Thursdays (Hopefully this will be the last one with Brett Favre for a while) Quick Hitters

MLB

The Boston Red Sox offense took off again last night. Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis were the only 2 starters not to have an RBI in the game. Ellsbury hit a 3 run blast off Ron Mahay and Jed Lowrie and JD Drew added 2 RBIs apiece to pace the Sox to a 8 – 2 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Jason Giambi and Sidney Ponson sur the Yankees to a 5 – 3 win in Texas. The Yanks also lost newly aquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a knee injury after David Murphy took him out at the plate. In other Yankee news Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15 day DL.

The Tampa Bay Rays used some heroics to stay 3 games up on the Sox in the AL East. Carlos Pena capped a 6 run 9th inning with a 3 run HR to top the Cleveland Indians 10 – 7.

The Chicago Cubs kept a 5 game lead over Milwaukee Brewers by beating the Houston Astros 11 – 4. Alfonso Soriano and Mark DeRosa powered the Cubbies with a 3 run HR and a grand slam respectively.

Rickie Weeks best day of his career at the plate (4 hits) helped the Brew Crew keep pace with the Chicago Cubs, beating Cincinnatti Reds 6 – 3.

Kyle Kendrick pitched a gem last night for the Philadelphia Phillies and Ryan Howard homered to power the Phils over the Florida Marlins 5 – 0. The win opened a 2 1/2 game lead over the Marlins and 3 full games over the Mets in the NL East.

Pedro Martinez and the New York Mets couldn’t hold down the San Diego Padres, losing 4 – 2. Brian Giles and Chase Headley both homered to help power the Pads.

Derek Lowe lasted only 3 1/3 innings allowing 8 runs in that span, getting the loss in St Louis’ win over the LA Dodgers 9 – 6. Albert Pujols and his grand slam help St Louis continue to play wild card killer.

The Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins kept status quo in the tightest divisional race in MLB right now. Minnesota topped Seattle 7 – 3, and the Pale Hose topped the Tigers 5 – 1.

NFL

The Brett Favre saga is over, as previously reported by the Central Maine Sports Blog. The Jets traded a conditional 2009 4th Round pick for Favre. If Favre lights up Broadway, the draft pick could be a 2nd or even a 1st round pick.

That’s it…tomorrow we will get back to reporting real NFL stories.

NBA

The Boston Celtics will raise Banner 17 to the rafters October 28th in front of King James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.

The San Diego Clippers…ooops sorry I’m old….Los Angeles Clippers have acquired Steve Novak from the Houston Rockets.

Greg Oden will finally take an NBA court against the West Champ Los Angeles Lakers.

Tuesday Morning Quickies

MLB

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman questions Manny Ramirez and his tactics to get out of Boston.

The Red Sox tried to stage a late rally, but fell short as Sean Casey lined out to right to end the game. Clay Buchholz falls to 2 – 7 with the loss, Royals win 4 – 3.

Cliff Lee kept the Tampa Bay Rays off the board helping the Indians beat the Rays 5 – 2. The loss keeps the Rays 3 up on the Red Sox.

The Milwaukee Brewers continued their freefall losing to the Reds 6 – 3. The Brewers added a familiar twist to their struggles, by fighting with each other. Losing pitcher Manny Parra left the game and, apparently, Prince Fielder had a few choice words and a couple forearm shoves for the pitcher. The players were separated and calm was restored. The Brew Crew is 5 games back of the Cubs.

Speaking of the Cubs, the Astros won a rain shortened game at Wrigley, 2 – 0 over the Cubs.

The Minnesota Twins missed an opportunity to go 1/2 game up over the White Sox, but losing to the Seattle Mariners 11 – 6. Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam and had 6 RBIs for the Mariners.

The Arizona Diamondbacks moved 1 1/2 games up on the LA Dodgers by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11 – 6. The D-Backs had a season high 18 hits on the way to the rout.

Francisco Rodriguez blew a 4 run lead in the 9th, but the offense bailed him out, as the California Angels used a bottom of the 9th walkoff walk to beat the Baltimore Orioles 6 – 5.

