2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #27

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Lefty GOMEZ – Virginia

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts, &3 walks

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Johan SANTANA – Cincinnati

2-0 record, 17.0 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA not bad, 9 hits, 9 strikeouts, & 4 walks

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Vern STEPHENS  – San Tan Valley

11/29 .379 avg, 1.103 slg,  2 double, 2 triples, 5 home runs, 7 runs scored, 12 RBIs, & 1 walk

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Jason BAY  – Madison East 

13/28 .464 avg, 1.000 Slg, 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 6 runs scored, 12 RBIs, & 1walk

Kansas City A’s @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: Kansas City travels to Jack Street hoping to gain some ground.

Sorry not much time for writeups.

Game #1: K 2/6/0
J 4/10/1WP – Siebert 8-10
LP – Jenkins 12-14
Sv – Brantley 27
HR – J – Drew (8)
Game #2: K 7/12/0
J 10/10/0WP – Viola 6-5
LP – McDowell 1-11
Sv – Brantley 28
HR – K – Bonds (13) J – Hisle (12)
Game #3: K 6/8/0
J 2/4/0WP – Brown 10-8
LP – Byrd 11-8
Sv – Adams 20
HR – K – Jackson (5) J – Justice (14)
Game #4: K 4/8/1
J 10/9/0WP – Haren 9-13
LP – Cooper 3-5
Sv – None
HR – K – Aaron (21) J – Hornsby (34), Medwick (26), Justice (15)
Game #5: K 4/9/1
J 5/7/1WP – Garber 1-0
LP – Adams 4-7
Sv – None
HR – K – Boyer (4), Doerr (13) J – Hornsby (35), McGwire (38), Justice (16)
Game #6: K 2/4/3
J 1/5/1WP – Cicotte 15-12
LP – Veres 5-2
Sv – None
HR – K – Doerr (14)
Game #7: K 3/11/1
J 0/3/0WP – Maloney 3-1
LP – Viola 6-6
Sv – none
HR – None
Series Summary: Jack Street takes 4 of 7. Might have been a different story, but KC had 3 runners thrown out from the outfield and were caught stealing 10 times.
Boston Braves @ Lewisbury Country Blumpkins
Series Preview: Blumpkins trying to catch the Hustlers. Again.
Game #1: A Gone racks up 3 RBI, 2 with a dinger, for Boston as Blumpkins fall limp.
Braves 6 Country Blumpkins 1
Game #2: In nhis 1st of 3 losses this series, Britton shits the bed in the 9th allowing 2 runs to score. Hall hits a solo HR for the Braves.
Braves 5 Country Blumpkins 3
Game #3: Jerry Rice clubs a 3run Jack in the 1st for Boston. Cruz knocks in 2 in the 4th to make it 3-2. Bottom 9th magic from Freeman to tie it with an RBI 2B and a PH RBI 1B from Dave Philley to win it.
Country Blumpkins 4 Braves 3
Game #4: Britton shits the bed again allowing a 2run blast from Rice in the 9th to tie it up at 3. Gil Hodges 3run bomb in the 12th wins it for Lewisberry.
Country Blumpkins 6 Braves 3
Game #5: 3 RBI 1B scored all the runs in this game. A snoozer. Newcombe goes 8 strong for Boston.
Braves 2 Country Blumpkins 1
Game #6: Britton takes a 2-1 lead into the 9th and promptly gives up RBIs to Rice and Conigliaro to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Braves 3 Country Blumpkins 2
Game #7: Blumpkins get full release of frustrations scoring 5 in the 1st. No homers for the 3rd game in a row.
Country Blumpkins 6 Braves 3
Series Summary: Braves win 4 and piss on Blumpkin playoff corn flakes. No pitching standouts except for Britton. A Gone 11/28, 3 runs, 6RBI, 2 2B, HR and Rice 10/30, 3runs, 10RBI, 2B, 2 HR, BB.
Chicago Nine @ Middle Channel Sturgeon
Series Preview: Middle Channel hosts the always tough Chicago Nine
Game #1: 3-1 Sturgeon victory
Game #2: Middle Channel doubles up the Nine 6-3
Game #3: Chicago’s turn to double up the Channel 6-3
Game #4: home team walks it off 6-5
Game #5: Mayberry and the Nine take it 7-5
Game #6: Another big win for Chicago 7-2
Game #7: The home team wins the rubber match in 12 innings 6-5
Series Summary: The Middle Channel wins the series 4-3
Indiana Indians @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: Two great teams who have been underappreciated all year long. Just because they’re fighting to get out of the cellar doesn’t make them any less appreciated. May the best team win out!?!?! #1!!!
Game #1: This game started out as a pitcher’s duel, & that got us nervous. Fear not, as it didn’t last beyond inning #6. With the Pirates taking a 1-0 lead in the 3rd, on a solo HR by little used Vince DiMaggio, & went into the 6th before a 2 run HR by another little used player in Lee Maye. Another run in the 8th, & the scoring was complete. Howie Camnitz went 6 1/3 for his 12th win, & Rivera finished the 9th with his 22nd save & finished with a crisp 1.23 ERA.
FINAL: Pirates 4, Indians 0
Game #2: The game started out with Kerry Wood & John Candelaria trading 1 run apiece in the 2nd & 3rd, & the 6th. Mickey Mantle led off the 2nd with a solo HR. Joe Carter hit a solo HR in the 6th to take the lead for good. Vince DiMaggio hit his 2nd HR in 2 games but to no avail. Broxton finished the last 2 innings for his 15th save, while Candelaria got his 9th hard luck loss.
FINAL: Indians 5, Pirates 2
Game #3: Here the Bucs started off with a 1st inning run, while the Tribe came back at their next opportunity to score a couple in the 2nd. When the Bucs tied it in the 4th, again the Indians said nope, & scored 3 in the next half inning to take the lead for good. 3 hits each by Freddie Lindstrom & Jose Abreu off HOFer Warren Spahn who took the loss., while another HOFer, Don Drysdale, picked up his 10th win. Scarcely used catcher Johnny Edwards also finished with 3 hits for the losers.
FINAL: Indians 6, Pirates 2
Game #4: In this game the Bucs took a 1-0 lead in the 1st on a Clemente single & a Cecil Fielder double & that was it through 4. That was the only run given up by Lon Warneke. Unfortunately the Indian bullpen wasn’t as good, with all 3 relievers giving up runs. Bob Buhl picked up his 9th win with only 5 innings of work. Rollie Fingers & Jesse Crain went 2 innings a piece & Crain picked up his 4th save. The Pirate weakness reared it’s ugly head again by giving up 8 walks. Fortunately it mattered not. Multi hit games by Clemente, Cecil Fielder, & Vince DiMaggio highlighted the game.
FINAL: Pirates 5, Indians 0
Game #5: This game was a definite pitchers fight. Howie Camnitz coming back after 4 games rest & David Price, pitched their way to a 1-1 tie through 7 before the Indians scalped the Pirates for 2 in the 8th, lowlighted by Don Kessinger’s error. 2 hits a piece by Carter & Markakis & Price’s CG win for his 6th win. The Bucs only run came on a 4th inning solo HR by Joe DiMaggio.
FINAL: Indians 3, Pirates 1
Game #6: The Indians dominated this game from the 4th on. They took the lead for good on a Tim Wallach 2 run HR. Willie Stargell tried to get the Bucs closer, with a solo shot in the 4th bringing the score to 3-2 Tribesmen. But it was clear sailing the rest of the way. Multi hit games by Franco, Wallach, Munson, & Suzuki by the Indians, Stargell & Edwards for the Bucs. Warneke picked up his 3rd win while Broxton saved his 16th.
FINAL: Indians 6, Pirates 3
Game #7: In this game Andy Petitte & Larry Walker were the stars here. Petitte went 6innings for his 9th win & Rob Nen finished for his 7th save. For the Bucs, Bill Walker gave up two HR’s by Larry Walker & 1 by Nick Markakis. Cecil Fielder broke out of his 2 month long homerless time.
FINAL: Indians 5, Pirates 2
Series Summary: An amazing series with 2 amazing strategists leading the way, coincidentally both named Ron, & I don’t mean Hunt, Santo, Fairly, & or Ron Reagan. The Indians outplayed the Pirates 5 games to 2, sinking the Pirate ship to last place in the AL East.
Fort Worth Cats @ New Westminster Salmonbellies
Series Preview: Two AL west teams looking to do some damage to high priced pitching.
Game #1: Greg Maddux for Fort Worth and Bob Rush for New Westminster

