TOP STORY: Rays Win Again!!!

Rays win 50th, Beat Sox; Stretch Lead to 1.5 Games

RAYS 5

RED SOX 4

If you still don't believe in the Rays, then you are not paying attention.

The Rays continue to play crisp, energetic baseball as they beat the Red Sox 5-4 Monday night in St. Petersburgh FLA. The win was Tampa's 50th of the year, and are now a one and a half games ahead of Boston and six games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East.

The Rays have been the best story in baseball this year, getting contributions from every player. Whether it is B.J. Upton or Eric Hinske, or Evan Longoria, or Troy Percival - the Rays have gotton productivity from every young and old player. Maybe the Yankees and Mets should take note, because the Rays know how to play 'Real' baseball.

Tampa wasted no time getting it started, as Upton homered in the bottom of the first to give the Rays a 1-0 lead.

The Red Sox tied it, when Mike Lowell drove in Dustin Pedroia with a single to left in the fourth. In the past the Rays would shrink at the pressure that the Red Sox were on the move, but that was the past. That was the Devil Rays of old.

With a runner on in the bottom of the fourth, Gabe Gross lifted a pitch deep into right field to give the Rays a 3-1 lead. They added to it in the fifth after Carlos Pena, who has returned from extended time on the DL, doubled to right to bring in the versitle Willy Aybar.

Still, the Red Sox answered. Captian choke J.D. Drew actually didn't choke as he blasted a solo shot to cut the deficit to 5-2, in the sixth.

In the ninth, Percival started to struggle, and almost blew the game. With Mike Lowell and Kevin Youklis already on, Branden Moss doubled to right to bring home Lowell. Then Jason Varitek brought in Youklis with a sac. fly.

That was enough for manager Joe Madden, who pulled out his leader, in favor of J. P. Howell. Howell managed to get Julio Lugo to ground out to second after a six pitch battle to earn his second save.

James Shields got his sixth win; former Met, Dan Wheeler earned his 20th hold of the year, and should be considered for an All-Star appearance. Jason Masterson lost the game, he is now 4-2.

Boxscore. Photo above is of Gabe Gross.

Yankees Continue Struggles

Yankees Lose Another One Run Game To Pitching Challenged Rangers

RANGERS 2

YANKEES 1

This is not what the doctor orderd. Coming off a series loss to the cross town Mets, and facing a difficult schedule that has the Rays and Red Sox looming, the Yankees had to beat up on the pitching challenged Rangers; result - another loss.

Now the Rangers are no joke, they are a good team with a 43-41 overall record, but the fact that the Yankees could not muster anything off of Scott Feldman is a total joke!

For the second straight game the Yankees managed just four hits on the night, and never really had a chance.

The Rangers opened it up in the thrid when Ian Kinsler, who is having a great year, doubled with one out. After Michael young flew out to right, Josh Hamilton brought home Kinsler with a sac. fly.

In the fourth, Chris Davis doubled in Dan Murphy from second to get Texas it's second and final run of the night.

The only fight coming from the bombers was a solo homerun by Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the fourth, but the Yankees did little after that.

The Yankees are now six games behind the surging Devil Rays, and the clock is beginning to tick away. Boxscore.

Kings of Comedy Keep It Up

Mets Continue Inconsistent Play To Start 2nd Half Schedule

CARDINALS 7

METS 1

Ahhhh, the Mets. Ahhh the buffonery! Ahhh, another loss! That was the story for the Mets in Game One of a HUGE week of baseball, as the St. Louis Cardinals easily destroyed the Mets 7-1 Monday night.

It was bad from the outset as John Maine walked the lead-off man Skip Schumaker on five pitches and then gave up a single to right to Aaron Miles. Minutes later Albert Pujols, who has returned nicely from a stint on the DL, singled to right to bring home Schumaker, and just like that it was 1-0 Cards. (BALL GAME OVER!!!)

After Maine walked Rick Ankel to load the bases, the Mets made another bad defensive play. Troy Glaus grounded right to short stop Jose Reyes, and instead of going home with the throw, Reyes flipped the ball to Luis Castillo who then flipped it to Carlos Delgado for the double play. Nice to get two outs, but the Mets allowed a second run to score in a game, where they could ill afford to give up more than one or two runs.

The Cardinals scored in each of the first five innings, which was capped off by a two run homer by the struggling Chris Duncan.

Kyle Loshe mastered the Mets all night for seven strong innings, surrendering only five hits and a run, while striking out four. Loshe is now 10-2 on the season.

A nice story that came out of the game for St. Louis was the return of Mark Mulder. Mulder who has been battling various injuries over the last two and a half seasons returned to close down the Mets in an impressive ninth inning. The Cardinals, who lead the wild card by a slim margin over the Milwaukee Brewers, need Mulder badly, considering they have two relievers in their starting rotation.

