AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Moises ALOU (Fort Worth) .500 Avg, 12 hits, 5 2b, 2 HR 11 RBIs
Max SCHERZER (Middle Channel) 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 14 Ip, 6 H, 12 SO, 1 BB
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Tiny BONHAM (Iowa) 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 Ip, 6 H, 3 SO, 1 BB
Andre DAWSON (Nags Head) .357 Avg, 10 hits, 4-2b, 4-HR, 11 RBIs
A.L. EAST
The Jack Street Hustlers broke out of the gate with the fastest start of any American League team this week going 6-1 at the expense of the Boston Braves. The Hustlers did it on the strength of standout pitching led by Tom Glavine and Carl Lundgren who each threw shutouts. When they couldn’t finish off the Braves the call went to Jeff Brantley who earned three saves in the week and gave up all of one hit in three appearances. The Braves were held to a sub-.200 average in the series but still manage to homer seven times with Eddie Matthews putting two of his three hits out of the park.
Each winner of four in a row, the Lewisberry Country Blumpkins and Middle Channel Sturgeon posted 5-2 records. The Sturgeon victimized the Indiana Indians and were even more dominant on the mound than the Hustlers posting a team ERA of 1.37 led by Max Scherzer who tossed two shutouts striking out a dozen and allowing just six hits in the process. Teammate Chris Sale was a hard-luck pitcher posting an 0-1 record for the week despite having a minuscule 0.64 ERA. Indiana featured some snazzy pitching of its own with don Drysdale going 1-0 with a 0.55 ERA in two starts.
The Blumpkins didn’t need much power in their series against the Kansas City A’s – you don’t need it when you have Freddie Freeman hitting .444 in 27 at-bats. Zach Britton was flawless in the Blumpkins’ pen closing out three games for saves while not allowing a baserunner. The A’s had to be a tad disappointed in Three-Finger Brown’s 7.42 ERA after two starts but Bobby Bonds were stellar in a losing effort hitting .429 with five doubles and a home run. Teammate Luis Aparicio was also no slouch with three steals and a .391 average.
The Las Vegas Pirates edged the Chicago Nine four games to three and in the process scored a buttload of runs (42) and hit .308 against the hometown Nine. The Pirates pounded out 10 homers in the series including four by Cecil Fielder. The Nine’s first baseman, John Mayberry, was no slouch in the series either hitting three doubles and two home runs as part of a .370 batting average.
A.L. WEST
Fort Worth earned top honors in the West after going 5-2 against the Wrigleyville Whales. The Whales went into the season one of the higher salaried teams and expected big things but heck it is just the first week. Moises Alou was handed the keys to the city after hitting .500 with five doubles and two home runs and driving in 11 runs in the series. Red Smith hit .313 and cranked out a couple of home runs for the Whales in response in a limited role.
The Cincinnati Knights and Purry Cowpokes had a tough series with Cincy finishing ahead 4-3. Some guy named Johan Santana was 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA for the Knights while Purry got its’ great pitching from Ted (Double Duty) Radcliffe who threw seven shutout innings for a win.
The Menomonee Minutemen got two wins each from starters Jim Scott and Tim Hudson while Paul Goldschmidt proved his bat was anything but minute popping out
three homers against the opposing Madison East Purgolders. Leon Durham proved to be a savvy pre-season pickup for the Purgolders after he led the team with three homers and a triple and drove in six runs while hitting .385.
Sam Leever paced the New Westminster Salmonbellies to two of their four wins against the Kansas City Blues by going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA while Jim Wynn mashed three homers, two doubles and batted .625 over the four games he played and made a strong case for his team to ditch the platoon. Rico (Suave) Carty smacked out two for the Blues and hit .333 in a nice start to the season with Curt Simmons doing his part with a win and 1.13 ERA in his start.
N.L. EAST
The Coastline Bobcats used the power of the big hit to down the West Michigan Retrogrades 6 games to 1 and hammering 13 home runs in the process. Hack Wilson paced the carnage with four home runs and 8 RBIs while Beals Becker added three longballs of his own. Bruce Sutter converted all four of his chances into saves. The news was not all bad for West Mich a standout catcher Bill Dickey started the season strong hitting .348 with two doubles and a home run.
Gordon Gattie’s Fantomz Force kept pace with the Bobcats by winning six of their own against Tim Braue’s Bombers of Pigtown. Satchel Paige and Larry Doby led the way for the Force with Paige winning two games and owning a 2.08 ERA in the process and Doby smacking out two, driving in six and hitting .348 for the week. Pigtown’s Johnny Taylor got the Bombers’ win in the series by throwing a one-run complete game.
The Climax Cougars walked their way to five wins in seven tries against the Nags Head Surf Sox batting just .232 in the series but drawing 56 walks. Jim Fregosi and Mel Ott each walked nine times in the series but were overshadowed by Buck Leonard’s 10 walks (FYI, Leonard, and Fregosi each only had two hits in the seven games). Andre Dawson was spectacular for the Sox hitting four doubles and four homers and driving in 11 runs in the series.
The Virginia Cavaliers and their super stingy pitching staff gave up only 35 hits to the Detroit Deloreans but only edged them 4-3 in the series. Ed Reulbach led the misers with two wins in his starts and a tiny 1.29 ERA – only walking one in 14 innings. Frank Robinson provided some offensive support with a .500 average and three triples. Hippo Vaughn and Johnny Schmitz were no slouches on the mound for Detroit. Vaughn split a 1-1 record despite registering only a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings while Schmitz threw a three-hit shutout.
N.L. WEST
The Hoboken Zephyrs pitching staff blew through Hollywood allowing just 12 runs (9 earned) in the seven games while holding the Zombies to one home run. The Zephyrs won six in the pitching-dominated series led by Jered Weaver (2-0, 0.69 ERA) and Noodles Hahn (2-0, 1.20 ERA) while Frank Duncan batted .409 with a double and two triples. Walter Johnson was, of course, something special for Hollywood and despite going 1-1 in the week he was dominant posting a 1.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings and only 9 hits allowed.
In the rest of the division, the Clockwork Heros edged the Motown Yankees 4-3 while the Wainwright Wranglers and Iowa Giants did the same to San Tan Valley Moonrakers and Fire Lake Segers respectively.
For Clockwork, it was Christy Mathewson who does what Christy Mathewson always does and he won both of his starts, pitched 15-2/3 innings, struck out 15, and had a 1.15 ERA. Dick Wakefield hit .478 with two doubles, two triples, and a homer to lead their offense. Carl Hubbell of the Yankees came close to copying Mathewson’s performance winning both of his starts as well but sadly had a 1.65 ERA.
Doc White won twice and had a 2.08 ERA to headline the pitching for Wainwright against San Tan Valley who had only wished Mont Stratton and Watty Clark could have started every game for them as the duo each tossed shutouts against the Wranglers. Oscar Charleston did an OK job this week, batting .429 with three doubles, a triple and a homer and three steals for the Moonrakers.
Ironically the Giants were led by a guy named Tiny – Tiny Bonham who didn’t give up a run in his two starts (12 innings) and won both games. Vada Pinson headed the Fire Lake offense with four doubles, a homer to go with a .360 batting average with Jose Cardenal not far behind at .346 and four doubles.
A great start to the season!!!!
