Troncoso Helps Dodgers Slip Past Rox

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 6-5, their fifth straight win over the Rox. James McDonald gave up five runs in five innings of work, but because the Dodgers scored six runs and he left with the lead intact, he got the first win of his career. Ramon Troncoso pitched four scoreless innings of relief, getting the first save of his career. The Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back, despite the Rockies cutting the lead to one run twice. Russell Martin had a single, a double, and four RBI's, and James Loney got on base four times, twice by hit and twice by walk. Orlando Hudson had a double, and Andre Ethier scored twice. Garrett Atkins hit a two-run homer for Colorado, and Brad Hawpe had two hits and two RBI's.

Game 3: Return of the Kobe

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 108-94, giving them a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Lakers shot .519 from the field, as well as 8-for-19 from 3-point range, and out-rebounded the Jazz 46-39. LA used a 40-point second-quarter to overpower Utah, and never looked back after halftime. The Jazz were just 22-for-32 from the stripe, and finished the game shooting .442 from the field. Kobe Bryant delivered a blow of amnesia to anyone who questioned him after Game 3, scoring 38 points on 16-for-24 shooting. Lamar Odom had his first start of the playoffs, relegating Andrew Bynum to the bench, putting up 10 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. The Laker bench did its part, out-scoring Utah 30-24, as Shannon Brown continues to stun opponents off the bench with 9 easy points. Deron Williams had 23 points and 13 assists for the Jazz, and Carlos Boozer also added 23 points and 16 rebounds.

NFL Draft: Sanchez goes Broadway

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the New York Jets traded DE Kenyon Coleman, DB Abram Elam, QB Brett Ratliff, a first-round pick (17th overall) and a second-round pick (52nd) to the Cleveland Browns for the fifth overall first-round pick. With that pick, the Jets selected USC QB Mark Sanchez to fill the void left by the retired Brett Favre. Sanchez was an underclassman who caught the football world off-guard when he announced he would leave USC and enter the draft. Other Trojans joined Sanchez in the first-round of the draft: the Houston Texans used their 15th pick to select linebacker Brian Cushing, and the Green Bay Packers acquired the New England Patriots' 26th overall pick to select Clay Matthews.

Overall first-round picks in this year's NFL Draft:

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Wake Forest
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
4. Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
5. New York Jets (from Cleveland): Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OL, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
12. Denver Broncos: Knowshon Moreno, TB, Georgia
13. Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
16. San Diego Chargers: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New York Jets through Cleveland): Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Robert Ayers, LB, Tennessee
19. Philadelph Eagles (from Tampa Bay through Cleveland): Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
21. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia): Alex Mack, C, California
22. Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
23. Baltimore Ravens (from New England): Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
24. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
25. Miami Dolphins: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
26. Green Bay Packers (from Baltimore through New England): Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
27. Indianapolis Colts: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
28. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina through Philadelphia): Eric Wood, C, Louisville
29. New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
30. Tennessee Titans: Kenny Brit, WR, Rutgers
31. Arizona Cardinals: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

The Cleveland Browns surprised many people by trading their fifth overall pick to New York, then trading the 17th overall pick they received for the 21st pick from Tampa Bay. The first overall pick lost most of its impact after Stafford came to an agreement with Detroit on Friday. The Jets stood out as the main winner of the draft, trading up to acquire Mark Sanchez after Seattle opted for Aaron Curry. Most of the highly regarded Trojan defenders fell out of favor, with Rey Maualuga not being chosen until the second round by Cincinnati. The Colts used their 56th overall pick to sign USC-alumni Fili Moala, a defensive tackle.

Ausmus Saves Kuo's Bacon in Dodger Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 6-5, their 11th win of the season. The Dodgers hung two runs in the first inning, but could not score with the bases loaded and nobody out. Colorado slowly climbed back, and the score was tied going into the eighth inning. The Dodgers put two more runs on the board, but Hong-Chih Kuo gave up a two-run pinch-hit homer to Clint Barmes that tied the game. James Loney led off the ninth inning with a double, and with two outs, Brad Ausmus singled to send Loney home. Kuo ended up with both a blown save and a win. Ausmus finished the game with a double and a run scored in addition to the RBI-single. Andre Ethier had a double and two RBI's, Manny Ramirez knocked in a run, and Orlando Hudson scored twice. Chris Iannetta scored twice for the Rox, and Todd Helton knocked in a run. Jonathan Broxton pitched his second night in a row, but clamped down to get his sixth save.

