Yankees Unable to Sweep Blue Jays in Toronto

sbnation.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 21st, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 4 Blue Jays 8

The New York Yankees were unable to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, but they took two out of three games against them. The Yankees have been rolling despite the loss on Sunday, as they have won two out of three games in their last three series, and that has gotten them a record of (10-7) after the bad first week.

Yankees Starter Ivan Nova’s tough beginning to the season didn’t get any easier in Toronto, as he once again didn’t pitch well, but on the bright side for Nova he didn’t get a loss just a no-decision. Nova went only five innings allowing four runs on seven hits, and four walks. Pitch count was once again a problem for Nova, as he threw a whopping 32 pitches in the first inning, and after that it was clear he wasn’t going to make it very deep into the game.

Nova wasn’t the only Yankees pitcher who struggled in this one, as David Phelps had a rough appearance out of the bullpen. Phelps went the final three innings for the Yankees, but allowed three runs on three hits, and two walks. Phelps ERA is at 6.23 so far this season, which is about three points higher than he finished last year. For Phelps the big mistake came in the seventh inning, when Blue Jays Catcher J.P Arencibia hit a two-run homerun for his seventh homerun already this season.

The Yankees offense was started by backup Catcher Chris Stewart, who for being a defensive Catcher is hitting the ball very well to start the season. Stewart hit a solo homerun in the third inning, which was his first homerun since July 28th of last season. He finished the game going two for three at the plate, and is now hitting .353 on the season.

The top of the order for the Yankees was great in this game, but despite the top three hitters all having multi-hit games they only combined for one run scored. Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano, and Vernon Wells all had two hits, but only Cano was able to touch home plate. Wells capped off a great series in Toronto going seven for 15 at the plate, and got a ton of boos from his former home crowd.

The main reason for the Yankees top of the order not scoring in this game was that Travis Hafner really struggled with runners in scoring position. Hafner went zero for three at the plate with RISP, and the Yankees in as a whole went 1 for 12, which just won’t get the job done.

Next up for the Yankees will be a trip down to Tampa Bay to play the Rays, as C.C Sabathia (3-1, 2.57 ERA) will be facing Matt Moore (3-0, 1.00 ERA) in what should be a good pitchers duel.

Nets Win First Playoff Game in Brooklyn Over Bulls

espn.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 20th, 2013

Game One Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Bulls 89 Nets 106

The Brooklyn Nets were able to take game one of the series with the Bulls in convincing fashion at the Barclays Center. Brooklyn fans came out for the “Brooklyn Blackout”, and gave the building a good playoff atmosphere in the win. Next game for Brooklyn will be on Monday night, and Joakim Noah who suited up for the Bulls on Saturday night but only played 13 minutes is expected to play in Game Two.

Positives:

- As its been for most of the second half of the season the Nets were led by Point Guard Deron Williams in the Game One win. Williams finished with a team-high 22 points on nine for 15 shooting, which included going two for three from behind the three-point line. Williams also added seven assists, and three steals to round up what was a very good first Playoff game on the Nets.

Yankees Beat Blue Jays in Extra Innings

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 20th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 5 Blue Jays 3

The New York Yankees were able to pick up their second straight win in Toronto against the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon despite blowing a lead late in the game, which caused the Yankees to have to get the win extra innings.

Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda was fantastic for the second straight start, but the bullpen blew what should have been a win for Kuroda. Kuroda went 7.1 innings only allowing one run on three hits, one walk, and was able to strikeout seven batters. Kuroda didn’t allow a run until the eighth inning, as his good start to the season has given Kuroda a great (2.35 ERA) in April so far.

David Robertson came in the game in the eighth inning, but was unable to get the job done for the Yankees. Robertson entered the game with a two run lead, but he gave up that lead on two hits, and a walk. Robertson was forced to throw 31 pitches in his appearance, which would make it seem likely that he will not be available for Yankees on Sunday.

Mariano Rivera got to get his save opportunity a little later than the Yankees would have hoped, but he did get the job done. Rivera’s good start to the season continued, as he picked up his fifth save in five chances with ease in the 11th inning.

