2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #21

 

National League Pitchers of the Week – Randy JOHNSON – San Tan Valley

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit, 11 strikeouts,  &3 walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Dazzy VANCE  – Cincinnati

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 12 strikeouts, & 2 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Joe MORGAN  – Iowa

.421 avg  / 0.842 slg,  8 for 19,  1 double, 2 triples, 1  home run, 6  runs, 6 RBIs, & 1 SB

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Adrian GONZALEZ  – Boston

.500 avg / 1.143 slg, 7  for 14,  3 homers, 3 runs, & 8 RBIs

Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Purry Cowpokes
Series Preview: First place Lewisberry travels across the great Susquehanna River into Purry County to take on the Cowpokes. Bob and I played over TeamViewer.
Game #1: Purry jumps out to an early 4-0 lead in the 2nd but can’t overcome their 5, yes 5, errors. Nellie Cruz drives in 4 runs with a double and a Baltimore Special. Purry’s starting battery of Jake Weimer and Carlos Santanna each committed 2 errors. Lewisberry takes game 1, 10-6.
Game #2: Josh Beckett only surrenders 6 hits over 7 innings and Freddie Freeman and Maury Wills drive in 2 runs apiece. Lewisberry 6 Purry 1
Game #3: Lewisberry jumps out to a 6-0 lead in the 1st, 3 on a Justin Turner home run. Purry would score a bit but every time they got closer, Lewisberry would put it more out of reach. I am proud to say that when Nellie Cruz came up in the 8th, I called another Baltimore Special and Nellie delivered. Bobby Howry sucks. Gil Hodges goes 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 rbi’s. Lewisberry 13 Purry 6.
Game #4: Purry is looking to prevent getting swept for the 1st time this year. Neil Walker goes 3-4 with 2 homers and Carlos Santana added 2-run shot to lead the Cowpokes. Steve Hamilton was very effective in his 1st start of the year going 7.3 and giving up 3 runs. Purry 7 Lewisberry 3
Series Summary: Lewisberry heads home with 3 wins in it’s pocket as Purry takes the finale (LCB 3 PUR 1). Nelson Cruz 3-10, double, 2 homers, 7 rbi’s for the Bumpkins. Gil Hodges added a line of 8-12, 3 doubles, 4 rbi’s. Tris Speaker went 7-14with 5 doubles for the Cowpokes.
Jack Street Hustlers @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: On the league leader boards the Cats enter the series first in batting at .278, 3rd in OBP, and first in ERA at 2.71. For the Hustlers they’re 8th in batting at .252, tied for first in homers with 146, leading in runs, and second best in slugging.
Game #1: Jack Street opened the scoring with Mark McGwire’s 28th homer in the 2nd. The Cat’s went ahead scoring two runs in the 4th on a fielders choice and a sac fly then the Hustlers tied the game with another homer in the 5th this time by Rafael Palmeiro his 12th of the year. J. D. Drew put Jack Street up 3-2 with a two out rbi double in the 8th, but Ft. Worth sent the home crowd home happy with a 2 run pinch hit homer with one out in the ninth, “Firstbaseman PALMEIRO ’02’s on the bag … now BRANTLEY ’96 pitches … MAY ’69 smacks it straight down the line in left … could it go? … it could … and it does! just inside the left field foul pole … it’s all over! … a two-run dinger”

Final Score: Cats 4, Hustlers 3

Game #2: In the top of the first after the Cats got a double play Jack Street loaded the bases on two walks sandwiched around an infield single by McGwire. Then Edgar Martinez drove home two with his 21st double of the year. Hank Severeid cuts the lead in half in the bottom of the 2nd with a single driving home Al Oliver. Back to back two out doubles by Ken Singleton and Oliver plated the Cats 3 runs as they went in front 4-2. A solo home run in the 7th by Al Kaline helped Jack Street inch closer, but Home Run Baker put the game away with a 3-run blast in the bottom of the 8th for Ft. Worth.

Final Score: Cats 7, Hustlers 3

Game #3: Rogers Hornsby goes 3 for 5 and drives in 4 off a homerun and a double while Tom Glavine allows only 5 hits through 7 innings as Jack Street takes game three easily.

Final Score: Hustlers 5, Cats 1

Game #4: Jack Street gets two unearned runs to go up 4 to 3 in the 7th, but in the bottom of 7th the Cats tie the game with a pinch hit single by Moises Alou and go ahead with a pinch hit triple by Tommy (PeeWee) Butts. It was PeeWee’s 7th triple of the year.

