PG J. Farmar
SF W. Johnson
PF R. Kelly
PF/C Jordan Hill
That is my five players as the Lakers area leaving Cap Space open trying to lane the "Bully of Jordan Brand" and World's Most Famous Carmelo Anthony as long shot to sign! What about possibly Pau Gasol as he will be most likely a Dallas Maverick come the Free Agent Signing Frenzy. Lakers have plenty of work to do as they need a quality Front Court Player the way things are shaping up for them in the Summer of 2014!
Note: Even with Randle's Rookie 2014-15 Salary and Clarkson's 2nd Round Deal the Lakers should have still close to $27 plus Million to spend before going over the Luxury Tax Threshold!
360 Degrees....Kobe was one of two players in the History of the Logo to garner $30 Million (2013-14 Season) or more in a season as Air Jordan did it twice with the Bulls in 1996-98. Jordan only made as high as $4 million 1992-94 and a total of $90.235 million his whole playing career with Kevin Garnett (#1 All-Time in NBA Player Salaries) making just north of $327 million in his career including the $12 million plus he will get from the BK Nets in the 2014-15 season!
Edison Volquez could not have picked a better time to get on track and throw a Gem as he quiets the New York Mets on "Get Away Day" for a 5-2 Pirates "W". That ""W put the Buccos over the .500 mark at 41-40 as we head into July Hardball and the 2014 Mid Summers Classic hosted by the Twinkies.
Volquez (6-6) scattered eight through a relative strong six innings striking out eight and giving up a free pass but more importantly no Ducks came off the pond on his watch! The Bucs get an Ike Davis two-run scoring single and a "El Toro" Two-Bagger to go up 3-0 in the 1st. In the 4th "El Toro" Strikes again taking Amazins' Starter Bartolo Colon deep for a Two-Run Biog Fly to make it 5-0. The Mets did score two in the 9th as it was too late as Buccos Captain Save-A-Game Mark Melancon gets his 15th Saves in 18 chances. Bucs 2013 All-Star Closer Jason Grilli was traded earlier in he week to the Halos of Orange County Cali Hardball.
Buccos are in 4th place in the NL Central nine games back of the blazing "Brew Crew" of Suds U.S.A. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Amazins' at 37-44 are 4th in the NL East just six games off the pace set by both the Nats and Braves Country.
Say it isn't so as even ex-Pale Hose Great Mark Buerhle (10-4 coming in) couldn't slow down the Sox Hitters as the Pale Hose take three of four from the Blue Birds including a Sunday 4-0 blanking of Toronto.
The Sox get one each in the 3rd and 4th innings of Buerhle (8 IP 6 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 5 SO 1 HR) with the 4th inning run a Solo Blast off the Ash, Maple, or Bamboo of Sox RF Moises Sierra who went 2 for 4 scoring two runs and knocking himself in. The Blue Jays couldn't nit get anything off Sox Starter Carlos Quintana as he goes seven allowing just three hits walking two and striking out seven. Sox Backstop Tyler Flowers singled home two more runs in the ninth for some much-needed Pale Hose Insurance. 'Jays Star First baseman Edwin Encarnacion was just 1 for 3 with Star Shortstop Jose Reyes 2 for 4. Jose Bautista did Pinch-Hit and went 0 for 1.
The Sox move to 39-44 (4th in AL Central 8 gms back of Tigers) playing solid Hardball moving into July and the Blue Birds fall to 45-39. 'Jays lead the Charm City O's by just one game in the AL East....
After a tumultuous 19-63 W-L in the 2013-14 season that saw the Sixers hit the bottom of the Logo there were a few bright spots. The 2013-14 NBA R.O.Y went to Sixers 2014 Lottery Pick Point God Michael Carter-Williams of the 'Cuse Orange dba M.C.W.. They acquired that pick on a Draft Day Trade sending All-Star Point God Jrue Holiday to State Bird of Louisiana Hoops to get the #10 Overall Pick M.C.W.. Nerlens Noel sat out all last season due to a January 2013 Torn ACL suffered in his Freshman Season and only season at UK Lexington. The last bright spot was the Sixers having Salary Cap Space and multiple picks in the 1st round again in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Now Philly blew a smokescreen as reports were they wanted at the #3 slot Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker as Kansas Big Joel Embiid from Cameroon was slated to go #1 before the foot surgery. Philly shocked everyone but themselves as the big Fella fell to them at #3 and that was Cheese steaks and Retro Throwbacks for all of Sixers Nation on that pick even though he is 4-6 months away. Then the Sixers swapped 10 and 12 getting Croatia's Dario Saric for Rajun Cajun's U Elfrid Payton. They were not done after that as we look at the projected 2014-15 76ers Roster and if it were a College Team they would be #1 in the Country with some of those exciting young pieces!
the SEVENTY-SIXERS 2014-15 Roster
PG M.C.W.
Combo G T. Wroten Jr.
SG J-Rich
SF Thad-Ex
PF Arnett Moultrie
PF Nerlens Noel
C Joel Embiid
2014 Draft Picks
C Joel Embiid (1st Rd #3)
SF Dario Saric (1st Rd #10 in Turkey 2014-16)
SF K.J. McDaniels (2 Rd #32)
SF Jerami Grant (2 Rd #39)
PG Pierre Jackson (2 Rd #47)
PG Vasilije Micic (2 Rd #52)
SG Nemanja Dangubic (2 Rd #54)
Only the 1st Rounders are guaranteed with Contracts as Micic and Dangubic will be playing in Europe the next few seasons as Saric signed a deal a moth ago to play in Turkey 2014-16.
Jackson is an electric guard that huge nights in the NBDL for the Idaho Stampeders of 40 plus points on six different occasions. Fittingly enough the Las Vegas, Nevada Native was also JUCO National Player of the Year at College of Southern Idaho before starring at Baylor.
The Sixers also have Team Options are Guard Elliot Williams for $981K and Center Jarvis Varnado $915K in the 2014-15 season.
Just looking at the Prospects of Noel and Embiid in the Middle by January 1st, 2015 gives the Sixers hope as they look to be on the come up in an average Atlantic Division run by #WeTheNorth the Dinosaurs of Toronto!
The game was another solid match from end to end as Team Mexico was trying to end a five straight World Cup losses in the Round of 16. The Dutch were trying to move on as they know the some of the Powerhouses are out in England and and defending World Cup Champion Spain.
It was right after intermission when Giovani Dos Santos in the 46th minute strikes to give Mexico a 1-0 lead. That lead would hold up as the Heat was a factor moving from a staring Temperature of 88 Degrees to the mid 90s by game end. As the end was near the Flying Dutchmen never lost sight of the fact the game isn't over until the whistles blow and the Time is stopped. Having said that it was a corner kick by the Dutch and ricochet off a Dutch Player to the top of the Box right to Wesley Sneijder as he kicks a rocket in the left side of the net to tie the score in the88th minute. Just like that the whole,game changed as Mexico was in shock.
As we get six minute of Stoppage Time at the game clock hit 90 minute it was in the 93rd minute (or 3rd minute of Stoppage time) that Dutch Striker Arjen Robben making a move around the box "Sold" a Trip and the Mexican Defender gets a Yellow Card and there we have ..."Penalty Kick" to decide who moves on to the Round of 8. Dutch Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hits the PK as the Dutch go onto win 2-1 in dramatic fashion as its "Heartbreak" again for Team Mexico as now its six straight Round of 16 Losses in the World Cup. Mexico's Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was straight butta for 87 minutes as he was easily the Player of the Game.
The Dutch now await the winner of Costa Rica and Greece as FIFA needs to start giving Red cards for the Embellishments that are taking away from the game.
360 Degrees....Did you know the World's largest Crocodiles are in Costa Rica?
This had a ALDS or ALCS Feel to it as the Red Sox needing it more than the Yanks at this point grab their "Valentine" and get a much-needed but hard-fought "W" versus the Bombers at the Bronx Zoo. It was tough sledding for hitters on both teams as the Carmines Jon Lester and the Yanks Masahiro Tanaka was dealing like they were grabbing all the chips at the Black Jack Table.
The Red Sox struck first in the 3rd on a David Ross Solo Shot to make the score 1-0 Bo Sox. The Yanks then bounce right back in their half of the 3rd with a Derek Jeter Fielder's Choice scoring Brian Roberts to make it 1-1. That score would hold until the 9th as both Lester and Tanaka shut both line ups down for the night.
Lesters' Tab as he gets the "W"...8 IP 5 H 1 R 2 BB 6 SO as the Yanks didn't get much of anything after the 3rd. Tanaka's Tab was...CG 7 H 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 8 SO 2 HR. Speaking of the Two Bombs he gave up it was the Top of the 9th as Dustin Pedroia singled then "Big Papi" hit into a Double-Play. With Two Outs and Tanaka looking to get out of Harm's Way Mike Napoli takes him on a Line Drive Tater that looked like a (-Iron Shot on the greens to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. The Carmines Captain Save-A-Game Koji Uehara comes in the bottom of the 9th and goes 1-2-3 Ball Game!
The Red Sox move to 37-44 which is seven games back of the Blue Birds. The Yanks fall to 41-38 just two game back of Toronto in the AL East.
The L.A. Dodgers have been a nightmare getting Extra Base Knocks in 2014 but on Saturday with Zack Greinke on the "Bump" Redbirds Starter Lance Lynn couldn't tell. The Dodger explode with one ion the first and a crooked Six in the 2nd as Lynn's Tab read...2 IP 9 H 7 R 6 ER 2 BB 2 SO a Bacon Triple Cheeseburger, large fries, and a large Strawberry Milkshake! Lynn had to be thinking where was that Friday Night Dodger Squad when you need them.
