2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #16

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Zane Smith – Nags Head

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, &  walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Dutch Leonard  – New Westminster

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts, & 0 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Joe Cronin – Detroit

.556 avg  / 1.056 slg, 10 for 18, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 8  runs, 4 RBIs, & 4 walks

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – John Mayberry  – Chicago

.500 avg / 1.300 slg, 5 for 10, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, 7 walks

New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: The New Westminster Salmonbellies, 3rd in the AL West come to battle the first place (although 4 games worse) Jack Street Hustlers. The Hustlers “riding” an 11 game home losing streak.
Game #1: Tesreau toes the rubber for New Westminster vs. Dan Haren for the Hustlers.

NW 11-13-0
JS 2-8-0

WP – Tesreau 9-5
LP – Haren 4-8
Sv – None
HR – NW – Beltran (13), Clarke (1), Clark (11), Campanella (5)

This one was all Salmonbellies, as the picked up 4 in the third and 2 in the fourth and then just ran away and hid. Tesreau went 8 giving up 7 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and striking out 8. F. Clarke went 4-5 with 3 singles and a homer, 3 runs and 2 rbi. Campanella also drives in 3 in the win.

Game #2: D Leonard vs. Glavine

NW – 5-8-0
JS – 0-4-3

WP – Leonard 12-5
LP – Glavine 9-3
Sv – None
HR – NW – Wynn (17)

Dutch Leonard was on fire in this one and the Salmonbellie offense put up 3 in the first, which was MORE than enough. Dihigo 2-5 and Toy Cannon Wynn 2-4 were the offensive heroes. Dutch Leonard went the distance giving up the 4 hits, walking no one and striking out 8. Good candidate for pitcher of the month.

Game #3: Doc Gooden vs. Sonny Siebert

NW 6-8-1
JS 3-7-1

WP – Gooden 9-3
LP – Siebert 4-9
Sv – Caudill 9
HR – NW – Clark (12), Wynn (18) JS – Martinez (9)

New Westminster again posts a 3 spot in the first and were never really in danger. Game was not as close as the score. Jimmy Wynn continued his hot hitting going 3-4 falling just a double short of the cycle. He also score a run and drove in 3. Jack Clark did some damage as well, going 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 rbi.

Game #4: June’s Pitcher of the Month Sam Leever vs. Hustler Ace Bill Byrd

NW 1-5-1
JS 4-9-3

WP – Byrd 7-4
LP – Leever 10-5
Sv – None
HR – None

The Hustler home losing streak is stopped at 14, as Bill Byrd was aceworthy going the distance giving up the 5 hits, an unearned run, walking 5 and striking out 7. Ducky Medwick was the offensive hero goign a perfect 3-3 with a double, run, rbi and a walk.

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Series Summary: Same result as last week. New Westminster takes the Hustlers to school taking 3 of 4. Jimmy Wynn would be the Player of the week nominee going 7-16 with a triple, 2 homers, 3 runs and 6 rbi. Dutch Leonard is worthy of pitcher of the week consideration as well.
Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Madison East Puregolders
Series Preview: Lewisberry Country Blumpkins (One of my favorite team names ever) at the Mighty Purgolders of Madison East.
Game #1: Orel Hershiser dominates, outdueling Jose Mesa by throwing a three-hit shutout at the hapless Purgolders. Lewisberry eeks out at 3-0 win.
Game #2: Josh Beckett for the Bad guys (I am a Cubs fans, and Beckett is using that damn 2003 Bartman tainted card…) vs. the highly honorable Vinegar Bend Mizell, a mid-season pickup simply because we like the nickname. Turns out he stinks on the mound too, giving up 3 in the third and 2 in the fourth for the loss. Bad guys 8-3.
Game #3: Babe Ruth vs. a guy who was not as fit as Babe, Mark Buerhle. Surely this cannot end badly? Or the Blumpkins could spurt out three in the 7th and three in the 9th to win 9-3. The Blumpkins look very comfortable and satisfied sitting back and experiencing victory shot after victory shot…..
Game #4: Jack Morris vs. Art Nehf. at least this time the Good guys were competitive, losing only 7-5. Trevor Hoffman snatches the baton and tugs it to victory.
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Series Summary: The Purgolders swallowed this series sweep pretty hard. Managerr Rick Roeth was feeling very salty after the finale, asking the crowd “What beats a blumpkin?” No one had an answer….

