ekansekans's blog: "df"

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Memo to Reds clubhouse staff: Buy more shaving cream. Eric Weddle Jersey . Fast. Rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco capped a series full of homers with his first career grand slam on Thursday night, leading Cincinnati to a 6-3 victory and four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Mesoraco got a face full of the frothy white stuff after delivering the grandest homer in a series full of them. He pulled the ball down the left field line and watched it fly straight rather than tailing foul. "Thats kind of why I paused at the plate at the start," Mesoraco said. "I wasnt sure it was going to stay fair, but it stayed true. It didnt tail. Thats a pretty good sign for me as a hitter." Right now, everythings going the Reds way. The Reds completed their first four-game sweep of the Braves in Cincinnati since 1980 at Riverfront Stadium. Theyve won six straight, their longest winning streak since August 2010 when they started their push toward the NL Central title by taking seven in a row. The teams combined for 16 homers -- 13 solo shots -- accounting for 21 of the 24 runs in the series. Mesoraco connected off Kris Medlen, who relieved Randall Delgado (2-5) with the bases loaded in the sixth. Drew Stubbs added a solo shot for Cincinnati. Homer Bailey (3-3) gave up four hits in six innings, including Michael Bourns two-run homer. Bailey got back-to-back wins for the first time this season, coming off a victory in Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Logan Ondrusek pitched the ninth for his second save in three chances, giving up a pair of singles before getting a double play. The Reds hadnt hit a lot of homers heading into the series. During the four games, every solid hit seemed to reach the seats. "They come in bunches," manager Dusty Baker said. "Guys are finding their strokes and confidence, big-time." The Braves have their first four-game losing streak since they dropped the first four games of the season. Theyll remember this one as four bad days in one of the majors most homer-friendly ballparks. In a free-swinging series, they couldnt keep up. It didnt help that they were missing two of their top hitters. Third baseman Chipper Jones was limited to one pinch-hit appearance because of a bruised left calf. Catcher Brian McCann missed the last three games with an illness. "Theyre definitely rolling right now," catcher David Ross said of the Reds. "Theyve got a lot of confidence. Their pitching staff is better than I think people give them credit for. And were a little banged up right now, not 100 per cent." Cincinnati won the series opener with four solo homers, three of them in a row. Todd Fraziers solo shot in the ninth on Wednesday night sent them to a 2-1 win, the first game-ending homer of his career. Frazier got a face full of shaving cream, then a dousing from the dugout water cooler, to celebrate his winning homer. Frazier also doubled home the first run off Delgado, who gave up seven hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings. Delgado hasnt won since April 17, going 0-5 with two no-decisions. Cincinnatis third grand slam of the season provided the finishing touch. Mesoraco, who hadnt homered since April 27, pulled a 2-0 pitch that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole. He walked a few feet down the line, holding his bat while watching to see if the ball stayed fair, then put his head down and rounded the bases on his fourth major league homer. The 23,312 fans also made him come out for a curtain call. Bourn hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Bailey, his third homer of the series. He also had his first multihomer game during the series. Juan Francisco added a solo homer. The Reds honoured Jones before the game, presenting him with one of the bases as a memento of his last trip to Cincinnati. Jones plans to retire after the season. He got a standing ovation from the crowd after highlights of his career were shown on the videoboard. NOTES: The Braves return home for a six-game series against Washington and St. Louis. The Reds conclude a weekend homestand with a weekend series against Colorado. ... Reds reliever Nick Masset made about 30 throws before the game, the first time hes thrown a ball while recovering from an inflamed right shoulder. Hes scheduled to throw again on Friday. The setup man has been on the DL since spring training. Antonio Gates Jersey . You want it so that when you hold the stick just above the paddle, your stick is flat on the ice, because the paddles come in different sizes. Malcom Floyd Jersey . With Drew Tate electing to have shoulder surgery that will sideline the quarterback for the rest of the