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Has Roger Federer lost it? Are the naysayers right about the world’s top ranked player because he’s lost a few more matches this season including failing to win at the first two grand slams?

Back in late January, the Swiss Maestro was straight setted in the semifinals by eventual first-time slam champion Novak Djokovic. However, word eventually spread that the 12-time slam winner wasn’t right due to a bout with mononucleosis. Still, unusual things began to happen including a rare defeat to former top rival American Andy Roddick.

Federer even lost to Radek Stepanek in a Rome quarterfinal on clay. Though he’s not a bad player by any stretch, the Czech is best known for dating former tennis champion Martina Hingis. There was also a blowout loss to American Mardy Fish but that was his second tournament back following a six week layoff. Top 10 Scot Andy Murray also defeated him in Dubai prior.

Federer’s closest rival No.2 ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal continued his mastery by going three-for-three on his favorite surface. Most disheartening though was that after Roger pushed Rafa in two warm-ups for the French Open, he was uncharacteristically routed in the final at Roland Garros only able to muster four total games leading to even more questions.

What’s wrong with Federer? Perhaps nothing. He got beaten good by a great player who never gave anyone a blink in a third straight run to the French Open title. Just cause he was once again runner-up in falling short of becoming the sixth male tennis player to complete a career grand slam doesn’t mean the world’s best grass court player should be doubted.

Instead, you have even tennis legend Bjorn Borg along with gung ho No.3 rated Serb Djokovic concluding that a player who’s dominated on grass five years running is more vulnerable with Wimbledon about to get underway this morning at the All England Club.

“It’s maybe a time where some people talk a little bit too much,” Federer answered to critics a day before playing the first Centre Court match in pursuit of history. He’s aiming to become the first player in more than a century to win a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title. It only happened some 122 years earlier when William Renshaw accomplished the remarkable feat from 1881-1886.

Federer also brings in an Open Era record 59-match winning streak on grass including another win at Halle, Germany a week ago. Though he didn’t face stiff competition unless you consider that former Aussie Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis is a good grass court player (semis and quarters past two yrs in London), the 26 year-old still didn’t drop a set in the tune up.

So, is his perfection in jeopardy? The last defeat Roger had on grass came to Croat Mario Ancic in 2002 at Wimbledon in the first round a year removed from stunning seven-time champion Pete Sampras.

No question Federer will get tested. He could see surprise French Open semifinalist Gael Monfils in the third round and either former Wimbledon champ Lleyton Hewitt or hard hitting Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the Round of 16. Streaky Czech Tomas Berdych is also in his section as is an unseeded Ancic, who if finally right could shake up the bottom of the bracket.

Federer is projected to face Djokovic in a semi clash. Boy. Would I love to see what happens if that comes down. Novak has said a little too much for a guy who’s won one major.

While his draw is tough just to make the final, Nadal is the odds on favorite to come out and reach a third straight Wimbledon final. He could get tested early though by Latvian big server Ernest Gulbis in Round Two. If he’s going to lose, it’s more likely to come early in the tournament before he gets his teeth into the surface.

It’s worth noting that Nadal became the first Spanish player to win a grass court warm-up in 36 years impressively besting Roddick and Djokovic on his way to the title at Queen’s Club in London. So he enters with even more confidence that he has what it takes to win a fourth slam on another surface and close the gap on Federer.

Assuming Nadal makes the second week, he could see either Murray or Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarters with either Roddick or possibly often overlooked Russian Nikolay Davydenko looming in the semis.

So, who are our picks? Let’s break it down from quarters on:

Section 1 Qtr: (1) Federer over (11) Berdych

Section 2 Qtr: (3) Djokovic over (10) Baghdatis

Section 3 Qtr: (6) Roddick over (4) Davydenko

Section 4 Qtr: (2) Nadal over (12) Murray

FINAL FOUR

Semifinal 1: (1) Federer over (3) Djokovic

Semifinal 2: (2) Nadal over (6) Roddick

Wimbledon Championship: (1) Federer over (2) Nadal

Many like Nadal to win this time but it’s awfully hard to go against history. Roger has much to prove and will be out to silence his critics.

Later today, we’ll take a look at the women’s draw where much is possible. American Venus Williams looks to defend her crown and win a fifth Wimbledon. But she should get strong competition from younger sis Serena Williams along with former 2004 champ Maria Sharapova plus Serbs Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.

