Long Island Ducks: Game Five Winners; Going Back To The Finals

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

 

Ducks Win Series 3-2

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

II - Ducks 3; Blue Crabs 1

III - Blue Crabs 7; Ducks 5

IV - Blue Crabs 4; Ducks 3

V - Ducks 5; Blue Crabs 4

 

 

Playoff Preview
GAME ONE FINAL

GAME TWO FINAL

GAME THREE FINAL

GAME FOUR FINAL

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:

Coach Baez Leads His Team Back To

The Atlantic League Finals.

 

Ducks Hold On For 5-4 Victory In Game Five.

Will Face Lancaster Barnstormers For League Title.

BRANDON SING CONNECTS ON THIRD HOME RUN OF SERIES;

SECOND IN LAST TWO GAMES.

Game Five; like this series; and just like this season; started out promising for the Ducks, only to take a perilous turn for the worse.  And in the ninth inning of the last Liberty Division semi final series  game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the day, the series, and the season, almost came to a disastrous end for the Long Islanders.


The Blue Crabs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.  In the bottom half of the frame, Long Island came back with two runs.  After Ray Navarrete led of with a single, Brandon Sing connected on his third home run of the series, giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead.  Southern Maryland responded quickly however.  In their next at-bat, they constructed two more runs off a fielder's choice, and a sac-fly against Ducks starter Bobby Blevins.


Blevins retired the side in order in each of the first three innings.  He left the game on the losing side of a 3-2 score after six innings pitched.  Blevins hurt his own cause when he balked home the Blue Crabs first run of the game.  In all, he allowed three runs on five hits.  He issued no walks and struck out two.  Out of the bullpen, Eric Niesen, Chris Hayes, and Matt Mays, then combined to keep Southern Maryland quiet over the next two innings.


In the bottom of the eighth, the Ducks struck back.  Brandon Sing reached first base with a one out single.  Bryant Nelson then stepped up and connected on his first home run of the series.  Lee Cruz followed with a double and was removed for pinch runner, Matt Esquivel.  Shawn Williams sent him running home with a two out single, giving the Ducks a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth.


Coach Baez then put the ball, and the game, into the right hand of former Arizona Diamond Back, Leo Rosales.  He walked the first batter he faced, but then struck out the next hitter.  Next up, Jesse Gutierrez' grounder to third baseman Bryan Nelson seemed like a sure double play.  But Nelson over threw second base, and the ball was momentarily misplayed in the outfield as well.  The two base error resulted in a run scored, and put the tying run on second base.  A Rosales wild pitch moved the tying run to third.  Long Island then completed an intentional pass to Matt Padgett.  The Ducks recorded the second out on a fielder's choice when they caught the lead runner in a run down between home and third.  With two outs, Leo Rosales then walked the bases loaded.  Rosales left them all stranded however.  He struck out the last batter he faced to end the game.


Leo Rosales gets credit for an anxiety riddled save.  For Matt Way's one scoreless inning of work in the eighth in which he struck out the side, he gets credit for the win.


The road to redemption now leads through Lancaster.  The Long Island Ducks are heading back to the Atlantic League finals.  They will try and better their results from a year ago, when they lost the championship to the York Revolution.  The Ducks rumbled through a dominant 2011 regular season, only to see their potent offense short circuit against York pitching.


This season, the Long Island crowd was treated to their first home clinching celebration since the club's 2004 championship season.  The Ducks won the first half division flag with a 39-30 record.  But they stumbled mightily in the second half, finishing dead last in the division, and very nearly escaped recording the league's worst regular season record.


In the first round of the post-season, Long Island jumped out quickly and gained a choke hold on the semi final series by winning Games One and Two in Southern Maryland.  But with three opportunities to win one game at home, the Ducks failed in their first two attempts.  The Blue Crabs tied the series on the road setting up Game Five Sunday evening.


The rematch between the Ducks and the York Revolution will not take place.  The Lancaster Barnstormers swept the Freedom Division series against the Wild Card team from York.  Lancaster rolled to first and second half division titles this season, and recorded the circuit's best record.




