Thursday Morning Quick Hitters

The Boston Red Sox used their young guns to take a game from the California Angels in Anaheim. Jacoby Ellsbury had 3 hits and was a force on the basepaths and Jon Lester pitched 7 very strong innings to bring the Sox post season win streak against the Angels to 10 games. Jason Bay broke the ice for the Red Sox with a 2 run HR off John Lackey. The Sox take a 1 – 0 series lead with the 4 – 1 win.

The 1st game of the day show just how playoff ready the Philadelphia Phillies are. Cole Hamels pitched 8 innings of 2 hit ball and Brad Lidge scared the hell out of every Phillies fan in the 9th, but he closes it out and gives the Phillies a 3 – 1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Phillies take a 1 – 0 series lead.

Ryan Dempster couldn’t find the plate and it finally cost him in the 5th inning as James Loney hit a grand slam propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7 – 2 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs took an early lead on a 2 run HR by Mark DeRosa, but the Dodgers were too strong for the Cubbies at Wrigley.

Bill Belichick denies yet another unfounded accusation from crazy man Al Davis.

Former Buffalo Bill and Denver Bronco Travis Henry arrested on cocaine trafficking.

Boise St reminded everyone they still exist last night with a blowout of LA Tech.

Tuesday Morning Quick Hitters

The San Diego Chargers got their 1st win of the season against the NYJ 48 – 29.

Green Bay’s Al Harris may have a torn spleen.

The ever popular sports hernia get another player, this time Jeremy Shockey.

The Boston Red Sox had to put off their celebration for another night, losing to the Cleveland Indians 4 – 3. The Sox magic number is still 1 and with Tampa Bay’s 4 – 2 win over the Orioles they are 2 1/2 games back in the AL East. The Red Sox are 7 games up on Minnesota in the Wild Card.

The Philadelphia Phillies increased their lead over the New York Mets on Monday. The Phillies beat up on the Atlanta Braves 6 – 2. The New York Mets lost to the Chicago Cubs at Shea 9 – 5. The Chicago Cubs clintched the NL Central. Philadelphia leads the NY Mets by 2 1/2 games in the NL East and the Mets lead the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card race by 1 game.

The Arizona Diamondbacks gain 1/2 game on the Dodgers in the NL West by beating the St Louis Cardinals 4 – 2. The D-Backs are now 2 games behind the Dodgers.

USC’s top DB Shareece Wright might be lost for “weeks”

Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron is back on the ice for the 1st time since he took the cheap shot hit from the thug of the Phialdelphia Flyers. The Bruins beat the Canadiens 8 – 3.

Sunday Morning Quick Hits

Michael Phelps finished these Beijing Olympics the way he started, with Gold in World Record time. Phelps is now the single most decorated American in 1 Olympic year, besting Mark Spitz’s 1972 Munich performance of 7. Phelps won his 8th, swimming the Butterfly 3rd leg to help the USA get the Gold with a time of 3.29.34.

Tyson Gay fails to qualify for final, his cousin Randall and Uncle Ben are crushed….

Dana Torres get her last medal of these Olympics, winning silver in the 4×100 Relay.

Roy Halladay pitched a complete game 4 -1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Halladay was spectacular at times, spoiling the Red Sox debut FOD…Friend Of Dentist…Paul Byrd. The Sox missed a golden opportunity to gain a game on the Tampa Bay Rays.

There is another blogger that lends credence to the V-tek conspiracy, and offers reasons why (thanks to WEEI’s internet stream for that)
The Tampa Rays were shut out by the Texas Rangers…WHAT?!? I say, I say, I say…….The Texas Rangers shut out AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays 3 – 0.

The ho-hum New York Yankees squeaked out a win against the Royals 3 – 2. Maybe they can consider it a moral victory…

The Seattle Mariners scored 6 runs in the 6th inning, but Joe Mauer comes to the rescue in the 9th, scoring the winning run as the Twins beat the Mariners 7 – 6.