Dee Gordon led the Team Chavez Ravine Attack going 3 for 5 scoring a run and hitting a run in. Puig 66 was 2 for 4 with two runs scored as Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier both go 2 for 4 with an RBI. Forget the Dodger Payroll (because your not paying it) it's that overall talent and if it gets hot at the same time they might finish 79-0...wit that Starting Pitching.
Greinke was a "Monster on the Bump" tonight vs Baseball Town USA as his Tab read...7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER o BB 10 SO as he did give up a Solo Blast to Redbirds Hot Corner Matt Carpenter in the 3rd inning for St. Louis' only score of the night. Now the Redbirds have to bounce back facing the Blue-Hot Kershaw on Sunday and it won't be the Kershaw they faced in October 2013 in the clinching Game for the Redbirds in the 2014 NLCS!
Dodgers move to 46-37 while the Redbirds fall to 44-38 and expect both to be playing in Mid-October for whatever it is worth 162 Trek Heads!
The Boston Celtics stayed pact and went after what they needed at their Draft Slots without GM Danny "Trader Danny" Ainge hopping around trading and moving picks. The C's grabbed what they though was the best Point Guard on the Board in Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart by way of Flower Mound, Texas. Then with the 17th Pick they grabbed Kentucky's James Young by way of Rochester Hills, Michigan whop Tom Izzo Sparty's Lead Man said, "Young was the best looking High School Prospect out of the state of Michigan since C-Webb out of Birmingham, Michigan Country Day School". That is lofty praise for the young man who I thought was clear and away the best UK Freshman and that includes Lakers #7 pick Julius Randle.
Now looking on how C's Business stacks up moving towards the 2014-15 Season looking at the Roster with both 2014 Picks and Point Guard Rajon Rondo still running things.
the C's 2014-15 Roster
PG Rajon Rondo
Combo G Avery Bradley *
Combo G Marcus Smart
SF Jeff Green
SF Gerald Wallace
SF James Young
PF Brandon Bass
C Jared Sullinger
C Kelly Olynyk
C Joel Anthony
*Bradley has a $3.5 Million Qualifying Offer for 2014-15
PF Chris Johnson Team Option
SG Chris Babb Team Option
PG Phil Pressey Free Agent
The Green Team still has some Cap Flexibility and the Core of Rondo, Bradley, Sullinger, Olynyk, Smart, and Young is what the C's are banking on moving forward. Rondo and Jeff Green along with Wallace have some Trade Potential with Rondo being the big Fish in a small pond!
The Chicago Cubs trying to make some hay in the NL Central ran up against a buzz saw in Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals on Saturday. "Gonzo" was lights out on the North Siders allowing just two hits through seven striking out seven and giving just two free passes.
The Nats offensively finally got to Cubbies Starter Dallas Beeler (who was on his A-Game as well) in the 6th scoring a run to make it 1-0 Nats. Beeler went six giving up just four hits and a run as he walked three and stuck out six. It was Nats Second Baseman Anthony Rendon who did the damage at the dish going 3 for 4 scoring two runs and an RBI. A Rendon Triple and an Adam LaRoche Sac-Fly in the 8th broke the game open giving the Nats a 3-0 lead. Nats Captain Save-A-Game Rafael Soriano records his 19th save in 21 chances.
Washington now moves to 42-38 moving up a 1/2 game on Braves Country. The North Siders at 34-45 are 14.5 games behind the NL Central leading Brew Crew!
It's NBA Business as the Miami Heat through numerous media outlets will receive word of both Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh opting out of their Players Options. Now they hope as that the Heat will re-sign King James which they will and Wade and Bosh both take a pay cut or one is gone and that would be at this point most likely Bosh as Wade is a Heat 4 Life as Pat Riley has some loyalty here the way he does business. Let's take a quick look at the Heat's Salary Cap if Wade, Bosh, and Udonis Haslem all opt out by Monday and the money available to the Heat.
Player Option Money Left to Heat:
Wade County $41,608,000 (2 yr Player Option)
Bosh 42,702,000 (2 yr Player Option)
U.D. 4,620,000 (2014-15 Salary)
Wade and Bosh had two years left at over $40 million each...
Heat Money Spent if they all Opt-Out for 2014-15
Birdman $1,488,490 (2014-15)
N. Cole $2,150,188 (2014-15)
S. Napier $1,250,400 (estimation 2014-15)
The Heat has on the Books for the 2014-15 season $4,989,078 spent with everyone off the Books....
Heat's 2014 1st Rounder Shabazz Napier $1,250,400 in his 2014-15 season...
The NBA Salary Cap is set at $63.2 Million for 2014-15....Heat will have $58.8 million to work with before going over the Cap not including the Veterans Exception of course! Remember for ever $1 over the Cap it's a Tax Penalty of $2.50 since and do the math!
The Cincinnati Reds have been really good of late as they enter today at 41-398 a season high three games over the .500 mark and they are coming off a "W" in McCovey Cove last night 5-2. The Winner the Red Legs Ace Johnny Cueto and a 2013 Season that was hindered with Arm Issues Cueto has bounced back leading the Red Starting Staff.
Cueto also is leading the Senior Circuit in almost every category as we go to press. He has been dominant even though his record is just 8-5 which is solid but he has lost a few like most with limited run support. A quick peak at Cueto's Dominance in the NL through June 27th, 2014.
Johnny Cueto RHP Red Legs 2014 Numbers Note: NL Rank in Parenthesis
8-5 W-L (4th in Wins) 1.88 ERA (1st) 124.1 IP (1st) 122 SO (2nd) Hitters hitting .169 (1st) .083 WHIP (1st) 17 Starts (tied 1st)
All those numbers if they stay true for 162 will land Cueto undoubtedly the NL Cy Young and I know it's early but what an impressive 2014 by the young man.
The Reds still 7.5 games back of the NL Central leading "Brew Crew" has work to do but if Cueto keep dominating and the other Red Leg Starters pick up their game..lookout!
In the games of games thus far in World Cup 2014 Action as we enter the Knockout Stages the Games will only get better and better. They probably won't be as good as the one you just witnessed as the Chileans take the Brazilians to the brink of elimination as the Futbol Gods answer those Brazilian Prayers at least for now.
Brazil first scored as David Luiz kicks in a rebound in the 18th minute to make it 1-0 Brazil. The Chileans come right back in the 32nd minute as Alexis Sanchez strikes on a left footer past Brazilian Goalkeeper Julio Cesar to tie the game at 1-1. The game was back and forth as we head into two extra frames and then enter the Penalty Kicks in which Neymar Jr. strikes the 3rd Kick to move Brazil up 3-2 and Chilean Gonzalo Jara right foots one as it hits the left Goal Post and stayed out of the net....and Brazil dodges a huge bullet and advance to the final 8 in dramatic fashion.
The Momentum of Brazilian Goalkeeper Julio Cesar stopping both Chilean Players Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez in the first two Chilean Penalty Kicks was huge. The miss by Brazil's "Hawk" was just as big as he missed the 4th Brazil Kick. Brazil's David Luiz was huge as he scored the first goal and penalty kick for the Brazilians as he and goalkeeper Cesar were easily the Players of the Game as Hulk also had an outstanding game besides hi missed PK. Chilean Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo did what he could but could not stop Brazil in Penalty Kicks when he had to.
That is Futbol at it's best right there and it will only get better...trust me on that!
Stand Up BRAZLIANS and party like it's 1999!.....Lol!
Right outside the Lottery the Bluedude starts off with a Bang from Izzone as two of the best Sparty Hoopers go Mid-To-Late 1st round. 'Cuse Freshman PG Ennis hits the "Valley of the Sun". The Thunder gets Mr. McGary to go Hard in the Paint"! Last but not least Air Jordan and Pat Riley do business as they swap UConn's Shabazz Napier and UNC';s P.J. Hairston and imagine that Phone Calla s Mike you owe as you cost me more Bling back in the day!
2014 NBA DRAFT Recap Picks 15-30 with Guaranteed Dead Presidents!
15. #HighlightFactory404 Adriean Payne #Sparty: Hawks now have a nucleus of Milsap, Teague, Big AL Horford, and now Payne with all those other nice Role Playing pieces in between as Hawks GM Danny Ferry quietly strikes! Now would you play with the Clippers of they drafted you Danny?
16. #MileHighNugs Jusif Nurkic #Bosnia: Stash for Cash...
17. #GreenTeam James Young #UK: I knew what he was as the Blueduee got word off the 2013 AAU Circuit that Parker, Wiggins, Gordon, and Randle are Monsters but this Kid James Young from Rochester Hills, MI is so fundamentally sound with a Shirts and Skins Game when need be...great pick "I Hate Danny Ainge" to go with Marcus Smart...Yikes!
18. #PHXHoops Tyler Ennis #Cuse: the Smooth Canadian that should be a nice complement to the "Dragon" Suns PG Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. Phoenix is building to come out the West at the speed of light! Ennis from St. Benedict NJ HS same HS that produced Knicks Tape "Get Shots J.R." Smith.
19. #MileHighNugs Gary Harris #Sparty: An Undersized Shooting Guard like Bradley Beal but fearless as he was a lights out All-State WR in HS as well. All "Izzone" Guards are fantastic in the Logo and Harris should follow suit!
20. #Dinosaurs Bruno Caboclo #Brazil: Didn't ESPN College Basketball Analyst Fran Fraschilla the European Guru call him two years from being two years away...Why well it's "Stash for Cash" !
