LAst Night's Action: Lakers Claw Against Jazz

LA Lakers defeat Utah Jazz 104-99. In Game 1 of the first round, the Lakers got out to a big lead in the first quarter then coasted to a victory over the Thunder. In Game 1 of this series, the Lakers got out to a big lead in the first quarter, but had to fight and scrape their way to victor. The Lakers had an eight point lead going into the fourth quarter, but the bench would blow the lead. The starters came in with 7:32 left and the Jazz continued on their 12-1 run to take a three point lead. With four minutes left, the Jazz led by four until Kobe Bryant decided to stop the nonsense and let the quiet Staples Center crowd have their tacos. We’ve all seen this book before, so let’s just sleepwalk until the NBA Finals. Kobe had 31 points and Pau Gasol scored 25 points with 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists. Andrew Bynum despite suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee played 25 minutes and scored eight points with ten rebounds.

LA Dodgers defeat Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3. Read my recap of the game.

Detroit Tigers defeat LA Angels 5-0. Tigers’ starter Justin Verlander had a one-hit shutout going into the ninth having only given up a single to Torii Hunter in the first inning while walking no one. Brandon Wood led off the ninth inning and struck out. Maicer Izturis pinch hit for left fielder Reggie Willits and singled to right. During Erick Aybar’s at-bat Izturis took second on defensive indifference and came around to score on Aybar’s single breaking up the shutout. Jose Valverde promptly came in for Verlander and got the final two outs to secure the victory. Meanwhile Angels’ starter Jered Weaver got roughed up by the Tigers in the fourth inning. The Tigers led off the inning with three consecutive singles scoring one run. Then during Austin Jackson’s at-bat, Weaver threw a wild pitch allowing another run to score. After getting two outs, Weaver walked Magglio Ordonez and gave up an RBI single to Miguel Cabrera ending his day. Jason Bulger didn’t do Weaver any favors by promptly giving up a double to Brennan Boesch playing the fourth run of the inning. The Tigers added another run in the sixth for the 5-0 lead.

Tonight’s Action

LA Angels (12-14) at Boston Red Sox (11-14). Joe Saunders (1-4, 5.74 ERA) vs. Clay Buchholz (2-2. 2.19 ERA). 4:10 pm FSWest, ESPN, AM 830 KLAA.