Thursday Morning Quick Hitters

Little Dusty does it again. Dustin Pedroia homered in the 7th to start the 4 run rally and newly acquired Mark Kotsay had a triple to drive home runs in the 5 – 4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Lil Dusty is hitting an astounding .618 in his last 8 games.

The New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays once again in Tampa 8 – 4. A HR by A-Rod was the 1st time that video replay was used in MLB History. The Rays are only 3 games up on the Red Sox in the AL East.

The Minnesota Twins lost a game in the AL Central race and the Wild Card race, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 5 – 4 in 11 innings.

The Chicago White Sox avoided a sweep by the Cleveland Indians, beating the Tribe 4 – 2.

The New York Mets finished off a sweep of NL Wild Card leader Milwaukee Brewers 9 – 2.

The Chicago Cubs lost their season longest 5th game in a row, bowing to the Astros 8 – 0. Houston has won 8 in a row and now are 6 games back in the Wild Card race.

Adam Dunn drives the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4 – 3 win over the St Louis Cardinals.

The LA Dodgers stay 1 1/2 game behind the D-Backs with a 6 – 4 win over the San Diego Padres.

THE NFL SEASON OPENS TONIGHT! Sorry, that deserved all caps.

And the Rudi Johnson era begins with weirdness in Detroit.

Baltimore Ravens starting QB, Kyle Boller, out for season.

Tom Brady Sr discusses Juniors injury.

The New York Jets players elect Brett Favre a captain.

Carolina Panthers backup QB Matt Moore breaks leg.

It’s official, Oklahoma City Thunder. Steve Martin is VERY happy!

ESPN’s Marc Stein reports GSW Monta Ellis may have some ‘splainin to do.

Thursday Morning Quick Hits

MLB

The Red Sox put another nail into the Yankees coffin last night.

Hank Steinbrenner is not impressed.

The White Sox got rundown by Orioles magic…

Denard Span saved the Twins, and helped the Twins gain a game.

The Mets bounced back against the Phillies.

The Cubs finished off the Bucs. Craig Hansen was shipped to the minors.

NFL

Ahman Green took a pay cut to stay with Houston.

Good news for one of my fantasy teams (not the case in real life), Peyton Manning looks good so far.

Sports Illustrated will have 6 regional covers for the NFL preview, who do you think gets the nod in the northeast?

NBA

With the injury to Monta Ellis, Marcus Williams will get a chance to run the point for GSW Hoops.

NCAAF

College football starts tonight. My wife is less than thrilled.

A Maple Leaf Edition of Friday Quick Hitters

Greetings from Canada

Boise State’s Ryan Dinwiddie lead a late charge, and connected with a 35 yrd TD pass to Rombe Bryant with 12 seconds left to beat the Calgary Stampeders 32 – 28. Thursday Night Football, YEAH, followed by a Friday Night double header.

I could get used to saying Jim Sorgi. Payton Manning and his bursa sac are still laid up. It may be as long as 6 weeks before he is ready to play. Somehow, I don’t feel very bad.

Apparently this is the week of fights. The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs Single A affiliates squared off in a melee that resulted in 17 ejections. Now all we need is a battle royal in The MLS.

The Golden State Warriors re-signed Monta Ellis to a 6 year, 66 Million Dollar deal. Ellis is expected to run the offense the way Don Nelson wants.

Is there any chance that MLB does the right thing and chooses Mark Cuban as the next owner of the Chicago Cubs? Can you imagine Chicago with Jerry Reinsdorf and Mark Cuban? I’m guessing Bud Selig and the owners will never allow it to happen, but it sure would be fun.

MLB Roundup

Ryan Braun went 4 – 4 with a 9th inning home run to cap a sweep of the St Louis Cardinals, 4 – 3. The Brewers have won 8 straight, 7 straight on the road, to move within 1 game of division leading Chicago Cubs.

The NY Mets regained a 1 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, winning 3 – 1. Carlos Delgado hit a 2 run double off JC Romero in the 8th to break the 1 – 1 tie.

Tampa Bay continues its road woes, losing their 7th straight on the road, to the Royals 4 – 2. The Tampa loss pulls the Red Sox back to even with Tampa Bay atop the AL East.

And Finally…

The WNBA tries to put the brawl behind them…by signing a 50 yr old Nancy Lieberman. The Detroit Shock signed Lieberman to a 1 game contract to help divert the PR nightmare the brawl has been. The Old Dominion star was the youngest women to ever win a medal at the Olympics, winning Silver in the 76 games.