Dodgers Rout Cubs, End World Series Drought
The Los Angeles Dodgers' 29-year World Series drought came to an end on Thursday night, as L.A. played like a team that refused to let it extend. Kike Hernandez powered the Dodgers to the Fall Classic with three home runs in an 11-1 Game-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Hernandez finished with seven RBI, as he hit home runs in the second, third, and ninth innings. The 104-win Dodgers overcame an NLCS loss to the Cubs last season, as they fell in six games to the eventual champions. Now, they got to celebrate their 22nd pennant in the Windy City during their ninth playoff appearance in 14 seasons. Kenley Jansen closed things out by getting a lineout off the bat of Willson Contreras, who went deep in a Game-4 win for the Cubs. Hernandez became the fourth player with a three-home run game in an LCS, joining Bob Robertson, George Brett, and Adam Kennedy. Boston's Troy O'Leary was the last player to record seven RBI in a postseason game, doing so in the 1999 ALDS. The Dodgers will open up the World Series at home against either the New York Yankees or Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Raiders Rally Past Chiefs in Wild Fashion
The Oakland Raiders got shot after shot to win the game late on Thursday night, and it took them their fourth chance to get the job done against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders avoided a tough loss at home, as Michael Crabtree caught the go-ahead touchdown pass on the final play of the game for a 31-30 comeback win, handing the Chiefs their second straight loss. The play came after multiple penalties move the Raiders back and forth in the red zone, as Carr finished things off with his third touchdown pass of the game. Alex Smith matched that and threw for 342 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson and a 64-yarder to Tyreek Hill. Carr's other two touchdown passes went to Amari Cooper, who caught 11 passes for 210 yards. The loss gives the Chiefs two in a row for the first time since October of 2015, as it snapped a 12-game AFC West win streak for the division leaders. Oakland's victory keeps their hopes alive on the season, as they improved to 3-4 on the year, including 2-2 on their home field. They will hit the road next week for a matchup in Buffalo against the Bills, while the Chiefs will be at home next Monday night against the Denver Broncos.
Westbrook Records Triple-Double, Thunder Rout Knicks
After Russell Westbrook set the triple-doubles record a season ago as the MVP, and then signed a big contract extension in the off-season, so why skip a beat? The point guard opened up his season Thursday night with a triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 105-84 rout of the New York Knicks. Westbrook got help from his new All-Star teammates, as Paul George had 28 points, while Carmelo Anthony added 22 against his former team. The Thunder got George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, as PG-13 shot 9-of-23 from the field. Anthony admitted in an interview leading in to the game that this contest was an opportunity for him to close his chapter in New York. His former teammate, Kristaps Porzingis put up big numbers in the loss, as he finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Former Thunder Enes Kanter, who was dealt in the Anthony trade, had 10 points and seven rebounds. No other Knick finished in double figures. OKC got a good first taste of their big three, and they'll send them back out there on Saturday night in Utah against the Jazz. The Knicks will return home to host the Detroit Pistons that same night.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' 29-year World Series drought came to an end on Thursday night, as L.A. played like a team that refused to let it extend. Kike Hernandez powered the Dodgers to the Fall Classic with three home runs in an 11-1 Game-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Hernandez finished with seven RBI, as he hit home runs in the second, third, and ninth innings. The 104-win Dodgers overcame an NLCS loss to the Cubs last season, as they fell in six games to the eventual champions. Now, they got to celebrate their 22nd pennant in the Windy City during their ninth playoff appearance in 14 seasons. Kenley Jansen closed things out by getting a lineout off the bat of Willson Contreras, who went deep in a Game-4 win for the Cubs. Hernandez became the fourth player with a three-home run game in an LCS, joining Bob Robertson, George Brett, and Adam Kennedy. Boston's Troy O'Leary was the last player to record seven RBI in a postseason game, doing so in the 1999 ALDS. The Dodgers will open up the World Series at home against either the New York Yankees or Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Raiders Rally Past Chiefs in Wild Fashion
The Oakland Raiders got shot after shot to win the game late on Thursday night, and it took them their fourth chance to get the job done against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders avoided a tough loss at home, as Michael Crabtree caught the go-ahead touchdown pass on the final play of the game for a 31-30 comeback win, handing the Chiefs their second straight loss. The play came after multiple penalties move the Raiders back and forth in the red zone, as Carr finished things off with his third touchdown pass of the game. Alex Smith matched that and threw for 342 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson and a 64-yarder to Tyreek Hill. Carr's other two touchdown passes went to Amari Cooper, who caught 11 passes for 210 yards. The loss gives the Chiefs two in a row for the first time since October of 2015, as it snapped a 12-game AFC West win streak for the division leaders. Oakland's victory keeps their hopes alive on the season, as they improved to 3-4 on the year, including 2-2 on their home field. They will hit the road next week for a matchup in Buffalo against the Bills, while the Chiefs will be at home next Monday night against the Denver Broncos.
Westbrook Records Triple-Double, Thunder Rout Knicks
After Russell Westbrook set the triple-doubles record a season ago as the MVP, and then signed a big contract extension in the off-season, so why skip a beat? The point guard opened up his season Thursday night with a triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 105-84 rout of the New York Knicks. Westbrook got help from his new All-Star teammates, as Paul George had 28 points, while Carmelo Anthony added 22 against his former team. The Thunder got George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, as PG-13 shot 9-of-23 from the field. Anthony admitted in an interview leading in to the game that this contest was an opportunity for him to close his chapter in New York. His former teammate, Kristaps Porzingis put up big numbers in the loss, as he finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Former Thunder Enes Kanter, who was dealt in the Anthony trade, had 10 points and seven rebounds. No other Knick finished in double figures. OKC got a good first taste of their big three, and they'll send them back out there on Saturday night in Utah against the Jazz. The Knicks will return home to host the Detroit Pistons that same night.
