Consecutive wins by Phillies, who try to continue streak against Red Sox
A quick look at 10 sports stories in the news…
1. Philly beats Boston I Sixers erase 18-point deficit in remarkable comeback victory over visiting Celtics, 92-83, in Game 4 of Eastern Conference semifinals, evening series at 2-2. Series returns to Boston on Monday for Game 5. Andre Iguodala, who didn’t have field goal in first half, hits go-ahead basket and drills 3-pointer to give Sixers 5-point lead late in game. Iguodala, Evan Turner finished with 16 points apiece. Lou Williams contributes 15 to the victory. Celtics jump out to 14-0 lead and are ahead by 15 at halftime, but Sixers turn tables in second half. Game 6 will be in Philly Wednesday. If necessary, Game 7 would be on Sat., May 26 in Boston.
2. Philly beats Boston II Phillies jump out to 4-run, first-inning lead en route to 6-4 triumph over visiting Red Sox. Cole Hamels pitches 7 inning, striking out 9 and allowing 3 earned runs, to earn victory. Red Sox pull within 5-4 in top of 8th, but Phillies add insurance run and Jonathan Papelbon shuts down his former team in 9th to earn save. Carlos Ruiz, Hunter Pence each have 2 hits. Phillies continue series against Red Sox on Saturday.
3. Eagles sign McCoy Eagles sign star RB LeSean McCoy to 5-year extension that could keep him with Eagles through 2017 season. McCoy, a 2nd-round draft pick in 2009, set Eagles record last season with 17 rushing TDs and 20 overall TDs. He finished with 2011 with 1,309 yards rushing.
4. Manuel, Davidson suspended Phillies will be without manager Charlie Manuel tonight because Manuel is serving one-game suspension for heated face-to-face argument with home plate umpire Bob Davidson during Tuesday’s win over Astros. Davidson also suspended for his failure to properly handle the situation.
5. Report: Oswalt works out for Phils FOX Sports analyst Ken Rosenthal reports that Phillies watched Roy Oswalt throw bullpen session last week near his home. In injury news, Chase Utley took ground ball Thursdays for 2nd straight day as he continues recovery from knee problems. Utley had experienced pain while taking grounders this spring, so being able to do so for 2nd straight day is progress. Ryan Howard continues to make progress, according to Phillies, while doing rehab in Floriday to recover from surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. Vance Worley placed on 15-day disabled list with inflammation in right elbow. Worley says he’s had discomfort in elbow for about a month. Phillies recall lefty Joe Savery.
6. Quick work Kings edge Coyotes, 2-1, to take 3-0 series lead for third straight series. Jonathan Quick continues to excel in goal. In Eastern Conference on Wednesday, David Clarkson deflects home game-winner during third period as Devils defeat Rangers, 3-2, to tie Eastern Conference finals at 1-1. Martin Brodeur makes 23 saves to earn win. For complete schedule and playoff results, click on “NHL” in “standings” section on right side of this page.
7. Pacers hammer Heat Roy Hibbert scores 19 points, grabs 18 rebounds as Pacers pull away from Heat in 3rd quarter to post 94-75 victory, taking 2-1 series lead. Dwyane Wade scores just 5 points for Heat, who were without Chris Bosh, who is out “indefinitely” with abdominal injury. Bosh says Heat will have to advance in order for him to return. Thunder try to push lead over Lakers to 3-0 in Friday’s late game. For complete schedule and playoff results, click on “NBA” in “standings” section on right side of this page.
8. Giroux to be honored Claude Giroux will receive John Wanamaker Athletic Award, which is give to “the athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel.” Also at the Wanamaker Awards, sponsored by Philadelphia Sports Congress, Flyers founder and Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider will receive lifetime achievement award.
9. Union lose another captain Union agree to trade captain Danny Califf to Chivas USA, which is based in his home state of California. In return, Union receive midfielder Michael Lahoud and allocation money. Goalie Faryd Mondragon, last year’s captain, left Union to play in Colombia. Union also traded away popular Sebastien Le Toux during offseason.
10. Soul hit the road First-place Soul travel cross country to take on Spokane on Friday (11 p.m.).
LOCAL SCHEDULE
Monday
Phillies 5, Astros 1
NBA playoffs
Eastern Conference semifinals
Sixers 82, Boston 81
Tuesday
Phillies 4, Astros 3 (10 innings)
Wednesday
Phillies 9, Cubs 2
NBA playoffs
Eastern Conference semifinals
Celtics 107, Sixers 91
Thursday
Phillies 8, Cubs 7
Friday
Phillies 6, Red Sox 4
Soul at Spokane, 11 p.m.
NBA playoffs
Eastern Conference semifinals
Sixers 92, Celtics 83
(Series is tied, 2-2)
Saturday
Red Sox at Phillies, 7:15 p.m.
Union at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday
Red Sox at Phillies, 1:30 p.m.
FOR LEAGUE-WIDE SCORES AND STANDINGS, CLICK ON THE LINKS UNDER THE “STANDINGS” HEADING IN THE SIDEBAR TO THE RIGHT, OR IN THE HEADING AT THE UPPER-RIGHT OF THIS PAGE
In this edition of Voice of the Phanatics, we ask whether the Flyers’ season, in its entirety, was success? Or did the Flyers’ failure to reach the Conference final leave Flyers fans with a very empty feeling?
Will James van Riemsdyk be part of the Flyers’ future or will he be offseason trade bait? Will the Flyers be able to acquire a top-notch defenseman? What else do they need to do to challenge for the Stanley Cup? Eric Fisher examines their offseason options.
Junior Seau is the 8th member of San Diego’s 1994 Super Bowl team to die, and is the latest in a series of suicides among former NFL players, including Andre Waters. The possibility that playing the game is leading to players’ deaths is a scary one for the NFL.
Now that the Flyers are out of the 2012 Stanley Cup chase, we note that it’s guaranteed that an ex-Flyer will hoist the Cup this year, as we bring you the Top 10 ex-Flyers to win the Stanley Cup after they played here
The Phillies, riding a 5-game win streak and sitting above .500 for the first time since Opening Day, come home to face a circus atmosphere.
Can the Phils keep winning against the Red Sox and Nationals?
The Boston Celtics apparently were tired of hearing how the younger Sixers were going to wear them down. The Celtics ran the Sixers off the court Wednesday night, posting a decisive 107-91 victory and taking a 2-1 series lead.
Evan Turner, right, made a big basket and two free throws in the final minute of Game 2 to boost the visiting Sixers past the Celtics, 82-81, to even their series at 1-1. Unlike Game 1, the Sixers prevailed in a close game down the stretch.
Making NHL predictions in the salary cap era is like eating thin soup with a fork. Just when you think maybe you are making progress and getting the hang of it, you realize you are getting nowhere and should enjoy it the way most other people do.
Nevertheless, Ron Opher and Eric Fisher give their thoughts on the 4 teams left standing in the NHL’s war of attrition known as the Stanley Cup playoffs
Achilles Heel takes time out of his busy schedule … to reminds us of how busy he is and what an imposition it is for him write Heel Turns. He also previews TNA’s “Sacrifice,” looks ahead to WWE’s “Over the Limit” and reminds us that Smackdown is being taped in Hershey this week.
Perhaps haunted by the ghost of Red Auerbach, perhaps simply haunted by Kevin Garnett (29 points, 11 rebounds), the Sixers led for nearly the entire game, but lost to the Boston Celtics, 92-91, in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
