Jets Keep Rolling to Start Conference Finals
The Winnipeg Jets have seemingly all of a sudden taken all of the momentum on to their side in the Western Conference, and that stayed the same to begin the Western Conference Finals. Blake Wheeler had three assists, while Mark Scheifele had his NHL-leading 12th goal of this postseason, as the Jets never trailed on their home ice in a 4-2 win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Dustin Byfuglien scored just a minute into the game, as the Jets built an early 3-0 lead to get the #Whiteout rowdy early on. Patrik Laine and Joel Armia scored just 46 seconds apart to add to that quick start, while Scheifele's goal came on the power play in the second period. Brayden McNabb and William Karlsson both scored in the loss for the Golden Knights, who are now trailing in a series for the first time this postseason. Marc-Andre Fleury had 22 saves for the Knights, but has now given up at least three goals in five of his past six games. Connor Hellebuyck did not face too much traffic on his end of the ice, as he finished with 18 saves in the win. The Jets, who finished the regular season in second place of the President's Trophy race with 114 points, will host Game 2 of the series on Monday night, before the series shifts to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4 later in the week.
Yankees Walk-Off in Extras Against A's
The New York Yankees overcame their first back-to-back losses since April with an exciting finish at home on Saturday afternoon. Neil Walker had the walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning, giving the New York Yankees a 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics. Walker's game-winner comes after Brett Gardner forced extra innings by throwing Matt Olson out at home plate on an attempted sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, as the play was reviewed after initially being called safe. That helped Aroldis Chapman become the first Yankees pitcher in 26 years to walk the first three batters of an inning and not give up a run. Walker's winning hit helped the Yankees avoid their first three-game losing streak since last August. The A's put an end to Yankees' starter Domingo German's 15-inning scoreless streak with a five-run fourth inning, which was headlined by Khris Davis's three-run home run. The Yankees' responded with a four-run fourth to tie the game, as Aaron Judge smacked a two-run home run during that rally. That was the third long ball of the game for the Yankees, who also got home runs from Gary Sanchez and Aaron Hicks in the second inning. Chris Hatcher surrendered the walk-off hit to Walker, who was hitting just .163 through May 2nd, but now has nine hits in his past 25 at-bats. He will look to stay hot in the Yankees' series finale with the A's on Sunday afternoon.
Red Sox Beat Blue Jays in Price's Return
The Boston Red Sox did not get David Price in their crucial series against the New York Yankees this past week, but did get him back on the mound Saturday afternoon. After missing nine days due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his pitching hand, Price lasted 5.1 innings and struck out six, as the Red Sox rebounded from a tough extra-inning loss in the series opener with a 5-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Hanley Ramirez had a two-run shot, while Andrew Benintendi knocked in two runs, as the Red Sox remained tied with the Yankees atop the AL East. Price was scheduled to pitch last Wednesday, but was scratched in New York due to the issue that the pitcher blamed on playing the video game "Fortnite." The right-hander is a longtime video game enthusiast, and said that he would quit playing the game in the clubhouse. He threw 93 pitches, including 55 strikes, on Saturday, which was his first victory since April 17th. Price improved to 18-3 against the Blue Jays in his career, including 12-1 in 17 starts at the Rogers Centre. Benintendi finished 3-for-5 on the day, while Mookie Betts had three hits for the Red Sox, who have now won 14 of their past 17 games in Toronto. The Blue Jays have now dropped seven of their past 10 games on their home field overall, as Justin Smoak went deep for a solo shot for them in the loss. These two teams will face off in the rubber game of their series on Sunday afternoon.
The Winnipeg Jets have seemingly all of a sudden taken all of the momentum on to their side in the Western Conference, and that stayed the same to begin the Western Conference Finals. Blake Wheeler had three assists, while Mark Scheifele had his NHL-leading 12th goal of this postseason, as the Jets never trailed on their home ice in a 4-2 win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Dustin Byfuglien scored just a minute into the game, as the Jets built an early 3-0 lead to get the #Whiteout rowdy early on. Patrik Laine and Joel Armia scored just 46 seconds apart to add to that quick start, while Scheifele's goal came on the power play in the second period. Brayden McNabb and William Karlsson both scored in the loss for the Golden Knights, who are now trailing in a series for the first time this postseason. Marc-Andre Fleury had 22 saves for the Knights, but has now given up at least three goals in five of his past six games. Connor Hellebuyck did not face too much traffic on his end of the ice, as he finished with 18 saves in the win. The Jets, who finished the regular season in second place of the President's Trophy race with 114 points, will host Game 2 of the series on Monday night, before the series shifts to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4 later in the week.
Yankees Walk-Off in Extras Against A's
The New York Yankees overcame their first back-to-back losses since April with an exciting finish at home on Saturday afternoon. Neil Walker had the walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning, giving the New York Yankees a 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics. Walker's game-winner comes after Brett Gardner forced extra innings by throwing Matt Olson out at home plate on an attempted sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, as the play was reviewed after initially being called safe. That helped Aroldis Chapman become the first Yankees pitcher in 26 years to walk the first three batters of an inning and not give up a run. Walker's winning hit helped the Yankees avoid their first three-game losing streak since last August. The A's put an end to Yankees' starter Domingo German's 15-inning scoreless streak with a five-run fourth inning, which was headlined by Khris Davis's three-run home run. The Yankees' responded with a four-run fourth to tie the game, as Aaron Judge smacked a two-run home run during that rally. That was the third long ball of the game for the Yankees, who also got home runs from Gary Sanchez and Aaron Hicks in the second inning. Chris Hatcher surrendered the walk-off hit to Walker, who was hitting just .163 through May 2nd, but now has nine hits in his past 25 at-bats. He will look to stay hot in the Yankees' series finale with the A's on Sunday afternoon.
Red Sox Beat Blue Jays in Price's Return
The Boston Red Sox did not get David Price in their crucial series against the New York Yankees this past week, but did get him back on the mound Saturday afternoon. After missing nine days due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his pitching hand, Price lasted 5.1 innings and struck out six, as the Red Sox rebounded from a tough extra-inning loss in the series opener with a 5-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Hanley Ramirez had a two-run shot, while Andrew Benintendi knocked in two runs, as the Red Sox remained tied with the Yankees atop the AL East. Price was scheduled to pitch last Wednesday, but was scratched in New York due to the issue that the pitcher blamed on playing the video game "Fortnite." The right-hander is a longtime video game enthusiast, and said that he would quit playing the game in the clubhouse. He threw 93 pitches, including 55 strikes, on Saturday, which was his first victory since April 17th. Price improved to 18-3 against the Blue Jays in his career, including 12-1 in 17 starts at the Rogers Centre. Benintendi finished 3-for-5 on the day, while Mookie Betts had three hits for the Red Sox, who have now won 14 of their past 17 games in Toronto. The Blue Jays have now dropped seven of their past 10 games on their home field overall, as Justin Smoak went deep for a solo shot for them in the loss. These two teams will face off in the rubber game of their series on Sunday afternoon.