Editor's Note: Resiliency is Key

Thursday's loss was a tough game. Many things went wrong: Andrew Bynum picked up three fouls before 18 minutes went by, the Lakers could not score more than 20 points in three of the four quarters, Kobe was a miserable 5-for-24, and the late-game defense completely collapsed. But there is some good: the Jazz were held to just 88 points at home, Lamar Odom proved himself to be a force on the court, and the Lakers know how to contain Deron Williams. But new information needs to be taken, and new lessons need to be instructed. First, the Lakers need to know how to cover Carlos Boozer (above). Boozer has been the most consistent player for Utah over the last three games. Second, Bynum needs to cut down on the foul trouble. That plays into the "cover Boozer" idea well if Bynum and Pau Gasol can stay on the court together. Third, take advantage of the 3-point opportunities. The Jazz don't run a very effective perimeter defense, and guys like Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic need to exploit it when they can. The series is still in the Lakers hands. They just need to know what to do with it.

Game 3: Lakers Go Cold in Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Utah Jazz 88-86, putting the series at 2-1 with the Lakers still leading. The Lakers had only one good quarter, scoring 33 in the third, while finishing with 53 in the other three. It was a game of streaks, as the Lakers entered the second half trailing just by four, then used a 25-8 run to put LA up by 14. However, the Lakers could only eek out 18 points in the fourth quarter, while allowing 28 points to the Jazz. LA shot just .368 from the field, and went 16-for-26 from the charity stripe. Utah snatched 55 rebounds compared to the Purple and Gold's 40, but the Jazz's 15 turnovers let the Lakers stay in the game. Lamar Odom led LA with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant added 18 points despite shooting just 5-for-24. Pau Gasol put up 20 points and 9 rebounds, and no other Laker scored in double-figures. Deron Williams hit a jumper with just 2.2 seconds left to put the Jazz up, and finished with 13 points and 9 assists. Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 22 rebounds, a Utah playoff record, and the Jazz bench out-scored LA's bench 31-28, and without Odom's points, 31-7.

Billingsley's Gem has Dodgers Avoid Sweep

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 2-0, snapping a two-game losing streak. Chad Billingsley was sharp, not allowing any runs on just three hits and two walks. Manny Ramirez had an RBI-single in the first inning, and Casey Blake had an RBI-double to give LA an insurance run. Orlando Hudson had two hits, including a double, and Matt Kemp scored a run. Jonathan Broxton had two strike outs to get his fifth save of the season. The Astros had only four hits, two of which came from Miguel Tejada.

Offense, Belisario Sputter as Dodgers Fall

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 6-5, their fifth loss of the season. The Dodgers entered the sixth inning trailing by two runs, but Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier had back-to-back shots and Casey Blake hit a two-run bomb to put the Dodgers up 4-2. However, Randy Wolf gave the lead right back, surrendering four runs in seven innings of work, including two in the bottom of the sixth to leave the game tied. James Loney doubled in Ethier to put LA up by one, but Ronald Belisario coughed up the lead, allowing two runs on three hits, one a home run. Ethier finished with three hits, including a double. Matt Kemp's hitting streak was halted at 14 games. The Boys in Blue ultimately went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring-position, while leaving six on base. Hunter Pence and Lance Berkman both went deep for the 'Stros, and Pence drove in two and scored twice.

Editor's Note: Eh, More or Less

The Lakers victory over the Jazz was a hollow one at best, though one can still take solice in the fact that LA has defeated Utah three straight times already. Poor defense marred an otherwise stellar offense, raising many questions of whether or not this Laker team can handle the Jazz in Salt Lake City. While Utah has an unbelievable offense, this is the same team that gives up way too many points to the opposition. The Lakers need to take advantage of clear areas, like the absence of Mehmet Okur in the Jazz lineup. Los Angeles needs to contain Deron Williams by any means, even if it leaves open other shooters. Right now, Williams is the hot hand, and he can burn LA even when covered by Derek Fisher or Shannon Brown. The bench needs to step up. Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic have been lackluster, letting Brown and Lamar Odom (above) do most of the heavy lifting. One place the Lakers have discovered the Jazz are vulnerable in is beyond the arc, and those two need to take advantage of that. There are many ways the Lakers can hold off a team like Utah. It all comes down to using those ways.

