Video: Weighing the Risk With Vick

After suffering a concussion a week ago, Michael Vick played against the Giants. William C. Rhoden wonders if he should have.

Angels bullpen collapses in 6-5 loss; playoff hopes nearly dead

The Angels bullpen suffered a complete meltdown Sunday, failing to hold a three-run lead in the ninth inning in a loss to the Oakland Athletics, 6-5, in Angel Stadium.

Closer Jordan Walden threw away a potential game-ending double-play grounder during a four-run ninth inning, and with it he may have thrown away the Angels’ playoff hopes.

Thanks to Boston’s 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday, the Angels remained 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League wild-card race with three games to play.

But Tampa Bay beat Toronto, 5-2, on Sunday to move to within a half-game of Boston, and if the Red Sox lose the nightcap, the Red Sox and Rays would be tied for the wild-card lead with the Angels needing to win three games against Texas and Boston and Tampa Bay to lose three games each just to force a tie.

The A’s scored twice in the top of the eighth off relievers Bobby Cassevah and Scott Downs on Sunday to cut the Angels’ lead to 3-2, but the Angels scored two huge insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth when Peter Bourjos dunked a two-out, two-run single into shallow right field to make it 5-2.

Walden, who got Hideki Matsui to fly out to left field to end the eighth inning, gave up a solo home run to Josh Willingham to open the ninth, only the second home run the rookie right-hander has allowed this season.

Michael Taylor struck out, but Scott Sizemore and Chris Carter both singled to put runners on first and second.

Adam Rosales followed with a hard grounder up the middle that Walden snared, but his flat-footed throw to second in an attempt to start a game-ending double play sailed wide and off the glove of shortstop Erick Aybar for an error.

Sizemore scored on the miscue to make it 5-4, and Carter took third. Kurt Suzuki, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, flared a double to right field to score Miller for a 5-5 tie and put runners on second and third with one out.

Jemile Weeks was walked intentionally to load the bases, and Manager Mike Scioscia summoned left-hander Hisanori Takahashi, who gave up a sacrifice fly to Coco Crisp that gave Oakland a 6-5 lead and retired Matsui on a fly to the wall in right to end the inning.

Howie Kendrick reached on a two-out walk in the bottom of the ninth off A’s closer Andrew Bailey, but Bobby Abreu popped out to second to end the inning.

Wasted was a superb start by Angels right-hander Joel Pineiro, who allowed three hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings, striking out four and walking one, and home runs by Abreu in the third inning and Vernon Wells in the sixth.

-- Mike DiGiovanna 

Monday Matchup, Redskins at Cowboys

Redskins (2-0) at Cowboys (1-1), 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
Line: Cowboys by 5

The Redskins have been waiting a long time to deliver a hearty “I told you so,” so they can be forgiven for a little premature self-congratulation over their perfect start. Rex Grossman called Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Anthony Armstrong “the best wide receiving corps in the league,” which must mean he has not had a look at the Patriots, the Jets, the Eagles, the Packers, the Saints or about 20 other N.F.L. teams.

Grossman also called Moss “a quarterback’s best friend,” which means a lot from a quarterback who used to be known as “an opposing cornerback’s retirement fund.”

The Redskins have certainly improved, both on the field and off: their injury reports no longer come with a separate insubordinate section. Still, the current era of good feelings is built upon a 1-point come-from-behind victory against a team that lost 11 games last year (Arizona) and a convincing win against the eight or nine Giants players who were healthy enough to suit up on opening day.

This week, Washington will face a team whose top wide receiver (Miles Austin) is out and whose quarterback (Tony Romo) is trying to battle back from cracked ribs and a punctured lung. The Redskins can give themselves all the props they want if they compile a 3-0 start. The rest of us will reserve judgment. Pick: Redskins

Pick is not based on the spread

Vick Breaks Hand During Loss

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick broke his right hand during a 29-16 loss to the Giants on Sunday afternoon.

Vick, who sustained a concussion last week against the Atlanta Falcons and was cleared to play late in the week, was taken to the locker room for X-rays near the end of the third quarter. He returned for a series before he was again pulled out for the remainder of the game with over eight minutes left and the Eagles down by 22-16.

He was replaced by Mike Kafka, whose first pass was intercepted by Aaron Ross.