The New York Yankees seem to be battling the injury bug again. Joba Chamberlain had to leave the game with what is described as “stiffness” in his sholder. Mariano Rivera was, for the 2nd night in a row, unavailable to close and this time it really hurt. The Texas Rangers Marlon Byrd hit a game winning, bottom of the 9th 2 out grand slam to beat the Yankees 9 – 5.

NFL

The Green Bay Packers canceled a late night press conference, as Brett Favre meets with team brass.

Ken Lucas trying to be the bigger man in Panthers camp.

Commissioner Gordon…I mean Goodell (sorry leftovers from The Dark Knight) decides the Vikings did not tamper with Brett Favre.

New York Giants back Ahmad Bradshaw speaks out at camp about his new jail sentance.

New England Patriots rookie becoming a jack of all trades.

NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed restricted free agent Louis Williams.

Kwame Brown officially signs with the Detroit Pistons.

The Cleveland Cavaliers added depth to their backcourt by signing Tarence Kinsey.

Saturday Morning Quick Hitters

Greetings once again from the Great White North…Take Off You Hoser!

The Edmonton Eskimos out dueled Portland native Quinton Porter’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats 19 – 13. This game was delayed for close to a 1/2 hour when Edmonton WR Jason Tucker collided violently with HTC DB Jykine Bradley. Tucker was placed on a back board and had all limbs secured. Thankfully, late Friday Night Hamilton reported Tucker had full range of motion with no loss of sensations. This game was exactly the kind of game critics love in the CFL, lots of confusion, little execution and a terrible game all around.

On the other hand, you have Montreal Allouttes vs the British Columbia Lions. This game could have been played in the NFL, a very entertaining game. Jarious Jackson alert!!! The former Notre Dame standout is having quite a season for himself in Canada. Jackson went 22 – 41 for 319 and 1 TD. Jacskson had a Brady-esq last minute drive to put his team in position for a last second field goal. BC Lions win 36 – 34.

Listening to WFAN in New York last night and this morning, you would think the Yankees just won the World Series. Apparently, Yankees fans thought the game was 18 -0. Apparently they missed Josh Beckett regain some form of his last year champ self. Apparently Joba Chamberlain is Jesus Christ himself, that may be a little harsh, but oh well. Joba pitched outstanding, holding the Sox to 3 hits in his 7 innings, helping the Yanks to a 1 – 0 win against the Sox. This was not a boring game. Joba vs Youk is on again. Joba, inexplicably again, threw at Youkilis’ oversized melon. MLB will probably look the other way on that one. And with some help from the home plate ump, Mariano Rivera got his 26th save. In other Yankee news, Brian Cashman might have pulled off the best deal of the summer, previously reported by Matty.

Bobby Howry gives up another late inning HR to sink the Cubbies. Jeremy Hermida blasted a 9th inning HR, quieting a monster crowd at Wrigley. Florida wins 3 – 2, and don’t look now, the Marlins are only 2 games back of the Mets.

Sorry Matty, the Phils are in a free fall. Brian McCann homered twice and Jair Jurrjens pitched an 8 inning gem to beat the Phillies 8 – 2, bringing Philadelphia to an 2 – 5 record since the All Star break. The loss drops the Phils to 6 1/2 games back of the Mets.

The Mets helped the Cardinals along in their post All Star slump as well, beating the Cards 7 – 2. Mike Pelfrey looks unreal in winning his 7th straight decision. The Mets are finally playing like the team everyone thought they would be. Carlos Delgado homered, Endy Chavez went 4 – 4 and Jose Reyes had a 2 run triple.

The Tampa Bay Rays finally broke their 7 game road losing streak beating the KC Royals 5 – 3. Carlos Pena had a homer and a hit to drive the offense and Troy Percival nailed it down in the 9th for his 21st save.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched another gem, helping the Astros defeat the Brewers 3 – 1. The Brewers missed an opportunty, combined with the Cardinals loss, to tie for 1st place in the division.

Brett Favre may be coming to the AFC East! Chris Mortensen reports that Favre has been given permission to talk to the Jets and the Bucs about possible trades.

Looks like Terry Glenn’s time in Dallas is over. Dallas plans to waive her today.

YAWN!!!! Team USA beats Canada in a prelim game for the Olympics.