National League Pitcher of the Week – Bob FELLER – Iowa
2-0 record, 18.0 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 7 hits, 14 strikeouts, & 10 walks
American League Pitcher of the Week – Charlie ROOT – Fort Worth
2-0 record, 13.0 innings pitched, 0.69 ERA, 6 hits, 14 strikeouts, & 8 walks
National League Player of the Week – Heavy JOHNSON – West Michigan
10/26 .385 avg, 1.077 slg, 3 double, 5 home runs, 10 runs scored, 9 RBIs, 2 walks, & 4 steals\
American League Player of the Week – Martin DIHIGO – New Westminster
17/30 .567 avg, 1.033 Slg, 2 doubles, 4 home runs, 8 runs scored, 14 RBIs, & 4 walks
PLAYOFF RACE UPDATE
American League
The Jack Street Hustlers currently have a 5-game lead over Lewisberry for top honors in the division and what should be an easier schedule over the final two weeks with the Hustlers taking on Indiana and Boston while the Country Blumpkins square off against the Chicago Nine and KC A’s.
The West is a much tighter race with Fort Worth holding a slim 1-game edge over Cincy for 1st place with New Westminster only 3 games back of them. Still very much anybody’s race there. Wrigleyville and Menomonee will be trying to derail the Cats while the Knights will go toe-to-toe at home against the upstart Fishbellies this week and Purry next week. A split by NWS and CIN could result in Fort Worth putting some distance between themselves and the other contenders as the 2nd and 3rd place teams could trip themselves up. New Westminster closes out the season against the KC Blues.
Now for the pack …
Assuming things stay as they are now, the playoff qualifying teams will be:
- Fort Worth (100-48) clinched a playoff berth
- Jack Street (82-66)
- Cincinnati (99-49) clinched a playoff berth
- New Westmister (96-52) clinched a playoff berth
- Purry (82-66) needs 3 wins to clinch a playoff birth
- Lewisberry (77-71)
- Chicago (75-73)
- KC A’s (70-78)
But hold on there! Only the Wrigleyville Whales (53-95) have been statistically eliminated and the other teams all have a shot at trying to grab a playoff spot.
Middle Channel (69-79) is hot on the heels of the A’s only one game behind them with 1 game each separating Menomonee (68-80) and Boston (67-81). Also very much alive and in the hunt are the Indiana squad (65-83) at only five games behind the A’s and the KC Blues (64-84) who overcame a sluggish first half of the season to come within 6 games of the final playoff spot.
Las Vegas (60-88) and Madison East (57-91) are not statistically eliminated but if the fat lady ain’ singin’ she be hummin’ awfully loudly.
National League
Things in the NL are relatively dull compared to the free-for-all going on in the AL race.
The NL is dominated by Clockwork (104-44) and Coastline (102-46) as the division leaders in the West and East respectively.
Yeah … yeah … but Detroit (96-52) and West Michigan (92-56) could still catch Coastline. True, but they only count together as one team so it’s not really the same (the two brother-led teams are reminiscent of when I watched women’s roller derby back in the early 80s and teammates would slingshot each other trying to catch the girls who were ahead of them).
Ahem … but I digress.
Both Detroit and West Mishmash are assured of a playoff spot while the others in the race have not clinched but are close.
The rest of the pack after these four bottom feeders consists of Hoboken (81-67), Motown (79-69), Climax (78-70), and Fire Lake (74-74).
Of the eight other teams in the division only four have an outside shot at the playoffs.
The San Tan Valley Moonrakers (70-78) are masters of their own destiny as their next series is on the road against the team that they are trying to dislodge from the 8th and final playoff spot – Fire Lake. The week after, San Tan Valley hosts Wainwright.
Don’t count out Virginia (68-80). If they make the playoffs they’ve definitely earned it as their final two series are against Coastline and Detroit … eeeeeeeeek!
Nags Head (64-84) and Fantomz (63-85) are in a dangerous spot where they really can’t afford to lose any of the games they have left. These two teams may wind up knocking themselves out if a clear winner isn’t declared from their upcoming series against each other.
Unfortunately for Wainwright (58-90), Hollywood (56-92), Iowa (54-94), and Pigtown (45-103) it’s kind of like a neutered dog humping someone’s leg … just going through the motions.
