Double header plus and a no-no

By Dan Rodgers

Today, April 17, happened to be a very special day in baseball.

Colorado Rockies @ Atlanta Braves

Colorado Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history, recording a 4-0 win in Atlanta against the Braves. Jimenez walked six batters in the no-no, all of which happened in the first five innings. He also struck out seven in the historic outing.

Troy Tulowitzki sacrificed in a run in the first. Jimenez then helped his own cause by singling in a run in the fourth. This was followed by a two-run double by lead-off man Carlos Gonzalez. From then on, the game was just smooth sailing.

News York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals

However, another incredible game on this day, was a 20-inning game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals. This is easily the longest game I have ever seen before in person or on television.

The scoring didn't get started until inning number 19. Jeff Francoeur hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning, and that is all the Mets could manage with the bases loaded and only one out. In the bottom of the inning, Ryan Ludwick walked, but was caught stealing on what looked to be a hit-and-run with Albert Pujols at the plate. Then, with a 1-2 count, Pujols doubled to left. Kyle Lohse, a pitcher playing left field, grounded out to short stop advancing Big Al to third. Yadier Molina hit a line drive just over the glove of Luis Castillo to tie the game.

Unfortunately for the Cards, in inning 20 Angel Pagan singled and then Mike Jacobs singled to send Pagan to third. Jose Reyes hit a sac-fly to give the Mets the lead. In the bottom of the inning, after two consecutive outs, the Cards made it interesting with a single and a walk. However, then Ludwick grounded out to end the game. Unbelievably crazy game in which: Mets closer K-Rod got the win, starter Mike Pelfry got the save, and Cards back-up center fielder Joe Mather got the loss.

In this game:

• Cards utility-man Felipe Lopez pitched a scoreless inning
• First time since 2002, a no-hitter and a 20 inning game in the same night (I'd bet it won't happen again for a really long time)
• Met 3-4-5 hitters went 1-20
• Six Mets and five Cards played the whole game
• 19 pitchers were used
• Over 650 pitches were thrown
  

Well, let me tell you that it is only April and baseball is already treating us to some special moments...gotta love it, enjoy the rest of the season

Rodgers That

Best time of the year...for some

By Scott Antoszewski

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun!

The last series of the first round starts tonight as the Nashville Predators head to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks. The story of the playoffs so far, granted it’s only been 3 days, has been the lack of home ice advantage. The home team has lost four out of the seven games played so far. Phoenix, Vancouver, and Buffalo are the only home teams to win. I loved seeing the whiteout in the desert. I find it interesting how people make such a big deal out of getting home ice for the playoffs, and every year it ends up meaning crap. The Capitals lost games one and two on home ice against the Rangers during last year’s first round. Carolina spanked Boston on home ice twice during last year’s second round. I don’t think it matters where the game is played; the better team is usually going to end up winning. I’ll have more playoff comments next week, after the series are a little bit further along.

In other news, the Tampa Bay Lightning have fired head coach Rick Tocchet and all his staff, as well as General Manager Brian Lawton. The new ownership in Tampa wants a fresh start for next year. They will be picking sixth in the draft, so they should be able to get another quality prospect, possibly an NHL ready player.

The New York Rangers have agreed to extend HC John Tortorella contract for one more season. The Rangers missed the playoffs by a single point this year. It’s going to be tough for them to make a lot of moves in the off season due to the overpaid and undervalued vets that are on the team. It will be interesting to see what they do for next year.

The Edmonton Oilers won the NHL draft lottery this week. They finished with the worst record in the league AND won the lottery so they will be picking first. The Boston Bruins got Toronto’s first round pick for Phil Kessel earlier in the year, and their number came up second. The Florida Panthers pick third, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

There are playoff games basically every night for the next week, so enjoy the games!

NHL playoffs underway

By Dan Rodgers

The first games of the first round of the NHL playoffs have been rather interesting:

• (8) Montreal stunned (1) Washington in OT to take a 1-0 series lead against the best team in the NHL
• (7) Philadelphia beat Marty Brodeur and the (2) New Jersey Devils to switch the home ice advantage
• (1) San Jose continues to struggle in the playoffs, dropping the opener to (8) Colorado
• (5) Ottawa upset the defending champion (4) Penguins in game one

Hopefully, the rest of round one games will be as interesting as these. Nothing better than the underdogs coming through. Both one seeds going down would be extremely interesting. Best of luck to everyone...

Rodgers That

Another big name WR on the move

By Dan Rodgers

For the second consecutive summer the Denver Broncos have traded away one of their best players. They shipped WR Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins for a second-round pick in this years draft and next years draft. Are you kidding me? Marshall is worth so much and the Broncos nearly gave him away for two good OLBs? Two second round picks for one of the best receivers in the game. He is only 26 by the way! Ah!

I am clearly unhappy because I think Marshall is an absolute monster and now he is playing for, pending a physical, a division rival of mine. Once again, Revis to the rescue...hopefully. I can only hope that Marshall gets lost on Revis Island like the other top receivers in the game. That doesn't change the fact that he is a game changer and someone who you have to plan around.

The reason I don't like this move, from an unbiased standpoint, is because Miami is not a big passing team. They have shown they can be successful with a short/middle passing game and an extremely effective running game.

We will see what happens but now Revis' schedule, along with the Jets, just got a whole lot more difficult. Marshall is expected to sign one of the most lucrative wide receiver contracts in NFL history. Check back later for any updates.

Rodgers That

Holmes to the Jets?

By Dan Rodgers

Okay, now this is definitely a confusing one on me. It has been reported that the Jets have traded a fifth round pick in this year's NFL Draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers in return for troubled receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP, has great talent but has had some run-ins with the law. He has tested positive for marijuana, and was also accused for throwing a glass at a woman's head at a night club.

Personally, a former Super Bowl MVP for a fifth round pick is an absolute steal. Holmes, I believe, is already suspended for the first four games of the season due to violating the susbstance abuse policy. If Holmes doesn't go to prison for whatever reason and puts up good numbers this is a phenomenal trade for New York. On the other hand, Pittsburgh is just cutting their losses and getting whatever they can? I don't know. What I do know, is that this is a chance I would be willing to take.

The Jets now have a ridiculously talented receiving corps in Jerricho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards, and Holmes. Cotchery is the only one without off-the-field issues and he is now probably going to be put in the slot. Mark Sanchez now has plenty of targets to throw to including Dustin Keller. Don't expect outrageous numbers though because Sanchez is still only a second year player with a second year head coach. I would definitely expect some sort of improvement though. Gotta love Gang Green.

Rodgers That

Poetic justice

By Scott Antoszewski

Matt Cooke finally got what was coming to him last night. Rookie Evander Kane knocked Cooke out cold with one resounding punch. Cooke was looking for a fight and Kane, whose parents named him after Evander Holyfield, was more than willing to oblige.

Remember back a month or so when Matt Cooke knocked Boston Bruins sniper Marc Savard out cold with a dirty hit to the head. Cooke was not suspended because he there was no rule about hitting to the head at the time. I don’t think Kane was thinking about avenging for Savard when he took the fight, in fact I’m sure that was the last thing on his mind. The fight was one of those rare occurrences where there wasn’t a lot of hugging, clutching and grabbing.

The video is available pretty much everywhere on the internet, search for Cooke vs. Kane on YouTube if you would like to see it. It was nice to see Cooke skate off on his own power. Maybe he will think about how it feels to wake up on the nice the next time he decides to hit someone in the head. Way to go Evander!