Bob Rush runs into trouble in the 2nd giving up 2 runs on 3 hits with an RBI single by Pee Wee Butts. That will end Rush’s night when facing somebody like Maddux.

Bottom of the 6th with 2 out, Ron Hunt rips a double and Felipe Alou bangs a shot to his son in RF, Moises Alou, to knock in Hunt.

In the bottom of the 7th New Westminster gets to Maddux knocking him around for 5 runs on a 1 out walk to Dihigo to get things started.

With the score 5 – 2 for the Bellies, they manage to score one more in the 8th to go on to a 6 – 2 victory.

Game #2: Jim Kaat for Fort Worth and Dutch Leonard for New Westminster

Fort Worth scores 2 in the 3rd off of a Hunter Pence double and Frank Chance SF. New Westminster gets one back in the bottom of the 3rd.
Martin Dihigo ties it up on the 5th with an RBI single. Top of the 8th Hunter Pence comes through with an RBI triple and scored on a single by Willie Keeler to wrap up the game. Fort Worth wins 4 – 2.

Game #3: Charlie Root for the Cats and Jeff Tesreau for the Salmonbellies

Tesreau pitches a 5 hit shutout and Charlie Root goes 5 innings and takes the loss when New West scores a 3 – 0 victory.

Game #4: Smoky Joe Williams for Fort Worth against Sam Leever of New Westminster.

This is a pitcher’s duel until the 7th when Johnny Bassler manages a SF scoring pinch runner Carlos Beltran. In the 8th with one run in and runners at 1st and 3rd Craig Kimbrel comes in but he can not hold down the Bellies as they get 3 hits off of Kimbrel to score 3 more runs to go on to a 4 – 0 victory

Game #5: Justin Verlander for Fort Worth and Bob Rush for New Westminster

Another pitchers duel until the top of the 5th when the Cats get to Rush for a couple of runs and one off of reliever Eddie Watt for a 3 – 0 lead. After being shut out for 23 innings the Cats put up home runs by Keith Hernandez, Hunter Pence and Home Run Baker to score 9 runs.
The Bellies manage to score 6 runs off of Verlander in the 8th and 9th but it is not enough in a 9 – 6 victory for the Cats.