Final Score: Cats 5, Hustlers 4

Series Summary: Ft. Worth stays hot winning 3 of 4 against Jack Street.
Kansas City Blues @ Chicago Nine
Series Preview: After a trade this week Chicago starts their new acquisition in the first game of a 4 game series vs. the Kansas City Blues.
Game #1: Omar Vizquel has 2 RBI’s and Ramon Martinez (Freshly acquired from Hollywood) leads the way going 8 strong Innings allowing only 3 Runs.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Kansas City 3

Win: Ramon Martinez 1-0 (3.38)
Loss: Zach Grenkie 6-10 (3.88)
Save: Jeff Nelson #21

Game #2: Some injuries mare game #2 as Mike Trout goes down for 6 days for Chicago & Juan Gonzalez (8 Days) & Ray Durham (5 Days) both head to the trainer’s room for the Blues. 3 Chicago Home Runs (J.D. Martinez), Jayson Werth, & Ivan Rodriguez. C.C. Sabathia goes 6.2 solid Innings and picks up the win.

Final Score: Chicago 6 – Kansas City 4

Win: C.C. Sabathia 10-9 (4.97)
Loss: Jerry Koosman 4-12 (4.44)
Save: Jeff Nelson #22

Game #3: King Felix Hernandez goes the distance allowing 2 Walks, 8 Hits & Strikes out 4 Blues along the way. J.D. Martinez has a Home Run & 3 RBI’s to lead the way for Chicago.

Final Score: Chicago 5 – Kansas City 0

Win: Felix Hernandez 12-6 (2.98)
Loss: Tommy Bridges 8-10 (3.73)

Game #4: Chicago only scores in the 5th Inning. The Blues score 2 in the 4th & 1 in the 9th. Chicago’s Runs 9. a 9 spot in the 5th. Bobby Richardson has 4 Hits, Jayson Werth, J.D. Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr, & Brooks Robinson all have 2 RBI’s. Chicago put a hurting on the Blues in this Inning and win the game because of it.

Final Score: Chicago 9 – Kansas City 3

Win: J.R. Richard 7-10 (4.90)
Loss: Fernando Valenzuela 0-5 (5.44)