Babe Ruth was 5-9 as the DH in the first two games, including missing the cycle by a HR in game 2 (ironic, right?) He also won game 3 as the starting pitcher.

Chicago Nine @ Wrigleyville Whales
Series Preview: Chicago Nine (43-42, .506, 4-GB) @ Wrigleyville Whales (31-54, .365, 27-GB)
Game #1: G-1- Stottlemyre v Coveliski. Pitching duel with Chicago prevailing by a 2-1 score! Mel (2-3, 3.24) hurled 7.1-Innings of 1-run, 5-hit ball and Jeff Nelson (Sv-14, 2.08) picked up save with 1.2-innings of no-hit ball. Bryant & Ivan Rodriguez drove in runs for Nine, while Ritchey supplied a solo homer, his 8th, for Wrigleyville. Coveleski (0-2, 8.68) tossed CG, allowing 8-hit with 6-walks in loss.

FINAL Nine 2 Whales 1

Game #2: G-2- Sabathia v Mays. Chicago took advantage of 2-Wrigleyville errors and won game-2 by a 4-2 score! CC (7-8, 5.48) scattered 7-hits and K’d 6 over 8-innings with Nelson coming on to earn his 15th save! Thompson & Richardson had 3-hits apiece for Nine and Bobby drove in 2-runs. Banks & Chapman had 2-hits each for Whales. Chicago stole 3-bases but was also nailed 3-times by Lollar.

FINAL Nine 4 Whales 2

Game #3: G-3- King Felix v Hunter. Catfish (1-1, 8.24) was roughed up for 4-runs on 8-hits and 7-walks but Whales offense woke up and scored 7-runs in 7-5 victory! Hunter allowed 2-HR’s, both solo homers by John Mayberry. Ernie Banks & Irish Meusel combined for a 7-7 game, 2-BB, scoring 2-runs and drive in 2-runs. Lazzeri (11) and Thome (1) cracked HR’s for Whales.

FINAL Whales 7 Nine 5

Game #4: G-4- Richard v McNally. A McNally error led to 3-unearned runs in 7-6 Chicago win! JD Martinez (11) smashed a 2-run-HR and Richardson drove in 2-runs for Nine. JR was roughed up for 5-runs over 4.1-Innings but Shields and Nelson combined for 4.2-innings of 1-run ball with Shields (5-2, 3.25) earning “W” and Nelson (2.18) Save # 16.

Yaz (5), Darrell Evans (1) and Lazzeri (12) clubbed HR’s in Whales loss.