Game #6: Greg Maddux for the Cats and Dutch Leonard for the Salmonbellies

For the fourth game of six Fort Worth gets off to the lead in the top of the 2nd on a homer by Felipe’s son. In the 4th inning the Bellies stop flopping and come to life with a 3 run inning off of Maddux.
Jack Clark leads off with a single which is near impossible because 7 and 11 are the only hits, and a 0 changes to 7 so that must be the hit.
Willie Mays comes into run. With Fred Clarke at the plate, Willie tries to steal 2nd but catcher Harry Danning picks up a throwing error and Mays goes to 3rd. Fred Clarke grounds to Pee Wee Butts who gets Mays in a rundown and Mays makes it back to 3rd and Fred just keeps on running and ends up at 2nd on a FC. Now up comes Jimmy Wynn and he smacks a triple past Keeler scoring 2 runs. After a flyout, Ferris Fain hits a SF scoring Wynn for a 3 – 1 lead. Top of the 5th and the Cats come back and Harry Danning squiggles a single and Pee Wee Butts comes up miserable and gets HBP. Robbie Thompson lays down a bunt for a nice SAC. Hunter Pence hits a SF scoring Banning. With Pee Wee on 2nd Frank Chance hits a single to tie up the game.
With the game tied in the bottom of the 10th in comes Craig Kimbrel to shutdown the Bellies once again. Roy Campanella leads off with a single. He steals 2nd. Campanella on 2nd now with 2 out and Willie Mays at the plate hits a single to Pence and Campanella scores the winning run for a 4 – 3 Bellies victory.

Game #7: Jim Kaat for the Cats and Jeff Tesreau for the Salmonbellies

Both pitchers are pitching a helluva game until top of the 6th when
Hank Severeid gets on with an error to Martin Dihigo, first in 44 games.
Rusty Greer and Pete Runnels get on base with an infield hit and a walk. Moises Alou comes through with a 2 run single for a 2 – 0 lead.
Bottom of the 6th and Chick Stahl hits a single and goes third on when Martin Dihigo hits hard single. Fred Clarke then hits SF to make it 2 – 1. Top of the 7th and Home Run Baker walks. Tesreau then throws a 2 base WP and Hank Severeid brings him home with a SF. Cats go up 3 – 1. Bottom of the 9th and Kaat pitching a whale of a game but here comes trouble. Fred Clarke hits a single. In comes Isringhausen and Willie Mays comes in to run and Jimmy Wynn swings and misses but Willie steals 2nd base. Wynn flys out. Here comes Kimbrel. Off to the bench and in comes light hitting Harry Lord and he bangs a double scoring Willie. Johnny Bassler comes in to pinch hit for Campy and hits a double tieing the game at 3 – 3. Game goes to the bottom of the 13th with Jack Clark walking and Craig Stammen pitching. Billy Werber comes in to run and steals 2nd and Beltran grounds out and Werber to 3rd. Dihigo coming up but Stammen IBB walks Dihigo to get to Mays.
Mays hits a 3 run home run to end the game and series.

Series Summary: It was a hard fought series with some good pitching
Cincinnati Knights @ Menomonee Minutemen
Series Preview: The 87-47 Cincinnati Knights travel north to face the 64-70 Menomonee Minutemen. The Minutemen are looking to turn their year around and have a chance to make the playoffs. the Knights are looking to gain on Fort Worth to get the #1 seed.
Series Summary: The Knights embarrass the Minutemen and sweep them on their home turf. CIN out scored MEN 62 to 21 throwing 2 shutouts in the series. In fact, Santana threw a 4 hit shut out in game 2 and then comes back in game 7 and throws another 8 shut out innings before Wickman closed that game. 17 innings of shutout ball, the only way he doesn’t get the pitcher of the week is if someone throws a perfect game… or 2 full shutouts. LOL Apparently the MM for CIN pull Santana before his head could get to big.
Kansas City Blues @ Wrigleyville Whales
Series Preview: Kansas City Blues (57-77, .425, 35-GB) @ Wrigleyville Whales (48-86, .358, 44-GB)
Game #1: G-1- Valenzuela v Hunter. Blues jump on Catfish for 2-runs in 2nd as Schulte led off 2nd with a long home run! Ray Durham drew a 2-out walk and stole 2nd. Ray Ray scored on a Creacy single up the middle for a 2-0 Blues lead! Durham would turn a 2-1 game in 6th into 4-1 lead when he drilled a 2-run-2B over Meusel’s head in RF. Whales would sink 5-2 as Fernando (3-8, 5.54) would have help getting “W” from Aguilera (2.13) and Koosman (5.11, Sv-3). O’Doul (8) cracked a solo homer for Whales.

FINAL Blues 5 Whales 2

Game #2: G-2- B.Gibson v Rudolph. Wrigleyville’s Ritchey (11,12) smashed 2-HR’s and drove in 3 of their 6-runs as Whales even series with 6-2 victory! Meusel (8) added a solo homer. Rudolph (3-7, 4.12) tossed 7.2-innings of 2-run ball, 1-earned and Burke earned his 2nd save. Gibson’s (2-7, 6.32) game was loaded with 5’s and they weren’t high 5’s as he hurled 5.1-innings and allowed 5-runs on 5-hits, 5-walks while striking out 5.

FINAL Whales 6 Blues 2

Game #3: G-3- Greinke v Coveleski. Zack (10-10, 3.68) fell behind 1-0 in 6th but Rico Carty doubled in 2-runs in 7th and 2-runs in 9th with his 13th home run as Blues clobber Whales 7-2. Carty was 4-4 to raise his average to .333. Lollar (12) clubbed a homer for Whales.

FINAL Blues 7 Whales 2

Game #4: G-4- deGrom v Ruether. Fun time in Wrigleyville as deGrom (5-13, 4.51) and Koosman (5.11) allowed a combined 5-HR’s as Whales even series with 7-1 win! Seven of Whales 9-hits went for extras, as Ritchey (13) hammered his 3rd home run of series and O’Doul (9), Banks (7), Fisk (14) and Thome ran circles around Kansas City. Ruether (9-14, 4.77) hurled CG, allowing just an unearned run on 4-hits while K’ing 8.

