BASEBALL

The Philadelphia Phillies boosted their lead to 3 games to 1 in the World Series, and the past two games have been all Phillies in Philly.  Ryan Howard was back to being the slugger from the regular season.  He blasted two home runs for a total of five runs.  Meanwhile, Joe Blanton, the Phillies starting pitcher, also hit a home run.  That’s the first home run by a pitcher in a World Series in 34 years.  Just amazing.  Now, the Phillies are just one game away from winning the first championship for the Philadelphia area since the NBA’s 76ers won it in 1983.   Phillies ace Cole Hamels will try to close out the series tonight.  The city is electrified.  Philadelphia 10, Tampa Bay 2.

FOOTBALL

Football comes to the UK.  New Orleans and San Diego squared off in Wembley Stadium to a thirsty (American) football crowd.  And boy was it a shootout.  Not only was LaDainian Tomlinson back to his usual form, totaling 170 total yards and a TD.  Philip Rivers was on fire, throwing for 341 yards and three TDs, but… the show belonged to the Saints.  Regardless of losing Reggie Bush for four, the Saints still remain in top offensive form, and Drew Brees is still Drew Brees.  He threw for 339 yards, and three touchdowns, and appears to have found a new No. 1 Receiver in Lance Moore.  He had six receptions for 90 yards and a TD.  The Saints are 4-4, but don’t count them out as Super Bowl contenders.  New Orleans 37, San Diego 32.

The New York Giants traveled to Pittsburgh in a battle of two 5-1 teams.  Ben Roethlisberger was absolutely atrocious throwing for a mere 189 yards, but more notably, four INTERCEPTIONS!!!  But the Giants had to rally in the 4th quarter, and with 3:11 left on the clock, Eli Manning connected on a two yard touchdown pass to skulking Kevin Boss in the back of the end zone.  The Giants move to 6-1, and sit atop the NFC East.  Meanwhile, the Steelers need to seriously evaluate their wounded offense.  NY Giants 21, Pittsburgh 14.

Finally, the Houston Texans look like one of the most exciting teams in the NFL right now.  Their season got off to a sluggish start, as they were hampered by injuries and were molding their new offensive unit.  But now… they’ve clicked.  Matt Shaub is playing out of his mind.  He threw for 280 yards, three TDs, and no interceptions, but he just executes the plays so well, and moves the offense down the field. Their all-pro wide receiver, Andre Johnson, continues to have big games hauling in 145 receiving yards.  No TDs for him on the day, however, as those belonged to their up-and-coming star, Kevin Walter.  He had 70 yards, and grabbed two TD passes.  Combine this with their explosive rookie running-back, Steve Slaton, and this is not a team you want to face in the first round of the playoffs.  They started the season 0-4.  Now they’re 3-4.  How long will their win streak continue?!  Watch out for HOUSTON!!!!!  Houston 35, Cincinnati 6.