FINAL Nine 7 Whales 6

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Series Summary: Chicago out-scores Wrigleyville 18-16 and out-hit Whales 38-33 in 3-1 series win and Nelson earned 3-Saves! Whales out-homered Nine 6-3.
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Menomonee Minutemen
Series Preview: Middle Channel at Menomonee
Game #1: MCS 1 MEN 9
W: John
L: CoombsMEN runs Sale from the game early scoring 6 in the first two innings, MCS never recovers.
Game #2: MCS 9 MEN 4
W: Scherzer
L: ScottMCS returns the favor from game 1 and ties the series.
Game #3: MCS 2 MEN 4
W: Gordon
L: Foster
S: RojasMCS takes the early lead but MEN takes the lead in the bottom of the 5th and never looks back.
Game #4: MCS 7 MEN 3
W: Leiter
L: HudsonMCS score 6 in the 6th and routes MEN
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Series Summary: Great series from both teams that ended in a split
Purry Cowpokes @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: This series was pitted to play 2 Pennsylvanian’s against each other. The Cowpokes record being far better than the Pirates, I expected dem cowpokes to reek havoc on these under tapped potential Buccos.
Game #1: In this game, the Pirates broke out to an early 1-0 lead until Purry broke thru to the “Candyman” John Candelaria in the 4th, & then again in the 6th & 7th to lead the Cowpokes to a 3-1 lead. That’s when the Pirates squeaked out 2 more single runs in the 6th & 8th, to tie the score at 3 until the 10th, where King Cecil Fielder did what Cecil has done all season long, as he did all year long, & hit a 2 run dinger, while his son Prince could only watch.
COWPOKES 3, PIRATES 5 (IN 10)
Game #2: This game the Cowpokes played it like expected. They broke ahead early & never looked back. With HR’s by Strong & Wells, which led the 14 hit attack. Javier Vazquez let his team with his 14th win while giving up only 1 earned run.
COWPOKES 9, PIRATES 4
Game #3: In this game, the game started out with the first 5 innings of shutout baseball to both potent offenses. Then after “Da Pokes” scored the games first run in the 6th, before these scrappy, crappy Pirates blew the doors off of this game over the next 3 innings, by scoring 9 unexpected runs, highlighted by Joe DiMaggio’s first HR of the year with the bases crammed with Bucs. Bob Buhl pitched 7 & 2/3 of 4 hit baseball. Also homering was Prince Fielder. One further note here. The Pirates finished with 9 runs on 9 hits. 2 HR’s & 7 doubles with no singles.
COWPOKES 3, PIRATES 9
Game #4: This game was Howie Camnitz’s first game back from the DL, & he wanted to show he belonged. He went 6 & 2/3 of scoreless 2 hit ball, with bat help by Dave Cash, Hal Smith, & Dick Groat, who all had 2 hits. The Cowpokes made a game of it in the 9th, with a 3 run HR by shortstop Wells. The game was capped off by Mariano Rivera’s 12th save as he lowered his ERA to a tiny 1.08 ERA.
COWPOKES 4, PIRATES 6
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Series Summary: The 4 game series had a lot of action on both sides, capped off by 6 HR’s by each side. The Pirates pulled off an extremely unexpected 3 out of 4 games win. Purry has a n exceptionally good team will be back for many years to come.
Kansas City Blues @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Battle of Kansas City: The Blues 32-49 at the A’s 35-46.
Game #1: The A’s win 8-1 behind Fergie Jenkins 7 innings of 2 hit 1 run pitching, Hal Morris had the big hit with a pinch hit bases loaded clearing double in the 7th. Boog Powell homered for Blues only run.
Game #2: Blues even the series with a 11-7 victory, led by Delgado’s 2 homer 4 RBI game. Boog (Alou) Powell hit a 3 run shot and Jose Canseco drove in 3. Bobby Doerr had 3 hits and 3 RBI for the A’s.
Game #3: A’s win 9-3 behind Mort Cooper’s solid 7.2 of solid pitching and Bill White had 2 hits including a 3 run shot. Mort’s brother Walker contributed an RBI double, the Coopers graduated about 55 years ahead of Mgr. Alderson from William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO. as did President Harry Truman and legendary TV producer Paul Henning, the creator of the Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. Schulte homered for the Blues.
Game #4: A’s win game 4, 3-1 behind Eddie Cicotte’s 3 hit complete game.
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Game #6:  
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Series Summary: The A’s win the series 3 games to 1.
Indiana Indians @ Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The Indiana Indians visit Glenn Sample Field less than a week after the Cincinnati Knights went to the Hoosier State and participated in the first-ever ‘Battle of I-74’. The teams battle to a series split in the last series before the All-Star break, how would things turn out in the meeting right after?
Game #1: IND 4-5-0, CIN 6-14-1

Mike Scott worked eight and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs, while fanning seven for his seventh win. Five different Knights had multiple hit games and Cincinnati stranded 13 runners in the victory. Ted Williams chipped in with a homer for the winners.

Game #2: IND 1-4-2, CIN 2-5-0

In a pitchers duel, Stephen Strasburg went the distance, allowing a single earned run on four hits and struck out eleven in picking up his fifth win. David Price was brilliant in the loss as well, working eight and two-thirds innings — before Chick Hafey’s double walked it off for the Knights.

Game #3: IND 0-4-0, CIN 4-7-1

Reb Russell tossed a gem for Cincinnati, going eight shutout innings and surrendering three hits and amassing five Ks. Jason Giambi went two-for-three with a double and a pair of runs scored. Indiana suffered a blow when Julio Franco and Mickey Mantle collided on a fly ball in the sixth inning. Franco will miss six games and Mantle will be down nine.

Game #4: IND 1-5-0, CIN 6-8-0

Wilbur Wood’s lone start of the season was masterful. Wood allowed one unearned run in eight innings of work, holding the Indians to five hits and striking out three. Ted Williams paced the offense, going two-for-three with two RBI, a double and a homer.