| New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Kansas City Blues | |
| Series Preview: | New Westminster loaded with top pitching and hitting going against a solid Blues team looks to be a great series. |
| Game #1: | Leever vs. Koosman Clarke scores on a single to left by Jim Wynn for the first run scored in the newly renovated Blues Stadium. Boog Powell knocks in Rico Suave Carty for the first Blues run ever. Things go bad for the Blues Leever 7-hit 1ER and a 10-1 win for the Salmonbellies. Jim Wynn 3-5 1-2b Jim Gilliam 3-6 1-3b 4-rbi ad Dave Concepcion 3-4 I now have a new rival for beating me in my first home game |
| Game #2: | Dutch Leonard vs. Degrom Canseco’s Homers in the 2nd and 7th followed by a Ray Durham HR help the Blues to a 9-3 win Degrom CG 8-hit 3-ER |
| Game #3: | Jeff Tesreau vs. Zack Greinke Salmonbellies pull out a close 3-2 win. The interim manager makes an error in 9th by taking out Greinke replacing him with Ron Perranoski who gives up the winning run. Tesreau pitches CG win |
| Game #4: | Dwight Gooden vs Tommy Bridges Rico Suave Carty takes it deep twice and also singles in one. Wynn homers in 6th to make 2-5, Garr homers in 7th to make 3-5 but Wynn homers again to make it 5-6 Aguilera comes in for the SV and a Blues 6-5 win |
| Game #5: | DizzyTrout vs. Curt Simmons Pitching duel for most of the game Blues manage a 3-1 win and Aguilera gets Sv no.2 |
| Game #6: | Leever 1-0 1.13 vs. Koosman 0-1 6.14 If anyone owned the Blues it would be Leever also known as the Meat Cleaver. The Salmonbellies pound out 18 hits and scored 13 runs Dihigo hits 2 bombs and 5 RBIs Koosman rumored to have liquor smell on his breath possibly going to another team |
| Game #7: | Dutch Leonard 0-1 10.57 vs. Degrom 1-0 3.00 Leonard makes up for his first start 7-IP 2-hit and a 9-0 win for the Salmonbellies they also hit 4 triples and 3 doubles Degrom gets CG loss |
| Series Summary: | The Salmonbellies are an awesome team they came to win and they did. Star of the series Jim Wynn 10-16 2-2b 3-HR and 8 RBI in 4 games Leever 2-0 Canseco-Carty-Dihigo all hit 2-HR Gilliam 1-2b 3-3b 7-rbi |
| Hollywood Zombies @ Hoboken Zephyrs | |
| Series Preview: | Many question marks for both teams coming into this series. Can Hoboken score runs after drafting pitchers in the first six rounds? How will the Zombies’ mostly modern, west coast lineup react to the hostile, blue-collar crowd at Elysian Field? Will Hoboken be looking ahead to next week’s much-anticipated series with their arch-nemesis, the Motown Yankees? |
| Game #1: | Walter Johnson proves once again why he is always in the GPAT conversation. He took a no-hitter into the bottom of the 8th when a 47-minute rain delay interrupted his masterpiece. After the tarps were rolled up, he got the first two outs. Then Wally Schang hit a laser into the right-field gap resulting in a double. The Big Train went the distance allowing only one hit while striking out 13. Miguel Tejada led the Hollywood attack with 3 hits while scoring twice. Final score: Hollywood 3 Hoboken 0 |
| Game #2: | The Zombies jumped out to a quick two-run lead in the 1st thanks to a Jeff Bagwell blast. Hoboken tied it in the bottom of the 2nd on Bill Dahlen’s two-run homer. The pitchers seemed to settle in a bit when Stan Spence hit a 3-run blast followed by Tommy Henrich’s solo shot chasing Eddie Plank from the game. Noodles Hahn was brilliant after the Bagwell home run. Hahn’s line: 6IP 5 hits 2ER. Wes Ferrell pitched three scoreless mop-up innings. Jim Bottomley added a three-run dinger of his own in the bottom of the 6th to really seal the deal. Final score: Hoboken 11 Hollywood 2 |
| Game #3: | Hoboken jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st on Jeff Heath’s double. They never relinquished the lead. Yadier Molina cut the lead in half in the top of the 4th with a rbi single but Jim Bottomley answered with a solo blast in the bottom of the frame to give Hoboken all the runs they would need. Jered Weaver was strong in his first win of the season allowing only one earned run over 7 innings. Bryan Harvey earned his first save locking down the ninth. Final score: Hoboken 3 Hollywood 2 |
| Game #4: | Tom Seaver made his Elysian Field debut as the highly-touted first-round pick of the Zephyrs. He got off to a rocky start falling behind 3-0 in the 2nd inning. The Zephyrs wasted no time tying it up in the bottom of the 2nd on a Tommy Henrich double followed by a Miguel Tejada throwing error. Hollywood had a strange defensive game-turning three very crucial double plays but also committing three costly errors. Bill Dahlen led off the 7th with a triple and scored proving to be the winning run. The Zombies battled in the ninth by loading the bases but Bryan Harvey held on for an adventurous save. Final Score: Hoboken 6 Hollywood 3 |
| Game #5: | Facing Walter Johnson for the second time in one week, Hoboken jumped on him for three runs in the first highlighted by Jim Bottomley’s 2-run triple. They never looked back as Hall-of-Famer Red Faber outworked Johnson in their second meeting of the year allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs in the complete-game victory. Side note: Johnson and Faber combined for 671 career wins. Final score: Hoboken 5 Hollywood 2 |
| Game #6: | Noodles Hahn was absolutely brilliant running his record to 2-0. Hahn allowed just two hits in the complete-game shutout. The Zephyr offense only produced five hits but efficient enough to scrape together four runs. Final score: Hoboken 4 Hollywood 0 |
| Game #7: | Hoboken roughed up Steve Rogers for eleven hits in just 3.1 innings. The Zephyr offense pounded out 15 hits and eight runs as they cruised to an easy win. Jered Weaver was strong allowing just two hits in six innings. Wes Ferrell threw three more scoreless mop-up innings as the Zombies were held scoreless in the final twenty innings of the series. Final score: Hoboken 8 Hollywood 0 |
| Series Summary: | The highly-touted Hoboken pitching staff did not disappoint finishing the series with a staff era of 1.29. Noodles Hahn and Jered Weaver both moved to 2-0 leading the strong rotation. Frank Duncan(C) went 9 for 22(.409) and Jim Bottomley(1B) went 8 for 24(.333) with 8 rbis to lead a solid Zephyr offense. Walter Johnson’s brilliant Game 1 performance was just about the only bright spot for Hollywood. Many pundits are predicting Hollywood owner Steve Cutler’s imminent firing of manager Billy Martin IV as Martin was out of his depth against the steady leadership of Hoboken owner/manager Joel Medvidovich. The overflow crowds at Elysian Field were delighted to see the Hoboken nine move to 6-1 as they sent the Tinseltown interlopers packing with their tails between their legs. The Zephyr fanbase is threatening to invade the Bronx next week as their beloved ball club crosses the Hudson to face their despicable rivals, the Motown Yankees. |
| West Michigan Retrogrades @ Coastline Bobcats | |
| Series Preview: | Coastline hosts West Michigan to open the LEG season. Both teams looking to start off the inaugural season strong. |
| Game #1: | CLB strike first in the B1, Jenkins 2bs, Ripken 1bs, but H.Johnson pegs Jenkins at the plate, Wilson follows with an inf 1b, and Howard drives in the first ever CLB run with a rbi-1b. In the CLB B3 Ripken hits the 1st ever Coastline Homerun, a solo-HR over the left center wall, followed by H.Wilson’s solo-HR. The first back-to-back HRs in Bobcat history. In the B5 Gehrig hits a solo-HR, the first of many to come, for a 4-0 CLB lead. B. Becker hits another solo-HR in the B6 to extend the CLB lead to 5-0. CLB Stieb cruises through 6 innings but runs into trouble in the T7. Dickey leads off with a bb, T.Davis 1bs, a Sisler groundout, D.Snider rips a rbi-1b, and Wallace hits a Sac fly. CLB H.Wilson hits his 2nd solo-HR of the game in the B7 to get one back. In the T8 H, Johnson 2bs and scores on a Dickey rbi-1b which chases Stieb and brings in Sutter. Sutter retires the 4 Retrograde hitters he faces for the 1st save in CLB history. Stieb (1-0) gets the win and Shocker (0-1) takes the loss.
CLB 6, WMR 3 |
| Game #2: | WMR Foster and CLB K.Brown face off in a good old pitcher’s duel. Both pitchers hold the opposing club hitless through 4 innings. WMR D.Snider 1bs in the T5 for the 1st hit of the game, but is then nailed trying to steal 2nd by CLB S.White. In the CLB B5 M.Williams 1bs for CLB 1st hit, moves to 2nd on an S.White groundout, and then knocked in by K.Brown’s rbi-1b (Yes the 1st ever rbi by a pitcher in CLB history). In the CLB B7 Skowron 1bs, a Gordon groundout, Goslin into PR, and later scores on an M.Williams rbi-1b (who was nailed at 2nd trying to stretch the 1b). CLB K.Brown is still tossing the shutout into the T9 and gets the 1st out, but Cano 2bs, followed by PH McHenry’s rbi-2b. CLB calls on Sutter again who gets H.Johnson to ground out 1-3, and then fans Beltre for his 2nd save. Brown (1-0) with the win and Foster (0-1) with the CG loss.
CLB 2, WMR 1 |
| Game #3: | WMR open the game with a vengence as they plate 3 in the T1. CLB opens the game by hitting H.Johnson and Dickey back-to-back (can’t remember that ever happening to open a game in a long time), a Beltre rbi-1b, T.Davis 1bs, a Sisler rbi-1b, and a D.Snider rbi-FC close the scoring in the T1. In the CLB B1, Becker and H.Wilson hit solo-HRs to cut the lead to 1. In the B4 Gehrig ties it with a solo-HR. In the T6 D.Snider 2bs and scores on a Wallace rbi-1b to regain the lead for WMR. CLB ties the game again in the B7 on a G.Jenkins solo-HR. CLB brings on M.Marshall in the T8 and after he gets the 1st two outs he runs into trouble as Cano 2bs, PH McHenry delivers again with a rbi 2b, and H.Johnson swats a 2-run HR for a 7-4 WMR lead. WMR adds 2 more in the T9 on Snider rbi-1b and a Tinker Sac fly. CLB gets a token run in the B9 but this one goes to WMR. WMR C.Davis (1-0) gets the win, Hasegawa with the 2 innings save, and M.Marshall (0-1) takes the loss. WMR H.Johnson was a 1b away from the cycle.
WMR 9, CLB 5 |
| Game #4: | In the T1 B.Dickey gets WMR on the board with a solo-HR. But the lead is short lived as in the B1 CLB Becker ties it right away with a solo-HR, Jenkins then 2bs, and H.Wilson hits a 2-run HR for a 3-1 CLB lead. In the B2 CLB M.Williams 1bs, a Swift sac, Becker rbi-1b, and A Ripken rbi-2b stretch the CLB lead to 5-1. WMR Schumacher then settles down through 5 innings before giving up a Gordon 1b, stolen base, and Goslin PH rbi-3b. WMR gets one more run on a Sisler 2b and Wallace rbi-1b in the T7 to close out the scoring. Swift (1-0) gets the win and Schumacher (0-1) takes the loss.
CLB 6, WMR 2 |
| Game #5: | WMR Shocker and CLB Stieb toss scoreless innings through the first 4 innings. In the CLB B5 Gordon hits a solo-HR for the game’s 1st run. In the CLB B6 Becker 2bs, Ripken bbs, and H.Wilson rips a 2-rbi 2b (getting pegged at 3rd trying to stretch the 2b). CLB Stieb has a shutout going into the 9th but WMR Dickey leads off with a 2b, T.Davis F7, Stieb then uncorks a WP, followed by a Sisler rbi-1b, Sutter is called into the game, and Snider promptly 2bs, CLB CF Becker then steals a HR away from Wallace who plates Snider with the Sac fly. Sutter bears down and gets Cano to Foul out to Wilson in LF to end the game. Stieb goes to 2-0, Shocker falls to 0-2, and Sutter gets his 3rd save.