Series Summary: Chicago sweeps the series four games to none. Kansas City scores 10 in the series, Chicago 24 total Runs, 9 in one Inning.
Wrigleyville Whales @ Middle Channel Sturgeon
Series Preview: Wrigleyville visits the Middle Channel
Game #1: 3-1 Wales
Game #2: 5-2 ‘Ville
Game #3: Sherzer throws a 2 hitter. 5-0 Sturgeon
Game #4: The Wales make it close in the end but the Channel hang on 7-6
Series Summary: Split
Cincinnati Knights @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: The Knights, under the guidance of John Hamel R a very dangerous team! The Pirates aspire to emulate this team. With both great pitching & hitting, they will be hard to overcome.
Game #1: I knew I was in trouble when catcher Bill Freehan opened with a single just before Ray Grimes hit a quick 2 run HR. DAM!, My seat wasn’t warm yet!!! This is when I thought, this will be a long series. After that Mike Cuellar started to buckle down, The Pirates pecked away with a run in the 2nd & 4th to tie the score while “Mad Mike” Cuellar got stingy. In the 6th, OLD reliable, Cecil Fielder, cleared the centerfield wall with a solo HR, his 28th HR of the season, to give the Bucs a lead they would not relinquish with one more run in the 7th, the Pirates behind Cuellar & Mariano Rivera, who picked up his 16th save, squelched any Knights rally here. The Pirates, behind light hitting Glen Beckert’s 3 hits, outhit the OTHER Golden Knights 11-4.
FINAL; PIRATES 4, KNIGHTS 2
Game #2: In this game Mike Scott of the Knights, came out guns a blazing. He came out throwing strikes. Fortunately for the Pirates they managed to hit 2 of them, as light hitting Willie Davis singled & was driven home by “Jumpin’ Joe” Di Maggio & his double in the gap. That 1-0 lead didn’t last long, as Sal “The Pal” Bando drove home Sewell with the tying run in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom half, Joe wasn’t done jumping, & cleared the wall with a 2 run blast to give the hungry Pirates a 3-1 lead after 3. In the 5th Joe again doubled just before “Wild Willie’s” gap ringing double to extend the Buc lead to 3, 4-1. The Knight’s were not to be left for dead. They notched 1 in the 6th, with Dean Chance leaving with that run, & giving way to the mighty Pirate bullpen. Jesse Crain cleaned up Guthrie’s 2 walk performance, & gave way to lefty Brian Fuentes, who proceeded to walk “Teddy ballgame” Williams, before giving up a monster blast to backup catcher, Babe (Ruth like) Phelps. This 2 run HR brought the Bucs back to earth in the top of the 8th. The Pirates were pissed with Fuentes but let him stay & he got out with no more harm done. Now going into the bottom half, the fighting Pirates went back to light hitting SS Don Kessinger to drive in the game winning run & allowed Rivera to come in to get his 17th save.
FINAL: PIRATES 5, KNIGHTS 4
Game #3: Now the Knights were less than thrilled with the previous 2 games & sent strong Dazzy Vance to the mound. He would show his dominance of the Pirates here. First off, Chick Hafey drove in Hans Lobert in the 1st with the only run Vance would need as he proceeded to mow down the Bucs like the were a little league team. Dazzy struck out 12 while allowing only 2 hits, BOTH to light hitting Glen Beckert, who now has 7 hits through 3 games. Mr. Vance should be considered for Pitcher of the week, & his only ‘Achilles Heal”, was Beckert?!?!?
FINAL: KNIGHTS 2, PIRATES 0
Game #4: For the Knights, this game was a lot like game 3. This time Johan Santana dominated! Only 6 K’s, but another 2 hit performance by the great Knight pitchers. One Pirate downer, Buc ace, Howie Camnitz, after striking out the 1st batter went down to the injury bug for 5 games. With Howie going down, Warren Spahn came in & got clocked for 5 ER’s on 2 HR’s by Babe Phelps (AGAIN!) & slugger Jason Giambi in a little over 2 innings. Santana also should be considered for “POW” with his sterling performance.
FINAL: KNIGHTS 5, PIRATES 0
Series Summary: The Pirates were lucky to get out with their “bats & balls”! The Knights domination in games 3 & 4 shows me how great this team can really be. Good luck “Golden Knights” the rest of the year.
New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: New Westminster (63-38) vs. Kansas City A’s (43-58)
Game #1: Messersmith vs. Phil Niekro: A’s knock out Messersmith with 6 in the bottom of the 2nd en route to a 13-6 win. The A’s were led by Bill White’s 3 for 5 with a double and homer and 5 RBI’s. Roger Maris chipped in a 4 or 4 with 2 RBI’s performance and Dihigo went 2 for 3 with a double and homer for New Westminster. Jim Maloney was injured for 19 days for the A’s.
Game #2: Gooden vs. Cicotte: Doc Gooden tossing a 4 hit shutout striking out 10 in a 9-0 win for Westminster. Fain had 3 hits and Davey Concepcion had a single and 2 run homer to lead a 17 hit attack.
Game #3: Tesreau vs. F. Jenkins: Tesreau gets his 13th win in an easy 12-4 win for Westminster. Garr had 4 hits and a homer and 3 RBI, Jimmy Wynn a double and homer and 3RBI, Clarke had a homer, 2 singles and 3RBI for the victors.
Game #4: Leever vs. Horlen: The game goes 13 innings before the A’s walk off with a RBI single by Hale driving in Roger Maris for the 2-1 win. Leever went 9 innings allowing only 1 run and Horlen also pitched a good game going 8 and allowing 1 run.
Series Summary: Series ends up a 2 and 2 spilt.
Madison East Puregolders @ Boston Braves
Series Preview: The last place Boston Braves and Madison East Puregolders entered this series blissfully unaware of the fireworks instore.
Game #1: Braves take game one 2-0 on the strong four hit, shutout pitching of Johnny Antonelli. He gave up no extra base hits. Hanley Ramirez had two singles for the Puregolders. Dominic DiMaggio gave him all the offense needed with a homer, a triple and three hits.
Game #2: The Braves good luck continued in game two with a 7-5 win. Pie Traynor and Albert Belle each collected two hit along with a homerun from Carlos Gonzalez for Madison East. Jimmy Hall and Todd Walker had three hit and Freddie Sanchez two for the Braves.
Game #3: Gene Conley and the bullpen checked to Madison East offense ina 10-1 win in game three. Adrian Gonzalez swings the big bat for the Braves with four hits , two of which became souvenirs. Jim Rice, Freddy Sanchez, Dave Robertson, and Dominic DiMaggio each had two Brave hits.
Game #4: The Braves completed their second series sweep of the year in historic fashion with a 12-9 crazy win where the teams split 34 hits. Leon Durham collected three hits, as did Carlos Gonzalez, one of his a homer and Pie Traynor homered for Madison East. Tony Conigliaro had three hits, Adrian Gonzalez had another homer and multiple mates collected two hits for the Braves. Juan Marichal Set a dubious LEG record with a complete game 17 hit, 9 run, 12-9 win for the Braves. Benchmarks that will not be broken any time soon.
Series Summary: A full moon series if there ever was won as the Braves sweep it. As a bonus, they are now down to one catcher with Jonathan Lucroy joining Gaddy Hartnett on the disabled list. I can see problems not far down the road for them.
Hoboken Zephyrs @ Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: Hobokan (58-43), 2nd place in the NL West, travels to Coastline (69-32), 1st place in the NL East, for a 4 game series.

