2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #29

National League Pitcher of the Week – Stan COVELESKI – Fantomz

2-0 record, 16.1  innings pitched, 1.10 ERA, 5 hits, 10 strikeouts, & 7 walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Greg MADDUX – Fort Worth

2-0 record, 18.0 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts, & 5 walks

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Chuck KLEIN  – Detroit

12/23 .522 avg, 1.217 slg, 4 double, 4 home runs, 5 runs scored, 12 RBIs, & 1 walk

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Billy WERBER  – New Westminster

12/27 .567 avg, 1.037 Slg, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 8 runs scored, 10 RBIs, & 1 steal

Jack Street Hustlers @ Indianapolis Indians
Series Summary: Teams split first four games then Hustlers win last 3 to take 5 out of 7.
Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Chicago Nine
Series Preview: Third place Chicago takes on second place Lewisberry in a heated division race.
Game #1: The Country Blumpkins kick @$$ and take names. Steve Sax has 3 RBI’s at the top of the order & Justin Turner has 4 RBI’s at the bottom.

Final Score: Lewisberry 16 – Chicago 3

Win: Orel Hershiser 17-10 (3.13)
Loss: C.C. Sabathia 12-15 (5.08)

Game #2: J.R. Richard is a stud & goes the distance allowing only 2 Runs. J.D. Martinez has a Home Run & 2 RBI’s.

Final Score: Chicago 3 – Lewisberry 2

Win: J.R. Richard 13-13 (4.46)
Loss: Babe Ruth 10-16 (3.17)

Game #3: Ramon Martinez goes long in the Complete Game Shutout.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Lewisberry 0

Win: Ramon Martinez 6-1 (2.35)
Loss: Josh Beckett 8-11 (4.54)

Game #4: Roger Clemens gets left in and gives up 3 Runs in the 9th, but he had such a big lead it didn’t matter. The middle of the Chicago lineup, J.D. Martinez 3 RBI, John Mayberry Home Run & 3 RBI’s, & Joe Cunningham 2 Home Runs & 4 RBI’s did most of the damage for Chicago.

Final Score: Chicago 11 – Lewisberry 5

Win: Roger Clemens 5-5 (4.38)
Loss: Jack Morris 12-14 (4.37)

Game #5: C.C. Sabathia pitches well over 7.1 Innings. Latroy Hawkins closes the door. J.D. Martinez has a Home Run & 3 RBI’s for Chicago.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Lewisberry 2

Win: C.C. Sabathia 13-15 (4.99)
Loss: Orel Hershiser 17-11 (3.14)
Save: Latroy Hawkins #4

Game #6: J.R. Richard outduels Babe Ruth. Nothing spectacular for either of these teams in this one, Though J.R. Richard did pitch well.

Final Score: Chicago 5 – Lewisberry 1

Win: J.R. Richard 14-13 (4.33)
Loss: Babe Ruth 10-17 (3.26)
Save: Brad Lidge #6

Game #7: The Blumpkins were pissed off in this one & came out screaming at the Demolition. Steve Sax has 3 RBI’s & Billy Williams chimes in with 2 RBI’s himself. Wilbur Cooper goes the distance in a Complete Game 1-Hit Shutout.

Final Score: Lewisberry 11 – Chicago 1

Win: Wilbur Cooper 9-9 (3.89)
Loss: Rick Reed 1-2 (4.85)

