Series Recap: Mets Lose 2 of 3 To Phillies, Drop 3rd Straight Series

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, May 9^th – May 11^th

May 9th	Phillies 3	Mets 2
May 10th	Phillies 5	Mets 4
May 11th	Phillies 4	Mets 5

It was another rough series for the Mets, as the Phillies were able to come into Citi Field and take two of three in the series. Both teams were coming into the series after getting swept in their previous series played. It would have been a second consecutive series on the wrong side of a sweep for the Mets had their offense not bailed them out in the ninth inning on Mother’s Day. A rough May continued for the Mets, as they have lost all three series played, losing eight of 10 games played. Their record now sits at 17-19 on the season, with an uninspiring 9-10 record at home. The Phillies also have a 17-19 record, and are 11-10 on the road. Next up for the Mets is the Subway Series, four games against the New York Yankees

-Positives

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Yankees Falter Late Against the Brewers

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 11th, 2014

New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 5 Brewers 6

On Sunday afternoon the New York Yankees were unable to win the rubber-game of the inter-league series with the Milwaukee Brewers, as they lost on Sunday by a score of 6-5. The loss moves the Yankees to 19-17 on the season, which is 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Yankees Starter David Phelps struggled in his second start of the season, as even with a three-run lead handed to him in the first inning, Phelps got a no decision, as the bullpen let him down in relief. He finished going five innings allowing four runs on eight hits, three walks, and only struck out one batter.

Brewers starter Matt Garza didn’t fair much better on Sunday, as he had a tough first inning but did settle down afterwards. Garza finished going five innings allowing the three runs on six hits, and four walks. Kelly Johnson got the big hit off of Garza in the first, as he hit a ground-rule double to score two runs.

In the sixth inning the Yankees bullpen struggled after Phelps allowed back to back base-hits, as Matt Thornton came in and allowed an RBI single to Jonathon Lucroy. Dellin Betances quickly replaced Thornton, but after a pop-out bunt by Carlos Gomez, Betances gave up two more runs on a double by Logan Schafer, and then a RBI ground-out from Rickie Weeks, who had a nice day at the plate.

The Yankees would rally in the top of the ninth after being down to their final strike with Mark Teixeira at the plate. Teixeira would take Francisco Rodriguez deep to tie the game in the ninth, as it was his seventh homerun of the season, and a clutch hit if their ever was one.

Sadly for the Yankees despite the homerun from Teixeira in the ninth, they would not force extra innings, as Adam Warren couldn’t keep it a tie game in the bottom of the ninth. Warren would allow a double to Weeks, who then advanced to Third Base on a wild pitch. With Weeks on Third, Mark Reynolds was able to single him home to end the game in walk-off fashion and hand Warren his second loss of the season.

Next up for the Yankees will be the start of the Subway Series against the New York Mets on Monday night, as Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 4.43) will be facing off against Bartolo Colon (2-5, 5.36).

Nets Hand the Heat First Loss of Playoffs

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 10th, 2014

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Game 3 Recap

Final Score: Heat 90 Nets 104

In a must win Game 3 at home for the Brooklyn Nets, they were able to avoid the certain series loss if they fell in Game 3 to the Miami Heat. The victory keeps hope alive for the Nets, as they were able to control the defending champs for most of the game with a barrage of three-pointers.

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

As it has been so many times for the Nets in the postseason thus far, it was Joe Johnson who was the Nets best player. In a well balanced scoring attack for the Nets, Johnson led the team with 19 points on seven for 10 shooting, which included five three-pointers made. Johnson continued to do a good job recognizing when to make the pass, as he had six assists.

Positives:

Brooklyn’s bench played a big factor in the Nets victory, as Mirza Teletovic and Andray Blatche were both in double figures off of the bench. Teletovic was one of the main guys in the Nets three-point barrage, as all of his shot were from behind the arc. He went four for seven from deep for 12 points to go along with six rebounds in 19 minutes. Blatche was a monster for the Nets, as he was able to notch a double-double in just 20 minutes. Blatche finished with 15 points on five for 10 shooting with 10 rebounds in what was his best game by far of the series.

The combination of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were both able to have nice efficient, effective games for the Nets in their supporting roles on Saturday. They were both in double figures, as Pierce finished with 14 points on five for 10 shooting, and Garnett was able to add 10 points on five for six shooting.

On defense the Nets did a much better job stopping Ray Allen, who scored 19 points in Game 1 and then 13 points in Game 2. Game 3 however Allen scored just nine points on two for six shooting and missed his only three-point attempt. Alan Anderson and Allen got into a little skirmish in the second half that resulted in double technicals for both players.

Chris Bosh was also held in check by the Nets, as Miami’s third weapon had a quiet Game 3. Bosh finished with just 12 points on five for 11 shooting with just five rebounds, as it was the worst game of the series so far for Bosh, and the Heat clearly missed his production.

Negatives:

Trying to stop the great duo of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James is going to be a difficult task, but with the their supporting cast have bad games for the most part, the Nets were able to survive good games from Wade and James. Wade finished with 20 points on nine for 18 shooting. James scored 16 points in the first quarter, as it looked early like it was going to be a special game from James. He finished with 28 points on eight for 15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Next up for the Nets will be Game 4 in Brooklyn on Monday, as Brooklyn will look to even up the series.