The Yankees offense was lead by former Blue Jay Vernon Wells, who has raked against his former team in the first two games of the series. On Saturday Wells got the Yankees on the board with a solo-homerun that hit the foul pole in Left Field. For Wells it was his fifth homerun of the season, and he finished the game going three for five with two runs scored. The last two games have been great for Wells, as he’s gone five for nine, with two homeruns, three RBIs, and four runs scored.

Kevin Youkilis got the Yankees a comfortable lead in the fifth inning with the bases loaded, as he was able to rip a line drive that seemed to go thru Blue Jays Third Baseman Brett Lawrie, and two runs scored. Youkilis didn’t come back into the game however, as apparently his back stiffened up on him, and he was replaced at First Base by Lyle Overbay.

The Yankees got a bit lucky to get the two go ahead runs, as Blue Jays Reliever Aaron Loup threw the ball into Left Field instead of taking the sure out at First Base after a sacrifice bunt by Ichiro.

The Yankees will be thinking sweep on Sunday against the Blue Jays, as Ivan Nova (1-1, 5.59 ERA) will be facing Josh Johnson (0-1, 6.91 ERA).

Defense Leads Knicks to Game 1 Victory over Celtics

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, April 20^th, 2013

Game 1 Post Game Recap

Final Score: Boston Celtics: 78 New York Knicks: 85

It was a tale of two halves this afternoon between the Knicks and Celtics as decently paced, high scoring first half turned into a drag-em out physical game in the second half.  The second half was a flashback for Knicks fans who have been relating this team to the 90’s Knicks as both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket as defense became the name of the game.  This was a game the Knicks needed to have to maintain home court advantage in the series and to not give the Celtics any momentum.  The next game in the series will be Tuesday night at 8 P.M. ET in Madison Square Garden.

-Positives

W2W4: Chicago Bulls vs Brooklyn Nets Series Preview

www.nba.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

NBA Playoffs Round One 

Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Series Preview

The Brooklyn Nets will be hosting the Chicago Bulls at the Barclays Center for Game One of the first round Eastern Conference Playoffs on Saturday at 8pm, and there will be a lot of things to keep and eye on.

- The major question coming into this series has been the one the Bulls have had for the last two months or so, will Derrick Rose play? The Bulls star Point Guard has been cleared to play and has been working out before games, but has yet to step on to the court. If Rose decides to suit up for the playoffs it would be hard to say how effective he’d be or how long he could even play, but there would be no doubt it would be a huge boost to a Bulls team that has been ravaged by injuries this season. 

W2W4 Series Preview: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

knickswag.com

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

After a 19-year wait the Knicks once again sit atop the Atlantic Division as champions, fitting that their first round matchup will be against the Boston Celtics, winners of the past four Atlantic Division crowns before this season.  This will be one of the more entertaining first round series of the NBA Playoffs this season as the rivals thoroughly dislike each other and there will be even more emotions after the tragedy in Boston Monday afternoon.  Here are some things to keep an eye on for throughout the series:

-Which Melo Shows Up?

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Matchup Breakdown

knickswag.com

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

For the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting this weekend the New York Knicks will be taking on the Boston Celtics.  Matchups will play a big part in this series as both teams have differing styles and dealing with injuries to main players.  Here is a rundown of the matchups for the series and which team holds the edge.

Yankees Fall in Extra Innings to Dbacks

bigstory.ap.org

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 18th, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees

Final Score: Diamondbacks 6 Yankees 2

The New York Yankees were unable to complete the sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. The Yankees loss snaps their three-game winning streak, but they were able to take two out of three games against the Diamondbacks, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Yankees Starter Phil Hughes, who gave up a combined eight earned runs in his first two starts of the season, looked much better on Thursday, as he comes back from his neck injury. Hughes in the no-decision went seven innings only allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out six batters. The long ball, which plagued Hughes last season seems like it will always be a problem for Hughes in Yankees Stadium. He is a fly ball pitcher, and he gave up two on Thursday to Didi Gregorious and Martin Prado, but on the bright side they were both just solo shots.