21. #ThunderAlley Mitch McGary #UM: McGary is a solid pick if he physically can hold up as he adds so much-needed muscle and skill to an OKC Front Line that lacks an Inside Presence!
22. #GritAndGrindBealeStreet Jordan Adams #UCLA: A basketball Players not overly Athletic but crafty at the Shooting guard Slot with game. I think he went a little higher than I had him but a nice fit with the Grind House!
23. #SaltPalaceJazz Rodney Hood #Duke: Where will he fit with Burks and Burke and Australian Exum and that is a lot of Guard Play for new Jazz Lead Man Quinn Snyder! .
24. #HiveDriveIsBack P.J. Hairston #UNC: Well Jordan did draft UConn's Shabazz Napier and traded him to the 36th Pick in the 2014 NBA Draft Miami Heat. Hairston is a steal if he had did what he was suppose to do he would have been a Lottery Pick...real talk. 6-6 at 225 el bees a Shooter with range and a can take the Elevator on anyone! Air Jordan and Rich Cho doing work!
25. #RedNation Clint Capela #Switzerland: He is raw but has ability and seeing what the Rockets are doing "Stash for Cash"...
26. #HeatNation Shabazz Napier #UConn: Wow @KingJames Tweet back in March Madness saying he is the best PG in the College Hoops gets Napier to Miami. NBA Gods when King James talks they even listen!
27. #PHXhoops Bogdan Bogdanovic #Serbia: I have no idea...really and you know how the Bluedude brings it!
28. #ClipperNation C.J. Wilcox #UDubSeattleHuskies: He can score and they already have a shooter in 2013 1st rounder Reggie Bullock so Clips Lead Man Doc is putting shooters around "Game Night with Blake" and DeAndre the Lob City Giant to keep the Hardwood spaced. See Bluedude Heads it's that simple and during the 2014-15 season read Playbook with Logo Watch talking X and O's!
29. #ThunderAlley Josh Huestis #TheFarm: I though his Teammate Dwight Powell (2nd rounder to Hornets) would go before him as Thunder GM Sam Presti sees something that can help OKC!
30. #SpursWars Kyle Anderson #UCLA: Coming out he was a one and done players but his foot speed and lack of athleticism hurt him until you see his game. Like going in the Slow Lane on the Tollway never in a hurry and can play 1-3. A true Point Forward or a Point Guard trapped inside of a Small Forwards Body. Undoubtedly the best Passing Player in the 2014 NBA Draft! K.A. hails from famed St. Anthony's NJ and Basketball HOF Coach Bobby Hurley Sr. as Anderson did play at famed Paterson Catholic NJ dba "PAT CAT" until it closed!
2014 NBA Draft Recap #3 and #4 coming Saturday and Sunday...talking 2nd Rounders but a loaded 2nd round!
The Chicago White Sox might not win the AL Central but they will not go down without Style Points and an Exclamation Mark on their work. The Chi-Sox hit the Phone Booth on 'Jays Starter Knuckleball-Throwing R.A. Dickey as his Frisbees stayed in the Zone long enough for the Sox to connect on not one not two not three but Four Bombs!
The Damage was done in the 5th as White Sox First Baseman Jose Abreu goes Solo Bomb as does Dayan Viciedo to make the score 2-0 Sox. The Blue Birds not to be out done ties the game up in the 6th off Sox Starter Jhonny Danks on Solo Shots from Edwin Encarnacion and Dioner Navarro. The South Side Hit Men com eight back with another Solo Bomb from Abreu and a Two-Run Blast from Six Shortstop Alexei Ramirez and that was the nails in the coffin. The Sox made it an adventure in the 9th as 'Jays Pinch-Hitter Colby Rasmus goes Solo Bomb as the Sox hold onto win 5-4.
Danks get the win as the Sox Pen holds on tight. Dickey takes the loss as the Blue Birds fall to an AL East leading 45-37. The Sox move to 37-44 but that is last in the AL Central and nine games back.
As we go to press the NL East will be won by the team who can get to that Magic Number of 88 wins and that is 88-74 overall that's it. The Braves came into tonight's action at the top of the NL East and now tied with the Washington Nationals looking to get on a roll. The Problem is the Home Team the Phightin' Phils of Philly Hardball is just five games back at 36-43. Only five games separates the NL East Leader and the NL East Bottom Feeder you Dr. Seuss Mother Goose MLB Head!
The Braves got that Memo as Freddie Freeman tells Braves and Phils Nation I just got a few Wells Fargo Wagons added to my contract before Spring Training 2014 see me! Freeman did just that taking Phils' Starter Kyle Kendrick for a Three-Run Cheesesteak in the first for a Braves 3-0 lead. The Chop Shop 404 added one more in the 2nd and that was ll they needed. Freeman finished 3 for 5 scoring a run and knocking in all four Ducks on the Pond for the Braves.
Braves Starter Julio Teheran who is now the Ace held his end of the bargain up going seven allowing six hits and two runs as he struck out nine and no free passes. Kendrick takes the "L" allowing four runs on nine hits through eight as he struck out eight and walked two. that Three-Run Cheese steak unfortunately was also on his Tab!
Braves move to 41-38 and the Phils at 36-43 have some work to do but not much. All Rise in Braves Country for #5 in your Chop Shop 404 Program and #1 in your hearts...Freddie "F2" Freeman!
LaMarcus Aldridge through numerous Media Outlets has been offered a Max Contract from Blazer Mania at 5-years $108 Million and he was last seen running in Blazers Boxers through downtown Portland to sign that one. Well-Deserved for a young man who has realized his potential as he averaged 23.2 ppg and 11.1 rpg both career-highs. He is the Cornerstone of Rip City Hoops and now if we can get him over to Mr. Colangelo and Coach K for some Team USA Matters...all is a Slam Dunk.
Moving from the Great Northwest to Beale Street Memphis for "A Nigh out with the Grind House Bigs" News. Grizz PF Zach Randolph dba Z-Bo and on Twitter @MacBO50 with a '77 Fleetwood Caddy (w/ White Walls) has reportedly though media outlets signed an extension to stay playing home games on Beale Street. Its reported to be in the Mr. Randolph's Neighborhood of $20 million for 24 months of service. Now looking closer does that signing mean there will not be a Pau Gasol and Grizzlies Reunion as well as playing on an NBA Front Line with brother Marc?
Logo Business as the Big Domino or Dominoes have yet to fall...
Some of the players on this list should have stayed in school as they slipped...and slipped...and slipped some more ruining their own NBA Draft Party. The top NCAA Men's Basketball Players of 2013-14 List consists of household names on Teams that were ranked in the Top 25 or Players who just have a following that were drafted not in the 1st round but 2nd round.
Top 2013-14 College Basketball Players getting a 2014 NBA Draft Call:
Note: The Draft was Top-Heavy and the same player was Picks 15-50...
All 2nd Round Picks
#33 #Cavs Joe Harris #Wahoos: Came on the scene in ACC play as the Tony Bennett led Cavs took the ACC by storm in large part to Mr. Harris .
#34 #Knicks Cleanthony Early #ShockNation: He slipped maybe because he and ten other players were the same guy a little separated any of them. The Knicks get a steal and one heckuva piece considering they had no 1st round pick...and that was Early!
#37 #Dinosaurs DeAndre Daniels #UConn: Was straight Margarine in March Madness as he his though leaving a year early was Napier is leaving and my stock could not get any higher...good thinking! In Ujiri we Trust!
#39 #SeventySixers Jerami Grant #Cuse: He fell but does he have a position? He left Syracuse a year or two too early but fell to the right team who needs an influx of Athletic-Talent!
#40 #TWolves Glenn Robinson III #UM: Wow Bloodline fell and then fell some more but Robinson III would have benefitted staying at least his Junior Season as he is too small to be a SF but doesn't handle good enough or Shoot it well enough to be a Shooting Guard #ClassicTweener like most of the guys in the 2nd round!
#42 #RedNation Nick Johnson #UofATuscon: He has no business in the Draft a 6-3 High-Jumper that has no real position as he is more of an Athlete than just a Basketball Player!
#47 #StateBirdOfLouisana Russ Smith #UofLCards: He can flat out play as he is a Shooting Guard in a Ratatouille Body but he is going to a team that has many bodies in the back court!
#59 #BKNets Xavier Thames #SDSU: He can play and made his name in the March Madness as SDSU has been quietly cranking out solid NBA Players Kawhi Leonard (Spurs) and Jamal Franklin (Grizz).
The Chicago Bulls were rumored and have been linked to falling in love with Creighton's Doug McDermott for at least three or so months. Last Night at the 2014 NBA Draft all that came to fruition as "McBuckets" (Cute name for a College Player but will change in the Logo back to Doug McDermott trust me on that!) was drafted by the Denver Nuggets at the #11 slot. Then he was promptly traded to the Chicago Bulls for the Bulls #16 and #19 Picks in the Draft.
Now where does all this put the Bulls as far as from a Schematic Standpoint. McDermott is Bloodline Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Bulls are rumored to be moving him like they are rumored to be getting the World's Most Famous "Bully of Jordan Brand" 'Melo Anthony. The Bulls better hope all this works out as Carlos Boozer will get the Amnesty Provision (due $16.8 million in 2014-15) and if Dunleavy is traded the Bulls will have around $15 million under the cap. Trading those two Rookie Contract and taking just McDermott's also saved them around $1.5 million.
