2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #6

 

National League Pitcher of the Week

Hippo Vaughn – Detroit DeLoreans – 2-0 record, 15.2 innings pitched, 0.57 ERA, 4 hits allowed, 9 strikeouts, & 5 walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week

Clayton Kershaw  – Cincinnati Knights – 2-0 record,  16 innings pitched, 0.0 ERA,  9 hits allowed, 10 strikeouts, & 2 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week

Vern Stephens – San Tan Valley Moonrakers – .423 avg / .808 slg, 11 for 26, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 8 runs, 6 RBIs, & 2 walks

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week

Carlos Beltran  – New Westminster Salmonbellies – .350 avg / 1.050 slg , 7 for 20, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 9 runs, 6 RBIs, & 7 stolen bases

 

 

Special Feature: Who’s Humpin’ My LEG

  … completely appropriately, it’s none other than the Lewisberry Country Blumpkins (auto-cringe).

   Babe Ruth and company rolled into Jack Street this past week and for those of you keeping track of the standings these past few weeks, it’s not too much different than going into a wolf pen wearing your favorite pork chop scented skivvies (a feeble analogy I know but wearing a Klan hood to a Black Panthers rally would have been politically incorrect which is why I didn’t and would never say/think that).

   Not to focus too much on the Hustlers’ early success, but … heck, ya know with great power comes great jealousy.

   Game 1 of the Lewisberry-Jack St series went predictably with Byrd throwing a two-hitter in a 4-0 shutout of the B’kins. Most notably it was (I believe) Mr. Ruth’s first game off the mound and in the DH role. Ruth was a non-factor though and struck out twice but the kid was already giving pitchers something to think about drawing a walk in the game.

   Game 2 and Oooo la la … Steve Sax picks up two RBIs (and no errors!!!) without getting a hit and Lewisberry scores a couple of unearned runs off one of my least favorite starting pitchers to ever wear a Nationals uniform – Dan Haren – which helps the visiting team to a 5-1 win to even things up. Folks on the Ruth-Watch would be saddened to know that he was a big 0/4 in the game with a K.

   Close but no cigar for the ‘kins (doing anything to avoid using the whole nickname) as they fell 4-3 in the 11th to Jack Street, but really they were luck it was that close considering the Hustlers scored all four of their runs on solo homers – Ducky Medwick (8), McGwire 2 (17 … f-ing crazy), and Palmeiro (7). That’s a lot of ‘roids in one lineup (and I don’t mean the George Brett kind). Quick somebody gives this team Canseco and Sosa or some Preparation H.

   Rosar drove in three runs for Lewisberry with his first homer of the season in an 8-3 ‘kins win in Game 4, but who gives a gosh darn as it was the mighty Ruth that stole the show with a couple of singles and a run scored as he started his carnage of LEG pitching.

   Oh the humanity!!!! Someone cue the stats nerds as Jack Street loses again, taking a 9-3 pounding from the Blumpkins (they earned using their full gut-wrenching nickname). And yes – Mr. Ruth was front and center with his first-ever LEG homer, a single and two RBIs. Mookie “Mini-Me” Betts also hit his first homer of the season for the Berries, but who cares?

   The teams traded awe-inspiring three-hit attacks in game six with the steroid sibs Palmeiro and McGwire each scoring twice in a 4-3 Hustlers’ win. Tired of all the steroid jokes? Holy crap – how dumb are you? Just stop reading. Oh yeah, in a bit of a blow to the Hustlers Mr. Byrd will miss his next start as a result of going down with an injury.

   In the rubber match, Lewisberry goes XXL Magnum and uses the power of Orel (Hershiser) in pounding Jack Street 10-2 to take the series 4-3. The Babe was a mediocre 1/5 in the game but that one was his 2nd home run of the 2020 campaign. Steve Sax had three RBIs in this one and still no errors!!!

   … so yes, Paul Roe and Virginia … there is a Santa Claus and the Hustlers have proven to be human. Or wait … does this mean Bob Boyd’s Lewisberry squad is more than human?

Clockwork Heros @ Fire Lake Segers
Series Preview: N.L. West-leading Clockwork (25-10) traveled to Fire Lake (16-19), looking to continue their impressive start to this inaugural LEG season. The home-standing Segers looking to get back to .500.
Game #1: C. Mathewson (5-2,1.36) vs D. Mclain (3-3,3.90)
Fire Lake loaded their lineup with lefty hitters, and it seemed to work. John Roseboro, in a rare start behind the plate, followed Kal Daniels’ 3rd inning single with a 2-run home run. When Pete Rose homered in the 5th, Fire Lake was up 3-0 and Denny Mclain was cruising. in the top of the 7th, the Heros’ Arky Vaughan led off with a walk. After George Foster lined out to Barry Larkin, Bill Terry tripled, Dick Wakefield doubled and Mclain was gone. Bill Melton hit Mario Soto’s first pitch over the left-field wall and Clockwork led 4-3. Pete Rose hit his second home run of the game (5th overall) off Kent Tekulve in the 8th, and the game was tied 4-4. Scoreless through the 9th and 10th, Don Gullett came out for his 3rd inning of work in the 11th. Bad move. By the time the top of the 11th was over, Gullett, Dave Stewart, and Gregg Olson had given up 8 runs on 7 hits, capped by a 2-run home run off the bat of Bill Terry (8).CLOCKWORK 12-14-1, FIRE LAKE 4-9-0 (11 INNINGS)
Game #2: G. Uhle (4-4,3.25) vs R. Guidry (2-5,6.11)

Walks will Haunt. Clockworks’ Lenny Dykstra walked and scored in the 1st, and walked and scored in the 3rd. Arky Vaughan drove him in both times. That was all the Heros would need in this one, as George Uhle allowed just a single run in his 8 innings of work. Some dude named Gromek slammed the door shut with a 1, 2, 3 ninth inning, retiring Pinson, Bench, and Cardenal. Ron Guidry pitched well enough to win on most days, allowing just 5 hits and 2 walks in his 8 innings. But, he walked the wrong guy. Twice.