Series Summary: The Blumpkins take the bookends of the seven-game series, with big wins. However, the middle is all Chicago & they jump ahead of the Blumpkins in the standings now by 1 Game.
Las Vegas Pirates @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Las Vegas (60-88) at K.C A’S (70-78)
Game #1: Walker goes 7 innings for a 3-2 Vegas win, John Romano hit a 2 run homer for the A’S in a losing effort.
Game #2: The A”S even the series winning 6-3 behind 2 run homers from Billie Williams and Travis Fryman.
Game #3: Warren Spahn tosses a 4 hit shutout in a 7-0 Vegas win.
Game #4: Vegas wins 7-4 as Dean Chance gets his 5th win, Willie Stargell hit a 2 run homer in the win.
Game #5: Reggie Jackson hit a pinch hit 2 run shot off M. Rivera in the bottom of the 8th for a come from 6-5 win for the A’S.
Game #6: Eddie Cicotte goes 6.1 innings for his 16th win and Hank Aaron hits 3 straight homers and drives in 6 for a 9-4 K.C. win.
Game #7: Bill White singles off of Warren Spahn in the bottom of the 10th to score pinch runner Luis Aparicio for a 4 -3 K.C. walkoff win.
Series Summary: Kansas City wins the last 3 games to win the series 4 games to 3.
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Boston Braves
Series Preview: The Middle Channel Sturgeon’s a couple games ahead of the Boston Braves in the LEG AL East standings visited Braves field for a seven game tussle between two teams with similar track records.
Game #1: In 11 innings the Sturgeon’s won a 3-2 game paced by Jake Daubert’s three hits and a Nellie Fox double knocking in 2 of 3 Sturgeon runs. Adrian Gonzalez had 3 hits for the losing team.
Game #2: The Braves recovered in game two winning 6-4 with fireworks provided by Jeff Cirillo’s two run HR and pairs of hits from Dominick DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett and Jimmy Hall. Billy O’Dell won his twelfth game for the Braves.
Game #3: Middle Channel roared back with a 6-3 win allowing Mat Scherzer to collect his sixteenth win of the season. The offense was provided by Willie Horton with 2 hits, a homer and 3 RBI’s along with pairs of hits from Ty Cobb, Jake Daubert, and Charlie Hollocher.
Game #4: Boston evened the series again with a 7-6 win in game four. Sal Perez had a perfect four for four day, Ty Cobb homered and Nellie Fox banged out three hits for the Sturgeons. Cobb’s homer was his twenty seventh of the season and you thought he wasn’t a power guy! Freddie Sanchez homered and picked up three RBI’s to pace the Braves winning offense.
Game #5: Al Leiter and two relievers limited the Braves to one run in a 9-1 Sturgeon rout in game five. Willie Horton homered and smashed 2 hits while driving in three runs for Middle Channel. Matt Carpenter had four Sturgeon hits.
Game #6: Middle Channel assured themselves of winning the series in game six with a 4-2 complete game win twirled by Jack Coombs collecting his third win of the season. Sal Perez had 3 hits and Matt Carpenter 2 hits for the Sturgeon’s.
Game #7: The Braves took the adios game 8-3. Herb Score won his second game in two series for the Braves with strong help from three relievers. Jim Rice and Gabby Hartnett each had three hits, one of Rice’s went into the stands for the Braves. Jake Daubert and Billy Cox had two hit each for Middle Channel.
Series Summary: The series played out as you might expect with two evenly matched teams. Middle Channel extended their lead on the Braves with a 4-3 game winning of the series.
Menomonee Minutemen @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Summary: Both teams had 10 run blowouts. Cats won 13 to 3 in game 1 and the Minutemen won game 4 by a score of 10-0.

Keith Hernandez and a pinch hit walk off 2 run homer in game 3.

Greg Maddux had two complete game shutouts allowing just 3 hits while striking out 9

Ft. Worth takes the series 5 games to 2

New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The much anticipated showdown for second place in the A.L. West between third-place New Westminster and second-place Cincinnati comes to Glenn Sample Field. The Knights enter with a three-game lead over the Salmonbellies, but the tables could turn quickly in this seven game set.
Game #1: NWM 6-10-2, CIN 4-11-0
Game #2: NWM 8-11-1, CIN 1-7-1
Game #3: NWM 5-8-0, CIN 2-6-1
Game #4: CIN 10-10-1, NWM 4-4-2
Game #5: CIN 7-11-0, NWM 2-6-1
Game #6: CIN 16-20-1, NWM 1-4-2
Game #7: NWM 11-15-2, CIN 8-12-0
Series Summary: New Westminster takes the series four games to three and climbs to within two games of second place with just one series left in the regular season. Both teams will head to the postseason. The Salmonbellies won the first three games and nearly did major damage to the Knights’ postseason thoughts.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: Virginia (68-80) travel to Coastline (102-46) for a 7 game series to close out the ‘Cats home schedule for LEG Season 1.

