2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #8

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Dave Brown – Motown Yankees

1-0 record, 9.0 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit allowed, 9 strikeouts & 3 walks

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Curt Simmons  – Kansas City Blues

1-0 record, 9.0 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit allowed, 11 strikeouts &  0 walks

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Duke Snider  – West Michigan Retrogrades

.444 avg / 1.000 slg, 8 for 18, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 5 runs &  4 RBIs

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Willie Stargell  – Las Vegas Pirates

.429 avg / 1.143  slg, 6 for 14, 1 double, 3 home runs, 5 runs, 4 RBIs & 1 walk

 

Jack Street Hustlers @ Purry Cowpokes
Series Preview: The Jack Street Hustlers bring their formidable team into God’s Country to battle the Cowpokes of Purry. Joe assures me that his team is over-hyped by the league office. We shall see.
Game #1: Jack Street scores 2 runs in the 7th to tie the score at 6-6. Neither team would score again through 9 so we have Free Baseball !!! Not sure if it was superior bullpen pitcher or inept hitting but neither team scored until the bottom of the 13th. Ted Strong led off the inning with a single, stole 2nd, and scored on Willie McCovey’s single.
Hustler’s cf Ducky Medwick had an impressive batting line of 5-7 with a hr, 3 doubles, 3 rbi’s, and 3 runs scored.
Final score Purry 7 Jack Street 6 (13)
Game #2: Frank Viola gets his 2nd win and Larry Hisle leads Jack Street’s offense by going 2-3 with a hr, a double, a walk, 3 rbi’s, and a run scored.
Final score Jack Street 6 Purry 5
Game #3: Jack Street’s offense broke open a 2-2 game with 3 runs in the 7thand tack on runs in the 8th and 9th.
Bob Muesel went 4-5 for the Hustlers with a double, 2 hrs, 2 rbi’s, and 2 runs scored.
Final score Jack Street 8 Purry 2
Game #4: Once again Jack Street took a tie game and broke it open in the 7th on a Mark McGuire grand slam.
Final score Jack Street 7 Purry 4
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Jack Street takes the series 3 games to 1. The Hustlers offense is for real. Purry’s bullpen sucks.
Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Menomonee Minutemen
Series Preview: Lewisberry rolls into Menomonee looking to take the series and hopefully gain a game on Jack Street. Menomonee looks to do the same in their division, However, both teams cannot win.
Game #1: Lewisberry jumps out to the 4-0 lead as Hershiser keeps MEN off the board, In the bottom of the 5th the wheels fall off and MEN finally breaks the runs barrier putting up a 3 spot. However, LCB did not care and continued to score and never looked back. FINAL SCORE LCB 8 MEN 5.
Game #2: Lewisberry again scores the first run in the third, but soon after Beckett starts throwing meatballs and MEN start rounding the bases like a merry-go-round. By the time the fair ride stops Lewisberry would need a miracle to catch up. FINAL SCORE LCB 3 MEN 10
Game #3: LCB takes the early 2-1 lead. In the third LCB scores another run however then gives up the lead in the bottom of the third. in the 5th MEN coughs up the tie and allows 2 runs across the plate. From there it was all pitching and LCB never looked back. FINAL SCORE LCB 5 MEN 4
Game #4: In-game 4, LCB continues to do what they have been doing all series take the early lead and make MEN play from behind. LCB takes the 2-0 lead in the third, then coughs up that lead in the 5th allowing MEN to tie the game. In the 6th MEN takes the lead, however, then coughs it up in the 7th. In the 8th MEN would finally take the lead again then hand the ball to Jansen and he closes out the game. FINAL SCORE LCB 3 MEN 4
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: LCB and MEN split the series not helping either get closer to the division leaders, however, we are only 53 games into the season and there is still a long way to the finish.
Wrigleyville Whales @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: As I like, I met a terrific manager in Paul Sixta, head honcho of the Wrigleyville Whales. As a duo, we had a whale of a great time! We attacked these games like they were all the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. Paul is a true gentleman that very politely went for my juggler in every game! It’s hard to believe with his competitive thirst that he’s presently a bottom feeder in the west. Let’s see what this 4 game series brings to our table.
Game #1: In this game the Whales showed they are NOT a bottom feeder, but a team in transition. The big fish went up a head quickly in the 1st inning, on Irish Meusel’s early 3 run HR. The Pirates came beck in their half of the 2nd, with slugger King (Cecil) Fielder blasting a 2 run HR to make it close. Unfortunately ace pitcher Warren Spahn couldn’t hold the Whales down.He finished his day way early going too early, giving up 8 hits & 7 ER’s in only 5 1/3, Red Smith finished with a pair of doubles, while the 2 ex Bostonians, Fisk & Yastrzemski, contributed a double each to drive in a pair of runs a piece. The timely hitting matched by the precise pitching of Jack Quinn to get himself a complete game victory. While the Pirates finished with 7 hits by 7 different players.
FINAL SCORE: Whales 8, Pirates 4
Game #2: In this game the Pirates were to face hard luck starter, Sandy Koufax. Koufax, followed his idol, Warren Spahn in the previous game, where they both got unusually pounded by their opposition. Koufax lasted all of 3 1/3, giving up 5 ER’s, on 7 hits & 3 BB’s. Also yielding HR’s to Prince Fielder & Willie Stargell. Bob Buhl, pitching for the Pirates went 7 1/3, giving up a 2 run HR to Bob Horner in the 6th & finished up giving up only 4 hits to the Whales.
FINAL SCORE: Pirates 7, Whales 2
Game #3: This game was all Whales. Even though Joe DiMaggio & Dave Cash finished with 2 singles a piece the Whales were in complete control here. Dutch Ruether pitched a real gem here, as he threw a CG, 5 hit SO. The Whales were led by a 14 hit barrage, & also led by Johnny Bates, who finished with 3 hits & a HR, & Carlton Fisk who had a double & HR, while finishing with those 2 hits & scoring 4 runs. Also finishing with multi hit games were Earle Combs, Red Smith, & Tony Lazzeri. Dean Chance got hit early & couldn’t find the plate with 5 BB ‘s in just 2 innings of work. Bill Walker & Brian Fuentes couldn’t hold back the Whales as well, giving up a pair of runs each .
FINAL SCORE: Whales 8, Pirates 0
Game #4: This game was a nail biter. The first 4 innings were scoreless. The Pirates broke through with a 2 run HR by Willie Stargell, who finished with 2 HR’s on the day, & driving in all the 3 Pirate runs. Even though the Pirate’s were out hit 10-4, it’s the runs that count. Bob Welch pitched a CG heartbreaker. For the Pirates, Howie Camnitz went 8 innings before giving way to the Pirates elite bullpen of Mariano Rivera, & Jesse Crain who picked up the save.
FINAL SCORE: Pirates 3, Whales 2
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Whata great series!!! Both the Whales & Pirates enjoyed it, while Whales manager Paul Sixta & I had a blast as well. We are both .looking forward to our next series, after the all-star break.
FINAL: WHALES 2 games
PIRATES 2 games
Madison East Puregolders @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Madison East at KC A’s
Game #1: Dock Ellis Vs. Phil Niekro: Wade Davis blows a save chance giving up 2 in the top of the 8th in a 4-3 Madison East win. W- Plunk (2-1) L- Wade Davis (3-1) S- Schilling (1) Homers by Mauer, C. Gonzalez and Helton for the visitors and Walker Cooper hit a 3 run shot to account for the only runs for the A’s.
Game #2: G. Bush Vs. 3 Finger Brown. Aaron and Bobby Bonds homer for a 10-1 A’s win. Dale Murphy went 4 for 4 for the A’s. W- Brown (3-5) L- Bush (4-5)
Game #3: Buehrle Vs. Cicotte: Madison East wins 5-1, Helton has 3 hits for the victors and Dale Murphy gets hits in his 1st 3 at bats and ends up 3-4. W- Buehrle (4-5) L- Cicotte ( 4-6 ) S- Schilling (2)
Game #4: Saberhagen Vs. McDowell: Game is tied 2 -2 going to the top of the 9th before Ryan Braun hits a 2 run double and Madison East wins 5-2. W- Schilling (1-0) L- B. Adams (3-2) S- Plunk (1)
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Madison East wins series 3 game to 1. Hitting Star for the A”s was Dale Murphy, in 2 starts he went 7 for 8, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI’s, with a double, triple and homer.
Chicago Nine @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview:  
Game #1: A bases loaded single – one of 9 singles hit by the Cats – by Lee May gave Ft. Worth a 5 to 1 advantage going into the 8th and they hold on to win even though the bullpen gave up a couple runs by a score of 5 – 3.
Game #2: A pitcher’s duel between Richard and Maddux with the Cats winning in the bottom of the 9th, “The runners take their lead … the pitch from SHIELDS ’05
ROBINSON ’45 frames the pitch for the ump … but the ump’s like a statue … a base on balls
good eye BAKER ’19 … and Scot SHIELDS ’05 has walked in the winning run
And that’s it! … the CATS have won it! … the suspense is resolved … Greg MADDUX ’95 has a beautiful 4-hitter … he went the distance that’s his 5th complete game … of the season “Cats win 2-1
Game #3: A two run homer in the bottom of the 7th by Marquis Grissom breaks a 4-4 tie.