Mike.BTB

Long Island Ducks: Flock Drops Second Straight; Game Five Today

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

 

LIBERTY DIVISION SEMI FINALS

 

Series Tied 2-2

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

II - Ducks 3; Blue Crabs 1

III - Blue Crabs 7; Ducks 5

IV - Blue Crabs 4; Ducks 3

 

Playoff Preview
GAME ONE FINAL

GAME TWO FINAL

GAME THREE FINAL

 

GAME FIVE

 

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

FROM

BETHPAGE PARK

Long Island, N.Y.

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Club Lets Two Game Lead Waddle Away.  Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Win Games Three and Four At The Pond.  Deciding Game Five Scheduled For Late Sunday Afternoon.



In this series, so far the visiting team is holding court.  If the Ducks want another shot at the League title, that better change tonight.  Otherwise, Long Island will watch the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs possibly take on the Lancaster Barnstormers from home.


After winning the first two games of this series in Maryland, the Ducks have dropped Games Three and Four at Bethpage Park, setting up a series deciding Game Five tonight.


In Saturday night's game, each team exchanged first inning runs.  For the Ducks, Brandon Sing drove Dan Lyons home with a single.  Long Island took a 2-1 lead in the second.  With the bases loaded, only Matt Esquivel managed to trot home on a Dan Lyons sac-fly.  Otherwise it was an opportunity lost.  In the sixth inning, Long Island extended their lead to 3-1, when Brandon Sing connected on his second home run of the series.


Long Island's starter, John Brownell, pitched well through six innings.  He only allowed a run in the first inning, and three hits.  He walked two and struck out four batters.  In the seventh inning however, John surrendered three singles and allowed a run to make Game Four a 3-2 affair.  Jeremy Hill was summoned from the bullpen to finish the seventh.


The eighth inning was Leo Rosales' responsibility.  But he couldn't hold the line.  Southern Maryland first baseman Jesse Gutierrez connected on a two run home run off Long Island's reliever to give the Blue Crabs a 4-3 lead.


In the home ninth, Matt Esquivel grounded into a game ending double play, and thus committed both teams to a fifth and series deciding game on Sunday.


The Lancaster Barnstormers lead the Freedom Division series over the former repeat-defending champion York Revolution.




Mike.BTB

New York Giants: Philly Showdown - I

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Might As Well Play This Game In A School Yard.  Let's Get It On!


Uh.., yeah!  Remember us?  And why would you?  The schedule makers won't let us play at the same time everyone else does.  While we're at it, why even bother playing this game on a football field?  It's Philly - might as well play this game in a school yard.


Despite all the popular talk lately, I for one do not like relying on turnovers to win games.  I don't care how many times Philly has turned over the ball this season.  No - instead of sniffing around for turnovers, Philly/Giants games are usually more a matter of brute force, ignorance, seeing who can  deliver a bigger hit, who can withstand more pain, AND the obligatory freak occurrence.  It doesn't fall short on any Giants fan to know the damnedest things happen when these teams play each other.  So why plan?  But I'll take the turnovers when I can get them.


Last week's win over the Panthers was nice and flashy and all.., but lets get back to basics, shall we?  It is time to play football in the trenches again.  Here's why I think the Giants will win Sunday evening.  Big Blue's defensive line is healthy, and the Eagles offensive line is not.  Michael Vick is one or two big shots away from missing time this season.  Who better to get after him than the Giants?  Four games into the season...it is time they do.


The Giants have had trouble when plays bounce outside.  Otherwise, the Giants have stayed resilient up the middle.  Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard stabilized Tackle in Chris Canty's absence.  Michael Boley and Jacquian Williams continue to play well together.  If Keith Rivers can ever rejoin Mathias Kiwanuka, Boley, and Williams, what a fine linebacker unit this could be; and depth with Chase Blackburn to spare.  At Safety, Antrell Rolle and Kenny Phillips have been solid.  Rolle's knee should be fine.  And Kenny Phillips is slowly putting together the type of season we've been waiting for.  So if the defense can collectively can keep Michael Vick in the middle of the field, that would create ideal conditions for the pass rushers.  That in turn minimizes the exposure of the Corners.  It's all relative.