Series played via TeamViewer

Game #1: VIR R. Sewell vs CLB B. Swift
CLB opens the scoring in the B1 on a C.Ripken solo-HR. VIR ties it up in the T2 when Whitney 2bs and scores on a Pena rbi-1b. CLB retakes the lead in the B2 with a Skowron solo-HR. CLB starts to pull away with 2 runs in the B4 when Skowron 2bs, Gordon rbi-3b, and a S.White rbi-1b. VIR stays within reach with a run in the T6 on a McReynolds solo-HR.In the CLB B6 Skowron bbs, Gordon reaches on a FC, M.Williams with a H&R rbi-2b, followed by a Simmons rbi-2b for a 6-2 CLB lead. CLB then puts the game away with a 3 spot in the B7 with the big hit being a C.Ripken 2-run HR. CLB add 1 more in the B8 to close out the scoring.CLB Swift goes 5IP giving up 4 hits and 1ER, and the bullpen takes it home for the ‘Cats win.CLB B.Swift (17-8) gets the win and VIR R.Sewell (0-3) with the loss.CLB 10, VIR 2
Game #2: VIR B.Turley vs CLB D.Stieb
CLB out in front quickly with a run in the B1 on a C.Ripken 3b and Wilson rbi-1b. In the VIR T5 Whitney bbs, Parrish 1bs and both runners move up on M.Williams throwing error. T.Taylor follows with a SF to tie the game and Turley helps himself with an rbi-1b.VIR Turley settles in after the 1st inning run and tosses 7 scoreless innings giving up only 4 hits and fanning 7 before being lifted for a PH in the T9. R.Hernandez tosses a scoreless B8 before giving way to Foulke in the B9. CLB Gordon reaches on a 1-out 1b, moves to 2nd on M.Williams groundout, and then PH Burks ties the game with an rbi-1b. Becker then follows with an rbi-1b to RF as the ‘Cats get an unexpected come from behind win!CLB M.Marshall (9-4) gets the win and VIR Foulke (3-8) blows the save and takes the loss.CLB 3, VIR 2
Game #3: VIR L.Gomez vs CLB C.Finley
CLB Finley going for his 20th win on the season against VIR ace L.Gomez.
VIR opens the scoring in the T2 when Heilmann hits a solo-HR. Its a short lived lead as CLB comes back in the B2 when Skowron 1bs, Gordon 1bs, M.Williams bbs to load the bases and S,White rips a 2 rbi-1b.In the B3 CLB Kemp bbs and Burks hits a 2-run HR for a 4-1 ‘Cats lead. VIR would get one back in the T6 when Trammel bbs, Rosen1bs, and Heilmann rips an rbi-2b. C.Finley bears down and gets McReynolds and Kiner to end the inning.That would be all the scoring in the game as CLB turns the game over to its bullpen and Casilla, Albers, and Sutter close out the game.CLB C.Finley (20-6) gets his 20th win, Sutter with Save#61, and VIR L.Gomez (16-11) with the loss.CLB 4, VIR 2
Game #4: VIR J.Key vs CLB K.Brown
In the B1 CLB Kemp 2bs, and 1 out later C.Ripken 1bs to CF, and VIR F.Robinson guns out Kemp at home to snuff out a CLB run. That would be as close as CLB would come to scoring for the rest of the game as VIR J.Key dominates giving up only 1 more hit in the game (7th inning 1b by Ripken). Key would toss the SHutout giving up the 3 hits, walking none and fanning 6.The lone run of the game came in the VIR T5 when F.Robinson1bs, steals 2nd, moves to third on a Whitney groundout, and scores on a Mitchell SF to deep CF.CLB K.Brown pitches well giving up only 2 hits in his 6IP of work but is still stuck with the tough loss.VIR J.Key (7-8) earns the win and CLB K.Brown (16-11) takes the hard luck loss.VIR 1, CLB 0
Game #5: VIR P.Roe vs CLB S.Maglie
VIR opens the scoring in the T3 when Frisch 1bs with 2 out, steals 2nd, and then scores on S.Finley’s 2-run HR.CLB finally breaks a 20 inning scoreless streak with a Gordon solo-HR in the B7. But VIR puts the game away with 4 runs in the T8 on a Finley 1b, F.Robinson 1b, Heilmann rbi-1b, Trammell rbi-1b, Harris rbi-1b,
and a D.Sutton wild pitch. VIR adds another run in the T9 on another Sutton wild pitch and CLB gets a token run in the B9 to close out the scoring.VIR P.Roe is strong going 7IP giving up only 4 hits and 1ER while fanning 4.VIR P.Roe (4-7) with the win and CLB S.Maglie (8-2) takes the loss.VIR 7, CLB 2
Game #6: VIR E.Reulbach vs CLB D.Stieb
VIR gets the first run in the T2 on a Trammel 2 out 1b and a Kiner rbi-2b. CLB takes the lead in the B3 when Stieb 1bs, Becker bbs, Jenkins rbi-1b, C.Ripken rbi-1b (#100 rbi on the season), and then get a freebie on a VIR Parrish passed ball letting Jenkins score.CLB keeps the pressure on in the B4 with a Gordon solo-HR. In the CLB B6 PH Gibson bbs with 2 out, Becker H&R 1b, and Jenkins with an rbi-1b to make it 5-1 CLB. In the T7 VIR gets a run on Heilmann’s solo-HR but Heilmann gives it back to CLB in the B8 with a throwing error.CLB Marshall and Roebuck close out the 8th and 9th for the ‘Cats win.CLB D.Stieb (18-7) with the win and VIR E.Reulbach (10-12) gets the loss.CLB 6, VIR 2
Game #7: VIR R.Sewell vs CLB C.Finley
CLB M.Williams hits a solo-HR in the B3 for a 1-0 ‘Cats lead. CLB Finley is looking good through 6 innings of shutout ball. Sewell is matching him inning for inning having only given up the HR (the only hit he has given up in the game)But lightning would strike in the VIR T7 when Pena leads off with a 1b, PH Whitney with an inf-1b, and then PH Trammell clubs a 3-run HR!VIR would get 1.2IP of scoreless ball from Betancourt, 1IP of scoreless ball from R,Hernandez, and Foulke gets the 1 out save. R.Sewell gives up 1 hit in 6IP of work,VIR R.Sewell (1-3) gets his first win on the season and CLB C.Finley (20-7) gets the loss.VIR 3, CLB 1
Series Summary: Coastline takes the series 4-3 as they close in on winning the NL East Division. VIR plays the ‘Cats tough and gets some unexpected strong performances from their backup players.
West Michigan Retrogrades @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: While playing over Zoom, the NL East’s third-place West Michigan Retrogrades (92-56) visit the second-place Detroit DeLoreans (96-52). Both teams entered the series with playoff spots secured but still had an opportunity to improve their seeding positions.
Game #1: #1 WMR 2 – DET 3: A Tommy Harper sac fly and Steve O’Neill RBI single put Detroit on in the bottom of the second inning. However, West Michigan tied it in the top of the fifth on RBIs from Bobby Wallace and Bill Dickey. A Bob Fothergill single in the sixth inning pushed across Joe Cronin for what would result in the game-winning run for the DeLoreans.
Game #2: #2 WMR 1 – DET 5: Ripper Collins hit a 2-run HR (49) in the bottom of the first to put Detroit on top. The Retrogrades got one back in the sixth inning when George Sisler went deep. However, Detroit added three more runs on RBI from Chuck Klein, Babe Herman, and Yogi Berra to pad their lead. Allie Reynolds went the distance for his 14th win.