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Series Summary: Cincinnati sweeps the four game set from Indiana, solidifying its hold on second place in the American League West. Indiana remains in the seventh in the American League East and has to head to Fort Worth for a showdown the the A.L. West leaders next week.
Fort Worth Cats @ Boston Braves
Series Preview: The Fort Worth Cats 52 games over 500 firmly fixed in first place in the American League west pulled into Boston solidly in the AL easts cellar. The Cats blitzkrieged their way to a four game sweep and a 81-25 season record.
Game #1: Justin Verlander held the Braves to 1 run posting his twelfth win. Lee May had two solo round trippers and Frank Chance two hits for the Cats. Dom DiMaggio, Adrian Gonzalez and Tony Conigliaro all had two safeties for the 6-1 losers.
Game #2: Greg Maddux won his fourteenth game in uncharacteristic fashion giving up three run in a 9-4 18 hit rout. Pete Runnels returning to he city where he won two AL batting titles lead the Cats offense with 3 hits Hunter Pence matched his hit total and five others collected two hits. Jeff Cirillo-s two hits and Freddy Sanchez’s 2 run triple were key hits for the Braves.
Game #3: Jim Kaat, one of my personal favorites, won his eleventh game in a 10-7 Cat win despite yielding 12 Brave safeties. Moises Alou ‘s grand slam and three hits each form Keith Hernandez and Willie Keeler were major clogs in the Cats offensive performance. Gabby Hartnett’s three hits, 2 hits each from Bo Jackson and Dom DiMaggio augmented by a Adrian Gonzalez homer fueled the Brave offense.
Game #4: The Fort Worth hit parade continued in a game four in a17-4 23 hit explosion. Moises Alou enjoyed a perfect 4 for 4 day at the plate Frank Homerun Baker and Hunter Pence each had three hit, two of Pence’s were home runs in the Cats batting practice of a game. Tony Conigliaro and Gabby Hartnett each had 2 hits for the Braves. Hartnett’s heroics pushed his season average to .300. When your in the cellar count your blessing even the small ones.
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Series Summary: The Fort Worth Cats sweep of the Braves advanced their admirable record to 81-25 and an apparent strangle hold on first place in the Al West. If they loose the entire rest of their season games the will not fall bel0ow 500. Jarl Jackson has created a superbly constructed and played team as well as possession of one of the LEG’s best senses of humor.
Clockwork Heros @ Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: Coastline hosts Clockwork in a 4 game series coming out of the All-Star break.

Series played via TeamViewer

Game #1: CWH gets on the board in the T2 when Terry 1bs, Wakefield rips an rbi-3b, Schoendienst then plates Wakefield with a rbi-groundout. In the CWH T3 Mathewson 1bs, Santop reaches on a FC, steals 2nd, and scores on a Foster rbi-1b. Foster would then score when Gehrig misplays Ripken’s throw on a Terry grounder. CWH adds 1 more in the T6 on singles by Bradley, Wakefield, and Schoendienst. CWH Mathewson is strong through 6 innings before giving up a solo-HR to Wilson in the B7. CLB M.Williams hits a solo-HR in the B8 to close out the scoring. CWH Tekulve comes on in the B9 to close out the game. Mathewson ends up with 12Ks and goes to 15-3 on the season, Tekulve picks up his 21st save. CLB Swift falls to 9-7 with the loss.

CWH 5, CLB 2

Game #2: CWH jumps on Finley quickly in the T1 when Dykstra bbs, Santop plates him with a H&R rbi-2b, Foster 1bs, and Terry hits a Sac Fly. CWH adds another in the T2 on a Uhle solo-HR. In the B3 CLB Becker hits a solo-HR. But CWH gets the run right back in the T4 with a Bradley solo-HR. CLB Ripken hits a solo-HR in the B4 to bring the score to 4-2 CWH. That’s the way the game would end as both bullpens are strong and close out the game with scoreless innings. CWH Gromek gets the win in relief, Tekulve gets his 22nd save, and CLB Finley falls to 11-4 on the season.

