Predators Roll at Home to Get on Board Against Penguins
After a couple of tough road outings to begin the series, all the Nashville Predators needed to get going in the Stanley Cup Finals was a stop at home. The Predators continued their home success this postseason with a 5-1 win in Game 3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. Nashville got five goals from five different players, including Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scoring 42 seconds apart in the second period to give them the lead. All of that supported Pekka Rinne, who bounced back with 27 saves after allowing four goals in each of the first two games, and getting pulled in the third period of Game 2. James Neal, Craig Smith, and Mattias Ekholm also scored, while Josi added two assists, as the Predators improved to 8-1 on their home ice this postseason. Nashville's defense was able to hold both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin without a shot on goal, as rookie Jake Guentzel netted his 13th goal of the playoffs for the only Pittsburgh tally of the game. The Predators can even the series at home in Game 4 on Monday night.
Marlins' Volquez No-Hits Diamondbacks
After numerous close calls throughout the first two months of the 2017 MLB season, Saturday gave us our first no-hitter of the year. Edison Volquez struck out 10 and no-hit the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Miami Marlins' 3-0 victory. It was the sixth no-hitter in Marlins' franchise history and the first of the veteran's career. Volquez needed just 98 pitches to get through the game, as he walked just two, faced the minimum 27 batters, and struck out the side in the ninth inning to complete the feat. Both walks were erase with double plays, as a team was no-hit for the first time since Chicago Cubs' hurler Jake Arrieta no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in April of 2016. The last time Arizona was no hit was also against the Marlins, as Anibal Sanchez did it against them in September of 2006. The 33-year-old Volquez improved to just 2-7 on the season, but dedicated his outstanding performance to the late Jose Fernandez and Yordano Ventrua after the game. Justin Bour had two hits and two RBI to lead the Marlins' offense in the win. Theses two teams will finish up their series on Sunday afternoon.
Pujols Slams 600th Home Run in Angels' Win
The chase for 600 home runs for Albert Pujols ended in grand fashion on Saturday night, as he became the ninth player to reach the feat with a grand slam in the Los Angeles Angels' 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. The big fly came in the fourth inning after three homerless games, coming off of Ervin Santana for his 14th career grand slam. The shot was the ninth home run of the season and the 155th for him during his time with the Angels. He is the fourth youngest to joint the 600-home run club, and first to do so with a slam. Andrelton Simmons and Kole Calhoun added back-to-back home runs in the win, while Matt Shoemaker earned his fifth win after allowing just five hits over seven innings. Max Kepler provided the only offense for Minnesota with a solo home run in the loss. Santana struggled against his former team, falling to 1-3 in his career against the Angels. Los Angeles will look to earn the series split in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
After a couple of tough road outings to begin the series, all the Nashville Predators needed to get going in the Stanley Cup Finals was a stop at home. The Predators continued their home success this postseason with a 5-1 win in Game 3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. Nashville got five goals from five different players, including Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scoring 42 seconds apart in the second period to give them the lead. All of that supported Pekka Rinne, who bounced back with 27 saves after allowing four goals in each of the first two games, and getting pulled in the third period of Game 2. James Neal, Craig Smith, and Mattias Ekholm also scored, while Josi added two assists, as the Predators improved to 8-1 on their home ice this postseason. Nashville's defense was able to hold both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin without a shot on goal, as rookie Jake Guentzel netted his 13th goal of the playoffs for the only Pittsburgh tally of the game. The Predators can even the series at home in Game 4 on Monday night.
Marlins' Volquez No-Hits Diamondbacks
After numerous close calls throughout the first two months of the 2017 MLB season, Saturday gave us our first no-hitter of the year. Edison Volquez struck out 10 and no-hit the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Miami Marlins' 3-0 victory. It was the sixth no-hitter in Marlins' franchise history and the first of the veteran's career. Volquez needed just 98 pitches to get through the game, as he walked just two, faced the minimum 27 batters, and struck out the side in the ninth inning to complete the feat. Both walks were erase with double plays, as a team was no-hit for the first time since Chicago Cubs' hurler Jake Arrieta no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in April of 2016. The last time Arizona was no hit was also against the Marlins, as Anibal Sanchez did it against them in September of 2006. The 33-year-old Volquez improved to just 2-7 on the season, but dedicated his outstanding performance to the late Jose Fernandez and Yordano Ventrua after the game. Justin Bour had two hits and two RBI to lead the Marlins' offense in the win. Theses two teams will finish up their series on Sunday afternoon.
Pujols Slams 600th Home Run in Angels' Win
The chase for 600 home runs for Albert Pujols ended in grand fashion on Saturday night, as he became the ninth player to reach the feat with a grand slam in the Los Angeles Angels' 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. The big fly came in the fourth inning after three homerless games, coming off of Ervin Santana for his 14th career grand slam. The shot was the ninth home run of the season and the 155th for him during his time with the Angels. He is the fourth youngest to joint the 600-home run club, and first to do so with a slam. Andrelton Simmons and Kole Calhoun added back-to-back home runs in the win, while Matt Shoemaker earned his fifth win after allowing just five hits over seven innings. Max Kepler provided the only offense for Minnesota with a solo home run in the loss. Santana struggled against his former team, falling to 1-3 in his career against the Angels. Los Angeles will look to earn the series split in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