Game #3: #3 WMR 7 – DET 8: One of the most exciting games of the series saw both teams combine for 22 hits and six HRs. Max Carey (4), Tommy Davis (28), and Cy Seymour (1) went deep for West Michigan. While Ripper Collins (50&51) and Chuck Klein (22) hit shots for Detroit. The DeLoreans held a 7-3 lead heading into the seventh inning until West Michigan tied the game on a Max Carey 3-run HR. However, in the bottom on the ninth MVP candidate, Ripper Collins hit his league-leading 51st HR for a walk-off Detroit victory.
Game #4: #4 WMR 6 – DET 11: West Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings led by Heavy Johnson, George Sisler, and Tommy Davis. It wasn’t enough though, as Detroit scored 11 runs, led by a 4 for 5, 3 RBI performance from Chuck Klein.
Game #5: #5 WMR 1 – DET 7: Detroit jumped out early in the first inning on a 2-run HR from Ripper Collins (52) and cruised to a 7-1 victory. West Michigan’s George Sisler went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. While Detroit’s Joe Cronin, Ripper Collins, Anthony Rendon, and Frank Howard all had two hits each. The DeLoreans’ Hippo Vaughn through a complete game for his 19th win.
Game #6: #6 WMR 2 – DET 6: The Retrogrades jumped out 1-0 in the third inning on a George Sisler triple that he was thrown out trying to stretch into an inside-the-parker. The Detroit scored four runs in the 4th inning led by a 2-run Chuck Klein HR (24). Babe Herman led the offense for the DeLoreans by going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Also of note, Detroit’s Sam Rice swiped his 50th base of the season.
Game #7: #7 WMR 1 – DET 5: A Tommy Davis sac fly in the first inning was the only run the Retrogrades could muster. Detroit snatched back the lead in the bottom of the first with RBIs from Anthony Rendon and Chuck Klein. The only other scoring in the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Chuck Klein hit a 3-run HR. Slim Sallee, back from injury, pitched a complete game for his 17th win of the season.
Series Summary: A tough series for West Michigan who suffers the sweep but still holds their playoff position. They hit into 11 double plays and could never collect a key two-out hit. Detroit’s Chuck Klein had 12 hits in the series, including four HRs.
Pigtown Bombers @ Climax Cougars
Series Preview: Two team owners take advantage of self-imposed and government imposed isolation to crank out 7 games as they tried to get in some much needed innings and plate appearances for players at season end.
Game #1: Joe McGinnity (PIG) v. Rube Waddell (CMC)
The Bombers started off by Jim Edmonds (one of my fav players of the last 20 years or so) hitting a shallow fly ball to Jose Bautista (one of my least fav players of the last 20 years) who promptly bobbled and dropped it and allowed the hitter to move to 2nd base. Two hitters later Manny Ramirez (another of my least fav players of the past 20 years) slapped the ball into the gap in left centre and while Bautista was trying to nag centrefielder Sam Crawford into chasing it down for him Edmonds scored and ManRam made it to 2nd base. 1-0 Pigtown
Move to the bottom of the 2nd base and the Cougars tie it up after McGinnity gives up a couple of walks and a single to load the bases with none out and then Jose Mendez hits into a fielder’s choice that allowed the runner on 3rd to score. The Cougars moved into the lead 2-1 when Randy Velarde bobbled the 2-out grounder by Jim Fregosi and George Grantham danced home.
No need to get excited though as that was it for the Climax offense on the day – one run on a ground out and one on an error – simply awe-inspiring.
Pigtown, however, was not done.
Edmonds crushed a Waddell offering to tie it up in the 3rd and then they added a pair in the 6th on a two-run shot by Jackie Robinson (what a bum!) that made it 4-2.
Climax bullpen mainstays Clay Carroll and Ellis Kinder took over in the 8th and combined to poop the bed and allowed three runs with Robinson getting a bloop RBI double, Jim Gentile an RBI single, and cannon-armed Benny Kauff an RBI on a Sac fly.
… and that was it.
FINAL – PIGTOWN 7, climax 2
W-McGinnity (12-15)
L-Waddell (12-11)
HR-PIG: Robinson (8), Edmonds (18)
Game #2: Luis Tiant (PIG) v. Greg W. Harris (CMC)
The teams could have saved a lot of time and effort by just playing the 6th inning.
The fearsome Climax offense comes through again by relying on the ineptitude of others with Jose Bautista opening the 6th with a double into the gap that Jim Edmonds could not handle and le voila the two-base error = 1 unearned run and a 1-0 Cougars lead. Luis Tiant then walked Mel Ott – no crime since it was his 130th of the season – who scored two batters later on Buck Leonard’s triple into the right field corner. George Grantham then launched a deep fly ball that was far enough out Leonard was able to score easily and … nothing else for either team.
The Bombers squandered some chances in the game stranding 9 baserunners, but Greg Harris did a good job of scattering four hits in his 8-1/3 innings and combined with closer Eric Plunk to get the shutout 3-0.
FINAL -CLIMAX 3, pigtown 0
W-Harris (8-7)
L-Tiant (8-13) only 1 earned run
Sv-Plunk (21)
Game #3: Jim Abbott (PIG) v. Smoky Joe Wood (CMC)
A few runs early and one early late and that was it in this game.
Pigtown opened the scoring in the 2nd inning when Mike Schmidt led off with a double and then Mickey Tettleton hit the ball into the right field corner. Schmidt scored easily, of course, but somehow Tettleton and his Baserunning 3 made it all the way to 3rd base while Mel Ott was hastily scarfing down a meatball hoagie.
On a side note, I have to mention that the catching duo of Ernie Lombardi and Mickey Tettleton are probably about the slowest in history. the only thing that moves slower than this is CSPAN’s coverage of a filibuster. Combined, the two dudes have a baserunning speed of 4. Pigtown owner Tim Braue commented that he once saw Lombardi (normally a 1) reduced to 0 after being hit by a pitch. That puts him at a point where probably any shambling zombie from the Walking Dead with at least one leg could outrace him.
Oh and despite the fact that Elmer Flick bopped a flyball to the edge of the warning track Tettleton was nailed at the plate by Mel Ott. Speed kills.