Series Recap: Mets Swept by Marlins

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins

Series Recap, May 5^th-May 7^th

May 5th	Mets 3	Marlins 4
May 6th	Mets 0	Marlins 3
May 7th	Mets 0	Marlins 1

Click here for Game 2 Recap

The New York Mets road trip came to a disastrous end, as they Miami Marlins swept them in the three-game series. The Mets fell under .500 for the first time since April 19^th, losing six of their last seven games as the Marlins pitching staff mowed down the Mets lineup every night. The Mets were unable to get anything going against a Marlins team that has been dominant at home with a 17-5 record. Here are some things to take away from the series.

-Positives

The Mets starting pitchers were able to bounce back after ugly performances against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. All three starters, Jon Niese, Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler, threw quality starts and lasted at least six innings. Niese continues to toss gem after gem for the Mets. Through six starts on the season, Niese owns a 1.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 39.2 innings. He has given up one or less earned runs in four start starts, yet disappointingly, he only has a 2-2 record to show for his efforts.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Mets Blanked By Marlins as Road Trip Struggles Continue

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 6^th, 2014

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins

Post Game Recap

The New York Mets road trip struggles continued again Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins, as they were shut out 3-0. It is the second consecutive loss for the Mets in Miami, who have lost five of their last six games since opening the road trip with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. This was only the fifth time all season that the Mets did not hold a lead at some point in the game. With the loss the Mets fall back to .500 with a record of 16-16. The Marlins run their record to 18-15, with a dominating home record of 16-5.

Tonight the Mets were shutdown by Henderson Alvarez. Alvarez went the distance, tossing a complete game shutout. The Mets did not mount much of a threat offensively all evening, managing only six hits. Alvarez struck out seven over his nine innings as well. Alvarez is the first Marlin since Dontrelle Willis on July 3^rd, 2005 to shut out the Mets.

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Bullpen Walks the Park in Yankees Loss to Angels

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 5^th, 2014

New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Angels

Final Score: Yankees 1 Angels 4

The New York Yankees had the tough task of traveling to the West Coast without getting an off-day, as on Monday the Yankees offense and bullpen looked like they forgot to make the trip to Los Angeles. The loss to the Angels moves the Yankees to percentage points behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East with a (16-15) record.

Getting his first start of the season, David Phelps was very good for the Yankees, even though he didn’t factor in the decision. Phelps went 5.1 innings allowing just one run on three hits and one walk, while throwing 87 pitches. The only problem Phelps had was in the fifth inning, as Ian Stewart was have an RBI ground-out.

Angels Starter Jered Weaver was fantastic against the Yankees, as he shutdown their offense and deserving picked up his third win of the season. Weaver went eight innings allowing just one run one six hits, one walk, and struck out seven batters.

Nets Narrowly Defeat Raptors in Game 7

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 4^th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors Game 7 Recap

Final Score: Nets 104 Raptors 103

In a win or go home Game 7 in a hostile arena in Toronto, the Brooklyn Nets were able to survive the young Raptors for a thrilling Game 7 victory on Sunday. A few missed free throws at the end of the game for the Nets nearly cost them, but a block by Paul Pierce on Kyle Lowry sealed the deal for the Nets, as the advanced to the next round.

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

Easily the best player for the Nets throughout the entire series was Joe Johnson, and Game 7 was no different. Johnson finished with a team-high 26 points on 11 for 25 shooting, with four rebounds, and four assists. The Raptors threw the kitchen sink at Johnson with multiple defenders guarding him and frequent double-teams, but Johnson made the right pass out almost every time, as he could have a lot of hockey assists.

Positives:

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were in different roles in this Game 7 than previous seasons. They both only played 25 minutes, but it was an effective one from both of them. Pierce finished with 10 points on four for 10 shooting, but made the play of the game for the Nets blocking Lowry's shot in the final seconds. Garnett had a very good game, as he was able to notch a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, as it was his first double-double since February 1^st.

Sabathia Struggles Yet Again in Yankees Loss to Rays

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 4^th, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees

Final Score: Rays 5 Yankees 1

In Sunday's finale of the three-game series between the Rays and Yankees, the Yankees were unable to win the rubber game with C.C. Sabathia on the mound against Erik Bedard. The loss moves the Yankees to (16-14) on the season, but they are still atop the ultra tight AL East.

Once again for the Yankees like much of last season, C.C. Sabathia struggled, as their has to be some major concerns brewing about the former ace after a poor start to the season. In already his fourth loss of the season, Sabathia allowed five runs on 10 hits and a walk, as Joe Girardi had to pull him in the fourth inning with things getting out of hand. In 2014, Sabathia has an ERA of 5.75, as what the Yankees hoped would be a bounce back season for Sabathia isn’t looking like that at all.

Rays Starter Erik Bedard shutdown the Yankees offense on Sunday for his first win of the season, as the Yankees offense struggled to get anything going against him. Bedard went six innings allowing just one run on six hits and one walk, while striking out three batters. The Yankees were only able to produce a run in fourth inning, as Yangervis Solarte hit a sac-fly to score Mark Teixeira.