If Mulder can work his way back to five innings of work, then Tony LaRussa can put him back in the rotation, and maybe put Branden Looper back where he belongs, in the bullpen. BOXSCORE.

Mets @ Halfway Point

METS (40-41 3rd place NL East)

Somehow, someway, the Mets are still in it. It is hard to believe, considering how much this club has underachieved, considering that their performance got their manager Willie Randolph fired, and considering that they consistently play listless and careless baseball day in and day out.

Yet the Mets are only three games behind the struggling Philadelphia Phillies entering Monday June 30.

This week marks a big week for the Mets season, and their hopes of making a run in September. They have to play a four game series in St. Louis against the wild card leading Cardinals, and a 4th of July weekend series in Philadelphia. If the Mets go anything less that 5-2 on this trip, the chickens will begin to roost and this season will begin it's death march. (Unless you consider this entire season a death march already).

The Mets have gotten little out of Carlos Delgado, Pedro Martinez, Louis Castillo - all three players look really old. David Wright seems lost; Jose Reyes has had his head in the sand all year, and Johan Santana has been a total bust, going 7-7 and giving up homeruns to AL pitchers.

Mosies Alou has been MIA since Christmas; Ryan Chruch, the team's most consistent player, has missed a month due to a concusion; Endy Chavez, Ramon Castro, Damien Easley and Marlon Anderson prove everyday why they are bench players - hitting little and playing bad defense.

This is the plight of the Mets, and yet they are still in it. Therefore it leaves us with this question: What do the Mets do now? Do they go out and trade top prospect Fernando Martinez for a right handed hitting outfielder and some relief pitching? Or do they accept the fact that they do not have enough minor leauge talent to complete a trade for a big hitter like Jason Bay, or Xavier Nady, or Alex Rios?

The pressure is now on Omar Minaya to make a deal - if he fails, or even worse if he does and it blows up in his face like Pedro, Delgado, and Santana have, then Minaya will be getting his pink slip at 3:00 AM on October 1.

Yankees @ Halfway Point

YANKEES (44 - 38 3rd place AL East)

It has been a roller coaster first half for the Yankees. In a season where they were expected to struggle because they were relying on the young arms of Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes, as well as the aging arms of Mike Mussina and Andy Pettite; no one knew what to expect from this year's team.

Yet, the Yankees have proven why they are the Yankees. Even though they are in thrid place, and five back of the surging Tampa Bay Rays, the Bombers are 44-38 and are in a good position to compete for both the wild card and the division.

This means that the Yankees have to make a decision, will they let go of some of their top prospects to get big time pitchers in here to get them over the top?

In the winter, the Yankees refused to trade, Hughes, Kennedy and Melky Cabrera to Minnesota for Johan Santana. However, now is a different story. Even though he has pitched well as a starter, Joba Chamberlin belongs in the bullpen, where he is most effective; the loss of Chen Ming Wang for the season is crippling and it puts tremendous pressure on Pettite and Mussina. The Yankees are lucky that both veteran pitchers have pitched well, or they could be in bigger trouble.

If the Yankees can get a decent starter like a Eric Bedard or C.C. Sabathia, or even an Aaron Harang, the Yankees should seriously consider trading Hughes or Kennedy. That is if they can stay close to Boston and Tampa.

Offensively, the Yankees will score runs, but have concerns in the outfield. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are both finished, and will need to be replaced in the off-season. Plus Melky Cabrera seems to overacheive in center field. But filling out the problems in left and center field, as well as first base are concerns for November and December.

Right now, the Yankees have to decide what they are going to do this year...win a championship or play your cards right for a run in 2009 and 2010 and definately 2011. The decision is their's to make - and it will affect 2008 and beyond.

Real or Fiction?

Watch this video from Yahoo Sports, of Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham. Apparently the kick is good from 110 yards out!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!

Yes, I said 110 yards!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!!!!

I personally have doubts, but see for yourself.

BTW, the video is of real people, it is not a Madden game!!

Watch the kick HERE

Perez Figures It Out, Mets Win Season Series 4-2

METS 3

YANKEES 1

Maybe Oliver Perez should face the Yankees more often? Whenever he does, he seems to pitch at his best. THe confusing lefty put up seven terrific innings against the bombers surrendoring only three hits and a run, while walking zero and striking out eight.

Perez, who is prone for his wildness, didn't walk a batter for the first time this year.

As for the Mets offense, they did just enough to hold the Yankees at bay. Carlos Delgado had his third homer of the series in the third to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Luis Castillo, had a big day as well going 3 for 5 and driving in the Mets first run in the second with a single. David Wright got the last run with a sac. fly to bring home Jose Reyes in the sixth.