CFL season, Glenn has stepped into the starters role but is off to a shaky start. http://www.chargersteamstore.com/ryan-mathews-jerseys . Lawrie decided to rescind his right to appeal a four-game suspension Thursday after the Blue Jays third baseman hit an umpire with his helmet during a game earlier this week. Philip Rivers Jersey . Phillips received the medal as part of Britains equestrian eventing team, who finished behind gold medallists, Germany. Ryan Mathews Womens Jersey . Maholm pitched six solid innings for his first win in nine months and the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 on Saturday to stop a six-game slide. Maholm (1-2) also snapped a personal six-game losing streak.Were in the thick of it now. I loved this weekend, with four playoff games a day; truly Hoops Nirvana. Here are a few quick thoughts on the NBA Playoffs. 1. OKC THUNDER SWEEP THE CHAMPS: The thing that jumped out at me this past weekend watching the Thunder take apart the Mavs was wow - what a difference a year makes.  I was really impressed with the poise/composure of James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durrant down the stretch closing out Game 4. They played like calm and confident veterans who knew exactly what they wanted to get accomplished. So much of playoffs basketball is about having your playmakers make the right plays and decisions. To take the next step in elite/championship competition, you must have the ability to think and act clearly under duress. Theyre growing up before our eyes. 2. LAKERS DEFENSE: Game 4 in the second half, the Lakers found their way. I loved the 4th quarter defence holding the Nuggets to 18 points. As much as Mike Brown is a defensive coach, this team gets its personality and identity from their offensive success. Theyre off on offense, usually the defensive effort/focus is lacking. Thats a scary team personality trait.  The Lakers havent impressed me this season as a road team but they got a big road win Sunday night and in large part because their attention to detail defensively was very good. That has to continue - points are harder to get this time of year and youve got to be sound in every phase of the game. 3. SPENCER HAWES (76ers): Hes the first Sixer to record 20+ points in back-to-back playoff games since 1983 when Hall of Famer, Moses Malone did it for them (Man, Im feeling old! I remember the big fella well Fo-Fo-Fo).  It just goes to show how few good big men the Sixers have had of late and how the game has shifted to the perimeter since you see less and less bigs dominate games.  Hawes has taken advantage of the Bulls with his soft touch around the basket and efficient face up game when the Bulls have packed the paint. Antonio Gates Womens Jersey. Hes come in to his own under coach Doug Collins and a big reason why the Sixers are a game away from advancing. Nice progress in Hawes game - both back to the basket and 17 feet and in. Hes a good competitor who will battle on the glass for you. 4. DAVID WEST (Pacers): Wasnt a big sexy/hyped signing this past off-season but hes been a great pickup for the Pacers. An undersized power forward coming off major surgery has lost a little lift but has loads of veteran savvy and skill. Watching him go to work on Saturday vs. Orlando was cool. Hes got that Old Man Game which is all substance and no flash. Effective post game and is relentless competitor whos got a good engine. Best big man in his series. Good big guys dont always come in the cookie cutter style of 6"10, 260 lbs who can do it all. Many have to play at a high level of focus and intensity to achieve success and West is a huge reason why the Pacers have gotten tougher and much more consistent this season. The games this time of year are won and lost based upon the decisions your front office makes in the off-season. Larry Bird and his staff hit on this signing. 5. POINT GUARDS: Think about this for a second. No Derrick Rose for the Chicago Bulls and as we can all see, theyre in huge trouble. Rajon Rondo is back the last two games for the Boston Celtics after a silly suspension by him for bumping an official and hes been dominant. Watch any NBA playoff game and youve got to have point guards who can create in the half court when all else breaks down. The way the game is officiated these days favours young quick guards who can get in the lane, shoot the three ball and set the tone for your defense. Lesson learned, watching Rondo and unfortunately what Roses absence has done to mess up the Bulls. If your team can, keep adding guards that make a difference at the point of attack. Defenses today are so good that youve got to have a guard who can get his own shot and create them for others. 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