CWH 4, CLB 2

Game #3: CWH opens up the scoring in the T1 again when Wakefield 1bs and Vaughan hits a 2-run HR. In the CWH T3 Vaughan hits a solo-HR, his 2nd of the game. CLB Jenkins hits a 2-run HR in the B6 to bring the game within 1 run. But CWH puts the game away with 3 run in the T8 off CLB ALbers and Marshall with the big hit being a Terry 2-run 2b. CWH adds another in the T9. CLB doesn’t score after the 6th and its another CWH win. CWH Blyleven is strong going 8IP, giving up only 3 hits while fanning 5.
Blyleven goes to 12-4 with the win and Stieb falls to 10-4 with the loss.CWH 7, CLB 2
Game #4: CWH decides to give Kluber a start and he doesn’t disappoint as he goes 7IP giving up only 4 hits and 1 run. Kluber, the 8 graded starter pitches like a 20, while CLB Brown, the 20 grade, pitches like the grade 8. CWH got all the run it would need in the T1 on a Terry 3-run HR. Terry would add another solo-HR in the T3. CWH cruises to a 5-1 win and the sweep. CLB lone run came on a Becker solo-HR in the B6.
CWH Kluber goes to 2-0 with the win and K.Brown is now 10-7 with the loss.CWH 5, CLB 1
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Series Summary: Clockwork solidifies it claim to the best team in the NL with the 4 game sweep over Coastline. Coastline is left wondering what happened to its offense that had done so well against the other pitching rich teams in the NL West. Coastline hopes to have another shot at Clockwork in the playoffs.
Detroit DeLoreans @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Preview: Battle of a contender and non contender
Game #1: over early as Detroit hammers on Nate Rucker for fpor 7 runs in an inning and a third and cruize to a 12-4 victory
Game #2: Detroit hammers 11 hits off ace Lefty grove and cruise to a 7-3 victory
Game #3: Wainwrights pitching continues to shit the bed as Detroit hammers them again in a 8-4 victory
Game #4: A continuation of the first three games and Wainwright starters all sucking as Detroit cruises to a 6-3 victory
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Series Summary: Pretty easy series to summarize if you get pitching and hit you win if you dont you lose. To frustrated for much of a right up I thought we were better than this going into season. I didnt draft to win this year but thought we be competitive
Fire Lake Segers @  Fantomz Force
Series Preview: The Fire Lake Segers traveled to Force Field to start the second half against the Fantomz Force … Fire Lake won three of four in their meeting just before the all-star break, with the Force hoping to regain some last ground …
Game #1: Game 83 – Ron Guidry ‘83 (6-8) v. Satchel Paige ‘41 (11-7)

Fantomz 4-3 (10): Fire Lake wasted no time scoring, as Vida Pinson scored on Kal Daniels’ 2nd-inning double. The Force tied the game in the 4th on Larry Doby’s longball and inched ahead in the 5th on Gil McDougald’s blast. The Force clung to that 2-1 lead until the 9th inning when Gus Bell deposited a Jeff Russell offering into the right-field seats. The Force tied the game in the bottom half when McDougald doubled home John Stone. In the 10th, Mel Harder, who entered the game to pitch the top half, doubled home Ray Lankford with the winning run.

W – Harder (3-3) L – Morris (4-4)

Game #2: Game 84 – David Cone ‘98 (5-8) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (9-5)

Fire Lake 5-1: David Cone pitched an excellent eight innings, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out nine. Daniels paced Fire Lake’s offense with a 3-for-3 night, driving in two runs. Eric Davis drove home two 9th-inning runs with a pinch-hit single. Fantomz’s lone run came courtesy of backup catcher Al Lopez’s first home run this season.

W – Cone (6-8) L – Perry (9-6)

Game #3: Game 85 – Eppa Rixey ’28 (3-1) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (6-10)

Fire Lake 5-2: The teams exchanged runs during the 4th inning, then the Segers went ahead in the 5th inning and added two runs during the following frame, highlighted by Tony Perez’s second double. Perez doubled three times and drove home two runs while pinch-hitter and second baseman Dennis Menke went 3-for-3 with two rbi. Rixey allowed one run over five innings for his fourth win.

W – Rixey (4-1) L – Weilman (6-11)

Game #4: Game 84 – Dennis McLean ’68 (6-7) v. Stan Coveleski ‘23 (1-10)

Fire Lake 6-5 (10): The Segers struck first with two 1st-inning runs, but the Force rallied to tie the game Honus Wagner’s two-run triple then moved ahead on Ray Lankford’s two-run 2nd-inning clout. The Segers inched ahead in the 6th inning highlighted by a Menke two-run triple. The Force tied the game in the 8th, but Scott Rolen’s 10th-inning homer run off closer Jeff Russell gave Fire Lake the winning margin.

W – Smoltz (4-2) L – Russell (1-3)

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Series Summary: Fire Lake repeated their earlier series win against Fantomz by taking three of four with Fantomz’ coaching staff left scratching their heads wondering about the ineffectiveness of the bullpen.

Player of the Week nominee: Fire Lake’s Dennis Menke hit 4-for-6 with four rbi.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fire Lake’s David Cone, for allowing one run over eight innings for his sixth win and a 73 Game Score.

