Midday Recap: "See You In Pittsburgh"

If you blinked, you missed it.

Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean was very brief in his post-game conference following the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-3 victory in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Semifinals.

He stated at the podium, which his conference lasted all of 13 seconds, that 7-3 was enough said, and "See you in Pittsburgh", where he vowed his team would come to play.

The Ottawa Senators led at the end of the first period 2-1, but then Pittsburgh bounced back with what would become 6 unanswered goals as they take a 3-1 series lead back to Pittsburgh.

FIRESTARTER
LeBron James and the Miami Heat are up 1-0 in their best of 7 series against the Indiana Pacers after their overtime win 103-102.  LeBron James caught the inbound pass with 2.2 seconds left in overtime, attacked the basket, and layed the ball in for the game-winner.

He finished the game with a triple-double, scoring 30, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing for 10 assists.  Dwayne Wade contributed with 19 points before fouling out, and Chris Bosh scored 17.

Paul George, who was responsible for tying the game to send it to overtime for the Indiana Pacers, scored 27 points as he went 10/11 from the charity stripe.  David West contributed with 26 points and Roy Hibbert scored 19.

Game 2 is Friday (8PM, TNT).

IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME...
The Mets would love to rewind the clock and play the bottom of the 8th inning over again.  Tied 4-4 with the Cincinnati Reds.  Given the gift of Zack Cozart's throwing error, the Mets had Marlon Byrd at 1st with 1 out.  Ike Davis patiently earned a walk, setting up 1st and 2nd, and the chance for John Buck to bring home the go-ahead run.

John Buck, who has had offensive woes of late, grounded into a double play, ending the inning.

In the top of the 9th, Bobby Parnell gave up the first runs he has allowed in May, as he gave up a lead-off double to Shin-Soo Choo.  Then he intentionally walked to Joey Votto, hoping to set up a double play.

Brandon Phillips, who already made the Mets pay earlier, did it again as his double brought home the go-ahead run.  Another intentional walk loaded the bases, which came back to haunt Parnell and the Mets when Todd Frazier brought home Votto and Phillips.

Finally, Parnell got his double-play ball, as Jack Hannahan ended the Reds 9th with the damage already done.

Juan Lagares ended the game when he struck out swinging.

Matt Harvey saw his ERA jump up to 1.93 as he allowed 4 runs, all earned in 6 1/3rds innings.  Harvey, who lost an appeal earlier in the day hoping to have one of the earned runs taken off his ledger from the past game in Chicago, struck out 6 and gave up 9 hits.  Thanks to Daniel Murphy and Rick Ankiel, the Mets were able to save Harvey from his first loss of the season with their hits in the 7th inning.

Bobby Parnell took the loss for the Mets.


HERO
Jose Bautista played the hero role well for the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.  He homered in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, then in the 10th inning, his single brought home Colby Rasmus for the walk-off.

The win helps back a decent Mark Buehrle start.  Buehrle, who has been roughed up for 5 or more runs in 6 of his 10 starts this season, pitched 7 innings, giving up only two runs on 4 hits.  He struck out 6.  Aaron Loup earned the win for the Blue Jays.


HISTORY IN THE MAKING
A state High School record could be set today when the Queensbury Spartans take on the Amsterdam Rugged Rams at Queensbury High, as Charlie Peltz looks to be the first pitcher to throw four consecutive no-hitters in known New York State High School Baseball history.

He hurled no-hitters against the Glens Falls Indians, the South Glens Falls Bulldogs, and, most recently, the Hudson Falls Tigers.

The last pitcher to go 3 straight games without allowing a hit was Ryan Dunford, who in 2003 pulled that feat (including a perfect game) for Bishop Timon-St. Jude.  In his fourth start, Dunford went 6 2/3rd innings, allowing a hit prior to the final out.

First pitch is scheduled for 4PM at Queensbury High School, weather permitting.