Now in the 2nd round the Bulls took New Mexico Lobos Cameron Barstow and I like that pick as it gives relief for Bulls All-Star Joakim Noah and that 2nd Unit who used to business as the "Bench Mob" a Rim Protector who has some offensive game. The Bulls right now as we look at the Core is still that one piece away with 'Melo possibly being that piece.
2014-15 Bulls Starting Five Without the "Bully of Jordan Brand" 'Melo Anthony
PG D-Rose
SG the "See Red Butler"
SF Bloodline Dunleavy Jr.
PF the TAJ-manian Devil
C Jo All-Star
Top Reinforcements
SG Tony Snell (Lobos Teammate of Barstow)
SF McBuckets
C C. Barstow
SG Ronnie "Brew Crew" Brewer
SF Anthony Randolph (from Nuggets)
What has to Happen:
Carlos Boozer (Amnesty) $16.8 Million
Mike Dunleavy traded ($3.3 million 2014-15)
Carmelo Anthony needs to be #StrayMELO coming to the Bulls instead of #StayMELO with Knicks Tape or anywhere else.
Could Doug McDermott be in a Sign and Trade involving Carmelo Anthony?
There were a few surprises if you want to call them that as Cleveland took who they should have taken in Andrew Wiggins. Jabari Parker goes where he wanted to go all along to the Bucks as only thing bigger in Milwaukee now is the NL Central Leading "Piwowarzy" dba Brew Crew. Cameroon's Joel Embiid heads to Philly as the last "Big" that had promise skipped town before he played. Gordon joins the Mouse Town Magic as He and Jabari were the most-skilled of the Lottery Picks. Let's take a closer look as the 2014 NBA Drat Lottery Picks.
2014 NBA Draft Recap "Lottery Picks" Only:
1. #Believeland Andrew Wiggins #KU: They get their man now I can't wait to see how the Cavs work him in with Kyrie and Dion as they are Think-Pass First Players!
2. #FearTheDeer Jabari Parker #Duke: You saw it with the Jordan Pin on the tie and the rest is history "Become Legendary"...Knight Rider, Colonel Sanders, Giannis, and Mr. Henson...Bottom Feeders no more!
3. #BroadStreetPhillyHoops Joel Embiid #KU: So Kansas goes 1 and 3 and then what. Embiid if he can remain healthy will be a Load but let the Kid be Joel and stay away from them "Dream Shake" Comparisons Sixer Heads before expectations are a dream!
4. #MouseTownMagic Aaron Gordon #UofATuscon: He and Lakers Lottery Pick have the same motor but two entirely different tool sets. Gordon potential right off the bat to be a 10ppg 8 rpg 5 apg and 3 stls per is possible given the minutes. The Magic are scary with Oladipo, Harkless, Tobias Harris, and now Gordon to go with Nikola Vucevic...Magic > Magic Kingdom in late 2014 to early to mid 2015!
5. #SaltPalaceJazz Dante Exum #Austrailia: We have not seen much of the kid but now he is front and center and what do the Jazz now do with Alec Burks?
6. #GreenTeam Marcus Smart #StillwaterCowboys: Some forgot about him as he was an easy Top 3 Pick ion 2013 if he would have came out. Remember He and the Bulls Doug "McBuckets" McDermott were the only two Collegiate Players in Vegas in 2013 on the US Select Team...which means absolutely nothing looking at it now but was something back then!
7. #LakerGang Julius Randle #UK: His motor separates him from many but his lack of any low-post and face-up game brings him back to the pack. He will need work but he should love playing in L.A. and out on the Wing with the Black Mamba...and yes passing him the Spalding Orange...the New Black Mamba!
8. #ForeverPurple Nik Stauskas #UMAnnArbor: He is a Big Guard who can shoot it but will surprise you as he will hit the Phone Booth and come out taking the elevator! I like this pick considering the Kings have a lot of bodies at the 3-4-5 as Stauskas reminds me of former Gator now Grizz Sniper Mike Miller...a little as young M&M Plain Miller a legit 6-9 with a Guard-Like Game was ridiculous!
9. #HiveDriveIsAlive Noah Vonleh #HoosierHysteria: He is a monster at 6-10 around 240 el bees with a 7-4 Wingspan and mitts like Kawhi "Super Hands" Leonard. He is a still at #9 considering what Cho and Jordan did at #24 and #26 drafting Shabazz Napier and sending him to Miami as the Heat drafted P.J. Hairston...Hairston will be All-NBA Rookie and remember I said that!
10. #SeventySixers Elfrid Payton #ULLRajunCajuns: He can play but we will see as he gets sent to the Orlando Magic to join Oladipo and Company....#OMagicHasAthletes!
11. #MileHighNuggets Doug McDermott #Creighton: "McBuckets" was getting some love on Twitter especially after the Nugs send him to Chicago for Picks 16 and 19 and then all I heard was clearing Cap Space for Melo Anthony! Has anyone one of you talked to Mel and La La and are the coming for sure? Both Picks for that...Gar n Pax the Dynamic Fools!
12. #OMagic Dario Saric #Croatia: He gets sent to Philly for Payton and he has a Two-Year Agreement to play for a Team in Turkey before coming to play for the Sixers...real talk!
13. #10KLakesHoops Zach Lavine #WestwoodUHoops: Ok he is an Athlete as they throw that around like the Logo is the Decathlon. He is going to play behind K-Mart and "La Pistola" and then Lavine plays the Shooting Guard or is he a Combo or a Wild Card? Way too high for Lavine...
14. #PHXHoops T.J. Warren #WolfPackGangACC: He might be the purest "Get Buckets" Baller in the 1st round real talk. He is silky-smooth with nice size and not a freakish athlete but a Basketball Players that has a noise for filling it up. Excellent pick for the Suns who are really loaded at every position on the hardwood...#4 or #5 in the West in 2014-15.
NBA Draft Recap #2, #3, and #4 coming through the weekend....
The St. Louis Cardinals come in playing somewhat consistent Hardball as they are a Rawlings Hardball Throw away from the NL Central leading "Brew Crew" of Milwaukee. The L.A. Dodgers trying to catch what was a struggling San Francisco Giants Team at the beginning of June tries to right the ship in Chavez Ravine where they have been much better of late but 18-20 coming out of the Home Dugout isn't a good look. Now we get "Four" in L.A. talking Baseball Town USA the Cards and Dodger Nation and the "Boys in Blue"!
#REDBIRDS St. Louis (43-36)
@
#DODGERS Los Angeles (44-36)
An NL 4-Piece Treat
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Chavez Ravine
SERIES Schedule/Preview
June 26th, 2014 10:10pm ET
STL Wainright (10-3) @ LAD Beckett (5-4)
June 27th, 2014 10:10pm ET
STL Martinez (1-3) vs LAD Ryu (9-3)
June 28th, 2014 7:15pm ET
STL Lynn (8-5) vs LAD Greinke (9-4)
June 29th, 2014 4:10pm ET
STL TBD vs LAD Kershaw (8-2)
The Series should be outstanding as you see Adam Wainright and Josh Beckett starts things off Tonight. With the Cards then going with Lynn and Martinez with a To Be Determined on Sunday. The Dodgers coming with all the Big Arms in Ryu, Greinke, and Kershaw as the Dodgers look to get back on track protecting Chavez Ravine!
Hitting Stars
#STLCards
1B M. Adams .328 9 HR 33 RBI
C Y. Molina .284 6 HR 27 RBI
LF M. Holliday .273 5 HR 39 RBI
#DodgerNation
RF Y. Puig .313 11 HR 45 RBI
2B D. Gordon .285 44 R 40 SB
1B A. Gonzalez .253 13 HR 48 RBI
The United States Men Soccer Team almost pulled it off as they came within a shot and a header late from tying the Germans in the last game in Group G dba "Group of Death". Yes Germany's Striker Thomas Muller broke open a scoreless game in the 55th minute but the US played well and that bodes well for hopes of getting past their next opponent in the Round of 16. Germans win the group with 7 points winning two matches and a draw vs Ghana. US gets in by Point Differential even though Portugal beat Ghana as the Portuguese bad loss to Germany cost them.
The US will get the Group H Winner in the Knockout Stages of which many forecast to be Team Belgium. The Belgians are 2-0-0 in the group as they will face the Korean Republic today at 4pm ET. The US and the US Soccer Nation will get a glimpse of the powerful Belgians as they should move to the Knockout Stages 3-0-0 with Korea coming in at 0-1-1.
What the US has now is confidence as they are playing well and they know anything can happen in the Knockout Stages and that's why they play the games! The US must fix their Offensive Opportunities as they only had four chances today vs the Germans to score and that will not get them past then Belgians!
The Denver Nuggets trade France Shooting Guard to the Orlando Magic and their 2014 2nd Round Pick for the right to former Nugs Shooting Guard Aaron Affalo of Pauley Pavilion Hoops Lore. Now everyone was looking at Affalo from the Bulls to the now Charlotte Hornets as the Nugs might have acquired him possibly for more reasons then one.
Affalo averaged 18.2 ppg and is known as a Defensive Stopper dating back to his days from Compton, CA High School where he was a Big Mac to starring at UCLA for the Bruins. The Magic gets French Shooting Guard Evan Fournier and the Nugs 2014 2nd Round Pick. Fournier can shoot it but lack what most Europeans lack coming over...playing "D".
With Affalo gone it makes sense to grab Australia's Combo Guard Dante Exum if the Sixers don't pull the Trigger on him first. The Magic is loaded at the Small Forward as well and will they let Mo Harkless or even Tobias Harris go in a trade. Nugs might be using Affalo to get the "Lake Oswego Monster" Kevin Love of the 10K Lakes Basketball Club.
