Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Early Goal for the Pens

The end of tax season brings the start of the NHL playoffs. The defending Eastern Conference champions have scored an early goal against cross-state rival Philadelphia and have a 1-0 lead.

We'll be watching that game, check out some action from the New Shea, errr Citi Park and watch the 6-2 Orioles in Texas. We'll check in throughout the night with random thoughts on that and anything else that might be going on.

It is a good day indeed.

The Pens are now on a power play.

7:39PM - One thing that I have figured out in the first week of the MLB season is that the Florida Marlins are for real. There are some other teams with quick starts that probably aren't as good as their records indicate. But expect the Marlins to be in the thick of it all year long.

The Flyers still trail 1-0. But they are on a power play now with just under 7 left in period one. It could get interesting if the Flyers can convert here.

8:15PM - The Pens have scored again, early in period number two. They just seem to come out with more offensive intensity at the start of each period. The Flyers might still be reeling after failing to secure the tie and the point they needed in the season finale Sunday versus the Rangers.

April 15th is also Jackie Robinson in MLB. Nice tribute to have all the players wearing #42, instead of just a few guys. I'm interested to see how Kris Benson does in his second start tonight in Texas. I thought he and Carl Pavano might be guys who had big comeback seasons. But they both got shelled in outing number one.

8:25PM - A couple of minor league notes from the Orioles chain.
...Billy Rowell, who started the season back in Frederick and has moved to right field for the time being, homered in Myrtle Beach tonight. Pedro Beato is throwing for the Keys. They lead 2-1.
....Jake Arrieta has allowed one earned run in five innings for Bowie. Wouldn't be surprised if his night is done. Brandon Snyder is 1-of-3 and is hitting 448 early on for the Baysox.
....Norfolk won 3-2 in Charlotte. Scott Moore hit a two-run homer and Brad Bergesen picked up the win for the Tides. Bergesen gave up two hits in six innings to earn the win, his first at AAA.

The Orioles made two roster moves today as Alfredo Simon and Melvin Mora went to the DL. I thought maybe Moore would be a candidate to replace Mora. But for now the Orioles have gone with two pitchers. Matt Albers, who may never have actually reported to Norfolk, is back with the team and Radhames Liz also got recalled. I thought the plan was to use Liz in the bullpen. So who is the starter to take Simon's place? Will they try Danys Baez there?

Monday, April 06, 2009

Three for Three

Three times the Mount has made the NCAA tournament.

Three times the team that eliminated them has gone onto win the National Title, the next year.

Kentucky beat Syracuse, Michigan State beat Florida and now Carolina has drilled Michigan State.

Congrats to the Heels, they were my pick, made all the way back on March 21st of 2008. That's right, that's the night they beat the NEC champions of a year ago, and I knew they'd win it this year.

But what a great performance. Other than the LSU game in Round two, this team was hardly threatened. It was just a magnificent performance by a dedicated group of talented players who fell short of a goal one season, only to regroup and leave no doubt the next season. Simply a great performance.

It's all over now, but one shining moment still awaits.

Hey and its a great day to be an Orioles fan. A great effort by many today as they rocked CC and the Yanks at the Yards.