A moment to treasure: A young fan receives an autographed baseball from Lions pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii on Friday at Seibu Dome. KYODOChiba — Tetsuya Utsumi allowed two runs in eight innings to pitch the Yomiuri Giants to their seventh straight interleague victory on Friday.Utsumi (4-4) allowed five hits but no walks, while striking out five in a 4-2 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines at QVC Marine Field.The Giants are now 10-0 with three ties since their last loss on May 5. Yomiuri has won 10 straight decisions for the first time in three years."I worked very carefully from the start, and it went according to plan, with the guys scoring some early runs," said the southpaw.The visitors took the lead in the second after Shuichi Murata led off with a double against submarine right-hander Shunsuke Watanabe (2-2). With two outs, Murata scored on a single by Yoshitomo Tani, who had two RBIs.A leadoff single by John Bowker and RBI doubles by Hisayoshi Chono and Hayato Sakamoto made it 3-0 in the fifth.With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Marines' Masahiko Tanaka doubled home two runs to make it close.Utsumi called the runs "a waste," but was pleased as punch to help keep the streak alive."There's an incredible atmosphere right now," he said. "We're playing great ball now, and we want to keep operating at this peak level for as long as we can."Lions 10, Swallows 0At Seibu Dome, Seibu's Kazuhisa Ishii (4-1) threw his first shutout in five years with a five-hitter against his former club, snapping the Lions' four-game losing streak.Tokyo Yakult, which has now lost six games in a row for the first time in two seasons, never got a runner as far as second base against its former ace, while Seibu racked up season highs in runs and hits (14).Tigers 5, Hawks 0At Fukuoka's Yahoo Dome, Jason Standridge (4-3) allowed three hits and a walk over seven innings against his first club in Japan and two Hanshin relievers completed the three-hit shutout of Japan Series champion Fukuoka Softbank.Matt Murton had three hits for the Tigers, who won their second straight. His RBI single opened the scoring in the fourth and his first homer of the season made it 2-0 in the seventh.Buffaloes 4, Carp 3 (10)Dragons 5, Fighters 5 (10)BayStars at Eagles — ppd.Kokubo deactivatedFukuoka — Hiroki Kokubo's pursuit of his 2,000th-career hit was put on hold on Friday, when the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks deactivated their 40-year-old captain with a herniated disc.Kokubo, who needs just one hit to reach the milestone, suffered back pain against the Hiroshima Carp on Wednesday, when he was 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts."I anguished over the decision, but even if I play, the fact is that I probably won't be able to produce," said Kokubo, who underwent an MRI earlier in the day. "I've never had a herniated disc before, so I don't understand it. Even speaking is painful."Kokubo had two hits on Tuesday, and with his goal in sight, the Hawks drew a home crowd of 36,658, their best-attended midweek game this season."Although I am only one hit away, being fit on the field is part of a professional's duty," he said.
