Midday Recap: Mets get swept, NHL Playoffs set

Howard Simmons | New York Daily News

John Buck dropped the ball.  Both Figuratively and Literally.

Tied 1-1 in the top 7th, John Buck had the opportunity to get the Mets out of the inning as Laynce Nix popped up in foul territory.  Buck didn't get a good glove on it and it popped out of his glove for an error.  With new life, Nix started what would be a three-run 7th inning as the Phillies went on to sweep the Mets with the 5-1 victory on Sunday.

"I should have had it," Buck told reporters after the game.  "Just missed it."

The series loss for the Mets is their second straight, and third out of four, and has left the Mets with a bitter-tasting 10-13 record.  

TONIGHT

The Mets take their first trip to South Florida this season as they visit the Miami Marlins.  Matt Harvey (4-0, 1.54 ERA) didn't dazzle like he did his first four starts Wednesday night against the Dodgers, but got bailed out thanks to some 9th inning magic.  Mets hitters have seen Jose Fernandez (0-2, 4.50 ERA) before, striking out 8 in five innings of work the first weekend of the season.  The Mets were able to score 1 run off Fernandez, but will have to produce more to give Harvey some insurance.  Radio Coverage: 6:30PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio

BACK IN NEW YORK

The last time R.A. Dickey was in the Big Apple was September 27th, when he wore the Mets jersey against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  In that game, he went 7 2/3rds innings, giving up 3 runs while striking out 13 as the Mets would beat the Pirates.  His return to the city, this time as a Toronto Blue Jay at Yankee Stadium, didn't go so smoothly.  He went 7 innings giving up 3 runs, but only striking out 4, as the New York Yankees completed the three-game sweep of the Blue Jays thanks to a two-run shot by Lyle Overbay in the bottom of the 7th inning that gave the Yankees the 3-2 win.  R.A. Dickey this season has a 2-4 record, and a 4.50 E.R.A., and is reported to be undergoing an MRI sometime in the near future to figure out what's causing him some back and neck pain.  

BEANTOWN FINALE

All eyes were on Boston last night as the Boston Bruins hosted the last regular-season game of the year, against the Ottawa Senators.  The game was originally scheduled for Patriot's Day, but was moved in the wake of the bombings on Bolyston Street.  Three different pairings were riding on the Boston/Ottawa game.  If Boston won, they would replace Montreal as division champs, earning the #2 seed.  If Ottawa won, they would jump the Islanders as the #7 seed, setting up a Canadiens/Senators series, and Boston would face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round.  

Early, it looked as if the Sens would prevail, gathering a 2-0 lead.  The Bruins would get one back just before the 2nd Intermission, and then follow it up with the tying goal just after the 3rd Period began.  After 16 tense minutes of tied hockey, Jean-Gabriel Pageau launched the Ottawa Senators into the 7-seed with his wrister to put the Sens up for good, 3-2.  An empty-net goal sealed it, and the Sens won 4-2.

NHL PLAYOFF BOUND

And so now the NHL Playoffs are set, kicking off tomorrow as the Minnesota Wild take on the Chicago Blackhawks and then Detroit traveling west to face the Anaheim Ducks.  Of the 8 series, the Rangers/Capitals and the Senators/Canadiens will be the longest wait, as they don't start until Thursday, May 2nd.  You can find all the pairings, plus national TV info here, and we'll do our best to recap all the games afterwards.

HARDWOOD FLOOR SWEEPING

In the NBA, two of the eight 1st round series are done in four games.  The Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers are making summer plans now that they've been swept by the San Antonio Spurs after Sunday's 103-82 loss at the Staples Center.  Out east, it was really no surprise that the Miami Heat were able to finish off the Milwaukee Bucks in 4 games.  One sweep was prevented, as the Boston Celtics protected their home court with a 97-90 win over the New York Knicks.  

SPORTS ON THE RADIO

Today:
MLB - New York Mets at Miami Marlins - 7:10PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio

Tomorrow:
MLB - New York Mets at Miami Marlins - 7:10PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio