Midday Recap: Firsts of the Season

A man who police want to talk to in conjunction with the Aaron Hernandez case dies in a one-car accident.  The Mets deal Patrick Corbin his first loss of the season.  And a divided city council votes on the future of hockey Phoenix.

But the big story today is the first no-no of the 2013 Major League Baseball season.  Homer Bailey strikes out 9 as he throws his second career no-hitter as the Cincinnati Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0.  Gregor Blanco was the lone player to reach base against Bailey, doing so to lead off the 7th inning.

The last no-hitter to be thrown in the majors also came from Bailey, on September 28th when the Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates.  In that game, two Pirates made it onto base against Bailey, one coming from an error to lead off the 3rd, and a walk to Andrew McCutchen in the 7th.

It's the 16th no-hitter in Reds franchise history.

TWISTS AND TURNS
There's been so many twists and turns in the Aaron Hernandez case that you don't know where it's going to head next.  Now a person of interest to police dies in a one-man car accident when, according to the Hartford Courant, the car went airborne and crashed into the Farmington Country Club.

Police are looking for any possible linkage between Hernandez and a 2012 double murder in Boston and were hoping to speak to the man, identified as Hernandez's Uncle.

There'll be more to this story as details become more available.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Associated Press via
FOX Sports Arizona

What's the best way to emerge from a rain delay?  How about plating 6 more runs in that inning to deal Patrick Corbin his first loss of the season as the Mets roll to a 9-1 victory.  When rain caused the game to be suspended in the 7th inning, the Mets had the bases loaded.

After the 100 minute delay, the Mets got back-to-back singles from Anthony Recker and Omar Quintanilla to plate 3, and Eric Young and Juan Lagares batted in runs as well.

Corbin, now 9-1 for the season, allowed a season-high 5 runs, and continues a streak where no D-Back starter has earned a winning decision since June 5th.  Jeremy Hefner allowed just 4 hits, striking out 6 in his 7 innings of work, allowing just the single run off Martin Prado's homer in the top of the 7th.

Next up for the Mets is Harvey Day.  Matt Harvey struck out 11 in his last start against the Washington Nationals, but couldn't get the win as the Nats exploded for 5 runs in the last two innings.  Randall Delgado gets his 4th major league start of the season as he will try to control his pitches better.  He walked four in the loss against the Atlanta Braves last time out.

HOT HOCKEY
Hockey's staying in Glendale.  The City Council voted last night 4-3 in favor of a 15-year $225 million lease for Jobing.com arena to the Renaissance Sports & Entertainment, a.k.a. IceArizona.  The vote reassures the Phoenix suburb that hockey will continue to be played for years to come, and ends four years of court challenges and rumors of relocation of the Coyotes to either Seattle or Quebec City.

Mets give Hefner his first win!

He didn't even last an inning.

Coming off a game against the Tampa Bay Rays where he allowed 4 runs in 7 2/3rd innings pitched, David Phelps allowed that same number in only 1/3rd innings as the New York Mets score 5 in the 1st on their way to the 9-4 win against the New York Yankees.

The win gives Jeremy Hefner his first win of the season.  Hefner struck out 5, allowing 3 runs on 9 hits in his 6 innings pitched as the Mets provided their starting pitcher with some offensive support.

Lucas Duda, Marlon Byrd and Ike Davis all drove in two runs, and Davis, Daniel Murphy and John Buck all had 2 hits as the Mets poured it on for 12 hits against the Yankees.

Brennan Boesch went 3 for 4 with 2 runs batted in for the Yankees, including a solo shot to right field in the 4th inning that got the Yankees on the board.

Tonight: The Mets conclude the 2013 Subway Series with one final game at Yankee Stadium.  He's 0-2 in 14 innings pitched against the Yankees, allowing an earned run average of 4.50.  Of the current Yankees lineup, Robinson Cano is 2 for 6 with two RBIs against Gee in the last 5 years, and Lyle Overbay is 1 for 4.

For the Yankees, Vidal Nuno will be on the mound.  Nuno is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA, and is coming off his latest start in Tampa Bay where he allowed 5 hits in 6 innings, earning 2 runs against his ledger.

Radio Coverage: 1230 FOX Sports Radio - Pregame: 6:25PM; Game: 7:05PM
TV Coverage: YES, WCWN Channel 45 (Cable Channel 15) - 7:00PM

Midday Recap: Mariano's mortal, after all.

Ron Antonelli, Robert Sabo | New York Daily News

Mariano Rivera threw out both the first and last pitches last night at Citi Field.

He, however, enjoyed that first pitch better.

His last pitch was a 90 M.P.H. cutter to Lucas Duda which Duda struck over to right field to bring David Wright home for the game-winner as the Mets swept the two games at Citi Field in the 2013 Subway Series with a 2-1 win.

Rivera, who came on with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 9th, failed to save the game for the first time in 19 opportunities this season. He failed to retire a batter, as Daniel Murphy reached on a ground-rule double to lead off the inning.  Then David Wright singled in Daniel Murphy, reaching 2nd on the throw to home to set up the at-bat with Lucas Duda.

It was Mariano's 3rd career blown save against the Mets, and the first time in his storied career which he failed to record a single out prior to blowing a save.

It also saved Matt Harvey from his first loss of the season.  Harvey threw 8 innings, striking out 10 while giving up only 1 run on 6 hits. Hiroki Kuroda pitched fantastically for the Yankees, throwing 7 innings, giving up only 4 hits and not allowing a single run.

Rivera was charged with the loss, and Scott Rice, who relieved Harvey for the 9th inning, earns his 3rd win of the season.  The Mets now have won three straight, all in comeback fashion.

The Subway Series now shifts over to the Bronx for a pair of games at Yankee Stadium.  Jeremy Hefner (0-5, 4.76) will take the mound, hoping to finally break a string where the Mets fail to win a post-Harvey start.  Hefner struck out 7 against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend in a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in his 6 innings pitched.  For the Yankees, David Phelps (3-2, 3.88) will go on the mound.  He had offensive help as he won his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays despite giving up 4 runs and striking out only 3 in his 6 2/3rd innings pitched.

Radio Coverage: 6:25PM Pregame; 7:05PM First Pitch - 1230 FOX Sports Radio, WMML
TV Coverage: 7:00PM - SNY, YES

Midday Recap: Peltz allows a hit; Rangers finally win in OT.

No NBA, No Mets, No Yankees.  A quiet day for sports, but still things to talk about.

Lori Van Buren | Albany Times Union

Well, Charlie Peltz allows his first hit in 25 2/3rd innings yesterday.  After hurling three straight no-hitters, the Queensbury Spartans ace continued his no hit streak into the 3rd inning, where he retired the first two batters before running into Julian Gallup of the Amsterdam Rugged Rams.  Gallup sent a liner to left field, ending the no-hit streak.  He is the only player to score a hit against Peltz in the last 4 games, as the rest of the Rugged Rams went hitless as Queensbury rolls into the Class A Sectional Semifinals with their 11-0 victory.

I'M BACK
It's a happy return for Terry Francona as the Cleveland Indians defeat the Boston Red Sox 12-3 in a game where every starter for the Indians recorded a hit.  Drew Stubbs put the Indians on the board in the 2nd inning with his first of three RBIs, and Mark Reynolds brought two home in the 3rd.  But the big damage came in the 6th inning as the Indians plated 6 to help give Zach McAllister his 4th win of the season.  Ryan Dempster didn't make it past the 3rd inning, giving up four runs on 5 hits as the Boston bullpen got a lot of work on Thursday.

FINALLY IT HAPPENED TO ME...
The Rangers finally win in overtime.  After going 0-3 in the extra frame in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Rangers prevent elimination with Chris Kreider's goal at 7:03 in the overtime.  It was Boston's first loss in overtime, which includes that epic comeback and overtime win in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It wasn't easy for the Rangers.  Outshot 12-4, the Rangers were lucky to escape in a scoreless tie.  After Tyler Seguin broke a 2-2 tie in the 3rd Period, the Rangers fans rejoiced as Brian Boyle scored on the Power Play.