CLOCKWORK 2-5-0, FIRE LAKE 1-3-0

Game #3: D. Donovan (4-0, 0.96) vs D. Cone (2-3, 3.38)

Vada Pinson led off the bottom of the 1st with his 2nd home run of the season. Dykstra and Santop had back-to-back 2-out doubles to tie it in the 3rd. George Foster (still upset that Fire Lake didn’t draft him) crushed a 2-run home run in the 6th, and the Heros played add on in the 7th and 8th to give their hurler his 5th win of the season. Donovan threw a complete game, allowing just 4 hits.

CLOCKWORK 5-8-0, FIRE LAKE 1-4-0

Game #4: B. Blyleven (6-1, 2.43) vs E. Rixey (0-0, 4.91)

Clockwork continued their mastery of get ’em on, get ’em over, get ’em in, as Dykstra and Santop both singled and scored in the top of the 1st. Richie Zisk’s solo home run, followed four batters later by a Joey Votto pinch-hit Sac Fly, knotted the score at 2-2 in the 5th, and the home crowd started to take notice. It didn’t last all that long as the three Fire Lake relievers, namely Lavelle, Smoltz, and Olson combined to give up 7 runs in four innings. Arky Vaughan’s 6th home run accounted for runs eight and nine.

CLOCKWORK 9-9-0, FIRE LAKE 2-6-0

Game #5: C. Mathewson (5-2, 1.59) vs D. Mclain (3-3, 3.93)

A rematch of Game 1 starters again went the way of the visitors as Mathewson wasn’t great, but was good enough in his 6 innings of work to earn his 6th win. He helped himself with a 5th inning double, part of a 3 run inning that gave Clockwork a 4-3 lead. Bob Watson’s 9th inning pinch-hit double off Soto increased the lead to 6-3, and then that Gromek guy set down Larkin, Evers and Petrocelli to earn his 5th save.

CLOCKWORK 6-10-2, FIRE LAKE 3-7-0

Game #6: G. Uhle (5-4, 2.98) vs R. Guidry (2-6, 5.53)

George Foster’s 3rd inning rbi single scored Louis Santop, and that 1-0 score held through 5 1/2 innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Perez and Bench both walked. After Pinson flied out to right, Scott Rolen singled to left to load the bases. Fire Lake called on Joey Votto to hit for Zisk, and boy did he ever. Votto’s Grand Slam off Uhle put the Segers up 4-1. After Guidry walked Dykstra with one out in the 8th, Gullett was called to the mound. After getting Santop to bounce into a FC, Vaughan singled and Foster doubled to cut the Fire Lake lead to 4-3. Joe Sambito relieved Gullett and he struck out Bill Terry to leave Foster stranded at second base. Sambito retired the Heros in order in the 9th, to earn his 7th save.

FIRE LAKE 4-5-0, CLOCKWORK 3-5-1

Game #7: D. Donovan (5-0, 0.97) vs D. Cone (2-4, 3.51)

Fire Lake scored first in the 2nd on a Scott Rolen walk, a Kal Daniels triple and a sac fly off the bat of Rico Petrocelli. Vada Pinson homered off Donovan in the bottom of the 3rd, to make it 3-0. After David Cone got George Foster to roll over on one, 5-4-3 to end the top of the 4th, the Segers had Donovan on the ropes. Bench singled and went to second on an error by Foster. Rolen singled moving Bench to 3rd and Daniels followed with a sac fly to make it 4-0. With Petrocelli back at the plate and with Donovan staring his first loss in the face, the GD sky just opened up. The subsequent rain just would not stop and the game was called in the bottom of the fourth. So, very sad…