The game also marked the return of Ryan Church who missed more than a month of action after suffering a concusion on May 20, when his head slammed into the leg of Yunel Escobar of Atlanta. Church went 2 for 4 and is hitting .304 for the year; so he is picking up where he left off.

Another Met notable was Endy Chavez who went a surprising 3 for 4 with a run scored.

The Yankees did have a chance to tie in the ninth. After Derek Jeter led off with a single off of closer Billy Wagner; Alex Rodriguez lifted a pitch all the way to the warning track, only to have it die there and land in the glove of Chavez. No homerun - no Win for the Yankees.

The win clinched the season series for the Mets 4-2. It is the second time the Mets have won a season series from the Yankees. The last time came in 2004, when the Mets swept the Bombers in Shea Stadium.

Yankees Grind Down Mets in Game Two

Yankees Capitalize on Missed Met Opportunites

Yankees 9

Mets 0

The Mets had every chance early in Game Two to really make a statement and get into the heads of the Yankees, but failed to cash in on two bases loaded situations in the second and third innings of Friday night's Second Game of a two stadium double header.

Sidney Ponson, who was thrown off the Texas Rangers squad for personal reasons, found his way through six innings, shutting out the Mets, in spite of loading the bases twice. Ponson is 5-1 overall and 1-0 with the Yankees this year.

Offensivley the Yankees took it to Pedro Martinez, as they grinded out nine hard earned runs in the contest.

It all began in the Yankee fourth, when they finally had the bases loaded against Martinez. Robinson Cano grounded out to first, as the Mets were willing to conceed the one run, as Bobby Abreu scored.

However, things got crazy when Jose Molina grounded into a fielder's choice, as David Wright misplayed the ball again, throwing to first, when he should have thrown to home to prevent the run from scoring. A-Rod crossed the plate, and it was 2-0 Bombers, and you knew right then that the game was OVER!

Abreu had a big night (4 for 4 with three RBI) as he singled in Johnny Damon to give the Yankees a 3-0 in the fifth and later brought in Derek Jeter to give New York a 6-0 lead. Jeter's double to extend the Yankee lead to 5-0 was really the nail in the cofin in this one.

In the seventh Jeter drove in Molina after grounded out to short, and was later followed by Abreu, again as he drove in Wilson Betemit with a single to right.

As for Martinez, he was awful once again, and looks completely gassed and exhausted. At no point in the game did Pedro look, or, seem sure of what he was doing; as he had a drained expression on his face from start to finish.

The Yankees move back to six games over .500 at 43-37; the Mets fall back to a game under, 39-40. BOXSCORE DETAILS.

Delgado, Wright,Beltran, and Castillo Bomb Yankees

DELGADO SETS FRANCHISE RECORD WITH 9 RBI IN A SINGLE GAME

METS 15

YANKEES 6

The Mets totally dominated the Yankees in Game One of Friday's double header, beating the bombers 15-5 at old Yankee Stadium. The win marked the first time in franchise history that the Mets have swept an (orginailly sceduled) three game series in the Bronx. The Mets won the first two games at The Stadium back on May 17 and May 18.

With the score tied at one heading into the third inning, Luis Castillo, who had a big afternoon with four runs scored, singled to center and then stole a base against the slow moving, and really, really bad Dan Giese. Carlos Beltran then took a 2-1 pitch into right field with a two run homer to give the Mets a 3-1 lead.

But Mike Pelfrey gave it right back. Derek Jeter doubled to lead things off, and later scored on a A-Rod single to cut the deficit to 3-2. Jason Giambi walked and Jorge Posada singled to load them up. Robinson Cano then grounded into a force play, allowing A-Rod to score the tying run. Wilson Betemit then singled, as third baseman David Wright misplayed a ball at third and Giambi scored to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead.

Dan Giese proceeded to give it back in the fifth walking both Jose Reyes and Castillo, and then surrendering a single to David Wright. Manager Joe Girardi had no choice but to take the erratic Giese out of the game and bring in the equally unreliable Edwar Ramirez. Beltran grouned out to bring home Reyes, and Carlos Delgado doubled to bring in two more runs to give the Mets a quick 6-4 lead.

The Mets broke it open in the sixth as they tatooed Ross Olendorff. David Wright brought in Brian Schneider with a single to left. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Carlos Delgado blasted a grand slam to the back of the right center field bleachers to give the Mets a dominating 11-4 lead. It was the first grand slam by a Met in two years.

Delgado was not done as he added a three run homer that landed in the old Yankee bullpen in right to extend the lead to 15-5. Delgado's nine RBI day broke Dave Kingman's record of eight RBI way back when.

Pelfrey, although erratic gutted out five innings for his fifth win of the year. The Mets also wore their signiture blue hats and grey jerseys for the game. It was the first time since 1997 that the Mets wore blue hats for a road game. Maybe they should keep wearing them on the road instead of those hiddeous black top/ blue brimmed hats.
BOXSCORE DETAILS

Francesa Says a Rift Exists

At the end of his show on Friday afternoon, Mike Francesa addressed the situation involving a story published in last week's Newsday that proclaimed that he and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo are drifting apart, and the show could be in troulbe.