CLB 3, WMR 2 |
| Game #6: | WMR gets on the board first in the T4 when Sisler 1bs, Snider H&R rbi-2b plates him, and Cano hits an rbi-2b. WMR Foster holds CLB scoreless through 5 innings, but in the B6 the Bobcats break out. WMR Foster gets two out in the B6 before PH A.Simmons 2bs, Kemp rips an rbi-1b, Burks delivers an H&R 1b, and Ripken brings the home crowd to its feet with a 3-run HR. CLN M.Marshall tosses a scoreless 7th and Sutter comes on for a two-inning save. Brown goes to 2-0, Foster drops to 0-2, and Sutter picks up his 4th save.
CLB 4, WMR 2 |
| Game #7: | CLB C.Finley bounces back from his tough Game 3 performance and tosses a CG Shutout. C. Finley scatters 7 hits along with 2 walks in the game. WMR left 7 runners on base and just could not come up with a key hit in the game. CLB H.Wilson got the ‘Cats on the board in the B4 with an rbi-1b. CLB adds a 4-spot in the B6 to put the game away on a Jenkins rbi-2b, who would later score when Dickey drops a throw from CF Snider on Ripken’s 1b, a Gehrig rbi-1b, and a M.Williams rbi-1b. Finley (1-0) gets the win, C.Davis (1-1) takes the loss.
CLB 6, WMR 0 |
| Series Summary: | Coastline opens the season on a high note taking the series 6-1 over West Michigan. the most telling stat in the series was Coastline hit 13 Homeruns to West Michigan’s 2. Still, there were 2 one run games and 1 2 run game that could’ve swung the series the other way with a key hit by West Michigan. CLB H.Wilson opens the season strong hitting .348, scores 5 runs, and has 2-2bs with 4-HRs and 8 rbis |
| Motown Yankees @ Clockwork Heros | |
| Series Preview: | Motown and Clockwork both have awesome teams and should be in it to the end. |
| Game #1: | Matheson makes a 2 run homer mistake to Mcgriff but Clockwork’s hitters manage to score 4 as Foster homers and Tekulve gets the save. 4-2 Clockwork |
| Game #2: | Motowns Hubbell was rocking allowing just 1 run a wakefield homer as they score 7 for away team. Motown 7 Clockwork 1 |
| Game #3: | Blyleven like hubbell pitched great but allowed a Lansford homer but manages to win 2-1 as Vaughn plays hero with a 2 run double. Clockwork 2 Motown 1 |
| Game #4: | Donovan was great but Newhouser blows the save but gets the 2-1 clockwork win |
| Game #5: | Matheson was great again 8.2 shutout innings as Clockwork wins 3-0 |
| Game #6: | Hubbell pitches great again and wins his 2nd of the year a 3-2 Motown win |
| Game #7: | Motown does it again winning 5-4 a Rowe was not good in his first start of the year. |
| Series Summary: | Two great teams fight their way to a 4-3 Clockwork win. Pitching dominated. hitter of the week – Wakefield (CLH).478/.500/.870 with 4 runs and 4 RBIs (2 doubles, 3 triples, and a homer) Hubbell (MOT) 2-0 1.65 16.1 innings 10 hits, 3 walks and 15 K’s Mathewson(CLH) 2-0 1.15 era 15.2 innings, 11 hits, 5 walks and 15 K’s |
| San Tan Valley Moonrakers @ Wainwright Wranglers | |
| Series Preview: | Opening Day in Wainwright of two first year teams. The home team has a 1980’s batting feel and early 1900 pitching vs a team of players mostly from the ’30s and ’40s |
| Game #1: | Doc White took the hill for Wainwright and pitched 8.1 innings of 6 hit ball with Duane Ward closing it down leading Wainwright to a 4-3 victory |
| Game #2: | Randy Johnson throws a complete game 7 hitter in a laugher as San Tan wins 10-2 with Trosky driving in 6 which will probably be an early-season RBI record |
| Game #3: | San Tan pitching continues to dominate with Watty Clark throwing another complete game in leading the Moonrakers to a 4-0 victory he also drove in 2 . Keltner hit a bomb for the winners |
| Game #4: | In Game 4 Stratton throws another complete game shutout against the Wranglers who’s 80’s bats still have not awaken in a 4-0 victory. Wainwright will be glad to see Trosky leave town as he drove in 2 more giving him 8 RBI in four games. |
| Game #5: | In-game 5 Doc White throws complete game 5 hitter to go to 2-0 in a 3-1 Wainwright victory. Tony Fernandaz, Mark Grace and Tony Gwynn all drove in a run |
| Game #6: | In game 6 Vic Willis keeps the winning teams run of complete games by the starters going in leading Wainwright to a 5-0 victory. Daulton and Manush both go deep for the first two homers of the year for the Wranglers |
| Game #7: | Two big lefties face off in the series tiebreaker with both starters going at least 8 innings. Duane Ward comes in and pitches 2 shut out inning to pick up the win. Sparky Lyle blew the save and Scott Garrelts took the loss. Sort of fitting that the Wainwright 70’s and 80’s bats got to the Moonrakers’ 70’s and 80’s relievers to end this series. Edwin Encarnacion went deep in leading the Wainright charge |
| Series Summary: | Hal Trosky was the series big bat driving in 9 runs and Oscar Charlson hit 429 with 7 runs scored. On the pitching side doc White threw 17.1 innings in his two starts and started the season 2-0 with a 2.08 era. Duane Ward thew in two games getting a save and a win with a 0.00 era |
| Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Kansas City A’s | |
| Series Preview: | Lewisberry travels to Kansas City to take on the A’s to start the Season. |
| Game #1: | Babe Ruth vs. Eddie Cicotte: Lou Brock leads off with a triple and scores on Sax’s SF, Aaron hits a homer in the bottom of the 1st to tie it. That’s all the scoring until the A’s win a walk off on a double by Travis Fryman scoring Tom Tresh in the bottom of the 12th. A’s 2 – Lewisberry 1. W- B. Adams L- B. Ruth |
| Game #2: | Hershiser Vs. 3 finger Brown: Hershiser goes 3 innings before leaving with an Injury for 7 days. Brazle, Hoffman and Britton finish it off for a shutout victory. Freeman hits a solo homer for the Country Blumpkins. Lewisberry 3 – A’s 0. W- Brazle L- Brown S- Britton |
| Game #3: | Jack Morris vs. Fergie Jenkins: A’s get homers from Aaron and John Romano and Luis Aparicio goes 3 for 5 with 2RBI’s and 2 steals in a 7 to 2 A’s victory. W- Jenkins L – Morris. |
| Game #4: | W. Cooper vs. Sudden Sam McDowell: Bernie Williams drives in 2 and leads Lewisberry to a 4 to 1 victory. W- Cooper L- McDowell S- Britton(2) |
| Game #5: | Josh Beckett vs. Mort Cooper and his brother Walker Cooper his battery mate, both farmers from Atherton, Mo. who’s best friend lived on the farm beside them. All 3 signed with Cardinals, but there friend Clarence Riling would never get out of the minors. He become a close friend to Me and my Dad in the 1960’s when I was a kid. That is why I drafted them after hearing stories about them when I was growing up. The Blumpkins pounded out 17 hits on the way to an 8-3 win. W- Beckett L – M. Cooper |
| Game #6: | Babe Ruth vs. Eddie Cicotte: The Blumpkins pounded 15 hits coasting to an 8 to 4 victory. W- B. Ruth L -Cicotte S – Britton(3) |
| Game #7: | Jim Bunning was the starter instead of the injured Hershiser vs. 3 Finger Brown: Again the Blumpkins jumped all over A’s pitching getting an early 6-0 lead in the 2nd and pounded out 13 hits in winning the game 9-4. W – Bunning L – Brown 0-2. |
| Series Summary: | The Blumpkins win the series 5 games to 2, taking the last 4. The Blumpkins outscored the A’s 35-21, led by Bernie Williams 9 RBI’s. |
| Detroit DeLoreans @ Virginia Cavaliers | |
| Series Preview: | Detroit hosts Virginia to begin the season. Each team excited to start the first-ever LEG season on a good note. |
| Game #1: | VIR 2 – DET 1: It was a pitching duel between aces E. Reulbach and H. Vaughn, with each going seven strong innings. K. McReynolds drove in A. Trammell and F. Robinson in the sixth inning to secure the Cavaliers victory. |
| Game #2: | VIR 9 – DET 2: B. Turley pitched seven strong innings for the Cavaliers to get the win. After a lengthy rain delay in the sixth inning, C. Morgan lost command and surrendered six earned runs. Morgan only went 5.2 and walked eight. B. Herman went 3 for 4 for the Deloreans with a double, HR and 2 RBI. |
| Game #3: | VIR 2 – DET 0: Detroit could only manage two hits again L. Gomez, who went seven strong innings for Virginia. S. Williams only surrendered one earned run in six innings for Detroit. F. Robinson stayed hot, going 3 for 3 with his second triple of the season. |
| Game #4: | VIR 3 – DET 4: In the fourth game of the season, Detroit got their first win in a comeback thriller. J. Beckley hit a 2-run pinch-hit HR off G. Jackson in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the DeLoreans the lead for good. |
| Game #5: | VIR 0 – DET 1: H. Vaughn with a complete-game shutout that wasn’t decided until the bottom of the ninth. R. White singled in pinch-runner T. Harper for the walk-off win. Y. Berra went 2 for 4 and was the only hitter with multiple hits. |
| Game #6: | VIR 2 – DET 1: More great pitching performances put in from E. Reulbach and C. Morgan, who each surrendered only one earned run. The DeLoreans only run came on a J. Cronin HR, his first hit of the season. Virginia’s K. Foulke nailed down his third save of the season. |
| Game #7: | VIR 0 – DET 5: J. Schmitz spun a complete-game gem for Detroit, striking out 11 in the shutout. The DeLoreans scored all five runs in the eighth after a R. White RBI single and then a Y. Berra grand slam. |
| Series Summary: | Virginia takes the series 4-3, with three games decided by one run. After losing the first three games Detroit bounced back to win three of the next four. Virginia’s Frank Robinson hit .500 with three triples and a 1.392 OPS. Detroit’s Babe Herman hit .333 with a HR. |
| Detroit DeLoreans @ Virginia Cavaliers | |
| Series Preview: | The Middle Channel Sturgeon open the inaugural season of LEG on the road in Indiana against the Indians. MCS looks too loaded with plenty of hitting and pitching to be the early season favorite in the AL East. |
| Game #1: | A fantastic pitching matchup in Game 1 did not disappoint. Chris Sale and Don Drysdale through up plenty of goose eggs. The lone run of the game was scored in the bottom of the 6th on a sac fly by Ichiro that plated Julio Franco. Drysdale with the complete-game shutout. Final – Indians 1, MCS 0 |
| Game #2: | Max Scherzer went 7 shutout innings and Alvin Dark went 3 for 4 as the Sturgeon shutout the Indians in Game 2 5-0. Indiana managed only 2 hits versus Scherzer and Al Holland. (Sign of things to come). |