It all gets underway today.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Splendid pitching and timely hitting helped the Baby Bombers pickup their first home win of the season. Starter Casey Erickson went six strong innings teaming with two relievers to shutdown the Renegades en route to a 3-0 shutout before a third consecutive sellout crowd of 7,171 on an overcast day at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George.

“That’s what wins championships right there. Pitching and defense. We execute both today,” pleased shortstop Addison Maruszak remarked in the winner’s dugout of a fun matinee which took only two hours and 24 minutes to complete.

The Bombers used a two-run third highlighted by right fielder Dan Brewer’s clutch two out two-run opposite field single to give Erickson the lead. Sharp all day despite putting at least one runner on in five of the six innings, the 22 year-old former 2006 10th round pick effectively used three pitches including a change to keep Hudson Valley batters off balance.

A half inning before his teammates got on the board, the 6-3 righthander helped his own cause by taking a page out of David Phelps’ book. The Friday night starter in the opening game of the series caught a Renegade baserunner napping at second. This time, Erickson picked off Michael Ross at second tossing to Ryan Wilkes for a 1-4 putout. He then finished off the frame by assisting on a 1-4-3 ground out to get Mike McKenna.

Left fielder D.J. Hollingsworth’s hustle in the home half helped spark the inning. After a clean leadoff single to center, the speedy second-year Staten Island Yankee took second on Kyeong Kong’s throwing error. Following a walk to center fielder Ray Kruml, third baseman Braedyn Pruitt’s grounder to first advanced the runners into scoring position with two out. Brewer followed by going with losing starter Tyree Hayes’ outside pitch serving it into short right for the game’s first couple of runs.

Up two, Erickson made it stick by continuing to pitch well with runners on. In the fifth, he worked around a Jacob Jefferies leadoff double by getting Mark Thomas swinging, Jason Appel 4-3 and Michael Ross on a comebacker. In his final inning, he buckled down after a visit from skipper Pat McMahon. Following a one out walk, Erickson finished strong by getting the last two batters including Kang on an unassisted force out to Maruszak.

The Bombers got a key insurance run in the seventh thanks to solid execution. First baseman Jahdiel Santamaria started it by beating out an infield hit and advanced to second on a Hollingsworth sacrifice. Maruszak then came up and went the other way for an RBI single which scored Santamaria.

“In those situations, you got to look for something to drive and you can’t be willing to miss. You just got to find a hard ball to drive and just hit it,” Maruszak added.

The bullpen also came in and shut the door with Jason Kiley tossing two scoreless while fanning three before giving way to the two armed man everyone’s still talking about Pat Venditte. In his home debut before an entertained crowd, he didn’t disappoint retiring Hudson Valley in order including the final two batters via strikeouts on nasty breaking stuff which neither had much chance on.

“It was good to finally get to pitch in front of the home crowd,” the now infamous switch pitcher said while at his locker. “To have the crowd behind you helps a lot. … I got ahead of hitters which helps a lot. That’s what I’ve noticed so far just watching games.”

Most importantly, the Bombers cameback to take the final two games and win their first series of the summer evening their record at 3-3.

“That’s the key is just to win series,” Maruszak also stated.

“Look for the sweep but if it doesn’t happen, you got to win the series. And if you split the first two, you got to win the third game.”

Notes: Staten Island was outhit 7-4 by their opponents but made their four count. … OF Taylor Grote and 2B David Adams sat out. … Erickson went six without allowing a run on five hits while walking one and striking out three for his first win of the season. … In defeat, Hayes permitted two earned on two hits while walking four in 4.2 IP dropping to 0-2. … Jefferies finished 3-for-4 in defeat. … Bombers hit the road the next four days with stops in Aberdeen the next three before visiting Hudson Valley for two of three later this week with one home game Friday night.

-Like many, I didn’t realize how hurt Tiger Woods was in winning the U.S. Open this past Monday. Who knew how far golf’s best would go just to return to the golf course and partake in another major, winning a historic 14th? It’s hard to believe that he was able to play all 91 holes including the dramatic playoff sudden death where he edged buddy Rocco Mediate for a third U.S. Open. I’m not going to say I’m an avid golf fan or a big Tiger supporter after how he dissed the Stanley Cup. However, his performance was not only heroic but one of the most courageous things ever in sports. It’s true that golfers don’t take the physicality of say football, hockey or even basketball or baseball. But to think he’d return prematurely against doctors’ wishes when they said he needed to shut it down for three more weeks tells you all you need to know about Tiger’s competitive fire. When I first heard him explain after winning that he couldn’t give up with all the supporters watching, I thought it was just a typical phony answer. But that proved to be otherwise as it was discovered that he would need reconstructive ACL knee surgery and will miss the rest of the PGA season. Even more amazing is that according to ESPN’s SportsCenter, Woods’ walked over 21 miles on the greens just to complete his 14th major championship. When you have a bad knee like he did, that is far from easy. He said it would go down as one of his top two majors. I have to beg to differ. For me, it’s No.1 on the list. And he did it as a first time father too. A tip of the cap to the greatest golfer I’ve ever seen. Congrats to him and best wishes for a speedy recovery as he chases Jack Nicklaus.