Cats win 5th straight by a score of 6-4

Game #4: back to back 4 run innings help the Chicago Nine get their 9 in a rout over Ft. Worth.

Chicago wins 9 to 3

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Cats take the series 3 games to 1
New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Middle Channel Sturgeons
Series Preview: Salmonbellies vs Sturgeon in a battle of the fish
Game #1: Messersmith 3-0 6.45 era vs Scherzer 5-5 2.80 era
Sturgeon bring out the bats in a 15-4 rout
Game #2: Gooden 4-3 4.23 era vs Foster 4-6 4.95 era
Sturgeon don’t bring out their bats getting only 2 hits
Bellies win it 3-0
Game #3: Leonard 7-2 2.66 era vs Leiter 4-7 8.06 era
Salmonbellies turn for a rout 9-1
Game #4: Tesreau 4-4 5.73 era vs Sale 4-4 3.17 era
Middle Channel even the series with a 6-2 win
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Series tied 2-2
Boston Braves @ Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The Boston Braves (21-28), sixth in the AL East — just three games out of third place — travel to Cincinnati. The Knights are currently tied for the AL West lead with a 31-18 record.
Game #1: BOS 0-2-2, CIN 2-5-1

Johan Santana worked eight and two-third innings of shutout baseball, limiting just two hits and fanning six. Reggie Smith delivers a 2-for-3 day with a double.