Only time will tell but 2nd-year to be Nugs Lead Man B-Shaw has a nice piece in A-Dub...Arron Affalo!
Like things couldn't get any worse for the San Diego Padres as now they are the 3rd team in MLB to be the victim of a No-Hitter. That's right Gigantes RHP and Two-Time NL Cy Young Winner Tim Lincecum no hits the Friars as he misses a perfect game by giving a Free Pass to the 'Dres Chase Headley in the 2nd.
Lincecum's Tab for the No-Hitter vs Friars on June 25th, 2014:
9 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 6 SO 0 HR
The Giants Offense was led by All-Star Back Stop Buster Posey as he goes 4 for 4 with two Ribbies as he also called the No-Hitter...5-Star right there! Lincecum also did work at the dish going 2 for 3 scoring two runs as Panda Smash Sandoval also had two base knocks and a Ribbie!
Friars Starter Ian Kennedy goes 6 1/3 innings giving up all four runs on nine hits as he struck out eight and walked one. Giants move to 46-32 just 3.5 game sup on the 2nd palce Dodgers. The Friars fall to an NL Worst 33-47...ouch!
The New York Knicks when the Zen Master took the job the 1st order of Business was speaking to the "Bully" "Melo Anthony and the next was telling Ray Felton dba "Guns and Cheeseburgers" that he would be dealt this summer. Well all that was true but I didn't know it was going to go down like this.
Through numerous Media Outlets the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks have reached an agreement to trade the following Players and Draft Picks in the 2014 NBA Draft:
MAVS get:
C Tyson Chandler
PG Ray Felton
KNICKS get:
PG Jose Calderon
SG Wayne Ellington
C Samuel Dalembert
PG Shane Larkin
31st and 54th Picks in 2014 NBA Draft
Now the Mavs get what they never should have given up in Tyson Chandler. Chandler has $14.6 million left on his current deal for the 2014-15 season. Felton has $4.36 Million for the 2014-15 season and a $4.54 million Player Option for the 2015-16 season. Look for Felton maybe to be dealt at a later date or bought out possibly.
The Knicks need Caldron and Dalembert as Larkin will be on a Rookie Deal and Ellington only has $2.5 million for the 2014-15 season left on his current contract. Those Picks could mean more trades as the Mavs simply saw no one that could help them at this stage at where they are trying to go.
Now does all this get the Knicks Tape Hash Tags #StayMELO or #StrayMELO as only time will tell. From the looks of it the Zen Master looks like he is going to blow it up and rebuild rather than pay 'Melo Anthony all that cash!
The Milwaukee Brewers started out fast and to their credit have held up their end of the bargain as they are still leading the NL Central. The Nats trying to give the NL East that NAT-itude is right there at the top of the heap of a NL East Race that includes all five teams as we go to press.
It was the Brewers though on "Get Away Day" in the Big Keg dba Miller Park lighting up the scoreboard and Nats Ace Stephen Strasburg. The Nats Ace was charged with seven runs in just 4 2/3 innings on eight hits as the Brewers big blow came of the Bat of Second Baseman Scooter Gennett and 2nd inning "Grand Slam". The Brewers would go onto to score five more as they beat the Nats 9-2. Strasburg also gave up a Solo Blast to the Brewers Khris Davis in the 4th inning.
Brew Crew Starter Marco Estrada went 6 1/3 innings giving up just two hits and two runs. He walked four and struck out the same amount as he moves to 7-4 in 2014. The Nats Line Up was led by Star Shortstop Ian Desmond who went 2 for 4.
The "Piwowarzy" moves to an NL Best 48-32 while the Nats fall to 41-36...
The Tampa Bay Rays Ace David Price appears to be an Unhappy Camper from numerous reports which also coincides with the Rays 2014 Season as they have relapsed into the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Well regardless of what's going on Price still has to do his job and his job he did as the Pittsburgh Pirates unfortunately were in the path of Price's Unhappiness. Price goes 8 1/3 innings on the Bucs allowing just four hits and a run as he strikes out some eleven Pirates to boot. Kevin Kiermaier led the Rays with two Ribbies as Shortstop Ben Zobrist goes 2 for 3 and First Baseman James Loney goes 2 for 4 with an RBI. Rays Hot Corner All-Star Evan Longoria scored two runs going 1 for 4.
Buccos Starter Charlie Morton didn't pitch all that bad as he allowed three runs on four hits through seven. Pirates demoted Captain Save-A-Game Jason Grilli appears to have lost it completely as he gives up two runs on four hits in just 2/3 of an inning.
Rays at 31-48 will have to either get real hot or prepare themselves for the Winter Meetings. The Buccos drop back down to the .500 mark at 39-39 but that is 7.5 games back of the NL Central leading "Brew Crew".
Lionel Messi just turned 27 years of age this past week and the Nigerians knew what was coming and could not stop it. Messi strikes in the 3rd minute and in the 45' + 1' of the 1st half as the Argentinians go onto beat a feisty Nigerian Squad dba "Super Eagles" 3-2.
Messi did get some help as Argentina did get the game-winning strike from Marcos Rojo in the 50th minute to break up a 2-2 tie. The Nigerians answered everyone of Messi's Goals as they get both scores from Ahmed Musa in the 4th and 47th minute only for Rojo scores in the 50th minute to be the deciding factor.
Now Argentina had already advanced with the first two victories as they win the Group with 9 points. The Nigerians loss to Argentina but get some good news as Bosnia beat the Iranians as that Iran Loss puts the "Super Eagles" in the Knockout Rounds. Argentina has Messi and the "Super Eagles" have All-World Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and both look to be string contenders moving into that Round of 16.
The Kansas City Royals cancelled the Post Game Show as they get a hit on Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw in Inning one. After that take an Instagram of that hit as he scattered five more hits through eight innings of work as the Dodgers quietly take care of business beating I-70 Blue Hardball 2-0.
The Dodgers Offense came from a fielder's Choice ground out off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez. Dodger CF Andre Ethier then gets some much-needed insurance singling home Adrian Gonzalez in the top half of the 9th to seal Kershaw's "W"!
Royals Starter Danny Duffy pitched a heckuva game except those four walks. Duffy allowed that early run and allowed four hits through six. Yes the 9th inning run hurt but by them the Royals Fate had already been decided facing Dodger Captain Save-A-Game Kenley Jansen as he went 1-2-3 in the 9th for his 22 save in 25 ops. Dodgers move to 43-36 and right on the Heels of the still struggling San Francisco Giants. The Royals fall to 40-37 and drop another game behind the AL Central leading Motor City Kitties!
White Sox Starter Carlos Quintana needed to be good and the Sox needed to be better than the Home Team the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday Night. Both came to fruition as the Sox Starter Quintana goes seven strong giving up one run on six hits as he struck out eight and walked three. The O's hit Quintana but could not deliver a big enough blow to beat him.
The South Siders scored in the 1st Inning on a Gordon Beckham Solo HR and a De Aza Single in the 2nd inning. Sox Back Stop Tyler Flowers singles home Viciedo in the 4th inning giving Quintana a 3-0 lead he would not surrender. The O's got on the board on a Steve Pearce Solo HR in the 6th off Quintana the only run he gave up. O's Starter Miguel Gonzalez takes the loss allowing three runs on nine hits as he walked three and struck out three.
The Sox move to 36-42 still the 5th place team in the AL Central. The O's drop to 40-36 just 2.5 games back of the AL East leading Blue Birds...
Ex-Mets Starter Scott Kazmir came into tonight's Inter League Two-Piece vs the Mets with a sparkling 9-2 W-L leading the A's in W's. What he didn't bank on was the Mets greeting him with an Amazins' -Like Party.
The Mets jumped all over "Kaz" in the 2nd and 3rd chasing him after three with a Seven Spot! Both Curtis Granderson (2-Run HR) and Chris Young (Solo HR) greeted him in the 2nd. Then in the 3rd it was Mets Back Stop Travis de' Arnaud taking "Kaz" for a Three-Run Bomb and that was all folks! The A's never recovered as Mets Starter Bartolo Colon goes eight allowing one run on four hits as he struck out eight. The "Michelin Man" they call him can still pitch as it seems like yesterday a young Colon was at the Jake for them mid 90s Tribe Squads doing what he does with high 90s Express.
The Athletics lone Run came off the bat of A's OF Yoenis Cespedes going Two-Bagger scoring CoCo Crisp. Believe it or not the Amazins' are just five games out of the NL East at 36-41. The Athletics fall to 47-30 which is still the best W-L on the Junior Circuit and four games ahead of those Rally Monkeying Halos...for whatever that was worth!
He came up through the ranks in Northern California at starred at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California. A Top 10 Big Mac and every body's All-American coming out. He also played on AAU Powerhouse the Oakland Soldiers along with 2014 Big Mac and Arizona Top Recruit Stanley Johnson of Mater Dei High School and California Berkeley 2013 Big Mac in Jabari Bird. He was a force on the University of Arizona Men's Basketball Team as a Freshman sometimes dominating the action. Is this 18 year-old yet to turn 19 6'8" 210 El Bees worth of Versatility a Top 3 Picks in the 2014 NBA Draft going to the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers?
Gordon to me might be the most intriguing player in that Top 10 because he does so many things above average Teams have taken a double-take on the talented Wing Forward. Is a Four or more of a Stretch 4 as I call him a Ball Players its that simple. Only Jabari Parker at the Small Forward brings as many tools as Gordon and Parker lacks Gordon's Athleticism as Gordon lacks Parker's NBA-Ready Offensive Arsenal.