Series Summary: Clockwork wins 5 of 6, and they do it in impressive fashion.
Wainwright Wranglers @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: After dropping 6 of 7 to Clockwork, Hoboken(18-17) returns home hoping to right the ship while nursing two key injuries. Wainwright(19-16) looks to keep the ball rolling after taking 5 of 7 last week from Fire Lake.
Game #1: A big 5-run second inning was all Red Faber(4-4, 3.04) would need to take Game 1. Vic Willis(4-6, 3.49) took the loss giving up 6 runs in the first three innings. Wally Schang and Jud Wilson led the balanced Zephyr attack.
Hoboken 7 Wainwright 4
Game #2: Noodles Hahn(5-4, 2.28) scattered 7 hits in a complete game victory allowing just one earned run on a Kirby Puckett double in the second. Doc White(4-5, 3.76) battled Hahn to the bitter end but lost on a 3-run walk-off homer from Eddie Yost.
Hoboken 4 Wainwright 1
Game #3: Brian Roberts and Kirby Puckett led the Wrangler attack early staking Nap Rucker to a 5-0 lead after 4 innings. Hoboken fought back to score two runs in the 6th and four in the 7th highlighted by Bill Dahlen’s bases-loaded double. Jered Weaver(5-2, 3.30) settled in and stymied Wainwright over the final five innings.
Hoboken 6 Wainwright 5
Game #4: Jeff Heath’s 3-run blast in the 4th gave Tom Seaver(7-1, 3.26) a 6-1 lead he would not relinquish. Lefty Grove(5-3, 3.27) had a rough start allowing 5 earned over just 3 and two-thirds. Jud Wilson and Kevin Youkilis added solo shots for Hoboken.
Hoboken 7 Wainwright 4
Game #5: Red Faber(5-4, 2.82) was dominant picking up his 2nd win of the series. Faber held Wainwright scoreless through 8 allowing just one earned on 6 hits. Vic Willis(4-7, 3.64) dropped his second decision of the series. Jim Bottomley and Eddie Yost led the Zephyr offense contributing 5 extra base hits between them. Bryan Harvey came on to earn his 6th save.
Hoboken 4 Wainwright 1
Game #6: Noodles Hahn(6-4, 2.13) was extremely strong through 5 allowing just one hit. Steve Blass came on to work the final four innings holding the Wranglers scoreless on just two hits. Eddie Stanky and Stan Spence led the home team each scoring four runs, driving in four and hitting round trippers. Bill Dahlen also added a big two-run blast for the Zephyrs. Doc White(4-6, 4.48) took the loss allowing nine earned over 5 and two-thirds.
Hoboken 9 Wainwright 0
Game #7: Nap Rucker(3-3, 3.71) refused to allow a Hoboken sweep shutting down the Zephyrs on just three hits. Jimmy Rollins, Dutch Daulton and Tony Gwynn led the Wrangler offense as they cruised to an easy 6-1 win. Ewell Blackwell(1-4, 3.43) took the loss allowing 4 earned over 6 innings.
Wainwright 6 Hoboken 1
Series Summary: Hoboken(24-18) took six in Elysian Field led by their two workhorse starters, Red Faber and Noodles Hahn. Both earned two wins in the series with Hahn allowing one earned run over his 14 innings of work. Hoboken had no real offensive standouts with a mostly balanced attack. The return of Stanky and Spence gave them a much-needed boost. Wainwright(20-22) had a tough series on the road. Tony Fernandez starred banging out 11 base hits in the first 6 games then resting on the get-away day.
Hollywood Zombies @ San Tan Valley Moonrakers
Series Preview: Stellar pitching for the Zombies against a balanced Moonraker offense….
Game #1: It was San Tan’s Monte Stratton who dazzled on the mound, hurling a 4 hit shutout. Vern Stevens and Jimmy Williams each homered and drove in 3. Madison Baumgardner got pounded for 9 runs in 5 1/3 innings. San Tan takes the opener 10-0.
Game #2: The incomparable Walter Johnson did Stratton one better, holding the Moonrakers to 2 doubles (both by the scorching hot Bob Elliott ) in a 3-0 win. Jeff Bagwell, Shawn Green, And Vladimir Guerrero each drove in a run for Hollywood.
Game #3: Hollywood builds a 5-2 lead (Robin Ventura hit a two run homer off Watty Clark) but San Tan puts on a furious comeback against the Zombie pen and ends up winning 6-5. Elliott ( 3-4 with a double, a triple, and a homer) doubles home Stevens for the walk off win.
Game #4: San Tan’s lanky lefty Randy Johnson throws a two hit shutout, striking out 9 and walking no one. Meanwhile, the Moonrakers blast out 15 hits, 11 extra base hits, and win 13-0. Elliott continues to mash, 3-5, 4 RBI, 1 double, and two triples on the day. Hal Trotsky hits a double and two homers, good for 3 RBI. Earl Averill hits 2 doubles and a homer for 3 more RBI. Even Randy Johnson got in the act, with a two run double.
Game #5: The Moonrakers get to Walter Johnson for 6 runs in 5 innings. Averill has another great game, with 2 homers, a double, and 3 RBI. San Tan raps out 7 doubles in the 7-5 win.
Game #6: George Britt and the Hollywood bullpen stop the San Tan offense and win this one 3-1. Vladdy doubled home the insurance run in the 9th. San Tan lost Averill for 5 games due to injury.
Game #7: Hollywood’s offense finally showed up, rapping out 13 hits, a 7 run 3rd inning, and a 10-4 win. Brett Butler, Eddie Collins, and Robin Ventura all had 3 hits. Starter and winner Eddie Plank had a bases clearing, three run triple in the 7 run 3rd. Virgil Trucks got hammered (9 runs in 4 innings for San Tan)
Series Summary: The big story of the series was San Tan’s offense, who out extra base hit the Zombies 45-15. Vern Stephens and Hal Trotsky were hot, but Elliott was hotter ( 10-29, 4 runs, 10 hits, 7 RBI, 4 doubles, 3 triples, and a homer)
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: Two fairly evenly matched teams knocking heads for the first time this year at newly renovated Forbes Field, that’s been moved to Las Vegas for the new upstart Pirates. Great hitting, pitching & relief pitching by both teams will make for a heck of a series.
Game #1: The game started with the Pirates going up quickly with 6 runs in the 1st. Al Leiter, the Sturgeon starter, faced 9 batters & got just one out, & was relieved by H. Breecheen. On the Pirate side, Mike Cuellar went 7 & a 1/3 of 6 hit & 1 run ball, Offensively, the Pirates finished with 19 hits, as 7 batters finished with multi hit games, including both King (Cecil) Fielder, & son Prince Fielder finishing with 3 hits each. A 2B & HR each along with 3 RBI’s each. Like father; like son. Both brothers, Joe & Vince DiMaggio, finished with 2 hits a piece as well. FINAL SCORE: Pirates 11, Sturgeon 3
Game #2: This game was all Sturgeons. No HR’s, but 4 triples led this team to a 9-1 lead through 4 innings, with the sole run being a Cecil Fielder HR. Other than that, the Pirates were held to 3 more harmless hits by Sturgeon starter Chris Sale, who notched his 3rd victory. All this was led by the Sturgeon’s 19 hit barrage. Ty Cobb, Lyman Bostock, & Al Dark all had 3 hits each while Victor Martinez led with 4 hits. 5 Sturgeon hitters finished with multiple RBI’s. FINAL SCORE: Sturgeon 15, Pirates 1
Game #3: This game was truly a pitcher’s dual. Max Scherzer went the distance, giving up only 8 hits, & 2 runs
(1 ER), & completed the game, but it wasn’t enough, as Warren Spahn also went the distance giving up only 5 hits & no runs for his 1st shutout. The hitting star was the energy bunny, King (Cecil) Fielder as he hit his 3rd HR in the series to finish with 12 on the year. FINAL SCORE: Pirates 2, Sturgeon 0
Game #4: Going back & forth, this was the game the Sturgeon shut out the Pirates. Rube Foster went a brilliant
7 innings, giving up only 1 hit to Dave Cash, while Ty Cobb opened the game with a 4 bagger, that proved to be enough, but that didn’t stop the Sturgeon from scoring more as they got to Pirate starter, Howie Camnitz for 5 runs in 4 & 1/3 innings. Besides Cobb, Al Dark became a big Pirate nemesis by banging out 2 HR’s. FINAL SCORE: Sturgeon 8, Pirates 0
Game #5: This game started out being another pitchers duel. This time with Al Leiter recovering from his 1st game blowout to pitching a solid 6 innings of only 1 ER until the 7th, where the Pirates exploded for 5 runs, highlighted by King (Cecil) Fielder’s 4th HR in the series & 13th overall. Mike Cuellar pitched another great game, going the distance, allowing only 2 runners to score. FINAL SCORE: Pirates 6, Sturgeon 2.
Game #6: Above all, this game shows how even these 2 teams are. The Pirates broke out ahead first when King Cecil doubled off the wall, almost giving him a 5th HR in the series. Lyman Bostock was the hero here, with 4 hits including a HR. The Sturgeon were up 5-2 going into the bottom of the 9th, when the Pirates scored 2 to make it close before Henneman did what Chapman couldn’t do, & picked up the save.
FINAL SCORE: Sturgeons 5, Pirates 4
Game #7: This game was also a dual of great starting pitching. Little used John Candelaria went 8 innings allowing only 2 ER’s. Again the Pirates hitting nemesis, AL Dark, hit another HR, but the true star was Max Scherzer. Max went 7 & 2/3 of no hit ball, before Dick Groat got the only hit & drove in Willie Stargell as the only Pirate run. FINAL SCORE: Sturgeon 3, Pirates 1
Series Summary: Even though there were 3 games that were blowouts, the other 4 games could’ve gone either way. The Pirates had good pitching, led by Mike Cuellar’s 2 wins, & Warren Spahns shut out, while the Sturgeon had great pitching by Chris Sale, Rube Foster, & Max Scherzer’s near no hitter. The hitting was highlighted by Ty Cobb’s relentless hitting, & Al Dark’s unexpected hitting. The lone hitting star for the Pirates was Cecil Fielder, getting 4 HR’s in the series. Maybe he’ll be considered for player of the week?!?!?
Chicago Nine @ Indiana Indians
Series Preview: The two bottom teams in the American League East meet in Indiana.
Game #1: J.R. Richard vs. Kerry Wood. Richard with the CG as Chicago jumped on Wood early and often. Bobby Richardson with 3 RBI’s to lead Nine. Final: Chicago 7 Indiana 2.
Game #2: Pennock vs. D. Price. Scoreless tie until Chicago pushed across a run in the top of the 12th. Indiana came back to tie in bottom half. Indians win on walkoff single by Lindstrom in bottom of 15th. Final Indiana 2 Chicago 1.
Game #3: Indiana builds a commanding 5-2 lead heading to the top of the 9th. Broxton not only blows save but also lead as Chicago tallies 4 to go ahead 6-5. Indians tie it in the bottom of the 9th and win it in the bottom of the 16th. Final Indiana 7 Chicago 6
Game #4: Felix Hernandez fires a 3-hit shutout to lead the Nine to a 5-0 victory. Final Chicago 5 Indiana 0
Game #5: Indiana comes back and wins game 5 4-3. George Carr has bases clearing 2B in bottom of the 7th. Mayberry for Chicago is hit by a pitch and will miss 5 games. Final Indiana 4 Chicago 3
Game #6: Indiana breaks 1-1 tie in bottom of the 6th to go on to a 4-1 win. A big blow in 6th was 2-run 2B by Wallach. Final Indiana 4 Chicago 1
Game #7: Indiana scores 2 in the 1st and 5 more in the 2nd to build a 7-3 lead. Chicago comes back with a 5-run 7th to win. Final Chicago 8 Indiana 7
Series Summary: Indiana takes series of two teams spinning their wheels 4-3.
Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: Battle of the top two teams in the AL East. Lewisberry hungry to make up ground, Jack Street reading their press clippings on how good they are, even though they had yet to play a team over 500.
Game #1: Battle of Josh Beckett for the Country Blumpkins and Bill Byrd for the Hustlers. Byrd shows why he was picked up for 1 year as the ace. He shuts out Lewisberry on 2 hits. Beckett wasn’t bad either, as he gave up only 2 earned runs in 6 innings. Willie Wilson makes his debut for the Hustlers and picks up a triple. Final score 4-0.
Game #2: Hershiser for Lewisberry vs. Haren for Jack Street.