Before the game, the Rangers stirred the rumor pot with the healthy scratch of Brad Richards.  It's widely speculated that the Rangers may be done using his services and will be looking for a different suitor for Richards come the 2013-14 season.

Game 5 is this Saturday, in Boston. (5:30pm, NBC Sports Network)

DETROIT ROCK CITY
The Detroit Red Wings have the chance to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals in prime time on Saturday after their 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.  Jimmy Howard earns the shutout after stopping all 28 of the Blackhawks shots.  Jakob Kindl put the Red Wings on the board midway through the 2nd period with his power play goal, and Daniel Cleary cleared the zone and fired into the empty net for the insurance late in the 3rd Period.

It's the only time this season that the Chicago Blackhawks have failed to score a goal, both regular season and playoffs.

Armed with a 3-1 series lead, the Detroit Red Wings look to finish off the Blackhawks at the United Center, Saturday night at 8PM. (NBC, locally NewsChannel13)

HOME
The home team wins again as the Los Angeles Kings take a 3-2 series lead after their 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks late last night.  Anze Kopitar put the Kings on the board late in the 2nd Period, and Slana Voynov scored less than a minute into the 3rd Period.  Jeff Carter sealed it with the empty-netter

Jonathan Quick earns the shutout after stopping all 24 shots he faced.

So far, through 5 games, the home team has won every game in the series.  Game 6's in San Jose, to be played this Sunday.

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
After being swept by the Cincinnati Reds, the Mets try to rebound.  But rebounding will be difficult as the Mets begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves tonight.  It's the first of what will be 8 straight night games, including a home-and-home series against the New York Yankees starting Memorial Day.

Jeremy Hefner is on the mound for the Mets, trying to come back from his last start where he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in 4 innings pitched.  The Mets will face Kris Medlen, who did a decent job of silencing the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last start.  The California-born pitcher threw 7 innings, allowing two hits and only one earned run.

Radio coverage begins on 1230 FOX Sports at 6:30PM tonight.

Mets Recap: The one that got away.

Lynne Sladky | AP

The Mets can't hold a lead.

Less than 24 hours after the Mets blew two leads in a 15-inning loss, the Mets blew a 1-0 lead in the Bottom of the 9th inning, as the Marlins walked off with a bases loaded wild pitch.  The loss is the Mets 6th straight loss, 7th out of 8, and blows what was a stellar performance from Jeremy Hefner.  

Hefner, abused in his first three starts, struck out 8 with no walks in 8 innings of work.  Left to complete the shutout, the Oral Roberts alum surrendered a lead-off single to Chris Coghlan.  A passed ball from Anthony Recker allowed Coghlan to move to 2nd, and then beat the throw on a sac-bunt that put runners on 1st and 3rd.  The attempted tag by David Wright was heavily disputed by both Wright and Terry Collins. 

Hefner then was finished for the night, replaced by Brandon Lyon.  Lyon got the first two strikes against Donovan Solano, but then three straight balls loaded the count.  Solano then took the 6th pitch to right field, scoring Coghlan to tie the game.

An intentional walk loaded the bases, and then the wild pitch brought Juan Pierre home.

THE ANATOMY OF THE LOSING STREAK

During the 6 game Mets losing streak, the Mets have been outscored 27-11.  Only once have they made it to 4 runs, coming against the Phillies on Sunday.  Only one inning out of sixty have the Mets scored more than one run, and that was thanks to John Buck's home run on Monday.

The Mets have been outhit 57-34, and have reached double-digit hits once during this stretch.  That was Monday's 15-inning marathon, where they gathered 11 hits against the Marlins pitchers.  Last night's 5 hits was the fewest hits they have held the opposition to.

The Mets have left 42 runners on base during that stretch, just three more than their opponents.  14 of those runners came in the 15-inning marathon where the Mets went 1 for 17 with runners in scoring position, only getting that 1 conversion during the 15th inning.  