Showing posts with label carries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carries. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Utsumi carries Giants to seventh consecutive win
A moment to treasure: A young fan receives an autographed baseball from Lions pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii on Friday at Seibu Dome. KYODOChiba — Tetsuya Utsumi allowed two runs in eight innings to pitch the Yomiuri Giants to their seventh straight interleague victory on Friday.Utsumi (4-4) allowed five hits but no walks, while striking out five in a 4-2 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines at QVC Marine Field.The Giants are now 10-0 with three ties since their last loss on May 5. Yomiuri has won 10 straight decisions for the first time in three years."I worked very carefully from the start, and it went according to plan, with the guys scoring some early runs," said the southpaw.The visitors took the lead in the second after Shuichi Murata led off with a double against submarine right-hander Shunsuke Watanabe (2-2). With two outs, Murata scored on a single by Yoshitomo Tani, who had two RBIs.A leadoff single by John Bowker and RBI doubles by Hisayoshi Chono and Hayato Sakamoto made it 3-0 in the fifth.With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Marines' Masahiko Tanaka doubled home two runs to make it close.Utsumi called the runs "a waste," but was pleased as punch to help keep the streak alive."There's an incredible atmosphere right now," he said. "We're playing great ball now, and we want to keep operating at this peak level for as long as we can."Lions 10, Swallows 0At Seibu Dome, Seibu's Kazuhisa Ishii (4-1) threw his first shutout in five years with a five-hitter against his former club, snapping the Lions' four-game losing streak.Tokyo Yakult, which has now lost six games in a row for the first time in two seasons, never got a runner as far as second base against its former ace, while Seibu racked up season highs in runs and hits (14).Tigers 5, Hawks 0At Fukuoka's Yahoo Dome, Jason Standridge (4-3) allowed three hits and a walk over seven innings against his first club in Japan and two Hanshin relievers completed the three-hit shutout of Japan Series champion Fukuoka Softbank.Matt Murton had three hits for the Tigers, who won their second straight. His RBI single opened the scoring in the fourth and his first homer of the season made it 2-0 in the seventh.Buffaloes 4, Carp 3 (10)Dragons 5, Fighters 5 (10)BayStars at Eagles — ppd.Kokubo deactivatedFukuoka — Hiroki Kokubo's pursuit of his 2,000th-career hit was put on hold on Friday, when the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks deactivated their 40-year-old captain with a herniated disc.Kokubo, who needs just one hit to reach the milestone, suffered back pain against the Hiroshima Carp on Wednesday, when he was 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts."I anguished over the decision, but even if I play, the fact is that I probably won't be able to produce," said Kokubo, who underwent an MRI earlier in the day. "I've never had a herniated disc before, so I don't understand it. Even speaking is painful."Kokubo had two hits on Tuesday, and with his goal in sight, the Hawks drew a home crowd of 36,658, their best-attended midweek game this season."Although I am only one hit away, being fit on the field is part of a professional's duty," he said.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Late rally carries Grizzlies past Clippers, forces Game 7
LOS ANGELES — This time, the fourth quarter belonged to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wrapped up: Los Angeles' Blake Griffin is enveloped by Memphis' Marreese Speights during Game 6 on Friday night. The Grizzlies beat the Clippers 90-88 to even the series 3-3. APLong the domain of the Clippers' Chris Paul, it was the Grizzlies who rallied in the closing minutes to beat Los Angeles 90-88 and force a decisive seventh game in their playoff series.Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph worked their inside-out game to perfection on a night when Paul and Blake Griffin were limited by injuries and the Clippers' bench couldn't quite put them over the top."This one has to hurt," Paul said. "If it doesn't hurt, it means you don't care."Gasol scored 23 points, Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Rudy Gay and Mike Conley added 13 points each to help the Grizzlies win for the first time in the Western Conference series at Staples Center and stave off elimination."We were very focused on our task defensively and that's a big reason we won," said Gasol, whose brother Pau will play a Game 7 with the Los Angeles Lakers against Denver at Staples on Saturday night. "We were way more disciplined. The whole team is doing a better job of finding me in the post."Griffin scored 17 points despite a sprained left knee that limited his jumping ability, and Eric Bledoe added 14 off the bench to lead the Clippers, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth along with a second consecutive chance to close out what would have been a landmark playoff victory for the beleaguered franchise."Right now is not the time to