Bernie Williams was the hero of this game, as he goes 2-3 with a double, homer, two runs and rbi. Steve Sax drives in two without the benefit of a hit or a walk. Hershiser goes the distance spinning a 6 hitter. Final score Lewisberry 5-1.

Game #3: Cooper for Lewisberry vs. Glavine for Jack Street.

Exciting ball game. Lewisberry scores 1 in the 9th to tie the game at 3. Jack Street wins it in the 11th on a 2 out, walkoff homer by Big Mac. Cooper needed to do some icing after this game, as he goes the distance 10.2 and facing 40 batters. Sax and Hodges go yard for the Country Blumpkins. Medwick, Palmeiro and McGwire (twice) go deep for the Hustlers. Final score Jack Street 4-3.

Game #4: Bunning for Lewisberry and Siebert for Jack Street.

Good game early, but Lewisberry beats up the bullpen to the tune of 5 runs in the last three innings to make it a laugher. Bernie Williams has another good game going 3-3 with a run scored. Sax and Ruth both pick up two hits and Rosar hits his first hoome of the season. Hornsby goes 3-5 with a triple in a losing cause. Final score Lewisberry 8-3.

Game #5: Morris for Lewisberry vs. Lundgren for Jack Street.

This one was over early as the visitors push across 2 in the first, 4 in the third and 3 in the 5th and then run away and hide. Special note, Babe Ruth hits his first (of many) career home run in the LEG. Betts also duplicates that feat. Boggs, Ruth and Betts all pick up a pair of RBI. Morris goes 7 giving up 7 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks and strikes out 7.