The Sixers will be selecting at #3 on Thursday Night and KU's Big Joel Embiid is all but off that Sixers Radar as Phily Faithful wants Parker or Wiggins but slow up. Gordon's Defensive Arsenal and his ability to Finish at the Rim warrants the Sixers to take a long hard look at the San Jose Shark on the Hardwood. It would shock some folks as most have Indiana PF Noah Vonleh going to the Sixers at #3 but Gordon might creep up and take that slot as he is rumored to not get past #8 the Sacramento Kings staying close to home.
Check him out on Twitter @IAmAaronGordon as Game recognize Game...and tell him the Bluedude sent you!
The L.A Dodgers Zack Greinke took a hard loss last night as his Ex-Mates took hi for a ride. Now the Royals (40-36) good for 2nd AL Central gets a crack at the Shows best in the Dodgers reigning NL Cy Young Winner of 2013 Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers come in at 42-36 as they are just four games back of the San Francisco Giants (45-31) in the NL West. The Dodgers Starting Pitching has been solid as Kershaw is coming off a No-Hitter his last time on the Bump. It has been the Dodgers lack of timely hitting as that Line Up is loaded but they lack getting the "Base Knocks" when they need them.
The Royals (40-36) having a splendid June 2014 even though they have cooled off some but have been getting Hitting, Pitching, and Defense as they are no fluke as we head into the 2014 Mid Summers Classic in the Twin Cities. The Royals will be looking to get on Kershaw early as the book on him is you miss early you will pay the rest of the way.
Team Uruguay knockout Team Italy and advances to the knockout stage but not without some controversy. The games was in a dead heap and in the 81st minute it was Uruguay Captain Diego Godin beating Italian Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as he leaped over s few defenders for the score.
The Controversy was just before the game-winning goal Uruguay Star Luis Suarez allegedly bit Italian Defender Giorgio Chiellini as the players appeared to clash near the penalty box. nothing was called but replays showed the Bite and instead of talking Uruguay eliminated Italy we have the "Bite seen around the Soccer World".
Italy's Star Marco Balotelli also picked up a his 2nd Yellow Card in the 59th minute which if the Italians would have advanced they would have been without Balotelli for that match and that was a Bonehead Play...go figure.
Dodgers Ace #2 Zack Greinke once called Kaufmann Stadium his workplace but the new 2014 Royals were not hearing any of that. Sporting an AL Central 2nd place 40-36 the Royals cane right after Greinke and the Dodgers...and won!
Behind a Salvador Perez Solo Bomb in the 2nd along with another run the royals went up 2-0 after two. K.C. then slowly added runs onto that lead in the 5th and 6th as they led 5-0 after six chasing the former Royals Ace Greinke. The Dodgers Offense finally woke up in the 8th with a Two-Run Scoring Double by Hanley Ramirez to make it 5-2. Then in the 9th with Dodgers First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez dba A-Gon going Solo Blast to make it 5-3 that rally fell short as the Royals stage left with a 5-3 victory.
Royals Jeremy Guthrie gets the "W" going 7 2/3 innings allowing just two run son seven hits as Hanley Ramirez Two-Bagger chased Guthrie. It was Royals Captain Save-A-Game Greg Holland getting his 22nd save as K.C. stays hot on the Tigers AL Central leading Trail! The Dodgers Greinke falls to 9-4 as the Dodgers Offense is more to blame overall as the starting pitching has been somewhat solid for Dodger Land USA. LAD falls to 42-36 just 4.5 games behind the NL West leading Gigantes!
New York Yankees Starter Chase Whitley probably would tell you right now as he order an Appetizer at the Hard Rock Restaurant in the Rogers Center that he needs a re-do. Well look young Bronx Bomber its 162 per and its just one game now you do it again forget AAA Hardball will might go back to Instructional League.
Meanwhile the Toronto Blue Jays were more than happy to accommodate Whitley as they score one in the 1st and hang a crooked six up on the Bombers in the 2nd. The "Big Bang Theory" was delivered by 'Jays DH Adam Lind as he goes three-Run Jack. Whitley's Tab was eight runs on eleven hits and a Bomb as ll eight ducks that scored were good ducks. Lind led the Blue Birds Hit Parade going 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Edwin Encarnacion was 3 for 4 scoring a run and with Melky Cabrera 2 for 5 scoring two runs and knocking one in.
'Jays Starter Marcus Stroman goes eight strong giving up a run on three hits as he struck out seven. The Yanks did take him deep as Mark Teixeira smacks a Solo Bomb in the 4th. The 'Jays move to 43-35 as W' has been hard to come by of late. The Yanks coming off a horrible Home Series versus the O's fall to 39-36...
Wow Doc Rivers has to be thinking I get another title added to my Job with more responsibilities and that's cool. Now Doc will have to begin his own search as not one but two of his Top Assistants have flown he nest in Lob City. Coach Alvin Gentry left to not only becomes a top Assistant but the Clips Rival in Golden State and for Doc that is not a good look. Steve Kerr and Gentry worked in Phoenix together and got some real good results. Now comes Tyrann Lue the Pride of Kansas City, Mo and Big Red Lincoln Basketball not Football becoming the top Assistant in Cleveland. That is an excellent move for the Cavs New Lead Man Blatt as he gets familiar to that Cavs Roster and the NBA with Lue right there to lead him.
The Chicago Bears grab former All-Pro Safety Adrian Wilson as his only season in Foxboro ended before it started as he Ruptured an Achilles before the season. Now he joins the 30th ranked 2013 NFL Defense that has upgraded upfront but the Secondary especially the Safeties is still in question. At age 34 will Wilson be fully recovered from that Achilles as I know he is a Box-Safety? The Bears have leaders already so adding another one is par for the course. I don't think it's a solid move at all but the Bears will score 30 plus believe that in 2014 so a bend but don't break "D" might get them an NFC North Crown!
Word around the Spalding Ball Racks is Bulls Lead Man Tom Thibodeau is losing sleep wondering if Carmelo Anthony will play "D". Well Coach look at the Film and watch us try and score and look at all those darn droughts. Thibs and Gar Forman and John Paxson know there are never 28 ppg Scorers out there for the taking so put all your shortcomings aside gents and get the "Bully" of Jordan Brand...its that simple! They are probably also losing sleep over 'Melo breaking the Bulls No Hand Band Rule...and that is utterly ridiculous! Get a Life See Red Front Office....real talk!
The NBA Draft Week is upon us and things are getting pretty hectic as NBA Vets are Opting In or Out of current deals as well. The Lakers, T'Wolves, and Warriors have "KLAYMetheus" of the Splash Brothers on the fence as it might go down to Draft Night to see if he gets moved. Then there is Cameroon's Joel Embiid and hi seemingly endless Red Flags (Injuries) as his Draft Stock might be under Gordon Gecko of "Wall Street" the Hit Movie Thriller! Then Cavs regardless of what is going around is going down with Pick #1 and they are on the Clock with a maybe Can't Miss if they select the right guy...the Bluedude's #1 Man all along Jabari Parker of soon #DukeInTheNBA.
2014 NBA MOCK Draft #5
1. CAVS Jabari Parker #CameronIndoor
2. BUCKS Andrew Wiggins #PhogAllenHoops
3. SIXERS Aaron Gordon #OaklandSoldiersAAU
4. MAGIC Joel Embiid #PhogAllenHoops
5. JAZZ Noah Vonleh #HoosierHysteria
6. C's Julius Randle #UK
7. LAKERS Dante Exum #AustralianInstituteOfSports
8. KINGS Doug McDermott #CreightonJays
9. HORNETS Adreian Payne #Sparty
10. SIXERS Marcus Smart #StillwaterUCowboys
11. NUGGETS T.J Warren #NCSU
12. MAGIC Nik Stauskas #UMWolverines
13. T'WOLVES Rodney Hood #CameronIndoor
14. SUNS Cleanthony Early #ShockNation
15. HAWKS James Young #UK
16. BULLS P.J. Hairston #UNC #TexasLegends
17. C's Gary Harris #Sparty
18. SUNS Kyle Anderson #UCLA
19. BULLS Shabazz Napier #UConn
20. RAPTORS Tyler Ennis #Cuse
21. THUNDER Mitch McGary #UMWolverines
22. GRIZZLIES Elfiid Payton #ULLRajunCajuns
23. JAZZ K.J. McDaniels #DeathValleyOrangeHoops
24. HORNETS Glenn Robinson III #UMWoilverines
25. ROCKETS C.J. Wilcox #UDubSeattleHuskies
26. HEAT Semaj Christon #XMenOfOhio
27. SUNS Jordan Adams #UCLA
28. CLIPPERS Jerami Grant #Cuse
29. THUNDER Clint Capela #Switzerland
30. SPURS Dwight Powell #theFarmHoops
360 Degrees....
There will be some Trades and my gut feeling is the Lakers and maybe Celtics try and jump into that Top 3 somehow someway.
Sixers would surprise some folks grabbing Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart at #10 but that Sixers Defense and Athleticism would be much-improved and throw in Nerlens Noel in Action...laugh at Broad Street Philly Hoops in 2014-15 if you want to!
Bulls picking up both P.J. Hairston and Shabazz Napier gives them instant Reinforcements that have some moxy and nastiness to them as that Bulls Bench Mob should be in full effect for the 2014-15 season...
Magic grabbing Embiid as I do not think he falls past the O-Magic at #4 and then they grab Canadian Stauskas at #12 to spread the Floor to go with the likes of Oladipo, Harkless, Tobias Harris, and the most underrated Big in the Logo Nikola Vucevic...