Virginia Cavaliers @ Hollywood Zombies
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Series Summary: Hollywood drops 3 of 4 to Virginia
Climax Cougars @ Motown Yankees
Series Preview: 2 bad teams going nowhere, even against each other. Apologies to Nik that we couldn’t once again laugh about our teams futility in person.
Game #1: Van Lingle Mungo is all you need to know – 2-0 Complete Game shutout, with run scoring doubles in the 5th and 6th from Johnny Mize and Harlond Clift …….Wainwright takes the loss to drop to 9-6
Game #2: Greg Harris pitched 5 no-hit innings in relief, and Mel Ott hit a 2 run blast in the top of the 14th to tag 18 rated Addie Joss with his 10th loss of the season. He went all 14 for his trouble.
Game #3: Dave Brown picked up win #10 and Steve Mingori finally shut down a team for an inning to pick up his 4th save. Stan Hack went 3-3 with 2 RBI’s, while Climax managed 4 hits and a single earned run, dropping game 3 4-3.
Game #4: Looked like Motown and Carl Hubbell were looking at a series loss as Climax capitalized on 3 Motown 8th inning errors to plate 2 runs and take a 3 run lead. True to form, Climax gave up 3 between the 8th and 9th, while plating the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Both teams combined to leave 15 on base.
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Series Summary: True to form – 2 teams with higher hopes continue to tread water on the outside of the playoff picture.
San Tan Valley  Moonrakers @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: SAN TAN VALLEY MOONRAKERS (44-37) vs. NAGS HEAD SURF SOX (37-44)

As the 2nd half of the season begins, San Tan Valley looks to avenge a 3-1 series loss to the Sox in the series preceding the All Star break. Nags Head is on their strongest stretch of the season so far, winners of 8 of their last 10.

Game #1: Ed Walsh (3-2 3.38) vs. Cole Hamels (5-5 4.27)

Bottom 2 – Tim McCarver SAC fly scores Giancarlo Stanton with the game’s first run. NH 1-0

Top 3 – After pitcher Ed Walsh gets his first hit of the season, Oscar Charleston clubs a Cole Hamels pitch over the right centerfield fence to put San Tan up 2-1

Bottom 3 – Jimmie Foxx’s 17th home run of the season; NH reclaims the lead 3-2

Bottom 4 – Following a Derek Jeter 2 out single, Cole Hamels collects his first double and RBI of the season – NH 4-2

Top 5 – Gus Triandos’ 4th homerun of the season scores Sherry Magee and ties the game at 4

The two squads exchange zeros until the 10th –

Top 10 – NH calls on their ace closer, Francisco Cordero, with a 0.33 ERA and 15 saves, he’s feeling a little slighted for being left off the All Star Team … it all must have gotten into his head because he wasn’t his normal sharp self, walking Charleston and Cedeno to start the inning. Trosky then doubles to score Charlston for a 5-4 Moonraker lead. Vern Stephens then steps to the plate and smacks a double of his own, plating both runners and STV has a 7-4 lead.

Bottom 10 – Sparky Lyle comes in to pitch the 10th for the Moonrakers. Nags Head puts 2 runners on, but Lyle gets HOJO to fly out to end the game and preserve the victory for STV.

Dawson had 3 hits for the Sox. Charleston, Stephens, and Triandos each had a pair of RBIs, and Hadley tosses 3 innings of one hit, shut out, ball to get the win for STV.

STV 7 9 0
SOX 4 11 0
WP – Hadley (7-5)
LP – Cordero (2-2)
S – Lyle (8)

Game #2: Eric Gagne (1-4 5.56) vs. Joaquin Andujar (4-12 5.28)

Top 4 – Bob Elliot’s home run, #10, a solo shot, and Vern Stephens’ 2 run blast, his 21st, put STV up 3-0. Later in the inning, Averill triples and scores on a Piazza RBI single and the Moonrakers lead 4-0

Bottom 4 – Andre Dawson’s solo homerun (#13) puts the Sox on the board

Bottom 5 – Von Hayes’ RBI single scores Gary Carter and cuts the Moonraker lead to 4-2.

Bottom 7 – Gagne, who had pitched well through 6, starts the 7th issuing back to back walks to Samuel and Sandberg. Muddy Harris pulls Gagne for Sparky Lyle. A Kingman RBI single scores Samuel to make it a one run game. Andre Dawson follows with a blast to left, his 2nd homerun of the game, and the Sox are in front 6-4

Charlton tosses a scoreless 8th, and Cordero returns to his dominating self in the 9th to even the series.

