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.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

ESPN's Best College Football Quotes of 2014

I guess you could say South Carolina and Baylor should be playing for the National Championship.

Read the quotes here.

Jalisco Takes game 2 of Series With Yaquis, 7-1

Game two of the series with Obregon on Tuesday the 23rd of December went to the Charros by a 7-1 score. Orlando Lara is now 7-3 on the year with the win and Japhet Amador hit his 13th home run of the season.

Manny Rodriguez singled and scored on a single to center by Leo Heras that the Yaquis center fielder mis played and threw away trying to get Rodriguez at home. Heras went to third on the throw. After Japhet Amador walked, CJ Retherford hit a grounder to third that scored Heras for the quick 2-0 Charros lead.

Christian Villanueva hiy a solo home run to left for Obregon in the bottom of the 1st that proved to be the only run the Yaquis would score on the day.

The Charros exploded for 4 runs in the top of the 5th. Ivan Araujo walked to lead off the inning. Amadeo Zazueta struck out but Edson Garcia was hit by a pitch to put two runners on for Jalisco. Manny Rodriguez skyed out to center moving Araujo to third. With Leo Heras up the Charros pulled off a double steal with Araujo swoping home and Garcia taking second. Heras reached when the Yaquis left fielder dropped a fly ball that scored Garcia. Japhet Amador followed with a 2 run shot to center and the Jalisco lead was up to 6-1.

Fernando Valenzuela walked to lead off the 9th for Jalisco and scored on 3 wild pitches by the Obregon reliever, the Charros would win this game 7-1.

Charros Best Obregon, 7-3

The Charros de Jalisco visited Obregon on Monday the 22nd for the start of a three game series with the Yaquis and took the first game by a 7-3 score. Juan Delgadillo picked up his second win in a row to improve to 3-6 and CJ Retherford hit his sixth home run of the season.

Obregon scored in the bottom of the 1st on a single by Esteban Quiroz, a stolen base and a double to right by Brad Nelson as the Yaquiz took a 1-0 lead.

CJ Retherford hit a solo home run to left in the top of the 2nd to tie the score at 1.

The Charros took the lead in the top of the 4th. Leo Heras led off with a triple and Japhet Amador walked. With one out, CJ Retherford hit a grounder to third that scored Heras with the go ahead run and a 2-1 Charros advantage.

Amadeo Zazueta and Israel Nunez singled for Jalisco in the top of the 5th. Both runners advanced on a ground ball to first. Zazueta scored on a single by Manny Rodriguez and Leo Heras walked to load the bases. Japhet Amador hit a sac fly to left to drive in Nunez and the Charros led 4-1.

The Yaquis made a run at the Charros in the 6th. With one out Esteban Quiroz singled and Christian Villanueva drew a base on balls. Brad Nelson singled to left to load the bases. Ivan Zavala relieved Juan Delgadillo for Jalisco and gave up a single to Carlos Valencia that scored Quiroz and Villanueva. Obregon had cut the lead to 4-3 but that is as close as they would get.

Manny Rodriguez singled and scored on a double by Leo Heras in the top of the 7th. Japhet Amador singled to score Heras and the Charros had increased their lead to 6-3.

In the top of the 9th, Eduardo Arredondo singled, stole second, went to third on a Manny Rodriguez ground out and scored on a single by Leo Heras for the final 7-3 score

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Top Five Plays to Watch From Sunday's NFL Games

I don't like to put just links on my main page but these really are "must see" plays.

Thanks to Yahoo's Shutdown Corner Videos

Caneros Stop Charros Win Streak At 8 In A Row

los Mochis snapped the longest winning streak of the year for the Charros with a 4-3 victory on Sunday.

The Caneros scored three runs in the bottom of the 1st off of Jalisco starter Marco Tovar. Greg Golson drew a lead off walk and went to third on a single to right by Antonio Lamas. Golson scored on a double by Luis Terrero and Lamas scored on a grounder to short with Terrero moving to third. Saul Soto hit a sac fly to right that scored Terrero for the 3-0 Caneros lead.

Eduardo Arredondo led off the 3rd for the Charros by waiting out a base on balls. Arredondo advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a ground rule double to right by Manny Rodriguez. Jalisco had cut the lead to 3-1.

The Charros tied the game in the 5th on a double by Eduardo Arredondo and Leo Heras' 9th home run of the year. The score was tied at 3 apiece.

David Kopp replaced Marco Tovar in the bottom of the 7th and gave up a two out, solo home run to Luis Terrero that gave the Caneros the 4-3 final margin of victory.

Leo Heras was 1 for 4 on the night with the home run and 2 RBIs while Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with his 23rd double of the year and an RBI.

David Kopp took the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season while Carlos Fisher got the win for los Mochi to improve to 3-1 for the Caneros.

8 In A Row - Charros Beat los Mochis 6-5

With a two run rally in the 7th inning, the Charros overtook the Caneros 6-5 for their 8th win in a row, a 39-23 record overall in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, and alone at the top of the second half standings at 17-9.

The Charros started quickly against the Caneros de los Mochis. Marquez Smith singled to drive in Leo Heras for the early 1-0 lead.

Greg Golson drew a walk to lead off the Caneros half of the 1st, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a single by Carlos Pedroso to tie the game at 1 all.