The key here is Michael Boley.  As the team's corner backs disintegrate behind him, Boley's responsibility of directing traffic and setting the defense increase exponentially.  At Corner, Corey Webster's hand is in a cast, and Jayron Hosely is out.  Webster will still play, but then again, he's been getting burnt like toast in two of three games.  Prince Amukamara and Michael Coe are still trying to get off the carpet as well.


So it falls back on Michael Boley and his unit to ensure the front seven pose major problems for Michael Vick.  If the G-Men keep Vick contained inside the numbers, and make him wait for something to open up down field, the pass rush will come.  If the Eagles O-Line is as banged up as advertised, the G-Men should be upon Vick quickly.


Why is this game going to come down to a field goal?  The Eagles are going to defend the run a lot better than the Panthers did.  Be sure of that.  So look for a one week down tick in Andre Brown's performance.  Ahmad Bradshaw will play.  He has always bounced back well.  We'll see how he bounces back this game.


As well as the Giants reconfigured Offensive Line has played these last two games, Philly's defensive front line is no joke.  For Sean Locklear, this is like getting thrown into the fire.  He's in, and David Diehl is out.  Some will even argue the O-Line has played better in Diehl's absence.  To that I say show me against the Eagles.  Odds are Eli gets to talk with some of Philly's defensive players up close this Sunday evening.  If recent history repeats itself, Eli might even throw an INT.  He'll be going it without Hakeem Nicks.  But Eli, and the rest of the available receivers should do just enough to squeeze out a close win in Philly.




Mike.BTB

Barclays Center - Opening Night

Cover: New York Post - 29 September 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Island Ducks: Blue Crabs Invade Pond - Win Game Three

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

 

 

2012

Divisional Semi Final Series

 

Ducks Lead Series 2-1

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

II - Ducks 3; Blue Crabs 1

III - Blue Crabs 7; Ducks 5

IV - TONIGHT

 

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: It's A Series Now.

Southern Maryland Claws Back For Game Three Win.

The Ducks seemed on to something.  The benefit to clinching a first half division title is having the option whether to start the opening round of the playoffs on the road or at home.  Long Island chose to play the first two games of their series against the Blue Crabs in Waldorf, Maryland.  Wednesday evening, that started to pay off.  Long Island took Game One behind a strong pitching effort by Randy Kiesler.  In Game Two, Long Island topped Southern Maryland again, this time behind a brilliant effort by Ducks starter Matt May, who pitched eight innings and struck out ten Blue Crabs.


Having swept the two games in Southern Maryland, the Ducks returned to The Pond Friday evening  for the first of three chances to clinch the series at home.  One more victory in this best three of five series punches Long Island's ticket back to their second consecutive championship round appearance.


On the mound Friday evening for the Ducks was the reliable Bob Zimmermann.  Opposing him was Southern Maryland's Gabriel Hernandez.


In Game Three, the home team struck first.  Making his first appearance of the series, Ducks left fielder Matt Esquivel connected on an absolute bomb to left, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.  The score remained 1-0 through four innings.  Both pitchers allowed only two hits apiece to that point.  Both hurlers struggled with control however, issuing four base on balls each.


In the top of the fifth inning, the Blue Crabs had Bob Zimmermann in major trouble.  Two walks and a single loaded the bases with no outs.  Very thick and moist air left over from earlier rain storms  which rolled through the area, perhaps prevented Jesse Gutierrez blast from sailing over the wall for a grand slam.  Instead, the Blue Crabs first baseman settled for a game tying sac-fly.  Bob Zimmermann reached back and struck out the following batter.  Then a stellar scoop by Brandon Sin at first base finished of the Blue Crabs rally, and kept damage limited to a single run.


In the home fifth, Long Island went ahead again on Ray Navarrete's rbi double.  When Brandon Sing followed with a single, Ray Navarrete was nailed at the plate trying to score.  Southern Maryland likewise limited Long Island's threat to just a single run scored.  But the Ducks were up a again in a 2-1 game after five.


After five laborious innings, a not so sharp Bob Zimmermann gave way to the bullpen.  Chris Hayes pitched a scoreless sixth inning.  But in the top of the seventh inning, the Blue Crabs had their way with Eric Niesen and Jared Lansford.  Five hits, two hit batters, a walk, and four runs later, Southern Maryland held a 5-2 lead.  A series of Brandon Sing errors helped the Blue Crabs along as well.