Final score Lewisberry 9-3.

Game #6: Rematch of game 1 – Beckett vs. Byrd.

That rematch didn’t last long, as Byrd is injured for 9 days in the 2nd inning, so it was up to the Hustler bullpen. They were up to the task giving up 3 runs (2 unearned) on only 3 hits the rest of the way. Beckett and Hoffman for Lewisberry matched the feat by giving up only 3 hits, as well. Jack Street just had more timely hitting. The Backup catcher for the Hustlers, Mike Scioscia, got the game ball in this one as he goes 2-3 and drives in 3. Freddie Freeman hit his 8th homer of the season and drove in 2 for the Country Blumpkins.

Finals score Jack Street 4-3

Game #7: Rubber game of the series. Hershiser vs. Haren.

Another game over early. Country Blumpkins take advantage of a couple of errors and scores 6 in the 2nd and it wasn’t a game. Ruth hits his 2nd homer and Sax drives in 3. Rosar, Williams and the all time favorite player of Jack Street manager, Joe Schall, (who didn’t quite pick him early enough) all pick up 2 hits in the win.

Final score Lewisberry 10-2

Series Summary: Lewisberry takes series 4-3, but there are some concerns in the Jack Street management as they were outscored 38-21. Close games seemed to go to the home team, but Lewisberry did some clubbing of Jack Street. Series might have even been worse, but Lewisberry base stealers were caught 5 times (18 tries).
Climax Cougars @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: Coastline visits Detroit for an early-season battle in the NL East.
Game #1: CMC 7 – DET 8 (14): A great start to the series, especially if you like offense. By the time the DeLoreans won it in the bottom of the 14th inning the two teams had combined for29 hits. The Cougars jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first on a J. Bautista 2-run HR (11). However, the DeLoreans came back to score in each of the first four innings to take a 7-2 lead and chased R. Waddell in the third inning. Climax’s J. Washburn kept his team in the game until they found some offense with a 4-run sixth inning and plated the tying seventh run in the next inning. The game remained deadlocked until R. Collins doubled (11) in R. White in the bottom on the 14th inning for a DeLoreans victory. N. Lajoie went 4 for 5 for Detroit with three doubles and two RBI.
Game #2: CMC 0 – DET 8: The DeLoreans jumped out to an early 7-0 lead with a 5-run bottom of the first and never looked back. H. Vaughn spun eight innings of 1-hit ball for his fourth win of the season. S. Wood battled for six innings to take his third loss of the season. Climax’s J. Gibson collected the loan Cougars hit, while Detroit’s S. Rice, N. Lajoie, R. Collins, B. Herman and J. Cronin all had multi-hit games, with Collins (10), Herman (5) and Cronin (4) all homering.
Game #3: CMC 9 – DET 5: After three innings the Cougars held a commanding 7-1 lead that they never relinquished. Climax’s G. Grantham was 3 for 5 with a double (1) and two RBI. While catcher C. Meyers went 2 for 3 with three RBI (9) and two triples (4). Detroit’s V. Harris went 2 for 4 and S. Rice collected his first homer of the season with a 3-run jack in the fifth inning. Also of note, Detroit’s N. Lajoie extended his hitting streak to 10 games while Climax’s S. Chandler improved his record to 6-1 with a complete game victory.
Game #4: CMC 5 – DET 3: Climax evens the series with a 5-3 win. Four runs in the late innings, led by a 2-run HR (3) from S. Crawford sealed the victory. C. Redding was stellar on the mound, going the distance while surrendering three earned runs. For the DeLoreans, J. Cronin showed signs of pulling out of his season-long slump by going 2 for 3 with an RBI (15). And V. Harris, filling in for the injured A. Rendon went 3 for 4 with a stolen base.
Game #5: CMC 4 – DET 5: The Cougars jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after two innings, led by a 2-run double by H. Clift. The DeLoreans bounced back in the bottom of the third when B. Herman hit a 3-run HR (7) to pull within one. Then in the bottom of the seventh Detroit tied the game 4-4 on an A. Rendon single. The next batter, N. Lajoie (2 for 4) then doubled (21) Rendon home for the game winning RBI. Back from an injury, J. Aker earned his third save of the season.
Game #6: CMC 1 – DET 5: Detroit’s H. Vaughn picked up his fifth win of the season going 7.2 innings and striking out six. J. Cronin, 3 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 SBs and N. Lajoie, 2 for 4 with a double (22) and 2 SBs led the DeLorean offense. Climax’s J. Fregosi went 2 for 4 with an RBI triple (2).
Game #7: CMC 4 – DET 6: In the first inning Climax jumped to a quick 3-0 lead on a S. Crawford 3-run shot (8). The DeLoreans tied it a three in the bottom of the second with key RBI from C. Klein (23) and S. Rice (15). A S. Wood sac fly (2) in the fourth inning gave the Cougars the lead once again. However, in the bottom of the eight inning, series MVP N. Lajoie drove in two runs (24) to secure the 6-4 win. The Climax fielding failed S. Wood by committing three errors behind him. Wood went 7.2 innings and gave up six runs, however only one run was earned.
Series Summary: Exciting series with plenty of lead changes and hitting that Detroit took five games to two. Nap Lajoie was very strong for the DeLoreans. He went 12 for 28 (.429) with six doubles, 8 RBI, 3 runs, 4 HBPs in the series.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: 2 teams in the middle of the pack in the N.L. East square off. Virginia 19-16 vs. Nags Head 16-19. Sorry for the write-up … I had a Word document going as I played, but failed to save it. Computer did an automatic reset while I was away and the write-up was gone and I was unable to recover it 🙁
Game #1: Turley vs. Andujar
Virginia scores 3 in the 3rd and it would be all they need. Frankie Frisch has 3 hits and Al Rosen has 2 hits and 2 RBIs to lead the visitors. Dave Winfield’s solo homerun is all the Sox can muster against Turley, who scatters 3 hits over 7 innings of work.VIR 3/10/0
NH 1/ 3/0
WP – Turley 2-4
LP – Andujar 2-5
S – Foulke (14)
Game #2: Gomez vs. Hamels

First of several Cavalier blowouts. Virginia bats erupt for 10 runs on 11 hits. Tony Pena had 3 hits for Virginia, Frisch, Trammell, and Rosen each had 2. Frisch also scored 3 runs. Nags Head could only muster 2 hits off Lefty Gomez.

