COHEN'S CORNER SPORTS

MARLINS 2 METS 1 When Johan Santana pitches for the Mets , it usually means that the Mets have their best opportunity to come away with a victory. Well, thanks to a defensive miscue by left fielder Daniel Murphy, and a masterful performance by Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson, the Mets lost any hope of winning for Santana on this Easter Sunday. In the second inning, with Jeremy Hermida on first, Cody Ross skied the ball deep to left. Murphy had the ball in his sights on the warning track, but instead of securing the ball with both hands, the left fielder decided to catch the ball with his glove, causing the ball to bounce out and strike the ground. Hermida raced home to score the game's first run. With the way Johnson was pitching, it became increasingly obvious that 1-0 was about all that the ace of the Florida Marlins needed. He held the Mets hitless for the game's first five innings and never even broke a sweat under the bright Florida sunshine. The only time the Mets ...

YANKEES 6 ROYALS 1 The Yankees continued their domination of the Kansas City Royals Saturday with another convincing 6-1 victory. However, the biggest story of the evening for the Bronx Bombers is the bounce back effort by C.C. Sabathia . Sabathia , who was lit up Monday in Baltimore, settled into his role as the new ace of the Yankees, pitching for seven and two-thirds innings, scattering six hits and no runs, while striking out six Royals. It was a dominating effort by one of baseball's best starting pitchers. Offensively, the Yankees pounded Horacio Ramirez for six runs on eight hits in four and a third innings. In the first inning, after Johnny Damon singled and Nick Swisher walked, Jorge Posada doubled down the right field line to drive in both runners to give the Bombers a quick 2-0 lead. In the third, Derek Jeter led off with a single and stole second, which set up Swisher's RBI triple into the right field corner.Two batters later, Posada delivered again with a dou...

METS 8 MARLINS 4 The Mets were able to extract some revenge Saturday evening; they pounded Florida Marlins ace Ricky Nolasco in an 8-4 triumph. However, what was most surprising about the evening was the stellar pitching performance by Livan Hernandez. Hernandez, who earned the Mets fifth starting job by default during spring training, was superb, going six and two-third innings, surrendering six hits and two runs, while striking out four. Hernandez is now 1-0 with a 2.73 ERA. Hernandez got plenty of run support in the effort. Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes teed off of Nolasco early and often. In the third inning, Castillo led with a sharp single to center; two batters later, Jose Reyes doubled to right to drive Castillo in with the Mets first run. In the fifth, the pair was at it again. Castillo, again, singled up the middle off Nalasco to start the inning. When Reyes came up later, he lifted a pitch deep into the right field stands for his first home run of the season, giving the Mets...

MARLINS 5 METS 4 The Florida Marlins just seem to have the Mets' number. In a game where the Mets couldn't take advantage of every opportunity that was presented them on Friday night, the Florida Marlins found a way to slide past New York to improve to 4-0 on the young 2009 season. John Maine, making his first regular season start since August 2008, was mediocre against the Fish. He got through five innings and gave up two runs and two hits, but both runs were solo home runs by Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. At one point, the Mets coaching and training staff had to come to the mound to inspect Maine, to make sure he was still healthy. In the end, it was not a bad first start for Maine after months of speculation and doubt that he could return to his old form. Offensively, the Mets had only two stars for the night. Carlos Beltran and Dan Murphy each went 3 for 5. Beltran had a solo home run and a RBI ground out to get the Mets to within 3-2 at one point in the game. The Mets wou...

YANKEES 4 ROYALS 1 Andy Petitte wanted to come back to the Yankees so he could have the experience of pitching in the "new" Yankee Stadium. Well that expereince is pending for another week or so, but, untill then, Petitte put on a heck of a performance against the Kansas City Royals, Friday afternoon. Petitte pitched seven innings, surrendering only three hits and a run, while walking one and striking out six. His opening ERA is 1.29. The only run he gave up was a Mike Jacobs double to score Brett Butler in the second innning. As for the Yankee offense, they did just enough to make sure that Petitte got the win. In the first inning, Johnny Damon singled to left and Mark Texieria walked with one out. Two batters later, Jorge Posada singled to right to drive in both Damon and Texiera to make it 2-0 Yankees. Later, in the fourth, Nick Swisher doubled home Robinson Cano to make it 3-1. Later in the inning, Derek Jeter grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Swisher to sco...

RANGERS 2 FLYERS 1 After a season of high expectations seemed to be crashing down into a season of broken dreams, the Rangers have found a way to qualify for the postseason. A 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers propelled New York into the playoffs for the fourth straight season, this one coming off a 11-6-3 run with a new head coach in Jon Tortarella and the return of Sean Avery. The Rangers made sure to score early, as Markus Naslund scored in the opening minute to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Later in the first period, Ryan Callahan scored his 22nd goal to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Henrik Lundqvist had a huge night, recording 37 saves in 38 attempts on goal. The Rangers will play either Boston or Washington in the first round. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils clinched the Atlantic Division with the Rangers victory tonight.

METS 9 REDS 7 How about that brand new bullpen? It wasn't easy and, again, it wasn't pretty, but the one difference between this Mets bullpen and Met bullpen of 2008, is the fact that they were able to get through it without blowing the game. The Mets pen turned a 9-4 laugher into a tense, white-knuckles feast, as they gave up three runs and put on seven runners in the games final three innings. Before the final fireworks, there were plenty early in this one. With David Wright on first base, Carlos Delgado blasted his first home run of the year, deep into the right field stands to give New York a 2-0 lead. But, Mike Pelfrey gave the lead right back. Jerry Hairston Jr. lead off the first with a single, and Clark Dickerson walked to put two on with no one out for Joey Votto. Votto belted a three run homer to left center to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. The Reds would get one more run on a throwing error by Jose Reyes to make it 4-2. Still, you have to give credit to Pelfrey. He tough...