In the eighth inning, the Blue Claws piled on with another pair of runs to make it a 7-2 game.  But in the bottom half of the frame, the Ducks decided not to go quietly.  Timo Perez singled, driving in two runs, making the game a 7-4 affair.


Into the ninth they went.  Coach Baez called upon his seventh pitcher of the evening; Connor Graham; who retired the side in order.  In the Ducks last licks, they managed to score one run on a wild pitch, but nothing more.  The Ducks fell by a 7-5 score in Game Three.  And so..., the Ducks first opportunity to clinch this series at home is lost.  They have two more opportunities to win one game.


The last time the Long Island Ducks clinched a playoff series at home came back in 2004; their Atlantic League championship winning season.  They lost in last season's Finals to the York Revolution who went on to win their second consecutive title.  The Lancaster Barnstormers currently own a 2-0 lead over York in the Freedom Division semi final series.





Mike.BTB

PIGSKIN 2012: Football Sunday - Week Four

PIGSKIN

 

 

Football Sunday

Week Four:

 

 

SEASON RESULTS

 

WEEK ONE

WEEK TWO

WEEK THREE

 

 

 

Week Three Record:  5-9

Over All Record:  15-27-1

Schmear of the Week:  1-2

Bagels in the Basket:  -16

 

 

Punt!
* WELCOME BACK REFEREES!!  The League screwed you.
* I want to see Bill Belichick try and grab Ed Hochuli like that.
* Who thought the Saints defense would be this bad?  Don't forget how badly the Giants defense played in their first two weeks of 2007 under Coach Spagnuolo.
* If the Lions lose, I'm jumping off the bandwagon.
* Will the real Bills, Lions, Redskins, and Chargers please stand up?
* I've gotten off to bad starts before and rebounded.  Bring on Week Four!


Latest Posts:
New York Giants: Eli and Kevin Gilbride Rewriting Giants History
New York Jets: D-Generation Rex Takes Major Hit

New York Giants: PHILLY SHOWDOWN - I


Lets roll some Bagels...


 

 

FOOTBALL SUNDAY - WEEK THREE:

Friday Line ~ NYDN

 

 

Giants +2 (EAGLES)
Giants fortunes against the Eagles are bound to change.  The Giants won in Philly last season, and are clearly a better road team than they are at home.  Crazy stuff always happens in these games.  It has been that way all my life.  I like the points in a one point game.
PUSH; 19-17 Eagles
 

 

49ers -4 (JETS)
I do not necessarily mean to be brutally honest regarding this game.  But I think the Jets are going to get destroyed.
WIN; 34-0 49ers
 

 

Patriots -4 (BILLS)
The Bills haven't really revealed themselves yet.  And I'm guessing the Patriots are pissed off.
WIN; 52-28 Patriots
 

 

LIONS -5 (Vikings)
I'm still in the belief Detroit is one of the more physical teams in the league.  If they do not beat the Vikings convincingly, they are frauds.  I don't care what Minnesota did to San Francisco last week.
LOSS; 20-13 Vikings
 

 

FALCONS -7 (Panthers)
Cam Newton looks like he hasn't mastered the highs and lows of success yet.  He can look elated and despondent in the same game.  The Falcon have been playing on a mission so far.  I'm looking for the to light up the scoreboard.
LOSS; 30-28 Falcons
 

 

Chargers +1 (CHIEFS)
The Chiefs are laying a point at home?  This game is screaming upset.  So I listened.
WIN; 37-20 Chargers
 

 

TEXANS -12 1/2 (Titans)
I like the Texans big this season.  I'm gonna ride them like a mule.
WIN; 38-14 Texans
 

 

Seahawks -2 1/2 (RAMS)
The Seahawks front four absolutely mugged Aaron Rogers last week.  That was about as dominating a performance I think I ever saw from a front four.  What they accomplished was insane.  Momentum carries them through the day.
LOSS; 19-13 Rams
 

 

CARDINALS -6 (Dolphins)
The Cards are a surprising 3-0 this season, and are playing at home.  Miami sucks.  I can't pick an upset here.  I just can't see it.
LOSS; 24-21 Cardinals - OT
 