I can only figure that Fruit Loop was still tired from the triple and then trying to race home from 3rd from the prior inning cuz he opened the bottom half of the inning by bobbling a ball Harlond Clift hit all of two feet from home and put him on 1st base. Sam Crawford then followed with a long drive to right field that cleared the fence and it was 2-1 Climax.
The lead lasted all of a few minutes as Edmonds and Hank Greenberg combined to bring in the game-tying run and it was 2-2 after 3.
Move ahead to the 6th … nothing’s happening.
Move ahead again to the 9th … still nothing happening. Well actually, the Bombers had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, but Manny Ramirez ground into a double play to end the Pigtown threat.
Climax was not at all interested in generating any offense though so into extra innings we went.
In the top of the 10th, the Bombers once again got runners on 1st and 2nd but this time with 2 outs when Edmonds reached on a bad throw to 1st base by catcher Josh Gibson and then speed demon Lombardi walked. Ellis Kinder came in to replace Sid Fernandez on the mound and got Hank Greenberg to foul out to 3rd base.
Felix Rodriguez was the reliever of choice to open the bottom of the 10th for Pigtown. He opened with a walk to Gibson then got Pop Lloyd to live up to his name and foul out to the catcher to make it one out. Soon to be free agent Roger Peckinpaugh hit a hard grounder back to the mound off Rodriguez’s shins and it was men on 1st and 2nd. Exit Rodriguez, enter lefty John Franco (would his career have lasted as long had the 3-batter minimum been in play back then?). Anyway, Franco walked Ott (#132) to load the bases and in came Darren (Happy) O’Day to face pinch hitter Ben Chapman who himself was pinch hit for by Johnny Mize. Mize hit a fly ball to the right fielder and Gibson (more than 3 times as fast as Lombardi and Tettleton together) raced towards home. The throw home from Benny Kauff nailed Gibson at the plate … or rather would have had he been playing right field instead of Elmer Flick … so instead Gibson got the very unsexy winning run on the sacrifice fly.
FINAL – CLIMAX 3, pigtown 2 (10)
W-Kinder (8-2)
L-Rodriguez (2-2)
HR-CMC: Crawford (16)
Game #4: John Tudor (PIG) v Dick Redding (CMC)
This game was decided pretty much in the early going with Redding being generally sharp and striking out 10 in a 6-2 Climax win.
Climax’s shortstop Jim Fregosi started things off right in the bottom of the 1st with a home run off Tudor, but the Bombers erased the lead with an RBI triple by some guy named Jackie Robinson in the top of the 2nd base.
No matter as the next inning with two outs and two on Fregosi cranked one down the left field line that just stayed fair to make it 4-1 and pretty much put an end to Tudor’s day.
Jose Mendez got a rare hit in the 3rd to bring home Harlond Clift and extend the lead to 5-1, but Manny Ramirez got that one back with a huge blast into the bleachers. Clift doubled a few innings later to bring in the final run of the day and complete the 6-2 win.
FINAL – CLIMAX 6, pigtown 2
W-Redding (6-8)
L-Tudor (3-9)
HR-PIG: Ramirez (16); CMC: Fregosi 2 (6)
Game #5: Joe McGinnity (PIG) v. Van Lingle Mungo (CMC)
This was a really close game until late with the Bombers leading 6-5 – and then the 8th inning happened.
I should note to set this up that the Cougars had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 7th and were on the verge of tying it and hopefully moving into the lead, but Game 4 hero Jim Fregosi hit into what seemed like the 20th inning-ending double play.
Jackie Robinson opened the Pigtown 8th by walking. Several subs later on both sides pinch hitter Duke Sims hits one to Fregosi – not his day – who threw it past Buck Leonard at 1st and made it runners on 1st and 3rd. In comes Mickey Tettleton who walks and loads the bases (really slowly). The next hitter, Jim Edmonds, hits a hard grounder to 2nd base and with the infield in the Cougars cut off the run at home and set up the double play for pinch hitter Max West to hit into. That was the plan anyway but West had his own script which included him crushing a ball over the fence for a grand slam and quickly turning a close game into one where the Cougars were just looking at their feet, kicking rocks and wondering if the new episode of Snowpiercer would be any good.
FINAL-PIGTOWN 10, climax 5
W-McGinnity (13-15)
L-Mungo (11-8)
HR-PIG: West (2), Greenberg (29), Schmidt (21)
Game #6: Luis Tiant (PIG) v. Rube Waddell (CMC)
Mel Ott launched two into the cheap seats and Rube Waddell was on his game as the Cougars got past Pigtown 5-2.
Other than Ott (who also walked twice), the Cougars did not much, but they didn’t have to as the Deadball Era lefty made really just one mistake on the day – solo homer by Bobby Grich – while allowing just four hits and striking out eight. Pigtown got its other run by Mike Schmidt driving home Jim Edmonds on a SAC fly.
FINAL-CLIMAX 5, pigtown 2
W-Waddell (13-11)
L-Tiant (8-14)
HR-PIG: Grich (2); CMC: Ott 2 (23)
Game #7: John Tudor (PIG) v. Greg Harris (CMC)
In a very close game in which the home team clawed it’s way back from a 5-2 deficit to tie it 5-5 heading into the bottom of the 9th this game went down to the wire.
Mel Ott opened the Climax side of the 9th with a double (his 2nd of the game) that eluded Elmer Flick in center field. Darren O’Day made short work of Mr. Personality Jose Bautista by striking him out, but Buck Leonard was the next hitter and slapped one over first base and down the line into right field sending Ott flying around 3rd. The difference in this game was Benny Kauff was in right and nailed Ott. O’Day then got Sam Crawford to ground out and end the threat. Just like that a good chance at a win turned into a free ticket to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Edmonds ripped a one-out double and then came around to score when the next hitter – Flick – lined the ball between 1st and 2nd.
end of story
FINAL-PIGTOWN 6, climax 5 (10)
W-O’Day (5-11)
Sv-Rodriguez (1)
L-Kinder (8-3)
HR-CMC: Bautista (24)
Series Summary: A pretty enjoyable series with some soul-crushing frustration at just the right moments to keep us honest with Climax taking 4/7 against Pigtown.
Nags Head Surf Sox @ Fantomz Force
Series Preview: Two NL East division rivals on the outside looking in wrapped up Fantomz’ home season
Game #1: Game 149 – Joaquin Andujar ‘84 (5-19) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (12-14)

