The Phillies are currently on a seven-game winning streak. Last weekend, they swept the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they just swept the four-game series against the Colorado Rockies. I hope they can continue their momentum against the Athletics, who have also been struggling. This week, the Phillies’ offense definitely took advantage of the Colorado mile-high elevation. They hit a number of home runs to give themselves easy wins.
There is one negative story concerning the Phillies. Jose Alvarado, the Phillies’ closer who was having a great season, was suspended for 80 games for using a banned substance, which means he will not be able to pitch until Aug. 17 or so, and he is ineligible for the playoffs as well. This probably means that the Phillies will have to trade for a reliever in July to replace him.
I’m going back to positive stuff. So far this season, Kyle Schwarber has been the Phillies’ offensive MVP. He has 17 home runs and has been a great designated hitter. I hope this momentum for him continues.
In golf, Scottie Scheffler continues to play great, especially in the last month. He won the PGA Championship by five shots over a bunch of players at 11-under par. This was a very impressive victory because he won with his B+ game for the whole week. Scottie has won his last two tournaments by five and eight shots. He actually played better at his last start, the Byron Nelson Classic. At the PGA Championship, he destroyed the last five holes of the Quail Hollow course on both Saturday and Sunday while the other contenders fell apart at the same time. This is Scheffler‘s third major championship. He has two Masters tournament wins already and he’s only 28 years old. He is now undoubtedly the No. 1 player in the world.
In local sports, the Cape Henlopen lacrosse teams continue to progress in their respective state tournaments. I will be attending the boys’ quarterfinal game Friday against Archmere at Cape. This season, the boys’ offense has been scoring tons of goals. I expect this to continue against Archmere and hopefully in the finals against Salesianum next weekend. The girls continue to dominate in the state championships. I hope this continues and they can win another state championship. The softball and baseball teams are also doing extremely well, and the Cape track and field team was also great this year finishing second at the state championships. Go Cape!
The French Open tennis tournament starts Sunday. I think that is a bizarre starting date, but I’m looking forward to watching some grand slam tennis. Remember, it moves to TNT this year.
Wishing everyone a good Memorial Day weekend and crossing our fingers Mother Nature gives us a break and brings some good weather.
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
