ANOTHER INSANE NIGHT IN THE FENS

27 runs, 28 hits, 2 errors, a pickoff, 6 homeruns, 385 pitches, 4 lead changes, 15 walks, 3 double plays, 8 doubles, 12 pitches, 4 hours and 21 minutes of madness.

The Red Sox had 9 RBI with 2 outs. Varitek's Grand Slam was massive. Lowell's 3 run blast in the 7th was just as big. The Yankees have no bullpen. And while the Red Sox' bullpen looked shaky, it at least got the job done.

Downside? Ortiz looks like a singles/doubles hitter, and has looked like one for 100+ games going back to last year. JD Drew seems to be in love with double plays. Beckett's had one amazing start, and other than that he's been 2008 Beckett, not 2007 Beckett. Okajima? Ugh! Papelbon vs. the Yankees? UGH!!!

Even though the Sox won, Robinson Cano is the Man of the Game, 3 for 6, 5 RBI, a double, and two homers.

Sox go for the sweep and their 10th straight win Sunday night at 8.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa

PATS END FIRST DAY WITHOUT A LINEBACKER

Trying to predict the Patriots' activities on draft day is like trying to predict MegaMillions. There are so many factors involved, it's simply better to sit back and watch. Some thought the Pats would trade up. Most thought they'd acquire some youth at linebacker. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The Pats ended their extensive 2nd round selections with offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, originally from Kaarst, Germany (I like him already), Vollmer is nearly 6' 8" and 315 lbs. He's not stunning, and from what everyone is saying, he's a guy who will help the Pats more in 2010 (when they're likely to lose some free agents on the O-line) than in 2009.

PATS DRAFT SOME NEW ENGLAND TALENT

Darius Butler out of UConn and Ron Brace out of BC. Butler's a super-athletic cornerback, Brace is a defensive tackle.

The Pats traded up to get the 40th pick, and they took Ron Brace. With contracts like Vince Wilfork's coming to an end very soon, the Patriots got some insurance/leverage with this selection Brace. Brace was BJ Raji's fellow tackle, so he certainly got some help. The Pats have a tendency to convert DTs into DEs in their 3-4 schemes (Seymour and Warren were both DTs, and could play DT for many NFL teams), so I wouldn't be shocked if Brace sees time when the Pats go 4-3, and also occasionally at DE on 3-4.



Then the Pats took UConn's Darius Butler, who has "Patriot" written all over him. He's versatile, playing both offense and defense. He returned kicks. He even played some QB in high school. He's only 5' 10" but he can get up there with his vertical leap.

The Pats seem to have a philosophy when it comes to their defensive backfield. Get a dozen guys with potential and hope 2 or 3 of them work out. Take a lot of shots, hope you hit something. I think this Butler kid has tons of potential. He's too athletic to not at least catch on as a special teams player.

PATRIOTS TAKE A SAFETY WITH 34th PICK

Patrick Chung out of Oregon. A hard-hitting, close-to-the-line breed of safety. The drafting of Chung probably means the end of Rodney Harrison as a starter. Chung also joins James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather at the position.



He's a playmaker, which the Pats have desperately lacked in their defensive backfield for years. He hits hard, he picks the ball off, and he tackles. He had 9 career picks, and 370 tackles, setting a school record.

I love this pick. Chung seems like a guy who will be capable of changing a game with two or three plays, while simultaneously doing his job on all the other downs. He doesn't seem like he'll improve the pass-defense situation too much, though. And that's a concern that needs addressing.

PATRIOTS BUSIEST DRAFT DAY TEAM DESPITE HAVING YET TO SELECT A PLAYER

The Pats traded their 23rd overall pick for the 26th overall pick, as well as a 5th round pick. THEN, they traded these two picks for three picks: The 41st (2nd round), 72nd, and 83rd (both 3rd rounders).

It's almost too easy.