-You know. Lost amidst all the deserved criticism Mets management is receiving for their awful mishandling of Willie Randolph’s firing is that they’re just four and a half behind the suddenly struggling Phillies for the division. And three in the loss column. Omar Minaya did come off like a puppet at that bizarre press conference explaining the ridiculous timing after one road game which was the final ‘W’ under Willie. But the move had to be made because the questions only would’ve lingered hanging over the players’ heads. The pressure’s off even if it’s on because they no longer have to worry about who’s managing them. Now they can just go out and play baseball under Jerry Manuel which is the best thing they’ve needed all season. As I’ve echoed before in this space, this under .500 ballclub after last night’s 7-1 loss in Colorado is perfectly capable of going on a run and overtaking the Phils for the NL East. They boast the better staff and have enough talented hitters in that lineup to compete with anyone. The choice is theirs.

-So much for the Yanks’ seven-game win streak, huh? How do you lose two at home to the hapless Reds? It’s getting more difficult to take them seriously. Especially if the Rays keep winning. Tell you something else. Derek Jeter better get it going soon. He and Robinson Cano haven’t produced. When Melky Cabrera has more homers than both, that’s not a good sign.

-Mike Mussina has really pitched unreal this season and deserves a spot on the AL All-Star squad at the Stadium. It’s amazing to think how well he’s pitching at age 39 when he looked all done last year.

-I still say that Jose Reyes can carry the Mets back in it. There are few players who can impact the game more.

-Novak Djokovic sure has a big mouth for someone who’s won one grand slam. He beat Roger Federer at less than 100 percent back in January. You don’t think the rating five-time Wimbledon champion wants revenge if they meet in another slam semi? Here’s hoping Roger kicks the Serbian’s ass.

-It’s finally okay to tell the Lakers to guard a wide open Celtic. Jack Nicholson would’ve put up a better fight in Game Six.

The bats finally sprung to life on the road. Following just a run in an 11 inning home defeat, the Staten Island Yankees got a measure of revenge exploding for nine runs to a post a 9-1 win at Hudson Valley Saturday night.

They used a four-run first to take the lead for good on a night which saw the ballclub bat around twice. Veteran backstop Brian Baisley, who arrived from Charleston drove home a pair finishing 2-for-3 with a run and walk. He replaced Jeff Nutt, who was moved up to play with the Riverdogs of the South Atlantic League.

Second-year Bomber Matt Morris got his first start of the season in center hitting leadoff. The outfielder had a couple of hits including an RBI double and run scored. Staten Island second baseman David Adams also broke out by going two-for-four with three runs knocked in. That included a big two out two-run base hit to center in the first plating teammates Taylor Grote and Mike Lyon.

A couple of frames later, Adams drove in his third of the night with another two out line drive hit to center scoring Baisley, who began the third with a single. That was plenty of support for starter Cory Arbiso, who worked the first three scoreless allowing two hits while fanning a pair.

Trailing by five, the Renegades got on the board in the home fourth off Staten Island reliever Jacinto Gonell when Michael Sheridan ledoff with a double and two batters later came around to score on Friday’s pinch hit hero Kyeong Kang’s sac fly. But following a walk. Gonell escaped further damage by getting Anthony Scelfo swinging.

In two and a third, the second-year Bomber allowed one earned on four hits with a walk and four K’s which was good enough for his first victory of the summer.

The Baby Bombers put the game out of reach with another four-run inning this time in the sixth highlighted by right fielder Melky Mesa’s first home run. A Morris runscoring double also produced a run plating shortstop Brian Chavez, who had three hits in four at bats.

Tim Dennehy, Andy Shive and two-armed man Pat Venditte shutdown the Renegades the rest of the way allowing just one hit in the final three and two thirds with a strikeout.