| Jack Street Hustlers @ Chicago Nine | |
| Series Summary: | The Hustlers pick up a game on Chicago. The Nine win the 1st three and then crap the bed. |
| Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Indiana Indians | |
| Series Preview: | Lewisberry Country Blumpkins (74-67) travel to Indiana to face the 61-80 Indians. |
| Game #1: | A couple of Dodger greats face off in Game 1. Hershiser goes for the Blumpkins versus Drysdale for the Indians. This game was all Indians 10-2. Carr with 4 hits and the trio of Teixeira, Walker and Lindstrom had 3 hits each for the Indians. Steve Sax with 3 hits for the Blumpkins. Drysdale strikes out 9 for the CG win. Fourth consecutive win for the Indians |
| Game #2: | Lon Warneke scatters 5 hits over 8 innings and Broxton pitches the 9th for his 17th save as the Indians win 3-1 for their 5th straight W. Babe Ruth win the CG tough loss. |
| Game #3: | Indians tally a 5-spot in the bottom of the 1st to chase Jack Morris and give the Indians their 6th straight win, 8-4. Carr and Walker with 3 hits each and Walker also with 3 RBI. Bernie Williams had 3 H for the Blumpkins. |
| Game #4: | Indians push across 7 in the bottom of the 2nd to chase Josh Beckett and the Indians win their 7th in a row 11-1. Grover Alexander evens his record at 11-11 with 6 efficient innings. |
| Game #5: | Blumpkins halt the Indians winning streak as Hershiser throws CG for the 6-2 Blumpkins win. Sax and Brock each have 3 hits for Lewisberry. |
| Game #6: | Indians commit 2 errors in the top of the 10th to lead to the go ahead run and the Blumpkins prevail 6-5 in 10. Drysdale and Ruth both had rough outings and Lewisberry proved to have the better bullpen on this day. Hitting highlight is Teixeira with a GS in bottom of the 6th to tie the game. Sax with 2 more hits for the Blumpkins. |
| Game #7: | Lewisberry raps 16 hits and tallies 14 runs for the 14-8 win in the series finale. Game was not as close as score as the Indians had to put up 6 in the last of the 8th to make it respectable. Freddie Freeman had 4 RBI for the Blumpkins and Wade Boggs had 3 RBI. Jack Morris was very effective for 6 innings to notch his 12th W. Warneke, not so much. |
| Series Summary: | Indians came into this series with a 3-game winning streak and proceeded to stretch it to 7. Blumpkins bats came aive for the final 3 games to make the series respectable. Next week Lewisberry continues it’s road trip with a series versus Chicago while Indiana finishes it’s home slate for the inaugural LEG season versus 1st place Jack Street Hustlers. |
| Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Kansas City A’s | |
| Series Preview: | A’s in 4th place in A’L East against 5th place Middle Channel. |
| Game #1: | Middle Channel at KC A’s: Sale goes 7 strong innings giving up 2 runs for a Sturgeon 8-5 win. Odell Hale has a single and homer and 5 RBI in a losing effort. |
| Game #2: | Sturgeon’s win 4-3 behind Foster’s 11th win. McDowell falls to 1-12. |
| Game #3: | Joel Horlen goes 7.1 innings allowing only 2 runs in A’S 5-2 win. |
| Game #4: | Sturgeon’s win 14-4 getting 20 hits without a homer in the win. |
| Game #5: | Ty Cobb hits a 2 run homer in the top of the 10th off Wade Davis for a 4-2 Sturgeon’s win. |
| Game #6: | Sturgeon’s blow a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth as the A’s score 4 to send it to extra innings. Ty Cobb does it again with a 2 run game winning double in the top of the 12th. |
| Game #7: | A’S win going away 10-4 as Reggie Jackson goes 3-3 with a homer and 3 RBI. |
| Series Summary: | Middle Channel wins the series 5 games to 2 to get to 1 game back of the A’s. |
| Las Vegas Pirates @ Boston Braves | |
| Series Preview: | Las Vegas travels to Boston to tussle with the Braves a team that they had dominated in an early season series winning five of seven games. Both teams have firmly settled into the lower eschaton of the AL east division. |
| Game #1: | Mike Cuellar tossed seven and a third innings of 2 hit shutout ball leading the Bucs to a 6-2 win. Lee Maye had three hits including a double, a triple and 2 RBI’s for the Pirates’ and was aided by 3 Willie Stargell hits. |
| Game #2: | The Braves turned game one results around 6-2. Six different players had RBI’s and Gabby Hartnett, Nomar Garciaparra, and Dustin Pedroia each got two hits for the Braves. Willie Davis had three hits and a stolen base for LV. |
| Game #3: | The Braves came from behind with a 2 run ninth for a 4-2 win. Jimmy Hall collected two homers and three RBI’s for the Braves. Vince DiMaggio drove in two runs with three hits for the Pirates’. |
| Game #4: | Buc’s and Braves battled for 11 inning before the Braves provided enough offense for Billy O’Dell, who pitched the entire game notching his 11th win 3-2. Gabby Hartnett and Jeff Cirillo got 2 hits for the Braves a feat matched by Lee Maye, Cecil Fielder, and Bib Faulk of the Buc’s. |
| Game #5: | The Pirates’ Warren Spahn picked up his eighth win of the season in the city where his MLB career began in 2-1 win. Willie Davis and Bibb Faulk each had 2 hits in a game dominated by the mound men. |
| Game #6: | Pedro Martinez spun a 3 hit 6-0 shutout for the Braves. Adrian Gonzalez three hits, a homer and three RBI’s for the Braves. He partnered with Freddie Sanchez who also had 3 Brave hits. |
| Game #7: | Anything can happen in Baseball a game with no clock and this game proven anything can happen in APBA baseball as well as this game’s improbable pitching performance proved the Braves won 5-3. The game began with Jake Arrieta grade 11 tossing for the Buc’s vs. Herb Score grade 1 with a 7+ era for the Braves. Score was touched for 3 runs in the fifth but put up zeros in all the other innings with 10 whiffs gaining his first win of the season. Johnny Edwards of the Pirates and the Braves Freddie Sanchez each had two hits. |
| Series Summary: | Seven interesting games played over the phoneline to Las Vegas with good conversation with Ron Moidel and has assistant Gary. The Braves matched the Pirates’ early season performance vs. the Braves with a 5-2 series win. |
| Purry Cowpokes @ Fort Worth Cats | |
| Series Preview: | Ft. Worth enters the series tied for first in the AL West with Cincinnati at 94 and 47. Purry comes in still in the hunt for a playoff spot at 81 – 60. |
| Game #1: | Reserved second baseman Robby Thompson doubles home two in the 5th and the Cats hang on to win behind a strong pitching performance by Charlie Root who struck out 8 in 7 innings of work.
Final Score: Cats 3, Cowpokes 1 |
| Game #2: | Smokey Joe Williams was yanked after a lead off hit in the 4th and after he had given up 4 runs and the Cats couldn’t come back despite 3 hits each from Willie Keeler and Homerun Baker.
Final Score: Cowpokes 6, Cats 3 |
| Game #3: | Cats leap ahead 5-0 through 4 innings behind doubles by Pete Hill and Andy Van Slyke and didn’t look back as Justin Verlander wins his 20th.
Final Score: Cats 6, Cowpokes 3 |
| Game #4: | Keith Hernandez hit two doubles and drove in two runs and Moises Alou also drove home 2 to provide the offense for Greg Maddux to win his 21st game of the year for Ft. Worth. Ricky Henderson hit a home run for Purry.