Francesa did little to support Russo's notion, from Monday that a split does not exist, in fact, Francesa said that he and the "Dog" have been at it for a while and are on really bad terms personally.

Francesa added that the two have not spoken at all this week, and that it would be an "interesting summer" to see what direction their relationship moves towards. Therefore, Francesa did not block the notion that the show could be in trouble, emphasizing that it has been a very long run, and that he is very proud of what he and Russo have done over the past 19 years.

Again Nothing Lasts Forever!! I will be looking for a video of this as the day goes on.

Knicks Get Their Man, Nets Try to Replace Jefferson

With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft the New York Knicks select....(calm down Knick fans, at least for now) ....Danillio Gallinari, the 6' 9" forward from Europe that many expected the Knicks to target.

Meanwhile in an attempt to make up for the Richard Jefferson trade, the Nets selected Brook Lopez a 7' 0" sophomore forward from Standford with their first pick and forward Ryan Anderson of California. The second pick by NJ was welcomed by boos from the crowd.

In case your wondering the Chicago Bulls with the first pick took Derrick Rose of Memphis, bringing the college star back to his hometown of Chicago.

Nets Make a Really Stupid Trade

The New Jersey, or should I say Brooklyn, or, should I say New York, or, maybe Newark Nets made a really stupid trade hours before Thursday's NBA draft, sending their only legitimate star, Richard Jefferson, to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Jianlian averaged 8.6 points per game and 24 minutes last year for the Bucks, while Simmons is a career 10.0 points per game forward.

This trade is completely stupid for three reasons: 1) The Nets no longer have a viable, and contending team. Without Jefferson and of course Jason Kidd, the Nets will no longer win for a very long time.

2) Vince Carter is the only star player left, and he will likely be dealt soon, otherwise the Nets will have an unhappy player on their hands.

3) Thinking that LeBron James would even set foot in New Jersey is a pretty risky bet. Why would a star like James want to play for the Nets in Jersey, where nobody shows up, when he could get more money and lamelight in L.A. or Boston, or New York?????

To think that the Nets will be better off without Jefferson, who would have been a perfect player to build a winner around is ridiculous! The Nets got completely fleeced in this trade, and unless they make some big impressive move in tonights draft, the Nets will be in for some long winter's ahead.

Read about the trade.

YANKEES VS. METS PREVIEW

Tomorrow begins another round of the already drowned out Subway Series. The series will begin Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm ET, with Game One of a double header, as Mike Pelfrey will look for his fifth victory of the year against impressive youngster Dan Giese. The game is being played in Yankee Stadium to make up for a rainout from Friday, May 16.

After the game, both team's will get police escorts to Shea for Game Two: Pedro Martinez vs. Jack Ass Sidney Ponson. Pedro loves pitching against the Yankees. (Remeber the 'Who's Your Daddy' days?).

The matchups seem to favor the Mets for the rest of the weekend, as Johan Santana starts against Andy Pettite. Santana beat Pettite 7-4 in a Saturday game on May 17. Oliver Perez, who in spite of his erradic behavior, is 4-1 lifetime against the Yankees, and he will be matched up against the equally erractic Darrell Rasner.

Still, you have to consider that the Yankees have been playing well lately. They recently had a seven game winning streak and have eaten alive NL pitching in this year's interleague play. Still there has to be a concern with the pitching. The Yankees will miss Chen Ming Wang for the rest of the season and need to make a deal to sure their rotation up, if they are to compete.

The Mets on the other hand are up one day and down the next. The firing of Willie Randolph, has proven to do little to change the Mets fortunes as they are still a game under .500. Yet the players still blame Randolph for their problems, but that argument is getting old, and it begining to look like the Mets are filled with bitter and over priced players (i.e. Carlos Delgaodo, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner).

Expect the Yankees to take extra incentive to beat the Mets in his series, since Randolph was, and still is considered a Yankee!

Prediction: Both teams have been consistently inconsistent all year long. I believe that will show in this series as both teams spilt the four games 2-2.

Friday: Game 1: broadcast on SNY and YES @ 2:00 pm

Friday: Game 2: broadcast on UPN Ch. 9 and CW Ch. 11 @ 8:00 pm

Saturday: Game 3: broadcast on FOX ch. 5 @ 3:30 pm

Sunday: Game 4: broadcast on YES and CW ch. 11 @ 1:00 pm

Pitching Mathcups ... open here.

Mets Need to Begin Rebuilding Process

If the Mets want to rejuvinate their fan base, and provide a glimmer of hope for the future they have to conceed to the fact that prospect Fernando Martinez is not worth keeping in the minors.