FINAL Whales 7 Blues 1

Game #5: G-5- C.Simmons v Hunter. Simmons (8-4, 3.17) silenced Whales with 2-hit, 9-K, 7-0 Shut-out! Southworth (1) launched his 1st home run and Sheffield his 13th as part of a 16-hit assault. Schulte was 5-5, including his 26th double. Carty was 2-4 raising his average to .335.

FINAL Blues 7 Whales 0

Game #6: G-6- Valenzuela v Rudolph. An error by Southworth led to 2-unearned runs as Whales prevail 5-4. Irish Meusel (9) homered for Wrigleyville and Rudolph (4-7 4.00) dominated, going 7.1-innings and giving up only 2-runs on 5-hits, 1-walk with 6-K’s. McMichael earned his 8th save, as ugly as it was. Carty pounded his 14th home run and drove in 2-runs and Creacy popped a solo home.

FINAL Whales 5 Blues 4

Game #7: G-7- Gibson v Coveleski. Blues took a 1-0 lead in 3rd of the rubber game when Earl Williams ripped his 9th home run and Ray Ray made game 3-0 in 4th as he doubled in 2-runs. Gibson (3-7, 6.06) picked up win, going 5.1-innings allowing 2-runs on 5-hits, while Benton, Koosman & Worrell combined for 3.2-innings of hitless ball preserving 3-2 win.
.
FINAL Blues 3 Whales 2
Series Summary: Blues (61-80, .433, 34.5-GB) won 4 of 7 and have won 7 of last 10-games, while Wrigleyville (51-90, .362, 44.5) fell back to earth.
Coastline Bobcats @ Pigtown Bombers
Series Preview: The best team in the NL East versus the worst…Brian and I played the first 5 games live
Game #1: This one was all Coastline taking a 8-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Pigtown woke up, scoring 6 runs on 3 HRs, but fell short with Bruce Sutter came in for one batter to close out the game and get his 54th save. Coastline 8 – Pigtown 6.
Game #2: A good game, but Coastline was just a little too tough, winning 5-2. Again, Bruce Sutter came in for one batter to notch save #55.
Game #3: Another close game. The teams were tied 2-2 going into the 9th. Coastline eked out a run and held on to win 3-2. Once more time, Bruce Sutter comes in for the final batter and gets his 56th save.
Game #4: Pigtown jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Coastline battles back in the middle innings to take the lead 5-3. Guess what happened…yep, Bruce Sutter came in for one batter and was gifted his 57th save. For those keeping score, Sutter has pitched to 4 batters thus far in the series and has 4 saves.
Game #5: Yet another close game as the teams were tied at 2 going into the 9th. Mike Schmidt hits a walk-off 3-run HR to give Pigtown a 5-2 win and finally a positive result in the series
Game #6: Another close game, but 4 HRs by Coastline gave them a 7-5 win. Bruce Sutter came in and pitched a whole inning to get his 58th save.
Game #7: Led by Lou Gehrig’s 4 RBIs, Coastline battled out to 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Once again, Bruce Sutter came in to get yet another save…this time he gave up a walk and then a walk-off, 2-run HR to Edmonds with 2 outs to lose the game 7-6.
Series Summary: Coastline takes the series 5-2, with Bruce Sutter getting saves in all 5 wins. Pigtown is actually really happy with the results in that they played 7 tight games against a team that leads them by 51 games. Two walk off homers are the highlight for Pigtown.
Detroit DeLoreans @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: Detroit Deloreans (84-50) at Nags Head Surf Sox (61-73)

The Detroit Deloreans, sitting 7 games out of 1st place, travel to Nags Head hoping to make a late season push for the top of the N.L. East.

Game #1: Slim Sallee (15-7 2.75) vs Nolan Ryan (4-11 4.78)

Top 1 – Didn’t take long for the Deloreans to get on the board. Joe Cronin leads off the game with a base hit. Following a Lajoie ground out, Ripper Collins pounds a Ryan fastball over the right centerfield fence for his 40th homerun of the season and a 2-0 Detroit lead.

The pitchers then take over, preventing any scoring until the top of the 8th. Dave Giusti on for the Sox. Cronin and Lajoie back to back singles put runners at the corners. Giusti uncorks a wild pitch allowing Cronin to score. Collins follows with an RBI single and the Deloreans’ lead is doubled to 4-0.

That was all the scoring Sallee would need. He tosses a complete game, 4 hit shutout, to win his 16th game of the season. Ripper Collins went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Joe Cronin had a pair of hits and runs for Detroit. Ryne Sandberg collected 2 of the 4 Sox hits off of Sallee.

DET 4 8 0
NAG 0 4 0
WP – Sallee (16-7)
LP – Ryan (4-12)

Game #2: Cy Morgan (13-7 3.32) vs Cole Hamels (8-9 4.12)

Top 2 – Babe Herman opens the inning with a solo homerun (#13) for a 1-0 Detroit lead.

Bottom 2 – Sox finally score … a HOJO walk, and singles by Jeter and Hamels, put Nags Head on the board. Following a Sandberg single that loads the bases, Von Hayes’s SAC fly scores Jeter for the 2-1 lead. Jimmie Foxx loads the bases with 2 outs, but Morgan gets Dawson to strike out and strand the runners.