Averill and Piazza each had two hits for STV, Dawson led the Sox with 2 homeruns and 4 RBIs

STV 4 7 0
SOX 6 7 0
WP – Watson (2-0)
LP – Lyle (4-2)
S – Cordero (16)

Game #3: Randy Johnson (11-3 1.65) vs. Zane Smith (3-1 3.38)

Bottom 1 – The Sox get to Randy Johnson early, Von Hayes picks up a one out single. Jimmie Foxx follows with a rocket to left, a 2 run homerun, #18 on the year, NH 2-0

Top 6 – Zane Smith, masterfully is tossing a one hitter. With 2 outs, Cedeno slugs one to center that goes off Von Hayes’ glove … a 4 base error that cuts the Sox lead in half, 2-1. The error ends Hayes’ 62 game streak without an error. So, what happens on the next play, Trosky smacks one to Hayes … off his glove AGAIN … Trosky makes it to third on the back to back errors on Hayes! Smith does get Stephens to bounce out to end the inning and cling to the one run lead.

Bottom 7 – Gary Carter’s solo homerun gives NH a little breathing room 3-1

Other than a Jimmy Williams single, Smith shuts down the Moonrakers to best Randy Johnson on this afternoon. Both starters go the distance an pitch well – Johnson scatters 5 hits, but 2 are homeruns.

Smith only allows 2 hits and the unearned run, while striking out 5, making a strong claim to a permanent position in the starting rotation.

STV 1 2 2
SOX 3 5 2
WP – Smith (4-1)
LP – Johnson (11-4)

Game #4: Rafael Soriano (0-2 5.06) vs. Mike Mussina (6-6 3.61)

Top 3 – Trosky’s RBI single scores Bob Elliott to put the Moonrakers up 1-0

Soriano and Mussina shut down the opponent offenses until the Sox break through in the bottom of the 7th. HOJO draws a walk to start the inning. He steals second. McCarver then skies one to Cedeno in left … Cedeno drops it, putting runners at the corners. Jeter comes to the plate and lines a single to right to score Johnson and tie the game. Dave Kingman is called on to bat for Mussina and he delivers a single to score McCarver and put Nags Head up 2-1. The Moonrakers will use Lyle and Garrelts in the inning, but when the dust clears 7 Sox runs score, the big hit, an Andre Dawson 3 run double. 7-1 Sox after 7.

Top 8 – with a 6 run lead, Mitch Williams makes his LEG debut … and it goes about as well as you would expected … Wild Thing does manage to get one out, but he allows 4 hits and a run before leaving with the bases loaded. Charlton comes in to face the left-handed hitting Earl Averill. Averill flies out to left, scoring Elliot, before Charlton retires the side. NH 7-3

Bottom 8 – Mike Marshall’s first LEG homerun, a solo shot, puts NH up 8-3

Dan Quisenberry tosses a scoreless 9th to preserve the Sox victory.
The top 4 in the STV lineup get two hits each in this one, Trosky adds a pair of RBIs, Elliot scores twice. Dawson’s 3 RBIs, and Mussina’s 7 inning, 5 hit 1 run effort lead the home team.

STV 3 10 2
SOX 8 11 0
WP – Mussina (7-6)
LP – Soriano (0-3)

