Durant, Warriors Rally for 3-0 Series Lead
The Cleveland Cavaliers did a good job of making things interesting on their home floor in Game 3 on Wednesday night, but it was not enough to avoid the dreaded 3-0 hole. Kevin Durant hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 118-113 win, making them one victory away from another Finals win over the Cavs. Durant finished the night with 31 points, as his game-winner came with 45.3 seconds left. The win is the Warriors' 15th straight, which is good for the longest postseason streak in any of the four professional sports. Klay Thompson added 30 points and Steph Curry had 26 to help Golden State outscore Cleveland by 10 in the final quarter, overcoming a six-point deficit late. LeBron James had another monster night with 39 points, while Kyrie Irving put up 38 for the Cavs, who had the six-point lead with 3:09 remaining in the game. The close win comes after Golden State took the first two games by a combined 41 points on their home floor. The Warriors are now closing in on their second title in three years, and can finish off the series with a sweep on Friday night.
Kershaw Out-Duels Strasburg, Dodgers Avoid Sweep
The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to their ace at home Wednesday to help them avoid a sweep against the Washington Nationals. Clayton Kershaw out-pitched Stephen Strasburg with seven solid innings a 2-1 win for the Dodgers. The left-hander allowed three hits and struck out nine in his first win since May 17th, and eighth win of the season. Strasburg on the other hand struck out eight in six innings in his first loss since April 29th, and just his second defeat of the year. He was 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA in his previous six outings before Wednesday afternoon. Corey Seager supported Kershaw's efforts with his eighth home run of the season, while Yasmani Grandal doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth. Ryan Zimmerman's 17th home run was the only source of offense the Nationals had against the Dodgers ace. Kenley Jansen added a scoreless ninth for his 10th save of the year for Los Angeles. Despite the win, the Dodgers did drop two of three in the NLDS rematch that was won by L.A. in five games. The Dodgers will now stay home to host the Cincinnati Reds beginning on Friday. The Nats head home for a makeup contest with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Orioles Walk Off in Extras for Second Straight Night
The Baltimore Orioles had themselves an exciting home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including two comeback, extra-inning wins. Trey Mancini forced extras with a ninth-inning, two-run big fly, and then won it with a three-run shot in the 11th for a 9-6 O's win. Baltimore trailed 6-1 in the eighth inning before the rally began, one night after coming back from a 4-0 deficit in Tuesday's win. Wade LeBlanc surrendered the game-winner in extras, falling to 3-2 on the season. The Pirates were 91-3 when leading after eight innings since the 2016 season, and are now 21-3 this season after two straight tough defeats. Mancini's game-tying shot was in a pinch-hitting role after he was previously 0-for-5 as a pinch-hitter. The O's trailed by four heading into the ninth, but a sacrifice fly and RBI double helped cut into that lead. Reliever Mychal Givens had a scoreless 11th inning for Baltimore, improving his perfect record to 6-0. Edwin Jackson made his Orioles debut in relief, and has now pitched for 12 teams in his 15-year career. He allowed two runs in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen. The O's will do battle with the Nationals in a make-up game on Thursday night. The Pirates will return home to host the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers did a good job of making things interesting on their home floor in Game 3 on Wednesday night, but it was not enough to avoid the dreaded 3-0 hole. Kevin Durant hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 118-113 win, making them one victory away from another Finals win over the Cavs. Durant finished the night with 31 points, as his game-winner came with 45.3 seconds left. The win is the Warriors' 15th straight, which is good for the longest postseason streak in any of the four professional sports. Klay Thompson added 30 points and Steph Curry had 26 to help Golden State outscore Cleveland by 10 in the final quarter, overcoming a six-point deficit late. LeBron James had another monster night with 39 points, while Kyrie Irving put up 38 for the Cavs, who had the six-point lead with 3:09 remaining in the game. The close win comes after Golden State took the first two games by a combined 41 points on their home floor. The Warriors are now closing in on their second title in three years, and can finish off the series with a sweep on Friday night.
Kershaw Out-Duels Strasburg, Dodgers Avoid Sweep
The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to their ace at home Wednesday to help them avoid a sweep against the Washington Nationals. Clayton Kershaw out-pitched Stephen Strasburg with seven solid innings a 2-1 win for the Dodgers. The left-hander allowed three hits and struck out nine in his first win since May 17th, and eighth win of the season. Strasburg on the other hand struck out eight in six innings in his first loss since April 29th, and just his second defeat of the year. He was 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA in his previous six outings before Wednesday afternoon. Corey Seager supported Kershaw's efforts with his eighth home run of the season, while Yasmani Grandal doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth. Ryan Zimmerman's 17th home run was the only source of offense the Nationals had against the Dodgers ace. Kenley Jansen added a scoreless ninth for his 10th save of the year for Los Angeles. Despite the win, the Dodgers did drop two of three in the NLDS rematch that was won by L.A. in five games. The Dodgers will now stay home to host the Cincinnati Reds beginning on Friday. The Nats head home for a makeup contest with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Orioles Walk Off in Extras for Second Straight Night
The Baltimore Orioles had themselves an exciting home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including two comeback, extra-inning wins. Trey Mancini forced extras with a ninth-inning, two-run big fly, and then won it with a three-run shot in the 11th for a 9-6 O's win. Baltimore trailed 6-1 in the eighth inning before the rally began, one night after coming back from a 4-0 deficit in Tuesday's win. Wade LeBlanc surrendered the game-winner in extras, falling to 3-2 on the season. The Pirates were 91-3 when leading after eight innings since the 2016 season, and are now 21-3 this season after two straight tough defeats. Mancini's game-tying shot was in a pinch-hitting role after he was previously 0-for-5 as a pinch-hitter. The O's trailed by four heading into the ninth, but a sacrifice fly and RBI double helped cut into that lead. Reliever Mychal Givens had a scoreless 11th inning for Baltimore, improving his perfect record to 6-0. Edwin Jackson made his Orioles debut in relief, and has now pitched for 12 teams in his 15-year career. He allowed two runs in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen. The O's will do battle with the Nationals in a make-up game on Thursday night. The Pirates will return home to host the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