The stretch has also seen the Mets strike out 55 times.  Twice (11, Thursday vs. Los Angeles; 16, Monday vs. Miami) have the Mets struck out more than 10 times.  By comparison, their opposition have K'd 38 times.  The 55 times means the Mets are out without putting the ball into play 34% of the time.

And last night was the fourth straight game where the Mets had the lead at one point in the game, but could not maintain it and thus lost.

TODAY'S OUTLOOK

The Mets will try to prevent their 2nd sweep of the season with Dillon Gee.  Gee went five innings without an issue against the Philadelphia Phillies, but the 6th inning was his undoing as the Phillies scored all four of their runs in that inning for the win.  He'll be paired with Wade LeBlanc, who is 0-4 with a 6.20 E.R.A.  Grab some lunch with the Mets - it's an early 12:40PM start. Radio Coverage: 12:00PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio

Mets Lose Series: First Citi Field Series Loss in 2013

It wasn't as strong as Matt Harvey's performances during this season, but Jeremy Hefner just had the best game of his 2013 season.

Just too bad the Mets bats failed to give him the support needed for his first win of the season.

Midday Recap 4/20: Harvey Delights, Sweet Caroline

Julio Cortez/AP Credited Photo

Bostonians celebrated the news that the 2nd man wanted in the Boston Marathon bombing was captured, and that feeling of jubilation spread to arenas and stadiums across the country.  Locally, once Dan Miner alerted the crowd at the Glens Falls Civic Center of the news during the Adirondack Phantoms game, they cheered, joined in for "Sweet Caroline", and then chanted "U-S-A".

It was the end of a stressful week for Boston and its supporting communities.

As we pointed out on Twitter:

Our thoughts: Boston Bruins & Red Sox should invite the Boston and Watertown PD's at tomorrow's game, and let the crowd applaud them loudly.
— 1230 FOX Sports WMML (@WMML1230) April 20, 2013

They deserve the chance to hear the love and support from the people they serve.

Harvey Delights
Getting back to the sports world, the big matchup of the night was the two young pitchers doing battle on the mound at Citi Field.  Stephen Strasburg was hoping to bounce back from two straight losses.  Matt Harvey took a no-hitter into the 7th inning in his last start against Minnesota, and had an 0.82 E.R.A. entering the game after winning his first three decisions.  Harvey would not get deep in the no-hit bid this time, as Strasburg was the first to hit off him in the 3rd Inning.  That would be the 1st of 4 hits that Harvey allowed, only earning 1 run against his ledger as he struck out 7 as the Mets win the 1st of 3 against the Washington Nationals this weekend.

Harvey's E.R.A. now sits at 0.93, with a 4-0 record. 

Today's Outlook
Both pitchers allowed two home runs the last time on the mound.  Gio Gonzalez surrendered 7 runs against the Braves last Saturday.  Jeremy Hefner was taken deep twice in a relief appearance to keep him loose on Thursday when the Mets fell to the Rockies.  Coverage: Radio - 1230 FOX Sports Radio, 2:25PM; TV: FOX (FOX 23 WXXA-TV, TWC Ch. 7), 3:00PM

American Hockey Drama
It's a shame the Adirondack Phantoms are not a part of the playoff picture in the American Hockey League this final week of the regular season.  If they were, they would find themselves involved in what is turning out to be a very exciting weekend for the league, as entering play today four teams are tied for the 7th and 8th playoff spots.  Manchester and Hershey were setting 9th and 10th entering play yesterday, and with their wins, they were able to leapfrog both Norfolk and Hershey, who lost.  All four teams have 76 points.  The Connecticut Whale sit with a disadvantage, as they are the only team of the four who wrap up the season tonight.  The other three play both tonight and tomorrow.  That'll make for a lot of scoreboard watching for those four clubs.

LIVE SPORTS:
Today:
MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Mets - 3:05PM; 1230 FOX Sports Radio
AHL: Springfield Falcons at Adirondack Phantoms - 7:00PM; Classic Hits Q101.7

Tomorrow:
MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Mets - 1:10PM; 1230 FOX Sports Radio
AHL: Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils - 3:00PM; Classic Hits Q101.7

LIVE SPORTS IN PERSON:We're organizing a bus trip to see the New York Mets take on the Chicago Cubs on Father's Day, June 16th.  $99 gets you round-trip bus transportation, a ticket to Citi Field's Pepsi Porch, and lunch on the bus.  A baseball game together with father and son makes for a great Father's Day idea, or maybe just a great way to spend a June afternoon.

