The Sports Mac: The Daily Fives for September 10th, 2010

Top Five Stories from Yesterday

1. The defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints started their new season with a victory over the Minnesota Vikings 14-9 in an unexpected defensive struggle.

2. In the start of a big four game weekend series, the Giants cut the Padres lead in the NL West to one game after a 7-3 win in San Diego.

3. No. 21 Auburn got a major test from Mississippi State, but held off the Bulldogs on their final drive into Tiger territory to hang on for the win, 17-14.

4. The Cardinals break out against the Braves 11-4 and drop Atlanta a full game behind Philadelphia in the NL East race.

5. Temple gets a 30-yard field goal in overtime to win a huge MAC game 13-10 over Central Michigan to start its season 2-0 for the first time in 29 years.

Top Five Games From Yesterday

1. Saints 14, Vikings 9: Pierre Thomas scored the game winning TD in the third quarter as the Saints defense allowed Minnesota into New Orleans territory just once more. New Orleans ran out the final 5:32 of the game for the victory.

2. Temple 13, Central Michigan 10 OT: The Chippewas kicked a 31-yard FG with 1:11 remaining to force OT, but they were intercepted on their possession in OT, and Temple was able to get the game-winner from Brandon McManus for a huge early season win.

3. No. 21 Auburn 17, Mississippi State 14: The Tigers scored all 17 of their points in the first half and hung on as the Bulldogs drove to the Auburn 41 before they were unable to convert a fourth down with 22 seconds left to give the Tigers the win.

4. Rockies 6, Reds 5: Colorado rallied from a 5-0 deficit and won on Chris Nelson steal of home in the bottom of the eighth to sweep Cincinnati right out of the Mile High City.

5. Astros 3, Dodgers 2: Houston 3B Chris Johnson hit a game-winning three-run HR from in the bottom of the sixth inning, and three Astro pitchers held LA to one hit over the final three innings for the victory.

Top Five Performances From Yesterday

1. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals CF: 4 for 4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in STL’s 11-4 win over ATL.

2. Aubrey Huff, Giants 1B: 3 for 4 with a HR and 2 RBIs in SF’s 7-3 win over SD.

3. Ryan Radcliff, Central Michigan QB: 25-of -5 for 299 yards in Central Michigan’s 13-10 overtime loss to Temple.

4. Drew Brees, Saints QB: 27-of-36 for 237 yards and a TD in NO’s 14-9 win over MIN.

5. Matt Cain, Giants SP: 3 runs on 5 hits with 8 K’s over 8 IP and the win in SF’s 7-3 win over SD.

Five Performances That Weren't So Good From Yesterday

1. Austin Jackson, Tigers CF: 0-for-4 with 4 K’s in DET’s 6-3 win over CHW.

2. Jair Jurrjens, Braves SP: 7 runs on 10 hits in 3.2 IP in ATL’s 11-4 loss to STL.

3. Jon Garland, Padres SP: 6 runs on 8 hits over 5 IP in SD’s 7-3 loss to SF.

4. Gavin Floyd, White Sox SP: 5 earned runs on 13 hits in 6 IP in CHW’s 6-3 loss to DET.

5. Reggie Bush, Saints RB: had only 54 all-purpose yards in NO’s 14-9 win over MIN.

Top Five Events To Follow Today

NCAA FB: No. 23 West Virginia (1-0) at Marshall (0-1), 7:00 p.m., ESPN: The annual renewal of the “Coal Bowl” sees the ranked Mountaineers travel to Edwards Stadium to take on the Thundering Herd

2. MLB: Rays (84-55) at Blue Jays (72-68), 7:00 p.m.: Tampa Bay goes on the road to try and close the gap in the AL East: Shields (TB) vs. Cecil (TOR)

3. MLB: Cardinals (73-65) at Braves (80-61), 7:30 p.m.: St. Louis tries to creep closer in the NL Wild Card race against slumping Atlanta: Carpenter (STL) vs. Minor (ATL)

4. MLB: Yankees (87-53) at Rangers (77-63), 8:00 p.m.: New York tries to improve on the majors’ best record against struggling Texas: Vazquez (NYY) vs. Wilson (TEX)

5. MLB: Giants (79-62) at Padres (79-60), 10:00 p.m.: San Francisco looks to pull even with San Diego in the NL West: Sanchez (SF) vs. Richard (SD)