Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Marlins Ninth Inning Comeback

    The Miami Marlins pulled off a dramatic ninth-inning comeback with two runs and beat the New York Mets 2-1 at Marlins Park on Tuesday night. The Marlins have won three straight games for their longest winning streak this season.
    New York(10-15) got the lead in the fifth inning against Kevin Slowey. Daniel Murphy led off with a double into left and advanced to third on a fly out to center by Ike Davis. Murphy then scored on an Anthony Recker sacrifice fly to left field.
    Miami(8-19) posted two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to get the victory. Pinch-hitter Chris Coughlan started with a single to left field off Mets starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner and would go to second on a wild pitch. Coughlan got to third and beat the tag on a fielder's choice from the catcher as Juan Pierre reached first base on the play. Brandon Lyon came in to relieve for Hefner. Donovan Solano hit a single to shallow right field as Coughlan scored to tie the game and Pierre raced to third. After Placido Polanco was intentionally walked, Pierre scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch while Greg Dobbs was at-bat.
    Slowey went eight innings for the Fish and gave up one run on four hits and struck out eight. Hefner pitched eight-plus innings and allowed two runs on four hits, struck out eight and fell to 0-2 this season. Ryan Webb upped his record to 1-1 as he threw one perfect inning.
   

Monday, April 29, 2013

Marlins Win In 15 Innings

    It took 15 innings as the Miami Marlins slipped by the New York Mets 4-3 on Monday night at Marlins Park. It was the longest game played between both clubs in their 20-year rivalry. The Fish won two consecutive games for the first time this season.
    Juan Pierre led off the third inning for Miami(7-19) with a single into center field off Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey and advanced to third on a base hit by Donovan Solano to right-center field. Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a double play as Pierre scored and gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead.
    New York(10-14) took the lead in the fourth inning against Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez as Lucas Duda started the frame with a walk. Former Marlin John Buck followed with a two-run homer to left-center field on a 1-2 pitch for his ninth home run of the season.
    The Marlins were able to tie the game in the ninth inning against Mets closer Bobby Parnell. Justin Ruggiano led off with a double to deep right field and went to third on a single by Rob Brantly into center field. Nick Green hit a sacrifice fly to right field for Ruggiano to score and made it 2-2.
    The Mets broke the tie game in the 15th inning against Jon Rauch. Duda doubled to deep right field with one out and advanced to third base on wild pitch three batters later. Ruben Tejada picked up an infield hit to shortstop which scored Duda.
    The Fish responded in the bottom of the 15th to win the contest with a one-out rally against Shaun Marcum. Greg Dobbs singled to center field and Ruggiano walked. Dobbs scored on a Brantly single to right as Ruggiano went to third. He scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by Green to left field.
    Fernandez went four innings for the Marlins and allowed two runs on three hits. Harvey gave up one run on seven hits and struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Rauch improved to 1-2 as he surrendered one run on three hits and struck out five. Marcum fell to 0-2 and he allowed two runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Panthers Get Number Two Pick

    The Florida Panthers dropped in the NHL draft lottery drawing from the number one overall spot to the number two overall spot on Monday night in Toronto. The Colorado Avalanche, who had the second worst NHL record this season, jumped over the Cats and will make the first selection of the 2013 NHL Draft on June 20 in Newark.
    The Panthers entered the draft lottery with a 25 percent chance to finish with the first overall pick while the Avalanche had an 18.8 percent chance for the top pick. Florida, which finished with the worst record in the NHL for the first time, had the first overall pick once in franchise history when they selected defenseman Ed Jovanovski in the 1994 NHL Draft.  

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Heat Sweep Bucks

    The Miami Heat wrapped up their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 88-77 win in game 4 at BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday. The Heat, who never relinquished the lead once in this contest, swept the Bucks in four straight games and await their future opponent at home in the Eastern Conference semifinals later this week.
    Even though Dwyane Wade did not play, LeBron James put the Heat on his back with 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 41 minutes. Ray Allen dropped in 16 points with seven assists as a reserve. Udonis Haslem came through with 13 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Chris Bosh had 10 points, four blocks and five rebounds in 29 minutes.
    Monta Ellis showed up for the Bucks with 21 points and eight assists in 39 minutes. Two players came off the bench for Milwaukee as Mike Dunleavy got 17 points while J.J. Redick knocked down 10 points.
    Miami scored the first six points of the game, led throughout the opening period and were up 24-17 after one quarter. The Heat expanded their margin up to 11 points early in the second period and led 45-41 at halftime.
    Milwaukee stayed within eight points of Miami during the entire third quarter, but they were behind 67-62 after three quarters. The Heat scored eight consecutive points late in the fourth quarter and pulled ahead 88-72 with 2:41 left.

Panthers Win Finale

    The Florida Panthers ended the regular season with a 5-3 win over to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Panthers finished last in the NHL this season and will be involved in the draft lottery drawing on Monday night. The team will either have the number one or number two overall pick on June 30.
    Tampa Bay(18-26-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead during the first period. Matt Carle scored at 5:00 on a slap shot and Ryan Malone followed with a goal at 13:14 on a wrist host.
     Nick Bjugstad scored his first NHL goal for Florida(15-27-6) from close range on a wrist shot with 3:06 remaining in the opening frame. The Panthers struck early in the second period just 54 seconds in as Tomas Fleischmann picked up his 11th goal of the season on a slap shot.
    The Lightning regained the lead as Martin St. Louis scored on a wrist shot at 5:47. He captured the Art Ross Trophy with the most points by a player this season with 17 goals and 43 assists. St. Louis becomes the oldest player ever to win the award at 37 years old.
    The Panthers came back with three goals in the third period to get the victory. Scottie Upshall tied the game 3-3 at 5:30 with his fourth goal of the year on a wrist shot. Fleischmann put in his second goal of the game and 12th overall on a wrist shot to move the Cats ahead at 13:53. Marcel Goc got his ninth tally of the season with 49 seconds left as he put the puck into an empty net.
    Jacob Markstrom finished the season with a 8-14-1 record as he stopped 28 of 31 shots. Anders Lindback dropped to 10-10-1 as he turned away 27 of 31 shots. There were no power-play goals as the Cats were 0-for-1 and the Bolts were 0-for-2. Both teams will remain in the same division with the new NHL realignment next season.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

2013 NFL Draft Local Ties

    The 2013 NFL Draft began in New York City this week and several former South Florida high school football players were picked in the first five rounds. It was an unusual beginning to the draft as there were no running backs selected in the first round. Teams stayed away from players in the skill positions and concentrated on offensive lineman and defensive front-seven personnel.
    The only local product that was selected in the first round was Matt Elam as he was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens as a safety at 32nd overall. Elam was a safety for the University of Florida Gators for three seasons. Prior to that, he played for the William T. Dwyer Panthers in Palm Beach Gardens as a defensive back and running back. He won the FHSAA Class 4A state championship with them back in 2009.
    Three former local high school players were picked in the second round. University of North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard was the fifth pick in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals after two seasons in college. Bernard played for the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders as a running back and defensive back. He won the FHSAA Class 5A state championship in 2007 and 2008.
    Two selections later, West Virginia University quarterback and four-year player Geno Smith was picked by the New York Jets. He was a quarterback and defensive back for the Miramar Patriots. His team made the state semifinals in 2008 and lost to the Miami-Northwestern Bulls in the Orange Bowl.
    The Chicago Bears selected University of Florida middle linebacker Jonathan Bostic with the 50th pick overall. He stayed with the Gators for four seasons and played linebacker for the Palm Beach Central Broncos prior to that. He never played in a high school playoff game.
    The third round had two players with local ties picked. Corey Lemonier was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with 88th overall pick. He played three seasons with the University of Auburn Tigers as a defensive end and helped them win the 2010 NCAA national championship. He played his high school football for the Hialeah Thoroughbreds.
    West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey was picked four selections later by St. Louis Rams. He played three seasons with the Mountaineers and prior to that played for the Miramar Patriots alongside Geno Smith for four years. Bailey will be teamed up with fellow college teammate wide receiver Tavon Austin, who the Rams drafted in the first round.
    The fifth round began with the Jacksonville Jaguars and their selection of Denard Robinson as the 135th overall pick. He was a quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines for four years and is expected to play running back or wide receiver in the NFL. Robinson was a quarterback and defensive back for the Deerfield Beach Bucks and led them to the 2005 Class 6A state final at Dolphins Stadium where they lost to Palm Beach Gardens.
    University of Miami Hurricanes cornerback Brandon McGee was selected fourteen picks later by the St. Louis Rams. He spent four years with the Canes and prior to that played for the Plantation Colonels.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Heat Stomp Bucks