The series was played old school via phone, since Joel was having problems with his TeamViewer.
Thanks to Joel for a fun series!

Game #1: HOB M.Garcia vs CLB B.Swift
CLB opens the scoring in the B1 on back-to-back 2bs by Jenkins and C.Ripken. HOB ties the game in the T4 with their own back-to-back 2bs by J.Wilson and Schang. It was a short lived tie as CLB H.Wilson hits a solo-HR in the B4.In the B5 CLB adds a run when Swift 2bs and scores on a Jenkins rbi-3b. HOB pulls within a run in the T7 when PH Youkilis 2bs, Stirnweiss PRs, and Heath singles him home. But CLB Casilla is able to get out of the 7th to end the threat. CLB Marshall comes on for the T8 and Sutter then closes out the games for CLB with a perfect T9.CLB Swift (11-8) gets the win, Sutter notches his 41st save, and HOB Garcia 2-7) takes the lossCLB 3, HOB 2
Game #2: HOB J.Weaver vs CLB C.Finley
CLB gets out in front first again in the B3 when M.Williams 1bs and 1 out later Becker hits a 2-run HR. HOB gets within 1 in the T5 on a J.Wilson solo-HR. That would be all the scoring in the game as HOB Weaver only gives up 2 more hits to CLB in the game. But CLB Finley is just as strong giving up only 3 hits in 6IP of work. CLB again calls on the bullpen as Albers, Marshall, and Sutter toss a scoreless 7th, 8th, and 9th.CLB C.Finley (14-4) earns the win, Sutter picks up save #42, and HOB J.Weaver (9-6) gets the loss.CLB 2, HOB 1
Game #3: HOB T.Seaver vs CLB D.Stieb
In the CLB B2 H.Wilson 2bs and scores on Gehrig’s rbi-2b. CLB adds another in the B3 when Stieb reaches on Bottomley’s throwing error, Jenkins inf-1b, and C.Ripken’s rbi-1b (Jenkins is cut down at 3rd).CLB stretches the leas to 3-0 in the B4 when Gehrig 1bs, Gordon executes the H&R 1b to put runners at the corners, and M.Williams rips an rbi-1b. HOB gets on the board in the T6 when with 2 outs Henrich 2bs and then scores on J.Wilson’s rbi-1b. HOB pulls within 1 run in the T7 on PH Youkilis solo-HR which also chases Stieb out of the game. That would end the scoring in the game.In a common theme this year CLB uses Casilla, Albers, and Sutter out of the bullpen to close out the 7th, 8th and 9th for the win.CLB D.Stieb (13-5) with the win, Sutter with save #43, and HOB T.Seaver (14-7) with the loss.CLB 3, HOB 2
Game #4: HOB N.Hahn vs CLB K.Brown
Hahn and Brown trade 3 scoreless innings and it look like CLB K.Brown might just pitch like his 20 grade would indicate. But, alas, as has been the case this year he does not as HOB explodes for 3 runs in the T4 and 3 more in the T5.In the HOB T4 Bottomley bbs, moves up on a groundout, J.Wilson bbs, Duncan rips an rbi-1b and the runners end up at 2nd and 3rd. PH Youkilis hits a Sac fly, and Hahn helps his own cause with an rbi-1b. In the HOB T5 Spence reaches on Gordon’s throwing error, Heath 1bs, and Bottomley hits a 3-run HR!CLB would get its 1st run in the B6 on a S.White Solo-HR. In the CLB B7 C.Ripken and Berger hit back-to-back solo-HRs to make it 6-3 HOB. In the CLB B9 Hahn is still on the mound for HOB and gives up a lead-off 1b to Dykes followed by a C.Ripken 2-run HR to pull CLB within a run.HOB elects to stay with Hahn and he responds by getting Berger, Skowron, and Gordon to end the game
and prevent the sweep.HOB N.Hahn (17-7) picks up the win and CLB K.Brown (12-9) gets the loss.HOB 6, CLB 5
Series Summary: Coastline earns a tough fought 3-1 series victory over Hoboken. The series was very close as all 4 games were decided by 1 run. No major performance by any 1 player/pitcher, but of a special note was PH Youkilis series as a PH as he was perfect going 2-2 with a 2b, solo-HR, walk, and Sac Fly.
West Michigan Retrogrades @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Clockwork dominant pitching and high on base hitting have set the standard for the NL so far. But West Michigan has monster hitting but weaker starting and solid pen have played well and are fighting for first in NL East. Should be a fun series.
Game #1: West Michigan starts out great getting four runs off Uhle, before he is ejected for hitting snider who was hurt on the play for 5 games, As ugly as it sounds but that rallied the Heros who scored 7 runs the next 3 innings as Schoendeist and Foster homers. Rowe gets the win in relief and Tekulve locks down his 26th save. Clockwork 7 West Michigan 4
Game #2: Melton hits a 3 run homer in the 2nd, and Donovan was a solid 2 in 7.2 innings for his 10th win, Tekulve gets his 27th save. Clockwork 4 West Michigan 2