Jalisco scored three runs in the top of the 5th to take a 4-1 lead. Manny Rodriguez led off with a single and stole second. Leo Heras singled to left with Rodriguez stopping at third. CJ Retherford singled to score Rodriguez. After Marguez Smith struck out, Jesus Cota singled to score Heras and move Retherford to third. Gabriel Gutierrez grounded out to first as Retherford scored to give the lead to the Charros.

The Caneros struck back in the bottom of the 5th. Justin Christian led off with a double and scored on a single to center by Juan Gamboa. With one out, Greg Golson tripled to score Gamboa. Jesus Arredondo walked and stole second. Golson scored on a ground ball to third and the score was knotted at 4.

los Mochis loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 6th and Charros reliever, Hogo Castellanos hit Greg Golson with a pitch forcing in Luis Terrero with the go ahead run for the Caneros at 5-4.

Jalisco fought back in the 7th. Leo Heras singled and with two outs, Jesus Cota singled with Heras moving to third. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to score Heras and Jesus Lopez doubled to drive in Cota. The Charros had regained the lead and the eventual final winning score of 6-5

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Charros win 7th in a Row - Top Caneros 6-4

It took 10 innings but the Charros topped the Caneros de los Mochis 6-4 to win their 7th game in a row and catch Mexicali for the 2nd half lead in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.

Jesus Lopez started things off for the Charros in the top of the 3rd by hitting a solo home run to left to lead off and give Jalisco a 1-0 lead.         
Leo Heras' Home Run courtesy of Charros Jalisco Beisbol


The Caneros scored in the bottom of the 3rd on two errors by the Charros and a sacrifice bunt by Greg Golson that scored Yancarlo Angulo and the game was tied at 1.

Leo Heras singled to lead off the 6th and Japhet Amador followed with a base on balls. After Marquez Smith's ground out moved the runners up, CJ Retherford cleared the bases with his 5th home run of the season and a 4-1 Charros lead.

los Mochis had two outs and a man on second in the bottom of the 7th when Yancarlo Angulo was hit by a pitch by Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski. Juan Gamboa singled to right to score Saul Soto to cut the lead to 4-2. Adrian Gonzalez entered the game in relief and gave up a single to Greg Golson that scored Angulo. Antonio Lamas singled to right to score Gamboa and the Caneros had tied the game at 4-4.

The score remained tied through regulation. CJ Retherford walked to lead off the Charros half of the 10th inning. Gabriel Gutierrez sacrificed Retherford to second and after Jesus Lopez flied out to center for the second out, Edson Garcia singled to score Retherford. Garcia, who had taken second on the throw to the plate, moved to third on a wild pitch. Eduardo Arredondo singled to score Garcia and when Mario Mendoza pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th, the Charros had the 6-4 victory.

Mendoza picked up the win in relief to improve to 1-1 on the year while lowering his ERA to 2.66. Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski, went 6 2/3 innings, charged with 4 runs on just 4 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts. Santiago Gutierrez took the loss for los Mochis to drop to 2-5 on the season.

CJ Retherford was 2 for 4 on the night with a 3 run home run and 2 runs scored. Manny Rodriguez, Leo Heras, Jesus Lopez and Edson Garcia were all 2 for 5.

The Charros are now 37-23 overall in the league, 2 games ahead of the Aguilas de Mexicali and 16-9 in the second half, tied with the Aguilas.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Battle of 2-12 Teams Goes to Jacksonville

A battle of 2-12 teams that could determine who gets a shot at Marcus Mariota in the spring draft, was won by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans 21-13.

Tennessee took a 10 nothing lead before Blake Bortles hit Marcedes Lewis with a 4 yard pass with :31 seconds on the clock in the 1st half.

Toby Gerhart scored on a 1 yard run in the 3rd quarter to put the Jags ahead 14-10. Jordan Todman broke loose on a 62 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter to put Jacksonville up 21 10 with 9:13 left in the game.
Ryan Succop  hit a 23 yard field goal with about 6 minutes to go to put the score at 21-13 and the Titans were driving when Charlie Whitehurst was sacked on the last play of the game to seal the win for the Jaguars.


Naranjeros Swept By Charros

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo visited Zapopan for three games and the Charros won all three games.

Jalisco started off the scoring on Thursday night in the bottom of the 1st as Manny Rodriguez drove a pitch from Hermosillo starter, Alfredo Aceves, over the left field wall for a quick 1-0 Charros lead.

The Naranjeros threatened in the top of the 3rd. Jose Cardona hit a one out triple off the wall in center field but the Jalisco starter, Orlando Lara, got Jose Aguilar to fly out to shallow right and Carlos Gastelum to ground out to short to end the inning with no damage done.

The Charros built on their lead in the 4th on a Marquez Smith double to right and a run scoring double to center by Jesus Cota. Fernando Valenzuela followed, one out later, with a single to left that scored Cota but Valenzuela was out at second on a good throw by the Hermosillo left fielder. The Charros had a 3-0 lead.

Mermosillo got a run back in the top of the 6th on Jose Amador's 9th home run of the season to cut the Charros lead to 3-1.

Orlando Lara picked up the win to move to 6-3 on the year with 6 1/3 innings on the mound. Lara gave up 1 run while scattering 6 hits, walking none and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza got his second save of the season pitching a scoreless 9th. Alfredo Aceves took the loss for the Naranjeros to drop to 5-6 on the year.

Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 3 with his 6th home run of the year, an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Gutierrez was 1 for 2 on the night to raise his average to .280.

Jalisco climbs to 36-23 overall and 14-9 in the second half of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.