    The Miami Heat are one step closer to a sweep in the first round and they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 104-91 at BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday night. The Heat now lead the series 3-0 and hope to wrap it up on Sunday.
    Milwaukee was able to get up by nine points and led after one quarter 30-21. The Heat picked up an 8-2 spurt at the end of the second quarter and were down 50-48.
    Miami laid out a 23-7 run at the end of the third quarter and led by double digits 78-68 as both teams entered the final quarter. The Heat poured it on with a 12-5 edge at the beginning of the fourth quarter and led 90-73 with 8:37 remaining.
    LeBron James landed 22 points with six assists in 33 minutes for the Heat. Chris Bosh compiled a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes of play. Dwyane Wade had four points with 11 assists, nine rebounds and five steals in 36 minutes. Ray Allen, who set an NBA playoff record with the most career three-point shots made, contributed 23 points in 30 minutes against his former team.
    Larry Sanders led the Bucks with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes. Brandon Jennings got 16 points, eight assists and five steals in 36 minutes. Ersan Ilyasova added 15 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Maple Leafs Drop Panthers

    The Florida Panthers played their final home game of the season and were crushed by the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 at BB&T Center on Thursday night. Both teams will play in the same division next season due to the NHL realignment.
    Florida(14-27-6) finished with a 8-11-5 home record this season and clinched last place in the NHL. They will have either the number one or number two overall pick in the NHL Draft on June 30 based on the lottery drawing this Monday night. It is the first time in franchise history that team finished in the bottom of the league standings.
    Toronto(26-16-5) scored on their first shot on goal at 5:39 of the first period. Jay McClement brought the puck to the right edge of the crease from behind the net and passed across the low slot. Leo Komarov softly took a wrist shot from the low left circle that went between the legs of Jacob Markstrom for a 1-0 lead.
    The Maple Leafs increased their lead to a two-goal margin with 5:28 remaining in the period. Clarke MacArthur crossed the Panthers line and sent a left-outlet pass to Matt Frattin. He released a backhand on net from the left low circle which was saved and MacArthur put in the rebound with a wrist shot from the top of the crease.
    After getting their first shot just 21 seconds in the game, Florida had mustered their second shot at 11:05. The Cats did a similar thing two nights ago when they got their second shot just over 15 minutes into that contest.
    The Leafs captalized on a Panthers shot through the crease and broke out on a two-on-one breakaway from the neutral zone. Phil Kessel threw a cross-ice pass to Nazem Kadri, he skated into the Panthers zone through the left circle and returned the puck to him as he shot into the half-empty net on the right side of the crease at 1:41 of the second period.
    The Panthers gave up another tally at 4:21 of the period as the avalanche of Toronto goals continued. Kadri skated from behind the Florida cage and sent the puck in the low slot. Kadri fanned on his snap shot and Kessel finished the play with a shot from the crease area.
    Neither team were able to score in the third period as the Cats held the Leafs to one shot in the frame. James Reimer picked up his tenth career shutout as he stopped all 34 shots and improved to 19-7-5. Markstrom stopped 13 of 17 shots as he fell to 7-14-1. Florida went 0-for-3 with the man advantage while Toronto was 0-for-1. The Panthers finish the regular season in Tampa Bay against the Lightning on Saturday night.  
   

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Heat Break Bucks Again

    The Miami Heat took a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series over the Milwaukee Bucks with a 98-86 victory at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night. Game 2 was much closer than game 1 two nights ago as both teams could not break away from each other throughout most of the contest.
    Neither team led by more than five points in the opening quarter as Miami was up 25-23 after one period. Milwaukee stayed within striking distance in the second quarter, but they were behind at halftime 47-43.
    The Heat were able to get the margin up to eight points near the end of the third and had a 68-65 lead going into the final quarter. The Bucks could not amount a comeback as they were down by 19 points at 98-79 with 2:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.
    Dwyane Wade led the charge for Miami with 21 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes of play. LeBron James added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes while Chris Bosh contributed 10 points and six rebounds in 32 minutes. The Heat got reserve scoring by Shane Battier and Chris Andersen as both drained down 10 points each.
    Mike Dunleavy came off the bench for the Bucks as he had 16 points, five assists and six rebounds in 25 minutes. Ersan Ilyasova knocked down 21 points with six rebounds in 29 minutes and Larry Sanders dropped in 14 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes.

Panthers Take Rangers

    The Florida Panthers snapped a six-game losing streak on Tuesday night as they got by the New York Rangers 3-2 at BB&T Center. The Panthers will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in their final home game of the regular season on Thursday.
    Neither team was able to score in the first period as the Cats were outshot 10-2. Florida only got one shot in the first 15 minutes of the period and that was on the power play.
    Florida(14-26-6) took the lead on their third shot of the game at 5:04 of the second period. Mike Weaver was on the right point and sent a cross-ice pass to Filip Kuba on the left point and he fired a wrist shot through traffic that was deflected in by Tomas Fleischmann past Henrik Lundqvist. It was the tenth goal of the season for Fleischmann.
    New York(24-18-4) evened the game up 2:35 into the third period. John Moore streaked through the left circle and took a wrist shot which was saved by Jacob Markstrom. Taylor Pyatt followed when he swept the puck from the low slot into the net.
    The Panthers regained the lead on the power play at 7:37. Fleischmann received the puck on the right wing from Brian Campbell at the top of the zone. He passed it to the slot area where Marcel Goc redirected the puck in for the tally. Goc scored his eighth goal this season and second goal in three games.
    The Cats wrapped the game up when they were shorthanded and the Rangers pulled their goalie for an extra skater. Drew Shore stopped a pass out to the left point and sent the puck from his own right circle down the ice into the open net with 1:23 left in the third period.
    The Blueshirts responded with 33 seconds remaining with a goal to close the margin. Brad Richards was behind the Panthers cage and found Derick Brassard at the top of the crease and he scored on a wrist shot.
    Markstrom stopped 36 of 38 shots and raised his record to 7-13-1 while Lundqvist fell to 22-16-3 as he made 13 saves. The Panthers were 1-for-3 on the power play and the Rangers were 0-for-3. The Cats were outshot 38-16 in the game.  

Marlins Lose Game One

    After having Monday's game postponed due to snow, the Miami Marlins played in very cold weather and lost to the Minnesota Twins 4-3 at Target Field on Tuesday afternoon. It was the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Marlins manager Mike Redmond played for the Twins from 2005 until 2009.
    Minnesota(9-7) got going in the first inning to take the initial lead. Brian Dozier led off with a triple into deep center field. Three batters later, Justin Morneau grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop for Dozier to score for a Twins 1-0 lead.
    Miami(4-16) picked up a two-out rally against Kevin Correia during the fourth inning and took the lead. Greg Dobbs singled to shallow left and advanced to third on a double to left field by Justin Ruggiano. Joe Mahoney followed with a two-run double into right field for Dobbs and Ruggiano to score.
    The Twins regained the lead in the bottom of the frame. Chris Parmelee singled to center field then Trevor Plouffe got a base hit to right. Oswaldo Arcia smashed a three-run homer to right field on the first pitch from Jose Fernandez as Minnesota moved ahead 4-2.
    The Fish closed the deficit in the eighth inning as Jared Burton relieved for Correia. Juan Pierre hit a one-out double down the right-field line. Ruggiano and Giancarlo Stanton were both hit by pitches and that loaded the bases. Pierre scored as Dobbs grounded out softly to shortstop after it was tipped by Burton on the mound.
    Fernandez went five innings for the Marlins and gave up four runs on six hits and dropped to 0-2. Correia got the win as he allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings and improved to 2-1.

Monday, April 22, 2013

WMEN Adds Sal Licata

    640 Sports WMEN-AM has added Sal Licata as a New York Yankees baseball show pregame host at the station. He will appear on a 30-minute program prior to the start of the New York Yankees Radio Network pregame show with John Sterling and Susyn Waldman. The Big O Show with Orlando Alzugaray has his weekday afternoon shift shortened to three hours from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
    Licata currently co-hosts a show on MLB.com called Full Count and is a sports anchor on SNY in New York City. He has also co-hosted shows named The Wheelhouse, Loud Mouths and Daily News Live on SNY. Licata was once the afternoon producer for the Mike Francesa Show on Sports Radio 66 WFAN-AM and its television simulcast on MSG Network until he was let go in June 2010. He started his broadcasting career as an intern at WFAN.