The unproven talent is the last so called blue chip outfielder left in the Mets system after they traded Lastings Milledge and Carlos Gomez in February. Some feel that Martinez will be ready for 2009 when Citi Field is ready to open its doors, but even this is not good enough for a franchise that is still expected to win NOW! It's stupid to put all of that stock into a 19 or 20 year old kid, who has never seen a major league at bat.

What the Mets need to is build a team that can win not only in 2008, but in 2009 and beyond.

Here's a trade that the Mets should make...
Trade 2B Louis Castillo, RHP Aaron Heilman, OF Fernando Martinez, and throw in C Gustavo Molina for kicks to the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Alex Rios, IF David Eckstein and a reliever.

Even though Rios is having a terrible season, batting .285 with four homers and 29 RBI, he did hit 24 homers and 85 RBI last year, and is only 27 years old. He is not even in the prime of his career. Plus he would give the Mets a much needed right handed bat.

Eckstien would provide the Mets needed energy and leadership in the clubhouse. He may even get into the head of Jose Reyes and turn the troubled star around.

If the Mets want to have a winning franchise immediately and start putting behind the collapse of 2007 and the misery of 2008, this is what they should do.

Strahan: Shockey Must Go!!

Michael Strahan is wasting no time to speak out on the hot topics surronding NFL teams this summer, including his own.

However unlike ex-teammate Tiki Barber, who uses his job at NBC to rip his former club, Strahan comes out in defense of his Giant mates.

In an article from Newsday, Strahan says that the G-Men MUST DUMP troubled tight end Jeremey Shockey. "He doesn't want to play here; that's obvious with everything that's going on," said Strahan in the article.

Read more

King Chamberlin

YANKEES 10

PIRATES 0

Joba Chamberlin earned his first vicotry as a starter this season, as the Yankees demolished the hapless Pirates 10-0 in Pittsburgh PA, Wednesday.

Chamberlin threw a six and two-thirds innings shut out in this start, and was completely dominating striking out seven Pirates. He threw 114 pitches in the effort which is the most he has thrown all season.

As for the Yankee bats, they made up for last night's debacle. Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu led the charge with five runs and five RBI between them. Jeter (3 for 5, three runs scored and one RBI) was a pest all night for the pirates, scoring on a fielder's choice in the first, and scoring again in the second on a Jason Giambi single.

In the fourth, baseball's most feared number two hitter, doubled to right to bring home rookie Justin Christian.

In the sixth, Jeter once again found a way to get on with a single, and would once again come home to score after Abreu blasted a three run homer to right field. Abreu would later add an RBI double in the eight to give the Bombers a 9-0 lead. Abreu went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and four RBI. BOXSCORE

The Yankees have one more in Pittsburgh before this weekend's Subway Series. The final Subway Series in both old Yankee and Shea Stadiums.

Say What????

METS 8

MARINERS 2

Do not hit the refresh button, the Mets actually won a baseball game!?!?!?!?!?!

For the first time in this current homestand the Mets bats took advantage of early oportunities to burry the last place Mariners 8-2 at Shea Stadium, Wednesday night.

Already up 1-0, David Wirght, who was given the night off on Tuesday, blasted a homerun to left center for a 2-0 lead.

Then in the second, Wright added to his virtuoso performance hitting a two-run shot to left to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.

Wright was just one homerun away from becoming the first Met to homer three times in a single game at Shea Stadium, but he came up short on his next two at bats.

Even the usually invisible Jose Reyes got into the action, slapping a three run homer to right into the louge area of Shea.

Apparently that was enough for the Mets and pitcher John Maine who labored through six innings, throwing 101 pitches in the effort. Clearly not good enough for the Mets who need to rest their awful bullpen.

Still the combination of Aaron "OH NO" Heilman, Duaner Sanchez and Joe Smith worked around three baserunners to get through the games final three innings to get the win.

Boxscore

In spite of the win, the Mets are still four and a half games out of first, and will face a really tough stretch in coming weeks; starting Friday with a four game series against the Yankees. This series will be followed by a big road trip @ St. Louis and @ Philadelphia - the two teams the Mets are chasing in the division and wild card races.

Video of Chris Russo on "show breakup"

Here is a video of Chris Russo addressing the article about a possible rift between he and Mike Francesa, that could stop the program in its tracks.

The video is from YouTube.

Click HERE to see video.

Games of the Night

RED SOX 5

DIAMONDBACK 4

RAYS 6

MARLINS 4

Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek got the big hits for the Red Sox, as Boston stormed back from a 4-1 deficit in the eighth inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 at Fenway Park.

After Dustin Pedroia drove in Julio Lugo to cut the deficit to 4-2, Lowell drove in both Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury to tie the game at 4-4 with a huge two out double.

