Author: stray

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

Continue reading “2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #21”

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #20

 

National League Pitchers of the Week – Chuck Finley – Coastline

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

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Bob Gibson  – KC Blues

1-0 record, 8 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts, & 3 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Cal Ripken Jr.  – Coastline

.571 avg  / 1.071 slg, 8 for 14, 1 double, 2 home runs, 7  runs, 4 RBIs, & 1 walk

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Carlos Gonzalez  – Madison East

.533 avg / 1.467 slg, 8  for 15, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 5 runs, 8 RBIs & 2 walks

 

 

Feature: Around the League …

An interesting look at LEG stats as a whole rather than at individual leagues.

Let’s start with pitching. When it comes to the top ten in wins, the AL has 5 pitchers with 14 wins or more and the NL 4. Each league has one pitcher each with 18 wins (G.Maddux FWC-AL and C.Mathewson CWH-NL) and 16 wins (J.Verlander FWC-AL and N.Hahn HBZ-NL.), In ERA the NL dominates with 7 of the top 10. C.Mathewson CWH-NL leads the way at 1.62 followed by J.Verlander FWC-AL at 1.76. The NL having 7 pitchers with a 2.33 or lower ERA is not surprising considering the league ERA in the AL is 4.03 and the NL 3.42. (Is it really better pitching or the roll of the die?) Most innings pitched is an interesting one to me. The NL has all 10 of the top 10. In a league known for pulling pitchers for a pinch hitter one would think that IP’s would be in the low numbers. But that’s not the case for some reason. All I can determine is that the starting pitchers are so good (High grades) that mangers are leaving them in longer and relying on them rather than any relief pitchers they may have. And I know of several NL teams that did not draft with an eye toward a deep, strong bullpen so that would make sense, especially if they use starters as relievers ( A bit of a difference from the heavy use of relievers in today’s MLB games). When it comes to Games Started the NL once again has all top 10. Again interesting. But maybe the NL has more 4 man rotations, or even 3 man. Or maybe the NL is not worried about getting the minimum BF’s for many of their pitchers and the AL is? Or maybe the AL has better bullpens? Supporting the idea that the NL has many high grade starting pitchers or weaker (?) bullpens is the fact that the NL has 9 of the top 10 Complete Game leaders. The interesting thing about those pitchers is that they all are pitchers from before the 1940’s. Hmmm. Just as a side note, the NL also has 8 of the top 9 strikeout leaders. I guess that means The NL either has a lot of strikeout type pitchers or really poor contact batters. 6 of the top 10 batters in strikeouts do come from thr NL.

Now, in the batting department. The AL appears to dominate here like the NL did in pitching. First, batting leaders. The AL has 7 of the top 10. Considering the AL league average is .248 compared to the NL’s .226, that is not surprising. M.Dihigo’s (NWS-AL) .344 leads the way with two other AL batters right behind him, T.Williams (CIN) .341 and W.Keeler (FWC) .327. C.Ripken’s (CLB) .319 at #4 gives the NL it’s top representative. The interesting stat is that the two leagues each have five leaders in the most hits category (even though the AL has 13,655 hits to the NL’s 12,215) . One would think with each league having 5 hit leaders that would put them fairly even in the batting average category,…but it didn’t. In the slugging arena, the AL again has 7 of the top 10 with T.Williams (CIN), J.Mayberry (CHI) and S.Seybold (MEN) all over .600. R.Collins (DET) at .597 leads the NL contingent. With the AL having an advantage in slugging it would make sense that the AL would have more hitters in the HR top ten. And of course, they do. 5 of the top 8 HR leaders come from the AL even though 2 NL players have the top two spots, R.Collins (DET) with 34 and H.Wilson (CLB) 29. (and no one named Ruth is in the top HR leaders) The AL also has the advantage in RBI claiming 7 of the top 10.

So what does all this mean? Who knows? Do the AL pitchers stink?  Do the NL hitters stink? Does the computer dice rolls stink? It just makes for interesting stats and that is one of the things this game is about.

“Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.” – Yogi Berra

“There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.” – Tommy Lasorda Continue reading “2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #20”

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #19

 

National League Pitchers of the Week – Tom SEAVER – Hoboken

1-0 record, 11.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 3 hits, 15 strikeouts, & 1 walk

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Phil NIEKRO  – KC A’s

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched – NO HITTER, 0.00 ERA, 0 hits,1 strikeout, & 3 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Ripper COLLINS – Detroit (yes, again)

.438 avg  / 0.938 slg, 7 for 16, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 4  runs, 4 RBIs, & 2 walks

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Tris SPEAKER  – Purry

.500 avg / 1.333 slg, 6 for 12, 4 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs, 7 RBIs, & 3 walks

Fort Worth Cats @ Lewisberry Country Blumpkins
Series Preview: The 1st Place Cats traveled to the 1st Place Country Blumpkins for a potential playoff preview
Game #1: Lee May breaks a 1-1 tie in the 3rd with a Sac Fly and Cats use Blumpkin pitchers as a scratching post. Blumpkins score 2 in the bottom of the 9th for no good reason.
Cats 5 Country Blumpkins 3
Game #2: Forever-Blumpkin Bernie Williams crushes a 3run homer in the 5th to give Lewisberry a 4-2 lead and victory.
Country Blumpkins 4 Cats 2
Game #3: Justin Turdlander must have been getting too many outs after 7 innings, allowing only 3 hits, as he gets pulled but it really didn’t matter. Lost out on POTW consideration tho.
Cats 5 Country Blumpkins 0
Game #4: The Babe gets clawed again as the Cats scratch out runs in 4 different innings. Blumpkins offense was very offensive.
Cats 5 Country Blumpkins 3
Series Summary: Cats win 3 in a series that had only 1 HR, a pitcher hurling a 3hit shutout get pulled and Hunter Fuckin’ Pence going 6-14 with 2 2B, 3B, 2 runs and 3 RBIs for the Cats. Abysmal.
Kansas City Blues @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: Battle of two American League Teams.
Game #1: Bridges for the Blues against Siebert for the Hustlers. Kansas City cruises to a 4-0 lead after 6 and cruises from there. Canseco’s 2 run homer in the 6th is the big blow.

K 4/8/2
J 2/6/0

WP – Bridges 7-9
LP – Siebert 4-10
Sv – Aguilera 18
HR – K – Sheffield (8), Canseco (11) J – Meusel (15)

Game #2: Valenzuela takes the hill for KC vs. Byrd for Jack Street. Jack Street takes an early 2-0 lead after 1, but KC scores 4 in the 4th and it looks like they are going to win their second in a row. But Jack Street picks up 2 in the 8th and it stands that way to extra inning. In the bottom of the 10th, Bob Meusel doubles in Jeff Kent for the winning run. Meusel goes 3-5 with 2 doubles and3 rbi.

K 4/8/2
J 5/11/1

WP – Brantley 3-3
LP – Lopat 1-2
Sv – None
HR – None

Game #3: Bob Gibson on the mound for KC vs. Viola for Jack Street. Single runs in the 1st and 3rd for KC and 2 in the 2nd for Jack Street leads to a 2-2 tie after 3. That’s the way it stays until the 8th when KC picks up 2 more, but Jack Street picks up 3 in the bottom half and bring in Brantley in the top of the 9th for the save. The Blues had other ideas, however, as they beat up Brantley and Brantley for 4 runs and take the game. Bescher goes 2-4 with a homer an rbi and scores 3 runs.

K 8/10/0
J 5/9/1

WP – Aguilera 3-1
LP – Brantley 3-4
Sv – None
HR – K – Bescher (2), Canseco (12) J – Hornsby (24)

Game #4: Leading the series 2-1, KC sends Greinke to the mound against Dan Haren for Jack Street. Good game (3-2) until the 6th when KC blows it open with 3. Leon Durham is the hero of this one as he goes 3-4 with a double, homer, 2 runs and 3 rbi.

K 6/11/2
J 2/5/0

WP – Greinke 6-9
LP – Haren 4-10
Sv – Aguilera 19
HR – K – Schulte (10), Durham (6) J – Muesel (16), Simmons (4)

Series Summary: Kansas City comes to town and takes 3 of 4 from the home struggling Hustlers.
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The Middle Channel Sturgeon come to southern Ohio this week for a four game set.
Game #1: MCS 5-11-0, CIN 10-13-2

Bill Freehan paces the Cincinnati attach, going three-for-four with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.

Game #2: MCS 1-10-2, CIN 11-13-0

Sal Bando was the offensive hero for the Knights, also going three-for-four with a homer and three RBI — before being lifted late.

Game #3: MCS 10-13-0, CIN 2-7-2

Frank Thomas goes three-for-four with a double, homer and four RBI for Middle Channel.

Game #4: MCS 2-3-3, CIN 13-13-0

Ted Williams goes three-for-four with three RBI and a double for Cincinnati. Johan Santana works eight innings to get the win, limiting ther Sturgeon to two hits and seven Ks.

Series Summary: Cincinnati takes three of four from Middle Channel to solidify its hold on second place in the American League West.