Heat Open Playoffs With Win

    The Miami Heat began their playoff run to repeat as NBA champions on Sunday night with a 110-87 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round at American Airlines Arena. The Heat were ahead the whole entire game as they led from wire-to-wire.
    LeBron James fell short of a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes of play for the Heat. Dwyane Wade had 16 points, five assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes while Chris Bosh contributed 15 points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes. Ray Allen, who played his first postseason game with Miami, came off the bench with 20 points in 29 minutes.
    Brandon Jennings, who was the only Bucks player that scored in double figures against Miami on April 9, knocked down 26 points in 33 minutes. Monta Ellis delivered 22 points and four steals in 39 minutes.
    Miami scored the first seven points of the game and got up 21-8 six minutes into the game. Milwaukee finished the first quarter on a 16-5 spurt and were down 26-24 after one period. The Heat held a small lead throughout the second quarter and led 52-45 at halftime.
    The Heat put in nine consecutive points early in the third quarter, moved into a double-digit margin and were ahead 80-65 as they headed into the fourth. Miami went on a 16-8 run at the start of the final quarter to put the game out of reach.

Bruins Shut Out Panthers

    The Florida Panthers wrapped up last place in the Eastern Conference as they were defeated by the Boston Bruins 3-0 on Sunday at TD Garden. The Cats went 0-4-0 on their four-game road trip in which they were outscored 20-5 and now have lost six straight games.
    Boston(27-12-5) scored early in the game at 3:03 of the first period as Jaromir Jagr was able to get a wrist shot from the high slot by Jacob Markstrom. Jagr tied Phil Esposito for most game-winning goals in NHL history with 118. It was his 16th goal this season and his 681st of his NHL career.
    The Bruins extended their lead in the second period when Dougie Hamilton fired a slap shot from the right point at 13:33 after the Panthers turned over the puck in their own defensive zone. The B's outshot the Cats 21-10 in the second period.
     Florida(13-26-6) pulled their goalie from the net with over two minutes left in the third period. The Panthers were unable to convert with the extra skater as Brad Marchand put the puck into an empty net with a backhand shot.
    Tuukka Rask picked up the shutout for the B's as he stopped 28 shots and took his record to 18-9-4. Markstrom made 36 saves on 38 shots and fell to 6-8-1. Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play in the contest. The Panthers, with three game remaining in the regular season, return home and face the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Footy Joins WQAM

    Longtime Miami radio on-air personality John Kross Jr., a.k.a. Footy, has joined Sports Radio 560 WQAM-AM as a Sunday late morning host. He was recently the Saturday late morning host at 940 The Sports Animal WINZ-AM.
    Kross is best remembered for his long reign at Y100 WHYI-FM from 1974 until he retired in May 2006. He began there as a sports anchor and was promoted to morning co-host in 1987. He co-hosted with Bobby Czarnecki on the Bobby & Footy Show from 1987 until 1998. Kross was joined by several women which included disc jockey Jade Alexander in 1998 for Footy & The Chix At Six Show and that lasted until 2001. Footy was partnered with Y100 afternoon disc jockey Kenny Walker for the Kenny & Footy Show from June 2001 until the end of January 2006.
    He came back out of retirement in early 2007 and became the Saturday morning host at News Radio 610 WIOD-AM. He added duties for a short time as he hosted late mornings when he replaced Glenn Beck.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Marlins Fall In 13 Innings

    The Miami Marlins were unable string two straight victories together for the first time this season with a 3-2 defeat to the Cincinnati Reds in 13 inniings at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. The Fish are now 2-6 in one-run games in 2013.
    Cincinnati(10-8) got on the scoreboard during the third inning. Joey Votto hit a lead-off solo homer to right field off Wade LeBlanc on a 2-0 pitch. It was his second homer of the season.
    The Reds extended their lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning. Devin Mesoraco started with a base hit into left-center field and advanced to second on a Bronson Arroyo infield sacrifice. Three batters later, Mesoraco scored from third on a single to right by Votto with two out.
    Miami(4-14) got back in the game as they scored two runs against Arroyo in the fifth inning to tie it at 2-2. Miguel Olivo began with a double into left field then went to third on a single by Donovan Solano to right field. Pinch-hitter Joe Mahoney knocked in Olivo with a base hit to center field. Two batters later, Solano crossed the plate on a Placido Polanco double to deep left field.
    The game was decided in the bottom of the 13th inning as the Reds got the victory. Shin Sho-Choo led off with a ground-rule double down the left-field line. He moved to third on a sacrifice fly to right field by Cesar Izturis. Steve Cishek intentionally walked Votto and Brandon Phillips followed with sacrifice fly to center as Sho-Choo scored the winning run.
    Arroyo pitched eight innings for the Red Legs, struck out six and allowed two runs on six hits. LeBlanc surrendered two runs on seven hits in four innings for the Fish. Cishek went to 1-2 as he gave up one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Devils Trap Panthers

    The Florida Panthers played their third straight game in the New York metropolitan area as they lost to the New Jersey Devils 6-2 at Prudential Center on Saturday. This concluded the three-game series between both teams that met in the first round of last year's NHL playoffs.
    Florida(13-25-6) scored on their first power-play attempt at 6:11 of the first period. Marcel Goc was able to snap a shot from the top right circle by Martin Brodeur for his seventh goal of this season.
    The Panthers increased their lead to 2-0 less than a minute later at 7:05. Mike Weaver sent a cross-ice pass from the right point to the left wing. Brian Campbell skated into the left circle a fired a wrist shot for his eighth goal.
    New Jersey(17-17-10) began to crawl back in this game as they converted on their first power play at 14: 22. Patrick Elias received a lead pass at the Panthers blue line from Peter Harrold in his own defensive zone. He split between the Floirda defensemen and ripped a wrist shot from the slot past Jacob Markstrom.
    Elias scored his second goal of the game during the second period at 2:09. Travis Zajac stopped a Panthers clearing attempt at the right point. David Clarkson passed the puck from the right circle to the low slot where Elias put in the wrist shot.
    The Devils took their first lead at 10:45 on a duplicate play that happened eight minutes earlier. This time Alexei Ponikarovsky prevented a clear-out pass at the right point. Zajac took the puck to the bottom right circle and found Clarkson in the low slot for a snap shot.
    New Jersey scored an additional goal at 14:11 as several former Panthers burned them on a play. Steve Bernier passed the puck off the end wall to himself and Ryan Carter scored with a wrist shot on the rebound at the top of the crease.
    The Panthers gave up a fifth consecutive goal and the fourth tally of the frame with 2:16 left in the second period. Carter connected a pass from the right point to a driving Gionta and he finished the play with a wrist shot from the top right circle. The Cats were outshot 17-4 in the second period.
    Quinton Howden was hooked from behind by Marek Zidlicky 39 seconds into the third period and he was rewarded a penalty shot. Howden was trying to get his first NHL goal on the penalty shot, but he failed as Brodeur made a right-skate save.
    At 10:28 of the third period, Dainius Zubrus redirected the puck on a shot from long range by Adam Larsson for a Devils 6-2 lead.
    Brodeur, the NHL all-time leader in wins and shutouts by a goalie, made 11 saves and moved up to 12-8-7. Markstrom stopped 27 of 33 shots and dropped down to 6-12-1 this season. The Panthers, who were outshot 33-13 in the contest, were 1-for-2 on the power play while the Devils went 1-for-3 with the man advantage. The Cats finish the four-game road swing in Boston against the Bruins on Sunday. 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Alex Dunno Promoted At WQAM

    Alex Dunno will add the role as a midday show sidekick for the John Renshaw Show as of March 22 on Sports Radio 560 WQAM-AM. He will still continue as the midday sports anchor for that show and the early afternoon show with Adam Kuperstein and Channing Crowder. Dunno worked the past two weeks as an interim midday co-host with Brandon Guzio.
    He left 790 The Ticket WAXY-AM and joined WQAM in late July 2012. Dunno has hosted a Saturday night mixed martial arts show called Fight Night since August 2012. He has also held the midday sports anchor position at WQAM for the Captain Curtis Stevenson Show, the Dan Sileo Show, the Kup & Goldie Show and the Kup & Crowder Show.
    Dunno announced afternoon sports updates on the Dan LeBatard Show at 790 The Ticket until late July 2012. In addition, he did a show called Fighter's Fury on Sunday mornings at that station. Dunno, a 2007 University of Miami grad, also once worked there as a producer and reporter.

John Renshaw WQAM Middays

     South Florida Sport broke the story back on March 6 and Sports Radio 560 WQAM-AM made an official announcement that John Renshaw, a.k.a. The Freak, will start as the new midday host as of April 22. Renshaw replaces Dan Sileo who was let go by WQAM on March 4. Kevin Rogers and Brandon Guzio filled in the midday shift on an interim basis and will return to the evening shift as of Monday. Alex Dunno will be Renshaw's sidekick and sports anchor on the midday show.
    Renshaw was named a weekend host at WQAM in late August 2012. He first appeared on the station in mid-August as a fill-in host. Renshaw worked with current WQAM afternoon host and program director Jorge Sedano as an afternoon host on 1700 The Fan WAFN-AM in Miami from 1999 to 2000.
    The announcement to promote Renshaw was delayed by WQAM because things had to be ironed out over several jobs he held in the Louisville media market. In addition, the University of Louisville Cardinals basketball team won the NCAA national championship in early April. He was an afternoon sports host at WQKC-AM, a late night studio host for a sports show at WBKI-TV and a talk host on Louisville Sports Buzz.com. He previously was an afternoon sports host in that same market at WQKC-FM.
    Prior to his first stint in Miami, Renshaw was a sports host at WHB-AM in Kansas City and an afternoon host for One-On-One Sports based in Chicago. After he was let go by WAFN, he worked at Fox Sports Radio in Los Angeles as a sports host then went to Tallahassee and was employed by WUTL-FM as a sports host.

Marlins Surprise Reds

    The Miami Marlins won a low-scoring game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park with a 2-1 victory. It was only the second time this season that the Marlins broke a tie in the ninth inning.
    Cincinnati(9-8) put up the first run of the game during the first inning against Marlins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey. Shin Soo-Choo led off for the Red Legs with a triple into deep center field. Two batters later, Choo scored on a sacrifice fly by Joey Votto to left field.
    Nick Green started Miami(4-13) in the third inning with a base hit to center. He advanced to second on a single by Donovan Solano to left. Both runners moved one base over on a sacrifice bunt by Slowey. With two out, Placido Polanco singled to right field off Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos as Green scored and Solano was tagged out at the plate.
    Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman took the mound in the ninth inning. Justin Ruggiano pounded a solo home run to center field on a 3-1 count for the go-ahead run and a Marlins 2-1 lead. It was his third homer of the season. Steve Cishek came in and got the save for Miami in the ninth inning.
    Slowey went six innings for the Fish and allowed one run on four hits while Latos gave up one run on six hits and struck out ten in seven innings pitched. Chapman took the loss and dropped to 2-1 and Marlins pitcher Mike Bunn got his first win of the season.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Rangers Run Over Panthers

    The Florida Panthers visited Madison Square Garden on Thursday night and fell to the New York Rangers 6-1. Alex Petrovic made his NHL debut as a defenseman for the Cats. The Panthers are now 0-2 on this four-game road trip.
    New York(22-17-4) scored on a power-play goal at 3:55 of the first period. Ryan Callahan's shot from the top of the crease was saved by Scott Clemmensen. Rick Nash circled around at the right of the net and passed the puck in front. Derick Brassard put in the wrist shot for a 1-0 lead.
    The Rangers converted of their second power play of the game at 9:10. Callahan threw a cross-ice backhand pass from the left wing of the Panthers zone to Nash who then ripped a slap shot from the top right circle.
    Florida(13-24-6) cut the lead down to 2-1 with 4:43 left in the first period. Shawn Matthias charged into the Rangers zone and made a drop pass to Jonathan Huberdeau. He skated through the right circle and snapped a shot by Henrik Lundqvist. It was the 14th goal this season by Huberdeau.
    The Blueshirts regained the two-goal lead with 3:26 remaining in the second period. Ryan Clowe had the puck in the right corner and sent the puck with a backhand off the side of the net and bounced in front. Mats Zuccarello took a backhand shot from the top of the crease for the tally.
    The Panthers gave up three goals to the Rangers in the final five minutes of the third period. Zuccarello scored his second goal of the game at 15:11 on a deflection, Brassard added his second goal on a slap shot at 16:35 and Brad Richards put in a wraparound shot at 18:36.
    The Cats were 0-for-1 on the power play while the Rangers were 2-for-4. Clemmensen made 24 saves on 30 shots and dropped to 3-7-2. Lundqvist stopped 34 of 35 shots and rose to 20-15-3. The Panthers stay in the New York metropolitan area for the next several days as they visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Nationals Rout Marlins

    The Miami Marlins finished their nine-game home stand with a 6-1 defeat to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night at Marlins Park. The Fish went 2-7 in their first stretch at home this season. The Marlins have the worst record in the majors as they are last in home runs with three and runs scored with 32.
    Washington(9-6) took the early lead with two run during the second inning. Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond both started with base hits into left-center field. LaRoche scored on a ground out to shortstop by Roger Bernardina. Kurt Suzuki drove Desmond in on a sacrifice fly to center field.
    The Nationals got an additional run in the fifth inning against Ricky Nolasco. Suzuki socked a lead-off solo home run to left field on a 3-2 pitch for a Washington 3-0 lead.
    Miami(3-12) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame. Chris Valaika knocked a long double into deep center with none out off Ross Detwiler. Three batters later, Donovan Solano singled to right field for Valaika to score the Marlins only run of the game.
    The Nats expanded their lead in the sixth inning. Bryce Harper lifted a double to right field and advanced to third on a Ryan Zimmerman ground out to second. LaRoche came up next as Harper scored on a single to left field.
    The Marlins brought in Ryan Webb to relieve Nolasco in the seventh inning. Suzuki picked up another lead-off base hit with a triple to left. Steve Lombardozzi stepped in three batters later with a single to center field for Suzuki to cross the plate.
    A two-out rally occurred for Washington during the ninth inning against Steve Cishek. Jayson Werth got on base on a fielding error and Lombardozzi followed with a single into right field. Werth then scored on an infield single by Harper.
    Detwiler got his first win of the season as he pitched seven innings and allowed one run on seven hits. Nolasco had his record drop to 0-2 as he gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings.   

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Heat End Season 66-16

    The Miami Heat finished off their best regular season in franchise history as they knocked off this season's worst NBA team the Orlando Magic 105-93 on Wednesday night at American Airlines Arena. The Heat completed the season with a record-high 66 wins and their best single-season home record ever at 37-4.
    The Heat, who are in their 25th NBA season, ended with the best overall record in the NBA and the Eastern Conference this season as they captured another Southeast Division title several weeks ago. They will host the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of playoffs this weekend.
    Dwyane Wade was the only one of The Big Three who played for Miami(66-16) as he had a double-double with 21 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in 23 minutes of play. Mike Miller added 21 points and six assists in 31 minutes while Rashard Lewis knocked in 16 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes. Juwan Howard contributed 12 points and Ray Allen got 10 points.
    Nikola Vucevic, who had a double-double of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds against the Heat in two previous games this season, pulled off another double-double for Orlando(20-66) with a team-high 20 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes. Tobias Harris dropped in 19 points with eight rebounds in 38 minutes. Beno Udrih also hit a double-double with 13 points and 14 assists.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Islanders Wallop Panthers

    The Florida Panthers began a four-game road swing where they were handled easily by the New York Islanders 5-2 at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday night. The Panthers attempted to be a spoiler as their chance to make the playoffs ended on Saturday.
    New York(22-16-5) scored the first three goals of the game during the first period. Matt Moulson tipped-in a shot at 8:01, Mark Streit scored on a power-play goal with a slap shot from the left point at 13:59 and Michael Grabner finished a breakaway with a goal during a power play at 16:47.
    Florida(13-23-6) made it 3-1 as Dmitry Kulikov scored his third goal of the season with 1:48 left in the first period. He converted on the power play with a wrist shot from long range.
    The Isles got two goals in a 14-second span during the second period. Streit brought the puck into the Panthers zone and fed a pass to Jesse Joenssu in the right circle. He dropped a pass to Radek Martinek where he blasted a one-time slapshot from the top right circle for a score at 3:19.
    They scored another goal quickly at 3:34 when Brian Campbell sent a blind cross-ice pass in his zone that was intercepted by Grabner in the low slot and he backhanded the puck into the net. Jacob Markstrom was pulled from net after that tally and was replaced by Scott Clemmensen.
    The Cats tried to get back in the game at 7:44. Tomas Kopecky fanned on a shot at the right of the crease, got the puck and fed Marcel Goc alone in the blue paint and he put the puck into an open net with a wrist shot. It was his sixth goal of the season.
     Markstrom made 13 saves on 18 shots in less than 24 minutes and went to 6-11-1. Clemmensen did not let up a goal as he made 13 saves. Evgeni Nabakov stopped 26 of 28 shots and got the win for the Islanders as he improved to 21-11-5. The Cats head to Madison Square Garden and face the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale Ratings March 2013