Before the injury, Vick completed 16 of 23 passes for 176 yards and an interception. He also rushed seven times for 31 yards.

Giants-Eagles Matchup to Watch

Giants (1-1) at Eagles (1-1), 1 p.m. Eastern, Fox

Hakeem Nicks vs. Nnamdi Asomugha
At this point, the list of established Giants receivers is down to one: Nicks. With Mario Manningham (concussion) out for Sunday’s game, Nicks figures to see a steady diet of Asomugha (one of the best cornerbacks in the league) and perhaps even some double coverage. The Giants will have to run the ball to win, but they cannot ignore the passing game. And Nicks — with 11 receptions, 160 receiving yards and a touchdown this season — is the only true deep threat they have left.

Number to watch: 16

The Giants’ defense has recorded 16 quarterback hits in two games this season (to go with six 6 sacks), and pressure in the backfield will be at an even greater premium in Week 3 against Michael Vick. With their secondary struggling, the Giants will need a strong pass rush if they hope to contain the explosive Eagles offense. If they can knock down Vick, who is coming off a concussion, chances of pulling an upset increase significantly.

Quotation of the Week:

‘“It is a lot of trash talking and a lot of guys on the field that just hate each other. They just want to beat each other’s head in.’ ”
Eagles cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL, when asked to describe the Giants-Eagles rivalry.

Jets-Raiders Matchup to Watch

Jets (2-0) at Raiders (1-1), 4:05 p.m. Eastern, CBS

Matchup to Watch: Colin Baxter vs. Defensive Line
Baxter, the Jets’ rookie replacement at center for Nick Mangold (high ankle sprain), has played three quarters in the N.F.L. The Raiders’ starting tackles, Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour, have combined to play 19 seasons. To combat his inexperience, Baxter immersed himself in film review and extra practice, studying with Mangold, the injured backup Rob Turner and the offensive line coach Bill Callahan. For the Jets to win, they do not need Baxter to resemble Mangold. But they do need him to avoid making critical mistakes that lead to turnovers or, worse, injuries.

Number to Watch: 25
LaDainian Tomlinson touchdowns against Oakland in his 11-year career, the most he has against a team. Tomlinson’s success prompted Rob Ryan, the Raiders’ former defensive coordinator, to tell him, “I put you in the Hall of Fame,” when Dallas visited the Jets two weeks ago. Tomlinson has not played against Oakland since leaving the A.F.C. West rival San Diego after the 2009 season, but if he adds to his total Sunday, it will probably be on a reception. Out of the backfield, Tomlinson has averaged 11.4 yards a catch.

Quotation of the Week

“You look at their two guys, it’s Mantle and Maris. They have the two big hitters.”

MIKE WESTHOFF, the Jets’ special-teams coach, referring to Oakland punter Shane Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

Chris Foster: Bruins get the win they needed [Video]

Times UCLA reporter Chris Foster talks about the Bruins' 27-19 victory over Oregon State:

 

 

 

 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Fiji v Samoa… far from the hype we expected but it keeps Pool D wide open

First all the hype, then the drabness, and finally some drama and partial redemption for this match. But it was far from vintage Pacific Island rugby.

For almost 60 minutes it seemed we'd witness an extreme rarity – neither Fiji nor Samoa scoring a try – and there was little show of the traditional flair, the sleight of hand, the blistering pace or the bone-shuddering hits.

Rather, it was bad handling, kicks instead of passing and a complete lack of spark that had the crowd resorting to Mexican Waves after only 26 minutes.

But then the sun came out and the match lit up, to give the vocal 60,327 crowd something to remember this encounter for.

Samoa's Paul Williams was sensational while Netani Talei and Gaby Lovobalavu tried to smash and bash their way through everything to salvage something for Fiji. Alas, too little too late.

The pre-match hype fell well short of the reality, but at least the result keeps Pool D extremely honest. Barring a massive upset in the other remaining games, South Africa v Samoa at North Harbour on Friday will decide the fortunes of all three. SA are in the driver's seat, but it could still come down to bonus points.

Who of the Springboks, Wales or Samoa will top the group – and who'll be heading home early?

This blog is supported by Maximuscle, suppliers of sports nutrition to Courtney Lawes, Joe Simpson and the Welsh Rugby Team.