Notes: In their three losses, Staten Island’s been outscored 15-5. Conversely, they’ve outscored opponents 16-3 in their two wins both coming on the road. … RP Nick Chigges, who helped setup last year was recalled to Charleston as was Prilys Cuello. Former S.I. Yankee pitcher Jason Stephens was promoted to Single-A Tampa after posting a 2-3 record with a 3.02 ERA while striking out 52 in 59.2 IP. … Baby Bombers (2-3) look to even up their mark and win at home for the first time this season in the final game of the series against Hudson Valley with first pitch just after 2 PM.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Like many new faces, David Phelps is getting adjusted to life in the big city. Thus far, the 21 year-old Hazelwood, Missouri native who the Yankees tabbed in the 14th round of this year’s Baseball Draft likes his new environment.

While it’s a lot more exposure than what he was used to playing for Notre Dame at South Bend, the 6-3, 180-pound righthander doesn’t seem to mind the added exposure.

“It’s nice to come out here. We have great fans. Do well for the team and pitch my game. It worked well. So it was good,” he noted after an impressive four scoreless frames of his Staten Island Yankee debut during the team’s 3-1 11 inning defeat to Hudson Valley Friday night at a packed Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George.

“My last outing in college was pretty rough. So it was good to come out and start everything,” he added pointing out that he was nervous before the draft.

Phelps showed good composure in his professional debut for the short season Yankee Single-A affiliate working four scoreless while permitting three hits, walking one and fanning four. Aside from pounding the strike zone with a fastball which reached the low 90’s and solid offspeed stuff, he also boasted a strong pickoff move keeping Renegade baserunners off balance. In fact, it was during his final inning of work that he helped his own cause by nailing Jason Corder at second for the second out of the fourth with Hudson Valley threatening.

“A couple of pitches before, I heard the coach talk about getting a bigger lead and when I lifted he was like, ‘Go!’ Then they fouled it off and it was 3-2,” he began to explain. “Then Addison [Maruszak], our shortstop gave me a little tip of the cap and I was like, ‘Okay. He’s going to be at the bag.’ So I kind of gave an inside move and he was there and we got him.”

Afterwards, the Baby Bomber starter concluded his first outing by striking out John Mollicone.

One thing which was also noticeable was Phelps’ communication with his infielders which could even be heard up in the press box telling teammate Braedyn Pruitt that he had time to throw out a Renegade across the diamond.

“As much as I can help Braedyn and the infielders. They might not be able to see the runner. As much as I can help them out, it helps make the game a little shorter.”

Asked if it was something he picked up in college, Phelps didn’t hesitate to answer:

“Our coach at school was really big about communication. We didn’t play with big crowds like this but the crowd’s loud. You got to talk. So help each other out.”  

As for playing in New York before a much bigger crowd, it doesn’t seem to faze a kid who got to follow the St. Louis Cardinals back home.

“It’s great. The fans are awesome. … The crowd’s amazing. It’s a great atmosphere to play in. You look out in that outfield and you see the town. It’s almost everything you could ask for.”

“Back home in St. Louis, the Cardinals always draw a good crowd. But at Notre Dame, we never got a huge crowd. It was maybe 200 or 300. It’s a little bit different. … Those guys cheer out here, the adrenaline starts going and you get that extra gear. Back home, it’s 50 degrees outside. It’s impossible to stay loose.” 

“I love it here.”

STATEN ISLAND, NY- They pitched well enough to win but couldn’t deliver the big hit. Instead, a two-run 11th allowed the Renegades to squeeze out a 3-1 win over the Baby Bombers before a second consecutive sellout of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Friday night.

Deadlocked at one in extras, Hudson Valley finally broke through by pushing across a couple in the 11th off losing Staten Island reliever Drew Shetrone. Following a one out Michael Sheridan base hit, Renegades’ pinch hitter Kyeong Kang battled back from an 0-2 hole to full count before lacing an opposite field go-ahead double out of left fielder Taylor Grote’s reach.

“It was tough. They just outhit us but we have to get stuff going. Just couldn’t execute with runners in scoring position a few imes. Myself included,” Grote later pointed out. ”We’re battling. Even when we were down two, I felt like we gave it a good run there. Even though we didn’t score there, we were still hustling and playing to the end.”

After Shetrone rebounded to get the second out of the inning on a called third strike to Michael Ross, Hudson shortstop Matt Hall delivered a key insurance run with a sharp single to left.