Player of the Week Nominee: Ted Williams. Ted played in just three games this week, but made them all count. He went five-for-eight batting (.625 batting average), had three doubles (one in each game and a 1.000 slugging percentage). With three walks, he wound up with a .727 on base percentage and a 1.727 OPS. He has improved his batting average nine points and is at .346 for the season.

Las Vegas Pirates @ Madison East  Puregolders
Series Summary: Series Split. In game 3, the Purgolders staff combine for a 1-0 shutout victory.
Kansas City A’s @ Wrigleyville Whales
Series Preview: Kansas City A’s (42-55, .433, 11-GB) @ Wrigleyville Whales (33-64, .340, 37-GB)

No-No by Kansas City!

Game #1: G-1- P.Niekro v Welch. Knucksie (4-4-, 4.20) hurled a No-Hitter for A’s in 3-0 win! He faced 30-Whales, walking one and striking out 1. It was his 1st CG of the season. Bobby Doerr led A’s 7-hit attack, going 2-3 with his 17th double and 10th homer! Aparicio stole his 39th base for K.C. Welch (6-9, 4.50) allowed 3-runs, 2-earned in CG loss.

FINAL A’s 3 Whales 0

Game #2: G-2- Maloney v Quinn. A’s pitching hurled another 8-innings of Shut out ball in 3-1 K.C. win. Whales scored with 2-outs in 9th and only due to Doerr and Aparicio colliding on a pop fly by Ritchie, which allowed Chapman to score from 2nd. Maloney (1-1) tossesd 7-innings of 4-hit, 0-run ball. Aparicio was 3-4, including his 1st home run, driving in 2 and stealing base # 40. Cooper (11) slugged a solo homer off of Quinn.

FINAL A’s 3 Whales 2

Game #3: G-3- Horlen v H.Coveleski. A’s took advantage of 4-Whales errors as they rolled to an 11-5 win! Doerr (11) cracked A’s lone home run, while D. Evans (5) smashed a 3-Run-HR in 2nd for Whales. Horlen (1-0, 9.69) allowed 5-runs, 4-earned on 6-hits and 8-walks. Both teams had 13-LOB. Whales hurlers walked 12.

FINAL A’s 11 Whales 5

Game #4: G-4- Jenkins v Hunter. Whales pop 4-HR’s in 8-5 win as they salvage series finale. Combs (1), Ritchie (9), Thome (2) and Chapman (2) drove in all 8-Whales runs and 9 of Wrigleyville’s 13-hits went for extra-bases! Buford (6), Cooper (12) and B. Williams (2) ripped HR’s for A’s. Fergie allowed 8-runs on 11-hits, including 4-HR’s in 6.1-IP, while Catfish gave up 5-runs on 6-hits, 6-walks and 3-HR’s over 7-IP.

FINAL Whales 8 A’s 5

Series Summary: A’s out-scores Wrigleyville 22-14 and out-hit Whales 31-27 in 3-1 series win! A’s out-homered Whales 7-5.
Boston Braves @ New Westminster Salmonbellies
Series Preview: Boston comes to town
to visit New Westminster
after a long road trip for the Salmonbellies.
Game #1: Billy O’Dell pitches against Andy Messersmith for the Salmonbellies. Andy does not do so well giving up 8 hits in 4.1 and 4 runs to lose the game.
O’Dell pitchers a 5 hit shutout striking out 1 and walking 2.Eddie Mathews does the damage with a 3 for 4 game, 3 rbi, and a home run. Boston wins 4 – 0
Game #2: Juan Marichal of the Braves goes against Dutch Leonard.

Marichal only lasts 1.1 giving up 7 runs on 7 hits and a couple of walks.
Concepcion has a great game with a grand slam and scoring 3 runs in a 3 for 5 contest.
Dutch Leonard pitches a great game. Gives up 2 hits and K’s 7. Had a no hitter going for 7.1 but it was broken up by a Lucroy single.

Final score was New Westminster 11 and Boston 0

Game #3: Pedro Martinez pitching for Boston against Jeff Tesreau.

Jeff Tesreau comes through with a 3 hit shutout. Two pitchers of the week from the same team. The Salmonbellies put the game away in the 4th with a 3 run inning for a 4 – 0 shutout.

Game #4: Don Newcombe vs Sam Leever for the Salmonbellies.

Gabby Hartnett hits a HR and knocks in a couple of runs.
Don Newcombe pitches a complete game for a 4 – 2 victory.
Sam Leever only lasted 1.1 as he was pitching like it was his
100th birthday. Eddie Watt takes the loss for New West on the
Hartnett home run.