Fantomz 3-2: Nags Head crossed the plate first with a 1st-inning homer by Jimmie Foxx. The Force responded in the 6th inning on Larry Doby’s sacrifice fly. Andre Dawson’s single in the following frame inched the visitors ahead. In the 8th, Fantomz tied the game on Johnny Mostil’s solo shot. Mickey Cochrane provided the game-ending heroics when his 9th-inning pinch-hit sacrifice fly scored John Stone with the walk-off winning run.

W – Russell (6-4) L – Watson (2-2)

Game #2: Game 150 – Nolan Ryan (5-12) v. Mel Harder ’32 (4-11)

Nags Head 8-5: The Surf Sox banged out 17 base hits, including six doubles, as they feasted on Force pitching. Giancarlo Stanton paced the offense with a homer, two doubles, and three rbi. Nags Head’s relievers thwarted any comeback attempts by pitching four scoreless innings, allowing a lone hit over the final four frames. Ray Lankford hit a grand slam for Fantomz.

W – Ryan (5-13) L – Harder (5-11)

Game #3: Game 151 – Cole Hamels ’15 (9-11) v. Stan Coveleski ’14 (4-14)

Fantomz 5-2: Coveleski picked up where he left off. The Force gladly supported his effort, building a 4-0 lead through seven innings. After throwing two complete games during the previous series, Coveleski tossed seven shutout frames before allowing an eighth-inning three-run homer to Howard Johnson. Jeff Russell silenced Nags Head’s bats with 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his 14th save.

W – Coveleski (5-14) L – Hamels (9-12)

Game #4: Game 152 – Mike Mussina ’97 (13-11) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (9-18)

Nags Head 12-4: When the Surf Sox start hitting, they don’t stop. A six-run 7th-inning and three-run 3rd-inning included a 19-hit barrage. Von Hayes hit 4-for-6 with two rbi while Gary Carter had three hits and scored three runs.

W – Mussina (14-11) L – Weilman (9-19)

Game #5: Game 153 – Jim Palmer ’79 (7-8) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (12-14)

Nags Head 3-2: The Surf Sox built a 3-0 lead and the Force’s rallies never materialized. Once again, the starters were solid but not brilliant while the relievers slammed the door shut. Stanton homered and Carter enjoyed another three-hit night.

