D-backs bullpen falters again as they lose to the Pirates, 5-4

Ian Kennedy hit the mound today in Chase Field to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that he's had great success against. Too bad it's a new season. Pittsburgh roughed him up early as he let up 4 runs in 6.0 IP. However, the D-backs showed off their tough and resilient snake skin nature as the struck back to tie the game off a rare Johnny Mac homer in the 8th inning. However, the D-backs Bullpen once again blew an opportunity as Andrew McCutchen singled in a run against Bryan Shaw at the top of the 9th inning. Juan Cruz, a former Diamondback, got the save for the Pirates.

Coyotes take Game 3 from Chicago, win 3-2 OT

The scoring in this game was the classic score and response. Chicago would score and Phoenix would answer; however, this is not the system you want when the game goes to OT. Or is it? Mikkel Boedker slid the puck past Corey Crawford 13:15 into the OT period to give the Coyotes a win in the United Center. Unfortunate for both teams was the Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa. Hossa had just passed the puck when Torres delivered a brutal hit, but the hit did not get him a trip to the box. In fact, there was a referee not that far from the spot of impact and he skated past the injured Hossa who was sprawled across the ice. What is unfortunate is that Hossa, a key player for the Blackhawks, is injured and also that Torres will probably receive a suspension from the stingy league, even though the hit wasn't initially penalized. The replay does show that Torres becomes airborne, but only once he makes contact with Hossa.

Diamondbacks top the Rockies on Jackie Robison Day, 5-2

Jackie Robinson Day is a great day for baseball. Every player wears the number 42 in honor of the great pioneer of this game. The day felt better since the D-backs won, but it was only so they could salvage a win against the Rockies. Trevor Cahill got his first win as a Diamondback while wearing 42 and Chris Young homered again while wearing 42. The Diamondbacks return to Chase Field tomorrow to start a series against the Pirates.

Rockies walk-off on Arizona thanks to Helton's 2-R Homer

This game was unbelievable and disgusting. Unbelievable because the D-backs reliable reliever, JJ Putz, blew a save and a one-run cushion in the middle of a rainstorm with two outs. Disgusting because my dad called the walk-off shot. Old reliable for the Rockies delivered on a miracle two-run shot that fought the wind to sneak in for a homer. This is the second night in a row that a D-back reliever lost the game, which is odd and concerning given that the Snakes were supposed to have a solid Bull-pen. I guess both my old man and the Rockies' old man have some game left in them.

Blackhawks top the Coyotes to even series, win 4-3 OT

This game was almost exactly like the game two nights before. Chicago out shot the Coyotes, yet the Coyotes held the lead for most of the game. That is until a Patrick Sharp shot snuck past goalie Mike Smith to tie the game with only 6 seconds remaining. This forced OT, but the outcome was different. 10:36 into the OT period, the Coyotes committed a crucial turnover right in front of their own net, leading to a quick, easy goal by Bryan Bickell, sending the series to Chicago, tied.

Coyotes take Game 1 from Chicago in OT, win 3-2

This guy will be the key to the Coyotes success in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I don't know about you, but I feel that this year's team is different than the Bryzgalov-led teams in the past two seasons. Don't get me wrong, Bryzgalov was a great goal-tender, but he lacked a certain clutch factor that we've seen from Mike Smith in the final regular season games. Even though Phoenix is a 3rd seed and a division champ, they only have 97 points and are matched up against a star-studded Chicago Blackhawks team. Game 1 started out with an early goal by the Blackhawk's captain, Jonathan Toews. The air was sucked out of the building for two reasons: Chicago's dominant offense produced a goal against the defense-minded Coyotes, and Phoenix is not a true Hockey town, so they don't know how hockey truly works. Hockey is won by quality shots, quality goal tending, hits, and blocked shots. That's where the Coyotes won the game. Phoenix scored twice in the second period and out hit Chicago 48-22. However, Chicago would out shoot Phoenix 45-34, which led to a Brent Seabrook tying goal with only 15 seconds left in regulation. The game would go to sudden-death overtime, where the more offensively gifted team usually wins. However, this is also where the team who wants it more will win. Martin Hanzal scored the game winner 9:29 into the OT period, giving the Coyotes Game 1 of the series.

D-backs come back from six down, sweep the Giants

Lyle Overbay and Josh Collmentor both made their first appearances for the D-backs on Sunday, showing mixed results. The oldie showed he's still got some pop, but the rookie pitcher from last year had a poor start as he only pitched three innings and let up six runs, including a two-run jack from Buster Posey. Wade Miley would come into the game to relieve Collmentor, pitching 4 hitless innings. Overbay would then hit a two-run double. A couple of innings later, Ryan Roberts would hit a two-run jack, followed by an Overbay homer. In the bottom of the 7th, Pablo Sandoval and Willie Bloomquist would get into a scuffle as the bases were loaded. Miguel Montero would then hit a blooper to score one run, followed by another Chris Young blooper that scored Aaron Hill as Buster Posey came off home plate to let him score. The D-backs would not relinquish their lead, leading to their first come-from-behind victory of the 2012 season.