The Morning After
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 9, 2010 3:00PM
Bulls Clip Cavs
While the Bulls hope to woo LeBron James this offseason, it was business last night as the Bulls clipped King James and the Cavs 109-108 and in the process clawed their way back into the playoff picture. Of course, it helped that James sat to avoid the kind of gruesome injury that sidelined Toronto's Chris Bosh (coincidentally another potential offseason Bulls target). But still, for the Bulls, a win is a win. A tight game through the first half, the Bulls were able to extend their lead out to 12 points in the third quarter before the Cavs stormed back. An 11-0 Cleveland run late in the fourth gave the Cavs the lead but the Bulls battled back and a Joakim Noah tip-in gave the Bulls the 109-108 lead with 1:21 left as the teams remained scoreless, the Cavs going cold, through the end of the game. Derrick Rose scored 24 to lead the Bulls; Kirk Hinrich added 23 and Luol Deng added 22. The Bulls now find themselves tied with Toronto for the eighth playoff spot and a match-up against the Raptors looming on Sunday, but first the Bulls hope to sharpen up against the struggling Nets tonight (7 p.m., CSN).
Cubs Finally Win
The 2010 Cubs finally broke through for their first win of the season, riding a Randy Wells gem to a 2-0 win over the Braves. Wells pitched six efficient, shutout innings - including escaping a bases loaded jam in the third - allowing six hits and striking out one. And the bullpen did their part, holding the Braves scoreless; Carlos Marmol held on in the ninth for his first save despite allowing two men to reach base. Tyler Colvin had a solo shot in the second inning to get the Cubs on the board and Marlon Byrd hit his second homer of the season in fourth. The Cubs now head to Cincinnati to face the Reds (6:10 p.m., WGN).
Sox Fall In Extras
The Sox were the Chicago team with bullpen issues as the Indians took the third and final game of the season-opening series 5-3 in 11 innings. A pair of Grady Sizemore RBIs gave the Tribe an early 2-0 lead, but a bases-loaded walk to Carlos Quentin in the fifth put the Sox on the board. Quentin put the Sox ahead with a two-run shot in the seventh but Matt Thornton gave up a run in the eighth and the game went to extras. The Tribe scored twice off of JJ Putz in the 11th to take the lead for good. The Sox now welcome the Twins for a weekend series beginning tonight (7:10 p.m., WCIU).