| Game #3: | Rube Foster vs. Grover Cleveland Alexander. The teams were tied 1-1 through 10. Indians were able to scratch the winning run across in the bottom of the 11th for a 2-1 win. Hugh Casey pitched the last 2 innings for the win. Foster went 7, allowing 1 run on only 3 hits. Alexander went 8 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits. Sturgeon outhit Indians 7-5. Final, Indiana 2, MCS 1. |
| Game #4: | Al Leiter versus Kerry Wood. This game is the turning point of the series as the Sturgeon put up a 7 run 8th to break open what was a 1 run game. Frank Thomas was 3-4 with his second HR of the season. Johnny Frederick has 3 hits for the Indians. Final, MCS 12, Indiana 4. |
| Game #5: | A rematch of Game 1, Sale and Drysdale. Tied 1-1 going to the 11th. Victor Martinez had 4 hits, including 2-run HR in top of 11th that hit the foul pole to lead MCS to 3-1 win. Aroldis Chapman went 3 innings for the win. Ty Cobb had 3 hits for MCS as well. Final, MCS 3, Indiana 1. |
| Game #6: | Max Scherzer combined with 2 RP for a 5-hit shutout as MCS wins third in a row. Cobb, Bostock and Miguel Cabrera had 2 hits each. Scherzer improves to 2-0 with 0.00 ERA. David Price falls to 0-2 for the Indians. Final again, MCS 6, Indiana 0. |
| Game #7: | Rube Foster goes 7 strong and Ty Cobb leads a 14-hit attack as MCS wins their 4th in a row. Cobb raised his early season average to .387 with a 3-5 day. Larry Walker had 2 hits for the Indians as they lose their fourth straight. Final, MCS 8, Indiana 3. |
| Series Summary: | Sturgeon batted .253 for the 7 games while the Indians hit an anemic .176 . Indiana looks to make some roster moves following this debacle. MCS wins the series 5 games to 2. |
| Pigtown Bombers @ Fantomz Force | |
| Series Preview: | NL East division rivals Pigtown and Fantomz are eager to kick off LEG’s Inaugural Season. The Bombers are looking to destroy the Force’s pitching staff with Greenberg & Schmidt in the middle of the order while the Force are hoping pitching and defense will keep run scoring down. |
| Game #1: | Fantomz 4-3: Opening Day was a wild celebration at Force Field. Fantomz started quickly, as Shin-Soo Choo doubled to lead off the Force’s 1st inning and scored the team’s first run on Larry Doby’s double. The Force built a 4-0 lead through three innings. Fantomz starting pitcher Satchel Paige pitched five scoreless innings, then Manny Ramirez (grrr …) hammered a three-run dinger to pull Pigtown within a run. The Force’s bullpen of Steve Cishek, Felipe Vazquez, and Jeff Russell threw three scoreless innings and preserved the win. |
| Game #2: | Fantomz 7-5: The Bombers started the offensive fireworks, with Schmidt doubling home Jackie Robinson in the 1st inning. Pigtown increased their lead to 5-0 after Greenberg’s 5th-inning two-run homer. After five quiet innings, the Force finally reached Jim Abbott, scoring two 6th-inning runs. Fantomz added three more in the following frame to tie the game, then went ahead on pinch-hitter Johnny Mostil’s two-run double in his first plate appearance. Jeff Russell saved the game again with a scoreless ninth. Ray Lankford homered and plated two for Fantomz. |
| Game #3: | Fantomz 7-6: Mickey Tettleton’s two-run 1st-inning pea-turned-double gave the visitors an early lead, but the Force rallied for four runs in the bottom of the first, with Gil McDougald and Doby hitting back-to-back homers. The Bombers tied the game during the 4th inning when Rip Radcliff plowed over Al Lopez on a sacrifice fly. Pigtown went ahead in the 8th when a wild throw resulted in two Bomber runs. In the Fantomz 9th, Choo doubled, Mostil doubled Choo home, McDougald walked, and Lankford lined a shot into right to plate Mostil with the walk-off run. |
| Game #4: | Pigtown 4-1: The Bombers endured enough nonsense over the previous three games and came out ready to play. Ramirez hit another three-run shot to give Pigtown a 3-0 lead in the 4th inning. Pigtown starter Johnny Taylor delivered a complete-game five-hitter, striking out five while also plating a run. Greenberg had two hits for Pigtown. |
| Game #5: | Fantomz 8-0: Satchel Paige pitched seven scoreless frames with eight strikeouts, and he combined with Brad Ziegler and Gary Lucas to throw a four-hitter. Josh Donaldson hit a bases-loaded triple while Lankford homered and drove home three runs. Doc Wiley went 3-for-4 and knocked in his first run while Honus Wagner walked three times. |
| Game #6: | Fantomz 3-2: The teams exchanged runs in the 2nd inning, then the Bombers went ahead on Benny Kauff’s 4th-inning double. Pigtown starter Jim Abbott was cruising until Joe Judge launched a two-run clout in the 7th inning. Russell and Vazquez pitched two scoreless frames to help give Gaylord Perry his first win. |
| Game #7: | Fantomz 11-1: The Force benefited from four(!) Pigtown errors in the 1st inning to score four runs. Two errors were charged to starting pitcher Luis Tiant and the other two to solid defenders: Mike Schmidt and Jim Edmonds. The Force added three 2nd-inning runs then put the game away with four 6th-inning runs. |
| Series Summary: | Fantomz won 6 of 7 in the opening matchup. The Force benefited from exceptional relief pitching (0.00 ERA over 18 innings with two wins and three saves) and timely pinch-hitting. The Bombers will undoubtedly rebound from this early setback with a vengeance. Player of the Week nomination: Fantomz’s Larry Doby (8-for-23, 1326 OPS, 2 HR, 6 RBI). Pitcher of the Week nomination: Should be the entire bullpen, but individually to Satchel Paige (2-0, 2.08 ERA in 13 innings, 12 K, 1 BB). |
| Nags Head Surf Sox @ Climax Cougars | |
| Series Preview: | Comiskey Park swelled with all 195 residents of the sleepy little south Saskatchewan farming village of Climax and 40,000 out-of-towners as the old time player heavy Cougars hosted the cool kids from Nags Head for seven games to open the LEG 2020 season. The Cougars head into the series with John Kruk as being their closest to a modern-day player while the Surf Sox had a bevy of those new-fangled players including punkass kids Derek Jeter, Giancarlo Stanton, Huston Street, and Cole Hamels. The Climax owner’s shoes were older than most of the Nags Head lineup. Shiny new guys aside, there was no denying that new didn’t mean bad as all these guys were oozing talent. Leadoff hitter Ryne Sandberg (already the subject of trade rumours) provides the Surf Sox with some stellar defence at 2nd base, a great eye at the plate and good speed to go with a .291/.360/.413 line. Von Hayes fills the #2 spot after just coming off the bus from Madison East that sent Leon Durham packing. The speedy center fielder is an on-base, doubles hitting machine with some pop in his bat with a .316/.385/485 slash line and is another guy that can steal a base (16/25 steals). You can’t say much about 3rd hitter Jimmie Foxx as he and his 43 homers are just garbage. Also meaningless is the .404 OBP. Whatever. OK – he is one of the best ever. Next. 🙁 Some guy that used to be Mike Stanton is the cleanup guy for the first game and all he does is bash (32 homers) and has a strong 35 arm in right field. The .371 OBP is a nice add-on to the .577 SLG. Not enough power in the lineup yet? OK, toss in 3rd bagger Howard Johnson. HoJo provides some nice 30-homer pop to go with great basestealing (21/29) and a very solid .365 OBP. The glove … well, don’t look at that … look at the bat. Not too shabby when you can toss a dude like left fielder and seagull killer Dave Winfield into the #6 spot. Nothing flashy this season for DW but he provides solidity both at the plate and in the field with near 20-homer power. While Winfield gets the starts against lefties, Andre Dawson gets the nod against righties bringing in the same good defence that Winfield provides with a little bit of extra pop (20 homers), speed (12 steals) and a better average (.296). As an Expo fan, Hawk Bobbleheads may be the only out-of-town player bobbleheads that may ever be handed out in Climax. Sunny Gary Carter may be a bit of a defensive blight in his 21st year on the planet but he provides good offense from behind the plate with 19 homers and a .268/.353/.429 line. Oh yeah … and yet another Expo rubbed in my face. Of course, many was the day I watched as Gary produced the big hit … unfortunately I think he led the league in grand slams hit when his team was already up by 4+ runs. Oh well. Then there is 37-year-old Jeter in the #8 spot dragging his sorry .302/.362/.375 line. At that age, he could still hit and steal bases (14/21) … makes me sick. A very solid glove as well. The Surf Sox bench consists of Tim McCarver (a much better catcher than a TV guy), aging but still useful bat-off-the-bench Juan Samuel, King Kong Kingman and his 30 homer mash uppercut swing, defensive wiz and all-around smiley guy Larry Bowa, and “I am Here for My Bat Not My Glove” Mike Marshall who may be putrid when his hands touch leather (mid outta the gutter) but give him a bat and he is a different guy (24 homers from him and yes, I was going to say when his hands touch wood but thought that if the leather comment was risky the wood was definitely going to get bleeped out). Nags Head’s rotation consists of some nifty arms we probably have all seen including opening day starter Mike Mussina (15-8, 2.76 ERA), Joaquin Andujar (20-14, 3.68 ERA), Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.35 ERA), Nolan Ryan (14-9, 3.39 ERA) and Jim Palmer (10-6, 3.18 ERA). Nice. Unlike their opponents, the Surf Sox actually came into Climax with a bullpen: Francisco Cordero (20 XYZ), Huston Street (18 YZ), Norm Charlton (16 X) and Dave Giusti (15 YZ) to name a few. While the two teams stack up pretty evenly heading into the series, the edge in power and relief pitching belongs to Nags Head. Climax rested their hopes in getting guys on base by the walk and then praying for the big hit. Play Ball |