Next, Varitek strode to the plate and drove home Lowell with the go-ahead run.

As usual, Jonathan Papelbon shut down Arizona in the ninth to clinch the game. This was quite unforntate for the D-Backs who spoiled a big night by DH Chad Tracy who had all four D-Back runs, capped by a three run homerun in the third inning.

Meanwhile in Florida, the Rays outlasted the Marlins in a inter-state clash, 6-4.

Andy Sonnanstine was excellent, going six innings, giving up only two runs on six hits.

The Rays did enough offensivly, as Ankinori Iwamura, had a huge night going 3 for 5 with two RBI. His two - run homer in the third gave Tampa a 2-1 lead.

Florida regained the lead at 3-2, when Jorge Cantu doubled in Jeremy Hermida in the seventh. But the Rays would not go away. Dioner Navarro walked with the bases loaded in the eighth to bring home Carl Crawford. Eric Hinske took a stroll as well, bringing home B.J. Upton.

Finally in the ninth, Evan Longoria drove in two more runs with a key double to give Tampa a 6-3 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Florida loaded the bases and got a run home, but Troy Percival was able to perciver and get through it to preserve the win. BOXSCORE

Three Word: THE METS SUCK!!!!

MARINERS 11

METS 0

Some Met fans will try to tell us that seeing Jerry Manuel get kicked out of the game was exactly what the doctor ordered, in order to somehow prove that firing Willie Randolph was justified. But if you look at the score, and look at the record, the Mets are 3-4 with Manuel as manager.

Duh, maybe it wasn't Randolph's fault after all!!!!

In short, the Mets just SUCK!

Oliver Perez continues to be our favorite head case, surrendoring six runs in five innings, and seemingling loading the bases in every inning. Really well done ;)

Richie Sexson, Kenji Jojhima, Raul Ibanez and Jose Lopez enjoyed torching Perez and the Mets, as each played a big part in dismantling the Mets. Jojhima had the biggest hit, blasting a two run homer to give Seattle a 3-0 lead.

Ibanez, who years ago with Kansas City killed the Mets in this ballpark, did so again with three RBI on the night, including a two run single and a solo homerun into the Mets bullpen.

As for the enimic Mets offense, they did nothing. The only bite they had was Carlos Beltran screaming at the homeplate umpire to get kicked out of the game.

As for the future of this team with Manuel, it is clear that it doesn't matter who manages this ballclub, they just plain stink. They smell worse then socks in the corner of your bedroom, and play worse than your typical independent league team in the minors.

It is time to start ripping this club apart piece by piece, limb by limb. If that means trading Beltran and Jose Reyes, so be it!! Get it done; it is time to rebuild this embarassing, humiliating franchise. The time is NOW!!!!
BOX

Bombers Blasted By Bucs

PIRATES 12

YANKEES 5

Lets give the Bombers credit tonight...they know how to make a mediocore pitcher like Tom Gorzelanny look like Cy Young!

Gorzelanny found a way to shut down the usually vaunted Yankee lineup going six innings and allowing only three runs. In case your wondering, Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi and Jorge Posado went a combined 2 for 18 with two runs scored against one of the worst pitching staffs in the leauge in the game's first eight innings. Kudos to the Pirates? Or shame on the bombers?

Meanwhile, Darrell Rasner showed us why...well...why he is Darrell Rasner, giving up seven runs on ten hits in five innings of work. The Pirates scored in all but one inning of Rasner's night, chasing the fill -in starter to a 7-1 deficit before the sun set!!!

The Bucs got it started in the first, as Freddy Sanchez singled in Nate McLouth. Later in the inning, Adam LaRoche who is hitting just above .220 drove in Sanchez to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.

The Pirates made it 5-1, when Jose Bautista, of all people, blasted a two run shot to left.

Finally in the eigth Nyjer Morgan drove in both Sanchez and Chris Gomez. Ryan Doumit finished it off with a single to bring home Morgan for a 12-3 lead.

In other words it was a complete disaster!! The only good that came out of it was a Abreu 2-run homer to cut the deficit to 12-5.

The Yankees continue to show us inconsistent play at all levels. The meat of the order has been average at serveral points this year, and unless GM Brian Cashman gets serious about bringing in some starting pitching (i.e. C.C. Sabathia, Eric Bedard) the Yankees will NEVER, EVER, NEVER catch the Devil Rays for the Wild Card!!

BOXSCORE

Strahan Moves To FOX

Pro-Bowl and Super Bowl Champ defensive end Michael Strahan will move into the FOX studio's this fall to help broadcast the networks NFL on FOX pregame show.

He will join Curt Meneffee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson on the always zany and funny pregame show that airs at 12 PM ET/ 9 AM PCT every Sunday in the fall.