Final Score: Cats 4, Cowpokes 2 |
| Game #5: | Ricky hit a two run homer in the third for Purry, but the Cats scored the last 4 runs of the game. Home Run Baker doubled home two, Keith Hernandez hit his 9th triple, and home runs by Ken Singleton and Gene Alley led the attack for the Cats. Jim Kaat wins his 20th game of the year.
Final Score: Cats 4, Cowpokes 2 |
| Game #6: | Ft. Worth outlasted Purry in this pitching duel and although things got a little interesting in the 9th Dennis Eckersley was still able to close out the game for the Cats.
Final Score: Cats 2, Cowpokes 1 |
| Game #7: | Smokey Joe Williams was again hit hard early as he gave up a three-run homer to Purry catcher, Ed Bailey in the 2nd inning, but he settled down after that and was able to pitch 7 innings. After the Cats had gone up 4 to 3 Willie McCovey tied the game with a solo blast in the 8th. Hank Severeid came on defensively in the 10th and threw out Ricky Henderson to end the inning and then he walked off the game in the bottom of the 10th when he led off with his first home run of the year.
Final Score: Cats 5, Cowpokes 4 |
| Series Summary: | Ft. Worth takes the series 6 games to 1 to put the pressure on the Knights who host the last place Whales. |
| Wrigleyville Whales @ Cincinnati Knights | |
| Series Preview: | The Wrigleyville Wahles made their first visit to Glenn Sample Field for a seven-game set with the A.L. West co-leaders, the Cincinnati Knights. Fort Worth the other co-leader in the West took six games this week to put the pressure firmly on the home club. |
| Game #1: | CIN 5-12-1, WRI 3-12-1 Ted Williams went two-for-four with a homer |
| Game #2: | CIN 5-13-0, WRI 1-3-0 Joe Sewell went three-for-five with a homer and two runs scored |
| Game #3: | WRI 3-7-0, CIN 2-4-5 Ivan Meusel delivered the game winning hit, as the Whales scratched out a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. |
| Game #4: | WRI 8-10-0, CIN 6-9-0 Ivan Meusel went three-for-five with a double and homer in the win |
| Game #5: | CIN 11-14-1, WRI 1-4-0 Ted Williams went two-for-four with a homer and three RBI |
| Game #6: | CIN 8-9-0, WRI 6-9-0 Ted Williams went one-for-three with a homer and three RBI |
| Game #7: | CIN 7-15-4, WRI 3-9-0 Ted Williams…..had the day off! Jason Giambi went two-for-five with a pair of homers and five driven in. |
| Series Summary: | Cincinnati takes five of seven and is a game back in the A.L. West.
Ted Williams makes a bid for Player of the Week, going eight-for-21 (.381) with five runs scored, 11 RBI, two doubles, three homers and six walks. His on base percentage was .518, his slugging percentage was .905 for an OPS of 1.423. |
| New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Madison East Purgolders | |
| Series Preview: | New Westminster, the best of the Minster’s, head to Madison to try to make up some late ground in their quest for the playoffs. |
| Game #1: | Billy Pierce vs. Hooks Wiltsie. Hookie may be the leader for most underperforming player of the year in LEG this year, or at least among the hurlers. Jason Bay hits a 3-run shot in the bottom of the first, giving Wiltsie some room to breathe as he tries to avoid his 19th loss of the season. The Salmonbellies chip away, and then drop a three spot on the Purgolders in the top of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead, chasing Wiltsie from the game. Despite Joe Jackson going deep with two outs in the ninth Madison East drops the opener 8-5. |
| Game #2: | Dizzy Trout goes up against Vinegar Bend Mizell. Scoreless until the bottom of the 5th when Pie Traynor hit s a two-run single, followed immediately by an RBI knock from Dave Nillson. In the top of the 8th Jason Bay guns down Ferris Fain at the plate to end the inning, preserving Mizell’s team leading second shutout of the season. Joe Jackson connects on a three-run blast in the bottom of the 8th for some insurance. Purgolders even the series 1-1 with a 6-0 win. |
| Game #3: | Andy Messersmith faces off against Jose Mesa. The Mighty Purgolders take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with the assistance of two Salmonbellie errors. Martin Dihigo reminds us all that Joe Table is dealing as he cashes in on the lead-off walk to Ron Hunt to start the second with a mega blast to tie the game at 2. Ryan Braun leads off the bottom of the 5th with a homer, giving the Golden Purs a 3-2 lead. Mesa goes 8, leaving a 4-4 tie in his wake. Curt Schilling comes on and goes four without giving up an unearned run yet takes the loss in 12, 5-4 on a walk-off by Paul Waner. Waner looked highly confused at the concept of a Gatorade bath during the post-game celebration. Both teams have three errors in the game. Bill Caudill gets the save for the Salmonbellies. |
| Game #4: | Sam Leever vs. Guy Bush. A scoreless battle through 6, including Martin Dihigo getting gunned down twice trying to steal by Frank “Howitzer” Snyder. Bush loads the bases in the top of the 7th and then beanes Roy Campanella to plate the game’s first run. Ferris Fain hits a one-out triple in the 8th and scores on a sac fly from Felipe Alou for a 2-0 lead. Placido Polanco hits a sac fly in the bottom of the 9th, and the Purgolders manage to get runners on 2nd & 3rd with two outs but Frank Snyder grounds out to Dave Concepcion to end the game. Fishguts beat the rodents 3-1 as Leever goes the distance. |
