Angels Shut Out Dodgers to Snap Win Streak
Well, it took a freeway-series matchup to cool off the red hot Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, as the Angels came to town and did just that. Ricky Nolasco threw 6.2 scoreless innings to earn his first win in nearly two months in the Angels' 4-0 victory, snapping the Dodgers' 10-game winning streak. Yunel Escobar drove in two to support Nolasco, who gave up five hits and struck out five during his third win of the year. He had gone 0-7 in 10 starts since defeating the Oakland Athletics on April 27th. The game also snaps a 17-game streak with at least one home run for Los Angeles, which was tied for the longest stretch since the team moved from Brooklyn to L.A. Rich Hill fell to 4-4 for the Dodgers after giving up three runs on four hits in a season-high seven innings. Martin Maldonado hit his eighth big fly, while Danny Espinosa had an RBI for Anaheim, who now sits alone in second place in the AL West. The series continues at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Indians Use Epic Comeback to Return to First Place
Coming off a tough, three-game sweep at home against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, the Cleveland Indians recovered well on their home field Monday night. After falling behind by seven and losing manager Terry Francona to an illness, The Tribe rallied for a wild 15-9 win over the Texas Rangers. The Indians trailed 9-2 in the fourth inning, but scored 13 unanswered to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2015. The win, combined with the Minnesota Twins falling to Chris Sale (10th win) and the Red Sox, puts Cleveland back in first place in the AL Central by a half game. Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Carlos Santana each drove in three during the comeback, as they scored five in the sixth and three in the seventh to take the lead for good. Francona was evaluated after exiting the contest and an update is expected on Tuesday. The veteran manager was reportedly experiencing similar symptoms on June 14th. Adrian Beltre, Joey Gallo, and Elvis Andrus (2) all went deep in the Rangers' loss. These two teams meet against in Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Russell Westbrook Wins NBA MVP After Historic Season
It came to the surprise of nobody when, during the first ever NBA Awards show, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The 28-year-old was awarded the honors over LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. He received 69 of 101 first-place votes, with Harden's 22 being the second-highest total. Westbrook became the second player, and first since Oscar Robertson in 1962, to average a triple-double in a season, leading the Thunder on his own to a playoff appearance in the tough Western Conference. The point guard also broke Robertson's record for most triple-doubles in a single season with 42 of them. The MVP was very emotional during his speech while thanking his mom, brother, and wife for where he is today. He also made a different kind of history on Monday, becoming the first player since Moses Malone in 1981 to win the MVP after his team failed to reach 50 wins. The Thunder were a six-seed in the West with 47 wins. So, as Westbrook's historic season officially comes to an end the right way, the off-season could bring some interesting turns to what the future holds.
Well, it took a freeway-series matchup to cool off the red hot Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, as the Angels came to town and did just that. Ricky Nolasco threw 6.2 scoreless innings to earn his first win in nearly two months in the Angels' 4-0 victory, snapping the Dodgers' 10-game winning streak. Yunel Escobar drove in two to support Nolasco, who gave up five hits and struck out five during his third win of the year. He had gone 0-7 in 10 starts since defeating the Oakland Athletics on April 27th. The game also snaps a 17-game streak with at least one home run for Los Angeles, which was tied for the longest stretch since the team moved from Brooklyn to L.A. Rich Hill fell to 4-4 for the Dodgers after giving up three runs on four hits in a season-high seven innings. Martin Maldonado hit his eighth big fly, while Danny Espinosa had an RBI for Anaheim, who now sits alone in second place in the AL West. The series continues at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Indians Use Epic Comeback to Return to First Place
Coming off a tough, three-game sweep at home against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, the Cleveland Indians recovered well on their home field Monday night. After falling behind by seven and losing manager Terry Francona to an illness, The Tribe rallied for a wild 15-9 win over the Texas Rangers. The Indians trailed 9-2 in the fourth inning, but scored 13 unanswered to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2015. The win, combined with the Minnesota Twins falling to Chris Sale (10th win) and the Red Sox, puts Cleveland back in first place in the AL Central by a half game. Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Carlos Santana each drove in three during the comeback, as they scored five in the sixth and three in the seventh to take the lead for good. Francona was evaluated after exiting the contest and an update is expected on Tuesday. The veteran manager was reportedly experiencing similar symptoms on June 14th. Adrian Beltre, Joey Gallo, and Elvis Andrus (2) all went deep in the Rangers' loss. These two teams meet against in Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Russell Westbrook Wins NBA MVP After Historic Season
It came to the surprise of nobody when, during the first ever NBA Awards show, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The 28-year-old was awarded the honors over LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. He received 69 of 101 first-place votes, with Harden's 22 being the second-highest total. Westbrook became the second player, and first since Oscar Robertson in 1962, to average a triple-double in a season, leading the Thunder on his own to a playoff appearance in the tough Western Conference. The point guard also broke Robertson's record for most triple-doubles in a single season with 42 of them. The MVP was very emotional during his speech while thanking his mom, brother, and wife for where he is today. He also made a different kind of history on Monday, becoming the first player since Moses Malone in 1981 to win the MVP after his team failed to reach 50 wins. The Thunder were a six-seed in the West with 47 wins. So, as Westbrook's historic season officially comes to an end the right way, the off-season could bring some interesting turns to what the future holds.
