Yu Darvish may be a bit of a workhorse, but the number of pitches he threw in Thursday's win over the Tigers seems a bit excessive. The Rangers were leading 9-4 in the sixth inning, with Darvish sitting at 106 pitches -- he proceeded to throw 24 more, coming out only after finishing the eighth inning. Darvish threw 127 pitches against the Red Sox just recently, and though he seems to not be suffering any ill effects, the last thing the Rangers would want to do is to blow out their expensive ace's arm on games that are already 90 percent won.

• Steve Whitson: "They don't pitch every 5 days in Japan. They get an extra day of rest. I don't think he should have that high of count. Especially with that big of a lead. That was reckless. I am glad that JD talked to him privately after the game. Handle it now before it lands him on the DL."
• Jimmy Johnson: "Really have to see his next start on how does. Really don't like that high of a pitch count at this point of the season with a lead like that."
• Daniel Tuggle: "He said himself he averaged around 120 pitches a game in japan so I look at it as not a big deal and it's really nothing new to Darvish. He'll be fine."
• Mark Vasquez: "Never let the pitcher decide if he wants to stay in."
• Billy O'Dwyer: "I wouldn't make a habit out of it but I applaud Washington & Darvish for their desire. The reason we have come to consider 130 pitches/game a little scary is because so many others have destroyed their arms as a result of excessive use."
• Charles Haley: "If the tables are turned in the game, Verlander comes out in the 8th. No way would he let Leyland take him out of a game, with that billing, if he still feels good. Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martinez, Curt Shilling, they all come out and pitch cause that's what they do. Eat innings and not think a thing about it. It is that attitude that made them the aces they were and Yu the ace he is now!"

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J.R. Smith stopped missing all of his shots. Carmelo Anthony put in a very Carmelo Anthony-esque performance. Jason Kidd ... well, Jason Kidd still hasn't scored a point in this series, but he also took only one shot, so that's not too bad. Regardless, the Knicks managed a comfortable win over the Pacers, and George Hill is iffy thanks to a concussion. Things are looking much brighter for the Knicks. We're not calling them favorites, of course, but considering how they looked in the first four games of this series, they're definitely in a much better position.

• hatguy70: "The Pacers miss Hill's defense, rebounding and toughness even more than his scoring. Augustine is a solid backup, but he is not a good defender and he's too small to crash the boards effectively. Hopefully, this is a minor concussion and Hill can come back. With Hill, the Pacers are better than the Knicks, but without him, not so much."
• jorlwebb1: "Last nights game wasn't a blow out. The Pacers missed Hill's 3-point threat, but other guys can do better than what they showed last night and close out this series at home."
• jrnash417: "Hope Hill is back for game 6. I'm glad the NBA is taking concussions seriously, even though the timing is really unfortunate. Go Pacers!"
• IvyMilVet: "Knicks looked 'better', but don't fool ourselves. They have a long way to go before they get back into this series. Mike Woodson's desire to give minutes to Kidd and Stat really concerns me. Those are wasted minutes in which Copeland, Pablo, and Martin can play more. Benches shorten during playoff time, but MW's gets longer. Shows one reason he's unfit as a big time head coach."
• cpenn31: "If that's the Knicks 'bringing it" then this series is over. That's as bad as I've seen Indiana play in a month. They even play an average game last night and they win. They play a good game and they win by 20."

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Could the Pacers win the series against the Knicks if George Hill (concussion) doesn't return?

•  
  69%
  Yes
•  
  31%
  No

(Total votes: 55,699)

Dick Trickle, who died Thursday at age 71 of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, is being remembered as one of the best short-track drivers to climb behind the wheel. Trickle, the 1989 rookie of the year in NASCAR's top tier, had only one race win at that level, the 1990 Winston Open, a preliminary to that year's all-star race. But on the short tracks of the Midwest, the Wisconsin native was a legend, earning about 1,000 wins during his career. He is being remembered as a throwback to NASCAR's early days and as a friendly, approachable driver who always made time for fans.

• billipsj: "Funny story, Dick left his sunglasses in the men's room in the Milwaukee infield once, went back to get them and they were gone. He had so much pull in Wisconsin over the PA you heard "Whoever found Mr Trickle's Ray Bans in the men's infield bathroom he would appreciate you stopping by his garage stall to return them."
• los osos de chicago: "Man I grew up following Trickle in his 99 all over Wisconsin with my Big Brother he was one of the best to ever do it. I loved that he smoked in his car he was one of the real ones and will be missed RIP 99!"
• Shaveyh10: "A number of years ago, Dick was working with Dave Marcus, helping to setup the IROC cars for their race that weekend. My wife and I were strolling the garage area and ran into Dick. He was such a genuine, fun-loving guy, and acted like we were his biggest fans, even though we had only just met. My wife got a picture with him and, to this day, will be remembered as one of my wife and my favorite memories at the race track... God Bless Dick and his entire family. Prayers."
• Fred8547: "Dick Trickle was originally from Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and his "home track" was Dells Motor Speedway in Wisconsin Dells, WI. ... He was a magician in a race car and could make it perform way beyond its capability. ... Dick could have been the best in NASCAR if he had gone there 20 years sooner. But, Dick said he was happy running short tracks, and I believe him. I met him once at a racing seminar, and he was fun to be around. He didn't take anything too seriously, except when he was racing, and I think he exemplifies the successful grass roots racer. RIP to the once and always "King of the Short Tracks."
• DoctorScreamer100: "I remember Dick was one of the guys who tested the IROC series cars back when it was going to make sure that they were equal with each other (can't remember who the other guy was that did it), but they asked somebody "Why is Trickle the one testing the IROC cars", and they said "Because as a driver or builder or anything -- he knows every part of a car better than anybody else you can find -- hands down!"
• VOLZMAN21: "I will never forget when Dick was picked to carry a in car camera for that week's race. When the yellow flew putting caution on the track Dick would reach up on the dash of his car and grab his smokes out of his custom made cigarette and lighter holder in the car. Take one out of the pack, click that lighter and burn one down, then right before green he would flick the butt out of the window opening. RIP Dick Trickle."
• drlaws50: "I met Dick Trickle at North Wilkesboro in 1993. He was kind enough to sign cards for me and my brother and really did come off as a good guy happy to chat with a couple of kids after a 500 lap race. I hope he has found peace and I appreciate his contributions to NASCAR during his long, victory-filled career. RIP, Mr. Trickle."
• Intimidator3189: "Junior Johnson said it best. 'If Trickle would have been here 20 years earlier he would have been up there with Earnhardt.'"

Leave your memories below.

Welcome to SportsNation! On Friday, ESPN.com IndyCar reporter John Oreovicz stops by to talk about the buildup to this year's Indy 500, which takes place May 26 on ABC.

Oreovicz attended his first Indianapolis 500 as a teenager in 1978 and still hasn't broken the open-wheel racing habit. He has covered nearly 400 Indy-style races for National Speed Sport News and other racing publications around the world, and he co-authored A Winning Adventure, a history of Honda's successful Champ Car engine program. Known as "Oreo" within the IndyCar paddock, John resides within walking distance of his home track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Send your questions now and join Oreovicz Friday at noon ET!

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