Bottom 8 – Sox add some insurance with a 2 out Mike Marshall pinch hit single. 4-1 Sox.

Cordero comes on for Nags Head in the 9th, and despite allowing a Roy White solo homerun (#4), he earns save #25. Cole Hamels had one of his best performances of the year, going 7 and allowing only a run on 3 hits. Morgan was a little wild, issuing 7 walks. HOJO had 3 of those walks and he scored 2 of the Sox runs.

DET 2 4 0
NAG 4 7 0
WP – Hamels (9-9)
LP – Morgan (13-8)
S – Cordero (25)

Game #3: Hippo Vaughn (14-7 3.63) vs Mike Mussina (13-8 3.24)

Top 4 – After exchanging zeroes over the first 3 innings, Detroit strikes first when Ripper Collins leads off the 4th with a solo homerun (#41) 1-0.

Top 6 – Rendon SAC fly scores Lajoie to put Detroit up 2-0

Top 7 – Sam Rice singles, steals second, and scores on a Berra RBI single

Top 8 – Another Collins solo homerun (#42) greets Dan Quisneberry for a 4-0 Detroit lead. Rendon then singles, steals his 13th base of the season, and scores on a Rice RBI single. Berra knocks in Rice with another single and the Deloreans have broken it open 6-0

Top 9 – Back to back doubles by Collins and Herman close out the scoring 7-0

All Detroit in this one, led by Ripper Collins’ 4 hit, 2 homerun, 2 double day. Rice and Berra each added a pair of hits. Vaughn dominated the Sox batters, tossing 8 shutout innings while allowing only 2 hits to earn his 15th victory of the season.

DET 7 10 1
NAG 0 2 0
WP – Vaughn (15-7)
LP – Mussina (13-9)

Game #4: Allie Reynolds (11-8 2.58) vs Jim Palmer (7-6 3.38)

Top 6 – Jim Palmer was cruising through the 1st 5 2/3 innings until the Detroit bats finally delivered. After retiring the first 2 batters in the 6th, Lajoie doubles, for the 58th time this season. The Sox decide to intentionally walk Ripper Collins to face Babe Herman. Herman delivers with a base hit to right scoring Lajoie. Rendon follows with a bases clearing double to put Detroit in front 3-0

Top 7 – Zane Smith on in relief of Palmer. He doesn’t retire a batter as Rice, Berra, Reynolds, and Cronin single and Smith leaves the game with Nags Head down 5-0. Detroit scores 2 more in the inning to extend the lead to 7-0

Bottom 9 – After 17 straight shutout innings, Nags Head finally scores. HOJO delivers a one out solo shot off (#9) off Joe Smith.

Detroit pitching once again silences the Sox bats. Reynolds goes 8 shut out innings, allowing only a pair of hits while striking out 10.

DET 7 10 0
NAG 1 4 0
WP – Reynolds (12-8)
LP – Palmer (7-7)

Game #5: Slim Sallee (16-7 2.64) vs. Joaquin Andujar (4-19 5.44)

Bottom 1 – HOJO picks off where he left off in game 4, clubbing a solo home run (#10) to put the Sox up 1-0

Top 6 – The Deloreans’ bats slumbered for awhile … but it couldn’t last forever … Herman and Rendon start the inning with singles, Klein walks to load the bases. Andujar gets Sam Rice to fly out for the 1st out. Norm Charlton comes in to face the leftie Yogi Berra. Berra delivers a 2 run single, scoring Herman and Rendon. Klein scores on a Sallee SAC fly to put Detroit in front 3-1. (I should have pinch hit for Andujar in the bottom of the 5th with McCarver on 3rd and 2 out … but he had a shutout, which is RARE for him, so I kept him in)

Bottom 6 – Juan Samuel leads off the inning with a solo homerun (5), reducing the Detroit lead to 3-2

Bottom 8 – Sox rally … Von Hayes pinch hits to lead off the inning and draws a walk. Derek Jeter singles to put runners at the corners. With 2 out, Jimmie Fox lines a double to center, scoring Hayes and Jeter to put Nags Head in front 4-3

Cordero survives a Ripper Collins double to earn his 26th save.

DET 3 9 0
NAG 4 6 2
WP – Giusti (6-4)
LP – Aker (5-5)
S – Cordero (26)

Game #6: Charlie Hough (0-0 0.00) vs Nolan Ryan (4-12 4.70)

With projected Deloreans starter Cy Morgan still tired from his previous start, Charlie Hough takes the mound for his LEG debut and the Sox get to him right out of the gate. Juan Samuel leads off the Nags Head first with a triple and he scores on a Von Hayes ground ball – 1-0 Sox.

Top 4 – Ripper Collins smacks his 4th homerun of the series, this one a 2 run shot, to put Detroit in front 2-1.

Bottom 4 – Eddie Taubensee picks up his first LEG RBI, with a SAC fly that scores Stanton to tie the game 2-2.

Top 9 – Yogi Berra’s 2 out RBI single scores Rendon to put Detroit up 3-2. Jack Aker comes in to toss a shutout 9th to pick up his 15th save and preserve the Detroit win.

Charlie Hough overcomes the shaky start to have a strong debut against an anemic Sox offense. Hough goes 8, allows 2 runs on 4 hits. He walked 4 and struck out 4.

DET 3 6 0
NAG 2 5 1
WP – Hough (1-0)
LP – Street (4-5)
S – Aker (15)

Game #7: Hippo Vaughn (15-7 3.51) vs Cole Hamels (9-9 4.00)

Top 1 – Ripper Collins’ 5th homerun of the series puts Detroit up 2-0 early

Bottom 2 – 3 straight singles by Stanton, HOJO, and Winfield load the bases with no outs. Jeter follows with the 4th straight single to score 2 and tie the game.