W- Palmer (8-8) L – Perry (12-15) SV – Street (6)

Game #6: Game 154 – Joaquin Andujar ‘84 (5-19) v. Mel Harder ’32 (4-11)

Fantomz 4-2: Fantomz pieced together a two-run 7th-inning rally to break a 2-2 tie, led by Ray Lankford’s triple and Don Mattingly’s single. Relievers were the key once again as Russell and Felipe Vazquez combined to toss 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

W – Russell (7-4) L – Giusti (6-5)

Game #7: Game 155 – Nolan Ryan (5-13) v. Stan Coveleski ’14 (5-14)

Fantomz 4-0: Coveleski continued his late-season surge, firing a one-hitter to close out Fantomz’ home season. The spitballers has pitched incredibly well after a dreadful 1-14 start, going 4-0 with two complete game shutouts and minuscule 0.78 ERA over four starts and 34 1/3 innings. Two Fantomz starts appropriately played well in the final home game, with Wiley hitting 3-for-4 and Doby two doubles. John Stone’s pinch-hit two-run 6th-inning single provided insurance.

W – Coveleski (6-14) L – Ryan (5-14)

Series Summary: Fantomz won 4 of 7 and likely ended any playoff opportunities for either team. On the bright side, the evenly-matched clubs spread out playing time.

Player of the Week nominee: Nags Head’s Gary Carter, who hit 9-for-23 and scored four runs.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fantomz’ Stan Coveleski was solid, going 2-0 with 1.10 ERA in two starts totaling 16 1/3 innings, striking out 10 batters and allowing only five hits.

Hollywood Zombies @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Clockwork hosts Hollywood.
Game #1: Terry goes four for four and Matheson (26-7) was great 3 hits in 8 innings 1 run.7-1 clockwork
Game #2: Foster a homer and 4 rbis. Vlad homeredin the loss 7-2 Clockwork
Game #3: Foster a homer and 3 rbis in another 7-2 win.
Game #4: Crazy blowout 24-3 by Matheson and Lopes has a monster game 3 homers, triple and a single. Terry also went 5 for 5. Matheson wins his 27th
Game #5: Clockwork wins 8-5 as Blyleven wins his 25th
Game #6: Vlad homers as Holywood wins 3-1
Game #7: Matheson goes for the trifecta and wins his 3rd start of the series and his 28th and exceeded 300 strikeout b4-2 clockwork
Series Summary: Clockwork wins 6 of the 7 games.
Pitcher of the week: Matheson 3 wins 4 runs in 21.2 innings 3 walks 23 strikeouts.
Santop 12 for 26 .462 average
Motown Yankees @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: The Yankees travel to Hoboken as both teams gear up for the playoffs.
Game #1: Noodles Hahn took a no-no into the 9th but had it ruined by Stan Hack’s two-out pinch-hit single.
Hahn improved to 25-9, 2.11era. Dave Brown was brilliant in the loss, lowering in his era to 2.15.
Hoboken 1 Motown 0
Game #2: Red Faber and Addie Joss hooked horns in another pitchers’ duel. Faber won his 18th going ten innings allowing no earned runs. Faber improved his era to 1.92. Joss was very strong allowing only two hits and one earned run over 9 frames. Tommy Henrich hit a two-out solo blast in the 10th to get Faber the win.
Hoboken 2 Motown 1
Game #3: Tom Seaver won his 17th in a strong complete game performance. Bill Dahlen went 3 for 3 with two blasts and 4 rbis to lead Hoboken.
Hoboken 6 Motown 2
Game #4: Carl Hubbell put a stop to the Motown skid allowing just two runs. The Yankee offense was led by Fred McGriff and Kenny Lofton.
Motown 5 Hoboken 2
Game #5: Hahn and Brown matched up for another duel. Hahn left in the 6th inning with a shoulder issue and may return late in the Zephyrs’ next series. Brown was brilliant again but got a no decision. Stan Spence provided the walk-off rbi in the bottom of 13th.
Hoboken 2 Motown 1 – 13 innings
Game #6: Jered Weaver was brilliant in his final start of the season shutting out Motown on just 6 hits. Eddie Yost and Wally Schang led the Hoboken offense.
Hoboken 4 Motown 0
Game #7: Addie Joss pitched a brilliant two-hitter to beat Hoboken in the get-away game.
Motown 3 Hoboken 0
Series Summary: Hoboken take 5 of 7 at home from Motown as the Zephyr pitching staff limps to the finish line.
San Tan Valley Moonrakers @ Fire Lake Segers
Series Preview: San Tan Valley (70-78) makes it’s first ever trip to Fire Lake (74-74) to play those eights and aces.
Game #1: Monty Stratton (6-5,3.68) vs Ron Guidry (9-12,3.70)

Tied 2-2 with 2 on and 2 out in the top of the 9th, Mgr Muddy Harris let Stratton hit and the home team was much obliged. Barry Larkin’s 1-out double in the bottom of the 11th scored Tommie Agee to give Fire Lake a walk off victory and earn Gary Lavelle (7-5) his 7th win. Vern Stephens hit his 36th homerun for San Tan Valley, who were limited to just 5 hits by Guidry/Gullett/Soto/Morris/Lavelle.