    790 The Ticket WAXY-AM was the top rated sports station in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale region for the third consecutive month. Their margin of victory remained the same over Sports Radio 560 WQAM-AM.
    It was a continued bump in the ratings for 790 The Ticket as they went from a 1.0 to a 1.1. The station picked up additional social buzz with the Miami Heat as they compiled a long string of victories during their 27-game winning streak which got an increased audience. During that time span the team clinched the Southeast Division and best record in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Marlins also began spring training games in Jupiter.
    WQAM also improved for the third straight month during March as they climbed from a 0.8 to a 0.9. The University of Miami Hurricanes basketball team finished off their best season in school history as they won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title and tournament. In addition, the station got a boost with Kevin Rogers and Brandon Guzio in the midday shift as they replaced Dan Sileo who was let go in early March.
    104.3 The Ticket WAXY-FM remained flat for the third consecutive month with a 0.7 in March. The station still had the problem of broadcasting repeated shows of their morning show and afternoon show with Dan LeBatard. An audience will not listen to a show that is out-of-date or several days old. This was the final month that the transmitter signal was based in Palm Beach County.
    940 The Sports Animal WINZ-AM finally stopped their drop of loss audience for the last several months as they stayed at a 0.2. The station has tried to emphasize the Miami Dolphins while it is the off-season. In addition, the audience has began to get use to the new lineup that was implemented in early January.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Nats Bash Marlins

    The Washington Nationals came to Miami and pounded the Marlins 10-3 on Monday night at Marlins Park. Players on both teams wear uniform number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. Miami has lost eight of their last nine games.
    Washington(8-5) jumped on the Marlins with four runs in the first inning. Denard Span led off with a single to right then Jayson Werth singled to left. After Bryce Harper walked to load the bases, Ryan Zimmerman singled into center field as Span and Werth scored. Ian Desmond doubled to left field and moved Zimmerman to third. Tyler Moore got an RBI single to center with both Zimmerman and Desmond scoring.
    The Nationals picked up a two-out rally with three consecutive doubles during the third inning. Desmond doubled into center field and scored on a double to center by Moore. Stephen Lombardozzi doubled into the left-field corner as Moore crossed the plate for a 6-0 lead.
    Werth picked up a single with one out in the fourth inning for the Nats. John Maine relieved for Marlins starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc one out later. Zimmerman was the first batter Maine faced and he blasted a two-run homer on the first pitch.
    Miami(2-11) gave up two more runs in the fifth inning and were down 10-0. Lombardozzi and Kurt Suzuki both singled to center and both advanced one base when Jordan Zimmermann sacrificed. Span brought both of them home on a single into center field.
    The Marlins broke the shutout in the sixth inning. Donovan Solano was hit by a pitch with one out. Two batters later, Juan Pierre looped a double to left for Solano to score. Pierre scored on a base hit by Chris Coghlan to right field.
    The Fish added another run as they got three consecutive hits during the seventh inning. Greg Dobbs started with a doubled to right followed by a single to left-center field by Justin Ruggiano. Rob Brantly got an RBI single into right field for Dobbs to score.
    LeBlanc fell to 0-3 as he allowed seven runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innnings. Zimmermann pitched a complete game as he gave up three runs on six hits in nine innings and improved to 3-0.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Phils Slip By Marlins

    The Philadelphia Phillies pulled out a low-scoring victory over the Miami Marlins 2-1 on Sunday at Marlins Park. The Fish have lost seven of their last eight games.
    Philadelphia(6-6) got the first run of the game in the sixth inning. Ryan Howard led off with a double into left field and Michael Young followed with an RBI single against Kevin Slowey to center field.
    Miami(2-10) tied the game with a run off Roy Halladay in the seventh inning. Justin Ruggiano had a one-out single to right field and advanced to second on a Rob Brantly walk. Chris Valaika knocked in Ruggiano with a base hit into left field.
    The Phillies retook the lead in the ninth inning against Jon Rauch. Laynce Nix smashed a one-out solo home run to right field on a 1-1 pitch for his second homer this season.
    Halladay went eight innings and allowed one run on five hits as he improved to 1-2. Slowey pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up one run on nine hits. Rauch took the loss and dropped to 0-2 as he surrendered the game-winning hit and run.

Heat Extract Revenge On Bulls

    The Chicago Bulls snapped the Heat's 27-game winning streak back on March 27, but Miami avenged that with a 105-93 win on Sunday at American Airlines Arena. The Heat climbed to 36-4 at home this season.
    Miami(64-16) began the game on a 23-11 spurt and were up 30-22 after one quarter. The Heat stretched their margin up to 15 points at 46-31, however Chicago(43-27) finished the second quarter on a 23-10 rally and were behind 56-54 at halftime.
    The Bulls let the deficit get to double figures again in the third quarter and were down 86-77 at the end of the period. The Heat had more than a seven-point lead for the entire final quarter.
    The Heat got 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists from LeBron James. Chris Bosh missed on a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes. Dwyane Wade added 22 points in 37 minutes while Mario Chalmers had 15 points and five assists. Chris Andersen came off the bench with 15 points and seven rebounds.
    Carlos Boozer had 16 points and 20 rebounds in 39 minutes for the Bulls. Luol Deng knocked down 19 points in 35 minutes. Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson both added 14 points each.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Marlins End Losing Streak

    The Miami Marlins stopped their six-game losing streak on a walk-off hit by Chris Coghlan in the ninth inning as they won 2-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night at Marlins Park. It was the first win at home for the Marlins this season after five tries.
    Miami(2-9) was able to score first during the fifth inning against Cole Hamels on a two-out rally. Adeiny Hechavarria tripled into deep center field then Jose Fernandez got his first major league base hit with an RBI single to left which brought in Hechavarria.
    Philadelphia(5-6) got to A.J. Ramos in the seventh inning to tie the game at 1-1. Domonic Brown led off with a single to center and Freddy Galvis walked two batters later. Erik Kratz grounded into a fielder's choice as Brown scored on the play.
    The Fish picked up an additional run in the bottom of the ninth off Phillippe Aumont to win the game. Placido Polanco started with a walk then advanced to third on a single by Greg Dobbs into right field. After Austin Kearns struck out, Coghlan reached base on an infield hit to second as Chase Utley tried to throw out Polanco at home plate.
    Fernandez made his second major league career start for Miami as he pitched six innings of shutout ball, struck out five and gave up two hits. Hamels went six innings for the Phils and allowed one run on three hits. Marlins reliever Steve Cishek moved to 1-1 as he hurled the final inning.

Pens Skate By Panthers

    The Florida Panthers played the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night at BB&T Center and lost 3-1. The Panthers were eliminated from playing in the postseason with their loss and a New York Rangers win tonight. The defending Southeast Division champion Cats have not been in the NHL playoffs 11 of the last 12 seasons.
    Pittsburgh(32-10-0) scored first at 14:49 of the first period to get the lead. Kris Letang received a pass from Beau Bennett at the top of the zone and fired a slap shot by Jacob Markstrom.
    The Pens extended their lead with 1:33 remaining in the first period. After a big pile up in the crease area, Brenden Morrow poked in a shot from the blue paint for a 2-0 margin.
    Florida(13-22-6) bounced back early in the second period at 4:10. Jack Skille got the puck behind the Penguins net on a turnover and sent it in front to Scottie Upshall where he scored on a wrist shot from on top of the crease past Marc Andre-Fleury. It was Upshall's third goal of the season.
    The Penguins wrapped up the game with 21 seconds left in the third period when the Panthers were shorthanded and pulled their goalie. Pascal Dupuis intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, feed a lead pass to Morrow at the Panthers blue line and he shot into an open net for a power-play goal.
    Markstrom made 19 saves as he dropped to 6-10-1 while Fleury stopped 25 of 26 shots and improved to 21-6-0. The Cats went 0-for-4 on the power play and the Pens went 1-for-3 with the man advantage. The Panthers will begin a four-game road swing on Tuesday night, which includes three stops in the New York metropolitan area, as they face the New York Islanders in Uniondale.
   

