Monday, January 12, 2015

John Fox and Broncos Agree To Part Ways

Jofn Fox, the head coach of the Denver Broncos have agreed that the results of the past few seasons show a necessity for both parties to part ways.

"I had a productive visit with John Elway this afternoon in which we were both very honest about our time together and how to best move forward," Fox said in a statement Monday. "After this discussion, John and I mutually agreed that the timing was right for this decision."

Read the ESPN article here.

Buffalo Bills Hire Rex Ryan as New Head Coach

The Buffalo Bills have hired ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan to fill their head coaching vacancy.

The Bills are coming off a 9-7 season in which they showed signs of getting back to their great years. They have not made the playoffs in 15 years.

The hiring of Ryan is, in some corners, perplexing. Ryan has always been known as a defensive minded coach and not so in touch with the offensive side of the ball. His Jets finished 4-12 this season with many questioning Ryan's ability to improve Geno Smith's performance at QB and his propensity to rely on a run game that was keyed on after poor quarterback play. The Jet defense was above average.

The 2014 Bills seemed to be in the same straights as the Jets. Their defense was very good but the offense was forced to rely on Kyle Orton at QB who was unable to compete with the likes of the Patriots.

If nothing else, the Bills have stirred up interest in the Buffalo area.

Read the entire ESPN article here and decide for yourself if the Bills will be better off in 2015 under Coach Ryan.

NFL Championship Games Set

COLTS v PATRIOTS and PACKERS v SEAHAWKS

The teamswho will compete for the AFC and NFC Championship games have been decided on the field of play. The Colts will travel to New England to take on the Patriots while the Packers will head west to face the defending Super Bowl Champion, Seattle Seahawks.

The Colts upset the reigning AFC Champion Denver Broncos, in Denver, 24-13 behind Andrew Lucks' 265 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and the running of Daniel Herron who ran for 63 yards and a TD. The Indianapolis defense held Peyton Manning to just 211 yards and a touchdown while limiting the Broncos to 88 yards on the grond with no touchdowns.
Read the Grantland.com Piece here.


The upset minded Ravens were unable to overcome the play calling, Coach Harbaugh called it cheating, in the 35-31 loss to the Patriots. This despite having lead the Patriots twice by 14 points. Joe Flacco threw for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns but threw 2 interceptions, the last with 1:39 left on the clock and the Ravens driving. The Ravens defense held the Patriots to 14 yards on 13 carries but allowed Tom Brady to score on a 1 yard QB keeper. Brady meanwhile, threw for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns and Julian Edelman threw a 51 yard TD strike to Danny Amendola.

In the NFC, the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks used 3 touchdown passes from Russell Wilson and a smothering defense to defeat the 8-8-1 Carolina Panthers 31-17. Wilson threw for 268 yards with no interceptions and the the Seahawks rushed for 100 yards. Jermaine Kearse, Luke Willson and Doug Baldwin caught the TD passes from Wilson.

The Cowboys came up 1 play short of defeating the Green Bay Packers, who won the game 26-21. Aaron Rodgers threw for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions while Tony Romo tossed the ball 19 times and completed 15 of them for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Demarco Murray carried the ball 23 times for 123 yards and a touchdown but the play that will be remembered will be Dez Bryant's non catch of a 4th and 2 pass from Romo that turned the ball over to the Packers on downs and let Green Bay run out the clock.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Charros Score 5 Runs in 7th, Top Obregon 6-1

JALISCO TAKES 1 GAME TO NONE LEAD IN SEMIFINALS    

Marco Tovar
Marco Tovar pitched an outstanding game going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run, scattering 7 hits but left with the score tied 1-1. Mario Mendoza got the win in relief of Tovar with the help of a 5 run Charros 7th. Manny Acosta worked the 9th for the Charros. Jose Pina took the loss for the Yaquis de Obregon.