Game #3: West Michigan gets to Matheson a rare human start for the ace getting 3 runs in 7 innings off the cy young contender. He was out down 3 to 2 in the 7th when the Heros score 4 as Foster and Terry hits a homer. To take a 6-3 lead. With Tekulve tired Gromek asks to close and he fails  allowing a 3 run homer to pinch hitter McHenry. Game tied 6-6. But in the 9th Stanley the Retrogrades best bullpen arm was bad as Lopes walks goes to second then a IBB – Sanitop drives him in for the 7-6 Clockwork win.
Game #4: Foster was aweful as Blyleven gets the easy 8-1 Clockwork win. Dykstra hits a homer.
Series Summary: I expected a better series but losing Snider hurt, and the Retrograde pitchers could not stop Clockwork hitters. It ends up a sweep but two blown leads hurt the team from Michigan.
POW – Foster 6 for 15 2 homers 4 rbis
Detroit DeLoreans @ Hollywood Zombies
Series Summary: Hollywood grabs 1 against Detroit. Coincidentally, i played them in MWWL as well and grabbed 1 against Detroit there as well. (different owners)
Fire Lake Segers @ Climax Cougars
Series Preview: A head-to-head series … thank you Team Viewer … between the Segers and the Cougars.
Game #1: Household name Ossee Schrecongost … as in Barb, please pass me the Schrecongost … comes through in the bottom of the 10th with a pinch hit two-run blast off Dave Stewart to spoil the opener for the visitors as Climax won 3-2.
The Reds … I mean Segers … broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the 10th on a Pete Rose single that scored Reggie Sanders.
Roger Peckinpaugh and Josh Gibson each had two hits for Climax.
Both starters, Ron Guidry (Fire Lake) and Greg Harris (Climax) pitched well in the game but Harris went a little too long (even Terry was telling me Harris was done) and was sent out in the 9th and gave up the game-tying hit on an RBI double by Jose Cardenal.
Win-Kinder (4-2,4.15)
Loss-Stewart (2-3, 4.71)
HR-HAM: Schrecongost (2)
Game #2: A seesaw battle that stretched into the 13th inning with another walkoff win by Climax as they took it 10-9 on a single into the right field gap by George Grantham that allowed Mel Ott to score.
Neither team had any bench left at the time of the game-winning hit so it was as much a mercy run as anything else.
Reggie Sanders and Tony Perez each had two hits and homered for Fire Lake while Jim Fregosit, Grantham and Jose Bautista had three apiece for Climax while Josh Gibson drove in three with a homer.
Win-Wood (7-6)
Loss-Gullett (3-6)
HR-FLS: Perez (7), Sanders (2); HAM: Gibson (6)
Game #3: Cannonball Redding looked like he was setting up for another run at the pitcher of the week honors and then the 7th inning came around …
… the Segers churned out 6 runs in the 7th, chased Redding and went on to win handily 7-3.
Jose Cardenal had two hits and drove in a couple of runs and Reggie Sanders went deep for the second game in a row for Fire Lake.
No one on Climax did anything worth mentioning.
Win-McLain (9-7, 3.35)
Loss-Redding (4-7, 4.06)
HR-FLS: Sanders (3)
Game #4: The Fire Lake Segers gave the Climax Cougars a dropkick to the nuts in the early going of this game, spring out to a 12-0 lead after two innings and eventually fending off a late surge (ha ha) to earn the series split 13-9.
A lotta guys for Fire Lake had two hits but Barry Larkin had the loudest one with a grand slam in the 2nd inning off Jose Mendez. Ironically, Mendez (who is in line for the #1 starter position in Climax next season) pitched 6.2 innings of relief and the run that Larkin scored on the slam was the only earned run he gave up.
The Climax pitching was what we would call in technical terms “sucked donkey balls” as their four pitchers combined to walk 11 batters in the game including three walks issued to Fire Lake starter Matt Morris.
Win-Morris (5-4, 3.66)
Loss-Waddell (9-7, 3.54)
Save-Lavelle (3, 2.31)
HR-FLS: Larkin (7); HAM: Grantham (7)
Game #5: Climax swung around to Fire Lake for a one-game makeup game for a previously rained out contest.
Game #6: Fire Lake takes the make-up match … what the heck else can I say?
Series Summary: Two great close games followed by two not so close games but all were entertaining in their own way as the teams split.
Wainwright Wranglers @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: WAINWRIGHT WRANGLERS (42-59) vs. NAGS HEAD SURF SOX (48-53)

Winners of 6 of their last 10, the Wainwright Wranglers visit Nags Head. The Sox find themselves in the middle of the pack in the N.L. East, 3 games out a playoff spot, and struggling to stay afloat in a race they didn’t really think they’d be a part of this late in the season.