| Game #1: | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand as a guest of honor and threw out the first pitch – and was then himself thrown out of the ballpark – heh heh as Mike Mussina and the Nags Head Surf Sox squared off against Rube Waddell and the Climax Cougars. Climax had high hopes from Waddell as their staff ace following a strong showing in some pre-season games, but the Deadball Era lefty looked jittery in the early going giving up one-out singles to Von Hayes and Jimmie Foxx in the 1st inning. Fortunately, the DP was Waddell’s friend and Giancarlo Stanton grounded into an around the horn double play to end the inning and the threat. Mussina also looked a little starstruck and started off by giving up a double into the right field gap by Climax 1st baseman Buck Leonard. Leonard moved to 3rd base on a ground out by Sam Crawford and then came around to score when he slid past Gary Carter’s tag on a Mel Ott ground ball to Jimmie Foxx who bobbled the grounder before making the sketchy throw. Waddell’s shakiness continued into the next inning seemingly intent on losing the lead. Howard Johnson led off the inning with a double high off the centre field wall and then watched as Waddell’s woes continued and Dave Winfield walked bringing up Gary Carter. Carter lined a one-hopper right into the glove of shortstop Jim Fregosi who fired it around to complete a double play moving Johnson to 3rd base. Plucky Derek Jeter fouled out to left field to end it and the Cougars dodged another one. The game stayed that way with the Cougars leading 1-0 and racking up the walks but unable to bring any runs across the plate. Mussina’s sixth walk of the game was his last. With one out he walked Jose Bautista who advanced to 2nd base on a ground out by Harlond Clift. George Grantham was up next and he earned the distinction of being the first player in LEG history to hit a home run and he laced one over Stanton’s head in right to make it 3-0 for Climax. And that was that for Mussina who left having struck out six and walking the same. Waddell meanwhile had very much settled down after the shaky start and it was not until the 7th inning that a Sox player would cross the plate and that pretty much came courtesy of Bautista whose throw from left to try and nail Winfield sailed high and wide of the plate allowing him to score easily and make it 3-1. The Cougars tagged on another run in the bottom of the 7th when Harlond Clift scooted home from 3rd base on Carter’s passed ball. Waddell left after the 8th having struck out nine against just two walks with the unearned run being really the only blemish. The Cougars handed the ball to Clay Carroll who walked a batter but that was it as he converted his first save and gave Waddell his first victory in a 4-1 Climax win. |
| Game #2: | Game 2 was Bushel of Wheat Day at Climax Comiskey with the first 10,000 fans going home with a bushel of wheat each. Game 2 featured a matchup of Joaquin Andujar for Nags Head and Smoky Joe Wood for Climax. Early game jitters again were in vogue with Wood giving up a line drive single to Ryne Sandberg to lead off the inning and then a Von Hayes double into the right field corner that poised the runners on 2nd and 3rd with none out and Jimmie Foxx coming up. No problem! Foxx struck out swinging – the bum, but then Andre Dawson followed with a blooper that looked like it would land in shallow right. Second baseman George Grantham carried his Game One heroics into this game but with the glove as he snagged the blooper and doubled off Hayes at 2nd base to end the inning. Andujar’s half of the inning was no less shaky than Wood’s. He gave up a one-out single to Grantham (already starting a lobby for Player of the Week) and then with two outs Jose Bautista launched one into the left field stands for his 1st of the season and a 2-0 Climax lead. The teams exchanged goose eggs in the 2nd inning but then in the 3rd Andujar unraveled. The storm started with the Climax pitcher coming to the plate to lead things off and lining one past Jeter into left for a single. Buck Leonard then dribbled one in front of the plate and as he was running to first base watched as the ball majestically sailed about a dozen feet over his head and into right field. Nice throw, Gary! Andujar did K Grantham, but then Mel Ott hit one into the gap that was only saved from going to the wall by a nice play by Andre Dawson. Still, Wood had enough time to moonwalk his way to home plate and make it 3-0. This brought up Bautista again with runners on 1st and 3rd this time, but the result was the same KA-BANG and the ball was in the left field cheapies scattering beer and wheat everywhere. Climax up 6-0. In the 4th, the Surf Sox loaded the bases on a walk by Foxx, a single by Dawson, and a two-out walk to Carter. That brought up sassy Derek Jeter … now what was Wood to do with him? Hit him right in the fricking ass with the pitch of course … and it was 6-1 and Jeter had his first ass-driven in run of the year. With a chance to narrow the lead really quickly the bat was jerked right out of the hands of Andujar and handed to Dave Winfield. Winfield skied Wood’s pitch … but it didn’t make it farther than the ondeck circle where Gibson circled for so long that the Province of Quebec announced 117 new cases of COVID-19 until the ball finally came down. Up 6-1, the heavily lefty-laden Cougars got to face lefty-killer Tug McGraw in place of Andujar. And let me tell you … it was not pretty. McGraw got the next four outs of the game, but not before leaving his mark (urine stain?) on the game. In the time that McGraw got his four outs he gave up five hits and five walks which the Cougars converted into seven runs (but only six were earned) and emerged from the 5th inning up 13-3 (Dawson crushed a two-run homer off Wood in the 5th to account for the other two Nags Head runs). The teams pretty much just went through the motions the rest of the way with the Cougars adding a run in the 6th and HoJo blasting a two-run shot for the Sox in the 8th. FINAL – 14-5 Climax W-Wood (1-0) L-Andujar (0-1) Sv-Mizell (1 – 3 innings of relief) HR-NAG: Dawson (1), Johnson (1) CMC: Bautista 2 (2) Bautista was easily the best guy on the field with 3/4, three runs scored and six RBIs |
| Game #3: | With Climax fans thinking sweep (they’re not very bright), the Cougars sent out Spud Chandler to face Cole Hamels and the Surf Sox. Spud had the idiot fans forgetting about wheat after he started off blazing fastballs by Juan Samuel who did what Juan Samuel often did in his career and struck out swinging wildly like he was trying to take out a pinata. It pretty much turned to shit for Chandler after that though. Von Hayes hit a Texas Leaguer into right field and then scored when Jimmie Foxx pasted a ball into the left field stands for his first home run of the year to make it 2-0. Andre Dawson liked the look of Foxx’s hit so much he carbon copied it two batters later with the bags empty and poof it was 3-0 Nags Head after 1. The 3rd inning was moving along nicely for Chandler who thought he was on the road to recovery except once again things quickly turned to crap for the former Yankee. Dave Winfield lined a ball into right centre with two outs for his second double of the game already and then came around to score when Tim McCarver’s grounder made it almost to the wall. What’s better than back-to-back doubles? Back-to-back-to-back doubles, of course. This one came courtesy of annoying little weed Larry Bowa who lofted one over Bautista’s head in left and off the wall. 5-0 Nags Head after 3 innings. Fast forward to the 8th inning. The Cougars can’t do anything against Cole Hamels as the lefty is unhittable … then again you can’t hit anything when pretty much nothing is near the plate. Hamels was cruising around deep into the 8th inning with a no-hitter going and six strikeouts … but he had walked 10 guys and was so off in some cases Sherpa guides had to be brought in to track down where his pitches ended up!!! Mel Ott was the primary beneficiary of noodle arm’s wildness walking three times by the 8th. Finally with one out in the 8th Bautista swung at a pitch (likely in self-defence) and drove it past the surprised 2nd baseman Samuel and into right field for the Cougars’ first hit of the game. The Surf Sox added a run in the 9th on a sacrifice fly by Dawson that scored Foxx and in their half of the 9th the Cougars finally solved Hamels and scored their first, last and only run on a sacrifice fly by Josh Gibson that scored Chief Meyers who reached on a bad throw from 3rd base by Foxx. Hamels finished one out short of a complete game after loading the bases in the 9th on with his 10th walk which brought in Francisco Cordero who got Bautista to ground out to 1st base to end it. FINAL – 6-1 NAGS HEAD W-Hamels (1-0) L-Chandler (0-1) Sv-Cordero (1) HR-NAG: Foxx (1), Dawson (2) |
| Game #4: | A roller coaster ride that turned into the kind of game that you would love to have seen in real life. Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Cannonball Redding provided the Climax crowd with a tutorial on how truly great pitchers can be mediocre and still keep their opponents from scoring. in the case of legendary fireballer Ryan, he started the game by loading the bases with none out, struck out Jose Bautista and then got Harlond Clift to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Redding’s half of the 2nd went similarly with Andre Dawson doubling, Gary Carter getting a one-out walk and then the inning ending with a double play groundout by Derek Jeter. Ryan gave up a leadoff double then to Sam Crawford and retired the next three batters in order stranding him at 2nd. Andre Dawson broke the scoring stagnation in the top of 4 with a drive over the left field wall that made it 1-0 … already his 3rd home run of the season. In the bottom of the 4th, Ryan got into a jam again when he walked Crawford and then had him move to 3rd on Chief Meyers hit and run single into right. Ryan erased them by getting Jim Fregosi to ground into another double play to end the inning. Ryan left after 6 innings of shutout ball when he was pulled in favor of pinch hitter Dave Winfield (struck out). He gave up four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in the six innings. Redding left after the 7th down 1-0 having allowed a run on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. The Sox made it 2-0 when starter turned reliever Sid Fernandez became unglued after George Grantham muffed an easy ground ball and allowed Ryne Sandberg to reach base. Before Fernandez could get his head back on straight he walked the bases loaded. He didn’t allow another baserunner but Sandberg was able to scamper home on a deep fly ball by Dawson. With the Cougars hitter doing nothing much down 2-0 in the bottom of the 8th looked