There was playoff electricity in the air from the 12,005 people in attendence at the stadium as Marco Tovar set the Yaquis down in order and the Charros came to bat. The Charros would score in the bottom of the 1st. Manny Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Leo Heras and Japhet Amador drew walks and Jon Weber singled to right to score Rodriguez for the early 1-0 Charros lead.                                                               
Manny Rodriguez Hit by Pitch


One of the strangest plays of the year happened in the bottom of the second. Gabriel Gutierrez was hit by a pitch with one out. Jesus Lopez singled with Gutierrez stopping at second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit a ball that he thought went off his foot that would have been a foul ball. No foul call was made by the home plate ump and the ball went to the pitcher who threw to the shortstop covering second to force out Lopez. The relay to first went wild but because Arredondo was hobbling at home and didn't run, the Yaquis retrieved the errant throw and got Arredondo at first to end the inning.

JC Linares drew a base on balls to lead off the 5th for Obregon. Two outs and a sacrifice bunt later,  Said Gutierrez reached safely on an error by the Charros CJ Retherford that scored Linares with the tying run. Corey Wimberly then doubled down the line in left. A fan in the seats along the wall grabbed the ball for a fan interference ground rule double. Tovar then got Jose Chaves to ground out to second to end the inning, but the score was tied at 1.

The Yaquis threatened in the 7th when Corey Wimberly and Jose Chaves singled with two outs. Mario Mendoza came on in relief of Tovar and struck out Yunesky Sanchez to end the inning.

Jesus Lopez reached for the Charros in the bottom of the 7th when the Yaquis left fielder dropped Lopez' fly ball. Lopez was not running on the fly ball and only reached first when he should easily have been on second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice that cut down Lopez at second. Manny Rodriguez singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Japhet Amador singled to score Arredondo and Jon Weber followed with a single to right that scored Rodriguez and Heras. CJ Retherford waited out a walk to load the bases again for Jalisco and Marquez Smith came through with a two run single that plated Amador and Weber. The Charros had scored 5 runs and had a 6-1 lead. Mario Mendoza and Manny Acosta did the rest.    
Marquez Smith 2 Run Single

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

4 Elected To MLB's Hall of Fame

Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio were elected to the class of 2015 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Johnson, a 5 time winner of the National League Cy young award, had 303 wins and 4875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan's 5714, and was named on 92.7% of the ballots.

Martinez went 219-100 while striking out 3154 and won the American League Cy Young Award 3 times. Pedro was a big reason behind the Red Sox winning the 2004 World Series and led the Majors in ERA 5 times. Martinez becomes the second Dominican to be named to the Hall of Fame along with Juan Marichal. 

"So many people in the Dominican Republic and so many people all over the world got to know me as a player but not as a person," Martinez said during an interview with MLB Network. "What I mean to the Dominican Republic -- it was a great honor to just have the opportunity to go on the first ballot."

Smoltz, named on 82.9% of the ballots, was 213-155 for his career with 154 saves, the only Major League pitcher with 200+ wins and 150+ saves.

"I'm honored, I'm humbled, and when the phone call came I was, for the first time ever, speechless," Smoltz told MLB Network.

Craig Biggio, who played his entire 20 career with the Houston Astros, had 3060 hits during his career and, although not well known outside of Houston, or baseball circles for that matter, was a tireless performer who was always rated in the top 10 of the three positions he played, catcher, outfielder and his permanent nove to 2nd base.

Congratulations to these 4 fine baseball players!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Charros Sweep Venados 4 Games to 0

JALISCO ADVANCES TO SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS

Jalisco is into the second round of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs with the four game sweep of the Venados de Mazatlan. Orlando Lara pitched an outstanding game, going 7 innings, scattering 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 to earn the win. Timely hitting by the offense turned 8 hits into the 4 runs scored for the victory.