Game #1: Nap Rucker (4-12 4.72 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (7-5 3.96 ERA)

Top 3 – Bip Roberts singles with one out. Hamels strikes out Cree for the 2nd out. Edwin Encarnacion and Daulton follow with back to back singles, scoring Roberts. 1-0 Wainwright

Rucker and Hamels match zeroes until the home half of the 8th when Jimmie Foxx slugs a 2 out Rucker pitch over the left-field fence for his 21st homerun of the year, tying the game at 1.

Two more scoreless innings sets up an exciting 11th

Top 11 – Huston Street is on for Nags Head. Mark Grace walks to start the inning. Kirby Puckett follows with a 2 run blast, his 8th, and the Wranglers take a 3-1 lead.

Bottom 11 – Rucker still on the hill for Wainwright – Dawson leads off with a smash into the left center gap that gets by Puckett … Dawson comes all the way around, beating Puckett’s throw, to cut the lead to 3-2 – score it a single and 3 base error. Foxx follows with another shot to left center that falls in for a double, finally sending Rucker to the showers. Duane Ward comes on in relief and makes quick work of Stanton, Kingman, and Winfield to save the victory.

Foxx and Sandberg each had a pair of hits for Nags Head. Tony Fernandez had 3 hits for Wainwright, Encarnacion, Grace, and Puckett each had 2. Rucker was the pitching star, tossing 10 innings, allowing 6 hits and only 1 earned run, while striking out 8 to earn his 5th victory of the season.

WW 3 12 2
SOX 2 6 0
WP – Rucker (5-12)
LP – Street (4-3)
S – Ward (13)

Game #2: Lefty Grove (12-7 3.31 ERA) vs. Mike Mussina (9-6 3.42 ERA)

Bottom 3 – Sox take a 1-0 lead on a Ryne Sandberg RBI double that scores Jeter.

Top 6 – Darren Daulton’s RBI single scores Bip Roberts to tie the game at 1.

Bottom 6 – Von Hayes walks to start the inning. He steals second and goes to third on a wild throw by Daulton. Juan Samuel’s single to left scores Hayes to put NH back in front. Following a HOJO single and a Kingman whiff, Gary Carter connects with a double down the right field line scoring Samuel and HOJO. Sox up 4-1

Bottom 7 – One out walks to Sandberg and Hayes. Following a double steal, the Sox have runners on 2nd and 3rd . Samuel walks to load the bases. Bradford freezes HOJO for the called third strike and the inning’s 2nd out. Kingman launches a shot to deep left, it stays in the park, but it’s off the glove of Gwynn clearing the bases. The floodgates open and the Sox ultimately score 6 unearned runs to open a commanding 10-1 lead.

Mitch Williams comes on to toss a pair of scoreless innings to put the game away. Derek Jeter’s 3 hits and 2 RBIs and Gary Carter’s 2 hits and 3 RBIS lead the way for N.H. Big win for the Sox, but they suffer a big loss as well as Jimmie Foxx goes down for 5 days, injured reaching over the railing to snatch a 5th inning pop up from a fan.

WW 1 4 2
SOX 10 9 0
WP – Mussina (10-6)
LP – Grove (12-8)

Game #3: Vic Willis (7-17 3.90 ERA) vs. Zane Smith (4-2 2.68 ERA)

SO … for some reason I failed to save the scripts for games 3 & 4 and the details for the write-up are lost ☹

The Sox take an early 1-0 lead, but Wainwright takes advantage of a rocky Zane Smith outing to score 6 runs and 8 hits off of him in 4 1/3 innings. Vic Willis goes the distance for the Wranglers, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits. Mark Grace had a big day for Wainwright, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and his 6th homerun of the season. Tony Fernandez clubbed his 3rd round tripper of the year. Roberts, Cree, and Encarnacion each had 2 hits.