Hornets getting Sparty's Payne to help Big AL in the Paint would be huge as well as Robinson III to go with M.K.G., Henderson Jr., and Jeff Taylor (Ruptured Achilles in November 2013)...or do they go Shabazz Napier to team back up with Kemba Walker?
Ennis back home to Toronto as Kyle Lowry needs an Understudy and to protect the Dinosaurs as Lowry was on the Trade Block at the NBA Deadline...
Thunder needs help in the paint with "Perk" almost done as well as Collison..McGary would be a nice player to grab as well as Capela of the Swiss....
Lakers taking Exum if he falls that far...a nice upgrade to that back court!
Anderson would give the Suns some flexibility at the Point as he could play Point Forward running Green, Dragic, and Bledsoe as Shooters only!
the 2014 NBA Draft is here and will your Team Pass...or Fail!
Mexico knew in order to stay on that same plane as the Brazilians in Group A they needed to kick it in overdrive and beat Croatia to advance to the Knockout Rounds. Well it went deep into the 2nd half scoreless and then in the 72nd minute it was Rafeal Marquez who scored for Mexico to make it 1-0 Mexico. Not even three minutes later in the 75th minute Andres Guardado scored the clincher to make it 2-0 Mexico as the Croatians were reeling at this point.
With Croatia needing a miracle as we entered the 82nd minute it was Javier Hernandez (Club Manchester United) who gets goal #3 for Mexico to cap the scoring for Mexico. The Croatians in the 87th minute gets their lone goal off the feet of Ivan Perisic. Mexico now advances to the Knockout Stages as does Brazil as they both are tied at 7 points apiece with two wins and the Mexico/Brazil Game Draw...as both pick up a point.
It was no-brainer as Spurs living legend Tim Duncan by way of Demon Deacon U Hoops and the U.S. Virgin Islands opted into his modest $10.3 million contract today reported through numerous media outlets. Dunc staying at that contract numbers also give the Spurs and GM R.C. Buford the flexibility to go out and grab Spurs-Like Reinforcements.
Dunc in the 2013-14 season in 74 games started averaged 15.1 ppg and 9.7 rpg as he played a career-low 29 plus minutes. Do you realize how many "Bigs" in the Logo would take those numbers playing 35 to maybe 40 plus minutes as Dunc still looks like he could play another five years. Dunc is currently 19th on the NBA List All-Time Scorers Leader Board. Say Duns would average another 15 ppg in the 2014-15 season he would pass both Alex English, John Havlicek, Jerry West, and Reggie Miller as Paul Pierce is 18th on the list with Kevin Garnett 14th.
Brazil made quick work of Cameroon as the one man they could ill afford to let loose for Brazil got loose. In the 17th minute Neymar Jr. strikes only to see Cameroon in the 26th minute from Joel Matip to tie the score at 1-1. It was Neymar Jr. again the difference-maker on the field in nearly every match the Brazilians will play hitting the nets again in the 35th minute for a 2-1 Brazil lead they would never relinquish.
In the 2nd half the Brazilians get a goal in the 49th minute from Fred to move Brazil up two scores 3-1 as the Home Team Nation was going Carnaval of Brazil. Later on with all the big guns as far as Strikers out for Brazil it Fernandinho scoring in the 84th minute to seal the Brazilian Win 4-1 as they move onto the the Knockout Stage.
Brazil now moves to seven points tied with Mexico as they took care of Croatia today as well 3-1.
First and foremost the NBA World wants nothing to do with Bulls Power Forward Carlos Boozer of #DukeInTheNBA and his whopping guaranteed $16.8 million due in the 2014-15 season. Having said that the Bulls have tried to offer C-Booz 5 for 'Melo in a Sign and Trade reportedly and the Knicks James Dolan and Steve Mills would have made that trade and probably threw in Tim Hardaway Jr...Lol! The Bulls might have to do what they started to do and pullout the Amnesty Clause and let Booz walk.
Now with the "Bully' of Jordan Brand Carmelo Anthony free to roam around NBA Cities on his Wish List the Bulls have the upper hand. They have D-Rose, Taj, and Jo and even throw in Coach Thibs and that will get 'Melo a shot at getting out of the East in his next contract. 'Melo knows this as do the Red Nation Rockets who is on 'Melo's List but appears to be all in for King James who has yet to opt out as his June 30th deadline is approaching soon. 'Melo also knows he is a perfect fit because he knows the Bulls need his 28 ppg 7 rpg and nothing else as the other end is Team Defense.
See Red also has a little bit of Draft Leverage with Picks 16 and 19 on Thursday June 26, 2014. What will they do trade them, draft two more young players as the Bulls need a back-up PG like UConn's Shabazz Napier or 'Cuse Tyler Ennis as one or both might be there for the taking.
Bulls Business will amp starting Today Monday June 23rd through the 'Melo Sweepstakes...
The New York Knicks get the news they have been hoping they wouldn't get as Power Forward Amare Stoudamire dba S.T.A.T, tuned back to Government Name picks up his whopping Player Option. Yes the Knicks and James Dolan (Knicks CEO) took the gamble and it looked good for the 1st year of that Five-Year $100 Million Deal coming over from the Phoenix Suns. Amare will make approximately $23,410,988 in the 2014-15 as it was a Player Option on that deal that favored him all the way. Will Carmelo Anthony Opting out today Monday June 23, 2014 as expected Knicks Business gets a little bit more intense.
Rudy Gay the all of a sudden much-traveled Gem of the Grind House Grizzlies has opted-in as the Kings and Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins dba @boogiecousins were hoping he would. He is due $19.3 million off of his Max FDeal he signed some five years back with the Grizzlies. The Raptors then had Rudy for a season then New Dinsoaurs GM Masai Ujiri traded him getting both Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez back in return. It is rumored that "Rudy the Monarch" and the Kings might get into long-term talks as Gay went for 20.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg in the 2013-14 season.
The Plot thickens this week as NBA 2014 Draft Week is upon us...
It was like watching a Fairy Tale or one of those Dreams where you actually hit the game-winning shot or the game-winning play. The United States down 1-0 to Portugal just five minutes into their Group G Match. Never once did the US think they didn't have a chance and just like like that we went from the highest of ups to the lowest of downs in one kick!
Portugal scored the 1st goal just five minutes in on a US mistake as Striker Nani scored to make it 1-0 Portugal. That score would remain on the board for at least another hour and fifteen minutes until US Midfielder Jermaine Jones right footed one in the 64th minute to make it 1-1. Both Teams now locked in as we were getting close to Stoppage time it was Clint Dempsey off his midsection from Graham Zusi to make it 2-1 as the US was thinking take care of the ball and we advance to the Round of 16.
As we moved to five minutes of Stoppage Time not three or four minutes the US played to protect the one goal lead. Then inside the 94th minute US Midfielder Michael Bradley mishandled the ball in the center of the field and open of the World's Best Futbol Players around Christiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid Club Team) went down the right side and laid a perfect ball right in front of US Net only to find the head of Portugal Striker Silvestre Varela as he heads it in to tie the core up with just twenty seconds or so of Stoppage Time left. The US and Goalkeeper Tim Howard were in shock at this point as they were just twenty seconds from advancing to the Round of 16.
Now the US will face Germany for the right to move on as both have 4 points and the winner will advance. That match is set for Thursday June 26...Unbelievable!
The New York Mets add to the Miami Marlins worst home stand this season as they beat the Marlins 11-5 on Sunday and win three of four in the Four-Piece NL East Treat. That loss has the Marlins 3-7 in the current home stand as they had the best W-L in the Show playing in the Home Dugout through May.
The Amazins' wasted no time on Sunday putting up crooked numbers in consecutive innings and also a huge 7th inning that propelled them to victory. Curtis Granderson (3 for 5 w/ 2 Runs), Kirk Niewewnhuis (2 for 5 w/2 RBI Run), and Daniel Murphy (2 for 5 w/2 Runs 3 RBI) led the charge for the Metropolitans as they cored two in the 2nd and 3rd and three in the 4th. Murphy had the biggest blow off Marlins Pitching taking Starter Anthony DeSciafani for a three-Run Blast in the 4th. DeSciafani gave up seven runs on seven hits through just 3 2/3 innings taking the "L".
Back to Amazins' Starter Jon Niese he allowed three runs on six hits through six striking out four as Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna led the Fish collecting two hist apiece. The Mets move to 35-41 just five games back of the NL East leading Nats while the Fish fall 37-38 just 2.5 games back in the NBL East as they are under .500 for the first time since late April.
The Baltimore Orioles jumped all over Yanks Starter Vidal Nuno greeting him with that Dugout call of "Going Yard" as the O's send four souvenirs to the Yankees Faithful. "Adam Bombs" Jones got the HR Parade started by taking Nuno Yard in Inning One to make it 1-0 O's. Then in the 4th wit the score still 1-0 O's Nelson Cruz greets him with a Two-Run Tater to make it 3-0 O's as all this O's Nonsense was going on on Tino Martinez Day for the Bombers. The Bombers get one back in the bottom half of the 4th with a Mark Teixeira Solo Bomb to make it 3-1 O's.
As we moves to the 5th it was O's First Baseman Steve Pearce taking Nuno deep for another Two-Run Blast to make it 5-1 O's and that would be all for Nuno. His Tab gets three of the four bombs on it as he goes 6 1/3 innings giving up five runs on six hits. J.J. Hardy ends the O's HR Onslaught in the 8th with a Solo Shot as the final was 6-1 O's. The O's Bud Norris gets the "W" going five and giving up a run on three hits.