The Charros scored early, plating 2 runs in the 2nd on a single to center by Jon Weber and a home run to left by Marquez Smith. Jalisco took the lead 2-0 and coasted to the win.    
Marquez Smith Home Run/Straffonimages


Jalisco added to their lead in the top of the 5th. Gabriel Gutierrez singled with one out and moved to second when Eduardo Arredondo was safe at first on an error by the Venados third baseman, Ronnier Mustelier. Manny Rodriguez came through with a single to center that score Gutierrez for the 3-0 lead but Arredondo was thrown out at third for the final out of the inning. Arredondo was hurt on the play and left the game to be replaced by Edson Garcia. No word was given on the extent of the injury to Arredondo.

Leo Heras walked to lead off the 8th for the Charros. He moved to second on an errant pick off attempt, moved to third on a ground out by Japhet Amador and scored on a single to right  by CJ Retherford. The insurance run had the Charros up 4-0.
Arredondo Injury/Straffonimages

With one out in the Venados half of the 8th, Paul Leon singled to center. Jesus Fabela followed with a single with Leon stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to score Leon as Mazatlan cut the lead to 4-1.

The Venados threatened in the bottom of the 9th when Blake Gailen and Heber Gomez led off with back-to-back singles. Charros reliever, Manny Acosta got Erick Rodriguez to hit into a double play and Jesus Castillo to ground out to second to end the game.

This series was a team effort from the first game. The pitching was unbelievably good by all four Charros starters but Marquez Smith started the scoring in all four games, either drawing a walk and coming around to score or the home run in game 4. Marquez Smith is my choice for the Most Valuable Player in the first round series.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Jalisco Bests Mazatlan In Game 3 of the Series

CHARROS HANG ON TO BEAT VENADOS 3-2

Jalisco scored 3 runs in the first five innings and hung on to defeat the Venados de Mazatlan 3-2 and take a commanding 3 games to none lead in the first round best of seven series in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs.

The Charros used another lead off walk to Marquez Smith to open the scoring in the top of the 3rd. After a Gabriel Gutierrez ground out moved Smith to second, Eduardo Arredondo singled to center to drive in Smith for the 1-0 Charros lead.         
Marquez Smith Scores from Charros Facebook
  

In the 4th, Leo Heras led off with a single and Japhet Amador walked. A sacrifice bunt by Jon Weber advanced the runners and Heras scored on a CJ Retherford ground out to first for the 2-0 lead.

Gabriel Gutierrez started the 5th for Jalisco by reaching on an error by the Venados shortstop. After Jesus Lopez flied out to center, Gutierrez moved to third on a grounder to first and scored on a Manny Rodriguez single to right to put the Charros up 3-0 through five innings.

The Venados scored a run in the bottom of the 6th on a single by Jesus Fabela and consecutive walks to Oswaldo Morejon, Blake Gailen and Ronnier Mustelier that scored Fabela. Reliever Carlos Vazquez got Jesus Castillo to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out and Jalisco maintained a 3-1 lead.

Heber Gomez drew a walk to start the bottom of the 7th for the Venados and went to second on a ground out by Erick Rodriguez. After a pitching change by the Charros, Albino Contreras singled to score Gomez and the Venados had cut the lead to 3-2 Charros.

Mario Mendoza came in to pitch the 9th for the Charros and set the Venados down to preserve the win for Jalisco starter Juan Delgadillo and pick up his 3rd save of the series.

Delgadillo went 5 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and a run while walking 2 and striking out 5. Hugo castellanos, Carlos Vazquez, Manuel Flores, Ivan salas and Adrian Rameriz were credited with holds and Mendoza picked up the save.

Eduardo Arredondo, Manny rodriguez and CJ Retherford had RBIs for the Charros.

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Panthers Use Defense To Stifle Cardinals in NFL Wild Card Game

The smothering Panthers defense held the Arizona Cardinals to 78 total yards on 47 offensive plays to defeat the Cardinals 27-16 in the first of the four wild card games this weekend.

Although Ryan Lindley completed 16 of 28 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, he was intercepted twice and sacked 4 times for 31 yards.