Top 3 – Roy White’s RBI single puts Detroit back in front 3-2

Bottom 3 – Jimmie Foxx’s solo homerun (#25) ties the game at 3

Top 5 – Rendon RBI double and the Deloreans are up again 4-3

Top 7 – White SAC fly scores Lajoie for the 5-3 lead. Collins scores on a Klein ground out and Detroit is up 6-3

Bottom 7 – A Ryne Sandberg solo homerun (#9) cuts the Deloreans lead to 6-4

Top 8 – Lajoie’s 2 out, 2 run double extends Detroit’s lead to 8-4

Bottom 9 – Jeter singles and Hoiles walks to start the inning. Detroit goes to the pen and Aker comes on to face Sox pinch hitter Ellis Valentine. Valentine’s 1st LEG hit is a doozy, a 3run homerun to bring Nags Head to within a run, with still no one out and the top of the lineup coming up. Ryne Sandberg singles, and that’s all for Aker. On comes the leftie Jim Brewer. Von Hayes reaches on a fielders choice, for the inning’s first out. Brewer strikes out Foxx for the second out. Stanton’s drive to right is tracked down by Pafko, the rally falls short, and Detroit holds on for the victory.

Rendon, Lajoie, Fothergill, and Berra each had 3 hits for Detroit, Collins and Lajoie each scored 3 times.

DET 8 16 0
NAG 7 12 1
WP – Vaughn (16-7)
LP – Hamels (9-10)

Series Summary: Detroit wins the series 5-2. Sox pitching had a hard time controlling the potent Deloreans attack, led by Ripper Collins – 9 runs, 10 hits, 10 RBIs, 3 doubles, 5 homeruns, and 4 walks.
Fantomz  Force @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Preview: Fantomz Force, looking towards the draft, visits probable playoff-bound West Michigan for a seven-game showdown.
Game #1: A 1-1 game after 7 innings…took 10 more innings of NO BEER to decide a winner. That’s more than a regulation game! Let’s just say the bars were busy after the game when Bobby Wallace won it on a sacrifice fly. Wagner, Lankford, and Mattingly had 2 hits apiece for the Force. The Retrogrades got two hits each from Sisler and Dickey.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 1, RETROGRADES 2 (17 innings)
Game #2: Some tired ballplayers slogged through this game. M. Andrews and A. Lopez had 2 hit apiece for Fantomz. T. Davis went 2-4 with a HR, 2B, and 2 RBI. Heavy Johnson managed to get hit by his 15th pitch of the season…
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 2, RETROGRADES 4
Game #3: West Michigan had their hitting shoes on, pounding out 17 hits. S. Coveleski only lasted 2/3 of an inning. H. Johnson, B. Wallace, G. Sisler, and Willie Foster each had 2 hits. Tommy Davis went 3-5 with a HR, SB, and 3 RBI. Willie Foster went 6 innings giving up 1 earned run.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 1, RETROGRADES 11
Game #4: Another extra-inning affair, this time with the Force ended up on the winning end of things. Adam Eaton led off the game with an HR and went 3-5 while adding a triple. D. Wiley added 2 hits. The Retrogrades did get 2 hits from Bobby Wallace. However, the 3 runs the Force scored in the top of the 11th was the difference.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 4, RETROGRADES 1 (11 innings)
Game #5: West Michigan cruised to a victory behind a strong 7 innings and 1 ER from Curt Davis. Robinson Cano was 3-3 with a HR, 2B, and RBI.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 2, RETROGRADES 4
Game #6: The third extra-inning game of the series was a good one. The Force got 2 hits each from M. Andrews, D. Wiley, and L. Doby. West Michigan was led by Heavy Johnson who went 3-6 with a 2B, 3B, and HR. The home runs was a walk-off in the bottom of the 12th.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 5, RETROGRADES 6 (12 innings)
Game #7: On the surface, this looks like a boring, lopsided game. However, there was high drama until the end. The Retrogrades built a 7-0 lead behind 2 hits each from G. Sisler, B. Dickey, and D. Snider. The highlight of the game was Willie Foster taking a no-hitter into the 9th. With 2-outs and a runner on third, Larry Doby spoiled Foster’s gem with a base hit. However, Foster had a great series, going 2-0 and only giving up 2 earned runs in 15 innings of work.
FINAL SCORE: FORCE 1, RETROGRADES 7
Series Summary: West Michigan takes the series 6-1 over Fantomz. With three extra inning games, it was truly a close series. Only two games were lopsided.
Climax Cougars @ Virginia Cavaliers
Series Preview: Climax (71-63) takes it’s rising playoff hopes to Virginia (64-70) whose only hopes now are to get as many players as possible their usage requirements. Well, and win a few games along the way. The last time the two played, VIR eked out a 5-2 series win,…Nik wants revenge. This series was played via Team Viewer and I thank Nik for taking the time to do this, It was great fun.
Game #1: VIR 8-5 W-R.Hernandez (9-1) L-C.Carroll (2-5) SV-R.Betancourt (3)

