Y E S T E R D A Y . . .
Rays 13, Angels 4: Can anyone say: “Extra Inning Walk Off Grand Slam No Travel Day Hangover?” No? Don’t worry it took me three times to even type that without a mistake. But that’s seemingly exactly what was going on with Angels as they were decimated by the Rays at the Big A last night. Fresh off being dropped by me in my fantasy league, Dioner Navarro had a home run and four RBIs, supplemented by two home runs from local boy Evan Longoria to lead the Rays’ offensive explosion. The Angels reached their max output of four runs thanks to 4 for 4 nights from Vlad and GMJ, Torii Hunter’s 200th career homerun, and John Lackey Bobblehead Night.
LSU 21, UC Irvine 7: Not a good night for Orange County baseball. That football like score on the left is the final image of UC Irvine’s blown chance to make the College World Series. Although this was pretty terrible, what the Anteaters’ players. coaches, and fans will remember is Sunday’s ninth inning collapse, which dashed their World Series hopes.
T O D A Y . . .
Celtics at Lakers (6:00 p.m PST, ABC HD): It’s do or die time for the Lakers tonight in Game 3. Time to stop whining about officiating, time to stop being “confused,” time to show some toughness, and time to remember that a me-first attitude doesn’t win championships. The fact that each and every one of you reading this knows which Laker I’m talking about is exactly why this team is two losses away from falling short of its lofty goal. And by no means is this series over (just ask Miami in 2006), BUT one thing the Lakers’ furious fourth quarter comeback assured is that this Celtics team will not be complacent at Staples tonight. Don’t fret Lakers fans, this is the NBA after all, and I’m sure more than a few calls will be going the way of the Purple and Gold.
Dodgers at Padres (7:05 p.m. PST, PRIME HD): It’s the past vs. the future tonight in SD as Dodgers phenom Clayton Kershaw takes the hill against “The Professor” Greg Maddux. Although the Padres have rattled off five straight, they — along with the Dodgers and Rockies — look like they are in for a disappointing season. A season in which the NL West looked like it was going to be one of the best divisions in baseball is quickly looking like the division will reclaim it’s mantle as one of the weakest.
Rays at Angels (7:05 p.m. PST, FSN): Jered Weaver heads to the mound against the about-to-be-suspended James Shields in an attempt to stop the Angels brief losing streak. Let’s see if the Angels’ bats can solve Tampa’s young righty, who one-hit them back on May 8th. The Angels also need to solve their former compadre in Rays manager Joe Maddon who, whether the Rays make the playoffs or not, has turned this team around.
N E W S W O R T H Y . . .
- The man who helped the Lakers hijack Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies (just kidding, sort of), the Logo (known to his friends as Jerry West) thinks the Lakers will come out on fire in Game 3.
- Dodgers 1B/3B Andy Laroche has received his ticket to the Show, albeit not in the section he had hoped for.
- Chris Bootcheck was placed on the DL with a strained forearm and the Angels recalled reliever Darren O’Day to take his place.
- USC assistant football coach Dave Watson will take a leave of absence from the team to deal with “personal issues.”
C O L U M N S . . .
- Funny how the guy eviscerating the Lakers, Paul Pierce, grew up wanting to be only one thing: a Laker.
- Steve Dilbeck of the Daily News gives the Lake Show a little pep talk before tonight’s Game 3.
- SportsHubLA Column of the Day: Bill Plaschke discusses the beat down the Lakers took in the first two games in Boston and how they need to get it together, and fast.
Discuss:
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In my opinion … the crew for tonight’s game, i.e. Bennett Salvatore, Joey Crawford and Mark Wunderlich, will do a good job calling the fouls they actually see and not inventing phantom calls that certain fans & some others might want them to see but just aren’t there in the first place.
Those complaining about the number of fouls not being on the Celtics in comparison to the number of fouls being called on the Lakers and the disparity in free throw attempts between the two teams should replay Game 2 and ask themselves a simple question,
1) How many dunk attempts and tip-ins/power/inside/driving layups to the rim did the Celtics have?
2) How many did the Lakers have?
In the 2nd & 3rd quarters, which is when the Celtics pulled away, I counted at least 9 such attempts by Boston … but only 5 such attempts for Los Angeles, a 2:1.
The reality is … the Lakers will NEED to reverse THESE NUMBERS FIRST, if they are going to get the FT situation in this series turned around in their favour while playing on their home court.