 

BRONCOS -6 1/2 (Raiders)
This has more to do with the state of disarray which is the Raiders, than what the Broncos are doing.  Historically, this game always had the home team laying three points.  This is how much Vegas thinks of the Raiders today.
WIN; 37-6 Broncos
 

 

Bengals -2 1/2 (JAGUARS)
The Bengals look better than they have over the last two seasons....finally.  The Jaguars are still in the League?
WIN; 27-10 Bengals
 

 

PACKERS -7 1/2 (Saints)
It's only a matter of time before New Orleans' defense starts to comprehend what Coach Spags' is preaching.  Just not this week.
LOSS; 28-27 Packers

 

Redskins +2 1/2 (BUCS)
I do not think the Redskins are that much better than Tampa.  But I do think they are three points better.
WIN; 24-22 Redskins
 

 

Bears +3 1/2 (COWBOYS)
Game of the Week.  I have a feeling the Bears defense will befuddle Tony Romo.  I also think the Bears will put up plenty of points against Dallas as well.
WIN; 34-18 Bears
 

 

 

*Schmear of the Week:
Bengals -2 1/2
WIN

 

That's fourteen Bagels into the oven.  The Schmear makes fifteen.  Happy Football Sunday everyone.  May your team run to daylight.

 

POST-GAME:
Week Four Record:   8-5-1
Overall Record:   23-32-2
Shmear of the Week:   2-2
Bagels in the Basket:   -11







Mike.BTB

Long Island Ducks: Returning To The Pond Up 2-0 In Series

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Playoff Preview

GAME ONE FINAL

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Strong Pitching Leads Ducks In Southern Maryland Sweep.  Team Has Three Chances At Home To Win One Game and Clinch Trip To Championship Round.


Even better than a split on the road, the Ducks swept the first two games in Southern Maryland.  Long Island now owns a 2-0 advantage in the best of five series.  They are headed home back to The Pond where they'll have three chances to win one more game, and advance to their second consecutive championship round.  The opportunity to vindicate themselves after last season's disappointing end is now just a game away.


Long Island's starter, Matt May, turned in a brilliant performance, dominating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs over eight full innings.  He limited the Blue Crabs to four hits, and issued no walks.  He allowed one run to score in the fifth inning, and nothing more.  Matt May struck out ten batters before giving way to Leo Rosales out of the bullpen.  Rosales pitched a scoreless ninth inning and struck out two batters to close out the Ducks second win in as many days.


The lone run Southern Maryland scored against May was the extent of all scoring through the first seven innings of the game.  Blue Crabs' starter, Matthew Vasquez, matched Matt May inning for inning, in what emerged into a classic pitcher's duel.  Vasquez kept the Ducks off the board.


An unfortunate sequence for the Blue Crabs allowed Long Island to score twice in the top of the eighth inning however.  Mitch Canham and Dan Lyons led off the inning with consecutive singles.  An E-3 allowed both runners to score.  Then in the top of the ninth inning, Brandon Sing launched his first home run of the playoffs, providing the Ducks with an insurance run in Long Island's eventual 3-1 final.


The Ducks have to be thrilled with their sweep in Southern Maryland but must be tempered enough to win one more game.


In Lancaster, the Barnstormers were leading 3-1 in the fourth inning before the rains came and washed out the night.  The Lancaster Barnstormers lead the Freedom Division series one game to none over the York Revolution.




Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days - Barclays Opens Tonight

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

March 10, 2010

Jay-Z Fields Questions from YES Network

During Groundbreaking Ceremonies*

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER

 

THE DOORS OPEN TONIGHT

"I got 99 problems but my team ain't one..."

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

#27 - Barclays Center - They Came Out In The Tens And Tens

#26 - Barclays Center - Thank You For You Labor

#25 - Sidewalk Closed. Use Other Side

#24 - Barclays Center - Untitled, Just Because

#23 - Valentine's Day 2011

#22 - Year One A.G. - After Groundbreaking

#21 - Barclays Center - Ya Gotta Start Somewhere

#20 - Barclays Center - Where's the Doorbell?