The O's move to 38-35 as the Yanks fall to 39-34 as they both chase the Blue Birds of Toronto in AL East Business...Congrats to Yanks First Baseman Tino Martinez well-deserved #24 in Pinstripes!
The Chicago White Sox are now dba "Team Peaks and Valleys" as they have been on some sort of Roller Coaster of late. Last weekend they get swept by the visiting Royals in three only to beat the Gigantes in two straight before they left the "Cell". Now they are on the verge of getting swept in four in the Twin Cities to the Twinkies of Target Field.
Behind a Three-Run 5th inning in which Twinkies Star Joe Mauer hits a Two-Run Double the Twins turn a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 lead just like that on Pale Hose Starter Andre Rienzo (L 4.1 IP 7 H 4 H 2 BB 3 SO). Those 5th inning issues chased him as the Sox 9th Inning Rally fells short putting one across the dish to make it 4-3 Twinkies and that was your final.
Twinkies Starter Kevin Corriea gets the "W" allowing two runs on five hits through six innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Jose Abreu led the Pale Hose going 2 for 5 with an RBI. The Sox fall to 35-40 as the Twinkies move to 35-38 as that AL Central Battle is packed with all five teams in the mix.
Twinkies Captain Save-A-Game Glen Perkins registers his 19th save...
The game was an Offensive Struggle until the 2nd half when the gates opened for both and unfortunately the Germans might be on the outside looking in. 22-year-old German "Next in Line to the German Soccer Throne" Mario Gotze scores in the 51st minute to put Germany ahead 1-0 as they had to be thinking we must put them away. In the 54th minute Ghana strikes to set their crowd off into a Dane Line behind Andre Ayew to tie the score up at 1-1.
As the pressure mounted Ghana gets a goal from Asamoah Gyan in the 63rd minute as they were dancing in the streets of Ghana. The Germans were not done as Miroslav Klose scored on a tricky deflection operating like he always does at the far post in the 71st Minute to tie the game up again at 2-2. Klose at 36 years-old ties Ronaldo for most World Cup Goals with that game-tying and possibly World Cup 2014 saver for the Germans.
The Germans dominated the ball but Ghana was running on that "Valentine" knowing this could be their last showing until World Cup 2018. Germany now hopes that Portugal can beat the United States or it will be tough sledding from here on out.
As we go to press Group G Standings as of July 21st, 2014
Germany 1Win 1 Draw 0 Loss 4 pts
USA 1 Win 0 Draw 0 Loss 3pts
Ghana 0 Win 1 Draw 1 Loss 1 pt
Portugal 0 Win 1 Loss 0 Draw 0 pts
USA vs Portugal Sunday June 22nd, 2014 at 4:30pm ET
"Monsters at the Dish" is back and running strong at Bluedude Sportstalk for Show Business 2014 as Busters have five seconds to hit an exit. The best of the best in 2014 at getting Ducks in off the Pond or in Baseball Terms your Top Run Producers through June 20th, 2014. The Blue Birds have two in the Top 15 and the Bash Brothers "Clean Version" is back in the Black Hole Swingin' A's Set Up doing what it does. Then of course there is "Miggy of Comerica" the pride of Venezuela Hardball who is a verified and certified "Monster at the Dish" in most categories.
"MONSTERS at the DISH" R.B.I. Leaders through June 20th, 2014
Note: Top 15 with Batting Average in Parenthesis
1. E. Encarnacion #BlueBirds 62 (.266)
2. N. Cruz #CharmCityOs 58 (.300)
3. M. Cabrera #MotorCityKitties 57 (.318)
3. G. Stanton #FightinFish305 57 (.295)
5. J. Donaldson #SwinginAs 55 (.255)
5. B. Moss #SwiningnAs 55 (.259)
7. J. Abreu #SouthSideHitMen 54 (.268)
7. M. Trout #RallyMonkeyHardball 54 (.308)
9. P. Goldschmidt #DBacks 52 (.312)
10. R. Howard #PhightinPhils 50 (.242)
11. Jose Bautista #BlueBirds 49 (.307)
11. Y. Cespedes #SwinginAs 49 (.267)
11. J. Morneau #ROX 49 (.299)
14. V. Martinez #MotorCityKitties 47 (.328)
14. K. Seager #EmeraldCityHardball206 47 (.249)
The Blue Birds lead the AL East behind Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista dba Jose Bats MLB's #1 Twitter Handle...follow him ASAP!
Cruz has been a god send since "Crush" Davis is out the Gate really really slow for 2014....what a pick up!
Miggy doesn't have that lofty Batting Average but when there are Ducks on the Pond he or V-Mart will deliver like "Brown"...
Mr. Stanton has been carrying the Power Load for the Fish 305 as that needs to continue for the NL East Upstarts...
Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss are the new Bash Brothers (Clean Version and no Medicine Cabinet or Illegal Flintstones Business) throw in Cespedes the are the #1 Trio at the Dish for 2014 through June 20th and how about that Swingin' Athletics Business!
Mike Trout what can he not do...find something an email the Bluedude I will be waiting...the "Millville Meteor" is Straight Butta not Margarine and not melting anytime soon!
Abreu has been all of that and bowl of Scattered Smothered Potatoes from "Chicago Chicken and Waffles"...5-Star!
"Goldfinger" dba D-Backs Paul Goldschmidt is it and new Prez Tony LaRussa has to be thinking we need Pieces around our Franchise ASAP!
Ryan Howard quietly leading the Phightin' Phils in Ribbies....Hmmmmmmm!
Morneau has been just what the ROX Doctor ordered as Car-Go has been out and Morneau's Twinkies Teammate Michael Cuddyer has slipped ever so slightly comparing his 2013 Numbers to 2014!
Seager has been making noise as Robbie Cano gets a lot on Ink as does Kid Felix but this Kid is the best kept secrets in the Show...remember that name!
Team Iran had to be thinking getting a tie vs Team Argentina and the great Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona would have been cause for celebration. Instead with the the game going all the way into the 90th minute with no score we would get four minutes of stoppage time but only needing a minute!
In the 90th Minute the Iranian make a huge mistake letting Argentinian Striker Lionel Messi get the ball on the right side just above the box and with a subtle move to his left he left foots a Laser past Iranian Goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi to stop all of Iran and send Argentina Futbol Nation into a Red Bully Piranha Feeding Frenzy! Messi had six shots on net and three of those six had a chance. Now Argentina picks up three more points moving to six points and advancing to the Round of 16.
Team Iran unfortunately has one draw and a loss and will need some help trying to advance. Argentina dominated the ball with a Possession Time of 69% to 31% for Iran. Argentina also had 21 Shots to Iran's 8 with 453 passes to Iran's 90 passes. A lesson to be learned always make sure the Great Ones are covered until the final horn or you may get burned!
Blue Jays Starter Liam Hendriks couldn't get out of the 2nd inning as the Home Team Reds hang a crooked 8 up on the Jays to go up 8-0 after two. The Red Legs get 2 Two-Run Bombs from both Jay Bruce and Devin Mesoraco in that 2nd inning fueling those eight runs. 'Jays Edwin Encarnacion then took Reds Starter Mat Latos deep for a Three-Run HR to make it 8-3 as the Reds still comfortable but knowing the 'Jays could strike on multiple occasions and get back in the game.
The 'Jays come rumbling back in the 6th on an Adam Lind Single and a bases loaded walk to make it 9-5 Red Legs. Latos leaves in the middle of the 6th and is still on the hook for the "W" for the Red Legs. The 'Jays after he left started to terrorize that Red Legs Pen as Brett Lawrie goes Solo Bomb and Juna Francisco goes Two-Run Tater in the 7th to make it 9-8 Red Legs. Then in the 8th Dioner Navarro doubles home Edwin Encarnacion who would strike again in the 9th.
With the score at 9-9 heading into the 9th the Red Legs put 100-MPH Throwing Aroldis Chapman in thinking the 'Jays won't hit him because they can't see him....Horn...Wrong Answer! Erik Kratz singles and Melky Cabrera doubles off Chapman as the 'Jaysb take a 11-9 lead in the 9th chasing Chapman. Then comes the Red Legs Sam LeClure replacing Chapman with both Kratz and Cabrera on facing Encarnacion and the Pitch....Adios Pelota' and who needs Sports Center! Just like that the 'Jays go up 14-9 and win the ball game as that win illustrates two teams going in two entirely different directions.
The Miami Marlins after losing last nights game to the Amazins' bounce right back and stay right on the NL East 1st Place Trail. The Marlins get a Grade A Pitching Performance from Henderson Alvarez and the Marlins Offense does just enough to put the Fish in Friday's Hardball Win Column.
Behind 6 1/3 innings of seven hit Hardball walking no one and striking out five Henderson Alavrez gets his 4th "W" of 2014 versus three defeats. The Marlins touched Mets Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (L 5.1 IP 6 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 SO) in the 1st Inning on a Fielder's Choice to make it 1-0 Marlins. Then game would be 1-0 until the bottom of the 7th when the Fish get some much-needed insurance on an error and a Double by Adeiny Hechavarria to make the score 3-0 Marlins. Marlins Middle Man Kevin Gregg and Mike Dunn have a shaky 8th that allowed the Amazins' to score two to make it 3-2 Marlins. As Steve Cishek (Marlins Captain Save-A-Game) came into the 9th to save Alvarez' Outing and get his 17th save.
The Fish move to 37-36 which is a game out of first place in the NL East behind the Washington Nationals. The Amazins' fall to 33-41 but that is still just 5.5 games out of 1st place in the NL East as well.