Strahan, who spent 15 up and down years with the New York Giants before retiring two weeks ago will be earning around $2 Million for the gig.

In past season's, Strahan would sometimes visit the boys on the Fox set to offer his opinions when the Giants were on a bye week. Last season, during the Giants Super Bowl run, Strahan made an a apperance on ESPN after the Giants thumped the Falcons 31-10 on Monday Night Football, and he was solid and fair in his analysis of the game.

Read more on the story....Strahan.

Yankees Look To Stomp on Bucs

Yankees @ Pirates

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:05.

For the first time since Bill Mazarowski broke the hearts of Yankee fans with a game winnning homerun in the 1960 World Series, the Yanks will make a trip to the Steel City.

The Bombers were eating up the NL, sweeping away the Astros and Padres, but lost two of three to the Cincinnati Reds; they will look to rebound against the lowly Pirates, who are considering trading their two best offensive stars, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay, inspite of being only three games under .500 (36-39).

The last time these two versions of the Pirates and Yankees played was in spring training when Actor/Comedian Billy Crystal took his hacks against righty Paul Malhom. Crystal will not play in this series, which is not good news for Pittsburgh.

Series matchups at a glance.

Hernadez Homers Then Gets Hurt

Mariners 5

Mets 2

Here is one thing we know about the Mets...they amaze you. They amaze you by the fact that they are only 3 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East, and they amaze you in the way they lose.

In the top of the second with two out and pitcher Felix Hernandez striding to the plate with the bases loaded, one would think that Johan Santana would be able to blow by the 22-year-old phenom with a couple of nasty fastballs; maybe even a deadly sinker?

Instead, Hernandez lifted the first pitch the oppisite field off the scoreboard in right for a grand slam homerun. The stadium screamed in shock.

It was the first homerun by a American League pitcher in 37 years, 1971 to be exact, when the AL used to allow pitchers to hit.

With the 4-0 lead in his back pocket, Hernandez baffeled the Mets for four and two thirds until suffering a sprained ankle, when his leg got caught underneath Carlos Beltran in a play at the plate. Hernandez skipped around the infield in extreme pain to the delight of the Shea faithful, who cheered Philadelphia style to the pitchers suffering.

Typical of the season for the Mets, they never took advantage. They failed to hit Seattle's mediocore bullpen; but what do expect from a mediocore offense like the Metropolitans? Miricles?

Down 5-1 in the ninth, Beltran drove in Louis Castillo to cut the deficit to three. Seattle then brought in Arthur Rhodes, who shut down both Carlos Delgado and Damien Easley with strikeouts to end the game.

Boxscore.

Santana vs. Hernadez tonight!!!

Yes, the Mets are 37-37 and yes, the Seattle Mariners are the worst team in baseball, but that does not mean you should miss this one.

Johan Sanatana will be on the mond for the Metropolitans and will be opposed by Mariners flame-thrower Felix Hernadez.

It is sure to be quite the pitching duel!!

Game time is 7:00 PM ET.

Mad Dog Speaks

In reaction to Sunday's article published in Newsday, Chris Russo opened the Mike and the Mad Dog show saying that he was shocked that a split up of the show was possible. Russo emphasized that both he and co-host Mike Francesa are under contract with WFAN, but it does not mean that one or both will continue the show forever.

Russo also beat down the idea that he and Francessa are at odds with each other, and have recently patched things up over a couple of on-air disputes in a meeting with program director Michael Chertoff.

Mike & The Mad Dog maybe OVER!!!

In a story published in Sunday's Newsday, WFAN's popular afternoon radio show "Mike and The Mad Dog" may be over, in not, nearing the end.

An apparent rift between hosts Mike Francesa and Christoper Russo apparently exists as "several WFAN staffers have observed them fueding off the air in recent months," (Qtd. by Neil Best, Newsday 6/22/08).


WFAN expects the pair to resume work together July 11 for the All - Star Game. Right now both are on vacation, but Francesa is supposed to be back on the air this Friday when the Mets and Yankees play another two stadium double - header.

Read the story

A Possible Replacement for Omar?

According to a blog in the New York Post the Mets have hired former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky to assist current GM Omar Minaya. Could Krivsky replace Minaya or Bernazard?????

Mets & Pedro Get Taken to Shed

ROCKIES 7, METS 1

It started out promising. Jose Reyes led off the game with a stand up triple and Louis Castillo drove him in with a sacrifice fly to left. 1-0 Mets.

Pedro Martinez after managing to get through a tricky first inning seemed to be on cruse control through the games first four innings surrendoring only two hits.

Then the roof fell in.

In the bottom of the fifth, Garret Atkins homered to left to quickly tie it up; that was followed by a blast Brad Hawpe to right, and suddenly the Rockies had reclaimed the lead 2-1. It seemed to shock the Mets, who went into a proverbial hole for the rest of the night.