“Good game for us. First extra inning game of the year. A pretty good game for both teams,” Hall later indicated in the winner’s dugout after Marquis Fleming pitched around a leadoff Matt Morris walk for his first save of the season. “Earlier in the game, I felt I didn’t do my job by not getting some bunts down. It was nice to comeback and help the team get the other run in.”

In what was a well pitched game, the Renegade staff held the Staten Island Yankees to one run and five hits in 11 frames. That only run came via a two out fourth inning Grote RBI single to left plating first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria, who ledoff with a double.

“Good to see that. Let the ball travel a little bit more,” Grote indicated. “That’s why I like hitting in the five hole. I got to be able to produce. Bring in guys. Men on base. Got to stay regular on that.” 

Threatening for more with two runners on after backstop Mitch Abeita walked, they couldn’t tack onto their lead with Hudson starter Nick Bannese catching a bit of luck when second baseman David Adams’ hard drive ticketed for center instead bounced off the pitcher right to the second baseman for an easy 1-4-3 putout.

Despite a solid debut outing from David Phelps who worked the first four scoreless while fanning three, Staten Island couldn’t nurse a one-run lead. A couple of innings later, the Renegades rallied to tie it when Jason Appel ledoff with a double off reliever Andy Shive. They put runners on the corners with nobody out thanks to Jason Tweedy beating out a bunt single down the third baseline. Braedyn Pruitt’s throw was just a tad late. That allowed Mike McKenna to tie it with a sacrifice fly.

Each ballclub would have chances to go ahead late. First, the Renegades had the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away when Pruitt let a ball go right underneath his glove for an E5. But with one out, S.I. reliever Josue Selenes was up to the challenge getting Sheridan and John Mollicone swinging to the approval of the crowd.

The following inning, Hudson Valley had another golden opportunity when pinch runner Michael Ross swiped both second and third with one out. This time, some stellar defense allowed the Bombers to escape when Anthony Scelfo lined into an unassisted 6-6 putout right to Addison Maruszak who easily tagged third with Ross way off the base.

In the home ninth, the S.I. shortstop had a chance to be the hero. With pinch runner Melky Mesa 90 feet away after a steal of second and advancing to third on a Mollicone throwing error, Maruszak struckout swinging against Hudson Valley reliever Robert Della Grotta.

“Our pitching’s been amazing all year long. They’ve been getting out of jams. Our pitching staff’s been great,” Hall added.

Though they fell in extras, the Bombers had to be pleased with the pitching overall. Something which wasn’t lost on Grote.

“[Phelps] threw real well. It was anybody’s game when he came out. Everyone came in and did well. Even Drew came in and did well. One hit and one guy ran into one a little bit. Got over my head. He threw well and was hitting spots.”

“It’s nice to come out here. We have great fans. Do well for the team and pitch my game. It worked well. So it was good,” a pleased Phelps said.

Notes: Due to the extra couple of frames, the game took three hours and 47 minutes to complete. But fans were still very entertained by a fun Staten Island Yankee staff led by Joey. … The teams combined to leave 35 runners on base with Hudson Valley stranding 20 while Staten Island left 15. … The Bombers used six pitchers while the Renegades went with four. The three relievers Josh Satow, Della Grota and Fleming combined for six and a third permitting only a hit while walking three and striking out seven. In 11 total innings, S.I. pitchers allowed three runs on 11 hits while walking three and fanning 10. … Santamaria was the only S.I. Yankee to have two hits and also made a nice catch reaching out near the Hudson Valley dugout to snag a foul ball. … Appel and Tweedy each had a couple of hits for the Renegades at the top of the order. … The middle game of the series is tonight at 7 in Hudson Valley with the final game Sunday afternoon back at St. George.

They wouldn’t be swept by their nemesis. Last night, the Staten Island Yankees got solid pitching and timely hitting defeating the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-2 to salvage the final game of the 2008 opening three-game series at Keyspan Park in Coney Island.

The Baby Bombers got four solid innings from starter Brandon Braboy (4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K’s) before winning pitcher Josua Selenes came on to toss two perfect frames fanning a pair.

A night removed from using six pitchers, four Staten Island hurlers combined to limit Brooklyn to two runs on five hits while walking just one and hitting one. Seven baserunners total for those keeping score. In one inning during an inauspicious home opener, the Cyclones exceeded that number batting around for five runs.