| Game #5: | Up in the series 3-1 New Westminster goes with Jeff Tesreau against Art Nehf. The Salmonbellies plate three in the top of the first, hampered by Jason Bay cutting down Ron Hunt while trying to score on a flyout. Tesreau, a grade 22, promptly gives up two in the bottom of the frame and Felipe Alou takes out Albert Belle at the plate. I didn’t think I would get any runs off of Tesreau so I feel like this is a victory of some sorts already. Tesreau retaliates for the Campanella dotting yesterday by plunking Jason Kendall in the second, resulting in the fluffball Kendall being injured for six games. Albert Belle takes Tesreau deep in the bottom of the third and shouts all around the bases “Throw at me! Throw at Me!” Game tied at 3 after three. Jason Bay finally does something that doesn’t improve the pitching statistics for an opposing starter, plating Hanley Ramirez with an RBI base hit. F’ing Martin Dihigo does his Albert impersonation, blasting a two-run shot out of the stadium to take a5-4 lead in the top of the 6th. All looking great for the Bellies until Frank Snyder plates Dave Nillson with a two-out double to tie it up at 5 after 8!Quiet until the 12th, when Jimmy Winn hits a 2-run triple off of Bob Forsch for the7-5 lead. Bill Caudill comes in again and slams the door and New Westminster takes a 4-1 series lead. |
| Game #6: | A rematch of game one with the Hookster having his first chance for his 20th loss of the season! The tension in stadium is THICK! As is typical, Purgolders are down 2-0 four batters in to the game on a Felipe Alou triple, Paul Waner single and Jimmy Winn double. The Purgolders toss a half dozen on the board in the bottom of the3rd, highlighted by a Dave Nillson 3-run bomb. Hooksie, being Hooksie, gives up a slam to Winn in the top of the 6th, with New Westminster returning the favor with their own six spot to take a 9-6 lead. Martin Dihigo solidifies his player of the week campaign with a final two-run blast in the 8th off of Jim Lonborg to extend the lead to 12-6. Just in case, Dihigo adds a three-run shot in the ninth to prove that he is just a stat collector…. 4-5, 5 RBI, 10 total bases…. Final score 16-6. |
| Game #7: | Dizzy Trout vs. Bret Saberhagen. Maybe Sabes can slow this offense down? Big Roy connects for a two-run shot in the top of the fourth for a 2-0 lead. Jimmy Winn does the same in the 5th. Harvey Kuenn takes his turn in the 6th with a 2-run shot of his own to move the lead to 6-0. Three straight innings with a two-run homerun for New Westminster. George Scales and John Kruk aren’t giving up, hitting back-to-ack two-out RBI doubles in the bottom of the 6th to pull within 6-2. Two runs in the top of the offset three in the bottom of ninth, which necessitated Caudill earning his third save of the series for a final of 8-5. |
| Series Summary: | The Salmonbellies take the series 6-1, but it wasn’t that close. Martin Dihigo, per his usual, had a month’s worth of offense in six games, Wiltsie get his much earned 20th loss of the season and continued head scratching for the brain trust at Madison East. |
| Menomonee Minutemen @ Kansas City Blues | |
| Series Preview: | Two division teams go at it |
| Game #1: | Rico Carty’s 2-HR 3-rbi help the Blues win 5-4 |
| Game #2: | Bonds 2-HR Altuve 1-HR Adcock 1-HR Minutemen 12-2 win |
| Game #3: | Rommel CG 2-hitter shutout the Blues 2-0 |
| Game #4: | Sheffield Boog and Delgado for homer for the Blues as they go on to win in extras 10-9 |
| Game #5: | Minutemen win a close one 8-7 Blues mount a comeback come up short |
| Game #6: | Greinke and Hudson both go the distance Grienke gets the CG 3-hit shutout 2-0 for the Blues |
| Game #7: | Minutemen pull out 4th win in 12 8-5 |
| Series Summary: | good series between division rivals Minutemen come out on top 4-3 |
| Nags Head Surf Sox @ Coastline Bobcats | |
| Series Preview: | Coastline (96-45) hosts Nags Head (63-78) for a 7 game series. |
| Game #1: | NAG M.Mussina vs CLB B.Swift CLB on the board in the B1 when Jenkins 1bs, a Ripken groundout, and H.Wilson rbi-1b. CLB strikes again in the B3 when Jenkins bbs, Ripken H&R 1b puts runners at the corners, Howard with an rbi-1b, and Gehrig cleans the bases with a 2-run 2b. CLB Ripken closes the scoring with a Sac Fly in the B7.On the mound CLB B.Swift is strong giving up only 4 hits while walking 2 and fanning 5 as he tosses the CG Shutout. NAG Foxx added his 41st double on the season.CLB 5, NAG 0CLB B.Swift (16-8) gets the win and NAG M.Mussina (13-10) with the loss. |