Four more runs came across in the bottom of the fifth, as Willy Taveras drove in Troy Tulowitzi, Jeff Baker singled in pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, and Matt Holiday drove in Taveras with a single of his own.

Finally, manager Jerry Manuel took out Martinez with one out and six runs across in the inning. Too little too late and the Mets are back under .500.

Yanks Spanked Again

REDS 6, YANKEES 0

You can't say they didn't have a chance. The Yankees drew six walks in this one, but failed to capitalize on any attempt to score as five Cincinnati pitchers combined to shut down the Bronx Bombers for the second striaght game 6-0.
Edwin Encarnacion drove in the first run in the seventh with a single to left to score Ken Griffey Jr. and Brandon Phillips.
Corey Patterson later homered to give Cincy a 3-0 lead.
The win clinched the series for the Reds, who won their first series at the old Stadium since the 1976 World Series.
Read more...
Box score

Mets Rock Rockies, Back to .500

METS 7, ROCKIES 2

For the first time in years, the Mets were seen from the SNY cameras fooling around and smiling in the dugout during their 7-2 thrashing of the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

The Metropolitans got the party started in the second with five runs in the inning, which was capped by a two run homer by Carlos Delgado (11). Newcomer Trot Nixon then added his first homerun of the year, blasting a shot over the right field scoreboard in the third.

John Maine (7-5) went 6 and 2/3 innings giving up only two runs and striking out six. Carlos Beltran went 3-5; Damien Easley, playing for the second straight game as a reward for winning the rubber game against Anaheim, went 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Brian Schneider went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

The Mets are now 2-1 under new manager Jerry Manuel. The Mets have now won five of their last seven and are four and a half behind Philadelphia.

BOXSCORE

Red Sox, Rays and Phillies lose

The Yankees didn't lose ground tonight to either the Rays or Red Sox. Boston failed to capitalize on a possible ninth inning comeback as Kevin Youklis flied out to St. Louis Cardinal outfielder Skip Schumaker. The Cardinals defeated the Red Sox 5 - 4. Box.

Meanwhile the Astros held off a late Tampa Bay comeback to beat the Rays 4-3.
The Yankees remain five behind Boston for the Division and 3 1/2 games behind Tampa for the Wild Card.

The Phillies, who twice this year scored 20 runs in a game, only had two hits against Ervin Santana and the L.A. Angles. Vladimir Guerrero went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and a homerun against the Phils. The Phillies have now droped three straight, and have allowed the once bumbling Mets to get back into it.

Thaaaaaaaa Yankees Lose!

REDS 4, YANKEES 2

Edinson Volquez (10-2 1.71 ERA) continues his All - Star season for the lowly Cincinnati Reds, shutting down the red hot Yankees 4-2 in the Bronx.

Volquez went seven strong innings giving up only two runs on seven hits. Mike Mussina (10-5 3.93) also showed off his All Star stuff going eight innings.
The Reds led from the outset when Joey Votto homered in the second. In the fifth, Jolbert Cabrera drove in two in a 4 for 4 night.
Click on Boxscore.

Cohen's Corner

In light of the recent fiasco involving the Mets, I find it hard to keep from posting some of my views on the matter.

I find it a total disgrace that the Mets brass was bold enough to place Willie Randolph on a plane after the manager claimed that he demanded GM Omar Minaya not put him on the plane if he were indeed fired.

To make matters worse, the fact that the firing came after a beautiful 9-6 victory over the L.A. Angles of Anaheim, and the fact that it was Tony Bernazard, Randolph's arch rival in the orgainization, who brought Willie to Omar's room to get whacked in the middle of the night adds, to the complete embarassment.

Minaya can tell us that his decision was a "tough call," but the fact remains that Minaya looks really bad; the blood is on his hands; his credibiltiy is tarnished, and it will take more than acquiring a big star to erase that.

Simply said, the Mets will have to win games in order to save Minaya from the wrath of Jeff Wilpon.

Could Bernazard Step In???

Read Adam Rubin's explosive story that appeared in Friday's New York Daily News; the powerful and hated Assistant GM Tony Bernazard could be in prime position to take over as Mets GM if Omar Minaya finally takes the fall for building an old and flawed baseball team.

Willie Speaks Out

For those who are just getting home from work and have yet to read the newspapers, be sure to read Willie Randolph's short article about his recent firing from the New York Mets. Randolph reveals some interesting personal insights.

WELCOME SPORTS FANS!!!!

Welcome all sports fans, especially all of you in the Metropolitan region, to this blog. It is here that you will find the hot topics of the day in professional sports for teams in the New York region, posted and disscussed right here.

Now bear with me, this is our first day; in a day we will be fully up to speed for your information pleasure :)

Photo is courtesy of me, taken at a recent Mets/Dodgers game on May 31.