APA FORMAT EDITING

Wacha, Adams lift the Cardinals to even series versus Reds

CINCINNATI – Michael Wacha out dueled Reds ace Johnny Cueto with a little help from the bullpen and Matt Adams who entered the series hitless. Adams would end his 0-9 season starting slump by blasting a home run that provided the go ahead run as St. Louis defeated Cincinnati, 4-1. The game was played at the great American ball park in Cincinnati where the Reds lost their first match of the season. While things wouldn’t start off promising as Wacha was beat by Todd Frazier for a home run in the first inning he was not rattled. Wacha managed to shut down the Reds for the following 6 1/3 innings.

Wacha wasn’t without struggle as Cincinnati’s potent offense would come within striking distance on numerous occasions however; Wacha worked his way out of these jams and stranded 3 Reds at 3rd base and another at the 2nd. Wacha said that he was able to pitch out of the troubling moments with the Reds in the scoring position and added that the success was attributed by the defense that was behind him.

Adams started the season 0-for -9 with 4 strikeouts so a matchup versus Cincinnati’s ace didn’t look promising. Fortunately Adams would bust out of his slump by seeing Cueto’s 0-1 changeup and sending it to the crowd, much to their dismay with a solo home run onto the netting over the right field netting of the cardinal’s bullpen. This would put up St. Louis 2-1 in the 4th inning and the birds would lead for the rest of the game.

Jhonyy Peralta and Yadier Molina also added RBI singles in the 9th. According to Adams for him to win the matchup he needed to be consistent especially when Cueto lead off with a changeup a pitch that seemed unhittable to Adams during their first series in Chicago.

The Reds have managed to win all four previous games this season by feeding off of their opponent’s bullpen. St. Louis Manager Mike Matheny used five relief pitchers against the final six Cincinnati bats showing no fear after removing Wacha in the 7th inning. The Birds bullpen would reward Matheny’s faith and close the game out with near perfection.

For the Reds, Frazier continues to provide power. He gave the fans something to cheer in spite of a loss in American Ballpark. The Reds also continue to flash their speed and managed to move to 10-for-10 stealing bases on the season even against the highly touted St. Louis catcher Molina. Things are looking good for both clubs, and the division rivalry should be a good one in the NL Central this season.

CARDINALS TAKE THE WIN IN EXTRA INNINGS AGAINST REDS

By: SSSS

Matt Carpenter hits the 2-run homer in the 11th inning that puts the Cardinals two runs over the Cincinnati Reds for the win of 7-5 on Friday April 10, 2015. This incredible game began with Jon Jay, outfielder, making a difficult catch in the bottom of the 1st inning of Brandon Phillips hit to left field. This would have been a double base hit had he not dove for that ball! Carlos Martinez, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning of the season opener last Sunday against the Cubs, was the lead off pitcher for the Saint Louis Cardinals vs the Reds in Friday’s game.

The debut pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Raisel Iglesias, allowed three runs and five hits in the first five innings including two walks and four strikeouts. He gave up the first two hits and a walk in the first four innings. The Reds fell behind 3-2 in the 5th. Cincinnati came back in the 7th scoring three runs.

Coming into the top of the 8th with the Cardinals trailing by two runs, 3-5, Johnny Peralta knocks a ball left into the crowd for the two run homer that tied up the game. Johnny Peralta has a hit in all five games this season and this was his first home run of the season thus far! The game remained tied going into extra innings.

In the top of the 11th, Matt Carpenter took the plate against the Reds right hand pitcher Kevin Gregg and hit the 2-run homerun that sent the Cardinals two runs ahead of the Reds and ending the intense ball game! It was a great night for Cardinals fans back home and a not so great night for Reds fans at the Great American Ball Park.

Duke wins 5th National Men’s Basketball Championship

The Duke Blue Devils won their 5th Men’s National Basketball Championship on Monday Night beating the Badgers of Wisconsin 68-63. Coach Mike Krzyzewski celebrated with his players on the floor of the Lucas Oil arena as the final buzzer went off.

The national title is the fifth for Coach Krzyzewski, moving him into second place among Division I men’s coaches.

The first half of the game was a tight one. There were 13 lead changes between the two teams in the half. The Blue Devils lead by as much as six points midway through the first half, but Badgers fought back to end the half in a 31-31 tie.

Wisconsin came out of halftime on fire, taking a lead by as much as nine over the Blue Devils. The Blue Devil fans became silent and long-faced like there season was about to come to an end. Then more bad news came, Duke Freshmen star center Jahlil Okafor, picked up his third personal foul and was sent to the bench.

With Duke down nine points, Coach Krzyzewski went to his bench players inserting 6 foot 4 freshmen guard Grayson Allen, and he was unstoppable. Allen outscored the Badgers 8-3 to give Duke the confidence it needed to make a final run. Allen finished the game with 16 points, the most points he scored all year.

Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan called a much needed timeout to gain the composure of his players. After the timeout Wisconsin appeared to be more focused and went on scored on its next possession. Then things started to go downhill for the Badgers.

The Blue Devils went on to take their first lead of the second half 59-58 on a three point shot by freshmen guard Tyus Jones. The Blue Devil fans went crazy and the Badger fans looks stunned.

The Blue Devils was just too much for the Badgers down the stretch and the frustration showed on the faces of the Badgers. One good note for the Badgers was star forward Frank Kaminski, he finished the game with 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Badgers.

The Blue Devils are back at the top again, another Championship banner for the Blue Devils and another championship ring for Coach Mike Krzyzewski to wear.

Sunday at the Masters.

Augusta, Ga. –This may be the Master’s Tournament that Jordan Spieth, 21, will earn his green jacket with a lead of four strokes at the end of the third round. On Thursday, Jordan Spieth hit a remarkable shot at 64, which almost set the record for the lowest 18-hole score at the Masters. He received some luck when a rescue shot hit the flagstick, a drive hit a branch and then reappeared on the fairway, and an unfavorable putt suddenly changed path and curved right into the hole.

On Friday, Spieth shot a 66, which was the strongest score out of all the golfers. The two day total landed him 14 under, which was the lowest 36-hole score in the history of the Masters. In addition, it also tied the lowest two-round total in major championship history. Spieth also has 22 birdies, so he has a chance to break the record for the most birdies in one Masters, set by Phil Mickelson in 2001, with 25. Spieth who is currently at 16 under par, is also motivated to break Tiger Woods’s four-round score of 270, or 18 under par in the Master Tournament.

It is safe to say that Jordan Spieth, the current leader going into round four of the Masters Tournament, will excite his audience and place the green jacket around his shoulders. With all of the records set and on the horizon, there isn’t anyone contending with the current leader. The other trailing golfers, including Justin Rose (-12), Phil Mickelson (-11), and Charley Hoffman (-10) will have to step up their game in order to claim victory over Jordan Spieth (-16).

Dodgers pounded by the Padres

The Dodger universe felt a mighty rumble in Dodger Stadium Tuesday night as the Padres ran through with a vengeance. Pitcher Zack Greinke opened up the night at the mound with Wil Myer first up at the plate. It seemed as though Greinke would have the upper hand with the Padres until former Dodgers center Matt Kemp stormed the field, winning the Padres their first run. Iit would only go downhill from there for the LA favorites.

The game was tight well into the third with multiple grounders, a slicing foul by Myers and an embarrassing fumble by Jimmy Rollins in the outfield. Carl Crawford saw his second double of the season and we saw a signature move by Howie Kendrick as he continuously managed to steal second. Although they were sparse and huddling in their ponchos against the rain, the fans were in good spirits, continually cheering in die-hard fashion. Comment by Patricia Sims: Great description! Comment by Patricia Sims: I liked this very much because you had an eye on the game and the crowd.

Things seemed looking up for the Dodgers in the sixth as Yasel Puig claimed the first run of the night for his team. This was followed by a second run by Adrian Gonzalez. In the seventh things started their downward slide as Coach Honeycutt made the call to replace Greinke with fireball Pedro Baez. The Dominican born pitcher was putting some serious heat on his throws clocking in between 86 and 97 mph. Although even his efforts were unable to assist the Dodgers in making ground on the Padres. Comment by Patricia Sims: Nice backstory information.

In a baffling move by Honeycutt, the coach managed to change pitchers two more times before a run from Yonder Alonso tied up the game 2-2. The shame was compounded by another fumble from Rollins which ended with him on his backside in the outfield. Thankfully, a roaring home run by Adrian Gonzalez showed that the Dodgers were still clinging to their fighting spirit. Comment by Patricia Sims: Love it. Comment by Patricia Sims: I have a good visual after reading this.

The ninth inning found the Dodgers reduced to utter carnage with back to back scores by Barmes, Spangenburg, Myers and Norris. The Dodgers, stunned by the vicious death-roll from the Padres finished the night quietly with three solid outs.