John Danks helps the Chicago White Sox keep pace with the Twins, beating the Oakland A’s 2 – 1.

Pedro Martinez pitched 7 solid innings, helping the Mets to a 7 – 4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets have won 4 in a row and 7 of their last 9. They hold a 2 game lead over the Phillies for 1st place in the NL East.

Kevin Gregg saves game for the Marlins, beating the Chicago Cubs 2 – 1. The Marlins are 3 1/2 back of the Mets.

The Phillies offense continues to make any and all pitching staffs they face look like unhittable, and Kyle Kendrick’s struggles continued in last night’s 8-3 loss to the Padres.

Oh no is it time to push the PANIC BUTTON?!?

Tom Brady will not play in Tampa Sunday night.

Tarvares Jackson injured his knee in the 1st Quarter of Saturday’s game against the Ravens.(reports are that it is just a contusion)

A couple of QBs make their debuts with new teams. Chad Pennington looks good in is 1st game with the Dolphins and Brett Favre started for the New York Jets.

Friday Morning Quickies

MLB

Mike Mussina got his 15th win…yes I did say 15th win, last night, on the way to shutting out the Texas Rangers 3 – 0.

The Tampa Bay Rays heroics may have caught up with them Thursday. The Seattle Mariners Raul Ibanez continued his monster August with a walkoff HR against the Rays. The Mariners won 2 – 1.

The New York Mets David Wright bailed out Scott Shoeneweis in the 9th, by hitting a 2 run walkoff HR to give the Mets a 5 – 3 win over the San Diego Padres. The Mets gained 1 game on the Philadelphia Phillies and are now 2 1/2 games back in the NL East.

The Florida Marlin inch closer to the top of the NL East by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3 – 0. Florida Rookie Chris Volstad pitched 6 shutout innings to bring the Marlins within 1 1/2 games of the Phils in the NL East.

Manny being Manny is apparently better in Dodgertown than it is in Boston. In 6 games with the Dodgers, Manny is 13 – 23 (that .565 folks) 4 homers, and 9 RBIs. He hasn’t had a HR stretch like that this season and only 1 6 game streak with as many RBIs..hmmm….maybe Scott Borus really is the best. Manny helped the Dodgers beat the St Louis Cardinals 4 – 1.

NFL

Quick Scores for Pre-Season : The Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens 15 -16. The Saints beat the Cardinals 24 – 10. The Chiefs beat the Bears 24 -20. The NYJ beat the Browns 24 – 20 and the Detroit Lions beat the Super Bowl Champs (yech!) New York Giants 13 – 10.

Sorry, have to report, Brett Favre meets the press in New York City. In related news, the Jets release Chad Pennington.

Indianapolis Colts camp seems to be missing their little Peyton.

Chicago Bears 1st Round Draft Pick Chris Williams had back surgery yesterday, leaving season in doubt.

Former Patriot Asante Samual will miss The Philadelphia Eagles opening pre-season game wit a hamstring injury.

NBA

The Los Angeles Clippers continue to overhaul their roster by signing White Chocolate, Jason Williams.

Olympic Coverage

As much as NBC would like to pretend it hasn’t happened yet, the Beijing Olympics opened with a glorious fireworks display and ceremony. NBA players Yao Ming and Dirk Nowitzki carried their countries flag in the opening ceremony.

Some Helpful Olympic links

A Great Event Calendar at New York Times

NBC Main Page

NBC TV & Online Schedule.

Portland Press Herald’s Coverage of the Maine participants in the Olympics.

Tuesday Morning Quick Hitters

MLB

The California Angels take game 1 of the 3 games series against the Boston Red Sox 7 – 5. Dice K had set down 8 Angels in a row until the wheels came off in the 6th inning. Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter both homered in the 6th to blow the game open. The Sox attempted a comeback but MLB saves leader Francisco Rodriguez closed it out after allowing a Manny HR. The latest Red Sox Trade Blog is here

Another day, another monster loss by the Atlanta Braves. The St Louis Cardinals gained a game on Milwaukee by beating the Braves 12 – 3. The Braves are taking bids , the leading contender for Mark Teixeira is Arizona.