VIR 10/11/0
NH 0/ 2/0
WP – Gomez 4-4
LP – Hamels 2-3

Game #3: Key vs. Mussina

Sox take their first lead in the series, scoring once in the 5th, only to have Virginia tie it up in the top of the 6th. Virginia adds single runs in the 7th and 9th to take another 3-1 decision. Andruw Jones has a pair of hits and a pair of runs scored to lead Virginia. Andre Dawson was 4 for 4 in a losing effort.

VIR 3/8/1
NH 1/9/1
WP – Key 2-0
LP – Mussina 2-4
S – Foulke (15)

Game #4: Guzman vs Smith

Sox blow a 2 run 8th inning lead and drop the game in 10 innings, failing to cash in enough of Guzman’s 8 walks. Frisch has 3 more hits for Virginia. Kiner goes 2 for 3 with a double and a homerun, knocking in 3. HOJO has 3 RBIs for Nags Head.

VIR 7/16/1
NH 4/ 7/1
WP – D. Smith 1-0
LP – Cordero 1-1
S – Foulke (16)

Game #5: Reulbach vs. Ryan

This one was decided early as Virginia is up 9-0 after 2 and a half. Cavs collect 19 hits in a 10-2 rout. Lance Parish goes 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored, Al Rosen knocks in 5, and Frisch has 3 more hits for the visitors. Dawson’s 2 run homeruns is all the Sox can muster.

VIR 10/19/0
NH 2/ 4/0
WP – Reulbach 4-3
LP – Ryan 2-4

Game #6: Turley vs. Andujar

An 8 run 5th propels Virginia to their 6th consecutive victory of the series. Frank Robinson leads the Cavs this time, with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Pena adds 2 hits and 2 RBIs, and Al Rosen adds 2 more RBIs. Jimmie Foxx goes 3 for 3 with a double and a homerun for the Sox.

VIR 11/11/2
NH 4/ 9 /2
WP – Turley 3-4
LP – Andujar 2-6

Game #7: Gomez vs. Hamels

an 8th inning solo homerun by Gary Carter breaks a 1-1 tie and salvages the series finale for the Sox. Lance Parrish homers for Virginia. Cavs lose Frank Robinson for 5 days.

VIR 1/3/0
NH 2/5/1
WP – Street 3-1
LP – Hernandez 5-1
S – Cordero (9)

Series Summary: Virginia dominates the series, by out pitching and out hitting the Sox, to move back into the playoff hunt, while Nags Head gets knocked down into the depths of the N.L. East. Frisch and Rosen had BIG series for the visitors.
Coastline Bobcats @ Fantomz Force
Series Preview: The NL East-leading Coastline Bobcats headed to Force Field for a division showdown with the Fantomz Force. Heading into the series, the 24-11 Bobcats held a four game lead over the second-place Climax Cougars. The hosting 19-16 Force, who lost a 4-3 series at Climax last weekend, was a game behind Climax and tied with the Detroit Deloreans in third place. Fantomz’ bullpen is still recovering from the 16-inning marathon game seven against Climax last week to start the series.
Game #1: Game 36 – Bill Swift ‘92 (4-2) v. Chris Weilman ’14 (3-4)

Fantomz 4-2: The Force struck first in the 1st inning when Ray Lankford singled home Doc Wiley. Struggling Ron Santo stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run 5th-inning clout to give Weilman some breathing room. The insurance runs were needed as Coastline broke through with an 8th-run on Hack Wilson’s double. Bobcats catcher Sammy White hit his first longball this season to narrow Fantomz’ gap to two runs. Fantomz reliever Felipe Vazquez induced a ground ball to save the game.

Game #2: Game 37 – Dave Stieb ’83 (5-0) v. Satchel Paige ’41 (6-1)

Coastline 7-3: Two starters among the NL league leaders in wins squared off with expectations of a pitchers’ duel. Instead, Fantomz scored two 1st-inning runs on Larry Doby’s two-run clout. The Bobcats went ahead in the 3rd inning when Cal Ripken Jr. singled home Geoff Jenkins. Coastline then erupted for four 7th-inning runs highlighted by Lou Gehrig’s two-run single. The Force scored a lone run in the 9th on Honus Wagner’s first home run this season, but Jesse Orosco closed the door. Stieb earned his sixth win, allowing two runs over six innings.

Game #3: Game 38 – Kevin Brown ’00 (4-4) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (4-2)

Fantomz 6-2: Fantomz continued with their first-inning offensive fireworks, as Josh Donaldson launched a three-run clout to give Gaylord Perry a comfortable margin. The Force added another run in the 3rd and two more 6th-inning runs, including Larry Doby’s 10th homer this season. Perry threw seven scoreless innings, then his own error allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate in the 8th inning. Jeff Russell threw a scoreless 9th to close out the game. Coastline’s Geoff Jenkins hit 3-for-4 with a homer and two rbi.