Friday, April 12, 2013

Healthy Heat Get By Celtics

    For the first time in two weeks, the Miami Heat entered a game with a healthy roster as they edged the Boston Celtics 109-101 at American Airlines Arena on Friday night. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were held out by the Celtics due to injuries as the Heat pushed their home record to 35-4.
    LeBron James put down 20 points along with nine assists and six rebounds in 29 minutes of play. Dwyane Wade, who missed the last six games, had 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes. Chris Bosh contributed 17 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes. The Heat got tremendous output off the bench as Rashard Lewis scored 19 points, Ray Allen drained in 17 points and Norris Cole threw in 12 points.
    Jeff Green dropped in a team-high 25 points with eight rebounds in 36 minutes while Brandon Bass fell short of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds in 34 minutes. Jordan Crawford scored 20 points and Courtney Lee had 18 points.
    Boston(40-39) scored the first six points on the contest and they held a 27-17 lead after one quarter. Miami(63-16) bounced back from a double-digit deficit as they outscored the C's 41-23 in the second quarter and were ahead 58-50 at halftime. The Heat held the lead throughout the third quarter and were up 87-75 at the end of the period. The Celtics got no closer than eight points at the end of the final quarter.

Phillies Outlast Marlins

    The Philadelphia Phillies got two runs in the tenth inning to defeat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Friday night at Marlins Park. The Marlins remain winless at home so far this season as they lost their fourth straight game at home.
    Both teams scored one run during the sixth inning. Philadelphia(5-5) got a one-out double by Ryan Howard into the right-center field gap off Ricky Nolasco and advanced to third on a ground out by Michael Young to shortstop. Domonic Brown drove Howard in on a double to left field for a 1-0 lead.
    Miami(1-9) responded quickly and tied the contest in the bottom of the frame. Juan Pierre was hit by a pitch from John Lannan with one out and went to second on a Donovan Solano ground out to shortstop. Pierre scored on a single to left field by Placido Polanco against his former team.
    The Phillies got a rally in the tenth inning started against Jon Rauch when Ben Revere got a base hit to right field with one out. Two batters later, Chase Utley tripled to deep right field and knocked in Revere. Howard was intentionally walked then Utley crossed the plate on an infield single by Young.
    Rauch took the loss as he allowed two runs on three hits in one inning pitched. Nolasco went six innings for the Fish and gave up one run on seven hits while Lannan also pitched six innings for the Phils as he surrendered one run on three hits.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Adam Kuperstein Goes National

    Adam Kuperstein added duties as a Sunday late morning co-host at the NBC Sports Radio Network on April 7. He co-hosts the show with Huffington Post sports columnist Jordan Schultz.
    Kuperstein has been the evening news co-anchor on WTVJ-TV Channel 6 in Miami since May 2012. He began there as a sports anchor in July 2005 and moved to the news department in December 2011 as the morning news co-anchor.
    He also works as a sports talk host at 560 WQAM-AM. Kuperstein was a weekend host at that station until the end of December 2011 when he joined Steve Goldstein in the early afternoon slot to form the Kup and Goldie Show in the first week of January 2012. After Goldstein was let go by WQAM in October 2012, former Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder became his co-host on the show.

Braves Sweep Marlins

    For the second time in three games, the Miami Marlins were shut out by the Atlanta Braves. This time it was 8-0 on Wednesday night at Marlins Park as the Bravos swept the three-game series.
    Miami(1-8) starting pitcher Alex Sanabia dropped to 0-2 as he went five innings and gave up six runs, all of which happened in the fifth inning, on eight hits. Braves starter Mike Minor pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed no runs on five hits and improved to 2-0 this season.
    Atlanta(8-1) scored six runs in the fifth inning to take a substantial lead. Jordan Schafer led off with a bunt single and then stole second. Two batters later, he scored on a single by Andrelton Simmons into right field. After Jason Heyward walked and Justin Upton flied out, Evan Gattis blasted a three-run homer to left field on a 1-0 pitch for a Braves 4-0 lead. Former Marlin Dan Uggla walked next, then Juan Francisco smacked a two-run homer to center field on the first pitch.
    The Braves extended their lead with another run in the sixth inning as Ryan Webb came in to relieve for Sanabia. Schafer got a double to center field to start the frame and Simmons sacrificed him in two batters later.
    The Marlins gave up a run in the ninth inning on a two-out rally as John Maine pitched the final inning for the Fish. Uggla singled to left and advanced to second on a base hit to center by Francisco. Chris Johnson brought in Uggla on a single into right field.

62 Wins For Heat

    Even with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh not dressed for the game, the Miami Heat set a franchise-record with their 62nd win this season in a 103-98 victory over the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on Wednesday night. They had 61 wins back in the 1996-97 season. The Heat clinched the home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with the win.
   Miami(62-16) used a shortage of players as reserve Ray Allen had a team-high 23 points along with six rebounds in 33 minutes. Rashard Lewis added 17 points in 37 minutes and Shane Battier got 15 points in 28 minutes. Mike Miller contributed 14 points with eight rebounds in 24 minutes while Mario Chalmers scored 13 points with eight assists in 30 minutes.
    Washington(29-50) was led by John Wall as he compiled a double-double with 17 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in 40 minutes. A.J. Price came off the bench and scored a team-high 23 points in 32 minutes. Martell Webster added 12 points in 26 minutes.
    The Heat scored the first eight points of the game and led 25-22 after one quarter. The Wizards got a late rally in the second quarter and were up 50-46 at halftime. Washington margin was held to six points or less through the entire third quarter as they led 72-69 at the end of the period. Miami pulled off a 14-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter and were ahead 83-74 with 7:22 left.
   

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Heat Beat Bucks

    The Miami Heat picked up a 94-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night. It is expected that both teams will meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs in a couple of weeks. The Heat improved to 34-4 at home this season.
    Miami(61-16) was led by LeBron James as he had 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Udonis Haslem added a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds in 24 minutes. Ray Allen and Norris Cole contributed 11 points each as they both came off the bench.
    Only one player for Milwaukee(37-40) scored in double digits as Brandon Jennings got 30 points in 36 minutes. Larry Sanders fell short of a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes.
    The Heat scored the first seven points of the game on a 15-4 push to begin the game. They were ahead 26-21 after one quarter. Miami had a 47-46 edge at halftime. The Bucks were outscored 24-13 in the third quarter and were down by double digits 71-59 at the end of the stanza. The Heat extended their margin up to 18 points as the Bucks only pulled within 12 points during the fourth quarter.

Bravos Get By Fish

    The Miami Marlins collected just four hits as they lost to the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Tuesday night at Marlins Park. The Fish have six hits combined in their first two home games this season.
    Atlanta(7-1) jumped quickly on the Marlins during the first inning. Andrelton Simmons singled to right field with one out. Two batters later, Evan Gattis bashed a two-run homer into center field off Wade LeBlanc on a 1-1 pitch for a Braves 2-0 lead.
    Miami(1-7) picked up one run in the second inning against Kris Medlen and cut the lead down to 2-1. Greg Dobbs got to second on a fielding error and advanced to third on a Donovan Solano infield single. Rob Brantly followed with a sacrifice fly to left for Dobbs to score.
    Both teams scored one run in the eighth inning. The Braves garnered a run at the top of the frame. Simmons got a lead-off infield hit and went to second on a throwing error by pitcher A.J. Ramos. Justin Upton then knocked in Simmons on a double to deep center.
    Eric O'Flaherty relieved for Medlen and gave up one run to the Marlins in the bottom of the frame. Austin Kearns led off with a walk and went to second and third on ground outs by Juan Pierre and Justin Ruggiano. Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked and the Bravos paid the price when Placido Polanco singled to right field which scored Kearns for an Atlanta 3-2. Dobbs grounded out to end the inning.
    LeBlanc fell to 0-2 as he gave up two runs on six hits and struck out five in six innings pitched. Medlen rised to 1-1 when he went seven innings and gave up one unearned run on three hits.  

Monday, April 8, 2013

Braves Blank Marlins

    The Miami Marlins were able to muster just two hits in their home opener as they fell to the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Monday night at Marlins Park. Former Marlins Jeff Conine and Mike Lowell performed a relay throw prior to the start of the game as the first pitch.
    Justin Upton began the fourth inning with a double to right field for Atlanta(6-1). He advanced to third on a sacrifice fly to right by Evan Gattis and then scored on an ground out by Dan Uggla to shortstop.
    The Braves added another run in the top of the sixth as Upton blasted a one-out solo home run to left field off Marlins pitcher Kevin Slowey on a 1-0 count for his sixth homer this season.
    Miami(1-6) had one last chance in the ninth inning against reliever Craig Kimbrel. With two outs and pinch-runner Chris Valaika on first, Rob Brantly singled to center and advanced Valaika to third. Adeiny Hechavarria came up to the plate as the go-ahead run, however he struck out to end the game.
    Slowey dropped to 0-2 this season as he went seven innings and gave up two runs on six hits. Braves starting pitcher Paul Maholm pitched seven scoreless innings, gave up only one hit, struck out seven and improved to 2-0.