start pointing the finger," Griffin said.Paul scored 11 points playing with a strained right hip flexor and a jammed right middle finger."I didn't know he was hurt," Randolph said. "Everybody's hurting. My knee is hurting. I ain't looking for no excuse. You got to put that in the back and keep playing."The Clippers are seeking just the third playoff series win in franchise history. Game 7 will be Sunday in Memphis."It's uncharted territory for us as a team," Clippers second-year coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We got to stay together, battle through it and give our best effort of the season."Only eight teams in NBA history have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a seven-game series. Top-seeded San Antonio awaits the winner in the conference semifinals."All of this means nothing because it's a one-game series," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "Everyone has a chance to win."Tied 66-66 starting the fourth, Los Angeles scored 10 straight to take its first lead since the game's opening minutes, led by Bledsoe's six points."It was looking bleak at that time," Hollins said.But the Grizzlies weren't done.They went on a 17-4 run, including 10 straight points, to take an 85-80 lead. Gay scored five in a row as the Clippers missed and Randolph came up with a big block. Conley hit a 3-pointer and Randolph tipped in the ball to close out the spurt."We stuck together and finished the game," Randolph said. "That's what coach has been preaching."Griffin made two free throws before Randolph scored for an 87-82 lead. Conley fouled Paul, and he missed the first and made the second to leave Los Angeles trailing 87-83 with 56 seconds left.The Clippers were forced to keep fouling, and the Grizzlies made 3 of 8 to stay alive. Los Angeles' Caron Butler missed a 3-pointer with 14 seconds to go as red-clad fans headed for the exits before Randy Foye hit a 3 with 3 seconds left.Paul blamed himself for two fourth-quarter turnovers that led to Grizzlies baskets."I got to do better," he said. "We didn't want to go back to Memphis, not 'til sometime next season."The Grizzlies opened the second half on a 12-8 run to extend its lead to 54-46, with Randolph having six points and Gasol four. Los Angeles answered with Paul bookending a 14-6 spurt that tied the game 60-60.Griffin and DeAndre Jordan got in two huge dunks before Paul's jumper from the right corner brought the Clippers all the way back from an eight-point deficit earlier in the quarter.
Wrapped up: Los Angeles' Blake Griffin is enveloped by Memphis' Marreese Speights during Game 6 on Friday night. The Grizzlies beat the Clippers 90-88 to even the series 3-3. APLong the domain of the Clippers' Chris Paul, it was the Grizzlies who rallied in the closing minutes to beat Los Angeles 90-88 and force a decisive seventh game in their playoff series.Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph worked their inside-out game to perfection on a night when Paul and Blake Griffin were limited by injuries and the Clippers' bench couldn't quite put them over the top."This one has to hurt," Paul said. "If it doesn't hurt, it means you don't care."Gasol scored 23 points, Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Rudy Gay and Mike Conley added 13 points each to help the Grizzlies win for the first time in the Western Conference series at Staples Center and stave off elimination."We were very focused on our task defensively and that's a big reason we won," said Gasol, whose brother Pau will play a Game 7 with the Los Angeles Lakers against Denver at Staples on Saturday night. "We were way more disciplined. The whole team is doing a better job of finding me in the post."Griffin scored 17 points despite a sprained left knee that limited his jumping ability, and Eric Bledoe added 14 off the bench to lead the Clippers, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth along with a second consecutive chance to close out what would have been a landmark playoff victory for the beleaguered franchise."Right now is not the time to start pointing the finger," Griffin said.Paul scored 11 points playing with a strained right hip flexor and a jammed right middle finger."I didn't know he was hurt," Randolph said. "Everybody's hurting. My knee is hurting. I ain't looking for no excuse. You got to put that in the back and keep playing."The Clippers are seeking just the third playoff series win in franchise history. Game 7 will be Sunday in Memphis."It's uncharted territory for us as a team," Clippers second-year coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We got to stay together, battle through it and give our best effort of the season."Only eight teams in NBA history have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a seven-game series. Top-seeded San Antonio awaits the winner in the conference semifinals."All of this means nothing because it's a one-game series," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "Everyone has a chance to win."Tied 66-66 starting the fourth, Los Angeles scored 10 straight to take its first lead since the game's opening minutes, led by Bledsoe's six points."It was looking bleak at that time," Hollins said.But