Game 2: Escape from LA

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 119-109 in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. Los Angeles leads the series 2-0. The Lakers used a mega 41-29 first-quarter to hold the lead throughout the game. LA shot 60% from the field, including 11-for-20 from three-point range, while Utah used 29 free-throw opportunities to keep the game close. The Jazz shot a shade under .500 and grabbed 13 steals, ultimately forcing 21 Laker turnovers. LA out-assisted Utah 33-25, and the Lakers' bench defeated the Jazz's 37-28. Kobe Bryant had 26 points and 9 assists, and Pau Gasol put up 22 points. Lamar Odom scored 19 off the bench, and Trevor Ariza had 13, 9 assists, and was a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc. The entire Laker starting five scored in double-figures, and Shannon Brown added 12 points off the bench. Deron Williams had a monster game, leading all scorers with 35 points and 9 assists but also 7 turnovers for Utah, and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

'Stros Put Hurt on Dodgers' Streak

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 8-5, snapping an eight-game win streak. Clayton Kershaw had an off-day, giving up six runs on eight hits and two walks to get the loss. Manny Ramirez had a two-run homer, and Matt Kemp extended his hitting-streak to fourteen games with a triple. Russell Martin drove in a run, and Orlando Hudson had two hits and two runs scored. Houston slowly built a lead after the Dodgers opened the game with a three-run first inning, with the killer coming from a two-run Carlos Lee home run. Miguel Tejada had a single, double and three RBI's, and Ivan Rodriguez scored three runs.

Editor's Note: Game 1 is Perfectly Fine

A lot of people, including coach Phil Jackson, are disappointed in the Lakers' performance in Game 1 against Utah. Their specific gripe is with the second-half defense. But unlike with those people, the game worked for me. The Lakers had that killer-instinct they lacked for most of the season. Realistically, no one will be able to maintain a 22-point lead over Utah for a full 24 minutes. The Jazz are too quick, too sharp, and too good to fall into a deep hole similar to Detroit's loss to Cleveland. The Jazz are capable of strong runs in any given situation. But to defeat Utah, the Lakers need to properly contain them. And that's exactly what they did. Each time the Jazz cut the lead to single-digits, LA responded with stifling defense and clutch shots to keep the lead respectable. But everyone will look back at a poor effort after the incredible first half. But the Lakers did more than cruise past Utah in the first half. The Lakers set the tone for the entire series with, letting Utah know that this is a team that can destroy them at any time, even if they don't.

An Editor's Note piece will follow each Laker playoff game.

Dodgers Blast Past Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 14-2, their eighth straight victory. The Dodgers had the lead right at the beginning after scoring twice in the first inning. James McDonald struggled despite not allowing any runs, and could not escape the fifth inning. Matt Kemp had two home runs, one a grand slam, and a double, scored three runs, and knocked in five runs. Every Dodger got in on the hit-parade, including Rafael Furcal with two hits, one a double, an RBI, and two runs, Orlando Hudson with three hits, including a double, three RBI's, and two runs, and Manny Ramirez with two hits and a run scored. Andre Ethier had a double and knocked in three, James Loney singled, scored a run, and knocked in a run, and Russell Martin had two hits, two walks, and scored a run. Casey Blake had a single, a double, and scored twice. Scott Elbert got the first win of his career in relief, and had a double, RBI, and run scored, all firsts. Brad Hawpe doubled and homered for the Rox, and Chris Iannetta had his own solo shot.

Game 1: Ariza, Lakers Dominate Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 113-100 in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers kept a deep Utah offense in check for most of the game, entering the second half with a 22-point lead. LA finished with a .556 shooting percentage and 9 blocks, while the Jazz shot just .391 from the field. Utah remained in the game though, using 20 offensive rebounds to stay close. Kobe Bryant led LA with 24 points and 8 assists, and Trevor Ariza scored 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting, the most points Ariza has scored in the playoffs. Pau Gasol added 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Lamar Odom had 13 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, and Shannon Brown had 9 points on 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range. Carlos Boozer led all scorers with 27 points for Utah, and Deron Williams added 16 points and 17 assists.