Game #2: BOS 4-6-0, CIN 6-10-0

Freddie Parent goes 2-for-4 with a homer in his first start of the year. Cincinnati clubs five homers in the contest.

Game #3: BOS 2-8-0, CIN 4-8-2

Jeff Cirillo went 3-for-3 with a double in a losing cause for Boston.

Game #4: BOS 6-11-0, CIN 3-11-0

Jim Rice delivers a 3-for-4 day with a double, homer and 4 RBI for the Braves.

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Cincinnati takes three out of four and temporarily takes over the top spot in the AL West. The Knights head to Chicago for a showdown next week. Boston moves into three-way tie for fourth and returns home to host the Kansas City Blues next week.
Indiana Indians @ Kansas City Blues
Series Preview: Two teams trying to get on track in this one
Game #1: Pettitte 4-3 vs Simmons 1-3
Simmons pitches CG 1 hit shutout Blues 3-0
Game #2: Donaldson 1-0 vs Koosman 1-8
Indians have 5-2 lead through 7 Rico hits HR as Blues come back 6-5
Koosman win Aguilera gets SV
Game #3: Price 0-5 vs Degrom 2-5
Juan Gonzalez and Canseco both homer for Blues 8-4 win
Game #4: Alexander 4-3 vs Greinke 2-5
Sheffield and Cuccinello go deep for a 7-2 Blues win
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Blues sweep series 4-0 don’t know if stars were aligned just right for this rarity but I’ll take it
Coastline Bobcats @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Preview: Coastline travels into Wainwright for their first taste of NL West pitching. Coastline is looking to further extend its lead in the East and Wainwright is trying to get back to .500 ball.
Game #1: WWW opens the scoring in the B1 when Fernandez 2bs and scores on Daulton’s rbi-3b. CLB tie it quickly in the T2 on a M.Williams rbi-1b. CLB Swift and WWW Neagle take over from there and its scoreless innings thru the 6th. In the T7 Burks 1bs and Skowron follows with a 2-run HR for a 3-1 CLB lead. CLB then goes to its bullpen and uses 4 relievers to close out the game with Sutter finally getting his 18th save. CLB Swift with the win goes to 5-4 and Neagle with the loss drops to 0-2.

CLB 3, WWW 1

Game #2: In the B1 a Roberts 1b, a wild pitch, an Encarnacion bb, and a Manush rbi-1b gives WWW the early 1-0 lead. As in the first game CLB M.Williams ties the game in the T2, this time with a solo-HR. In the CLB T4 M.Williams strikes again with an rbi-1b for a 2-1 ‘Cats lead. But WWW gets the run back in the B4 when Fernadez rips a 2-out 1b and then Grove helps himself with an rbi-2b. CLB strikes back in the T5 when Kemp 1bs and scores on a Ripken H&R rbi-2b, followed by an Wilson rbi-1b. In the WWW B5 Cree 2bs, Daulton bbs, Manush 1bs, and Grace hits a sac fly to make the score 4-3 CLB. Both teams trade scoreless 6th and 7th innings. WWW Grove adds a scoreless T8 to setup the bottom half. In the B8 CLB has Marshall on the mound nad Grace leads off with a 1b, Puckett P5, and Fernandez Ks. WWW calls on Carew to PH and he responds with a rbi-2b to tie the game, Roberts follows with an inf-1b, and Cree gives WWW the lead with another rbi-1b but Roberts to cut down at 3rd to end the inning. It wouldn’t be a factor as Ward comes on and tosses a perfect 9th for his 7th save. CLB Marshall takes his 2nd loss and goes to 2-2, Grove does what an ace is supposed to do and picks up the win and goes to 8-3.

WWW 5, CLB 4

Game #3: WWW Manush’s rbi-1b opens the scoring in this game in the B1. CLB H.Wilson ties it in the T2 with a solo-HR. CLB M.Williams hits a solo-HR in the T3 for a 2-1 ‘Cats lead. WWW Grace sac fly ties it back up in the B4. CLB Stieb and Casilla along with WWW V.Willis throw scoreless innings thru the 8th. In the T9 CLB C.Ripken leads off with a solo-HR to give the ‘Cats a 1 run lead. In the B9 CLB Sutter would pitch around a rare Ripken error for his 19th save. CLB S.Casilla(2-2) gets the win and WWW V.Willis(4-9) takes the loss.

CLB 3, WWW 2

Game #4: The CLB offense finally shows up in this game against WWW D.White. In the T2 H.Wilson hits a solo-HR and in the WWW B2 Grace ties the game with an rbi-2b. In the CLB T3 Ripken 1bs and H.Wilson rips an rbi-3b. CLB S.White hits a solo-HR in the T3 for a 3-1 ‘Cats lead. CLB breaks the game open in the T5 when Kemp 1bs, A.Simmons H&R 1b, C.Ripken hits a 2-run 2b, H.Wilson follows with an rbi-2b, a Manush error, followed by a Roberts error gives CLB another 2 runs. WWW gets a Daulton 2-run HR in the B6 to close out the scoring. CLB Brown(7-5) gets the win, S.Maglie gets the 3 inning save, his 1st, and WWW D.White(4-9) is handed the loss. CLB H.Wilson falls a 1b short of hitting a cycle in the game.

CLB 8, WWW 3

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Coastline takes the series 3-1 over Wainwright. Due to special circumstances a special mention to Wainwright’s owner Dwayne Boddy who allowed me to play the series when we were unable to connect with TeamViewer. It was very gracious for him to do so and it was much appreciated. CLB H.Wilson has the big series going 6-13, 3 runs, 5 rbi, 1-2b, 1-3b, and 2-HRs.
Detroit DeLoreans @ Fire Lake Segers
Series Preview: The Detroit Deloreans (29-20, winners of 8 of their last 10) traveled to Fire Lake (18-30), for a 4 game series. Dodger Brett looking to get his nine even closer to division leading Coastline. The Segers, fresh off 14 consecutive games against Clockwork and Hoboken (2-11, w 1 rainout), were very excited to face a rotation of “just” 17s and 14s.
Game #1: Cy Morgan (3-5,5.03) vs Denny Mclain (3-5,3.71)

The visitors scored first as Anthony Rendon doubled in the 2nd and scored on a groundout by Sam Rice. That 1-0 Detroit lead appeared to be insurmountable, as Morgan and Mclain cruised through eight innings. In the bottom of the 9th, Vada Pinson’s lead off homerun (his 3rd) tied the score and free baseball was all the rage. Jim Aker was matched by Sambito/Gullett/Soto, as the 10th, 11th and 12th were scoreless. In the bottom of the 13th, with J.C. Romero taking the mound, Barry Larkin drew a walk, advanced to 2nd on Johnny Bench’s groundout and scored on a walkoff single by Pinson.

Detroit’s Anthony Rendon was hit by a Mario Soto pitch and missed the rest of the series. The visitors attempted 5 stolen bases and young John Bench cut down three of them. Fire Lake’s bullpen did not give up a hit in its 5 innings of work. Pete Rose was 3-for5, with two doubles and Pinson’s 2 hits drove in both Fire Lake runs.

FIRE LAKE 2, DETROIT 1 (13 INNINGS)

Game #2: String Bean Williams (4-4,2.73) vs Ron Guidry (3-7,5.46)

It was not a good day for String Bean as the Segers chased him in the 5th, after 11 hits, 5 runs, including Joey Votto’s 2nd homerun. Ron Guidry scattered 3 hits in five scoreless innings and John Smoltz followed with four scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out 5.

Bench was 2-for-4, 9th double and 6th homerun, w 3 rbi’s. Jose Cardenal was 3-for-4, and Votto and Pinson each added 2 hits as the Segers offense totaled 12 hits on this day.

FIRE LAKE 7, DETROIT 0

Game #3: Slim Sallee (5-3,3.79) vs David Cone (2-6,4.45)

The Detroit offense, having tallied just 8 total hits in the first two games, was not prepared for the version of David Cone that they faced this day. Nap Lajoie’s single was their only hit. Tony Perez’ 1st inning homerun (2) and 3rd inning 2-out rbi single was more than enough for the Segers’ hurler. David Cone’s 1-hit shutout, with 6 K’s and 2 BB, was just a beautiful thing. The Segers only tallied 4 hits off Sallee/Aker, but it was enough to secure their 3rd win a row.

FIRE LAKE 2, DETROIT 0

Game #4: Hippo Vaughn (6-3,3.44) vs Eppa Rixey (1-1,3.81)

Eppa Rixey did his best to ensure a Segers sweep, by keeping the Deloreans at bay though six, allowing just a single run on three hits. In the home dugout there was much joy as Eric Davis’ 3 hits, including his 2nd homerun, had staked the home team to a 3-1 lead through 7 innings. And then… the wheels came off the sweep train as Fire Lake’s bullpen was roughed up for 6 hits and three runs in the final two frames. With the score 3-3 in the 9th, Babe Herman’s pinch-hit triple (off Joe Sambito) scored Tommy Harper with what proved to be the game winner. Kal Daniels led off the bottom of the 9th with a walk, and then stole 2nd. But Jim Aker was having none of it as he retired Pinson, Rose and Cardenal to earn his 4th save. Detroit had 9 hits by 9 different players and Andy Pafko’s 2 rbis tied the score in the 8th off John Smoltz.

Detroit’s Roy White and Fire Lake’s Johnny Bench both were injured in this game and both may miss the better part of a week…

DETROIT 4, FIRE LAKE 3.

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Fire Lake wins the series 3 games to 1. Fire Lake’s Johnny Bench gunned down 4 of 6 would be base stealers in this series, and John Roseboro stopped the 7th attempt, as Detroit manager Dodger Brett’s running strategy was foiled this week.