Cam Newton threw 2 TDs on an 18 for 32 day passing and 198 yards. Newton was intercepted once.

Jonathan Stewart carried the ball 24 times for the Panthers and racked up 122 yards and a touchdown.

Read the entire ESPN recap here.


Charros First Round Series With Venados Continues

CHARROS TAKE GAME 2, 2-0

The second game of the series between the Charros de Jalisco and the Venados de Mazatlan went to the Charros, 2-0, behind the pitching of starter Ben Koslowski, who pitched seven strong innings, and 3 relievers who held the Venaods scoreless. Mario Mendoza picked up his second save in as many days in the series. The series moves to Mazatlan for the next three games and would return to Guadalajara on Thursday the 8th if necessary.    
Ben Kozlowski courtesy Charros Jalisco


The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. As in game 1, Marquez Smith led off the inning by drawing a base on balls. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to center with Smith stopping at second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by the Venados starter, Anthony Vasquez. Eduardo Arredondo hit a sac fly to right that scored Smith and Jalisco broke on top 1-0 after three innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Jon Weber doubled and came in to score on a double by Marquez Smith. The Charros had their second run and the final score of 2-0.

Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jon Weber went 1 for 3 with a run scored and Marquez Smith, hitting .600 for the series, was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Gutierrez, batting .800 for the series, was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Playoff Baseball Returns to Guadalajara

CHARROS TOP VENADOS 4-1 TO TAKE GAME 1

The 2014 Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico regular season has come to an end and the Charros de Jalisco have finished as the top seed in their first year in the league. Jalisco started off the post season with a 4-1 win over the Venados de Mazatlan to go up 1 game to none in the best of seven series.

Marquez Smith got things going for the Charros in the bottom of the 3rd by drawing a lead off walk. Gabriel Gutierrez followed with a double to move Smith to third. Jesus Lopez then hit a sac fly to center that scored Smith and moved Gutierrez to third. Gutierrez scored when the Venados third baseman threw wild to first on a ground ball off the bat of Manny Rodriguez. The Charros led 2-0 and never looked back.

The Venados got a run back in the top of the 4th on a double by Ronnier Mustelier and a single by Olmo Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1 Charros.

Jalisco scored in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Leo Heras and Japhet Amador and a single by Charros newcomer, Jon Weber, formerly of the Mayos de Navojoa, that scored Heras for the 3-1 Jalisco lead.

The Charros scored their final run on a lead off, solo home run by Marquez Smith in the bottom of the 7th for the final score of 4-1.

Starting pitcher for the Charros, Marco Tovar, picked up the win, going 6 innings while scattering 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza notched the save by pitching a perfect 9th inning.

Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Marquez went 1 for 3 with the home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Jon Weber was 1 for 4 with an RBI

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Steelers Stop Bengals 27-17

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night 27-17 to claim the AFC North title with an 11-5 record. The Bengals are a wild card team with a 10-5-1 record.

Ben Roethlisberger completed 24 of 38 passes for 317 yards and 1 touchdown as the Steeler defense stifled the Bengal offense all night.

Andy Dalton threw for 244 yards on 27 of 38 passing for 2 touchdowns but he was also intercepted twice.

Jeremy Hill rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries for Cincinnati while the Bengal defense held the Steelers to just 30 yards on the ground on 16 carries.

Read the ESPN recap here.

Cavs Pounded by Pistons 103-80

The headline is correct. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the lowly Detroit Pistons, in Cleveland, by 27 points.

There really isn't an excuse for the loss and LeBron James says it plainly..."We're not a very good team".

Dave McMenamin had these quotes in an ESPN story:

"We're not a very good team," James said after the defeat dropped the Cavs to 18-12. "As far as on the court, we're still trying to find our way as well. We've won some good games, we've lost some games. But right now, we're just not very good in every aspect of the game that we need to be to compete every night."