Trailing by a run on a Braboy wild pitch, the Baby Bombers responded with a two-run fifth off Brooklyn losing starter Manuel Olivares. Third baseman Mike Lyon delivered a clutch two out two-run double to put them ahead 2-1.

A couple of innings later, a four-run Bomber seventh put the game out of reach sending seven batters to the plate. Staten Island shortstop Addison Maruszak doubled home catcher Mitch Abeita making it a two-run lead. Following Ray Kruml getting plunked, Ryan Wilkes’ sacrifice fly plated Maruszak for the second run of the big inning.

The biggest hit belonged to DH Taylor Grote, who drove home a pair with a two out single to right. The 19 year-old from Texas was tossed out going for second to finally conclude the big Staten Island seventh which suddenly had them ahead by five runs.

Each area local traded a run in the eighth setting the stage for the ambidextrous Pat Venditte to finally make his pro debut. The reliever who can throw with both arms got to two outs when Cyclone switch hitter Ralph Henriquez came up as his team’s last hope with a runner on first.

That’s when the real fun began. Everytime Henriquez tried to bat from the opposite side, Venditte switched hands to match him. So entertaining was this six-minute escapade that it even made NBC Sports during the 11 PM news with Len Berman who got a good chuckle out of it.

Eventually, Venditte faced Henriquez pitching righty to righty getting him swinging to conclude the first win of the season under new skipper Pat McMahon.

Notes: As opposed to Wednesday, the game took a more manageable two hours, 48-minutes. … Both Lyon and Abeita each finished with three hits. In fact, Abeita reached base all four times going a perfect three-for-three with a walk and two runs scored. … Maruszak was two-for-four with a run and two knocked in. … Brooklyn third baseman Zach Lutz had two of his team’s five hits in a losing effort and is hit .500 (5-for-10, 4 RBI’s) during the series. … Olivares went the first five permitting two runs (1 ER) on seven hits while walking two and fanning three to fall to 0-1. … Bombers (1-2) host Hudson Valley later tonight in a three-game set with the middle game on the road while returning to St. George Sunday for the finale at 2 PM.

Here are a few more shots from the 2008 Staten Island Yankees home opener versus the Verrazano rival Brooklyn Cyclones:

STATEN ISLAND, NY- They waited a little longer to play the first home game of 2008. Following a one hour 26-minute rain delay, the wait would be even longer as a sloppy home opener saw the Verrazano rival Brooklyn Cylones get the better of the Staten Island Baby Bombers 9-4 before a sellout crowd of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Wednesday night.

A day removed from a more reasonable low scoring 3-1 win in Coney Island, the defending McNamara Division champion Cyclones needed another three hours and 25 minutes to complete a second consecutive victory over the Bombers on what still turned out to be a nice evening once the storm clouds evaporated.

“It was a long game. Even with the rain delay, we knew we’d get it in. We got on the board early. We got on the board late and we got a good win tonight,” one of Brooklyn’s hitting stars third baseman Zach Lutz explained in the winner’s dugout after contributing two hits, two RBI’s along with a couple of runs scored.

The second-year Brooklyn player who missed almost all of last year due to injury got his team started quickly by lacing a one out runscoring double which scored teammate Kirk Nieuwenhuis all the way from first in the opening frame. But an error by shortstop Matt Bouchard allowed Staten Island to come right back with an unearned run thanks to right fielder Dan Brewer’s two out RBI base hit.

After S.I. Yankee starter Luke Greinke tossed a scoreless second, the recently turned 22 year-old younger brother of Kansas City ace Zach ran into trouble by giving up two straight hits to start the third. With new skipper Pat McMahon having the righty on a short leash due to a pitch count, he brought in reliever Jake Shafer.

Unfortunately, the move backfired. During warmups in the bullpen, Shafer couldn’t locate tossing a couple of errant pitches towards the backstop. It foreshadowed a very rough first outing. He faced four Cyclone batters and didn’t come close to retiring anyone. After walking Lutz to load the bases, he hit both Eric Campbell and John Servidio to force in two runs. With a tough capacity crowd getting restless, Shafer lost the plate completely walking Josh Satin to force in another run and put the Bombers in a three-run hole before finally exiting in favor of Brad Rulon.

Though he entered with the bases jammed and nobody out, Rulon did an admirable job limiting the damage on a soft Jefferies Tatford RBI single to left and a Cesar Cordido sac fly.