Panthers Outduel Senators

    After losing twice to the Ottawa Senators during the first week of this season, the Florida Panthers won 2-1 on Sunday night at BB&T Center. The Senators had won 11 of the 12 games against the Cats prior to this game. The Panthers have won four of their last five games as they travel to Winnipeg later this week.
    Ottawa(19-13-6) got a goal from rookie Cory Conacher, who they acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning last week, at 12:26 of the first period. He was to the left of the crease when he received a pass from Jakob Silfverberg.
    Florida(13-20-6) tied the game at 1-1 when Marcel Goc deflected a wrist shot from the left point by Tomas Fleischmann at 1:08 of the second period. It was the fifth goal this season for Goc.
    The Panthers took their first lead of the game on the power play at 10:46 of the third period. Dmitry Kulikov scored his second goal of the season as he fired a wrist shot from the top left circle.
    Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen stopped 40 of 41 shots in the victory as he upped his record to 3-6-2. Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson, who entered this contest with a 9-0-1 career record against the Cats, made 15 saves and fell to 8-5-2 this season. The Panthers were outshot 41-17 in the game and scored on their one power play.  

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Mets Edge Marlins

    The Miami Marlins completed their six-game road trip with a 4-3 defeat to the New York Mets on Sunday at Citi Field. Marlins pitcher Jose Hernandez made his major league debut as he went five innings, struck out eight and gave up one run on three hits. He set a Marlins franchise record for the most strikeouts by a rookie in his debut.
    Miami(1-5) got a two-out rally during the third inning. Greg Dobbs ripped a line drive for a base hit to left field. Donovan Solano followed with a double into left field to score Dobbs.
    The Marlins added two runs in the fourth inning and extended their lead to 3-0. Adeiny Hechavarria led off with a walk then Chris Valaika cracked an RBI-double to left field. Three batters later, Solano picked up another RBI-double into left field that brought in Valaika.
    New York(4-2) gained their first run in the fifth inning to close the deficit. Ruben Tejada singled up the middle with one out. He scored as the next batter Anthony Recker nailed a double to left-center field.
    Daniel Murphy pulled the Mets to 3-2 when he blasted a solo home run to center field on a 1-0 pitch off A.J Ramos in the sixth inning for his second homer of the season.
    Steve Cishek came in for the save in the ninth inning, blew the opportunity and lost the game. Tejada was hit by a pitch and went to first base with one out. Pinch hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis singled into left-center field to advance Tejada to third while Nieuwenhuis went to second on the overthrow by Juan Pierre. Marlon Byrd then rocketed a double down the left-field line past the drawn-in infield to score Tejada and Nieuwenhuis for the Mets 4-3 victory.
    Mets starting pitcher Aaron Laffey pitched 4 1/3 innings, struck out five and gave up three runs on ten hits. Miami outhit New York 13-6 in the game. The Marlins have their home opener on Monday night as they take on the Atlanta Braves.

Heat Pound Sixers

    LeBron James returned to the lineup after he missed the last three games and scored 27 points to lead the Miami Heat over the Philadelphia 76ers 106-87 on Saturday night at American Airlines Arena. The Heat improved to 33-4 at home this season as they reached the 60-win plateau for the second time in franchise history.
    Miami(60-16) put in the first five points of the game and finished the first quarter on a 23-5 run and led 33-18. Philadelphia(31-45) went on a 22-7 tear at the beginning of the second quarter to tie it at 40-40 with 3:48 left in the period. Miami still was up 50-46 at halftime.
    The Heat never led by more than six points in the third quarter over the 76ers as they were ahead 77-76 at the end of the period. Miami extended their margin in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Sixers 29-11 in the final period.
    Numerous players scored in double digits for the Heat. Mario Chalmers had 11 points and Udonis Haslem got 10 points for the Miami starters. Off the bench, Shane Battier nailed 14 points, Norris Cole popped in 13 points and Ray Allen added 11 points.
    Jrue Holiday led the Sixers with 18 points and six assists in 39 minutes. Spencer Hawes contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. Evan Turner dropped down 14 points in 32 minutes while former Heat player Dorell Wright had 10 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes.
   

Friday, April 5, 2013

Marlins Get First Win

    Twenty years to the day that the Marlins played and won their first game in franchise history, Miami manager Mike Redmond picked up his first major league win as they beat the New York Mets 7-4 at Citi Field on Friday night. The Marlins beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on opening day at Joe Robbie Stadium back on April 5, 1993.
    After playing from behind in the first three games this season, Miami(1-3) got their first lead in any game during the second inning. Greg Dobbs hit his first homer of the season as he led off with a solo shot to right-center field against Jeremy Hefner on a 3-1 pitch.
    The Marlins added five runs in the seventh inning and extended their lead to 6-0. Placido Polanco had the bases loaded with none out when he hit a single into right to score Donovan Solano and Austin Kearns. Two batters later, Juan Pierre scored on a sacrifice fly by Dobbs to right field. Miami then got back-to-back one-run doubles by Justin Ruggiano and Rob Brantly.
    New York(2-2) got three runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the margin down to 6-3. Mike Baxter led off with a pinch-hit single to right field then Jordan Valdespin walked. Daniel Murphy came up and socked a three-run homer off Chad Qualls to left field on a 2-1 pitch.
    In the top of the ninth inning, Ruggiano ripped a two-out single into left field against LaTroy Hawkins as Giancarlo Stanton came in to score and gave Miami another insurance run. Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled into left field off Steve Cishek with one out as Ike Davis scored from first. Lucas Duda followed with a line drive base hit to center which brought in Nieuwenhuis.
    Marlins starting pitcher Alan Sanabia chalked up his first major league win as he hurled six scoreless innings, gave up six hits and struck out one batter. Hefner took the loss for the Mets as he gave up one run on five hits in six innings.

WQAM Celebrates 20 Years

    Sports Radio 560 WQAM-AM marked their 20th anniversary on April 5 as an all-sports radio station. They began to use the sports radio label for the first time when the Florida Marlins played their first game in franchise history on April 5, 1993 at Joe Robbie Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    It was significant when Sunshine Wireless Company decided to add the sports radio moniker to the WQAM call letters. The station finally had a sports property that would cover evenings during the spring and summer. They had the radio rights to the Miami Heat since their inception in November 1988 and University of Florida football since 1985. The station would lose Heat and Gators broadcasts when they picked up the radio rights of the expansion Florida Panthers and Florida State Seminoles football that June.
    WQAM had a weekday lineup back in April 1993 of The First Team with Jimmy Cefalo and Dave Lamont in morning drive, late mornings with John Moynihan, middays with Rush Limbaugh(the only non-sports show), Hank Goldberg in afternoon drive and Ed Kaplan in late nights.
    The station held the radio broadcast rights for several local sports organizations over the last 20 years. WQAM had the Florida Marlins(1993-2007), the Florida Panthers(1993-2007 and 2010-2013), the Miami Dolphins(1997-2004 and 2007-2009) and the University of Miami Hurricanes(1999-2013). Sunshine Wireless Company sold WQAM to Beasley Broadcasting in 1996.
    There have been a number of broadcasters that had long reigns working at WQAM. Joe Rose has hosted the morning show in different stints since late 1993. Current 940 WINZ morning co-host Jeff DeForrest was part of The First Team from late 1996 until December 2001. Florida Panthers television voice Steve Goldstein had two reigns at WQAM from late 1994 to August 2004 and June 2009 until October 2012. Hank Goldberg was there mainly as an afternoon host from late 1992 until December 2007. Neil Rogers ruled middays in South Florida from late 1997 until his retirement in June 2009. Jim Mandich was around from the mid-1990's until he retired in February 2010. Ed Kaplan started at WQAM in 1986 until 1994 then returned from 1997 until late 2008.
    Other sportscasters once at WQAM have moved elsewhere. Jon Sciambi is the radio baseball voice for ESPN Radio and play-by-play announcer for ESPN. Bob Wischusen is the radio play-by-play announcer for the New York Jets and college sports announcer for ESPN. CBS Sports Radio Network has Chris Moore in evenings, Scott Ferrall in late nights and Damon Amendolara in overnights. Phil Schoen is a soccer play-by-play announcer for beIN Sport. Jody Jackson is a studio host for Fox Sports Arizona.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Nats Sweep Marlins