Speaking of the Brewers, the Brewers lost a hard fought game with NL Central Division Leading Chicago Cubs 6 – 4. CC Sabathia and Ted Lilly both gave up 3 earned runs and didn’t factor in the decision. This game went back and forth until Salomon Torres set the stage for the Cubbies win by walking 2 batters in the 9th. The Brew Crew is now 2 games back of the Cubs.

The NY Yankees train came to a screeching halt again, losing to Orioles Magic crooner Kevin Millar ( 3 – 5, 3 RBIs) 13 – 4. Mike Mussina lasted just 5 innings giving up 6 earned runs as the Orioles rolled.

The AL Central showdown Part 1 was won by the Minnesota Twins. Kevin Slowey pitched a complete game 6 hitter, shutting out the White Sox 7 – 0. Justin Morneau and Denard Span both hit 2 run HRs in the 3rd inning. Span’s HR was his 1st career HR. Minnesota is now 1 1/2 games back of the Pale Hose. Late news that the Twins might still be in hot pursuit to bring back LaTroy Hawkins.

The Florida Marlins continued their trek to 1st place in the NL East, and beat the Mets 7 – 3. The Marlins got good news off the field as well, as former Red Sox farmhand Anibal Sanchez will start on Thursday

The Philadelphia Phillies had the night off, but Pat Gillick reveals Chase Utley injury, which Utley denies. If he played for the Patriots, they would list him as questionable, then just start him every game.

The NL West keeps the status quo, Arizona over the Dodgers by 1 game, as the Giants beat the Dodgers 7-6 and the DBacks lose to the Padres 8 – 5.

The Toronto Blue Jays kept the Tampa Bay Rays at bay for the Red Sox another night. Former Portland Sea Dog pitcher, AJ Burnett, matched his career high in wins with 12, beating Tampa 3 -1. Former Red Sox player and Bangor, Maine hockey coach Matt Stairs hit a 2 run HR in the 6th inning to put Toronto up for good. JP Ricciardi addressed rumors that AJ might be moved at the trade deadline. Tampa designates Gary Glover for assignment. His brother Danny had no comment.

Ken Rosenthal’s early morning wrap-ups including Miguel Tejada is off the table. Apparently the Red Sox had interest.

NBA

Former UConn standout Emeka Okafor reached agreement on a 6 year deal.

Another UConn star, Ben Gordon, and the Bulls are getting nowhere fast.

Delonte West’s agent doesn’t like how the Cavs are negotiating. There is word within that article that both Miami and Boston approached Cleveland about a sign and trade but were rebuffed.

Toronto Raptors add another guard to the mix.

Sasha Vujacic, I have a name for him that I won’t use here…just go download any old Sports Vortex from the NBA Finals and you will hear it over and over and over again (it rhymes with Moo-Ya-Witch), signed his deal with the Lakers.

Kwame Brown has a new home, I assume it’s nowhere near 8 Mile or Rick Mahorn.

The Pistons feel that the asking price for Josh Smith is too steep.

The Tim Donaghy Saga should come to some kind of an end today as he is sentenced for his crimes.

Ricky Davis goes to yet another team, signing with the LA Clippers.

The NY Knicks traded away one fan favorite Renaldo Balkman to the Denver Nuggets basically for draft picks and cap space.

NFL

Mike Reiss has observations from Patriots Camp .

Ryan Grant is not pleased with the Packers latest offer.

NY Daily News hypothesizes that Eric Mangini gave the NYJ the day off from camp yesterday to secretly talk to Brett Favre. The Jets deny that statement, saying they needed a break after 5 days. In related news, Patriots Fans laugh their asses off.

Joe Horn still wants out of Atlanta. The Falcons have yet to comply.

Terence Newman is injured in The Cowboys AM session yesterday. The Cowboys are taking cues from the New England Patriots and not saying a freaking thing.