It was so bad against Detroit that the Cavs were booed off the court by their hometown fans during a third-quarter timeout amid the Pistons outscoring Cleveland 86-52 over the final three quarters.

There are still a lot of games left in the season but the Cavs need to stop talking about coming together on the court and start coming together on the court. 


Harbaugh and 49ers "Mutually Agree" to Part Ways

As if anyone doubted that Jim Harbaugh would leave the 49ers following this season, ownership, this evening, announced that the team and the coach have "mutually agreed" to part ways.

Paul Gutierrez has these quotes in an article for ESPN.com.

"Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions," Niners CEO Jed York said in the statement. "We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history. Their commitment and hard work resulted in a period of success that should be looked back on proudly by our organization and our fans. We wish Jim and his family all the best."

"For the last four seasons I have had the great privilege to coach one of the storied franchises in the history of football," Harbaugh said in the statement. "We accomplished many great things together as a team during this period, which is a tribute to the incredible efforts of some of the most dedicated players and coaches in the NFL. I will miss competing alongside this group of players and coaches, I have the utmost respect and admiration for their hard work and support. It has been my honor to share the sideline with these mighty men. I will always appreciate and remember fondly, the passion and support of our Faithful fans, and want to express my particular thanks to them."

Look for Harbaugh to take over the head coaching position at the University of Michigan, his alma mater. I think the announcement will come before the playoffs start.

Charros Come from Behind to Beat Venados 12-7

Hugo Castellanos recorded the win for Jalisco on Sunday over the Venados de Mazatlan as the Charros took game two of the final series of the year by a score of 12-7. The game was all Venados until the Charros exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Mazatlan jumped on Charros starter Marco Tovar for 3 runs in the top of the 1st. Blake Gailen hit a solo home run to right with one out. Ronnier Mustelier, who had doubled, scored in front of a home run by Olmo Rosario to give the visiting Venados a 3-0 lead.

The Charros fought back in their half of the inning. After Eduardo Arredondo and Manny Rodriguez fouled out, Leo Heras walked, Japhet Amador singled and CJ Retherford drew a base on balls to load the bases. Gabriel Gutierrez came through with a double to score Heras and Amador to cut the Venados lead to 3-2.                                                               
Japhet Amador  Scores Courtesy of Carros Jalisco Beisbol


Jalisco tied the score in the 3rd when Eduardo Arredondo tripled with two outs and scored when the Mazatlan shortstop botched a ground ball by Manny Rodriguez.

Ronnier Mustelier doubled with one out in the 3rd for Mazatlan and scored on a single by Heber Gomez as the Venados retook the lead 4-3.

The Venados added to their lead in the 4th on a triple by Jesus Fabela and a single by Blake Gailen to increase the Venados lead to 5-3.

Jesus Fabela singled with one out in the 6th and scored on a double by Blake Gailen. Oswaldo Morejon's single scored Gailen and Mazatlan extended their lead to 7-3.

Eduardo Arredondo singled to lead off the Charros 7th and scored on Manny Rodriguez' eighth home run of the year as Jalisco kept fighting to narrow the lead to 7-5 Mazatlan.          
Rodriguez Home Run Courtesy of Charros Jalisco Beisbol


The 8th inning was all Charros. CJ Retherford singled to lead off the inning and went to second on a single by Gabriel Gutierrez. Marquez Smith drew a free pass to load the bases. After a pitching change for Mazatlan, Jesus Lopez singled to score Retherford. Edson Garcia hit a sac fly to right that scored Gutierrez. Eduardo Arredondo then singled to reload the bases. Manny Rodriguez drilled a single to left to score Smith and Lopez and the Charros had their first lead of the game at 9-7. After Jalisco pulled off a double steal, the Venados chose to walk Leo Heras to load the bases and bring up the league leader in RBIs, Japhet Amador. Amador delivered a single that scored Arredondo and Rodriguez for an 11-7 lead. CJ Retherford hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice that gave the Charros a 12-7 victory over Mazatlan.

Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 5 with a triple and 2 runs scored while Manny Rodriguez had a home run and 4 RBIs as he went 2 for 5. Gabriel Gutierrez went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBIs. Japhet Amador drove in 2 runs, his 53rd and 54th on the season, going 3 for 5 while scoring a run.

Jalisco is a league best 42-25 overall and 21-11 in the second half. They have clinched the best record in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico as the Tomateros de Culiacan are 4 1/2 games back with one game to play.



Harbaugh to Meet University of Michigan Officials

Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com has filed a story on two representatives from the University of Michigan meeting with San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Gutierrez notes that Harbaugh has one year remaining on his contract with the 49ers.

Read the article by Paul Gutierrez here.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Charros Smother Venados de Mazatlan 9-4

The Venados de Mazatlan came to Guadalajara for the final 3 games of the regular season and lost the first game to the Charros by a 9-4 score.

The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th on a single by CJ Retherford, a sacrifice bunt by Edson Garcia and a double by Gabriel Gutierrez that scored Retherford for the 1-0 Jalisco lead.

Jalisco scored again in the bottom of the 5th on a throwing error, a fielder's choice that the Venados pitcher threw away and a single by Manny Rodriguez that scored Jesus Lopez for a 2-0 lead.

With one out in the Charros 6th, Edson Garcia doubled to right and scored on a Gabriel Gurierrez single. The Charros were up 3-0 after 6 innings.

The Venados would score two runs in their half of the 7th. Jesus Castillo doubled, Heber Gomez walked, and a single by Erick Rodriguez scored Castillo. A sac fly to center by Hector Paez scored pinch runner Paul Leon and the Vendados had cut the Charros lead to 3-2.

Eduardo Arredondo singled to lead off the home half of the 7th, stole second and scored on a double to left by Leo Heras. Japhet Amador was walked intentionally and CJ Retherford flew out to right to get Heras to third. Mazatlan reliever, Francisco Felix, then threw a wild pitch that scored Heras and moved Amador to second. After Edson Garcia and Gabriel Gutierrez walked, Fernando Valenzuela doubled to right to score Amador and Garcia for the 7-2 Charros lead.

Manny Rodriguez connected for his 7th home run of the year in the Jalisco 8th, a two run shot to left that scored Eduardo Arredondo to increase the Charros lead to 9-2.

Mazatlan refused to give up. In the top of the 9th, after Ivan Salas replaced Adrian Ramirez for the Charros, Jesus Fabela and Hector Paez singled. With one out, Oswaldo Morejon singled to score Fabela with Paez stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to plate Paez but Sean Gleason got Olmo Rosario to ground into a 6-4 fielder's choice that ended the game with the Charros 9-4 victory.

Manuel Flores picked up the win for Jalisco to improve to 2-1 on the year. Flores went 6 innings, scattering 6 hits while striking out 3 and holding the Venados scoreless. Fredy Quintero dropped to 3-4 with the loss.

Manny Rodriguez was 3 for 5 with the home run, 3 RBIs, giving him 40 on the year, and a run scored as he raised his batting average to .335. Gabriel Gutierrez went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Leo Heras had a double and a single in his 5 trips to the plate with an RBI.

The Charros are now 41-25 overall and 20-11 in the second half. The Venados de Mazatlan fall to 30-35 overall and 14-17 for the second half.

Penn State Wins 31-30 in OT in New Era Pin Stripe Bowl

The Nittany Lions, in their 1st Bowl Game since the Sandusky scandal, beat Boston College 31-30, in overtime, in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Christian Hackenberg completed 34 of 50 passes for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns for Penn State.

Tyler Murphy threw just 19 passes for the Eagles and completed 11 of them for 97 yards and 2 TDs. Murphy also had 11 caries for 105 yards and a touchdown as Boston College rushed for 285 yards. Jon Hilliman was the leading rusher for Boston College with 25 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown.

