BASEBALL

The Texas Rangers are red-hot!  They started off the season scorching as well, but then cooled down a bit due to injuries.  Now… they’re sitting atop the AL west and, last night, they were in search of their 12th straight win against the Los Angeles Angels.  The Texas bats have been a force of nature lately, and they got a brilliant performance from Josh Hamilton, Endy Chavez, and Adrian Beltre — all of whom homered last night.  Alexi Ogando gave another phenomenal trip to the mound, pitching 8 innings and allowing just 4 hits and ZERO runs.  This team is firing on all cylinders right now.  This is good news for the Rangers who, along with their fan base, are all mourning the death of a fan who fell over a railing trying to catch a foul ball.  This season is now dedicated to him and his son.  Texas 7, LA Angels 0.

And in the National League, there is a very suspicious team sitting in first place in the NL Central.  Who?  None other than unanimously agreed upon worst franchise in sports… the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Pirates have been abominable ever since their post season run in the late 80s.  That’s essentially 20+ years of sitting in last place and doing absolutely nothing to improve their team.  Now something is jelling because they’re in first place.  Yesterday they looked to hold on against the Cincinnati Reds.  It didn’t come from their bats, however, because their pitching staff cleanly pitched a six-hit shutout. When your pitching staff is clicking, you have a chance to get a post-season birth.  Nobody expects the Pirates to hold on and make the playoffs, but, right now, they certainly believe they are capable.  Pittsburgh 1, Cincinnati 0.

BASKETBALL

And, in some sad news, an accident involving the Lakers Lamar Odom.  Odom was in Queens, NY this weekend visiting his family when the private car he was riding in hit a motorcycle which then struck a 15-year old pedestrian.  It was all an accident, but the young boy, Awsaf Alvi Islam, died yesterday from injuries due to the accident.  This is awfully sad news, and those close to Odom said he is extremely shaken up by the event.  There are no words he could say to comfort the family, but he tweeted that his thoughts and prayers are with them.  It was said that Awsaf was an avid soccer player and had become more active in his mosque recently.  Just an unfortunate accident that Odom must cope with for the rest of his life.