Monday Morning Quick Hitters

Phillies Pheaver is at a…well, PHEAVER PITCH (Please no sequel) as the Philadelphia Phillies are 1 win away from taking home its 1st World Championship in 28 years. Joe Blanton pitched 6 strong innings and helped his own cause by hitting the 1st HR by a pitcher in 38 years. The Tampa Bay Rays could only muster 6 hits, including 2 HRs, 1 by Carl Crawford and the other by Eric Hinske, who replaced Cliff Floyd on the roster. The Phillies won 10 – 2. The Phillies lead the series 3 games to 1.

The New England Patriots continued the roller coaster season that is the post Tom Brady season, beating the St Louis Rams 23 – 17. Matt Cassell drove the team down the field on the 4th quarter, hitting Kevin “Not My Cigars” Faulk for a TD Pass with just over 3 minutes left. Deltha O’Neil, yep, that Deltha O’Neil intercepted a pass from the Rams QB Marc Bulger to seal the deal. The Pats are tied for the division lead with the Bills at 5 – 2.

A surprising display of defense from the Cowboys lead the Boys over the Tampa Bay Bucs 13 – 9.

The Washington Redskins used a stellar punt return TD by Santana Moss catch and finally beat the hapless Detroit Lions 25 – 17.

The Buffalo Bills, in a position to take control of the AFC East, floundered and turned over a victory to the Miami Dolphins, allowing the Dolphins to win 25 – 16.

The New Orleans Saints survived the trip to London and the lack of defense, and showed Londoners just how American Football is supposed to play, beating the San Diego Chargers 37 – 32. The win propels the Saints to 4 – 4 and drops the Chargers to 3 – 5.

Even after his 3rd interception, returned for a TD, Brett Favre proved he’s got a little left. Favre drove the team down for the game winning TD, hitting Laveranues Coles with less than 1 minute left to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28 – 24.

After a defensive 1st half, the offenses broke loose in the 3rd quarter as the Carolina Panthers outlasted the Arizona Cardinals 27 – 23.

The Baltimore Ravens keep floating that Wildcat Offense or as Ravens Coach John Harbaugh calls it “Suggs Package” (referring to Terrell Suggs statements that Troy Smith should be the starting QB) as Ohio State product QB Troy Smith hit QB Joe Flacco on a pretty 43 yrd pass that almost resulted in a TD. The Baltimore Ravens beat the Battle of the Ryan Brothers and the Oakland Raiders 29 – 10.

Wake me up when it’s over…oh it’s over?!? The Houston Texans beat the Cincinnati Bengals 35 – 6.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense did all it could do, holding the NY Giants to 16% Red Zone Efficiency, but Big Ben Roethlisberger threw 4 picks to help the New York Giants to a 21 – 14 win over the Steelers.

Is there any way Mike Singletary can play for the 49ers? The 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks 34 – 13. This is all that needs to be said.

Here are the BCS Standings
1 – Texas 6 – Georgia
2 – Alabama 7 – Texas Tech
3 – Penn State 8 – Florida
4 – Oklahoma 9 – Oklahoma State
5 – USC 10 – Utah

Phillies Fever Cowbell Remix

You all know and love the craze that is Phillies Fever…well here in good old Portland, Maine, WJAB has spawned an interest in the classic SNL skit with Bruce Dickinson and the Cowbell. We here at the Central Maine Sports Blog have combined these 2 loves into 1 great taste..the result…Phillies Fever Cowbell Remix

(Editor’s note:When the Phils and Rays meet in the World Series this can be the official theme song, as Rays fans love to use cowbells, and Phils fan have the “Phever”. Talk about a win-win!)

Thursday Morning Quick Hitters

The Boston Red Sox used 4 1st inning runs along with a critical hit late to beat the Cleveland Indians 5 – 4. Tampa Bay also won, beating the Baltimore Orioles 11 – 6, so the Rays are still up on the Sox by 3 games for the AL East Division Title.

The Minnesota Twins took the 2nd game in the battle for the AL Central title, beating the White Sox 3 – 2. The Twins are now just 1/2 game back..

The New York Mets blew an opportunity to gain ground on the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost to the Atlanta Braves 10 – 4, by blowing a 4 run lead to the Chicago Cubs and finally losing in the 10th inning 9 – 6. The Mets remain 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies in the NL East and tied for the Wild Card with Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Brewers gained that tie with the Mets by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4 – 2.

The LA Dodgers opened up a 4 game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks by slamming the San Diego Padres 12 – 4. The D-Backs lost to the St Louis Cardinals 4 – 2.

Troy Brown will make his retirement official today.

