Spurs Cruise to Conference Finals Without Leonard
The San Antonio Spurs found out about two hours before Thursday's Game 6 that they would be without star Kawhi Leonard in Houston due to his ankle injury. While they were already without Tony Parker, none of that stopped them from blowing past the Houston Rockets for a stunning 114-75 rout and a 4-2 series win. LaMarcus Aldridge took charge with 34 points and 12 rebounds, as San Antonio used an impressive first half to lead by 19 at the break. They would not look back from there, as Aldridge finally woke up to advance past the second round in the postseason for the first time in his career. He also became the first Spur with 34 points and 12 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan did it against the Phoenix Suns in 2008. Trevor Ariza led the Rockets with 20 points in the loss, while star, James Harden, was held to 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting. Jonathan Simmons got the call for San Antonio in Leonard's spot and contributed 18 points on the night. The Spurs will now battle the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, which begins on Sunday, and they will have Leonard back for that series opener.
Astros Edge Yankees in Thrilling Finish
The Houston Astros-New York Yankees series is definitely the most entertaining one this weekend and it got started on Thursday night. Two of the top three teams in the American League did not disappoint in the series opener, as the Astros came out on top with a 3-2 road victory. Jake Marisnick made sure of that late, as he threw out Jacoby Ellsbury at the plate for the final out of the game. The big play ended a Yankee rally that included a Gary Sanchez RBI single in the ninth, as Houston recorded their fourth straight win. Dallas Keuchel was dealing for most of the night, becoming the majors' first six-game winner at 6-0. Ken Giles came in for his 10th save in the ninth, as Houston improved to 24-11, which is good for their best 35-game start since the franchise began in 1962. Carlos Correa's two-run home run was the big blow for Michael Pineda, who suffered his second loss, despite pitching into the seventh. The top-notch series continues in the Bronx on Friday night.
Greinke Loses No-Hit Bid in Eighth Against Pirates
The 2017 MLB regular season is still waiting on their first no-hitter and it nearly took place on Thursday night. Zack Greinke lost his no-hit bid on a solo home run from Gregory Polanco to lead off the eighth inning, but the Arizona Diamondbacks got past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-1. Fernando Rodney earned the save in the ninth after Josh Harrison was thrown out trying to steal second base by catcher Jeff Mathis to end the game. Gerrit Cole allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings, falling to 1-4 on the young season. Jake Lamb and Brandon Drury had RBIs for Arizona, who won their second straight at home. The Pirates were coming off a tough series where they were swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles and have dropped nine of the past 12 games, including five in a row. Greinke was attempting to become the third Diamondback to throw a no-hitter, and first since Edwin Jackson in 2010. There hasn't been a no-hitter at Chase Field since Jose Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies did it in 1999. The series between Pittsburgh and Arizona continues on Friday night and into the weekend.
The San Antonio Spurs found out about two hours before Thursday's Game 6 that they would be without star Kawhi Leonard in Houston due to his ankle injury. While they were already without Tony Parker, none of that stopped them from blowing past the Houston Rockets for a stunning 114-75 rout and a 4-2 series win. LaMarcus Aldridge took charge with 34 points and 12 rebounds, as San Antonio used an impressive first half to lead by 19 at the break. They would not look back from there, as Aldridge finally woke up to advance past the second round in the postseason for the first time in his career. He also became the first Spur with 34 points and 12 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan did it against the Phoenix Suns in 2008. Trevor Ariza led the Rockets with 20 points in the loss, while star, James Harden, was held to 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting. Jonathan Simmons got the call for San Antonio in Leonard's spot and contributed 18 points on the night. The Spurs will now battle the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, which begins on Sunday, and they will have Leonard back for that series opener.
Astros Edge Yankees in Thrilling Finish
The Houston Astros-New York Yankees series is definitely the most entertaining one this weekend and it got started on Thursday night. Two of the top three teams in the American League did not disappoint in the series opener, as the Astros came out on top with a 3-2 road victory. Jake Marisnick made sure of that late, as he threw out Jacoby Ellsbury at the plate for the final out of the game. The big play ended a Yankee rally that included a Gary Sanchez RBI single in the ninth, as Houston recorded their fourth straight win. Dallas Keuchel was dealing for most of the night, becoming the majors' first six-game winner at 6-0. Ken Giles came in for his 10th save in the ninth, as Houston improved to 24-11, which is good for their best 35-game start since the franchise began in 1962. Carlos Correa's two-run home run was the big blow for Michael Pineda, who suffered his second loss, despite pitching into the seventh. The top-notch series continues in the Bronx on Friday night.
Greinke Loses No-Hit Bid in Eighth Against Pirates
The 2017 MLB regular season is still waiting on their first no-hitter and it nearly took place on Thursday night. Zack Greinke lost his no-hit bid on a solo home run from Gregory Polanco to lead off the eighth inning, but the Arizona Diamondbacks got past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-1. Fernando Rodney earned the save in the ninth after Josh Harrison was thrown out trying to steal second base by catcher Jeff Mathis to end the game. Gerrit Cole allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings, falling to 1-4 on the young season. Jake Lamb and Brandon Drury had RBIs for Arizona, who won their second straight at home. The Pirates were coming off a tough series where they were swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles and have dropped nine of the past 12 games, including five in a row. Greinke was attempting to become the third Diamondback to throw a no-hitter, and first since Edwin Jackson in 2010. There hasn't been a no-hitter at Chase Field since Jose Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies did it in 1999. The series between Pittsburgh and Arizona continues on Friday night and into the weekend.