Still, Staten Island found themselves down 6-1 trying to play catch up which wasn’t easy due to a solid effort from winning Brooklyn starter Tim Stronach (1-0). Though he only got the side in order once, Stronach pitched well with runners on base stranding a couple in scoring position to conclude a scoreless fifth by getting Bomber shortstop Addison Maruszak to bounce into a groundout to third. He worked the first five allowing just one unearned on four hits while walking one and striking out four.

With the pen keeping the Cyclones at bay, the Bombers tried to get back in it chipping away when second-year third baseman Brian Chavez plated two with a two-run opposite field double off Brooklyn reliever Roy Merritt to slice the deficit to 6-3.

“I got jammed a little bit but I was able to get the knock there,” he later said.

It got even more interesting when centerfielder Ray Kruml came up with the bases loaded with two out. But the leadoff man who to that point had reached base three straight times couldn’t deliver striking out swinging to end the threat.

“It was a lefty sidearm guy. I haven’t seen those guys very often. I tried to work the count but [Merritt] threw a good pitch and stuck me out,” Kruml noted. “Hopefully, I can face him again real soon and take advantage of that.” 

Down by three, S.I. got a solid two scoreless from second-year reliever Jacinto Gonell to still give them hope for a late comeback. But after left fielder Taylor Grote worked a walk following a dropped Cordido error, BK’s Rhiner Cruz induced second baseman David Adams into a 6-4-3 twin killing.

Despite four errors, the Cyclones turned just enough double plays to escape innings. On the other side, the Bombers also showed off some leather with a couple of nifty 4-6-3 DPs started by Adams.

It wasn’t enough as Brooklyn put the game away with a three-run ninth including an RBI double by Lutz and a two-run two-bagger by second-year Cyclone Will Vogl off Staten Island’s Drew Shetrone.

A night which began with rain continued to be sloppy till the very end as BK first baseman Nick Giarraputo dropped a routine pop which would’ve finally concluded things. Instead, the Bombers added a final unearned tally on an RBI double just over the third baseline by DH Prilys Cuello.

Cruz got Brewer to pop out to Bouchard to notch his first save.

“It’s the first time we’ve all played together,” added Kruml. “It’s going to take a little time to get all the cranks out. But I think we’ll be alright.”

Notes: The game featured a combined 43 men left on base with Staten Island stranding 21 while Brooklyn left 22. … Due to the lengthy delay and unpredictable game, it didn’t finish till nearly midnight. … Greinke absorbed his first loss working only two innings while being charged with three earned on three hits while walking and fanning a pair. … With two more hits and a walk, Kruml has now reached base six times in the first two games. … Four Cyclones had multi-hit nights including Lutz, Nieuwenhuis, Campbell and Tatford also combining for seven of the nine runs and four RBI’s. … Returning Baby Bombers Matt Morris, D.J. Hollingsworth, Jason Kiley and Nick Chigges all sat out. … Staten Island (0-2) looks to avoid a sweep against their archrivals later tonight back across the bridge at Key Span Park. First pitch is 7:05.

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Alright. I’ll readily admit that I didn’t believe in this Boston Celtic team which sliced up opponents during the regular season to a league best 66 victories. When Danny Ainge who most Bostonians wanted as far away from Massachusetts as humanly possible made the blockbuster draft day trades a year ago for Kevin Garnett with an assist from former teammate Kevin McHale and Ray Allen, I openly pondered if adding two superstars to a lineup which featured Paul Pierce could work.

Would the vaunted “Big Three” put their differences aside for the betterment of delivering a 17th NBA title back to Beantown? Almost immediately, they gave a strong reply jumping out on the rest of the league blowing out opponents in embarrassing fashion. Just ask team Dumb and Dumber.

Sometimes, when you have three stars on a basketball court, it doesn’t work because there’s not enough touches for each and eventually, one tunes out and begins complaining. However, the three veterans proved to be the polar opposite sacrificing shots and more points to lead a once proud franchise rich in history and tradition back to the promised land.

It was back in Round One that you wondered whether to take this group of Celtics seriously when they couldn’t win in Atlanta being forced seven before blowing them out of the building. The second round wasn’t much better as LeBron and the Cavs put up a tremendous fight with each team again holding serve. Even with the man child scoring at will, Pierce who is the one holdover since entering the league a decade prior wouldn’t allow them to lose.

So, here they were having won the first couple of rounds without winning once away from TD Banknorth Garden with the experienced Pistons standing in the way. When Detroit bounced back to gain a split, suddenly the Celts knew they had to win on the road or it meant everything they worked for this special season. More determined in Game Three, they went out and took home court back without much of a push from the Pistons.