| Game #2: | NAG J.Palmer vs CLB C.Finley Good old fashioned pitcher’s duel through 7 as both Palmer and Finley are in control and the score is till 0-0. In the B8 CLB finally break through when M.Williams gets a 1-out 2b, Kinsler PRs, and then with 2 out Becker 1bs him home for the 1-0 lead. CLB calls on Sutter in the T9 (Finley was lifted for PH Goslin in the B8) as has been the case this year.But NAG H.Johnson leads off the T9 and tees off on a Sutter fastball hitting it over the CF wall for a 1-1 tie and giving Sutter his 7th blown save. Sutter settles down and gets the next 3 hitters to keep the game tied at 1-1.In the B9 Charlton is on for SAN and after Jenkins Ks, Ripken 1bs, and then moves all the way to 3rd on a Charlton WP, H.Wilson is IW bringing up Howard. NAG plays the infield in and Howard hits a grounder to Foxx who throws home to nail Ripken. But Ripken beats the throw with a neat slide to give CLB the win!CLB 2, NAG 1CLB B.Sutter (5-4) gets the win and NAG N.Charlton (3-3) takes the loss. |
| Game #3: | NAG J.Andujar vs CLB K.Brown CLB out in front again as they score 1 in the B1 on a C.Ripken solo-HR. CLB Brown manages to pitch 2 scoreless innings before he implodes one again. In the NAG T3 Jeter 1bs, Sandberg 2bs, and with 2-out Foxx hits a 3-run HR followed by a Stanton solo-HR for a 4-1 NAG lead!NAG keeps it coming with 2 more in the T5 when Hayes bbs and Foxx hits a 2-run HR, his 2nd of the game. CLB Brown is yanked and his stat line is 4IP, 8 hits, and 6 ER. Not bad for a Grade 20 whose season ERA has now ballooned to 4.28. Brown has pretty much been real bad or somewhat good this year, with a few more bad than good.NAG adds a run in the T7 on a H,Johnson rbi-2b and 2 more in the T9 on a Dawson 2-run HR.Besides Foxx, the big story for NAG in this game was Andujar as he went 7IP giving up only 4 hits, walking none and fanning 7. Andujar’s lone blemish was Ripken’s HR as he avoids his 20th loss on the season.NAG 9, CLB 1NAG J.Andujar (5-19) with the win and CLB K.Brown (15-10) takes the loss |
| Game #4: | NAG N.Ryan vs CLB D.Stieb CLB opens the scoring in the B3 when Becker 1bs, Jenkins on by a FC, Ripken H&R 1b, and H.Wilson swats a 3-run HR. NAG comes right back in the T4 when Foxx bbs, Dawson 1bs, and H.Johnson rips an rbi-2b and Carter follows with a SF to RF.CLB Jenkins gets one run right back with a solo-HR in the B4. CLB adds another run in the B6 on a M.Williams solo-HR. That’s all the scoring in the game. CLB Steib gives up the 2 runs and then turns things over to the bullpen. CLB Albers, Marshall, and Sutter close out the game.CLB 5, NAG 2CLB D.Stieb (17-7) with the win, Sutter notches Save#59, and NAG N.Ryan (4-13) gets the loss. |
| Game #5: | NAG C.Hamels vs CLB D.Sutton CLB with their big 4 starters tired, and Maglie itchy, elects to give D.Sutton the start. Most likely his lone start of the season and he actually is respectable going 5IP giving up only 2ER on 5 hits while fanning 4.CLB needs to score with Sutton on the mound and that they did to NAG frustration as the Surf Sox bullpen comes apart in the later innings.CLB opens the scoring in the B1 on a Kemp 1b, Burks H&R 1b, and a C.Ripken SF. CLB adds 2 more in the B3 with 2 out Kemp 1bs and Burks hits a 2-run HR.CLB Sutton’s lone bad inning was the T4 when Foxx 1bs, Stanton 1bs, Dawson rips a rbi-2b, Winfield with an rbi-1b and then Sutton throws away McCarver’s grounder to the mound to tie the game at 3-3.CLB Gordon hits a 2-out solo-HR in the B4 to get the lead back for Sutton and give him a chance to earn the win. Sutton helps his cause by tossing a scoreless T5 before being lifted in favor of the bullpen.But as stated earlier, the NAG bullpen of Slocumb and D.Weathers implodes giving up 3 runs in the B7 and 5 more in the B8 as CLB cruises to the win. CLB bullpen closes out the last 4 innings to preserve the win.CLB 13, NAG 3 CLB D.Sutton (1-1) with the win and NAG C.Hamels (9-11) takes the loss. |
| Game #6: | NAG M.Mussina vs CLB C.Finley Another good old pitcher’s duel. Mussina and Finley toss scoreless innings through the 3rd. IN the B4 CLB Ripken 2bs, Wilson 1bs, and Howard bloops an rbi-1b for the 1st run of the game. CLB adds another in the B5 when M.Williams 2bs, Finley with a SAC, and Becker follows with a SF for a 2-0 CLB lead.That’s how the game would end as NAG Mussina buckles down and doesn’t give up any further runs and CLB Finley is on point going the distance for a CG 4-hit shutout win. Finley fans 9 and walks none as well.CLB 2, NAG 0CLB C.Finley (19-6) with the win and NAG M,Mussina (13-11) gets the loss. |
| Game #7: | NAG J.Palmer vs CLB K.Brown As is the case in every game he starts, which K.Brown will show up in this game.Well, to NAG disappointment the good K.Brown showed up as he goes 7.2IP of shutout ball before giving way to Sutter. I really wanted to let him try for the shutout, but with his track history this year I went with Sutter with a runner on in the 8th. Sutter closed out the game for his 60th save.CLB got all the runs it would need in the B1 as Becker 1bs, Jenkins reaches on a FC, a Ripken H&R 1b moves Jenkins to 3rd, but he then tries to score and is pegged at the plate as Ripken moves into 2nd. Wilson salvages the inning with an rbi-2b.CLB adds 2 more in the B3 on a Becker solo-HR, Jenkins 2b, and Wilson rbi-1b. CLB closes out the scoring with a Gordon FC-rbi in the B8.CLB 4, NAG 0CLB K.Brown (16-10) with the win, Sutter with Save#60, and NAG J.Palmer (7-8) with the loss. |
| Series Summary: | Coastline takes the series 6-1 over Nags Head. Except for the lone loss the Coastline pitching controlled the series.
