Category — MLB

Our daily thread.
The Dodgers lost their 2nd in a row to the Braves, but Matt Kemp homered for the 10th time this month, tying Gary Sheffield (remember him?) for the most home runs in April. Kemp leads the major in homers and has 23 RBI.
Tough night for Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra, who took 1 in the face and might be knocked out of the closer role.
AP
They’re just funking with us, no?: The Rays handed the Angels their 3rd straight setback. We suspect they’re trying to find out who their real fans are before they go on a roll and blow everyone away. No?
Albert Pujols is 0 for 19 and still looking for his 1st homer as an Angel. This wouldn’t be happening if he was in St. Louis.
O.C. Register
Star of Texas: The Rangers pounded the Yankees again to take 2 of 3 in their series. Bob Nightengale, 1 of the best writers in baseball, tweeted that the Rangers are the greatest of all time. Some of us Cardinal fans are a little offended. Didn’t we beat that ass last October?
Oh, and did we mention that the Angels are 8 1/2 games back of the Rangers? Didn’t think so.
Star-Telegram
Mr. 400: Tip of the cap to Paul Konerko, who slugged, and we mean slugged, his 400th homer Wednesday in a 14-inning loss to the A’s. Konerko hit a bomb to force extra innings in the 9th.
Did we mention the A’s are playing better ball than the Angels? Didn’t think so.
Sun-Times
There is no crying is hockey: This bud’s for you my man Timothy Schnupp. Caps 2, Bruins 1. Series over.
Boston Herald
Riding off into the Sun set: So where does Steve Nash play next year?
Pro Basketball Talk

A quick hitter and late night version of our daily thread.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul combined for 70 points, but they lost to the Hawks tonight, meaning the Lakers clinched the Pacific Division title. Good luck with Memphis.
NBA.com

Price is too high for Angels: David Price of the Rays blanked them in a 5-0 victory. Albert Pujols went 0-4 and is hitless in his last 16 at-bats. We’re sure they’re still saying it’s early in Anaheim, but there has to be some concern, no?
O.C. Register
40 tastes good: Chipper Jones homered on his birthday as the Braves knocked off the Dodgers tonight.
MLB.com
Music to their ears: The Jazz nailed down a playoff spot by hammering the Suns. Their reward? They’ll get either the Spurs or the Thunder in the opening round.
Salt Lake Tribune

The dwindling number of sports cartoonists is another sickness plaguing the newspaper industry.
N.Y. Times

Our daily thread.
If you don’t know what’s so relevant about Mr. Irrelevant then you need to ask somebody. In this case, we’ll point you to Gary Mihoces, who drops some knowledge about arguably the 2nd most popular pick of the NFL Draft.
USA Today
You say over, he says rated: Bucky Brooks offers his 5 overrated prospects heading into this week’s NFL Draft. Any surprise Ryan Tannehill is 1 of the 5? Didn’t think so.
NFL.com
Buyers’ remorse?: Some folks in Orlando believe the Magic missed an opportunity by not trading Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum. Tell us again, which way is the wind blowing?
Orlando Sentinel
More trouble for Saints?: ESPN is wetting its pants with a report that GM Mickey Loomis, who already has been handed an 8-game suspension for Bounty Gate, used an electronic device at the Superdome to eavesdrop on opposing coaching staffs.
ESPN.com
Say goodbye to Brian Dawkins: The NFL safety is calling it quits after 16 seasons.
Denver Post
Hey, a writer who isn’t offended by kids smoking pot: We’re just following up on last week’s ESPN “exclusive,” about college football going to the dogs because some players smoke a joint or 2. Relax. Seriously, how many of you hypocrites are continuing to write this nonsense and play like you’re all offended?
CBS Sports
Players Club: The messy beef between Derek Fisher and the NBA players union continues with Chris Paul being mentioned as a possible successor. It’s interesting, though, that Maurice Evans, who plays with the Wizards and serves at the union VP, is playing defense attorney for Billy Hunter despite the latter having family members on the payroll, including a financial firm where he son works banking more than $500,000.
USA Today

Red Sox fans weren’t pleased with the N.Y. Post’s cover yesterday, mocking the 100th anniversary celebration of Fenway Park. After blowing a 9-run lead today in another loss to the Evil Empire, we don’t believe Red Sox fans have much to say. They can bend over for a sweep on Sunday Night Baseball.
MLB.com

Our daily thread of the events of the day.
Art of perfection: Who dat? Philip Humber, that’s who. He became the 21st pitcher today to throw a perfect game as the White Sox dropped the Mariners 4-0.
Chicago Tribune
When you’re hot, you’re hot: Matt Kemp continued to sizzle, hitting his MLB-leading 9th homer today as the Dodgers beat the Astros. We applaud the Dodgers hot start, but you do realize much of it has been against the Pirates, Padres and Astros?
ESPN LA
Look who’s won 2 in a row: The Angels, with Jered Weaver leading the way, rallied to beat the O’s again.
O.C. Register
UFC 145: Jon Jones scored a unanimous decision over old friend Rashad Evans.
MMA Fighting.com
No contest: Abner Mares dominated an old-looking Eric Morel in their bantamweight showdown tonight in El Paso.
Boxing Scene
A bit sensitive, no?: Now the Clippers are saying their prepared to “protect” Blake Griffin from the hard fouls he’s suffered all season. Where have these guys been all season? Are they watching the same games we are? Seriously, it’s too late to do anything now, particularly with the playoffs coming up, and the club is reacting to criticism it has received by not responding.
ESPN LA

Is that you Barry?
It’s been only 5 years since my daughter had to explain to me what 420 meant. “Seriously Dad? You don’t know?” I can still hearing her saying.
Lots of athletes will be celebrating today. We hate to bust anyone, but 1 of our favorite stories is a bud of ours sitting in a Mercedes and smoking a fatty back in the day with Chili Davis.
We’ll just indulge in a glass or 2 of wine to celebrate.
Cheers!

Even Bartolo Colon strong-armed the Angels this week, as the A’s took 3 of 4 in Anaheim.
It’s early, but the Angels already are 7 back of the Rangers, who are off to a sizzling start, winning 11 of their 13 games. The Angels, who are residing in the basement in the AL West, have dropped 3 in a row and 9 of their 13 contest after the A’s beat them again tonight. Maybe Albert Pujols is regretting that move from St. Louis? Didn’t think so.
The Angels will try end their woes when the East-leading O’s visit for a 3-game set, beginning Friday.

A little love for 49-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer, who became the oldest pitcher in Major League Baseball to win a game by beating the Triple-A club formerly known as the Padres Tuesday night. Moyer pitched 7 innings and didn’t give up an earned run.
Denver Post

Ozzie Guillen addresses a large contingent of media on his return after a 5-game suspension today.
ESPN Chicago.com