Ultimately, when push came to shove at 2-2, Boston was too tough taking the final two games including an amazing fourth quarter which helped them comeback to oust Detroit.

Now, they would be faced with an old familiar foe from the past bringing back images of those classic 1980’s battles between Magic and Bird. It was the 11th ever meeting between LA and Boston for all the marbles. Most including this space liked Kobe’s Lakers who had breezed through their conference including an impressive five games over the defending champion Spurs. The West had always been perceived to be tougher. But all year, the Celts had beaten up on it including sweeping the purple and gold during the regular season.

Still, I didn’t feel it was a good measure for what would take place in the NBA Finals as the Lakers were playing much better with key acquisition Pau Gasol playing well and Lamar Odom doing the job. With them owning the best player in the game and league MVP, it seemed like a no-brainer to take LA in six.

Maybe the Celts who were playing not just for pride and all those ghosts which still include Hall of Fame legend Bill Russell and his trademark white beard in the front row realized that they couldn’t allow that to happen under any circumstance. What would Red Auerbach think up above if Phil Jackson passed him with a record 10th NBA championship at his team’s expense?

Almost from the outset, you could tell which team wanted it more. The Celts spread the ball around working the pick n’ roll to perfection and finding wide open three-point shooters all series long. It was as if the Lakers had suddenly morphed into the Knicks on the defensive end. When it came to locating the open man from the perimeter, they didn’t seem to bother. Pierce, Allen and sharp shooters James Posey along with even Eddie House ripped up LA.

Whenever they needed a big bucket, someone stepped up. Conversely, the Lakers struggled offensively due to a ferocious Celtic D which played physical and forced an ineffective Kobe into tough shots. He never could get into rhythm due to all the double teams he saw which came high forcing him to give up the ball. Most of his shots were rushed and explained why he never shot well.

Still, I wonder how this series would’ve played out if Kobe and ‘mates had had more edge when they got out to that big 21-point first quarter lead which even extended to 24 in the first half of Game Four. What if LA had more of a killer instinct instead of letting a focused Celtic squad outscore them 57-33 in one of the most amazing turnaround in playoff history?

Think Michael Jordan would’ve allowed that to happen to one of his Bulls teams on their own home court?

For whatever reason, Boston wanted it more and played like a lion ready to do battle and claw their way to victory. As a frustrated Magic pointed out following Game Two, it was the players wearing the green and white jerseys who got to most of the loose balls, rebounded with vigor destroying the guys in purple and gold on the offensive glass for second and sometimes third chances. They were the aggressors going hard to the basket while their opponents played soft looking disinterested at times.

How disappointing was last night’s Celtic coronation where they did whatever they wanted hammering the Lakers 131-92 for the largest margin of victory in a clincher for the Larry O’Brien Trophy? There’s not enough words in the English dictionary to describe how overmatched LA looked.

This series disappointed. While it went six, you never really got the sense that the Lakers were ever in it and could win. They easily could’ve been swept. At least during the Stanley Cup Finals, the outmanned Penguins pushed the Red Wings before losing in a much closer and competitive six games.

The Lakers should be ashamed with how they played.

Still, it was amusing watching an emotional KG kiss the Celtic floor and then basically be at a loss for words even flirting with ABC sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya screaming at the top of his lungs:

“Anything seems possible!!!!!”

The gatorade bath Pierce gave Doc Rivers -who has always been one of the classiest former players and now coaches who finally won one being haunted by a couple of those great Celts teams when he played point for the Hawks- was really cool stuff.

Why shouldn’t they have had fun after how badly they outplayed their opponents? It almost looked like a scene out of a video game.

Garnett had dreamed of this moment and you could tell how much it really meant. This was what he was brought over from Minnesota for. Though I did feel Tafoya stuck with him too long when it was obvious the former T-Wolve big man couldn’t contain himself acting like a kid in a candy store. Still, it was pretty cool. How often do you see professional athletes lose control from the joy of winning like that? There wasn’t anything fake about it a la a Terrell Owens press conference.

For a franchise which had become a laughingstock recently, this was what Ainge envisioned as they completed the greatest turnaround in NBA history. Their record 17th NBA championship and first since 1986 when Larry Legend, McHale and Parrish beat the Rockets was truly a special moment.

They never stopped playing either toying with the Lakers. Impressive to the very end.