the Grizzlies weren't done.They went on a 17-4 run, including 10 straight points, to take an 85-80 lead. Gay scored five in a row as the Clippers missed and Randolph came up with a big block. Conley hit a 3-pointer and Randolph tipped in the ball to close out the spurt."We stuck together and finished the game," Randolph said. "That's what coach has been preaching."Griffin made two free throws before Randolph scored for an 87-82 lead. Conley fouled Paul, and he missed the first and made the second to leave Los Angeles trailing 87-83 with 56 seconds left.The Clippers were forced to keep fouling, and the Grizzlies made 3 of 8 to stay alive. Los Angeles' Caron Butler missed a 3-pointer with 14 seconds to go as red-clad fans headed for the exits before Randy Foye hit a 3 with 3 seconds left.Paul blamed himself for two fourth-quarter turnovers that led to Grizzlies baskets."I got to do better," he said. "We didn't want to go back to Memphis, not 'til sometime next season."The Grizzlies opened the second half on a 12-8 run to extend its lead to 54-46, with Randolph having six points and Gasol four. Los Angeles answered with Paul bookending a 14-6 spurt that tied the game 60-60.Griffin and DeAndre Jordan got in two huge dunks before Paul's jumper from the right corner brought the Clippers all the way back from an eight-point deficit earlier in the quarter.Saturday, January 7, 2012
Bosh carries Heat in triple OT without Wade, James
ATLANTA — There may be no need for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to rush their return from injuries.Mario Chalmers and Chris Bosh proved Thursday night they can play the starring roles for the Miami Heat.With James and Wade cheering from the bench, Bosh scored 33 points and the Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 116-109 in triple-overtime.Chalmers had 22 of his 29 points after the third quarter for the Heat, including five of Miami's seven points in the third overtime."Coach said I had to be aggressive," Chalmers said.Wade missed his second straight game with a sore left foot and James was held out after he turned his left ankle late in the third quarter of Wednesday night's 118-83 win over Indiana. Neither star was in uniform.Bosh hit a last-second, tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force the first overtime."It was a lucky shot," Bosh said.Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said his team survived a test of its character."That game, the way it went down in the end, was an exercise in absolute endurance and mental and physical toughness," Spoelstra said."Both teams played their hearts out there at the end."Joe Johnson had 20 points for the Hawks, who did not score in the third extra period. It was only the 10th time in NBA history a team did not score in an overtime period.Hawks coach Larry Drew said his players ignored his warning against a letdown if James and Wade didn't play."There was a total, total mental letdown," Drew said. "I didn't see the sense of urgency I saw in Miami," Drew said. "The tendency is to let your guard down, and we certainly did tonight."Kings 103, Bucks 100In Sacramento, Tyreke Evans made four free throws in the final minute to finish with 26 points, and the Kings overcame a 21-point halftime deficit to stun Milwaukee.Spurs 93, Mavericks 71In San Antonio, Matt Bonner scored 17 points and the Spurs limited Dirk Nowitzki to just six in a win over Dallas.Trail Blazers 107, Lakers 96In Portland, Gerald Wallace had 31 points and sparked a key third-quarter run to lead the Trail Blazers to a fast-paced victory over Los Angeles.SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA — If the Sacramento Kings stood any chance at success this season, Paul Westphal had to find a way to control talented but volatile center DeMarcus Cousins.He couldn't — and lost his job because of it.The Kings fired Westphal Thursday after two-plus seasons as coach, cutting ties amid a slow start and an escalating dispute with Cousins.Assistant Keith Smart, let go by the Golden State Warriors in April after one season at the helm, signed a deal to become the team's new head coach.With the Cousins-Westphal spat showing no resolution, Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof finally decided to take action.Instead of trading away a promising young big man, they made Westphal the first firing of the lockout-shortened season."We're in a situation here where you can't take a philosophical vacation because things are happening in real time," Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said. "You start to keep seeing the same things over and over again, you can't sit around and meditate forever about how you're going to approach them or try and change them."A talented and athletic — albeit raw — roster entered Thursday night's home game against Milwaukee with a 2-5 record and in last place in the Pacific Division. Westphal finished with a 51-120 record in Sacramento.In a statement released by the team, Westphal thanked the Maloofs, his coaching staff and players for the opportunity."While the job is far from finished, I am proud of the strides we were able to make," he said.
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