Pitcher-of-the-Week nomination for Fire Lake’s David Cone, as his game three 1-hit Shutout deserves a look. Cone struck out 6, and walked just 2, and faced just 3 batters over the minimum.

Iowa Giants @ Virginia Cavaliers
Series Preview: NL East Virginia (29-20) sees a chance for their hit challenged team to take advantage of a couple of low grade pitchers that the NL WEST Iowa Giants (17-32) choose to start in their trip to the home of the Cavaliers.
Game #1: IOW 5-7-0 W-L.Hawkins (3-1) SV-Gossage (8)
VIR 4-10-1 L-K.Foulke (1-2)Well, VIR took advantage of D.Dean’s lower grade and pounded out 8 hits off him in 6.1 innings. They even launched 2 homers off Dean as both F.Robinson and A.Rosen connected. And even though VIR starter E.Reulbach struggled, even allowed the light hitting C.Rojas touch him for 2 hits and 2 RBI, VIR held a 4-3 lead going into the 9th. But leading off the 9th, P.Masi dribbled one back to the mound and R.Betancourt stepped on the ball, fell to the ground, and threw the ball past Pujols as Masi reached safely. No problem. VIR simply made the call to the pen,…and Cavalier fans began to exit the stadium as premier closer K.Foulke entered to close out the game and clinch the win for VIR. Cool Papa Bell came in to pinch run and R.Schalk to pinch hit. Foulke quickly dispatched of Schalk on 3 pitches. And then Judy Johnson did something only one other person had done to Foulke this season, “J. JOHNSON ’29 facing K. FOULKE ’04, T 9th, 1 Out, Runner on 1st, Behind 3-4… he lets it go…hit toward MCREYNOLDS ’89 in deep left … he’s chasing it down … he’s at the warning track…and he watches it sail over the wall … home run for JOHNSON ’29 … and two runs score…JOHNSON ’29 will touch them all … and he’s sure taking his time … he’s greeted at the plate.” Iowa 5 Virginia 4. And just like that the game turns quickly and the sun shines bright in Iowa. Iowa sent in G.Gossage to nail down the win, but he had a little problem. After striking out J.Harris to lead off the inning, T.Pena singled to put a runner on 1st. K.McReynolds then laid into a fastball and sent it to the gap in leftcenter with C.Yelich chasing it down…”YELICH ’14’s chasing it … still running … he’s up with it … PENA ’91 rounds third…they’re waving him in…here comes the throw home… here’s the play at the plate … and PENA ’91’s … out easily … oh, those, GIANTS…they snuff out the tying run … PENA ’91 just doesn’t have the wheels for that…and MCREYNOLDS ’89 takes third on the throw … so fasten your seat belts once again…that puts the tying run at third.” Gossge come through as he got D.Murphy to fly out to CF to end the ball game as Iowa got the come back win.
Game #2: IOW 2-5-0 W-L.Hawkins (4-1) SV- (g.Gossage (9)
VIR 1-8-0 L-L.Gomez (5-5)Once again VIR outhit IOW, and once again IOW staged a comeback to get the win. Both starter pitchers pitched outstanding games. IOW’s R.Oswalt went 7 innings allowing only 5 hits, but one of those was a solo homer from L.Parrish in the 6th that was the only run until the 9th. L.Gomez went the distance for VIR giving up 5 hits in 10 innings. Things looked good once again for VIR as they entered the 9th with a 1-0 lead. With Foulke and Betancourt still getting over the shock of the previous game, VIR decided to stay with Gomez for the CG victory. Only that didn’t happen. Rudy York crushed a leadoff homer in the 9th that tied the game and had VIR fans shaking their heads. VIR came up with nothing in their half and the game went to the 10th. Once again VIR opted to stay with Gomez and once again IOW made the most of it…”J. MORGAN ’71 facing L. GOMEZ ’38, T 10th, 2 Outs, Runner on 3rd, Tied 1-1…BOUDREAU ’39 and third base are good friends … GOMEZ ’38 delivers … big swing…it’s a dying quail to right … ROBINSON ’69 gallops in … FRISCH ’28 races back…but it parachutes between them … a Texas League single for MORGAN ’71…BOUDREAU ’39 scores easily … and MORGAN ’71 has the RBI…GIANTS 2, CAVALIERS 1.” The Goose came in for Iowa and gave VIR no chance to salvage a comeback. That made VIR 0 for 2 in taking advantage of lower grade pitching.
Game #3: IOW 6-13-0 W-A.Reynolds (4-5)
VIR 1-3-2 L-L.Day (1-1)Well so much for facing low grade pitching. A.Reynolds showed VIR what it was like to face real pitching. Reynolds toyed with VIR hitters and spun his way through 8 innings giving up a mere 3 hits. IOW started the game off with a lead off homer by Cool Papa Bell and VIR tied the game in the 1st on a FC. After that VIR hardly sniffed at a run. Meanwhile, IOW was having a field day banging out 13 hits on their way to a 5 run 6th inning that saw Iowa batters slapping the ball everywhere.. Cool Papa Bell led the way going 3-5 with a double and a homer and driving in 3 runs and Vic Power chipped in 3 hits and a RBI as well. But it was Reynolds who owned the day and the game.
Game #4: IOW 3-7-3 L-B.Feller (2-11)
VIR 6-7-0 W-P.Roe (2-2) SV-K.Foulke (19)VIR did NOT out hit IOW! And guess what? They won! And they were the team that came back to win it this time. IOW opened the scoring in the 2nd with a RBI single from C.Rojas that drove in C.Yelich. VIR countered in the bottom half with a RBI single from T.Pena and a throwing error by J.Ellsbury (one of 3 OWA errors on the day) to take a 2-1 lead. Feller and Roe battled it out over the next 4 innings not allowing anyone to mount a threat. Then in the 7th, C.Rojas (2-3 with all 3 RBI for Iowa) drilled a double to the wall in left that chased home 2 runs to give IOW a 3-2 lead. It didn’t look good for VIR, but then in the 8th F.Frisch doubled and D.Murphy lined an opposite field double into the LF corner to tie it at 3-all. F.Robinson grounded out and H.Heilman fanned for the 2nd out of the inning. A.Rosen worked a walk putting runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 away…”R. KINER ’53 facing B. FELLER ’40, B 8th, 2 Outs, 1st and 2nd, Tied 3-3…and now the pitch … KINER ’53 hits a pea…past the diving POWER ’62 … just inside the bag … it’s rolling…YELICH ’14 will have to play it near the corner … MURPHY ’11 scores…CAVALIERS have the lead! … ROSEN ’54’s around third…and now the pitch … KINER ’53 hits a pea…past the diving POWER ’62 … just inside the bag … it’s rolling…YELICH ’14 will have to play it near the corner … MURPHY ’11 scores…CAVALIERS have the lead! … ROSEN ’54’s around third…and he scores … KINER ’53 holds second with a double…GIANTS 3, CAVALIERS 5.” G.Templeton hits one off the wall to bring in Kiner and VIR uped the lead to 6-3. This time K.Foulke did what he does best and came in to notch his 19th save of the season. And finally, VIR figured out a way to win a game against the pesky Iowa Giants
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Iowa showed that you don’t need high grade pitchers to win games,…you just need hitters to get hits at the right time in order to score more runs that the other team. And it worked as Iowa went home with a 3-1 series win. Hitters in the series,…well, C.Rojas was 4-6 with 5 RBI for Iowa. Virginia had a couple batters with 3 hits but that was it. Allie Reynolds’ 3 hitter in 8 innings was the best pitched game of the four.
Iowa goes back home to take on Pigtown in a battle of the bottom two NL teams. Virginia stays at home to host San Tan Valley, who hopes to win a few games and become a contender in the tough NL West.
Hoboken Zephyrs @ Fantomz Force
Series Preview: The NL West second-place 30-20 Hoboken Zephyrs headed to Force Field to play the 26-24 NL East fourth-place Fantomz Force. The Force were hoping to gain some ground on the leading contenders in the East division: Coastline, Detroit, and Virginia, but knew they’d be challenged by Hoboken’s stellar pitching staff.
Game #1: Game 50 – Red Faber ’21 (6-4) v. Gaylord Perry ‘74 (5-3)

