Capitals Survive to Force Game 7

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You thought the Washington Capitals were done for. That's what the Capitals players have been thriving off of. Forward Joel Ward told reporters, "I think everyone's been counting us out since the beginning of the playoffs. Within ourselves, we're very confident in ourselves and our abilities." This is a bold statement from a player who cost his team a Game 5 win by committing a foolish high-sticking penalty near the end of the third period. Many people, commentators and writers alike, thought that the Capitals would fold under the pressure of a must-win game, just like they had done time and time again in recent years. But the Capitals were determined to not let that stop them this year.

In Game 6, the Capitals came out right away on a mission. This mission, to attack quickly and aggressively, was led by their star and captain, Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was coming off a surprisingly poor Game 5, in which he had zero shots. Determined to not let this happen again, the Caps pieced together some pretty passing to set up Ovie for a one-timer. The two-time NHL MVP made no mistake about it as he blistered home the game's first goal, just 88 seconds into the first period. From there, it was basically the Braden Holtby Show. Holtby, despite being a playoff rookie goalie, absolutely stood on his head once again. Again and again, the Rangers shots and plays were snuffed out by Holtby. Midway through the second period, Jason Chimera tapped in a deflected shot to double the Capitals' lead. The confidence of the Capitals and their home crowd continued to grow.

As the third period drew to a close, the Rangers continued their onslaught of shots, trying to get anything past Holtby. Marian Gaborik finally did with less than a minute left, but it was too little, too late. Holtby and the Capitals held on to win 2-1 to force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. I still believe the Rangers are the better team, but the Capitals have proved that you can't count them out. This Capitals team is not a team of years past, but they still need one more must-win to advance. They haven't been able to do this in the past, but this year's squad has shown that they are capable of making it happen. Game 7 should be a dandy. The winner gets a date with the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Andy Pettitte's Return to the Majors Scheduled For Sunday

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The New York Yankees have pieced together a starting rotation for most of this season. Everything started going downhill when the prize acquisition of the offseason, young phenom Michael Pineda, went on the DL to begin the season. Then, in a rehab start, he sustained an injury to his shoulder, which required season-ending surgery. If this wasn't bad enough, there has been the struggles of Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes. Garcia was so terrible that he has already been delegated to the bullpen in favor of rookie David Phelps. Through his first four starts, Garcia had an ERA of 12.51. The somewhat encouraging news is that he has thrown four scoreless innings since joining the bullpen. Hughes has had an up-and-down season. His ERA on the season stands at 6.67, due in large part to his inability to finish off hitters.

The bottomline to all this is that the rotation has struggled. With a collective ERA of 5.54 (11th in the American League), the Yankees need help. They are hoping that comes in the form of a vintage Yankee of glory past, Andy Pettitte. During the offseason, Pettitte informed the Yankees of his desire to come out of retirement. The Yankees were more than happy to sign him to a one-year deal. They knew they might need him for such a time as this. Pettitte, a 16-year veteran, last pitched in the majors in 2010. He went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA for the Yankees. The Yankees would be pleased with anything close to those numbers.

Pettitte has made four minor league starts so far this season, going 0-2 with an 3.72 ERA. While those numbers may not be the best, both Pettitte and the Yankees believe he is ready to make an impact in the majors. Pettitte told reporters after his last start that, "I feel like I am ready to go up, and I think they're ready for me to come up. I felt good. I felt as strong in the last inning as I did in the first inning. For me, that was another good test." The team announced that Pettitte will make his return to the Yankees Sunday at home against the Seattle Mariners. Will Andy Pettitte be the saving grace the Yankees need? That remains to be seen. But if anyone could do it, I am confident that it is the reliable old veteran Pettitte.

Jordany Valdespin's Incredible First Major League Hit

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Never heard of Jordany Valdespin? You aren't alone. The 24 year-old from the Dominican Republic had only had six at-bats as a major leaguer coming into tonight. Valdespin was called up from the minors to help fill out the New York Mets bench following an injury to shortstop Ruben Tejada. The youngster watched as the game against the Philadelphia Phillies played out. It was the top of the ninth, two baserunners on for the Mets, and with the score tied at two, when Valdespin got some unexpected news. He was being called on to pinch hit for relief pitcher Tim Byrdak. The Mets believed in the rookie. They thought he could come with the big hit off Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Valdespin was thrilled about his opportunity. He explained after the game, "It was a great moment for me. He's one of the best closers in the big leagues. They called me last night and told me to be ready." Looking simply for a hit, Valdespin found a pitch hanging over the plate from Papelbon. His swing made full contact as he connected for a three-run home run. Valdespin's first major league hit turned out to be the game winner, and he received the post-game pie in the face to prove it. Oh and by the way, as if there wasn't enough pressure on him to make this impressive, this game was in Philadelphia and nationally televised on ESPN.