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Series Summary: Zane Smith’s 2 hitter, and Andre Dawson’s 6 hit, 7 RBI performance in the series lead the Sox, and Nags Head’s surge toward the .500 mark continues, as the squad now sits at 40-45
Iowa Giants @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Preview: With the All-Star break in view, the red-hot West Michigan Retrogrades (48-33) host the Iowa Giants (29-52) in a four game series.
Game #1: The second half of the season got off to a rough start for Iowa in the bottom of the 1st when leadoff hitter Heavy Johnson “hit a drive deep to left field carrying and BELL ’27 makes a great catch and slams into the wall! But he has the ball in his mitt! for out number one. BELL ’27’s down and it doesn’t look good. He’s shaken up and he won’t be able to continue let’s hope he returns soon for the GIANTS sake and he gets a big hand from the crowd. The report from the clubhouse… the GIANTS left fielder James Cool Papa BELL ’27 injured for 14 days.
Luckily, the Giants had Bob Feller on the mound, who for 6 innings nearly single-handedly beat the Retrogrades.
West Michigan got the scoring starting in the second when Adrian Beltre doubled in Max Carey.
The Giants tied the game in the top of the third when Christian Yelich doubled in Chet Lemon. Then they took the lead in the fifth when Bob Feller smashed a hanging Curt Davis curveball into the leftfield stands.
The Retrogrades tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Robinson Cano doubled home Bobby Veach.
Feller was at again in the seventh when he blasted another pitch over the wall, this time in center, to put the Giants ahead.
Goose Gossage took over for Feller in the seventh but he ran into trouble in the eighth when Heavy Johnson turned around a 99 MPH fastball and smoked it over the fence in left.
A tired Goosage gave way to Tom Niedenfeuer in the bottom of the 9th. Niedenfeuer, unfortunately for the Giants, was channeling the 1985 playoffs and served up a cock shot to Max Carey, who drilled it into the right field stands for the walk-off game winning home run!
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 3, RETROGRADES 4
Game #2: The Retrogrades jumped on the Giant’s Dizzy Dean early when Robinson Cano launched a 3-run homer in the second inning. That’s all the support Urban Shocker would need in his seven innings of work. West Michigan would tag on three more runs in the next three innings with RBI from George Sisler, Adrian Beltre, and Heavy Johnson. Duke Snider and Tommy Davis each had three hits a piece.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 1, RETROGRADES 6
Game #3: West Michigan got the bats going early, tagging Iowa for four runs in the first, to cruise to victory. Bill Dickey hit a big home run in the first inning. Tommy Davis added a homer of his own later. Adrian Beltre and Bobby Wallace had three hits a piece. Willie Foster pitched seven inning, only giving up one earned run for the victory to lower his season ERA to 2.62.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 1, RETROGRADES 10
Game #4: The story of this game was Hal Schumacher, who pitched a complete game shutout, scattering 7 hits, striking out five and improving his season record to 11-3. More than that, Schumacher was also the best hitter in this contest, going 2-3 and hitting his fourth home run of the season. He also improved his batting average to .349. If LEG had a Silver Slugger award, he’d be in the running for the NL honor.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 0, RETROGRADES 2
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Series Summary: West Michigan sweeps Iowa with two games being close and two games being lopsided. Player of the Week candidates would be Hal Schumacher with his complete game shutout (SC 74) while going 2 for 3 with a homer. Iowa’s Joe Morgan should be considered for POW for his 6-17 series with two SBs.
Iowa now sits at 29-56; West Michigan is 52-33.
Pigtown Bombers @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: Pigtown travels to Hoboken to carry us into the All-Star break.
Game #1: Noodles Hahn was brilliant scattering 8 hits over 8 innings. Hahn improved his record to 13-6, 1.61era. Roy Halladay got roughed taking an early third-inning exit. His record dropped to 3-3, 6.52era. Stan Spence and Frank Duncan had 3 knocks each, Jud Wilson a two-run blast and Noodles drove in 3 to help his own cause as the Zephyrs routed the Bombers.
Hoboken 9 Pigtown 1
Game #2: Red Faber twirled a lovely two-hitter allowing a late solo blast to Benny Kauff. Faber’s record improved to 10-6, 2.25era. Eddie Stanky went 3 for 3 scoring 3 runs out of the leadoff spot for Hoboken. Stan Spence chipped in two hits and two rbis. Jim Abbott’s record dropped to 2-12, 3.45era.
Hoboken 5 Pigtown 1
Game #3: Hoboken was able to take a wild seesaw victory in 10 innings. Pigtown was led by Bobby Grich and Manny Ramirez both with two-run homers. Ewell Blackwell earned the win in long relief improving his record to3-7, 3.65era. Jeff Heath led the Zephyrs with 4 rbis and Bill Dahlen had 3 hits.
Hoboken 8 Pigtown 7 10 innings
Game #4: Joe McGinnity made Hank Greenberg’s first inning two-run blast hold up. McGinnity allowed just one earned over 7 innings; a solo shot by Frank Duncan. McGinnity’s record improved to 9-7, 3.93era as John Franco came on to earn his 4th save. Jud Wilson also chipped in a solo homer for Hoboken. Tom Seaver, working on long rest, took an early exit. Seaver’s record dropped to 12-4, 3.30era.
Pigtown 4 Hoboken 2
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Series Summary: Hoboken took 3 of 4 from a struggling Bomber outfit. The Zephyrs leaned heavily on their 1-2 punch of Noodles Hahn and Red Faber to take the first two games. Pigtown escaped a sweep behind Joe McGinnity’s strong outing in Game 4.