#19 - Barclays Center - Howdy Neighbor!

#18 - NETS UNVEIL NEW FLOOR PATTERN

#17 - September Is Just The Beginning

#16 - Last Call For Some, Is Not Last Call For Others

#15 - Barclays Center - Dude, Where's My Seat?

#14 - A Sign Of Things to Come

#13 - Growing Season Starts In December

#12 - Next Stop, Barclays Center. Watch For The Closing Doors

#11- "Keep Off The Grass!"

#10 - Barclays Center - Brrrrr!

#9 - Where's The Remote?

RIBBON CUTTING DAY ~ BARCLAYS CENTER SNEAK PEEK

#6 - Lets Raise It Up The Flagpole

#5 - Barclays Center - Who Needs Tickets?

#4 - Walk Towards The Light

#3 - All Trains Lead To Brooklyn

#2 - The First Lady Of Barclays Center?

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirty one months after groundbreaking,

Kings County's new arena is ready to host its first ever event.

Brooklyn's own Jay-Z kicks open the doors to Barclays Center tonight

with the first of eight concerts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* YES/Jay-Z - BarclaysCenter.com a/o March 2010
Mike.BTB

New York Jets: D-Generation Rex Takes Major Hit

From the desk of:   A BLUE BLOODED GIANTS FAN

NEW YORK JETS: Revis Island is now an all inclusive resort the rest of the League will be sure to visit often.


This all seems odd to say coming off a win.  After all, a victory in the NFL is worth its weight in gold.  But it appears the Jets are officially in trouble now.  Prior to Week Three, I only suspected it.  That said, there is finally a bigger story and more pressing matters than Tim Tebow to wrestle.


Darrelle Revis' left knee just set the Jets on an uncharted course.  The singularly most important player in what Coach Ryan likes to do on defense is finished for the season.  And in an indirect way, there goes the Jets pass rush as well.  Without the League's supreme cornerback, does a pass rush which relies on down field coverage, deception, and variety still live up to its (deserved or not)  reputation?  Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers will answer that question shortly.  But from here on out, it's up to Antonio Cromartie, and Joe McKnight?  Really?....to buy Rex's blitz packages that little bit of extra time they need to get to the quarterback.


That doesn't explain Miami's Reggie Bush though.  Had he stayed in the game, there is every reason to believe the Jets lose handily.  Bush was running wild until he exited the game with an injury.  So make no mistake, Jets fans can partly thank Reggie's exit for getting the Jets in a position to win Sunday's game.


If the Jets strength is their defense, what does that make the offense?  Well, right now it is a liability.  Shonn Greene, Bilal Powell, Tim Tebow, and even Mark Sanchez all took their turn running the ball.  Of the four names mentioned, least known Bilal Powell was most successful running to daylight.  Shonn Greene couldn't punch through into the end zone from the one yard line.  On a third down and goal from the Miami six yard line, Marc Sanchez decided to run and was tackled at the three.  Tim Tebow finally rushed for a first down out of the Wild Cat.  Anything Tebow after that was confusing at best.  So basically without Powell, who rushed ten times for forty five yards, there was no running game.


Save me the 306 yards passing.  Completing only 21 of 45 passes and two INT's was less than stellar.  And bouncing a pass off Tim Tebow's head was just comical.  But no, I don't blame Marc Sanchez' entire day on the starting quarterback.  When Marc was left in to establish a flow, he was fine.  Otherwise, this TIMplementation of Tebow is still disruptive.  Additionally, it has become far too apparent Marc Sanchez needs Dustin Keller back.


This was an ugly win; as ugly as they come.  But it sure beats playing well and coming up short, right?  I have but this one question.  Why would you wait to unveil the Jets version of the Wild Cat on Coach Sparano's former team?  I mean....   never mind.


In the San Francisco 49ers, the Jets have a formidable opponent on their hands.  They had better study what Minnesota did to them very closely.  More about Sunday in my next post.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days - Barclays Minus 2 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER

 

T-Minus Two Days

"The First Lady of Barclays?"