This is truly a memorable night for Valdespin to say the least. His home run won the Mets the game, and his teammates rewarded him by showering him in whatever they could find. Valdespin couldn't have been more pleased. After the game, he told reporters, "Just excited because -- you know -- first hit in the big leagues. It's exciting. I'm thinking, 'Giving the chance to my team to win.'" That's exactly what he did, and manager Terry Collins is rewarding him with his previously promised start at shortstop tomorrow. Collins is excited about Valdespin's talent. In reference to this, he commented, "He is an extremely talented young player. So we're going to run him out there tomorrow. You know, he hasn't played shortstop, but he's just so athletic that I know he'll handle himself great." Jordany Valdespin's career is off to a thrilling start. With the support of his manager and teammates, it will be exciting to watch his development this season and for years to come.

Chris Davis Shines as Designated Pitcher

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Little in Sunday's game between the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox went as expected. Poor starting pitching by both teams meant a bullpen-controlled game. Both bullpens got the job done. The problem was they both ran out of pitching. Beginning in the 16th inning, first baseman Chris Davis came in to pitch two innings for the Orioles, while outfielder Darnell McDonald came in the top of the 17th for the Red Sox. The game became the first major league baseball game since 1925 to have two position players come in and pitch.

Davis began the game as the Orioles' designated hitter. Today, hitting just wasn't his thing, as he went 0-8 from the plate with five strikeouts. When Davis was told he would be pitching, he was more than happy to oblige. After the game, he stated, "I was like 'Sweet! I get to try something different today -- because hitting ain't working.'" Making his major league pitching debut, Davis came out and struck out the first batter he faced. After the Orioles gained the lead in the top of the 17th, he got into a little bit of trouble having given up a single and a walk. However, he ended up striking out All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez and got McDonald to ground into a game-ending double play. Davis became the first position player to pick up a win as a pitcher, while striking out five times as a hitter. Clearly today Davis shined as a designated pitcher, rather than a hitter.

A side note from the game that is worth pointing out is that the Orioles just keep winning. Their methods may not be traditional, but they are getting the job done. The Orioles' record now stands at a major league-best 19-9. Impressive for a team that hoped merely to finish above .500. The youth movement and the entertaining managing work of Buck Showalter have taken Baltimore by storm. The Orioles are playing great baseball. Now, they just have to prove themselves over the course of a season.

I'll Have Another Wins 138th Kentucky Derby

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With the 2012 Kentucky Derby running its course, favorite Bodemeister looked set to win, while I'll Have Another looked like just another horse at the derby. That was until the final furlong, which was when jockey Mario Gutierrez made his move. Gutierrez and I'll Have Another pulled away from the pack and became level with Bodemeister, who was leading. It was I'll Have Another who had something left in the tank as he made the pass to secure victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Both the jockey and horse were relatively unknown to most viewers, including many owners and trainers. I'll Have Another was granted a 15-1 shot at winning. Receiving the number 19 post, did not help the horse's odds of winning at all. No horse had ever won the Kentucky Derby out of that post, but that changed today. Bodemeister set a blistering pace from the onset, but it was I'll Have Another who closed the race the strongest.

The son of a jockey, Mario Gutierrez grew up on a small farm in Veracruz, Mexico. He began racing near his home, before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada to continue his career. With growing acclimation and success in Canada, Gutierrez decided to make his move to the United States. While racing in Southern California, owner J. Paul Reddam took notice of this young Mexican jockey. As trainer Doug O'Neill recalls, "Paul said, 'Let's give this kid a chance.'" Gutierrez made his debut jockeying I'll Have Another in the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, which they won, despite having 43-1 odds. They then won the Santa Anita Derby, before entering the Kentucky Derby. In this race, the pair looked like seasoned veterans, who rode a simply masterful race. When asked the inevitable question of the possibility of a Triple Crown, O'Neill couldn't contain his excitement. He exclaimed, "Maryland, here we come baby!" This means we'll have another chance to watch Gutierrez and I'll Have Another race. This provides yet another chance at the coveted Triple Crown.