like 20-0. Luckily for the Cougars crappy defence and Norm Charlton were fodder in the bottom of the 8th. Buck Leonard continued the parade of walks by Cougars by walking off Charlton to lead off the inning. Then on a pretty much guaranteed double play grounder by Grantham to Sandberg, the usually reliable 2nd baseman booted the ball and it went on into right field. Mel Ott cranked Charlton’s next pitch into the right field alley and to the wall scoring Leonard and cutting the lead to 2-1 with none out and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Charlton then walked Bautista to load them up and bring up Clift. Clift choked and struck out though and gave Charlton a momentary reprieve. The reprieve didn’t last long though as Crawford singled between 1st and 2nd to tie it up 2-2 with the bases still loaded. That was enough out of him as Miller yanked the lefty and brought in Huston Street to face some guy named Josh Gibson. Gibson sent Giancarlo Stanton to the warning track but no further. Easily deep enough though to score Ott from 3rd. Street ended the inning by getting pinch hitter Pop Lloyd to ground out to 2nd base. John Wetteland came in in the 9th to nail down the save, but inactivity in the season cost him in this one as he walked Tim McCarver and then was pulled after getting Jeter to ground out and advance McCarver to 2nd base. Ellis Kinder came in with thoughts of being the hero but instead wound up with his first blown save of the season. Kinder got Bowa out on a grounder that moved McCarver to 3rd and then walked Sandberg who was followed by Hayes who lined one over the infield to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Kinder stayed in for the 10th and although he walked Howard Johnson he was able to leave the inning with minimal damage. The Sox marched out Heathcliff Slocumb for the Cougars 10th. He opened by walking late-inning defensive replacement Chaney White who then promptly swiped 2nd base. Slocumb struck out Clift and gave a free pass to Crawford to set up the double play for Gibson. Once again, Gibson sent the ball deep but this time no one was there to score from 3rd. Not expecting much with Fregosi and his scuzzy 1/11 performance so far this season you can only imagine how surprised everyone was when he hit a shot to left centre that dropped in and allowed White to score from 2nd to end it. Go figure. FINAL – 4-3 (10) Cougars W-Kinder (1-0) L-Slocumb (0-1) BS-Kinder (1) HR-NAG: Dawson (3) … third straight game! |
| Game #5: | Beware the pitfalls of insanely unfounded optimism and the arm of Jose Mendez. More on the Hall of Famer later – to set the stage, Game 5 featured Jim Palmer and his tighty whities against one of the best names in baseball – Van Lingle Mungo. It was quiet first inning save for in the top of the inning the silence and droning of the wheat threshers in the background was broken only by Von Hayes who hit a line drive single over George Grantham’s head and on into right centre. Hayes had his eyes on 2nd base from the minute he neared 1st and as he was just going into his slide when he saw the ball magically appear in Grantham’s glove. Hasta la vista, baby! Nice one, Senor Ott. The 2nd inning showcased Mungo’s talent for getting batters to whiff as he mowed down Andre Dawson, Dave Kingman, and Howard Johnson. Palmer was equally tough though allowing sweet frig all in the way of baserunners and had the home team’s batters muttering to themselves early … something that happens a lot as it turns out and we have them scheduled for therapy. Mungo continued to munch through the Surf Sox lineup in the 3rd inning striking out Gary Carter and Derek Jeter … strangely Jim Palmer was able to get his bat on the ball and put it into play but with the same end result. In the Cougars’ bottom of the 3rd the muttering turned into shouting and cheering and feasting upon delicately seasoned roasted small woodland creatures (food is scarce in Climax but squirrels we have aplenty). Sam Crawford opened things up with a single and then moved to 2nd when Palmer walked Mungo. Carter then allowed a passed ball – his 4th already this season – moving the runners up a base. Crawford scored on Buck Leonard’s ground out when the former Tiger slid under Carter’s apparently ornamental only glove. A rough time for Captain Smiley. Mungo then scored on John Kruk’s deep fly ball to right field. Then Palmer ran into a bad case of the aughts … he aught not to have thrown that hanging curve to Mel Ott as the slugger crushed it deep to right field giving the Cougars a 4-0 lead. Mungo took the mound with a bit of a swagger that ended in a stagger. Hayes ripped a single into right field for his second hit of the day and although Mungo was able to get the relatively docile to this point Jimmie Foxx on a fly ball to centre, Dawson was able to reach after he grounded to 1st base but outraced Buck Leonard to the bag. Kingman came in and did one of the two things he does when he bats … unfortunately, it was the thing that had the ump tossing out a replacement baseball as his 1st homer was one that probably punched through earth’s atmosphere and made it 4-3. Moving to the top of the 6th and Mungo was up to 8 strikeouts without issuing a walk, but was starting to wear down. Foxx looped one into left field with one out for a single and Dawson followed by ripping one over third baseman Harlond Clift’s head and into the left field corner with left fielder John Kruk in hot pursuit (picture John Candy chasing after a donut that was rolling down a hill). Kruk came up with the ball surprisingly quickly and fired it back to the infield and it was at this moment when the pre-game conversation with the manager came back to mind. Kruk: “You drafted me before Leonard. I can hit, I can get on base, I’ve got a good glove and can play outfield. Play me or trade me, but don’t forget to feed me.” Manager: “John … you haven’t played outfield since little league and I’ve seen little old ladies throwing bowls of cold soup harder than you can throw a baseball.” Kruk: Shrugs, belches and smiles. Manager: “Well Ok then. I’ll tell Jose (Bautista) he’s getting the day off.” … anyway, suffice to say that Foxx was already swigging Gatorade in the dugout when Kruk’s throw trickled its’ way into catcher Josh Gibson’s glove. Tie game 4-4. Mungo fanned Kingman to make it two outs but then the Surf Sox moved into the lead after HoJo flipped one over Grantham’s head and into right field allowing Dawson to race home from 2nd base. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 8th when the Cougars once again victimized Sox lefty reliever Norm Charlton. Things looked good for Charlton after getting two easy outs but then Kruk’s boast about getting on base came true with the ballplayer drawing his first walk of the year. Kruk then watched in disbelief as the manager pulled him in favor of pinch runner Roger Peckinpaugh and Kruk went off muttering about calling his agent and ordering pizza. Peckinpaugh took off on the first pitch to Ott and stole 2nd base. Ott laced Charlton’s next pitch over Dawson’s head in right allowing Peckinpaugh to score easily on the double and tie the game. Ellis Kinder came in to face the Sox in the 9th and although pinch hitter Giancarlo Stanton and Jeter were able to reach the warning track the score stayed knotted. Climax responded in its’ half of the 9th eager for extra innings apparently as they did nothing something they continued to do on into the 14th inning. At about this time is when Mendez made his presence known (remember him from the intro to this really long-winded writeup?). The tremendously talented Mendez came in as a pinch runner in the 12th and then lobbied heavily to be able to do what he became known for later in his career – pitch. Sure we figured … bullpen is getting kinda short so what could happen. By the end of the 13th inning, the Climax manager was smiling and thinking about how awesome it was to have a guy who could play short as well as pitch as Mendez trotted off the field after a 3-up, 3-down inning where he struck out a batter. By the end of the 14th, Mendez was on the bench cursing in Spanish and the coaching staff were picking up pieces of the bullpen phone which the manager had obliterated with a fungo bat. The 14th started with Foxx grounding out to 1st base and Dawson flying out to right field. Then Mendez walked Tim McCarver on four pitches and began pacing the mound like an angry lion pointing at the plate and the umpire and drawing his finger across his throat. Pickings on the Nags Head Surf Sox by this time became slim in the way of pinch hitters and reliever arms so Heathcliff Slocumb was allowed to stay in and bat which would at least get him out of the way when the 15th inning came around. Of course, Slocumb hit a grounder that trickled right past Peckinpaugh and Clift and into left field. Hmmm. Stanton was up next and on the first pitch lined one into left field and with that the Sox were up 6-5. Jeter was next and he did the same only to right field with the added twist that Ott had the ball bounce off the heel of his glove which allowed both Slocumb and Stanton to score. Sox up 8-5. Bullpen such as was left kicking into high gear for Climax. Juan Samuel then hit the dreaded slow grounder up the middle that no one can reach … 9-5. Sandberg then advanced Samuel with a single of his own and that was it for Mendez. Vinegar Bend Mizell was brought in and Hayes greeted him with a double into the right field corner … 11-5. And that was it. A good close game blown open like a chicken coop filled with TNT. FINAL – 11-5 (14) NAGS HEAD W-Slocumb (1-1) L-Mendez (0-1) BS-Charlton (2) HR-NAG: Kingman (1) CMC: Ott (1) |
| Game #6: | Mike Mussina and the Nags Head Surf Sox held the Climax Cougars to just five hits, but unfortunately Mussina continued to be possessed by the spirit of Mitch Williams and walked eight batters as the visitors fell 5-2. Chief Meyers made the most out of a day of rest for Josh Gibson as he tripled and homered to drive in a pair of runs in the win for Climax. Mussina (0-2) miraculously emerged with his ERA only at 4.15 despite walking 14 batters in his two starts. Apparently at least doing a great job of minimizing damage. He will be scary once he figures out where the plate is. Jimmie Foxx homered for the Sox who also could only manage five hits against Rube Waddell and company. Waddell last just 2-2/3 in this one and had to be removed after cramping in his shoulder made him unable to pitch. Soapbox time … Vinegar Bend Mizell was awarded the win after getting one out (not before he gave up a run though) as he closed out the 3rd inning. Once again triggering my pet peeve about how goofy the major league rules are around awarding wins to relievers. FINAL- 5-2 Cougars W-Mizell (1-0) L-Mussina (0-2) Sv-Wetteland (1) HR – NAG: Foxx (2) CMC: Meyers (1) |
