Thursday Roundup

SPORTS

Santiago Moreno's Double Helps Carry Timbers Past Dynamo

At Providence Park, Portland, Oregon:

Santiago Moreno scored twice (PK-34', 36') as the Portland Timbers held off the visiting Houston Dynamo 2-1 in Wednesday Major League Soccer action.

It marked the first time that the Timbers have won back-to-back games in league play this season.

Carlos Quintero scored the lone Houston goal in the 65th minute.

The Timbers still won despite losing Bill Tuiloma as he was ejected in the 75th minute after picking up his second yellow card. 

Tigers Hold Off Giants On Road

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Eric Haase hit a two-run homer on Wednesday as the Detroit Tigers (29-45) gained a split of their two-game road series with the San Francisco Giants (40-34) 3-2.

THOUGHTS

Big Win

For environmental FREEDOM!

Wednesday Roundup

 SPORTS

Giants Hold Off Tigers At Home

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run single while making a key defensive play on Tuesday night as the San Francisco Giants (40-33) held off the visiting Detroit Tigers (28-45) 4-3.

Tuesday Roundup

 SPORTS

T2 Fall At Home Versus Rapids II

At Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro, Oregon:

Darren Yapi scored the winning goal in the 68th minute on Sunday as Colorado Rapids II overcame a two-goal deficit and upending homestanding Portland Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro action by a 4-2 score.

THOUGHTS

As Ron Paul Has Written

This is supposed to be decided in the individual states.

I agree with the former US Congressman from Texas that the SOCUS reversal of the disastrous and illegitimate 1973 abortion ruling marks a great victory for both life and liberty.

Monday Roundup

 SPORTS

AVS TOP LIGHTNING TO WIN FIRST STANLEY CUP SINCE 2001; CALE MAKAR WINS CONN SMYTHE TROPHY AS PLAYOFFS MVP

At Amilee Arena, Tampa, Florida:

Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen each scored a second-period goal on Sunday as the Colorado Avalanche overcame the homestanding Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in game six of the Stanley Cup Final to win their first championship since 2001, and the third in franchise history.

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoffs' Most Valuable Player.

Reds Knock Off Giants In Frisco

At Oracle Stadium, San Francisco:

Nick Senzel hit three singles to help pace the Cincinnati Reds (25-47) blow out the San Francisco Giants (39-33) on the road on Sunday.

Every Cincinnati starter wound up with at least one base hit.

Joey Votto hit an RBI double during the Reds' seven-run third inning.

Tyler Mahle pitched into the seventh inning for his first win in over a month.

THOUGHTS

Frankly, eugenics should by outlawed, too.

Sunday Roundup

 SPORTS

USFL Playoffs:  Stars, Stallions Advance To Title Game

Both games of the semifinal round of the United States Football League's playoffs were contested at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Saturday.

Game #1:

In the Eastern Conference Final, Maurice Alexander ran back a punt 87 yards for the winning touchdown with 1:41 remaining to spark the Philadelphia Stars past the New Jersey Generals 19-14'

The Generals also had a punt return for a TD, courtesy of KaVontae Turpin.

Game #2:

A kickoff return for a touchdown by Victor Bolden, Jr. and a 70-yard interception return by DeMarquis Gates for another score propelled the Birmingham Stallions past the New Orleans Breakers 31-17 to complete a three-game season series sweep.

Timbers Dominate Rapids, Snap Winless Streak

At Providence Park, Portland, Oregon:

Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored twice (54', 62') and Sebastian Blanco once (PK-45'+8) while Aljaz Ivacic saved five shots for his fifth shutout of the season as the Portland Timbers dominated the visiting Colorado Rapids 3-0 to snap a four-game Major League Soccer winless streak.

Giants Thump Visiting Reds

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Logan Webb pitched six innings of two-hit baseball on Saturday while Joc Pederson, Evan Longoria, Wilmer Flores, and Thairo Estrada each smacked a homer as the San Francisco Giants snapped a three-game skid by smoking the visiting Cincinnati Reds 9-2.

THOUGHTS

Ethnic Cleansing In America?

In the brainwashing camps known as colleges and universities, sure as hell looks like it.

Saturday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Final; Lightning Stay Alive, Force Game Six Back In Tampa

At Ball Arena, Denver:

Ondrej Palat scored the winning goal with 6:22 remaining in regulation on Friday as the Tampa Bay Lightning stayed alive in the Stanley Cup Final with a 3-2 game-five road win over the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche, still up three games to two, can lock up their first Stanley Cup championship since 2001 with a game-six win on Sunday in Tampa.