Game #4: Game 39 – Chuck Finley ‘93 (5-1) v. Stan Coveleski ’23 (0-4)

Coastline 25-7: For the first time this series, the Bobcats struck first when Hack Wilson doubled home Geoff Jenkins. That run foreshadowed the ballgame. The Force went ahead with two runs during the bottom half, and add another run in the following frame, but then the Bobcat offensive machine took hold. After tying the game in the 3rd and going ahead in the 4th, Coastline scored five runs during both the 5th and 6th innings. They weren’t done. In the 7th inning, the Bobcats batted around – before recording an out! – during an 11-run outburst. Down 25-3 heading into the 7th-inning stretch, the Force pulled themselves together to score the next four runs. Four different Bobcats crossed the plate three times and six different Bobcats had at least three hits during the 29-hit barrage. Jenkins (4-7 4r HR 3rbi), Ripken Jr. (3-4 3r 2b 3b 4rbi), and Gehrig (3-6 3r 3rbi) were among the stars handling Coveleski his fifth loss. Fantomz backup 2b Mike Andrews went 3-for-5 with two runs and two rbi.

Game #5: Game 40 – Bill Swift ‘92 (4-3) v. Chris Weilman’14 (4-4)

Fantomz 4-1: Swift and Weilman tangled again, and once again Weilman benefited from an early offensive outburst from the Force. In the bottom of the first, Choo singled, Wiley was hit-by-pitch, Doby walked, and Lankford blasted a grand salami before an out was recorded. That was all the run support Weilman needed, and was all he received, as he allowed one run on seven hits over six innings for his fifth win. Fantomz’ Steve Cishek delivered a key pair of scoreless innings, then handed the ball over to Jeff Russell, who pitched a scoreless 9th inning with two strikeouts for his seventh save.

Game #6: Game 41 – Game 37 – Dave Stieb ’83 (5-0) v. Satchel Paige ’41 (6-1)

Fantomz 6-0: First-inning groans were heard in the Coastline dugout as the Force once again grabbed an early lead. Joe Judge tomahawked a bases-loaded double into the gap to give Fantomz an early 3-0 lead. Mickey Cochrane added two runs with a pinch-hit two-run 8th-inning homer. Paige fired a two-hitter with eight strikeouts for his seventh win while Stieb absorbed his first loss.

Game #7: Game 42 – Kevin Brown ’00 (4-5) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (5-2)

Coastline 3-1: Coastline’s Kevin Brown retired the Force without incident in the 1st inning, sending good vibes through the Bobcats dugout. The teams exchanged runs during the 2nd inning. In the 6th inning, Hack Wilson launched a two-run drive into the night sky to give the visitors a two-run lead. Coastline’s Matt Albers threw a scoreless 8th for his fourth save and Bruce Sutter slammed the shut with a scoreless 9th inning for his 13th save.

Series Summary: We enjoyed playing our series live over TeamViewer. Fantomz won 4 of 7. The back-and-forth series surprisingly had two games decided by two runs, but no games decided by a lone run. Fantomz struck early often, scoring in the 1st inning during six of seven games. Coastline would’ve preferred spreading out their season-high 25 runs over some other games. Interestingly, the starting pitchers in all seven games were charged with the win or loss during their start. No reliever on either side factored into any decision all series.

Player of the Week nominee: Coastline’s Geoff Jenkins, who hit 8-for-24 with 2 HR & 6 RBI while scoring seven runs.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fantomz’s Chris Weilman, who went 2-0 and pitched 13 2/3 innings, allowing 12 hits and striking out nine.