Coastline’s Finley has a strong series tossing 17IP and allows 0 runs while fanning 12, walking 4 and giving up 10 hits. Finley pitches a shutout and only gets 1 win as Sutter blows the save in the other game. |
| Pigtown Bombers @ Detroit DeLoreans | |
| Series Preview: | The NL East’s eighth-place Pigtown Bombers (45-96) visit the second-place Detroit DeLoreans (89-52). |
| Game #1: | PIG 7 – DET 8: Indicative of many of the games in the series, Pigtown jumped ahead early and carried a 7-6 lead into the ninth innings. A 3-run HR from B. Kauff put Pigtown ahead in the seventh inning. However, in the ninth inning, a S. Rice double brought in the winning run for Detroit. Pigtown’s M. Ramirez had 4 RBI, while Detroit’s N. Lajoie went 3 for 5 with a double, triple, and 2 RBI. |
| Game #2: | PIG 2 – DET 3: A M. Schmidt RBI double in the first inning gave the Bombers an early 1-0 lead. In the fifth inning, S. Sallee took a J. Tudor pitch off his shoulder and was lost for nine games. Then a R. White double in the bottom on the ninth gave Detroit a 3-2 win. Pigtown’s M. Schmidt had two doubles. Detroit’s R. Collins had a triple and a homer. |
| Game #3: | PIG 6 – DET 7 (10): A back-and-forth affair that went an extra inning until B. Fothergill drove in the winning run. M. Ramirez went 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI. Five players for Detroit had two hits including R. Collins who had a double and his 47th HR. |
| Game #4: | PIG 4 – DET 10: Detroit jumped out to a 7-0 lead after five innings. Pigtown’s E. Lombardi went 2 for 4 with a HR and 2 RBI. While Detroit’s A. Rendon went 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. |
| Game #5: | PIG 4 – DET 7: A 4-run first inning gave the DeLoreans enough momentum to hold on to a 7-4 victory. In the fifth inning, a 3-run J. Robinson double brought the Bombers within two, but they never got any closer. Pigtown’s A. Radcliff went 3 for 4 with a double. Detroit’s Y. Berra went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. The DeLoreans also lost A. Rendon five days to injury. |
| Game #6: | PIG 4 – DET 5 (10): After seven innings the Bombers held a 4-2 lead behind a 2 for 5 effort from B. Kauff. However, the DeLoreans battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a J. Cronin double. Then Detroit won it in the bottom of the tenth on a R. Velarde error as he misjudged a B. Fothergill popup. DeLorean R. White went 3 for 5 with a double, run, RBI, and SB. |
| Game #7: | PIG 1 – DET 4: A 3-run fourth inning led by F. Howard, B. Fothergill, and A. Pafkowas all the DeLoreans needed as they cruised to a 4-1 victory. Pigtown’s catcher D. Sims went 2 for 4. While Detroit’s F. Howard went 3 for 4 in a rare start. |
| Series Summary: | Another tough series for Pigtown who didn’t deserve to be swept. They held the lead in four games and lost on walk-offs in four of the contests. Some fortunate hitting from Detroit led to some heartbreaking Pigtown defeats. As for performances, Detroit’s Ripper Collins belted four more HRs to give him 48 for the season with 14 games remaining. |
| West Michigan Retrogrades @ Climax Cougars | |
| Series Preview: | Well, in retrospect I wish Kevin Weber had invited me along on his weekend ski trip instead of sticking me with playing against his evil micromanager. A bit of a spoiler alert as the Climax Cougars hosted and tried to eat up some ground between them and the West Michigan Retrogrades. |
| Game #1: | Starting off with Climax starter Jarrod Washburn has been brilliant since coming off the DL a few weeks ago and inserted as a starter. Unfortunately, his shipment of stupid pills arrived and this game started off by him offering up a tater to Heavy Johnson (23) and before you could say “who drank my beer?” WMR was up 1-0 and Washburn was already a little twitchy. The Cougars drew even when Jose Bautista came out of his coma and single down the right field line which allowed Chief Meyers to waddle home with the tying run in the bottom of the 1st. The Retros regained the lead in the 3rd inning thanks to George Sisler (a fabulous ball player by the way – look him up) who singled home Marty McManus (who would wind up with three hits on the day) for a 2-1 West Mish lead. They upped the ante in the 4th with Duke Snider (one of my childhood favs as the Expos broadcaster guy) smacking a Washburn pitch on a line into the Molson concession stand in right field. The homer enraged fans not so much that the hit gave the Retrogrades a 4-1 lead but more that nothing gets between a Canadian and his beer. Sam Crawford continued to climb the popularity ladder in Climax by launching his 13th of the season into the right field stands when West Mish starter Urban Shocker hung one in the bottom of the 4th. Unfortunately, that was as charitable as Shocker would get on the day as he cruised through to the 9th and despite giving up a run on an RBI single by Johnny Mize in the bottom of the 9th the Cougars couldn’t mount anything resembling a comeback. With the Retrogrades tacking on two runs in the top of the 9th the game ended 6-3 with the boys from Michigan outclassing Climax and outhitting them 14-4 in the contest. W-Shocker (19-11. 2.67) L-Washburn (2-6, 2.49) HR-WMR: Snider (16), Hv. Johnson (23); CMC: Crawford (13) |
| Game #2: | World class pain in the ass Heavy Johnson once again led the charge for West Michigan with a home run in the top of the 8th that gave the Retrogrades the winning run in a 3-2 ball game. Johnson’s antics spoiled what started out as a promising game with Climax jumping to a 2-0 lead on Sam Crawford’s second homer in as many games with a runner aboard in the 2nd inning. Smoky Joe Wood was fantastic for 6 innings but struggled in the 7th and allowed a couple of runs on an RBI ground out b Adrian Beltre and another run in off a Bobby Wallace single. Wood lasted 8 innings in all and allowed just six hits and a walk while fanning seven. His mound opponent, Curt Davis, was a little dodgy and gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks over 7 innings. Joe Sambito self-destructed on the mound when he came in for the save for West Michigan allowing two hits and a walk in the 9th, but was rescued by the AI which ended the game on George Grantham’s 4th hit of the day that sent Chief Meyers to his death at the plate and then had Grantham nailed when he tried to advance to 2nd base. Wham back, thank you, ma’am indeed. The baseball gods were angry this day and they made the Cougars their bitches. What can you do? W-Davis (14-9, 3.28) Sv-Sambito (14), BBW Artificial Intelligence (100) L-Wood (10-9, 4.82) HR-WMR: Hv Johnson (24); CMC: Crawford (14) |