Fantomz 2-1 (12): Fantomz fans were lining up early for tickets, anticipating a pitchers duel between Hoboken’s Red Faber and Fantomz’s Gaylord Perry. The fans were certainly not disappointed! The Zephyrs scored first during the 3rd inning when Eddie Yost delivered a solo shot, his sixth homer this season. The Force tied the game during the 8th inning on Shin-Soo Choo’s sacrifice fly that scored Honus Wagner. Chess moves during the early extra innings kept the game tied. In the 12th, Ron Santo doubled. After two unsuccessful bunt attempts, Wagner doubled into left-center, plating Santo with the winning run.

Game #2: Game 51 – Jared Weaver ‘12 (6-2) v. Stan Coveleski ’23 (0-7)

Hoboken 4-1: The Zephyrs wasted no time attacking Fantomz’s Stan Coveleski. They scored single runs during each of the first three innings, while Jered Weaver blanked the Force through five innings. Choo hammered his first longball of the season during the 6th inning, the lone blemish on Weaver’s fine outing. Weaver went the distance, pitching a six-hitter, striking out five while walking none and adding two hits. Wagner had two hits for the Force.

Game #3: Game 52 – Noodles Hahn ’02 (8-4) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (6-5)

Hoboken 4-1: Jeff Heath delivered a two-run bloop double during the 5th inning, then repeated the feat two frames later as he drove in all four Hoboken runs. Noodles Hahn silenced Force bats with a dominating two-hit performance, striking out nine while walking four. Wagner’s 2nd-inning single plated Ray Lankford with the Force’s only run. Hahn’s ERA dropped to 1.73

Game #4: Game 53 – Tom Seaver ’77 (8-2) v. Satchel Paige (7-3)

Hoboken 3-1: The Zephyrs scored first when a Paige 2nd-inning throwing error led to the game’s first run. The Force tied the game two innings later when Don Mattingly’s sacrifice fly plated Lankford, who went 3-for-3. Hoboken broke the deadlock during the 8th inning on back-to-back singles by Heath and Jeff Spence.

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Hoboken won 3 of 4 with dominant pitching and timely hitting in a series played over TeamViewer. The Force mustered a robust five runs during the four-game series; their moral victory was avoiding a shutout. Fantomz dropped below .500 for the first time this season while the Zephyrs are nipping at the heels of NL West division-leading Clockwork.
Climax Cougars @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: It looked like a tough series for Climax as they are trying to reach .500 but had to play the Leagues best record Clockwork. Clockwork hitters were excited to face pitching graded less than 18+ as the NL West is a nightmare.
Game #1: This one was all Clockwork Donovan improves to 7-0 with a 0.88 era tossing a 5 hitter. A 6 run first inning did in the Cougars as Foster hit 2 doubles and drove in 2 and melton hit a 3 run homer. Clockwork 7 Climax 0
Game #2: Leonard and Ott homered for Climax against Blyleven but sadly for Climax the pitching could not stop Clockwork. Vaughn and Terry had huges games with a double and homer each. 8-4 Clockwork
Game #3: Myers gave Wood a 1-0 lead in the 8th as Wood was pitching a no hitter. But in the 8th Clockwork got Wakefield single and a Melton 2 run homer. Clockwork wins 2-1 as matheson improves to 9-2 and Tekulve gets the save his 13th.
Game #4: Once agin Climax could not hold onto thier 2-0 lead as Clockwork gets a 4 run 7th and win 5-2. foster had a big game driving in 3 runs. Newhouser gets the win in relief and Tekulve saves his 14th
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Clockwork gets great pitching and sweeps Climax. pitcher of the week Donovan 5 hit shutout. Arky Vaughn for hitter going 5 for 10 with 5 runs 2 rbis and 2 walks with 2 doubles and a homer.
 West Michigan  @ San Tan Valley Moonrakers
Series Preview: Looks like two evenly matched, middle of the road teams squaring off.
Game #1: A 3-3 tie goes in to extra innings. Ed Walsh gives up 4 hits in the 10th with RBIs from Tommy Davis and Bill Dickey. Bob Stanley comes in to save it for Western Michigan but doesn’t do it easily. Hal Trotsky and Quincy Trouppe double to make it 5-4 but then Stanley closes it out. Dick Allen makes his LEG league debut with a single and a triple in 5 ABs.
Game #2: San Tan Starter Monte Stratton hits a three run homer but the Retrogrades bounce him around for 12 hits and 8 runs in 5 innings. Duke Snyder hits 2 homers and a double in the 9-4 win.
Game #3: San Tan builds a 7-0 lead against Hal Schumaker before the Western Michigan bats get going. They post a 5 run 8th inning rally against Sparky Lyle to tie the game at 7. In the bottom of the 9th against Stu Miller, Vern Stephens ( who had homered twice earlier) doubled home Bob Elliott for the 8-7 win.
Game #4: Randy Johnson (6-3) pitches his third straight shutout, a 3 hit, 7 K effort, winning 7-0. Bob Elliot, Sherry Magee, and Stephens all go deep for San Tan.
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Can’t get much closer than a 2-2 split with 2 one run games.
 Motown Yankees @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: MOTOWN YANKEES (26-23) vs. NAGS HEAD SURF SOX (21-28)

Motown and Nags Head square of over TeamViewer for the initial round of inter-divisional games.

Game #1: Dave Brown vs. Joaquin Andujar

A Biz Mackey solo homerun in the second and an 8th inning RBI double off the bat of Fred McGriff was all Motown starter Dave Brown would need. Brown was superb, only allowing a Ryne Sandberg triple and 3 walks, going the distance for his 8th win. Dixie Walker and McGriff each had a pair of hits for the Yanks. Andujar had one of his better outings for the Sox, scattering 5 hits and a pair of walks over 7 and a third, but he still loses his 9th.

YANKS 2/6/0
SOX 0/1/0
WP – Brown (8-5)
LP – Andujar (2-9)

Game #2: Carl Hubbell vs. Mike Mussina

Top 1 – Mussina walks Dixie Walker to start the game. Stan Hack’s infield single puts runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. Fred McGriff bloops a double down the right field line to score Walker and Hack for a 2-0 Yankee lead.

Bottom 2 – Dave Kingman leads off the inning with a walk. He comes around to score on a Gary Carter RBI double to cut the Yankee lead in half. Carter scores to tie the game on a Fred McGriff error on a Larry Bowa ground ball. Game tied 2-2

Hubbell and Mussina are locked in a real pitcher’s duel and the game stays tied until the 8th. Yankee starter Carl Hubbell helps himself, and leads off the 8th inning with a single. Hubbell gets pulled for pinch runner Richie Ashburn. The Yanks will load the bases and Ashburn will come around to score on a Cristobal Torriente sacrifice bunt to put Motown back in front 3-2.

Bottom 8 – Larry Bowa leads off with a single off Yankee reliever Koji Uehara. Last week’s N.L. Batter of the Week, Andre Dawson is called upon to bat for Norm Charlton, and Dawson delivers a 2 run homerun to put the Sox on top. Francisco Cordero retires the Yanks in order in the 9th to preserve the win for Nags Head.

