Saturday Morning Quick Hitters

Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell came back from the DL with a bang and propelled the Sox to an 8 – 1 win over the Texas Rangers. Lowell hit a HR in his 1st at bat back and Beckett pitched 5 innings, giving up no runs, 4 hits, walked none and struck out 7 for the win.

The Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t surpass possible Cy Young winner Roy Halliday, dropping the game in Toronto 6 – 4. The loss with the Red Sox win shrinks Tampa Bay’s lead to 2 1/2 games.

No movement in the AL Central last night as both Chicago and Minnesota won their games. The Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers behind a huge pitching performance from Francisco Liriano, 10 – 2. The Chicago White Sox beat up on the AL West leading California Angels 10 – 2. In other White Sox news, it appears Carlos Quintin will be lost for the rest of the regular season.

Brett Myers said “Boom…..Outta Here” to the Mets last night as he pitched 8 shutout innings to help Philadelphia gain a game on the Mets with a 3 – 0 win at Shea. The Phillies are back to 2 games behind the Mets in the NL East.

Apparently ther Chicago Cubs got lost on their bus trip to the ballpark and it didn’t get much better on the field as they lose to the Cincinnati Reds 10 – 2.

Eric Gagne tried to give the game away from the Brewers, but they survive in 11, beating the San Diego Padres 3 – 2. The win combined with the Cubbies loss puts Milwaukee 4 games back of the Cubs and 4 game lead in the Wild Card over the Phillies.

The Los Angeles Dodgers moved to within 1/2 game of the Arizona Diamondbacks, beating them 7 – 0 Friday. Derek Lowe gave up 2 hits over 8 innings and Andre Either went 5 – 5 on the way to the win.

Sports Vortex Guest Paul Kuharsky has a nice piece on the Jags Richard Collier, who remains in critical condition after being shot.

Jason Peters ends his holdout on the Buffalo Bills.

Former Boston College player Mathias Kiwanuka thinks Redskins DE Chris Samuels play at the end of the game was dirty.

Looks like newly re-instated Packman Jones will start for the Cowboys.

Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon enter the Basketball Hall Of Fame. Oh yeah, Pat Riley too.

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Lorenzen Wright.

ESPN reports Zach Randolph may be headed to the Grizzlies.

Wednesday Morning Quick Hitters

The Boston Red Sox demolish the Baltimore Orioles 12 – 4 and finally gain a game on the Tampa Bay Rays, as the Rays lose to the New York Yankees 7 – 2.

The Minnesota Twins lost a game to the Red Sox in the Wild Card Standings, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 7 – 5. The Chicago White Sox lost to the Cleveland Indians 9 – 3. The White Sox and the Twins stay tied for the Central lead.

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Miami Dolphins with a late safety.

The NL East stays status quo as the Mets and the Phillies both win. The Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6 – 5 in 11 innings. The Phillies beat Nationals 4 – 0. The Phillies stay 2 games behind the Mets for the NL East lead, while the Brewers loss keeps them 4 1/2 games back of the Chicago Cubs.

Speaking of the Cubs, they lose the game to the Houston Astros 9 -7, but the bigger loss may be to Carlos Zambrano.

The LA Dodgers finally gained a game on the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Dodgers beat the Padres 8 – 4, and the D-Backs lose to the Cardinals 8 – 2. The Dodgers are 1 1/2 games back of Arizona on the NL West.

Jacksonville Jaguars player Richard Collier was critically shot yesterday.

The New Orleans Saints will stay at the Superdome for Sunday’s game.

Rudi Johnson now a Detroit Lion.

The Denver Broncos trade Dominique Foxworth to the Falcons for undisclosed draft pick.

The Miami Heat signed center Jamaal Magloire.

The Philadelphia 76ers sign Donyell Marshall.