| Game #3: | Well, Heavy Johnson didn’t hit a homer for the Retrogrades … he hit two including his 2nd leadoff homer of the series as the visitors bashed their way to a 9-4 win. Sadly, the Retrogrades only outhit the Cougars 11-10 in the game, but where the Climax hits were scattered all over the place the West Michigan hitters clumped theirs together (six walks didn’t hurt either). West Michigan was up 5-1 on Rube Waddell and the Cougars after two innings and just put it on cruise control after that. Johnson drove in three runs and scored four times adding a double to his two home runs and to add insult to injury he even stole a base. Prick. Waddell was terrible and was pulled after two horrific innings in which he allowed five runs on five hits and three walks. Reliever Frank Smith did his part to ensure there was no chance of Climax coming back in this one by allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in just an inning. This clown did nothing right and I’m surprised he could even find the ballpark. W-Schumacher (16-5, 4.15) L-Waddell (12-10) HR-WMR: Hv Johnson 2 (26) |
| Game #4: | Oh for Pete’s sake … Heavy Johnson again launched a homer to lead off the game as the Retrogrades re-enacted the Defenestration of Prague on the Cougars in a 13-4 laugher. The Retros pounded out 18 hits in the game with Johnson falling a triple short of the cycle (that one went to Bill Dickey) as he scored three times and drove in as many. George Sisler was a cool 4/4 with three runs and two RBIs while Bill Dickey did not too badly with a 4/6 … and yes, Virginia, he did hit for the cycle. The line score for the day award goes to Cliff Melton, who had been pitching quite well, who got one out but in doing so gave up four runs on five hits. Nice. W-W.Foster (19-9, 2.58) L-Harris (7-7, 3.84) HR-WMR: Hv Johnson (27), t.Davis (27), Dickey (20); CMC: Gibson (11), Mize (11) |
| Game #5: | Lots of runs again, but no Heavy Johnson factor. The Cougars kept Heavy at bay with him going 0/4 with two strikeouts and meanwhile exacted some revenge on the West Michigan pitching staff in a 12-1 victory. Chief Meyers and Sam Crawford each had three hits in the game with Jose Bautista pulling a Gary Carter and having a great offensive game when it was not needed and driving in four runs on two home runs. W-Redding (5-8, 4.46) L-Shocker (19-12, 2.88) Hr-CMC: Ott (21), Bautista 2 (23) |
| Game #6: | A George Sisler single in the top of the 9th off Eric Plunk unraveled the Cougars bid for a win as two runs scored to lift the Retrogrades to a 6-4 triumph over Climax. The Sisler heroics spoiled what was a minor victory for Climax holding Heavy Johnson to just one hit in 3 at bats. Bobby Wallace came out of nowhere to keep West Michigan in the game in the early going with what I have to believe was a wind-assisted homer to left in the 4th with a runner aboard that tied the game 3-3. Chief Meyers had three hits for Climax. … and that’s all I have to say about that. W-Sambito (5-2, 2.81) L-Plunk (3-5, 2.11) HR-WMR: Wallace (3) |
| Game #7: | Kind of like finding a 4-leaf clover after your house burns down, the Cougars come back to win the final game 7-1. Highlights included no hits for Heavy Johnson and homers by Sam Crawford and Buck Leonard. Van Lingle Mungo was in fine form allowing just the one run over 8 quiet innings with two walks and just one K. W-Mungo (11-7, 2.99) L-Schumacher (16-6, 4.24) HR-CMC: Leonard (13), Crawford (15) |
| Series Summary: | I have sadness |
| Virginia Cavaliers @ Fantomz Force | |
| Series Preview: | Two Virginia-based teams squared off this weekend, with the Cavaliers in the playoff hunt and the Force looking at players for next season … |
| Game #1: | Game 142 – Bob Turley ’55 (9-11) v. Mel Harder ’32 (4-9)
Fantomz 6-3: Virginia struck first when Alan Trammell started the series with a solo shot. The Force struck back with four runs during the bottom half, highlighted by a Don Mattingly two-run single. Joe Judge, inserted as a leadoff hitter for the first time this season, responded with two runs and three singles. Fantomz’ bullpen held the line, allowing a lone unearned run over four innings to preserve the win. W – Harder (5-9) L – Turley (9-12) |
| Game #2: | Game 143 – Lefty Gomez ’38 (15-9) v. Stan Coveleski ’23 (2-14)
Fantomz 4-0: A struggling Stan Coveleski, who lost his first eight decisions, delivered his best performance this season. Coveleski fired a two-hitter with three strikeouts. The Force scored two 1st-inning runs, then received some insurance from a pinch-hit Doc Wiley 8th-inning two-run single. W – Coveleski (3-14) L – Gomez (15-10) |
| Game #3: | Game 144 – Juan Guzman ’99 (5-11) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (9-17)
Fantomz 5-2: Virginia’s Juan Guzman cruised through seven innings of one-run ball, striking out five and allowing four hits, as back-to-back 4th-inning singles by Joe Harris and Ralph Kiner provided run support. Fantomz bats waited until the 9th inning to awaken; Larry Doby scored on a passed ball to tie the game then Gil McDougald delivered a three-run clout into the left-field seats for a dramatic win. W – Cishek (5-3) L – Foulke (3-6) |
| Game #4: | Game 145 – Preacher Roe ’52 (3-7) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (12-14)
Fantomz 3-2: The Cavaliers benefited from another strong start – this time Roe pitched six shutout innings – but the Force thrilled their fans with another dramatic victory. Adam Eaton, angling for playing time, took the plate for the first time in weeks during the 9th inning with the bases loaded and one out. He promptly delivered a bases-clearing triple to send Fantomz’ fans into a wild frenzy. W – Russell (5-4) L – Foulke (3-7) |
| Game #5: | Game 146 – Ed Reulbach ’09 (9-11) v. Mel Harder ’32 (5-9)
Virginia 2-0: The Cavaliers had seen enough nonsense, and Reulbach took matters into his own hands. He fired seven innings one-hit innings with six strikeouts while Frank Robinson’s 1st-inning longball was more than enough offense. Kevin McReynolds added a 6th-inning insurance run to break Fantomz’ four-game winning streak. W- Reulbach (10-11) L – Harder (5-10) SV – Betancourt (4) |
| Game #6: | Game 147 – Bob Turley ’55 (9-12) v. Stan Coveleski ’23 (3-14)
Fantomz 8-1: Fantomz starting pitcher Stan Coveleski made his case for NL Pitcher of the Week by firing a three-hitter for his second victory this week. After a 2-14 start, the spitballers doubled his win total and dropped his ERA from 4.91 to 4.44. Al Lopez, Larry Doby, and Eddie Miller all scored twice and had two hits, with Doby hitting his 26th homer. W – Coveleski (4-14) L – Turley (9-13) |
| Game #7: | Game 148 – Lefty Gomez ’38 (15-10) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (9-17)
Virginia 5-0: The Cavaliers figured the best way to win was preventing Fantomz from scoring. The strategy worked as Gomez tossed seven shutout innings and the bullpen didn’t disappoint. Frank Robinson and Al Rosen homered. W – Gomez (16-10) L – Weilman (9-18) |
| Series Summary: | Fantomz won 5 of 7 – unfortunately for Virginia, this was the Force’s best series this year.