FIRE LAKE – 3, SAN TAN VALLEY – 2 (11 INNINGS)

Game #2: Ed Walsh (4-6,3.41) vs John Smoltz (6-3,4.37)

Walsh allowed just 6 singles and a walk in shutting out the Segers for his 5th win. Hal Trosky hit his 34th homerun and Charlie Keller added two doubles help lead the Moonrakers to victory.

SAN TAN VALLEY – 3, FIRE LAKE – 0

Game #3: Virgil Trucks (7-14,4.14) vs David Cone (9-14,2.85)

Fire Lake jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 4th, on rbis from Scott Rolen and Denis Menke. Cone cruised through 5 innings, before Earl Averill’s 2-run homerun tied it up in the 6th – his 12th. Gus Triandos, who had a 3-hit day, broke the tie with a solo shot (his 6th) in the 7th and that was it. Trucks pitched a scoreless 7th and Sparky Lyle retired all 6 hitters he faced for his 9th save.

SAN TAN VALLEY – 3, FIRE LAKE – 2

Game #4: Bump Hadley (11-9,2.99) vs Denny McLain (10-13,3.43)

McLain allows 3 hits and an unearned run in 7th innings. Hadley allows just 1 hit, 7 walks, one earned run in his 7 innings of work. Garrelts followed Hadley with three perfect innings of work and it was off to the 11th inning with the score tied 1-1. In the top of the 11th, Gary Lavelle pitched his second perfect inning of the game. In the bottom of the 11th, Sparky Lyle was not up to the challenge. Lyle faced 5 hitters, retired just one. The 5th and final hitter of the inning, Tony Perez, smashed a grand slam walk off homerun (his 11th homer) to tie the series at 2 games apiece.

FIRE LAKE – 5, SAN TAN VALLEY – 1 (11 INNINGS)

Game #5: Randy Johnson (18-8,2.04) vs Matt Morris (8-5,3.68)

The Big Unit cruised in this one, allowing just 2 hits, a run and striking out 9 to win his 19th game. Vern Stephens hit his 37th homerun for the visitors. Tony Perez’ 12th homerun in the 2nd inning gave the early lead to Fire Lake, but the Segers had no late rally on this day.

SAN TAN VALLEY – 2, FIRE LAKE – 1

Game #6: Monty Stratton (6-5,3.53) vs Ron Guidry (9-12,3.67)

Fire Lake rapped out 10 hits and 5 runs against Stratton in this one, with Scott Rolen’s 11th homerun in the 8th inning proving to be the game winner. Charlie Keller had two of San Tan Valley’s 5 hits, including a 3-run shot (his 7th) that gave the visitors a brief 3-2 lead.

FIRE LAKE – 5, SAN TAN VALLEY – 4

Game #7: Ed Walsh (5-6, 3.14) vs John Smoltz (6-4,4.20)

Fire Lake jumped out to a 5-0 lead with some timely hitting and a Vern Stephens’ costly error. John Smoltz had not allowed a hit through the 6th, before Bob Elliot (15th) and Gus Triandos (7th) both homered to cut the lead to 5-3. It was 5-3 in the top of the 9th when Mario Soto allowed Triandos and Keltner to reach. Gary LaVelle was called on to retire Oscar Charleston and he couldn’t. Charleston’s 2-run triple knotted the game at 5-5 and there was more free baseball. Fire Lake rolled out Cone and McLain in extras, while the Moonrakers put their trust in Will Harris. In the bottom of the 13th, the Segers finally made a loser out of Harris, as Barry Larkin’s second hit of the game was the winner. Jose Cardenal had a 4 hit game for Fire Lake, while Charleston, Elliott and Triandos each had two of the visitors 10 hits.

FIRE LAKE – 6, SAN TAN VALLEY – 5 (13 INNINGS)

Series Summary: Fire Lake wins the series 4 games to 3, with three of the wins coming in extra innings against a San Tan Valley bullpen not up to the task. The Segers have all but clinched the final playoff spot in the National League, sitting at 78-77. But first, they travel to Iowa to finish up the big 162.
Iowa Giants @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Preview: Iowa vs Wainwright a couple of bottom feeders square off in what should be a draft position battle
Game #1: Krby Puckett goes 3 for 4 driving in 3 in leading Wainwright to a 5-4 victory
WP White 16-19
LP Feller 14-21
Game #2: York goes 3 for four and drives in 4 in a 5-0 victory for Iowa
WP Bonhan 8-6
LP Rucker 6-23
Game #3: Puckett goes 2-4 and drives in another 3 in a 7-3 Wainwright victory
WP Lefty Grove 15-11 complete game
LP Lemon 4-12
Game #4: Bip Roberts goes 2-3 in 2-0 Wainwright victory
wp Willis 13-23
lp Lanier 2-14
Game #5: Fernandez Gwynn and Daulton all go 2-3 in 3-2 Wainwright victory
wp White 17-19
lp Feller 14-22
Game #6: Hamilton drove in 3 in an Iowa 7-4 victory in extras
wp Richart 1-3
lp Jones 1-3
Game #7: Daulton staying hot goes 2-3 in 2-1 Wainwright victory
wp Bradford 2-2
lp Dean 9-13
Series Summary: Wainwrights 80’s bats had a decent series and they won series 5-2 . Id say Doc White winning two games was Wainwrights star for the series