The game came down to a missed PAT by Boston College's Mike Knoll.

Check out the ESPN Box Score here.


Friday, December 26, 2014

NFL Picks Week 17

After an 8-8 week I've decided on a new strategy for picking the winners. This new plan will only work for the last week of games because I need 15 weeks of data.

I took an average of the scores by every team to pick my winners. 3 games should be toss ups, SD @ KC, CHI @ Minn and ARI @ SF.

I went against the scores in one contest, PHIL @ NYG because the Eagles will be down after elimination and Mark Sanchez is their QB.

Here Goes:

(W)Cleveland @ Baltimore     Ravens 26-19     Back to the drawing board at QB for Browns
(W)Dallas @ Washington     Cowboys 28-19     How bout them Cowboys
(W)Indianapolis @ Tennessee     Colts 29-16     Unless all the Colts rest
(W)Jacksonville @ Houston     Texans 23-15     JJ Watt sets record for TDs by DL
(L)San Diego @ Kansas City     Chargers 23-22     Go Bolts, make me a winner
(L)NY Jets @ Miami     Dolphins 24-16     Sad goodbye to Rex Ryan
(L)Chicago @ Minnesota     Bears 21-20     This is a hard one to pick
(L)Buffalo @ New England     Patriots 31-24     Patriots rest but still win
(L)Philadelphia @ NY Giants     Giants 24-17     Eagles are just bad the last 4 weeks
(W)New Orleans @ Tampa Bay     Saints 25-17     There must be a passing record for Brees to get
(L)Carolina @ Atlanta     Falcons 25-20     Falcons can win NFC South...Yes a team will be in
(W)Detroit @ Green Bay     Packers 30-20     Rodgers just getting warmed up,,,again
(W)Oakland @ Denver     Broncos 29-19     Offense starts with Peyton...he said so!
(L)Arizona @ San Francisco     Cardinals 19-18     Lindley, Lindley, he's our man!
(W)St. Louis @ Seattle     Seahawks 25-21     No trick plays this time Fisher
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh     Steelers 25-21     "No Bengals victory in Pittsburgh" says Ben

Charros de Jalisco Drop Final Game With Obregon 6-3

The Yaquis de Obregon won their final meeting of the regular season with the Charros on Christmas Day, winning 6-3 behind the pitching of Jose Pina, who gave up 3 runs on 3 hits over 7 innings. Kenneth Sims took the loss for Jalisco to fall to 1-2 on the year.

Sergio Contreras got things going for Obregon in the bottom of the 2nd, drawing a one out walk. After stealing second, Contreras scored on a single to right by Robert Saucedo. 

The Charros duplicated the Yaquis scoring plan in the top of the 3rd. With two outs, Israel Nunez was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on an Eduardo Arredondo single to center to tie the score at 1.

Obregon went ahead 2-1 in the 3rd. After loading the bases on a single, a walk and a hit batsman, Esteban Quiroz hit into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Daniel Castro.

Armando Araiza doubled to lead off the 5th for the Yaquis, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Castro and scored on a single by Carlos Figueroa to increase the Obregon lead to 3-1.

Donell Linares hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 6th for Obregon and Sergio Contreras scored from third on a double play grounder by Robert Saucedo to make the game 5-1 Yaquis. 

Jalisco scored twice in the top of the 7th. With one out, Gabriel Gutierrez waited out a walk, Amadeo Zazueta singled and Gutierrez scored on a single by Fernando Valenzuela, Ivan Araujo ground into a force out that scored Zazueta and the Charros had cut the lead to 5-3.

The Yaquis scored a run in the bottom of the 8th to reach the final score of 6-3 Obregon.

Despite the loss, the Charros still lead the league with a 40-25 record and 4 games to go in the regular season. Jalisco is 3 games ahead of the Tomateros de Culiacan and 4 1/2 games ahead of the Aguilas de Mexicali. The Charros are 1 game in front of the Tomateros in the second half with a 19-11 record.