Player of the Week nominee: Fantomz’ backup catcher Al Lopez, who hit 7-for-15 and scored five runs. Lopez increased his batting average from .178 to .201, rather notable for this late in the season. Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fantomz’ Stan Coveleski was brilliant, going 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA, pithcing two complete games, allowing one run only five hits over 18 innings, doubling his win total this season! |
| San Tan Valley Moonrakers @ Clockwork Heros | |
| Series Preview: | San Tan Valley visits Clockwork |
| Game #1: | hadley 4 hitter san tan 6-0 |
| Game #2: | Big Unit and San Tan beat Matheson 4-1 |
| Game #3: | Blyleven wins his 23rd as Santop triples and homers 8-3 clockwork |
| Game #4: | Vaughn homers Gromek wins 2-1 clockwork |
| Game #5: | Matheson loses again this time 3-1 to Trucks and San Tan |
| Game #6: | Tekulve blows the save but gets the win 5-4 Clockwork |
| Game #7: | Tekulve saves his 35th as Blyleven wins his24th beating Randy Johnson 4-2 |
| Series Summary: | Clockwork manages a series win 4-3 but two Matheson losses hurt his cy young drive. Trotsky drove in 7 for San Tan Valley |
STRAY
| Iowa Giants @ Hoboken Zephyrs | |
| Series Preview: | The Giants travel to Hoboken as the regular season winds down. |
| Game #1: | Bob Feller and Red Faber each pitch 10 scoreless innings in a classic duel. Jeff Heath’s 3-base error in the 11th gave Iowa the win. Iowa 1 Hoboken 0 |
| Game #2: | Ewell Blackwell pitched a 3-hit gem to shutout Iowa. Eddie Stanky led the Zephyr offense with a homer and 3 rbi’s. Hoboken 4 Iowa 0 |
| Game #3: | The Giants scored 4 runs on only two hits taking advantage of 6 free passes. Bob Lemon and Goose Gossage teamed up to hold Hoboken to just two runs. Iowa 4 Hoboken 2 |
| Game #4: | Noodles Hahn improved to 24-9, 2.18era. Curt Flood and Bill Dahlen each homered to lead the Hoboken attack. Hoboken 6 Iowa 3 |
| Game #5: | Bob Feller was brilliant again allowing just two hits over 8 innings. Goose Gossage earned his 25th save. Mike Garcia allowed just 4 hits and one earned run over 8 innings in a hard loss. Iowa 1 Hoboken 0 |
| Game #6: | Red Faber earned his 17th win allowing just two hits and one earned run in a complete game victory. Hoboken 3 Iowa 1 |
| Game #7: | Dizzy Dean allowed just three runs over 7 innings and pitched a 3-run blast of his own to outduel Ewell Blackwell. Iowa 4 Hoboken 3 |
| Series Summary: | Iowa takes a tough road series in Hoboken 4-3. Bob Feller starred for the Giants winning both his starts. Feller allowed just 7 hits and no earned runs over 18 innings!! |
| Motown Yankees @ Wainwright Wranglers | |
| Series Preview: | Yankees vs Wranglers and Yankees win the series 4-3 a pretty uneventful series with only one highlight Curt Hubble three a 12 inning 3 hit shut out to out last Left Groves complete game in a 2-0 victory |
| Series Summary: | 4-3 Yankees |
| Hollywood Zombies @ Fire Lake Segers | |
| Series Preview: | Hollywood (53-88) at Fire Lake (70-71) |
| Game #1: | Hollywood – 5, Fire Lake – 4 (12 innings) |
| Game #2: | Fire Lake – 6, Hollywood – 3 |
| Game #3: | Fire Lake – 3, Hollywood – 1 |
| Game #4: | Fire Lake – 10, Hollywood – 7 |
| Game #5: | Hollywood – 5, Fire Lake – 3 (12 innings) |
| Game #6: | Fire Lake – 5, Hollywood – 4 (10 innings) |
| Game #7: | Hollywood – 4, Fire Lake – 3 |
| Series Summary: | Hollywood traveled to Fire Lake and the Zombies did not go down quietly. The Segers win the series 4 games to 3, but they’re not going to brag about it… Fire Lake sits at 74-74, with 14 to play. Apparently, it’s all been one giant Twisted Sister party through 148. |