WW 8 12 1
SOX 3 7 1
WP – Willis (8-17)
LP – Smith (4-3)

Game #4: Doc White (10-13 4.68 ERA) vs. Nolan Ryan (3-8 4.70 ERA)

Nags Head strikes again early, as Andre Dawson’s RBI single scores Jeter for a 1st inning 1-0 lead, but that’s all the Sox can muster against Doc White. Heinie Manush RBIs in the 3rd and 5th are all Wainwright would need in this one, as White dominates, going 9, scattering 3 hits and 4 walks, earning his 11th victory of the season. Tony Fernandez’s 5 day injury does put a damper on the day for the Wranglers.

WW 2 5 0
SOX 1 3 0
WP – White (11-13)
LP – Ryan (3-9)

Series Summary: The Wranglers take the series 3-1, as other than the game 2 eruption, the Sox can’t get the key hits off the Wainwright starters. Nags Head continues to struggle at home. The Sox are a game over .500 on the road, but 8 under at home … maybe I should let Buck Miller manage all of the games! The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Sox, however, as they now must travel to Clockwork to face the N.L.’s best without Jimmie Foxx for the first 2 games.
Iowa Giants @ Fantomz Force
Series Preview: Two struggling teams faced off in Force Field this weekend … and are weighing their prospects for next season …
Game #1: Game 102 – Bob Feller ’40 (6-15) v. Satchel Paige ‘41 (11-9)

Iowa 9-0: The Giants struck first during the 2nd inning and kept on striking throughout the game. Iowa added four 6th-inning runs then another three in the final inning. Joe Morgan hit 2-for-5 with a homer and three rbi. Seven different Iowa pitchers combined to throw a seven-hit shutout.

W – Feller (7-15) L – Paige (11-10)

Game #2: Game 103 – Dizzy Dean ’33 (4-8) v. Stan Coveleski ’23 (1-11)

Fantomz 8-7 (12): The Force led 4-1 after Doc Wiley’s 2nd-inning two run double, then the Giants tied the game two innings later. Larry Doby’s two-run 5th-inning clout put Fantomz up by two, then the Force added another run in the 7th inning. In the 9th, with closer Fantomz’ Jeff Russell on the hill protecting a three-run lead, Iowa scored three runs with two outs to tie the game, though Dale Alexander was thrown out at home attempting to score the go-ahead run. In the 12th inning, Mickey Cochrane walked then scored on Shin-Soo Choo’s walk-off double.

W – Frasor (2-1) L – Lanier (2-12)

Game #3: Game 104 – Bill Doak ’13 (1-3) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (10-8)

Iowa 5-4: Fantomz was nursing a 3-2 lead through six innings. In the 7th inning, Jeff Hamilton’s bases-clearing triple give the Giants a 5-3 lead, and adding injury to insult, put Fantomz leftfielder John Stone out for five days when he ran into the wall trying to catch Hamilton’s drive. The Force rallied to score a run in the 8th inning, but Iowa closer Goose Gossage ensured no further runs would score. Mike Andrews had three hits for Fantomz.

W – Bonham (7-4) L – Harder (4-4)

Game #4: Game 105 – Dizzy Dean ’33 (4-8) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (7-12)

Fantomz 4-3: Iowa’s Bryce Harper walked and scored in the first inning, then the Force tied the game on Eddie Miller’s second homer during the 2nd inning. Doby homered in the 4th to put Fantomz up, but the Giants tied the game on Lou Boudreau’s 7th-inning sacrifice fly and inched ahead on an 8th-inning passed ball. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Donaldson scored on Choo’s double, then Choo scored on Wagner’s walk-off single.

W – Rincon (2-2) L – Russell (4-4)

Series Summary: Rough series with some unexpected twists, turns, and injuries for both clubs. Three games were decided by one run with heroics from unlikely sources during the series split.

Player of the Week nominee: No standouts.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: No standouts.

Motown Yankees @ Virginia Cavaliers
Series Preview: Virginia, in a tailspin, hosts Motown and their deadly starting staff of high grade pitchers as they battle to earn a playoff spot. The games were played over Team Viewer and I thank Greg for taking the time to play. It was fun (even though I lost).
Game #1: VIR 5-0 W-B.Turley (7-9) L-A.Joss (5-11)

This was all B.Turley. A CG 2-hit shutout. Going into the 8th, Turley was looking at a no hitter. After getting B.Mackey to ground out and D.Bancroft to fly to CF, F.White popped the bubble, “WHITE ’80 slaps it on the ground toward right … this one has eyes…right between MURPHY ’11 and HEILMANN ’18 for a base hit…WHITE ’80 couldn’t have thrown it in a better spot … for MOTOWN … the 1st hit in…this game…breaking up the no-hitter for Bob TURLEY ’55 with two down here in the 8th.” Pinch hitter, E.Valo followed that with a chopper through short and Motown had their only two hits of the game. Turley settled down after that and completed his shut out an inning later. Meanwhile, the Virginia batters were uncharacteristically getting hits and scoring runs in support of Turley. A.Rosen’s 2-run double in the 1st staked Turley to an early lead. H.Heilmann’s RBI double in the 4th added another run and a 2-run dinger from A.Jones in the 6th finished the scoring. But, again, the story was Turley. It was his game. And that was it for Virginia!

Game #2: MTY 6-1 W-A.Wainwright (12-6) L-E.Reulbach (6-8)

An inauspicious start as Motown got it’s first run on a ground out in the 1st and then Wainwright helped his own cause with a RBI single in the 2nd for a 2-0 Motown lead. In the 4th, Virginia tried a new way of scoring by inducing Wainwright to lose concentration and balking in a run. That made it 2-1 and Virginia felt a little better. Until the next inning. Not satisfied with a 1-run lead, Motown loaded the bases and B.Mackey lined a double to the gap in RC to drive in 2 more runs. D.Bancroft followed with a RBI single and it was 5-1 Motown. Wainwright continued to throw zeros and Virginia could not get anything going after that. Motown would add another run later but it was over by then

Game #3: MTY 4-0 W-D,Brown (13-8) L-J.Key (5-8)

Motown’s turn to do what Virginia did in game 1. It was all D.Brown. A CG 2-hit shutout. Motown struck first as D.Walker led off the game with a single and scored when F.McGriff’s single to right was misplayed by F.Robinson, allowing Walker to score from first. W.Westrum then drove in McGriff for a 2-0 Motown lead. Virginia never got the chance to recover from that as Brown dealt goose eggs from then on out. To top it off, W.Westrum would double in 2 more runs in the 8th just to make sure Virginia didn’t get any ideas of a comeback. They didn’t. A. Pujols’ single in the 5th was their only hit until J.Harris singled in the 7th. Why? D.Brown was why. Oh and a 20 pitching grade!

Game #4: MTY 3-2 W-C.Hubbell (8-9) L-J.Guzman (3-7)

With a chance to get a series split, Virginia scrounged a run in the 3rd when T.Taylor reached on an error and scored on a K.McReynolds’ single to the gap in left-center. J.Guzman made that run, and a 1-0 Virginia lead, stand until the 6th. Motown’s S.Hack led off the 6th with a grounder to T.Taylor who promptly threw the ball over the head of firstbaseman J.Harris. Hack then stole 2nd and scored on a single by C.Torrirnte. Tie ball game 1-1,…both unearned runs. A couple batters later F.White drove in Torriente for a 2-1 Motown lead. One inning later S.Hack sent one into the LF corner scoring McGriff and Motown now led 3-1. A ground out in the 8th brought Virginia within one run at 3-2. But Hubbell wanted this game. And even though Virginia got a runner in scoring position in the 9th. Hubbell got L.Parrish on a pop up to end the game and preserve the Motown victory.

Series Summary: Motown’s pitching led the way as they took the series 3-1. After the first game, Motown’s pitchers allowed Virginia 3 runs in the last 3 games. On the offensive side, Motown outhit Virginia 31-21. Oddly, there was only 1 homer hit in the series (A.Jones for VIR).

Well, looks like we have two candidates for pitcher of the week. B.Turley with his CG 2-hit shut out and D.Brown’s CG 2-hit shut out. Hitters? Well, for Motown, D.Walker was 5-14 with 3 runs scored and for Virginia R.Kiner was 3-7 with a run.

Pigtown Bombers @ San Tan Valley Moonrakers
Series Preview: Two also rans try to gain some momentum to finish the season strong.
Game #1: Ed Walsh and Jessie Barnes hold Pigtown to one run on 8 hits. Meantime, the Moonrakers get a homer from Charlie Hickman and win 3-1 despite only gathering 5 hits themselves.
Game #2: The Bombers score three times in the top of the 1st, but then their luck runs out. Manny Ramirez and Roy Halladay get hurt and Jackie Robinson gets ejected, the offense goes to sleep and lets San Tan take this one 5-3, despite getting out hit 8-7.
Game #3: Eric Gagne hurls a 5 hit shutout as San Tan wins 2-0.
Game #4: Randy Johnson extends Pigstown’s scoreless streak to 26 innings, giving up only one hit and striking out 11. San Tan does not scorch the ball either, getting one run on 5 hits.
Series Summary: Pitching dominates!! San Tan out scores Pigtown 11-4 in sweeping. One homer in the series.

RANDY JOHNSON HURLS HIS 8th SHUTOUT!!! IT’S HIS 2ND ONE HITTER OF THE SEASON.