Steven Jackson still holding out of Rams camp.

Shawn Andrews is still MIA for the Eagles, and DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel have something in common.

The Titans are trying to figure out who their returner is going to be.

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.

Sunday Morning Quick Hitters

Join us for a LIVE edition of The Sports Vortex, brought to you by Chicago Dogs, 285 RT 1 Scarborough, ME, to be simulcast on WJZF from 4 to 6 PM EST

MLB Round-Up

Sox lose again in the land of Angels. Beckett looks great for 6 and then gives up 4 in the 7th. Vlad gets it started and Willy Aybar finishes them off. In a related story Air Force One may be making an unscheduled flight from Pawtucket, RI to California. In another related story, people are setting fire to eBay in Portland Maine.

Dan Haren’s 7 scoreless combined with Chad Billingsly’s rough 1st inning, Arizona beat the Dodgers 3 – 2. Former Sox Brandon Lyon made it interesting in the 9th giving up a leadoff HR to Jeff Kent and allowing 1 more to cross, but does just enough to get his 20th save.

Another former Sox (see a trend) Lenny DiNaaaaaaado hit Jose Molina in the 12 to bring home the winning run allowing the Yankees to beat the A’s 4 – 3. The Yanks offense continues its struggles leaving an astounding 21 runners on. Both closers blew leads in this 4 hour and 45 minute marathon.

The Brewers win its 3rd straight game, beating the Giants with offense this time. Prince Fielder homered for the 2nd straight game and Ricky Weeks had a 2 run double to spur the victory. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting the Brewers prospect Darren Ford has been traded to Oakland for Huston Street. There is no MLB confirmation of the deal as of yet.

Evan Longoria blew open a pitchers dual between the Jays Roy Halladay and the Rays Matt Garza, in the 6th inning with his 1st career grand slam. Dan Wheeler closes out the game for his 4th save and moves Tampa 1 1/2 games up on the Sox.

The Cubbies lose their 2nd straight game to the Astros and 3rd straight overall, 4 -1 Saturday, as their bats fall silent again. Carlos Zambrano fell to 10 – 4 on the season, but tried to help his own cause with his second homer of the season in the 7th. Wandy Rodriguez went 6 2/3 for his 5th win of the season.

The Cardinals are steaming back into the race with the Cubs with their 4th straight win. The Cards are now just 2 games back of Chicago. Down by 5, the Cards came back with help from Albert Pujols who went 3 – 4 with 4 RBIs. The Cards bullpen shut out the Padres the rest of the way and the Cards came away with a 6 – 5 victory.

In a wild one in Miami, the Florida Marlins outlast the Phillies 9-5 for the victory. Cody Ross (4 – 5 and a homer short of a cycle) and Jorge Cantu drive the offense for the Marlins. Pat Burrell hit 2 homers for the Phillies. Kevin Gregg made it interesting in the 9th, loading the bases then striking out Ryan Howard on 3 pitches and getting the previously mentioned Burrell to ground out to end the game. The Phils are still 1 game up on the Mets…speaking of the Mets

Josh Fogg continued his resurgence for the Reds, beating the Mets 7 – 2. The Mets looked like the hapless Mets of the Willie Randolph era, hitting into 3 double plays, making errors and taking a called third strike, twice, wit the bases loaded.

Other scores Baltimore Magic struck Luke Scott as he walks off against the Tigers 11 – 10. The Nats rookie John Lannan helps his team over the Braves 8 – 2. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer help demolish Texas 14 – 2. The win pulls the Twins to 1/2 game back of the White Sox, who lost to the Royals, 9 -1.

Other News

Greg Norman could be the oldest person to win a major PGA event today, as he leads the British Open by 2 strokes with 18 holes to go.

The little QB that could, Doug Flutie, along side JoPa, entered the College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

And just for the hell of it, The Indiana Fever beat the New York Liberty 71 – 55 in the WNBA’s first outdoor game. With temps hovering around 90 degrees, the teams did battle on a makeshift court at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open facilities in NYC.