Source:
Reiss's Pieces

REMEMBER WHEN RIVEIRA=GAME OVER? HAHAHAHA

It was far from pretty. In fact, it was downright hideous at times. But the Sox had their first walk-off win of the season last night against the Yanks. Jason Bay's 2 run homer tied it at 4 in the 9th, and Youkilis' solo shot in the 11th sent everyone home happy.

Let's start with the good... Lester was solid despite being dominant. He's still never lost to the Yankees. Mike Lowell was 2 for 5, and had a nice reflex catch in the field to save at least a run. Youkilis, 2/4, 2 walks, 2 runs, and a homer. Bay, 3/5, double, homer, 2 RBI. Delcarmen got out of a bases loaded jam with 0 outs relatively unscathed.

Now to the bad... Okajima, 0.0 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, wouldv'e been worse if not for Delcarmen. Javier Lopez, 1 inning, 2 walks, how did New York not add to their lead here?



Now to the ugly... 4 double plays grounded into (2 by Drew), 13 men left on base. Chamberlain gave up 9 hits and 4 walks in his 5.1 innings, and the Sox only got 2 runs off him.

But, stealing wins like this one is what a good team does. And guys like Bay, Delcarmen and Youkilis picking up teammates like Drew and Okajima, is what happens on a good team.

8 in a row now for the Sox.

AJ Burnett against Josh Beckett Saturday at 4:10.

Man of the Game: Jason Bay with his 3 hits and game tying 2 out HR off Mo.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

BULL FIGHTERS

The Bulls, to me, are a college team in NBA clothing. If they miss their first 5 shots, they're sunk. They need to shoot the lights out in order to have a chance against a solid NBA team. I can't believe they scared me so much after Game 2.

The 107-86 score doesn't do justice for how completely the Celtics dominated the Bulls. Only 58 points for Chicago after 3 quarters. Derrick Rose was 4 for 14 with 9 points. Ben "Jordan" (I can't believe people in Chicago would disrespect MJ by using his name on Ben Gordon) led the Bulls with 15 points. As a team, they shot 37.5%.

I think this series is a chance for the rest of the NBA to see and recognize just how good Rajon Rondo has become. Last year, he wasn't a scoring threat, and was inconsistent. This year, he's doing things on his own, and kick-starting the offense of stars like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Another double-double for Rajon, plus 6 assists and 5 steals.



Glen Davis is having the series of his life. 14 more points 9 boards, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 3 blocks for Big Baby. He's averaging 19.3 PPG this series.



Ray Allen's found his shot, 6 of 12 from the floor, 3 of 4 from three.

It was a good chance to give Marbury some extended minutes, and maybe get back some of his confidence. The C's will need him eventually in this postseason, and this blowout was a great time to give him some shots. He had 13 points off the bench.

The Bulls, who had momentum coming into this game, despite losing Game 2, have now lost whatever edge they had. They'll still be tough to beat, but I think the Celtics will take care of them in 6 games or fewer.

Game 4 is Sunday at 1.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

SOX WIN 7TH STRAIGHT

How many uniforms do the Red Sox have? My count is 5 so far. And none are uglier than these mint green Earth Day atrocities. I'm all for recycling and reducing carbon footprints and all that fun stuff, but these uniforms are atrocities both to baseball and fashion.

Thankfully, that's pretty much the only thing one can complain about. After starting the season 2-6, the Sox have notched 7 in a row. Suddenly 1st place is only 1.5 games away.

Brad Penny had another solid start, 6 innings, 3 runs (2 earned), only 1 walk. And apart from a hit batter, the bullpen tossed 3 PERFECT innings. To quote the manager from Major League: "things are starting to come together."

Man of the Game: Justin Morneau - 2/3, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI. He had 1 of everything.

I hope you like watching the same players play day in and day out, because the Red Sox only play 3 teams in the next 17 games: The Yankees, Indians, and Rays. Jon Lester vs. Joba Chamberlain Friday night.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola