Big Night for Hawks, Bulls and White Sox

April 26, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

The Chicago White Sox rally in the ninth inning to win on a walkoff grand slam. The Blackhawks win in overtime. The Bulls blow a late lead but recover to win on the road. And then there were the Cubs. Can’t win ‘em all.

Aoril Rose is ready for some hockey activity.

* Speaking of the Cubs, right-hander Carlos Villanueva took over the big-league lead in one statistical category in a 5-2 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. Unfortunately for him (not to mention the team and its fans), the category is defeats. At 1-5, he is well on his way to a 20-loss season. Well, provided that he is on a big-league team (and there is some questions whether the Cubs fit that description) that will let him have that many opportunities.

* Speaking of statistical accomplishments, Sox first baseman Jose Abreu hit a grand slam with two outs to provide a 9-5 victory vs. the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Abreu had two homers and six runs batted in in the game. For the season, he has nine and 27 to tie for the American League lead in each category. Not bad.

* If you played a drinking game in which you took a shot of alcohol every time Stacey King said, “Big-time players make big-time plays” during Friday’s telecast of Game 3 of the Chicago Bulls-Washington Wizards first-round Eastern Conference series, you likely are in some sort of stupor. And probably so much so that you will remain in that state until Sunday’s Game 4 — if not longer.

* Speaking of Bulls TV analyst King (who does a commendable job on Comcast SportsNet), he did say frequently that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau should put forward Carlos Boozer in the game late in the fourth quarter when the team needed a scoring option. Boozer did enter the contest with 5.5 seconds left but not because Thibs was taking in the telecast. Boozer’s presence was the result of center Joakim Noah fouling out.

* One of the keys to the Bulls’ 100-97 Game 3 victory was Mike Dunleavy with a career-high 35 points. He was 12-of-19 from the field, including 8-of-10 from three-point range.

* One of the keys to Dunleavy’s scoring success was being on the court. He played 41 minutes in Game 3 compared to 27 in Game 2 when he played 3:21 in the fourth quarter. In the first two games of the series, Dunleavy totaled 20 points.

* One of the keys to the Bulls’ victory was the absence of Wizards forward Nene, who was ejected in the fourth quarter. He may draw further punishment and miss Game 4, thereby giving the Bulls a better chance to tie the series Sunday with the wishful thinking of taking a 3-2 lead with a victory at the United Center on Tuesday.

* Speaking of 3-2 series leads, that’s what the Blackhawks have after a Jonathan Toews overtime goal beat the Blues in St. Louis 4-3. If you are looking for a highlight from Sunday’s Game 6 at the United Center, Elena Delle Donne of the WNBA Chicago Sky is scheduled to be part of the shoot-the-puck fun during the first intermission.

* Ex-Cub of the day: Milwaukee starter Matt Garza went seven inning of four-hit ball with two runs allowed, one walk and seven strikeouts against the Cubs. Honorable mention: Los Angeles Angels third baseman Ian Stewart had

* Ex-Sox of the day: Arizona closer Addison Reed picked up his third save in three days as the Diamondbacks defeated the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 4-3. He ended the game on a called third strike with runners on first and second.

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