CMC got off on the right foot and had J.Key scratching his head after 3 innings of play. In the 1st, H.Clift and M.Ott singled and scored on a two out double by B.Leonard. Two innings later CMC had the bases loaded with no outs and managed a run on a groundball double play. The Cougars manager was a little disappointed at this outcome, but a smile came to his face a batter later. “GIBSON ’32 drives one down the left field line … if it stays fair … and it’s … gone!…home run for GIBSON ’32 … and two runs scored…COUGARS 5, CAVALIERS 0.” J.Key stood and scratched his head as Gibson rounded the bases. VIR got two of those runs back in the 4th when K.McReynolds crushed a 2-run blast to center and made it 5-3 in the 6th on an RBI single from F.Robinson. C.Carroll took over for CMC in the 7th and kept VIR at bay. But in the 8th he got into trouble. After a walk to F.Frisch, and a 1-out single by D.Murphy, Carroll beaned K.McReynolds (in retaliation for the homer I’m sure) to load the bases. Not wanting an altercation, CMC’s manager replaced Carroll with E.Kinder. That move worked great,…for VIR. F.Robinson lofted a 3-run triple to LF and VIR suddenly led 6-5. Whitney would double Robinson home and score on an A.Rosen single as VIR erupted for 5 runs in the 8th and surprised CMC with a come-back 8-5 win. F.Robinson’s 2 hits and 4 RBI highlighted VIR’s win.

Game #2: CMC 4-2 W-V.Mungo (9-7) L-E.Reulbach (9-10) SV_E.Plunk (18)

VIR had a hard time figuring out CMC’s pitching as they were only able to scratch out 3 hits. One of those hits, A.Rosen’s 2-out RBI single, put VIR on the board in the 1st with a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way till the 3rd, when CMC showed VIR how to make the best of a 2-out situation. After a double play started the inning, G.Grantham singled, H.Clift doubled him home, M.Ott doubled him in, and J.Mize singled Ott in for a 3-1 CMC lead. And that’s what you do when you have two outs. The teams would trade runs in the 7th but VIR could never solve the Cougars’ pitching. It was just too good.

Game #3: CMC 3-0 W-J.Washburn (2-5) L-B.Turley (9-11)

Another good very good pitching performance from the Cougars. Washburn went all the way in scattering 5 hits and walking only one over 9 innings. G.Templeton was the only Cavalier batter to have any success against Washburn as he managed 2 hits in 3 trips to the plate. While Washburn was baffling the VIR batters, the Cougars decided to concentrate their energy on one inning,…and once again show their skill in scoring with two outs. J.Fregosi led off the 6th inning of a scoreless game by doubling off the CF wall. That was followed by two quick outs and it appeared the Cougars would strand Fregosi at second. But that’s not what the baseball gods had in mind. J.Mize looped one to RF and Fregosi scampered home as Mize went to 2nd on the throw. J.Bautista then creamed one over F.Robinson’s head for an RBI double and C.Meyers completed the trifecta by driving in Bautista with a RBI single. Once again, a lesson in 2-out scoring. Well, it was all Washburn from there on out as he continued to put goose eggs on the board on his way to the shut-out. Fregosi and Bautista led the Climax offense with 2 hits apiece.

Game #4: VIR 9-0 W-L.Gomez (15-9) L-S.Wood (10-8)

Every time VIR has a pitcher become player of the week eligible by throwing a 1-hit shut-out, someone else tosses a no-hitter. Wonder who it will be this week. L.Gomez did the honors for VIR. A CG 1-hit shut-out. J.Bautistas’ bingle was the only blemish on Gomez’ day. Meanwhile, VIR teed off on CMC for 12 hits and 9 runs. Big bats for the Cavaliers were, F.Robinson and A.Rosen with 3 hits each and H.Heilmann and K.McReynolds going deep while driving in 2 RBI each.

Game #5: CMC 7-2 W-R.Waddell (12-9) L-J.Guzman (5-11)

R.Waddell got off to a shaky start in this game. Right off the bat, two singles and an A.Rosen double put VIR up 2-0 with no outs in the game. A fly out, walk and another single loaded the bases with 1 out. Waddell stepped off the mound, glanced around, and suddenly remembered where he was, Two batters later,…end of inning,…no more runs. From there on out, Waddell buckled down and only allowed 2 meaningless singles to VIR. Waddell didn’t get any help from his offense until J.Fregosi pulled a surprising 2 out steal of home in the 5th to make the score 2-1 VIR. CMC pulled ahead in the 6th when G.Grantham stepped to the plate, “It’s a shot down the line to right … near the foul pole … and it’s … long gone!…a three-run homer for GRANTHAM ’24 … GRANTHAM ’24 will touch all the bases
…and he’s sure taking his time … he’s greeted at home plate … congratulations all around
COUGARS 4, CAVALIERS 2.” With Waddell continuing his domination of VIR batters, J.MIze led off the CMC top of the 9th with a homer to right. Then, just because he could, J.Fregosi added to his very good day,…”The pitch … it’s corked to left field … on the fly … hey, this may go! … and it does!…touch ’em all, FREGOSI ’64 … a two-run shot…COUGARS 7, CAVALIERS 2.” Fregosi finished 2-4 with a homer, 2 RBI and a steal of home. M.Ott was also 2-4 and G.Grantham and J.Mize provided the long ball.

Game #6: CMC 2-1 W-G.Harris (7-6) L-R.Betancourt (1-5) SV-E.Plunk (19)

A J.Gibson RBI single in the 1st was good start for CMC. But, VIR followed suit in the 3rd with an A.Trammell RBI single and the game was tied 1-1 after 3. It stayed that way going into the 9th as both pitchers settled in and kept the game scoreless over the next 5 innings. Several times, both teams had runners in scoring position only to see a good defensive play end the threat. But in the top of the 9th,…”J. BAUTISTA ’11 facing R. BETANCOURT ’09, T 9th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Tied 1-1 …The offering to BAUTISTA ’11 … it’s hit deep to ROBINSON ’69 … over his head…say good-bye to this one…it’s gone! … home run for BAUTISTA ’11…BAUTISTA ’11 will touch them all … and he’s sure taking his time…COUGARS 2, CAVALIERS 1.” That would be the game winner as E.Plunk notched his 19th save for CMC.