YANKS 3/4/1
SOX 4/4/1
WP – Charlton (1-0)
LP – Uehara (3-2)
S – Cordero (11)

Game #3: Adam Wainwright vs. Nolan Ryan

After a pair of tight, low scoring games, game 3 would see lots of offense and sloppy Nags Head defense.

Motown scores single runs in the 1st and 2nd for an early 2-0 lead. Gary Carter clubs a 2 run homerun to tie the game in the bottom of the 2nd.

Top of the 4th, the Yankees manufacture a run, on an Ashburn single and stolen base, a Wainwright SAC bunt, and a Dixie Walker SAC fly, Motown back in the lead 3-2, but the lead would be short lived. Back to back Dawson and HOJO doubles tie it up at 3 at the end of 4.

A Ryne Sandberg solo homerun puts the Sox in front 4-3 in the 5th, before the Yankee bats erupt for 3 in the 6th, 1 in the 7th, and 4 in the 8th to take an 11-4 lead. NH scores 3 runs off Chief Bender, but Uehara comes in in the 9th to put the game away for Motown.

After 15 hits TOTAL in games 1 & 2, Motown has 18 and Nags Head has 14 in game 3. Every starter, on both teams, had at least one hit. Walker, McGriff, and Westrum each had 3 hits for Motown. Jimmie Foxx had 3 hits for Nags Head. Motown scored 11, but only had 8 RBIs thanks to 4 Nags Head errors (2 by Foxx and 2 by Carter … I can’t wait until Carter has a better defensive card!!) Once again I left Nolan Ryan in too long … and Adam Wainwright was good enough to win his 8th.

YANKS 11/18/0
SOX 7/14/4
WP – Wainwright (8-2)
LP – Ryan (3-5)

Game #4: Larry Jansen vs. Cole Hamels

Nags Head scores first in this one. Bottom of the third, Cole Hamels leads off with a single. Jansen walks Sandberg to bring Von Hayes to the plate. Hayes singles to right, Hamels is waived home, but Ashburn guns him down at the plate. With 1st and third and 1 out, Motown chooses to intentionally walk Jimmie Foxx to load the bases and bring Andre Dawson to the plate. Dawson hits one deep enough to score Sandberg for the 1-0 Sox lead. Dave Kingman then singles home Hayes and NH is out in front 2-0.

Top 5 – Hamels Ks Dixie Walker to start the inning. Stan Hack singles, then Cole Hamels gets wild … walking Westrum, McGriff, and with the bases loaded, Bancroft to put the Yanks on the board. Hamels then strikes out Frank White and Kenny Lofton … so after 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in the inning, Motown is within a run, 2-1 Nags Head.

Top 6 – Another case of a pitcher helping himself … Jansen singles to lead off the Motown 6th. After a Walker double puts runners at 2nd and 3rd, Jansen is pulled for pinch runner Carney Lansford. The move is warranted as Lansford’s speed beats Kingman’s throw to the plate on a Stan Hack SAC fly which ties the game at 2.

The game stays locked at 2-2 until the top of the 9th. Pinch runner Elmer Valo, who was at 3rd thanks to another Jimmie Foxx error, scores on a Fred McGriff bases loaded SAC fly to put Motown up 3-2 heading to the bottom of the 9th. Steve Mingori is called on to save it for the Yanks. Pinch hitter Mike Marshall leads off for NH and singles to right. Larry Bowa is brought in to run for Marshall. Bowa steals second with one out. Sandberg grounds out for the 2nd out of the inning to bring Von Hayes to the plate. Hayes singles to right, Bowa comes around with the tying run, Hayes ends up on second, bringing Jimmie Foxx to the plate. Motown intentionally walked Jimmie Foxx twice previously in the game, but not this time …

* J. FOXX ’34 facing S. MINGORI ’71, B 9th, 2 Outs, Runner on 2nd, Tied 3-3
HAYES ’86 moves another step away from second … pitcher steps off … now MINGORI ’71’s set again
the pitch … that’s hit … back and deep the other way … back … back… … back……
HEY-HEY!! … it’s all over! … a two-run shot over the right center field wall
attaboy FOXX ’34 … Jimmie trots around the bases … he loves a trip downtown
he’s greeted at the plate

This one will go down as a Nags Head classic from season 1!

YANKS 3/6/0
SOX 5/8/1
WP – Street (4-1)
LP – Mingori (3-1)

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Great series. Thanks to a couple of key, late inning, homeruns the Sox manage a 2-2 series tie against a legitimate playoff contender.
 Pigtown Bombers @ Hollywood Zombies
Series Preview:  
Game #1:  
Game #2:  
Game #3:  
Game #4:  
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Hollywood’s 9 game win streak comes to an end abruptly, as they drop 3 of 4 to Pigpen…i mean ‘town’.

Hollywood is filing a grievance with the Commissioner’s Office about the Commissioner’s Office. The complaint is as follows…”You don’t talk about a streak during a streak. The CO mentioned the 9-game win streak in the last in the Series 7 recap. By doing this, they jinxed the team, forcing them to lose 3 of 4. As such, they demand 5 extra Franchise Points be rewarded, compensating the team for that CO blunder.”

Hollywood now awaits a response from the Commissioner’s Office