Menomonee Minutemen @ Purry Cowpokes
Series Preview: 1st place Menomonee travels to God’s Country to take on the Cowpokes of Purry. This series is the initial set of an instant rivalry as Jared and I have been squaring off for 10 years (most times head to head). The Cowpokes look to pick up the 2 games that they are behind the Minutemen and co-leader Cincinnati.
Game #1: Purry scores 3 times in the 1st and 4 in the 2nd, thanks to a Willie McCovey grand slam. The Cowpokes never look back as they win 13-3. Javier Vazquez improves to 7-1 with a 2.03 era. Final score PUR 13 MEN 3
Game #2: Paybacks are a bitch. The Minutemen score 4 in the 3rd and another 3 in the 4th to chase Cliff Lee early. Chipper Jones was 2-4 with 2 rbi’s and 2 runs scored and Joe Adcock homered to fuel Menomonee. Final score MEN 10 PUR 5
Game #3: With Purry leading 3-2, with 2 on and 2 out in the top of the 8th, the Cowpokes brought in Billy Wagner to face Griffey, Jr. Wagner was itchy so his grade was a 30 for the day. I forgot to tell Jr that before he tripled into the rightfield corner. Purry couldn’t rebound. Final score MEN 4 PUR 3
Game #4: Wally Judnick hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd to put the Minutemen up 2-0. They added 2 tack on runs in 8th to go up 4-1. It got much much worse for the home team in the 9th.
“* W. JUDNICH ’41 facing J. SORIA ’09, T 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Loaded, Ahead 4-2The runners take their lead … the pitch … driven to the gap in right … HENDERSON ’83 coming onso’s SPEAKER ’22 … still coming … oh!…they collideand it hits him right on top of the head … secondbaseman STRANG ’04’s after it … one run intwo in … going first to third is Jose ALTUVE ’17 … JUDNICH ’41’s stretching itthe play at second … WELLS ’29 tags him out … to retire the sidescore that a single and two RBI … very generous … the umpire is calling timeHENDERSON ’83’s down … he’s on his feet … he’s limping aroundhe’s clearly in pain as he leaves the field … that had to hurtThe report from the clubhouse… … the COWPOKES center fielder HENDERSON ’83injured for 7 days Final score MEN 6 PUR 2
Game #5: WOW !!!! The Cowpokes hit 7 (that’s right 7) homers including 2 by catcher Ed Bailey. Javier Vazquez is now 8-1, 1.85 Final score PUR 19 MEN 2
Game #6: Purry welcomes Lefty (Carlton) back from his injury. The offense responds by scoring 13 runs on only 10 hits. The 11 walks helped. Bailey homered for the 3rd time in 2 games. Final score PUR 13 MEN 5
Game #7: The Cowpokes scored 4 times in the 2nd and that’s all they would need. Cliff Lee fired 7 1/3 innings of 2 hit ball. Final score PUR 5 MEN 1
Series Summary: Purry takes the initial series vs arch-enemy Menomonee 4 games to 3. Purry scored 50 runs in their 4 victories (12.5 r/g) and 10 runs in their 3 loses (3.3 r/g). That was the difference in the series.
Javier Vazquez was the star of the series. (12 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 7 k’s, 2 Wins) He would’ve pitched deeper if not for his 16 r/g of run support.-A 2-run triple by Griffey with 2 outs in the 8th off of a grade 30 reliever to take the lead and eventually win the game.
-A 7 homer game by the home team.
-And of course, (with 2 outs in the top of the 9th), 2 grade 3 of’ers collide on a flyball in the gap. The ball hits off one of their heads (not sure which one) allowing 2 runs to score and we lose Rickey for 7 days (a leg injury not a concussion).Jared, you missed a heck of a series.
Cincinnati Knights @ Madison East Puregolders
Series Preview: Division leading Cincinnati visiting the disappointing Purgolders
Game #1: Cincinnati jumps out with a four run first inning to take the battle 7-1
Game #2: Clayton Kershaw vs. Hooks Wiltse. I can’t imagine how close to a perfect game Kershaw is staring down during pregame warmups…. The Purgolders did manage to squib out four hits, only two of which were compliments of Kershaw mistakes…. The Knights stifle Madison East 8-0.
Game #3: Reb Russell probably had to walk back to the team barracks after losing to the Purgolders 5-2, compliments of a four run 1st for the Mighty Purgolders. Dock Ellis continues his highly lucid mastery of the league with this battle.
Game #4: Dazzy Vance vs. Guy Bush has the Madison East faithful fearing dropping the third of four thus far. The Knights put up a nickle in both the 5th and 8th frames, and tack one on in the ninth for good measure to take this sword fight 11-8. The Purgolders were seen celebrating after the game, obviously the result of fourteen hits while having many starters benched. Hopefully they got the point.
Game #5: Mike Scott, famous for his “cutter”, vs. Mark Buerhle. The Knights were literally climbing over one another trying to get to the plate to tee off of Big Mark. Surprisingly the Knights only plate five on ten hits, but this was plenty as Cincy takes their fourth of five thus far, 5-2. Todd Helton add injury to insult, to the tune of a six day sabbatical from having to take the field with yet another Workers Comp claim against the Purgolders.
Game #6: Johan Santana returns to the scene of the crime, otherwise known as Game 1, to face Bret Saberhagen. Sabes was downright studly until the Knights blasted him for five runs in the 8th inning to take the contest 6-4. Purgolder ownership sends an email to Kent Williams asking him what the definition of the term “bullpen” means to him, as he allows the third complete game in the last four total games.
Game #7: Clayton Kershaw literally skipped to the mound in the finale, obviously remembering his Harry Potter like performance in game two as he was opposed by Art Nehf, he of the stout 7.27 ERA and 0-5 record. The early odds shows Williams at 7-2 as to whether he allows Nehf to go the distance. This would be much closer to equal money except that Nehf has an MRR of 40, and that 40 BF should only get him to about the 7th inning in this contest.
Nehf shocks the world, GOES THE DISTANCE (!) and only loses 3-0! Williams doesn’t disappoint, and may have very likely managed his last game for the Purgolders. Kershaw lived up to being Clayton Kershaw again, going eight scoreless. The Knights could be seen growling something about Casey Jannsen actually getting a save in this series.
Series Summary: Cincinnati takes six of seven, and the series wasn’t that close. I am perplexed at how the Purgolders are playing as bad as they are, now standing at 14-28 at the quarter pole.
New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Wrigleyville Whales
Series Preview: In replay since I failed 2 load game C-file, Salmonbellies win 6 of 7. No time for additional details.
Series Summary: Salmonbellies win 6 of 7 @ Wrigleyville.
Pigtown Bombers @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Summary: West Michigan takes 5 of 7 games
 Iowa Giants @ Motown Yankees
Series Preview: Just updating the file as the original did not save
Series Summary: Motown takes 5 of 7 games
 Boston Braves @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Boston Braves 16-19 at KC A’S 14-21
Game #1: Don Newcombe VS. 3 Finger Brown: Newcombe throws a 2 hit shutout for a Braves 2-0 victory. W- Newcombe ( 5-2) L- Brown (1-5)
Game #2: B. O’Dell VS. Fergie Jenkins: It’s all Braves as O’Dell goes the distance and the Braves smack 3 homers in a 7-1 win. W- O’Dell (2-5) L- Jenkins (4-3)
Game #3: Pedro Martinez VS. Eddie Cicotte: Cicotte tosses a 3 hit shutout in a 4-0 A’S victory. W- Cicotte (3-4) L- Martinez ( 3-3)
Game #4: Antonelli V’S Phil Niekro: Luis Aparicio has 3 hits and scores 2 and steals 2 bases, Bill White adds a homer and Travis Fryman has 2 hits and drives in 2 for the A’S. Tony Conigliaro goes 3-3 and a homer in a losing effort. A’S win 6-5. W- B. Adams (3-1) L- Antonelli (4-3) S- Dick Hall (2)
Game #5: Juan Marichal V’S Sam McDowell: Braves take a 2-1 lead to the bottom of the 8th and Tom Tresh and Hank Aaron both hit 2 run homers off of Marichal for a 6-2 A’S victory. W- Wade Davis (2-0) L- Marichal (0-3)
Game #6: Conley V’S 3 Finger Brown: Aaron has 2 hits, including a homer and drives in 4 as the A’S win it 9-4. W- Brown (2-5) L- Conley (1-4)
Game #7: Newcombe V’S Jenkins: A’S win it 5-3, Dom DiMaggio hits a 2 run homer and Jimmie Hall adds a solo shot in a losing effort. W- Jenkins (5-3) L- Newcombe (5-3) S-Dick Hall (3)
Series Summary: Braves win the first 2 and A’s storm back to win the last 5 and take the series 5 games to 2. KC is now 19-23 and the Braves are 18-24.