Yankees Defeat Rays, But Lose Granderson Again

espn.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 24^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays

Final Score: Yankees 9 Rays 4

The New York Yankees were able to start their weekend series in Tropicana Field with a win Friday night over the Tampa Bay Rays behind a good offensive performance. The win moves the Yankees to (29-18) on the season, and they are still one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees Starter David Phelps has seemed to gain a stranglehold on the fifth spot in the rotation, as he picked up his third win of the season on Friday night. Phelps was cruising in the game until the sixth inning, but with an eight run lead the game was never in jeopardy for Phelps. He finished the game going 7.2 innings allowing four runs on on six hits, with three strikeouts. Ivan Nova was back with the Yankees, but instead of getting the start was sitting in the bullpen, so it would appear that Joe Girardi will be sticking with Phelps for the foreseeable future.

Kuroda Leaves Early as Yankees Fall to Orioles

northjersey.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 22nd, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 3 Orioles 6

The New York Yankees lost the rubber game of the series to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, as Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda was forced to leave the game early. The loss moves the Yankees to (28-18) on the season, and they still hold a lead in the AL East.

Kuroda got the start for the Yankees, and was their best pitcher thus far this season, but on Wednesday he was forced to leave the game early with a calf injury. Kuroda was hit hard before he had to leave the game in the third inning, as he gave up two homeruns to Nick Markakis and Chris Davis in the first inning. Kuroda’s final line was two innings pitched, while allowing five runs on eight hits.

Knicks Bring Home All-NBA Honors

www.playersview.net

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The NBA Awards season is among us and the Knicks are a team that figured to have plenty of players mentioned.  J.R. Smith started it off by bringing home the Sixth Man of the Year Award, which Mike Woodson receiving votes for Coach of the Year and Glen Grunwald receiving votes for executive of the year.

Carmelo Anthony added another distinction in being named to All-NBA Second Team along with Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why the Knicks Struggled Against the Pacers

www.aparataje.com

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

With the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat starting their Eastern Conference Finals series tonight, it is finally set in that the Knicks have been eliminated from the playoffs.  It was a rough series against the Pacers as they struggled on both sides of the court for most of the six games and were eliminated by a team that looked like they wanted it more.  Here are some things as to why the Knicks fell to the Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

-Rebounding

Orioles Defeat Yankees in Extra-Innings Rematch

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 21st, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Orioles 3

The New York Yankees after an extra-innings win against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday suffered an extra-innings loss on Tuesday to the Orioles in 10 innings. The loss snaps a seven-game winning streak against AL East opponents, and moves the Yankees to (28-17) on the year.

Phil Hughes, after the worst start of his career bounced back nicely against the good offense of the Orioles, but his efforts only earned him a no-decision. Hughes went six innings allowing on two runs on five hits, with two walks, and five strikeouts. Hughes’ former teammate Chris Dickerson was a real thorn in his side, as Dickerson hit two solo-homeruns in the third and fifth innings off Hughes.

Yankees Pull Out Extra Innings Win Against Orioles

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 20^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles

Final Score: Yankees 6 Orioles 4

The New York Yankees were able to pull out a victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in what was a back and forth game that took extra innings to decide a winner. The extra innings win moves the Yankees to (28-16) on the season with a nice 1.5 game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Once again Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia looked far from his normal ace form, and with his velocity down, Sabathia may no longer be the pitcher were use to seeing. Sabathia went 6.1 innings allowing four runs on 11 hits, and only had two strikeouts. It is Sabathia's second straight start that he has allowed double-digit hits, which is the first time that he has done that in his career, and he blew Yankees leads twice in the game, something that aces are not suppose to do.

Week 7 MLB Power Rankings

dallas.culturemap.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

MLB Power Rankings Week 7

1.) Texas Rangers (29-15) - The Rangers are back in the number one spot in the rankings after a great week of baseball. They won five games this week, which included taking three out of four against the Tigers to finish the week.

2.) St Louis Cardinals (28-15) - The Cardinals are still playing good baseball and have the best record in the National League. The pitching has been magnificent for the Cardinals all season, but Jaime Garcia is heading to the DL.

3.) New York Yankees (27-16) - The Yankees continue to find ways to win in large part due to their pitching staff. They got Curtis Granderson back in the lineup this week, but lost Andy Pettitte to a back injury, which is sending him to the DL.

Week in Review with Kenny and Nick: May 19th, 2013

This week on the Week in Review with Kenny (@teapester725) and Nick (@ziggy26x) on the Bob Sullivan Show (@BobSullivanShow) everyone's favorite radio hosts discuss the Knicks and their exit from the playoffs, giving some insight to the struggles in the playoffs and possible moves in the offseason with a little bit of player evaluations as well.  They also discuss the rest of the NBA playoffs and dabble in some baseball talk, discussing the current standings and some surprises in the first couple of weeks of the season.  Also a little talk about the world of baseball, like stadiums and the economic landscape.  Nick also gets recognition for yet another week he wins some awards.  Listen in and follow the link for another packed show that will keep you entertained.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-bob-sullivan-show/2013/05/19/week-in-review-with-kenny-and-nick

Knicks Season Ends in Game 6 Loss to Pacers

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, May 18^th, 2013

Game 6 Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 99 Indiana Pacers: 106

The Knicks season has come to an end with a loss in Game 6 against the Pacers Saturday night, ending what was their best season in a long time.  It was a tough ending to the season as there were high expectations for the Knicks coming into the season but they did improve upon their prior season for the third consecutive year, so hopefully they will build upon this one next season.  For tonight the effort was just not there consistently enough as it could have easily been a blowout in the Pacers favor if not for a big night from Carmelo Anthony and an inspired stretch in the third quarter when the Knicks got hot.  Questionable coaching decision by head coach Mike Woodson and some interesting calls for the referees were too much for the Knicks to overcome on the court as their season game to a disappointing end in Indiana.   The Knicks will start their offseason program while the Pacers will move onto the Eastern Conference Finals to take on the Miami Heat.

-Positives