If you're interested, or have any further questions, call our business office at (518) 793-7733 during our business hours, Monday-Friday, 9AM to 5PM.

Midday Recap 4/17: That's two they wished they had back

Photo Courtesy: New York Mets

It's been a long 72 hours for the New York Mets.  After winning their game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, they've had to endure two snowed-out games, leading to what was supposed to be a split doubleheader.  But after field crews at Coors Field were unable to remove 10 inches of snow before the scheduled 3:10p.m. first pitch, it became a traditional doubleheader, starting up at 5:10p.m.

It was two games the Mets wished they had back, as they led in both games.  In the first game, Dillon Gee got roughed up in the 5th inning, failing to protect the 4-2 lead he had at the time, when he loaded the bases and then walked in a run and gave up a 2-run single to Todd Helton, putting the Rockies in the lead.  They would go on to win 8-4.  

In the nightcap, the Mets had a 8-2 lead after a 5-run 5th inning.  Josh Edgin came in the bottom of the 5th, a strategic move to allow Laffey to come back to pitch Saturday against the Nationals.  Edgin surrendered 4 runs in the bottom of the inning, only getting one out.

But the real trouble came in the 8th inning, when a ground ball to Ruben Tejada that was supposed to end the inning got thrown way over the head of Ike Davis and into the Rockies dugout, allowing the tying two runs to come score.

The Rockies won in the 10th inning when a semi-intentional walk to Carlos Gonzalez would later come back to haunt them as he crossed the plate as the winning run, hit home by Jordan Pacheco. 

Instead of being 9-4, the Mets now find themselves one game over .500.

Troubling Stats
In both games of the doubleheader, Mets hitters failed to produce a run against the Colorado bullpen.  In addition, the Mets are now 3-4 on the road.  Hitters are going to have to find a way to correct this fast, especially with the upcoming series with the Nats that promises a showdown with Stephen Strasburg.  And while David Wright was able to keep the Mets home run streak going in the matinee, the streak came to a halt in the nightcap, ending at 12.

Tonight's Outlook

Things are not going to get any easier tonight with Jeremy Hefner on the mound for the Mets.  In his last outing, he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings, all earned, in a 7-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Mets will have to figure Jon Garland out, who started in the Rockies 7-5 win over the Padres on April 12th.  Garland did not get the decision in the win, struck out four, but surrendered 3 runs on 5 hits, going 6 innings.  If the snow stays away, coverage will begin at 8:00PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio. Game has been postponed due to snow; no make-up date announced.

Four point swing

The New York Rangers would love to have their game against the Philadelphia Flyers back as well.  The Rangers dropped a 4-2 decision against the Flyers.  Steve Mason earned his first victory as a Flyer, stopping 38 of 40 shots.  About 40 minutes later, the Winnipeg Jets earned two points as they won in a shootout against the Tampa Bay Lightning, tying the Rangers with 46 points for the last playoff spot.  The Rangers do have the advantage, with a game-in-hand on the Jets.

Boston Pride

All eyes will be on Boston this evening as the Boston Bruins host the first sporting event in the city since the Boston Marathon on Monday.  For the city, it will be a chance to return to a sense of normalcy after this horrific event after the Bruins postponed their Monday game and the Celtics cancelled their Tuesday game.  The city of Boston did announce on Tuesday that the Boston Marathon will again run in 2014, which is a positive that the city is ready to move past this.

Live Sports Ahead

Tonight - NY Mets @ Colorado Rockies - 8:40PM, 1230 FOX Sports Radio

Tomorrow - NY Mets @ Colorado Rockies - 3:10PM, 1230 FOX Sports Radio

Like us on Facebook: 1230 FOX Sports Radio & 1410 CBS Sports Radio