The Morning After: Only The 'Hawks Survive
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 10, 2010 3:30PM
Blackhawks Ease Past Avs
The Blackhawks kept pace with San Jose for the top spot in the west as they eased past the Colorado Avalanche 5-2. Colin Fraser, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Sharp all scored to give the 'Hawks a 3-0 lead. After the Avs scored twice - once late in the second and again mid-way through the third - the 'Hawks countered as Fraser scored his second of the game and Kris Vertseeg sunk an empty-net shot. The 'Hawks remained tied with the Sharks - both with 111 points - for the number one seed heading into tomorrow's finale when the 'Hawks close the season out against the rival Detroit Red Wings (2 p.m., CSN).
Nets Outlast Bulls
The Bulls had a chance to move into the final playoff spot all by themselves last night as Toronto lost, but instead they lost in double-overtime to one of the worst teams in the league, the New Jersey Nets, 127-116. It was a close game the entire way, neither team getting too far in front of the other until the fourth when the Nets led the Bulls by 12 with eight minutes left. But the Bulls bounced back, using a late 13-3 run to take the lead back. The Nets were able to force overtime where the Bulls took a seven point lead with a minute remaining, but it still wasn't enough as the Nets forced a second overtime where the Bulls ran out of gas. In the first 4:40 of that second OT, the Bulls only managed to hit one free throw, icing the game for the Nets. Brad Miller led the team with 27 points and Derrick Rose had 25. Still tied with Raptors, the Bulls now head to Toronto tomorrow night for a key match-up that will go a long way to determining their playoff fate (5 p.m., WCIU).
Cubs Blow It To Reds
For the third time in four games, the Cubs got the early lead and manage to blow it, this time falling to the Reds 5-4. And for the second time in three games, it was the bullpen's fault. The Cubs didn't hit for power but Aramis Ramirez, Xavier Nady, and Derrek Lee all had RBI's to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead. Starter Carlos Silva gave the Cubs a fantastic effort, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts over six innings. But Esmailin Caridad gave it away in the eighth, walking the first two batters he faced and giving up a bunt single to load the bases for Drew Stubbs, how walloped a grand slam to give the Reds the 5-3 lead. The Cubs tried to claw their way back. Derrek Lee smacked a solo homer in the top of the ninth and the Cubs loaded the bases, but the game ended with an anti-climactic check swing ground out. The squads square off again this afternoon (12:10 p.m., WGN).
Sox Fall In Extras Again
For the third straight game - and second in extra innings - the Sox lost, this time victims of the Minnesota Twins by a 4-3 final. The Sox got an early 1-0 lead, but the Twins took it back 2-1 in the sixth. That's when an Alex Rios double knocked in two runs and the Sox were in command again 3-2. But, like the Cubs, the Sox bullpen couldn't hold the lead, giving up a run in the seventh to tie the game and then the winning run in the 11th. Of course, with back-to-back 11 inning games, the Sox bullpen was stretched thinner than the Cubs. It wiped out a six inning, one run, six strikeout effort by John Danks and sent the Sox to 1-3 on the year. They'll try to pull out of the slide later today when they once again face the Twins (12:05 p.m., CSN).