Curry Sets Finals Record, Warriors Go Up 2-0
The Golden State Warriors escaped with a Game 1 win in the NBA Finals thanks to some late-game miscues by the Cleveland Cavaliers. There was no escaping in Game 2 on Sunday night, it was just domination, as they pulled away for a 122-103 win over the Cavs for a 2-0 series lead. Curry led the second half charge and finished with 33 points, while also setting a Finals record with nine three-pointers on the night. The hot shooter finished 11-of-26 from the floor overall, while Kevin Durant contributed 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, as Golden State once again got plenty of production all over. The Cavs were a different story, as it was LeBron James versus everyone and he finished with 29 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds in the loss. Kevin Love added a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, but outside of that, the Cavaliers struggled with their shot. Cleveland is facing their second straight 2-0 series deficit, and we remember their comeback on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, en route to a Game-7 win. They also trailed the Warriors, 2-0, two Finals ago, which led to a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to hoist the trophy, so this series could be far from over if you're looking at it from that standpoint. The Warriors would like to think otherwise, as they look for their second straight NBA Title, and have had this year's success without Andre Iguodala, who hopes to make a return in this series. Klay Thompson had 20 points, while JaVale McGee and Shaun Livingston were both perfect from the floor in Sunday's win. The series now shifts to Cleveland for the first time for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Twins, Braves Win on Thrilling Walk-Offs
Two teams facing their division rivals on Sunday pulled off exciting victories on their home field, including the Minnesota Twins, who benefited from a red-hot Eddie Rosario. After going deep in Saturday's game, Rosario hit three home runs on Sunday, including a walk-off two-run shot in the ninth for a 7-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. It was Rosario's second-career three-home run game, as the Twins tried to turn the tables with something that has haunted them this season. Last week, Minnesota tied the 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates and 2010 Seattle Mariners with their eighth walk-off loss in the first 50 games of the year. Rosario had home runs in the first and seventh innings, becoming the first Twins player with multiple three-home run games. He also had one on June 13th of last season against the Mariners. The slugger's big day gave the Twins a win in three out of four games against the first-place Indians, as they sit 3.5 games back in the AL Central. The Atlanta Braves kept themselves on top of their division with another thrilling victory, walking off against the Washington Nationals for a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Culberson kept his clutch ways going with another walk-off home run, this of the two-run variety in the ninth inning. Culberson's last three home runs have all been walk offs, as four of his eight career long balls have been the same. It was his second one of the week, as he also gave the Braves a walk-off win on Memorial Day against the New York Mets with a homer. Culberson was a pinch-hitter, facing Tanner Roark in his first-career relief appearance, which led to his sixth loss of the year. Dansby Swanson led the inning off with a double, as the Braves took three of four over the weekend against Washington, and now hold a 1.5-game lead for the top spot in the NL East.
Wacha Loses No-Hit Bid in Ninth as Cards Roll
The St. Louis Cardinals had the Pittsburgh Pirates' number the entire weekend and it was Michael Wacha's turn to jump on that roll Sunday afternoon. He did just that, taking a no-hit bid into the ninth inning in a 4-0 shutout in the series finale. Pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off the final inning with a single to end Wacha's bid and his day after 111 pitches. The 26-year-old's career-high is 119 pitches. The Cardinals' starter struck out eight, as he was trying to become the first pitcher in franchise history with a no-hitter since 2001, when Bud Smith did it against the San Diego Padres. The last Cardinal no-hitter at home was done by Bob Forsch in 1983 against the Montreal Expos. It was the second time in his career that Wacha came close to achieving the feat, as he came one out away as a rookie in 2013 against the Washington Nationals. He walked two and improved to 7-1 on the season, but could not finish what would have been the fourth no-hitter in the majors this season. He had retired the first 13 batters he faced before allowing a baserunner in the fifth inning. On offense, the Cardinals got off to quick start, scoring four runs without an out on just eight pitches, as Marcell Ozuna took the eight pitch of the first inning deep for a grand slam. It was the second straight game with a home run for Ozuna, who was just a day removed from his 100th career home run. The Cardinals have now won three of four, while the Pirates have dropped three of four, as the NL Central remains tight. St. Louis will stay home to host the Miami Marlins beginning on Tuesday. The Pirates return home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers after a day off on Monday.
The Golden State Warriors escaped with a Game 1 win in the NBA Finals thanks to some late-game miscues by the Cleveland Cavaliers. There was no escaping in Game 2 on Sunday night, it was just domination, as they pulled away for a 122-103 win over the Cavs for a 2-0 series lead. Curry led the second half charge and finished with 33 points, while also setting a Finals record with nine three-pointers on the night. The hot shooter finished 11-of-26 from the floor overall, while Kevin Durant contributed 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, as Golden State once again got plenty of production all over. The Cavs were a different story, as it was LeBron James versus everyone and he finished with 29 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds in the loss. Kevin Love added a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, but outside of that, the Cavaliers struggled with their shot. Cleveland is facing their second straight 2-0 series deficit, and we remember their comeback on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, en route to a Game-7 win. They also trailed the Warriors, 2-0, two Finals ago, which led to a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to hoist the trophy, so this series could be far from over if you're looking at it from that standpoint. The Warriors would like to think otherwise, as they look for their second straight NBA Title, and have had this year's success without Andre Iguodala, who hopes to make a return in this series. Klay Thompson had 20 points, while JaVale McGee and Shaun Livingston were both perfect from the floor in Sunday's win. The series now shifts to Cleveland for the first time for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Twins, Braves Win on Thrilling Walk-Offs
Two teams facing their division rivals on Sunday pulled off exciting victories on their home field, including the Minnesota Twins, who benefited from a red-hot Eddie Rosario. After going deep in Saturday's game, Rosario hit three home runs on Sunday, including a walk-off two-run shot in the ninth for a 7-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. It was Rosario's second-career three-home run game, as the Twins tried to turn the tables with something that has haunted them this season. Last week, Minnesota tied the 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates and 2010 Seattle Mariners with their eighth walk-off loss in the first 50 games of the year. Rosario had home runs in the first and seventh innings, becoming the first Twins player with multiple three-home run games. He also had one on June 13th of last season against the Mariners. The slugger's big day gave the Twins a win in three out of four games against the first-place Indians, as they sit 3.5 games back in the AL Central. The Atlanta Braves kept themselves on top of their division with another thrilling victory, walking off against the Washington Nationals for a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Culberson kept his clutch ways going with another walk-off home run, this of the two-run variety in the ninth inning. Culberson's last three home runs have all been walk offs, as four of his eight career long balls have been the same. It was his second one of the week, as he also gave the Braves a walk-off win on Memorial Day against the New York Mets with a homer. Culberson was a pinch-hitter, facing Tanner Roark in his first-career relief appearance, which led to his sixth loss of the year. Dansby Swanson led the inning off with a double, as the Braves took three of four over the weekend against Washington, and now hold a 1.5-game lead for the top spot in the NL East.
Wacha Loses No-Hit Bid in Ninth as Cards Roll
The St. Louis Cardinals had the Pittsburgh Pirates' number the entire weekend and it was Michael Wacha's turn to jump on that roll Sunday afternoon. He did just that, taking a no-hit bid into the ninth inning in a 4-0 shutout in the series finale. Pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off the final inning with a single to end Wacha's bid and his day after 111 pitches. The 26-year-old's career-high is 119 pitches. The Cardinals' starter struck out eight, as he was trying to become the first pitcher in franchise history with a no-hitter since 2001, when Bud Smith did it against the San Diego Padres. The last Cardinal no-hitter at home was done by Bob Forsch in 1983 against the Montreal Expos. It was the second time in his career that Wacha came close to achieving the feat, as he came one out away as a rookie in 2013 against the Washington Nationals. He walked two and improved to 7-1 on the season, but could not finish what would have been the fourth no-hitter in the majors this season. He had retired the first 13 batters he faced before allowing a baserunner in the fifth inning. On offense, the Cardinals got off to quick start, scoring four runs without an out on just eight pitches, as Marcell Ozuna took the eight pitch of the first inning deep for a grand slam. It was the second straight game with a home run for Ozuna, who was just a day removed from his 100th career home run. The Cardinals have now won three of four, while the Pirates have dropped three of four, as the NL Central remains tight. St. Louis will stay home to host the Miami Marlins beginning on Tuesday. The Pirates return home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers after a day off on Monday.