| Game #7: | A pitchers duel … not. Joaquin Andujar was horrific and fell to 0-2 with a 15.26 ERA after allowing eight runs on nine hits in under five innings as the Cougars outscored the Sox 10-7. Smoky Joe Wood moved to 2-0, but was just “OK” allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. The Cougars had a nice 10-2 lead built up after six innings thanks to Pop Lloyd (two-run double) and Johnny Mize (bases clearing double as a pinch hitter) and some cruddy defense by Von Hayes that lead to two unearned runs. The Surf Sox then began their pounding of pitcher Greg Harris tagging him for a couple of runs in the 8th and then another two in the 9th while the Cougars bullpen phone was still being repaired after game 5. Andre Dawson smacked his 4th homer of the series off Harris which completed his game line at 2/5 with a run scored, a double and four RBIs. Sam Crawford, Jose Bautista and Mel Ott each had three hits for the Cougars. FINAL – 10-7 Cougars W-Wood (2-0) L-Andujar (0-2) Sv-Kinder (1) HR – NAG: Dawson (4) |
| Series Summary: | Well … the series was won 5-2 by Climax but we really didn’t out-anything the Surf Sox except get an insane number of walks … 56 in the series which translated into eight walks per game (albeit two were extra inning games). Although in a losing effort the series was dominated by Andre Dawson who did something pretty much every time he was playing. He went 10/28 with 4 doubles, 4 homers, and 11 RBIs. Not bad at all. |
| Jack Street Hustlers @ Boston Braves | |
| Series Preview: | Jack Street visits Boston as their LEG histories begin. |
| Game #1: | Pedro Martinez wins the Boston Braves first game 8-3 supported by homers from Gabby Hartnett, Eddie Mathews, and Adrian Gonzalez. Gonzalez also collected two doubles. Edgar Martinez, Mark McGwire, and Ted Simmons all when deep with solo homers for the Hustlers. |
| Game #2: | Jack Street stormed back from initial defeat, a harbinger of things to come winning 7 to 3 for Dan Haren. Edgar Martinez popped his second homer in as many games and Rogers Hornsby also went deep for the Hustlers. Mark McGwire collected three hits as well. |
| Game #3: | Top Hustler marks went to Tommy Glavine for his four hit shutout. The Hustlers offense lead by Bob Meusels’ grand slam accumulated ten hits in the 7-0 blow out. |
| Game #4: | Game four continues Mr. McGwire’s feat on Braves pitching as went 3 for 4 with a homer, double and two RBI’s. Larry Hisle aided the Hustler cause with two hits. Sunny Siebert garnered the win. |
| Game #5: | Carl Lundgren matched Glavine shutting out the Braves 1-0 Joe Ducky Medwicks’ RBI plated the only run of the game. Juan Marichal was the Braves hard luck loser. |
| Game #6: | In game #6 Bill Byrd revenged his first game loss winning 3-1. Ducky Medwick had his second straight day of heroics going three for four with two RBIs. |
| Game #7: | A fourteen inning battle of the bullpens was won by Jack Street. Pat Nesek with two scoreless inning took the win. Mark McGwire had two hits, an RBI and Larry Hisle and Joe Medwick homered for Hustlers. Eddie Mathews second homer of the series was the Braves big blow. |
| Series Summary: | The Jack Street Hustlers sweep of the last six games of the series gives them an inside track on first place in the AL East Division However all the series are not in as yet. Check your inbox to see how it comes out. |
| 5Iowa Giants @ Fire Lake Segers | |
| Series Preview: | The Iowa Giants traveled to Fire Lake to play the Segers. Who wants to play those Eights and Aces? This series was played via Team Viewer and was great fun. Thanks Jim. (Since it just three days until tax season deadline, and I have a ton of work to get out, I’m going to be brief.) |
| Game #1: | Bob Feller and against Denny Mclain. Bob Feller opens the scoring with a solo homerun. Fire Lake is not impressed, rolling over the big right hander and the Giants, winning 9-3. |
| Game #2: | Tiny (not Bill) Bonham versus Ron Guidy. The Segers high paid lefty was not up to the task as the visitors put up the games first 6 runs and hold on to a 6-4 win. Series tied at 1-1. |
| Game #3: | Allie Reynolds and David Cone. Reynolds goes 8 2/3, allowing the Segers just 5 hits in a 6-1 Iowa win. |
| Game #4: | Dizzy Dean versus Eppa Rixey. For the 4th straight game, the Giants jump out to a big lead. It was 4-0 Iowa, before the Segers replace Rixey with John Smoltz. It worked, as Fire lake battles back for a 6-5 win. Series tied 2 – 2. |
| Game #5: | A repeat of game one, Feller versus Mclain. The score was 2-2, after 9. 3-3, after 10. Fire Lake walks it off in the 11th for a 4-3 win and a 3-2 series lead. |
| Game #6: | It was at this point when the Giants pitching staff must have said, “we’ve got this boys”… Max (not Bob) Lanier versus Matt Morris. Morris was good, Lanier was better. Max Lanier shut out the Segers in a 2-0 Iowa win. Series tied at 3 game apiece. |
| Game #7: | Tiny Bottom versus Ron Guidry. Guidry struggles again and Bonham was up to the task. Iowa scores 4 in the 4th and Bonham cruises through 7 innings in a 4-2 win. |
| Series Summary: | Iowa wins on the road, 4 games to three.
Pitcher of the week nominee – Tiny Bonham. 2-0, 0.00, 12 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K almost unhittable in his two starts. Feller and Bonham will be a nightmare for the NL this season… |
| Wrigleyville Whales @ Fort Worth Cats | |
| Series Preview: | It’s spring time which means it’s baseball time in Texas though it doesn’t feel like it baseball weather today as it’s a chilly 56 degrees with a chance of light rain later this afternoon.
It’s opening day for the Fort Worth Cats named in honor of the great minor league team of a century ago playing in the inaugural LEG baseball league. As part of the pregame festivities for the visiting Whales fans who may be wondering why Fort Worth is known as “Panther City” or “Cow town” we have a couple of short videos for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch? https://www.youtube.com/watch? The Cats will open the 2020 LEG season in the state of the art retractable roof Panther Park on Panther Island (we know it’s really Peninsula). Projections have the park giving a very slight edge to hitters. When the heat arrives later this summer fans can enjoy pre and post-game concerts while floating on the Trinity River with a scenic view of the park and downtown Fort Worth. Panther Island Pavilion features the only waterfront stage in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch? |
| Game #1: | The weather might have been cool, but the bats were hot. The Whales scored the first run when Yastrzemski doubled home Combs. In the bottom of the first Lee May gave the Cats the lead with a two out two run homer to deep left field. Yaz made it back up in the top of the 2nd with the bases loaded and two outs and singled home two runs to put the Whales back in front 3-2. After the Whales scored another run in the third Mays hit another 2 out 2 run homer just inside the left field foul pole tying the game at 4-4. After a rough first three innings Verlander settled in and the Panthers took the lead for good with back to back doubles in the 5th by Chance and Hernandez. Ft Worth takes the first game by a final score of 8 to 4. |
| Game #2: | Great pitching duel between starters Ruether and Maddux, but the two teams were deadlocked after 9 frames. In the bottom of the 11th tied 2-2 and with two outs and runners on the corners Lee May stepped up for the Panthers, “Now the delivery … here we go! Way high and deep to left center … hasta la vista, baby! … it’s all over! Mays has walked it off with a three run Jimmy Jack – his third of the year!” Ft Worth walks off game two 5 to 2. |
| Game #3: | Bob Welch pitched a complete game 6 hitter for Wrigleyville as the Whales captured their first win of the season by shutting out the Cats 4-0 helped by 3 unearned runs off 3 errors. |
| Game #4: | The Whales spotted Ft. Worth two runs in the first then pummeled them for 5 runs in the 2nd and 4 more in the 4th taking a commanding 9-2 lead. Trailing 11 to 3 the Cats scratched their way to make it more respectable, but the Whales evened the series at two games a piece winning 11 to 8. Red Smith hit two homers and drove in 4 for Wrigleyville. |
| Game #5: | In the top of the 2nd Tony Lazzeri hits his first homer of the year to give the Whales a 2-0 advantage, but the Cats would score the next six runs highlighted by Moises Alou driving home 4 on two doubles and a single. Ft. Worth goes up 3-2 in the series winning 6 to 4. |
| Game #6: | Alou gets a two out two running scoring RBI single to put the Cats in front 2-1 in the third. Justin Verlander allows a bases loaded walk to allow the Whales to tie the game and thanks to a double play escapes the inning without any more damage. In the bottom of the 7th the star of the series Lee May hits his third 2-run homer of the series putting Ft. Worth up 4-2. The Cats would score twice more as they cruised to victory. The 5th run of the game came on a sac fly when Keith Hernandez plowed into Fisk causing him to drop the ball for his 2nd error of the game. Ft. Worth wins 6 to 2. |
| Game #7: | Alou hits his first homer of the year for the Cats with a runner on in the 2nd to put Ft. Worth up 2-0. Wrigleyville ties the game in the 4th on a single by Ernie Banks and a sac fly by Lazzeri. Alou hits another home run in the bottom of the 4th to put Ft. Worth back on top 3-2. In the 5th the Whales went back in front thanks to a two-out double by O’Doul. Back to back doubles by Alou and Baker tied the game in the 7th and later Willie Keeler pinch hitting delivers the go-ahead-run. The Cats would later add another as they take the finale 6 to 4. |
| Series Summary: | Ft. Worth takes the series 5 games to 2.