 

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

#27 - Barclays Center - They Came Out In The Tens And Tens

#26 - Barclays Center - Thank You For You Labor

#25 - Sidewalk Closed. Use Other Side

#24 - Barclays Center - Untitled, Just Because

#23 - Valentine's Day 2011

#22 - Year One A.G. - After Groundbreaking

#21 - Barclays Center - Ya Gotta Start Somewhere

#20 - Barclays Center - Where's the Doorbell?

#19 - Barclays Center - Howdy Neighbor!

#18 - NETS UNVEIL NEW FLOOR PATTERN

#17 - September Is Just The Beginning

#16 - Last Call For Some, Is Not Last Call For Others

#15 - Barclays Center - Dude, Where's My Seat?

#14 - A Sign Of Things to Come

#13 - Growing Season Starts In December

#12 - Next Stop, Barclays Center. Watch For The Closing Doors

#11- "Keep Off The Grass!"

#10 - Barclays Center - Brrrrr!

#9 - Where's The Remote?

RIBBON CUTTING DAY ~ BARCLAYS CENTER SNEAK PEEK

#6 - Lets Raise It Up The Flagpole

#5 - Barclays Center - Who Needs Tickets?

#4 - Walk Towards The Light

#3 - All Trains Lead To Brooklyn

 

 

 

 

 

Beyonce was among those who attended groundbreaking ceremonies.

Do we now consider her the First Lady of Barclays.....considering her husband...?

 

 

By March 10, 2010; groundbreaking day; barricades formed a perimeter around the decades old empty lot along Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2011

 

 

 

 

JUNE 2011

 

 

 

 

JANUARY 2012

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY

September 21, 2012

 

 

...tomorrow night, you get to step inside.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Long Island Ducks: Defeat Blue Crabs; Take 1-0 Series Lead

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ DIVISION SERIES

 

 

 

Playoff Preview

 

Long Island Lead Series 1-0

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

 

II - TONIGHT

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Eighth Inning Rally Just Enough To Defeat Blue Crabs In Game One.

There's nothing like a little late inning drama to start the playoffs, huh?  In several respects however - mission accomplished.  The idea is to split games on the road, and win at home, right?  Down in the park at Waldorf last night, the Long Island Ducks took a 1-0 lead in their semi final series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.


After just the first three batters of the game, the Ducks were in possession of a two run lead.  Kraig Binick led off the game with a double.  Batting second, Joash Brodin also doubled, scoring Binick.  Ray Navarrete then singled to drive in Brodin.


Ducks starter, Randy Keisler, kept the Blue Crabs scoreless through the first four innings.  He struck out out the side in the bottom of the first inning, with a walk interspersed.  An inning ending  double play got Randy out of the second.  In the third inning, Randy Keisler struck out the side in order.  He pitched himself into big trouble in the fourth, when with one out, he walked two batters and hit a third batter to load the bases.  But he managed to induce a foul pop-up, and a force out to escape the inning.


He wasn't as lucky in the fifth inning.  Southern Maryland struck for two runs on three hits to knot the game at two apiece.


Randy Keisler pitched six innings in all.  He allowed the two runs, and limited the Blue Crabs to four hits.  He had troubles with control as he walked four batters.  But he was also strong with nine strikeouts.


Coach Biaz went to his bullpen in the seventh.  Jared Lansford was first and struck out the side.


In the top of the eighth, Long Island broke the deadlock.  Three doubles led to two more runs.  Dan Lyons led off with the first double.  Joash Brodin followed with another to drive in Lyons.  The Brandon Sing delivered a clutch two out double to drive in Brodin for a 4-2 Ducks lead.


Coach Biaz turned to Eric Niesen for the eighth.  After retiring the lead off batter, Coach Biaz played match-ups and summoned Jeremy Hill.  But a solo home run by Jesse Gutierrez almost thwarted that strategy.  Jeremy Hill was able to complete the inning without further damage.


Leo Rosales pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve Long Island's victory, and earned himself the save.  Jared Lansford gets credit for the win.  A fine effort by Randy Keisler ended up in a no decision.


Brandon Sing drove in what wound up being the game winning RBI.

TONIGHT

 

GAME TWO

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

(SP - Matt Way)

vs.

South Maryland Blue Crabs

(SP - Matthew Vasquez)

 

FROM

The Baseball Grounds at Waldorf

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB