Durant's Career Night Moves Warriors Close to Sweep
The Golden State Warriors were heavy favorites in this NBA Finals series coming in, and those chances increased after the Cavs threw away Game 1. Despite going up 2-0, the Warriors had one star not producing as much, as Kevin Durant had really been a non-factor. that was until Wednesday night's Game 3. Durant scored a playoff career-high 43 points in the Warriors' 110-102 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 3-0 series lead. The former Oklahoma City Thunder star shot a solid 15-of-23 from the floor, as the Warriors stayed hot by shooting 51 percent on the night, despite the struggles of Steph Curry. The leader from Games 1 and 2 was just 3-for-16 from the floor, but his team moved one win away form their third title in four years, and second in a row. Durant gave the Cavs deja vu with a long three-pointer from the left wing in the final minute to seal a big road win. The hot shooter made a similar game-sealing shot from that exact location in Game 3 of last year's Finals in Cleveland, but this year's shot was much deeper. That dagger puts the Cavs in a 3-0 hole, which is a deficit that playoff teams are an all-time 0-131 in NBA history. LeBron James finished with 33 points despite rolling his ankle in the first half. When asked about the incident after the game, James shook any speculation of the injury off. Kevin Love added 20 points for the Cavs, who rallied from a 3-1 series deficit two Finals ago against the Warriors, but they will need a home win to keep their season alive in Game 4 on Friday night.
Cubs Stun Phillies With Grand Slam in Thriller
The Chicago Cubs are in a major fight in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers sitting at the top of the National League, and the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates sticking around. A home win like they got on Wednesday could be what they need to boost themselves even more in the division, as Jason Heyward's ninth-inning grand slam gave the Cubs a 7-5 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Adam Morgan surrendered the game winning hit with two outs, as the Cubs earned their eighth win in the past 10 games after falling behind in the top half of the inning. Closer Brandon Morrow gave up a tiebreaking, two-run home run to Dylan Cozens, as the Phillies thought they had pulled off a big win at Wrigley Field. Ben Zobrist struck out with the bases loaded before Heyward ended things, sending Morgan to his second loss out of the Phillies' bullpen. The grand slam was the third of the outfielder's career, and first since September 30th, 2015 when he did it as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cory Mazzoni got the final two outs of the top of the ninth for his first win with the Cubs, who blew a 3-0 lead in this game at one point. Anthony Rizzo did go deep to help the Cubs send the Phillies to their fourth loss in the past five games. Jose Quintana pitched well through 5.2 innings, but reliever Steve Cishek was greeted by a game-tying, three-run home run off the bat of Aaron Altherr. Before exiting, Quintana struck out 10 and allowed two runs on three hits in a no-decision effort. These two teams will close out this series with a matinee matchup on Thursday afternoon.
Judge, Yankees Blank Blue Jays in 13 Innings
For the first time this season, the New York Yankees struggled to score any runs through nine innings of a game. Luckily for them, the Toronto Blue Jays had the same struggles at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday night, as the Yankees earned a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays in 13 innings. Aaron Judge broke a scoreless tie with a two-run shot to left-center field, giving the Yankees a mini two-game series sweep. Giancarlo Stanton followed Judge's go-ahead shot with a solo bomb of his own, as Joe Biagini fell to 0-5 for the Blue Jays after giving up both homers. Judge's game-winner was much needed just days after going a combined 0-for-9 with a record eight strikeouts in a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The second-year star's big fly on Wednesday was his team-leading 17th home run of the season. The defending Home Run Derby Champion has already stated that he would not defend the title in this year's tournament. David Robertson worked one scoreless inning to earn his fourth win of the year for New York, while Aroldis Chapman earned his 15th save in 16 opportunities. Biagini was the seventh pitcher of the night for the Blue Jays and he gave up a leadoff single to Brett Gardner before the long balls haunted him. The Yankees remain as the only team to not be shut out this season, as they now have 49 home runs in 28 road games. Only the Oakland Athletics have more with 54 homers. That stat got to the Blue Jays, who have now dropped 10 of 11 at home and 17 of 22 overall. They will stay home for a weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles beginning on Thursday. The Yankees will move on to the Subway Series against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday night.
The Golden State Warriors were heavy favorites in this NBA Finals series coming in, and those chances increased after the Cavs threw away Game 1. Despite going up 2-0, the Warriors had one star not producing as much, as Kevin Durant had really been a non-factor. that was until Wednesday night's Game 3. Durant scored a playoff career-high 43 points in the Warriors' 110-102 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 3-0 series lead. The former Oklahoma City Thunder star shot a solid 15-of-23 from the floor, as the Warriors stayed hot by shooting 51 percent on the night, despite the struggles of Steph Curry. The leader from Games 1 and 2 was just 3-for-16 from the floor, but his team moved one win away form their third title in four years, and second in a row. Durant gave the Cavs deja vu with a long three-pointer from the left wing in the final minute to seal a big road win. The hot shooter made a similar game-sealing shot from that exact location in Game 3 of last year's Finals in Cleveland, but this year's shot was much deeper. That dagger puts the Cavs in a 3-0 hole, which is a deficit that playoff teams are an all-time 0-131 in NBA history. LeBron James finished with 33 points despite rolling his ankle in the first half. When asked about the incident after the game, James shook any speculation of the injury off. Kevin Love added 20 points for the Cavs, who rallied from a 3-1 series deficit two Finals ago against the Warriors, but they will need a home win to keep their season alive in Game 4 on Friday night.
Cubs Stun Phillies With Grand Slam in Thriller
The Chicago Cubs are in a major fight in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers sitting at the top of the National League, and the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates sticking around. A home win like they got on Wednesday could be what they need to boost themselves even more in the division, as Jason Heyward's ninth-inning grand slam gave the Cubs a 7-5 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Adam Morgan surrendered the game winning hit with two outs, as the Cubs earned their eighth win in the past 10 games after falling behind in the top half of the inning. Closer Brandon Morrow gave up a tiebreaking, two-run home run to Dylan Cozens, as the Phillies thought they had pulled off a big win at Wrigley Field. Ben Zobrist struck out with the bases loaded before Heyward ended things, sending Morgan to his second loss out of the Phillies' bullpen. The grand slam was the third of the outfielder's career, and first since September 30th, 2015 when he did it as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cory Mazzoni got the final two outs of the top of the ninth for his first win with the Cubs, who blew a 3-0 lead in this game at one point. Anthony Rizzo did go deep to help the Cubs send the Phillies to their fourth loss in the past five games. Jose Quintana pitched well through 5.2 innings, but reliever Steve Cishek was greeted by a game-tying, three-run home run off the bat of Aaron Altherr. Before exiting, Quintana struck out 10 and allowed two runs on three hits in a no-decision effort. These two teams will close out this series with a matinee matchup on Thursday afternoon.
Judge, Yankees Blank Blue Jays in 13 Innings
For the first time this season, the New York Yankees struggled to score any runs through nine innings of a game. Luckily for them, the Toronto Blue Jays had the same struggles at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday night, as the Yankees earned a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays in 13 innings. Aaron Judge broke a scoreless tie with a two-run shot to left-center field, giving the Yankees a mini two-game series sweep. Giancarlo Stanton followed Judge's go-ahead shot with a solo bomb of his own, as Joe Biagini fell to 0-5 for the Blue Jays after giving up both homers. Judge's game-winner was much needed just days after going a combined 0-for-9 with a record eight strikeouts in a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The second-year star's big fly on Wednesday was his team-leading 17th home run of the season. The defending Home Run Derby Champion has already stated that he would not defend the title in this year's tournament. David Robertson worked one scoreless inning to earn his fourth win of the year for New York, while Aroldis Chapman earned his 15th save in 16 opportunities. Biagini was the seventh pitcher of the night for the Blue Jays and he gave up a leadoff single to Brett Gardner before the long balls haunted him. The Yankees remain as the only team to not be shut out this season, as they now have 49 home runs in 28 road games. Only the Oakland Athletics have more with 54 homers. That stat got to the Blue Jays, who have now dropped 10 of 11 at home and 17 of 22 overall. They will stay home for a weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles beginning on Thursday. The Yankees will move on to the Subway Series against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday night.