For the series Stan Musial and Red Smith were the hitting stars for Wrigleyville although Carl Yastrzemski did drive in 6 runs. Musial hit .625 with two doubles and Smith hit .313 with two home runs. The home town Cats had a quartet of hitting stars. Moises Alou, appearing in all 7 games, hit .500 with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, and 11 RBI. Lee May his .455 with a double, 4 homers, and 9 RBI. Willie Keeler and Keith Hernandez also contributed by hitting .429 each. On the pitching side Whales Bob Welch was the best pitcher of the series with his complete game shutout while Justin Verlander won his two starts for the Cats |
| Cincinnati Knights @ Purry Cowpokes | |
| Series Preview: | Cincinnati and Purry get ready to start their respective portions of the expansion LEG league. The American League West rivals look to start a Civil War of their own. This series was played head-to-head using TeamViewer. |
| Game #1: | PUR 3-8-4, CIN 8-9-0
In front of a sellout crowd of 35,000 at Glenn Sample Field, the Knights claimed the first-ever win in franchise history, 8-3. Chick Hafey went two-for-four with a double and two RBIs to lead Cincinnati. The scary moment of the game came in the third inning when Ted Williams and Lou Whitaker collided after a fly ball and both missed multiple games. Tris Speaker and Chase Utley each had a pair of hits for Purry, as Dazzy Vance picked up the win with ten strikeouts. |
| Game #2: | PUR 0-7-0, CIN 2-7-1
Johan Santana fired a complete game shutout, allowing seven hits and striking out eight. Joe Sewell, Bill Freehan and Steve Garvey all had two hits for the winners. |
| Game #3: | PUR 3-6-0, CIN 2-5-1
The Cowpokes collected their first-ever win with a four-hit, two earned run performance from Javier Vazquez. Rickey Henderson delivered a pair of hits and scoed twice for the winners, |
| Game #4: | PUR 5-7-1, CIN 0-7-0
Double Duty Ratcliffe worked seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and struck out four. The Purry bullpen got two scoreless innings down the stretch to protect the win. Devil Wells went two-for-four and drove in three for the Cowpokes, whil Ted Williams went four-for-four with three doubles for the losers. |
| Game #5: | PUR 4-9-0, CIN 5-8-1
Hans Lobert made the most of his first hit as a Cincinnati Knight. A one-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to walk-it–off for the home team. Ted Strong delivered three hits for Purry. |
| Game #6: | PUR 7-9-1, CIN 4-7-1
Purry plated single runs in the eighth and ninth to pullaway in the victory. Luke Easter was the offensive hero with a triple, homer and two runs batted in. Hans Lobert had a double and homer for the Knights. |
| Game #7: | PUR 1-2-0, CIN 3-7-1
Johan Santana was again brilliant, spinning a complete game, two hits shutout–striking out eleven. Ival Goodman led the offense by going three-for-three with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. |
| Series Summary: | Cincinnati claims the series, 4-3. Purry had a strong start and shows signs that it will be in the mix to contend for the A.L. West title. Johan Santana makes a bid for A.L. Pitcher of the Week, going 2-0, with a 0.50 ERA, a 0.74 WHIP and striking out 19 in 18 innings of work–while allowing just a .145 batting average against him. |
| Menomonee Minutemen @ Madison East Puregolders | |
| Series Preview: | Heated battle of Family. No Holds Barred! Gloves off! An all expenses trip to BWW on the line. It’s series’ like this that can make Thanksgiving a very uncomfortable day for some….. |
| Game #1: | In Game 1, Hooks pitched like a hook for the Purgolders, leaving the game sporting a stout 43.20 ERA…. that’s what eight runs in five out will get ya. As for a touch of salt in the wound, Jason Bay goes down for eight games while trying to beat out an infield hit while down 13-2. Good spirit, but a solid example of why our team motto is “don’t hustle, jog.” This is where Madison East management decided to turn the reigns over to Kent Williams. Williams must be better with this team than I as the final was only 15-2…. |
| Game #2: | Game 2 was entrusted to Kent Williams and shows Guy Bush (insert pun here) tossing a five-hit shutout to even the series with a 4-0 victory. Perhaps Roeth should stick to the owners box and stop trying to be Ted Turner in the 70’s…. |
| Game #3: | In game three Mark Buerhle and Tim Hudson combined to give up ten total hits, but Buerhle thought it was a godd idea to give up three runs in the eighth. I blame Williams for leaving him in there. Minuteman Jared takes a commanding 2-1 series lead with the 3-0 victory. |
| Game #4: | Game four shows both teams scoring two runs in the first, a run in the seventh, and the Carlos Gonzalez, starting because Bay was an idiot, destroying a Kenley Jansen fastball onto Bedford St. for the walk-off win. Roeth could be heard screaming “Corndogs Jared! Corndogs!” as Cargo touched the plate. Purgolders 4-3. |
| Game #5: | The pivotal Game five showed Jim Scott hoping to get the same run support he did in Game 1 against fan and local burlesque club hero Art Nehf. Nothing exciting, nothing to write home about. The Minuteman went a solid 60 seconds in a 5-3 victory. |
| Game #6: | The big guy, Meat Hook Wiltse and his league losing ERA of 43.20 was hopeful to possibly lower it a tick. Waite Hoyt was loudly making jokes at his expense before the game, and the Man of Minutes looked like puppies after mom’s teats trying to get to the plate ahead of each other to face the Hookster. They learned the valuable lesson of “don’t hustle” as the Mighty Purgolders scored a touchdown in the first, although they whiffed the extra point, to take a mammoth six run lead after the first. Adding four more, Madison East won 10-1 as Wiltse scattered eleven weak hits to even his record at 1-1. His ERA plummeted to a microscopic 7.59. Series even and Mango Habanero on the line as we go for the Thanksgiving bragging rights. |
| Game #7: | Game seven. A well rested and finely trimmed Guy Bush takes to the mound, ready to cleanly buzz a Minuteman. Tim Hudson had other things in mind. A five-run fifth by Menomonee was enough as they took the game 9-5, the series 4-3 mainly because of their lucky fortune of the Purgolders misfortune of Jason Bay going down. There will be a rematch, and Hudson will have his mugshot posted on our bulletin board as public enema #1. |
| Series Summary: | Summary? Jared is a cheater. He owns Bonds, who actually went to left one inning rubbing “lotion” on his knees and elbows…. We are pretty sure his pitchers were putting Vagisil on the balls as well. The baseballs… September 23 cannot get here soon enough brother! |
| Las Vegas Pirates @ Chicago Nine | |
| Series Preview: | For our initial series & openers where Las Vegas was to visit Chicago, that started out with technical glitches so the series was plays in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. Not exactly a neutral site, but a change. There was a lot of hitting by both team. Both teams are already looking for a rematch. |
| Game #1: | This game had Dean Chance opening up against J. R. Richard. Richard pitched well with a complete game 6 hitter giving up only a single run on one of Bill Madlock’s 2 doubles. As for the NINE, Hank Thompson hit their 1st home run, a 3 run shot in the 2nd inning, & that’s all they really needed. NINE 8, PIRATES 1. |
| Game #2: | This game was a reversal of fortune. Mike Trout had 2 hits, one was his 1st & the team’s 2nd HR. That was 2 of the 3 hits the NINE finished with. Mike Cuellar finished with a 3 hit, 1 run CG. Hitting stars for the PIRATES, Joe DiMaggio, respectfully hit the 1st of many HR’s to come, a 2 run HR in the 1st. The Pirates finished with 11 hits. 3 hits by Dave Cash, & 2 each from DiMaggio, Clemente, & P. Fielder. The PIRATES finished with 6 doubles as well. PIRATES 8, NINE 1. |
| Game #3: | This game had a lot of what Game #2 had. Bob Buhl went 8 unspectacular innings giving up 10 hits & 5 W’s, but only 2 ER’s. Hitting was even better. Clemente with 3 hits, Cash, Groat, & surprise starter Bibb Falk with 2. Falk went 2 for 5 with a triple & 2 run HR & was the hitting star. With all the great relievers the PIRATES have, Brian Fuentes picked up the 1st save of many to come by the hard hitting Pirates. PIRATES 6, NINE 2. |
| Game #4: | This game was the closest game to date. In the 3rd with the PIRATES up 1-0, Ace lefty, Warren Spahn left the game with a 1 game injury. Camnitz relieved for 5+ innings into the 9th before Rivera & lefty Fuentes finished it with his 2nd save in as many games. Joe DiMaggio drove in 2 while Cecil Fielder hit his 1st HR. John Mayberry made it close with his 1st HR to tighten the score in the 9th. PIRATES 3, NINE 2. |
| Game #5: | The 1st inning set the pace for this game. The PIRATES started when Cecil Fielder hit his 2nd series & season HR, a 3 run HR. The NINE followed with 3 of their own. In the 3rd, for those who missed his 1st inning bomb, Cecil Fielder hit his 2nd, 3 run HR in the 3rd inning. This actually caught the NINE on fire! B. Robinson, J. Martinez, & K. Griffey Jr. all hit HR’s. In the 8th John Mayberry sealed the win with a GS HR & breaking an 8-8 deadlock. NINE 12, PIRATES 9. |
| Game #6: | Thru 5 innings the NINE were cruising along 6-1, until the PIRATE bats awoke. With 32 hits between both teams, we can’t call this a pitchers dual. a NINE HR by Vizquel, & HR’s by Prince Fielder & Biggio, 6 PIRATES had multi hit cames capped by Bibb Falks 4 hit fill in game the PIRATES finished with 19 hits, PIRATES 11, NINE 6 |
| Game #7: | In this game M. Cuellar faced H. Pennock. The lead changed hands 6 times. The only HR’s were by Griffey Jr. #2, & Stargell, #1. Lidge went 2/3 of an inning for the win. Cuellar picked up the loss. NINE 5, PIRATES 4 |
| Series Summary: | PIRATES win 4 games, NINE win 3 |