Game #7: CMC 4-2 W-V.Mungo (10-7) L-E.Reulbach (9-11) SV-E.Plunk (20)

Down in the series 4-2, VIR needed a win to look respectable. Climax ended any hope of that happening by taking the air out of VIR with a 4-run 2nd inning outburst. And who was in the middle of it? You guessed it. J.Fregosi. With 1 out in the 2nd, J.Bautista tripled and scored on a single from J.Mize. G.Grantham singled and when J.Mendez ripped a single to CF, Climax had the sacks full. After V.Mungo closed his eyes and swung at strike 3, J.Fregosi grabbed his bat and stepped into the box. “The runners take their lead … the pitch … shot like a rocket to left center…HEILMANN ’18’s racing back … and he won’t get it … one run scores … two runs score…MENDEZ ’21 will score …FREGOSI’64’s trying for three … the throw … not in time!…three-run triple for FREGOSI ’64
COUGARS 4, CAVALIERS 0.” And there you have the game in a nutshell. VIE would get runs on a A.Trammell homer and a WP, but it would not be enough.

Series Summary: Climax took the series 5-2 as their pitching baffled Virginia and their hitters,…well, they hit when it counted and they hit often. Mel Ott and Jose Bautista both went 7-23 for a .304 BA. Jim Fregosi was 6-20 with 4 runs and 5 RBI and a homer for a .300 BA. Grantham also chipped in at 5-20 with a homer and 4 RBI. On the mound, Van Lingle Mungo won 2 games and Eric Plunk got 3 saves. The best pitched game for Climax was thrown by Jarrod Washburn,…a CG, 5-hit, shut-out. With the win Climax inched ever closer to securing one of the playoff spots.
Virginia on the other hand,…they can only hope to get their players enough time to satisfy usage requirements. VIR did have Lefty Gomez throw a 1-hit shut-out. Let’s just hope no one else throws a no-hitter.
Again, I thank Nik for taking the time to play via Team Viewer. It was a lot of fun with some crazy play results at nonappropriate times. We just laughed.
Clockwork Heros @ Iowa Giants
Series Preview: First place Clockwork Heros come to Iowa and take four of seven great pitching on their part
Series Summary: Clockwork Hereos pitching was all they really needed. Giants score five runs in one game others were lucky to get three runs.
Hoboken Zephyrs @ San Tan Valley Moonrakers
Series Preview: Hoboken brings it’s brilliant pitching to the desert to face the bottom dwelling San Tan Valley Moonrakers.
Game #1: San Tan gets back to back homers from Vern Stephens and Bob Elliot to take a 3-0 lead in the 1st. Tommy Henrich and Tim Bottomly drive is 2 each in a 4 run 4th to take the lead. San Tan ties it in the 6th and wins it in the 7th on an Oscar Charleston homer. Moonrakers take the opener 5-4.
Game #2: 4 more San Tan homers, two by Ken Keltner and a grand slam from Earl Averill all off Tom Seaver negate 3 solo blasts by Curt Flood, Eddie Yost, and Wally Schang. San Tan wins again 12-6.
Game #3: OK. Here comes Hoboken’s big boys…Noodles Hahn wins his 22nd on a 3 hit shutout. Bump Hadley is San Tan’s hard luck loser, giving up only 2 hits and one earned run. Hoboken wins 2-0.
Game #4: Vern Stephens goes wild with a double, two homers, and 5 RBI in support of Randy Johnson, who wins his 17th 7-2 despite another homer from Curt Flood. San Tan beats one of the best, Red Faber, who’s a 22.
Game #5: A back and forth affair. a 6-5 San Tan lead evaporates in the 9th when Jim Bottomly crushes a 3 run homer off closer Jessie Barnes. Stephens has another huge game ( 2-4, 3 RBI, a triple, and a homer) but Hoboken wins 8-7.
Game #6: Tom Seaver comes back to win one with help from long balls from Babe Dalhgren and Jeff Heath. Stephens homers again. So does Hal Trotsky but Hoboken wins 5-3.
Game #7: The rubber game goes to Hoboken 7-2. Hahn wins again, raising his record to 23-9. Bottomly hits another 3 run homer. Virgil Trucks drops to 6-14.
Series Summary: A surprisingly close series won by Hoboken 4-3.
Huge series for Vern Stephens: 11-29, 7 runs, 11 hits, 12 RBI 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 5 homers!!!
That’s a .379/.400/1.103 series!!!!
Fire Lake Segers @ Motown Yankees
Series Preview: Tight race for one of the last playoff spots – and I am too tired for write ups
Series Summary: Fire Lake loses the first 3 but comes back to win the final 4 to take the series and gain a game in the standings……FL scored 2 in the first 3 games and 15 in the final 4….Motown scored 14 in the first 3 and 6 in the last 4…..all about the dice……Larry Jansen’s game 1 – CG 4 hit Shutout was the pitching highlight for Motown while David Cone tossed a 3 hit shutout in the rubber game…Dave Brown should get some consideration for pitcher of the week going 1-1 with 2 CG’S, only 1ER in 18 IP’s and losing the rubber game 1-0 on an UER……I don’t think any hitters qualify but I will let Terry submit – nobody from Motown (not unusual at all)
Hollywood Zombies @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Summary: Hollywood drops 5 of 7