Phillies Tie Mets for First Place

Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell both homered and Kyle Kendrick pitched 6 strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies won 6-4 last night, bringing them into a first place tie with the New York Mets, who lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0.

The Phillies beat Tim Hudson and John Smoltz in back to back days to lay claim to first place. They were more than 7 games out when the month started and have gotten hot just as the Mets have gone ice cold.

The Mets were shutout yesterday by Joel Pineiro, who gave up three hits in eight innings and struck out six. Former Met Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth for his 31st save. With the loss, the Mets are not only tied for first in the division, but are now one game out of the Wild Card, if the Phillies do hold on.

The Mets have three games at home against the Florida Marlins to finish out the year, while Phillies will host three games against the Washington Nationals.

Everybody Wins in Major League Baseball!

I COULDN’T FIND ONE FOR THE ROCKIES, WHICH IS SIMPLY AN OUTRAGE!

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Yankees Complete Incredible Run to Playoffs

The New York Yankees clinched at least the American League Wild Card spot last night after defeating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 12-4. Robinson Cano drove in five runs, three of which came on a home run in the 5th inning, and Chien-Ming Wang picked up his 19th victory for the second year in a row.

In a surprising move to many within the Yankees organization, George Steinbrenner showed up for the game and even took part in the celebration with the players briefly. Steinbrenner has reportedly been ill this year as he continues to get older. However, he sat in a luxury box for last night’s game and even started speaking with fans when the Yankees had the game in hand.

After going 21-29 to begin the season, the Yankees have gone 70-38 to finish out the year as the hottest team in baseball. They will most likely play the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the playoffs, with the Boston Red Socks facing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the other American League Series.

On the other side of the Majors, no National League team has clinched a spot in the playoffs yet. The New York Mets are now only a single game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, a trait they share with the Arizona Diamondbacks who are only one game ahead of the San Diego Padres. The Chicago Cubs hold the biggest lead in the National League, which is two games over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Padres lead the Wild Card as of today, with the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies only one game back.

Simmons Late to the Game

Earlier today on this very blog…

“It appears that a three-way deal could be put in place also involving the Utah Jazz, probably sending disgruntled forward Andrei Kirilenko to Phoenix and at least Lamar Odom to Utah.”

Bill Simmons later in the day…

“Really, the only logical move for the Suns is Kirilenko. He solves their chemistry issues, replaces Marion’s rebounding/shot-blocking/defense and gives them a ton of flexibility with lineups.”

Thanks Bill.

He might also want to check those NBA rosters…last time I checked, Odom played for that other Los Angeles team.

Congratulations to Prince Fielder on Becoming the Youngest Player to Reach 50 Home Runs in a Season

Photo courtesy of The Onion.

Matrix Thinks It’s Time To Go

Shawn Marion has stated in a phone interview with the Arizona Republic that he is tired of hearing his name in persistent trade rumors and that he is ready to be traded out of Phoenix.

“I’m tired of hearing my name in trades,” Marion said Tuesday night. “I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it’s time for me to move on.”

Marion followed up his statement to Sportingnews.com that he would like to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been involved in trade rumors for Marion for quite some time. It appears that a three-way deal could be put in place also involving the Utah Jazz, probably sending disgruntled forward Andrei Kirilenko to Phoenix and at least Lamar Odom to Utah.

“You have a great organization, great ownership there with the Lakers. I don’t see no problems with playing there,” he told the Web site.

“Regardless of everything that went on with the extension, I’m tired of hearing my name in trade rumors,” Marion said. “It’s time for me to move on. I felt like they tried to force my hand to Boston with the Garnett stuff. I haven’t done anything wrong. I leave it on the floor night in and night out. Sometimes, it’s just time, and it’s time to go. It’s been like a nightmare. It hurts me making this phone call. It’s hurting me in my stomach.”

Marion, who is the Suns highest paid player, has two years remaining on his contract. His desire to play with Kobe Bryant is obvious after watching what Bryant was able to do with Team USA in this summer’s FIBA Americas Championship.

Marion averaged 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.95 steals and 1.53 blocks last season.

Pinckney Joins Timberwolves

Former Villanova standout Ed Pinckney, who most recently was an assistant coach with his alma mater, has joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach under Randy Wittman. The 6’9″ Pinckney will work mostly with big men on the team, specifically newly acquired Al Jefferson.

Pinckney led Villanova to an upset of Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA championship game, scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds against the Hoyas. He then played 12 years in the NBA with Phoenix, Sacramento, Boston, Milwaukee, Toronto, Philadelphia and Miami. From 1997 through 2003 he was a television analyst for the Miami Heat before returning to Villanova to coach under Jay Wright.

Griffey Injury Update

After coming up limp while trying to throw from the outfield on Wednesday at Wrigley Field, Ken Griffey, Jr. appears to be out for the year. When asked to describe the injury, Griffey responded with:

“The best way I can describe it is it felt like somebody bungee jumped off my right nut.”

Well then, that explains it.

All Patriots Cheating Evidence Destroyed

The NFL has reviewed “all” cheating evidence from the New England Patriots and subsequently destroyed what was submitted, “ending” a scandal that has rocked the NFL for the past two weeks.

“The Patriots have fully cooperated and complied with the requirements of the commissioner’s decision,” a statement from the NFL said. “All tapes, documents and other records relating to this matter were turned over to the league office and destroyed, and the Patriots have certified in writing that no copies or other records exist.

It seems the NFL may have overreacted a little bit by destroying everything, clearly a reaction to the initial tape finding it’s way to Fox’s NFL pregame show (the worst one on TV). Now, we will never know what the tapes and documents showed. Further cloudy details were released later.

When NFL spokesman Greg Aiello was asked if defensive players had used microphones in their shoulder pads during the Jets game so they could hear audibles, his response was “We have no evidence to support that claim.” Not, “of course they didn’t,” or “we know for sure that did not occur.” He simply said there was no evidence to support the claim. Is it possible that they just haven’t found it yet?