    It was not the start that the Miami Marlins wanted as they were swept in the third game of a three-game series 6-1 by the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday. The Marlins were held to just one run in their first three games of the new season as they were outscored 11-1.
    Washington(3-0) scored quickly in the first inning as they put up two runs. Jason Werth got a one-out single to left field and Bryce Harper followed with a single to right field. Ryan Zimmerman then knocked both of them in on a double to deep center off Wade LeBlanc.
    Miami(0-3) responded immediately in the second inning to make it 2-1. Justin Ruggiano smacked a lead-off home run on the first pitch against Jordan Zimmermann to right field. It was the first time the Marlins scored in 20 innings.
    The Nationals extended the margin to 3-1 during the third inning. Denard Span got on base with a bunt single and went to second on a throwing error. After Werth struck out, Harper drove in Span on a one-out single to right field.
    The Nats put the game away in the seventh inning. With Wilson Ramos on third , Span on first and one out, Werth bashed a 1-1 pitch against Mike Dunn over the left-center field wall for a three-run homer.
    LeBlanc went five innings for the Fish, gave up two earned runs on five hits and struck out five. Zimmermann pitched six innings and surrendered one run on eight hits for Washington.

Nats Shut Out Fish Again

    For the second consecutive game, the Washington Nationals held the Miami Marlins scoreless as the Fish were shut out 3-0 at Nationals Park on Wednesday. The Marlins had four hits in this game and seven hits after two games this season.
    Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez helped his own cause for Washington(2-0) in the fifth inning with a one-out solo home run off Kevin Slowey on the first pitch for a 1-0 lead.
    The Nationals added to their lead in the seventh inning as Danny Espinosa got on base on a fielding error, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kurt Suzuki and got to third on a wild pitch by Ryan Webb. Espinosa scored when Roger Bernardina broke up a double play as he crashed into second baseman Donovan Solano while in the base path.
    Miami(0-2) gave up another run in the eighth inning with A.J. Ramos on the mound. Bryce Harper led off with a double into right field and he scored on the following at-bat as Ryan Zimmerman hit a line drive for a single to center field.
    Gonzalez went six innings for the win as he gave up no runs on two hits and struck out five. Slowey surrendered one run on four hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings.
    The best chance for the Marlins to score was in the fifth inning when it was tied 0-0. Justin Ruggiano led off with a double, went to third on a double play and was stranded when Adeiny Hechavarria struck out.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Santorelli, Smithson Gone

    The Florida Panthers were affected Wednesday during the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday as right wing Mike Santorelli and center Jerred Smithson are gone from the team. The team is currently in last place in the Eastern Conference with the season ending in less than three weeks.
    Santorelli was put on waivers again earlier this week and was picked up by the Winnipeg Jets. He had been shifted to right wing with the influx of centers on the roster. His scoring output dropped this season as he had two goals and one assists in 24 games for the Cats. He was acquired from the Nashville Predators prior to the 2010-11 season.
    Smithson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth-round draft pick. He was a late pickup last season from the Nashville Predators by the Panthers on their way to the playoffs. He was used as a center on the fourth line for the club and led Florida in faceoff percentage at 54.3 percent. He just had two goals and three assists in 35 games this season for the Cats.

Knicks Handle Limited Heat

    LeBron James and Dwyane Wade sat out for the second consecutive game as the New York Knicks got by the Miami Heat 102-90 at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks as he tied a career-high when he scored 50 points.
    The Heat had their 17-game home winning streak snapped as they had not lost a home game since January 4 against the Chicago Bulls. Miami dropped to 32-4 at home this season.
    New York((47-26) jumped out to a 11-2 lead and were barely ahead 27-25 after one quarter. Miami(58-16) scored the last seven points of the second quarter and led 58-50 at halftime.
    The Knicks regained the lead late in the third quarter and were up 78-76 after the period. The game was tied 86-86 with 7:54 left in the fourth quarter. Miami would not score a field goal for the rest of the game as New York went down the stretch with a 16-4 run.
    Chris Bosh led the Heat with 23 points and six rebounds in 39 minutes while Mike Miller added 18 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes. Ray Allen contributed 16 points in 26 minutes and Norris Cole had 14 points. Raymond Felton picked up 10 points with nine rebounds and J.R. Smith had 14 points for the Knicks.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Panthers Crack Lightning

    The Florida Panthers went across the state to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night and won 3-2 in a shootout at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Cats now have a season-high three-game winning streak and return home for two games this weekend against the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators.
    Florida(12-19-6) converted on their first power play of the game at 8:36 of the first period. Tomas Fleischmann was at the top left circle when he found T.J Brennan in the top right circle. He snapped a shot that was deflected by Tomas Kopecky in the low slot that went into the net. It was Kopecky's 13th tally of the season.
    On their second power play, the Panthers extended their lead to 2-0 with 3:19 left in the second period. Brennan blasted a one-time slap shot from the right point that was redirected off the body of Greg Rallo in the crease area. It was the first NHL goal for the 31-year old Rallo.
    Tampa Bay(15-18-2) made a comeback in the third period and closed the gap to one goal at 5:38. While in the low slot, Tom Pyatt redirected a Teddy Purcell wrist shot from the right wing.
    The Lightning tied the game 2-2 with 9:28 remaining on an unusual bounce. Purcell placed a pass to Hedman at the top of the zone. His slap shot was wide of the net, bounced back off the back wall and Alex Killorn directed the bouncing puck from the left side of the crease for the goal.
    Peter Mueller scored on the Panthers first attempt in the shootout and Jacob Markstrom stopped all three Lightning attempts for the victory. Markstrom made 39 saves and improved to 6-7-1 while Mathieu Garon dropped to 5-8-1 and he stopped 23 shots. The Panthers went 2-for-3 and Tampa Bay went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Marlins Lose Opener To Nats

    The Miami Marlins opened the 2013 season in Washington D.C. and were shut down by the Nationals 2-0 on Monday at Nationals Park. Mike Redmond made his debut as the new Marlins manager as Miami collected only three hits in the game. The Marlins made their major league baseball debut 20 years ago this week.
    Washington(1-0) got help from their youth movement as Bryce Harper hit two solo home runs off Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco. Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg went seven innings, surrendered three hits, retired 19 straight batters and struck out three for his first win. Nolasco gave up two runs on three hits in six innings for the loss.
    Harper hit a two-out solo homer to right field on a 1-0 pitch in the first inning and then got a lead-off solo home run to right in the fourth inning on a 3-2 pitch against Nolasco. He became the youngest player in baseball history to hit two home runs on opening day.
    The best chance for Miami(0-1) to score was in the seventh inning. Giancarlo Stanton hit a one-out double to left field and advanced to third on an infield single by newcomer Placido Polanco. Rob Brantly lined out to left and Harper threw a rope to home plate. Polanco got caught in a rundown between first and second which resulted in Stanton being tagged out at the plate.

Depleted Heat Down Spurs

    Chris Bosh hit a go-ahead game-winning three-point shot from the top of the arc with 1.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter as the Miami Heat slipped by the San Antonio Spurs 88-86 on Sunday night at AT&T Center. Both teams entered with the two best records in the NBA as the Heat increased their playoff home court advantage to three games over the Spurs.
    The Heat rested LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for the game as a response to their previous meeting with San Antonio back in November at Miami when Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Danny Green home prior to that game.
    Miami(58-15) scored the first seven points with a shorthanded roster, but San Antonio(55-18) led 24-22 after one quarter. The Spurs increased the gap to eight points late in the second quarter and were up 45-40 at halftime.
    The Heat went on a 26-13 rally in the later part of the third quarter and were ahead 71-64 after the period. San Antonio led 86-83 with 1:21 remaining on a Tim Duncan basket and would be held scoreless for the rest of the way. Norris Cole made two free throws with 32 seconds to go before Bosh nailed a go-ahead shot with 1.1 seconds left to make it 87-86.
    There was no Big Three for the Heat as Bosh had a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes. Ray Allen dropped down 14 points with five assists in 31 minutes off the bench. Cole added 13 points and Mike Miller scored 12 points.
    Several Spurs picked up a double-double in the game. Duncan got a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes while Kawhi Leonard had 17 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes. Tony Parker contributed 12 points with eight assists and five rebounds in 37 minutes.