Reds Hold Off Giants On Road

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Pitcher Graham Ashcroft pitched eight solid innings on Friday  while Nick Senzel drove in two runs and Mike Moustakas scored twice as the Cincinnati Reds (24-46) snapped a seven-game losing streak by knocking off the San Francisco Giants (38-32) 4-2 on the road.

Als Blow Out Riders In Montreal

At Percival Molson Stadium, Montreal:

In Thursday Canadian Football League action, quarterback Trevor Harris completed 16 of 22 yards for 262 yards, this after Chandler Worthy ran back the opening kickoff for another score as the Montreal Alouettes (1-2) manhandled the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-1) 37-13.

Friday Roundup

 SPORTS

Braves Hold Off Giants At Home

At Truist Park, Atlanta:

Dansby Swanson hit two round-trippers on Thursday as the Atlanta Braves (41-30) held off the visiting San Francisco Giants (38-31) 7-6.

THOUGHTS

It was a great day...

For human life, the real Rule of Law, the Constitution, and states' rights.

This, on top of Thursday's pro-Second Amendment ruling.

Thursday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  OT Goals Sends Avalanche To Within One Win Of First Title Since '01

At Amilee Arena, Tampa, Florida:

Nazem Kadri's goal at 12:02 of overtime carried the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 road victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday.

The Avalanche, who lead the two-time defending champions three games to two, can wrap up their first title since 2001 with a game-six win back home in Denver on Friday.

Braves Knock Off Giants In Comback Fashion

At Truist Park, Atlanta:

Adam Duvall capped off a three-run ninth-inning when his run-scoring single enabled the Atlanta Braves (39-30) to upend the visiting San Francisco Giants (38-29) 4-3 on Wednesday.

Wednesday Roundup

SPORTS

Giants Top Braves In Slugfest

At Truist Park, Atlanta:

Mike Yastrzemski produced a go-ahead two-run sixth-inning double while Joc Pederson and Austin Wynns each homered once on Tuesday as the San Francisco Giants (38-29) outlasted the homestanding Atlanta Braves (39-30) 12-10. 

Tuesday Roundup

 SATURDAY SPOTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Avalanche Destroy Lightning For 2-0 Series Lead

At Ball Arena, Denver:

Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar each scored twice while Darcy Kuemper saved all 16 saves for the shutout on Saturday night as the Colorado Avalanche buried the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals, in which the Avs now lead two games to none.

Timbers Cough Up Late Lead, Settle For Road Draw With Galaxy

At Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California:

Dejan Joveljic's equalizer in the 88th minute carried the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 1-1 Saturday Major League Home draw with the Portland Timbers.

Yimmi Chara scored for the Timbers (whose losing streak ended at three games) in the 38th minute.

Riders Top Elks In Edmonton For A 2-0 Start

At Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Alberta:

Jamal Morrow ran for 126 yards and a touchdown on Saturday Night as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0) held off the homestanding Edmonton Elks (0-2) 26-16 in Canadian Football League action.

Giants Top Pirates In Pittsburgh

At PNC Park, Pittsburgh:

A pair of late RBIs by Brandon Crawford carried the San Francisco Giants (37-27) to a 7-5 Saturday road win over the Pittsburgh Pirates (25-39).

SUNDAY SPORTS

Pirates Top Giants, Avoid Sweep

At PNC Park, Pittsburgh:

Jack Suwinski hit his third home run of the game in the ninth inning on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Pirates (26-39) knocked off the visiting San Francisco Giants (37-28) 4-3.

Sunday Home Win For T2

At Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro, Oregon:

Dawson McCartney (80') and Zac McGraw (90'+4) each scored once on Sunday as Portland Timbers 2 blanked visiting Houston Dynamo II 2-0 in MLS Next Pro action.

Breakers Fall To Gamblers In Regular-Season Finale

At Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama:

In the final game of the United States Football League's regular season, Donald Payne ran back an intercepted Zach Smith pass ten yards for the opening touchdown as the Houston Gamblers (3-7) handcuffed the New Orleans Breakers (6-4) 20-3 for their second straight victory.

The Breakers will face the Birmingham Stallions in the second half of a playoff semifinal doubleheader at Canton Ohio on Saturday night.

MONDAY SPORTS

Stanley Cup Final:  Lightning Overpower Avalanche, Get Back In Series

At Amilee Arena, Tampa, Florida:

Steven Stamkos, Anthony Cirelli, Pat Maroon, Nick Paul, Corey Perry, and Ondrej Palat each scored once on Monday as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the visiting Colorado Avalanche 6-2 in game three of the Stanley Cup Final, which the Avalanche still lead two games to one.

Orlando Arcia Carries Braves Past Giants

At Truist Park, Atlanta:

Orlando Arcia drove in Phil Gosselin from second base with a ninth-inning tie-breaking run as the Atlanta Braves (38-29) upended the visiting San Francisco Giants (37-28) 2-1 on Monday.

Saturday Roundup

 SPORTS

Giants Make It Six of Seven By Blanking Pirates In Pittsburgh

At PNC Park, Pittsburgh:

Carlos Rodon pitched eight solid innings of shutout ball (giving up only two base hits) while reliever Camilo Doval preserved the shutout as the San Francisco Giants (36-27) blanked the homestanding Pittsburgh Pirates (25-38) 2-0 for their sixth win in their last seven starts.

Joc Pederson and Luis Gonzalez each hit a home run for the resurging Giants.

Friday Roundup

 SPORTS

WARRIORS DOWN CELTICS, WIN FOURTH NBA TITLE IN EIGHT YEARS; STEPH NAMED SERIES MVP

At TD Garden, Boston:

Stephen Curry (named the series' Most Valuable Player) scored 34 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out seven assists on Thursday night as the Golden State Warriors defeated the homestanding Boston Celtics 103-90 in game six of the NBA Finals and won their fourth league title in eight years (their first since 2018 and their seventh overall).

The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown, who scored 34 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Shown here are the happy Warriors with the Lawrence O'Brien Trophy.

Photo from NBA.com

Thursday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Final:  Avalanche Take Game One In OT

At the Ball Arena, Denver:

Andre Burakovsky scored 83 seconds into overtime on Wednesday night as the Colorado Avalanche took the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final by defeating the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3.

Royals Knock Off Giants To Avoid Sweep

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Whit Merrifield delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly in the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals (21-41) snapped the San Francisco Giants' (35-27) five-game winning streak 3-2 on the road.

Wednesday Roundup

SPORTS

CONCACAF Nations League:  Late Goal Lifts Team USA To Road Draw With El Salvador

At Cuscatlian Stadium, San Salvador, El Salvador:

Jordan Morris' stoppage-time equalizer (90'+1) carried the United States to a 1-1 Tuesday road draw with El Salvador in League A, Group D play in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Alexander Larin scored for the homestanding Blue and White in the 35th minute.

Giants Hold Off Royals For Fifth Straight Win

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Logan Webb pitched seven innings of five-hit baseball while striking out nine batters as the San Francisco Giants (35-26) picked up their five straight victory, 4-2 over the visiting Kansas City Royals (20-41).

The Royals have now dropped 12 of their last 16 games and sport the Majors' worst record.

The Giants scored three runs in the sixth inning as Luis Gonzalez doubled and scored on Wilmer Flores' single while Darin Ruf added an RBI single and Tommy La Stella hit the first of a pair of sacrifice fly balls.

Tuesday Roundup

 SPORTS

NBA Finals:  Warriors Top Celtics; Golden State One Win Away From Title

At Chase Center, San Francisco:

Andrew Wiggins scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on Monday as the Golden State Warriors downed the visiting Boston Celtics 104-94 in game five of the NBA Finals.

The Warriors now lead the series three games to two and can lock up their first NBA title since 2018 with a game-six victory on Thursday in Boston.

Klay Thompson scored 21 points while Stephen Curry, despite seeing his NBA record of 132 consecutive postseason games in which he made at least one three-point basket snapped, still added 16 points to the Golden State coffers.

Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 27 points while grabbing ten boards.

Marcus Smart added to the Boston coffers with 20 points.

Giants Defeat Royals To Stretch Winning Streak To Four

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Alex Wood surrendered four hits in six solid innings of pitching while Thairo Estrada hit a tiebreaking RBI single and Brandon Crawford doubled in two more runs on Monday night as the San Francisco Giants (34-26) held off the visiting Kansas City Royals (20-40) 6-2.

The win was the Giants' fourth successive.

MLS's Deal With Apple

Perhaps for the league, this deal might not be all that great (or even good).

Monday Roundup

SPORTS

Giants Blank Dodgers, Complete Three-Game Sweep Of Los Angeles

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Carlos Rodon pitched six shutout innings with eight strikeouts while Mike Yaztrzemski and Austin Slater each hit a first-inning home run on Sunday as the San Francisco Giants (33-26) blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers (37-23) to complete a three game home sweep of their archrivals. 

The Giants are now in third place in the National League's Western Division, 3 and 1/2 in back of the Dodgers and are in the NL's second wild-card berth.

Breakers Stiff Bandits, Clinch USFL Playoff Berth:

At Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama:

A stifling defense on Sunday enabled the New Orleans Breakers (6-3) to clinch the last remaining available United States Football League playoff berth by defeating the Tampa Bay Bandits (4-5) 17-6.

Riders Open Season By Smothering TiCats At Home

At Mosaic Stadium, Regina, Saskatchewan:

In Saturday's Canadian Football League regular-season opener for both clubs, quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 311 yards and a touchdown while running for another major score as the Saskatchewan Roughriders dominated the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-13.

 

Sunday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Lightning Oust Rangers, Will Gun For Third Stright Cup Title

At Tampa, Florida:

Steven Stamkos scored twice on Saturday while Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 20 of 21 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning held off the visiting New York Rangers 2-1 in game six of the Eastern Conference Final, which the Lightning won in six games.

The Lightning will aim for their third straight Stanley Cup championship as they will battle the Colorado Avalanche in the Final, which will open on Wednesday in Denver.

154th Belmont Stakes:  Mo Donegal Comes Out On Top

At Belmont Park, Elmont, New York:

Mo Donegal, with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, came from behind to win Saturday's 154th edition of the Belmont Stakes.

The race's lone filly, Nest, with Irad's brother Jose aboard, finished second.

Trainer Todd Pletcher picked up his fourth Belmont victory as both his horses finished 1-2.

Skippylongstocking finished third.

Giants Hold Off Dodgers

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Thairo Estrada hit a home run off starter Clayton Kershaw during a two-run second inning as the San Francisco Giants (32-26) held off the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers (37-22) on Saturday.

The Defeats Keep On Coming For T2

At Choctaw Stadium, Arlington, Texas:

Jose Mulato (12') and Bernard Kamungo (PK-19') each scored once on Saturday as North Texas (affiliated with FC Dallas) held off visiting Portland Timbers 2 by a 2-1 count in MLS Next Pro play.

Saturday Roundup

 SPORTS

CONCACAF Nations League:  Team USA Opens Title Defense With Blowout Win Over Grenada

At Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas:

Jesus Ferreira delivered a quadruple (43', 54', 58', 78') on Friday as the United States opened their CONCACAF Nations League title defense with a 5-0 frontier-styled fistbeating over visiting Grenada in action from League A, Group D.

Jesus' FC Dallas teammate, Paul Arriola also scored in the 62nd minute.

NBA Finals:  Steph Wills Warriors To Road Win Over C's As Series Is Now Squared At 2-2

At TD Garden, Boston:

Stephen Curry scored an NBA Finals career-high 43 points while grabbing ten rebounds on Friday night as the Golden State Warriors overcame the homestanding Boston Celtics 107-97 in game four of the league's championship series, now stalemated at two games apiece.

Klay Thompson added 18 points and Andrew Wiggins 17 to the Warriors' coffers.

Golden State won the game in spite of 23 and 21 points, respectively, from the Celtics' Jayson Tatum (who also had eleven boards) and Jalen Brown.

Darin Makes Things Ruf For Dodgers

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Darin Ruf hit two home runs on Friday as the San Francisco Giants (31-26) defeated the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers (37-21) in the opening match of a three-game weekend series.

Friday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Lightning One Win Away From Third Straight Final

At New York:

Ondrej Palat scored the game winner with 1:50 remaining on Thursday as the Tampa Bay Lightning upended the homestanding New York Rangers 3-1 in game five of the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Eastern Conference Final.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, now up three games to two, can advance to their third straight cup final with a game-six win back home in Tampa on Saturday.

Giants Fall To Rockies At Home

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Yonathan Daza looped a tie-breaking single into right field on Thursday which capped off a three-run fourth inning, fueled by three errors as the Colorado Rockies (25-32) doubled up the visiting San Francisco Giants (30-26) 4-2.

The Giants committed a season-high four errors, half of them in that disastrous fourth inning by Thairo Estrada.

THOUGHTS

The only thing these totalitarians are expert in is destroying freedon.

Thursday Roundup

 SPORTS

NBA Finals:  Celtics Hold Off Warriors For 2-1 Series Advantage

At TD Garden, Boston:

In Wednesday's third game of the NBA Finals, Jaylen Brown scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Jayson Tatum added 26 (to go with nine assists) as the Boston Celtics stiffed the visiting Golden State Warriors 116-100 to take a two-games-to-one series lead.

Marcus Smart added 24 points to the Celtics' coffers while grabbing seven boards.

Stephen Curry and Kyle Thompson scored 31 and 25 points respectively to top the Warriors.

Giants Top Rockies In 10 Innings Thanks To Charlie's Boo-Boo

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

A fielding error in the tenth inning by Charlie Blackmon enabled Donovan Walton to score the game-winning run on Wednesday as the San Francisco Giants (30-25) topped the visiting Colorado Rockies (24-32) 2-1.

Wednesday Roundup

SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Lightning Handcuff Rangers, Square East Final At 2-2

At Tampa, Florida:

Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat each scored once while Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 33 of 34 shots on Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Lightning squared the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece after overpowering the visiting New York Rangers 4-1 in game four. 

Pinch-Hit Homer Sinks Giants In Frisco

At Oracle Park, San Francisco:

Charlie Blackmon hit a pinch-hit three-run homer on Tuesday to lead the Colorado Rockies (24-31) ti a 5-3 road win over the San Francisco Giants (29-25),

Tuesday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Avalanche Complete Sweep Of Oilers, Advance To First Final Since 2001

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Artturi Lehkonen scored the winning goal 79 seconds into overtime on Monday as the Colorado Avalanche knocked off the homestanding Edmonton Oilers 6-5 to complete a four-game Western Conference Final series sweep of the Edmonton Oilers (and ending any hope of a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993) and advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final since defeating the New Jersey Devils in 2001.

Six different Colorado players (including Cale Makar, who assisted four times) each scored once.

The Avalanche, who will face either the New York Rangers or Tampa Bay Lightning in the Final, are unbeaten on the road in seven playoff games.

Monday Update

 SPORTS

Giants Gain Split Of Series With Marlins With Victory In Miami

At LoanDepot Park, Miami:

Donovan Watson hit a grand slam homer on Sunday, all the San Francisco Giants (29-24) needed as they defeated the homestanding Miami Marlins (22-30) 5-1 to gain a split of their four-game series.

NBA Playoffs:  Warriors Use A Dominating Third Quarter To Square Series With Celtics At 1-1

At Chase Center, San Francisco:

Stephen Curry scored 29 points as the Golden State Warriors, with six players (including all five starters) scoring in double figures, outscored the visiting Boston Celtics 35-14 en route to a series-leveling 107-88 game-two victory as the NBA Finals now is deadlocked at a game apiece.

Jayson Tatum topped the C's with 28 points.

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Lightning Get Back In Series With Rangers With Game-Three Home Win

At Tampa, Florida:

Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Ondrej Palat each scored once on Sunday as the Tampa Bay Lightning came back from two goals down to upend the visiting New York Rangers 3-2 in game three of the Eastern Conference  Final, which the Rangers now lead two games to one as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues.

Sunday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Avalanche One Win Away From First Final Since 2001

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice and J.T. Compher once on Saturday as the Colorado Avalanche doubled up the homestanding Edmonton Oilers 4-2 in game three of the Western Conference Final.

The Avalanche, now up three games to none, can complete the four-game sweep and advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2001 (when they knocked off the New Jersey Devils for the crown) with a game-four win on Monday in Edmonton.

Stallions Lock Up USFL South Division Regular-Season Crown After Holding Off Breakers

At Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama:

Brandon Aubrey kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining on Saturday as the Birmingham Stallions (8-0) locked up the United States Football League's Southern Division regular-season title by holding off the New Orleans Breakers (5-3)

Giants Fall To Marlins In Miami

At LoanDepot Park, Miami:

Jesus Sanchez hit the game-winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning as the Miami Marlins (22-29) held off the visiting San Francisco Giants (28-24) 5-4 on Saturday.

Wales To Get Shot At Team USA In World Cup After Knocking Off Ukraine

At Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales:

Andriy Yarmolenko's own goal in the 34th minute proved decisive on Sunday as Wales qualified for their first World Cup since 1958 after defeating visiting Ukraine 1-0 to win a European qualifying final.

The Dragons will be in Group B alone with the United States (who will be their first opponent, on November 21), England, and Iran.

Saturday Roundup

 SPORTS

Giants Dominate Marlins In Miami

At LoanDepot Park, Miami:

Brandon Crawford delivered his fifth career grand slam homer on Friday as the San Francisco Giants (28-23) filet the homestanding Miami Marlins (21-29) 15-6.

Mike Yastrzemski also homered for the Giants while also doubling.

Thairo Estrada and Jason Vosler also added a round-tripper to the San Francisco coffers.

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Rangers Hold Off Visiting Lightning To Take 2-0 East Final Series Lead To Tampa

At New York:

Mika Zibanejad scored a third-period goal while Igor Shesterkin saved 29 shots as the New York Rangers held off the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Friday to stretch their Eastern Conference Final series advantage to two games to none as the Stanley Cup Playoffs' semifinal round continued.

Friday Roundup

 SPORTS

NBA Finals:  Celtics Overpower Warriors In 4th Quarter To Snatch Series Opener (And Home-Court Advantage)

At Chase Center, San Francisco:

Al Horford scored 26 points while Jaylen Brown added 24 and Derrick White 21 off the bench on Thursday night as the Boston Celtics produced the most lopsided fourth quarter in the history of the NBA Finals, outscoring the Golden State Warriors 40-16 en route to a series-opening 120-108 road victory.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 34 points while Andrew Wiggins added 20.

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Rockies Outgun Oilers Again In Denver For 2-0 West Final Series Lead

At Denver:

Pavel Francouz produced his second career playoff shutout by saving all 24 shots on Thursday as the Colorado Avalanche blanked the visiting Edmonton Oilers 4-0 in the second game of the NHL's Western Conference Final as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

Artturi Lehkonnen, Nathan MacKinnon, Josh Manson, and Mikko Rantanen each scored once Nazem Kadri assisted three times as the Avalanche now hold a two-games-to-none series advantage.

Marlins Blank Giants In Miami

At LoanDepot Park, Miami:

Sandy Alcantara allowed three hits in seven innings of shutout pitching on Thursday night while walking two and striking out eight batters as the Miami Marlins (21-28) handcuffed the visiting San Francisco Giants (27-23) 3-0.

Jacob Stallings, Jesus Aguilar, and Miguel Rojas each had a base hit that produced a run.

Thursday Roundup

 SPORTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Rangers Too Much For Lightning In East Final Opener

At New York:

Filip Chytil scored twice on Wednesday as the New York Rangers dominated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final.

Phillies Hold Off Giants To Avoid Sweep

At Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia:

Kyle Schwarber and Nick Maton each homered once on Wednesday as the Philadelphia Phillies (22-29) snapped a five-game losing skid by upending the visiting San Francisco Giants (27-22) 6-5.

Wednesday Roundup

SPORTS

Giants Outlast Phillies In Extra Innings In Philly Again

At Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia:

Joe Pederson's two-run eleventh-inning homer on Tuesday lifted the San Francisco Giants (27-21) to another extra-inning road win over the Philadelphia Phillies (21-29), this time by a 7-4 count. 

Stanley Cup Playoffs:  Avalanche Hold Off Oilers Comeback To Open West Final

At Denver:

In the opening contest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs' semifinal round, J.T. Compher scored twice while Cale Makar once (to go with two assists) as the Colorado Avalanche held off the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 in game one of the Western Conference Final.

Nathan MacKinnon added a goal and two assists to the Avs' coffers while Nazem Hyman, Mikko Rantanen, Andrew Cogliano, and Gabriel Landeskog (whose empty netter iced the game) also scored once apiece for Colorado.

Connor McDavid (with two assists), Evander Kane, Ryan McLeod, Derek Ryan, and Ryan Nugent Hopkins each scored once for the Oilers.

Chalk Up Another Defeat For T2

At Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Washington:

Cody Baker (29'), Marlon Vargas (33'), and Abdoulaye Cissoko (55') each scored once on Tuesday as the Tacoma Defiance delivered a dominating 3-0 home victory over Portland Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro action.