Bullpen tries to hold on, but can't get any help.

The Braves were defeated by the Astros last night 5-4 on a walk-off homer run by Darin Erstad. Jorge Campillo started the game for the Braves but gave up 4 runs in 3 innings and was relieved by Buddy Carlyle. Carlyle threw 3 innings of shutout ball and Jeff Bennett threw 2 more innings without giving up a run. The Braves scored 1 run in the 8th and 1 run in the ninth off of NL saves leader Jose Valverde, but could not hold on as Julian Tavarez gave up the home run to Erstad. Josh Anderson had 3 hits for the Braves and Brian McCann added two more hits. Casey Kotchman had 2 RBI. The teams play on Saturday at 705p. James Parr will pitch for the Braves and Brandon Backe will pitch for the 'Stros.

There is sad news in the entertainment world today as legendary actor Paul Newman has passed away at age 83 after a long battle with cancer. Even though he was nominated 9 times for an academy award, he only won once for "The Color of Money". He stopped acting after the year 2000, but did have a role as the voice of Doc Hudson in the movie Cars. His best movies were from the 1960's and early 70's. Those movies included The Sting, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Hustler. Newman is survived by his wife, 5 children, 2 grandsons and his brother.

'Tis the end of the season

The Braves finish their season with a three game road trip to Houston this weekend. Jorge Campillo will pitch for the Braves and Brian Moehler will throw for the 'Stros. Campillo has been struggling lately, but he won his last start, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings. Game time is 805p.

The Ball State football team hosts Kent State at noon on Saturday for Homecoming. BSU is a 19 point favorite. It will be interesting to see if the team has a let down after a momentous win over Indiana and the shattering loss of their star wide receiver Dante Love.

Survivor Gabon started last night. I can't believe that this show has lasted 17 "seasons". I stopped watching after the first 3 because it got to be a little boring and repetitive. You can change locations and you can make new challenges, but it's all still very soap-opera-ish. You make alliances, you stab people in the back, all just to get to be on top when the thing is over. Sure, it's for $1 million dollars, but I just can't stomach 16 episodes of the same thing over and over again.

Still playing well, trying to play spoiler

The Braves beat the Phillies last night 10-4. Martin Prado had 3 hits and 2 RBI and Chipper Jones had a pinch-hit 3-run homer. Brian McCann added 3 hits and Casey Kotchman had 2 RBI. The starting pitching by Jo Jo Reyes was weak as he pitched 3-1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs. In his last 10 starts, Reyes has given up 37 runs in 39-1/3 innings. That's an 8.47 ERA while averaging less that 4 innings per start. He may not be ready for the big leagues yet. The bullpen did a fine job for the second night in a row. Julian Tavarez gave up a run, but Buddy Carlyle, Vladimir Nunez, Jorge Julio, and Manny Acosta all pitched without allowing a run. The Braves are 12-10 in September and are playing well, maybe they will be able to carry that into next season. The Braves are off today, and they finish the season with three games at Houston.

Why is it big news that Lindsay Lohan is in a relationship with Samantha Ronson? This has been a fact for at least a few months. Is it because they are both women? Is Lohan trying to piss of her father? I just don't understand why it is such a big deal....

Starting to play well, but it's too late

The Braves beat the Phillies last night 3-2 behind the strong pitching of Mike Hampton and the bullpen. Hampton gave up 2 runs in 6 innings and Will Ohman, Jeff Bennett, and Mike Gonzalez each pitched an inning of scoreless relief. Kelly Johnson continued his unbelievable September by going 2-for-4. He has a hit in every game this month, thus continuing his 21-game hitting streak. He is batting .415 during the streak with 18 RBI in 21 games. Casey Kotchman is playing well lately also. He was 2-for-4 in the game with a homer. The entire Braves team is 11-10 in September, which is pretty good considering that they were 59-78 going into the month. They play the Phillies tonight at 700pm. Jo Jo Reyes is scheduled to pitch for the Braves and Brett Myers will pitch for the Phillies.

Hanging tough, then the usual happened

The Braves were in the game until the late innings when the bullpen gave up 4 runs to the Phillies, thus giving the Braves a 6-2 loss. Jair Jurrjens pitched a great game, as usual, giving up 2 runs in 7 innings. He's been brilliant all year. Kelly Johnson hit a 2-run homer and a double while extending his season-leading hitting streak to 20 games. Brent Lillibridge also had 2 hits. Chipper Jones was 1-for-1 and raised his average to .364. He leads Albert Pujols by 16 points in the NL batting average race. Jeff Bennett took the loss by giving up 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning. The Braves and Phillies play tonight at 705p. Mike Hampton pitches for the Braves and Cole Hamels will pitch for the Phillies.

Ball State receiver Dante Love has had a career-ending injury. He was an electrifying ball player and his leadership will be missed. I wish him well on a full recovery. Best wishes Dante!

Good weekend for all

The Braves took two out of three against the Mets this weekend. They lost Friday 9-5. Martin Prado and Omar Infante had 2 hits a piece and Infante had 2 RBI. They won on Saturday, 4-2, behind a strong pitching performance from Jorge Campillo. Campillo gave up 2 runs in 6 innings. Josh Anderson had 3 hits to lead the offense. Mike Gonzalez got the save. On Sunday, Atlanta had to dig into the bullpen to pull out a win. Prado and Jeff Francoeur had 3 hits each. Prado had 3 RBI. Gonzalez got his second straight save. Chipper Jones is batting .362 through Sunday, leading the league with 1 week to go.

The Redskins beat Arizona yesterday 24-17. Jason Campbell was very efficient, completing 22 of 30 passes for 193 yards and 2 TDs. Clinton Portis rushed for 68 yards and a TD. Santana Moss had 7 catches for 75 yards and a TD. Chris Cooley had 7 catches for 72 yards. Todd Yoder had 2 catches for 4 yards and a TD. Rocky McIntosh led the defense with 10 tackles and Carlos Rogers had an interception. The Redskins are now 2-1 and will face the hated Cowboys next Sunday at 415p.

Ball State's football team is rising in the polls. They are now 36th in the USA Today poll and 38th in the AP poll. In the Colley computer ratings, they are ranked 9th.

A program changing performance

The Ball State football team beat IU 42-20 last night. It was the first win against a BCS opponent in the team's history. Five years ago, the BSU football team received $1 million dollars to get beat up by the likes of Auburn, Clemson, Iowa, and Purdue and now we are bringing in teams or trading home-and-home series with the big boys. This victory means so much to this program that I can't explain it in words.

The big win was dampened by a neck injury suffered by wide receiver Dante Love. Late in the second quarter he was hit head on by an IU player and was knocked out. He laid on the field for 20 minutes while the medical staff put him on a stretcher and carted him off the field. He was transported to Methodist hospital in Indianapolis. He had "numbness and tingling" while still on the field. His condition is not know at this time. My thoughts are with him.

As for the game, MiQuale Lewis ran for 166 yards and 4 TDs as the BSU offensive line made huge gaping holes for him to run through. QB Nate Davis was 16-25 for 239 yards with a TD and he ran for 31 yards including a huge first down run in the fourth quarter. Miles Trempe caught 2 passes for 80 yards and a TD. Tight end Darius Hill caught 5 passes for 69 yards. The defense played well also with 2 sacks, 2 interceptions including one for a TD by Sean Baker , who was the national defensive player of the week last week. A great all-around game for the Cardinals. They will host Kent State next Saturday for homecoming at noon. GO CARDS!!!!