The ax finally fell in Detroit. Matt Millen (Patrick Sullivan applauds somewhere) finally wore out his welcome in Detroit.

The New York Giants suspended Plexiglas Burress for 2 weeks and 1 game. Burress will appeal.

Jason Taylor discusses potentially career ending injury.

Former Nebraska Cornhusker RB Thunder Collins charged with murder.

Beanie Wells and Terrell Pryor to start for the Buckeyes

The Boston Celtics brought their trophy, courtesy TD Banknorth Maine, to Maine yesterday. Don’t forget, the Sports Vortex had Boston Celtics great Jo Jo White yesterday. You can download the interview on the right Talkshoe widget.

Saturday Morning Quick Hitters

CMSB’s adopted team had a tough time with Temple on Friday. Temple took advantage of 2 early turnovers to defeat the Black Knights 35 – 7.

The June Jones era begins in College Park, Texas as Rice beats Jones’ SMU Mustangs 56 – 27.

Apparently, Ozzie Guillen, the Red Sox were able to muster some emotion to beat your Chicago White Sox on Friday, 8 – 0. Dice K 2 hits the Pale Hose to gets his 16th win.

The Tampa Bay Rays just win baby! The Rays stomp on the Baltimore Orioles 14 – 3.

Ever fickle New York Yankee fans cheered Carl Pavano this time, as he helps the Yankees to a 2 – 1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Joe Mauer and Kevin Slowey had huge games for the Minnesota Twins, as they beat up on the Oakland A’s 12 – 2. The win combined with the White Sox loss brings the Twins to within 1/2 game of the White Sox.

The battle between potential NLCS participants went to the Cubbies Friday. Alfonso Soriano’s HR in the bottom of the 7th inning caps off a 3 – 2 Cubs win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Carlos Beltran hit a top of the 9th Grand Slam to power the Mets past the Florida Marlins 5 – 4. The Mets are now 2 games ahead of the Phillies in the NL East.

The Milwaukee Brewers keeps their Wild Card lead with a 3 – 1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The LA Dodgers ship continues to take on water, this time losing to NL West leaders Arizona Diamondbacks 9 – 3. The Dodgers are 11 – 16 since the Manny Ramirez trade and have an 8 game losing streak, just thought I’d throw that it. Oh and the Boston Red Sox are 17 – 8 in the same span and haven’t lost more than 2 games in a row. (The opinions of the writer are not necessarily the opinions of the staff and contributors of the Central Maine Sports Blog)

The Colorado Rockies continue to crawl their way back into the race by beating the San Diego Padres 9 – 4.

The NFL suspended Minnesota Viking Offensive Lineman Bryant McKinnie for 4 games for his part in a Miami nightclub street brawl in February.

In yet another bizzare twist, Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson officially changed his last name to Ocho Cinco. Nope…can’t even come up with a joke.

Doubt seems to be lingering if Peyton Manning will start the opener versus the Chicago Bears next week. Everyone involved is using the word “expects” Peyton to play.

Bill Belichick Jr….I mean Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is being very tight lipped on Vince Young’s injured hand.

The New Orleans Saints have, again, more than football to worry about.

Manu Ginobili will have surgery on his ankle.

The 1st moving vans have arrived in Oklahoma City.

Friday Real Quick Links

The Red Sox completed a 4 game thrashing of the Rangers 10-0. 7 scoreless from Dice-K, including his normal 5 walks, but whatever, they won.

The Rays survived another injury, this time to the DL-bound Troy Percival, and knocked off the hapless A’s in 12.

The White Sox knocked around the Royals, thanks to 4 home runs in the 6th. The winning pitcher was sent back to AAA after the game.

The Twins tried to make a deal, but couldn’t.

The Mets finished off the Nats and regained first place in the NL East.

The Phillies offense took the night off again (a paid night off) and were downed by Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers. Manny finally cut his hair, albeit just a bit ( he went 0-3). Brad Penny is going back on the DL.

Michael Phelps adds to his remarkable Olympic Gold totals.

Maine’s own Ian Crocker had the 3rd fastest 100M butterfly in prelims this morning, which sets the stage for what may be Michael Phelps only real challenge in these games. The 100m Butterfly final is 10:10 PM live Friday Night EST.

US Gymnast Nastia Liuikin won gold.

The US Baseball team lost a close one to Cuba in extras.

The New England Patriots bolstered their secondary with more veteran leadership Thursday, by signing veteran John Lynch.

Buffalo played in Toronto last night and looked sharp in victory.

In Celtics news rookie JR Giddens signed a 2 year deal.

In related news Jayme Parker from NESN loves the Central Maine Sports Blog.