Series Summary: Boston did a good job of keeping the Salmonbellies bats quiet for two games to gain a split
in the series
Purry Cowpokes @ Indiana Indians
Series Preview: Manager Rob Gabel and his Purry Cowpokes (52-41) travel to Indiana (via Teamviewer) to take on the Indians (36-57) for a 4-game series. Cowpokes are still in the Wildcard hunt in the AL while the Indians are tied for last in the AL East and appear to be playing for next year.
Game #1: Jake Weimer vs. Grover Cleveland Alexander. Tris Speaker and Rickey Henderson each collect 3 hits to lead the Cowpokes 13 hit attack for an easy W. Indians tally 4 in the bottom of the 9th to make the score closer than the game actually was. Weimer gets the W (11-4) and Alexander is tagged with the L (6-9). Billy Wagner collects his 9th save. Cowpokes 6, Indians 5.
Game #2: Javier Vazquez vs. String Bean Williams. Indiana jumps out to 5-1 lead after 6 innings only to watch as the Cowpokes score 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to take a 6-5 lead. Indians tally the tying run in their half on the 8th but Paul Shuey (8.10 ERA) gives up 2 in the top of the 10th. Billy Wagner notches his 10th save. Cowpokes 8, Indians 6.
Game #3: Johnny Cueto vs. Don Drysdale. Drysdale strikes out 7 for the CG win. Indians collect only 5 hits but Cowpokes are held to 4 hits. Mickey Mantle and Thurman Munson each homer for the victorious Indians. Final; Indians 3, Cowpokes 1.
Game #4: Frank Sullivan vs. Andy Pettitte. The Indians fight back from a 4-1 deficit to secure the victory and salvage a split of the series. Johnny Sain pitched 4 innings of 1-run relief to notch the W. Jokiam Soria with the BS and the loss. Broxton pitches 2/3 of an inning for his 10th save. Final; Indians 5, Cowpokes 4.
Series Summary: Fun series played via Teamviewer as the Tribe come back to win final 2 games.
Drysdale is nominee for Pitcher of the Week with his CG 4-hitter. Tris Speaker with 7 RBI for the Cowpokes. Mantle was 6-15 in the series.
Clockwork Heros @ Pigtown Bombers
Series Preview: The National League West leading Clockwork Heros visit the National League East losing Pigtown “Bombers” for a quick 4 game series.
Game #1: Uhle (10-7) pitched 8 strong innings for Clockwork, giving up 0 runs and only 4 hits to lead his team to the win.
Game #2: A great pitcher’s duel between Blyleven (14-5 3.07 ERA) and Jim Abbott (2-13 3.33 ERA). Clockwork wins 2-1 on timely hits by Len Dykstra (3-4, 1 run, 1 RBI). Radcliffe hits a HR for Pigtown, but it was not enough. Blyleven and Tekulve combine on a 2 hitter for the win.
Game #3: Another great pitching matchup between Cy Young candidate Christy Mathewson (17-3 1.65 ERA) vs Luis Tiant (7-6 3.66 ERA). Mathewson wins the duel tossing a CG SHO giving up only 4 hits while striking out 13. Vaughn and Foster get back-to-back hits in the 8th to each drive in a run. Clockwork wins 2-0.
Game #4: Pigtown salvages the finale by hitting two HRs in the 2nd (3-run shot by Simms and solo HR by Greenwell) to stake them to a 4-0 lead. Pigtown then held on by their white knuckles and ended up winning 5-4.
Series Summary: Another frustrating offensively offensive NL series. The visitors outscored the home team 13-6 (total runs). Pitching stars for the series (both from Clockwork) are Uhle (1-0, 8 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs) and Mathewson (1-0, 9 IP, 0 runs, 4 hits). Not much on the offensive side. Dykstra was 5-10. Luis Tiant was 2-3 against Mathewson (which should qualify him for lucky player of the week).
Nags Head Surf Sox @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: The Surf Sox travel to Hoboken just one game out of a coveted playoff spot. The Zephyrs will look to maintain their firm grip on second place in the NL West.
Game #1: Steve Blass got a rare start for Hoboken in the series opener. He pitched well enough to win but got little offensive support. Mike Stanton delivered the game-winning blow with a 3-run blast in the 5th frame dropping Blass to 0-2, 3.66era. Mike Mussina was strong for the visitors going 7 2/3 innings for the win. He improved to 9-6, 3.44era. Norm Charlton came on to earn his first save of the season. Hoboken battled and had their chances but just couldn’t come up with the clutch delivery.
Nags Head 4 Hoboken 3
Game #2: Game 2 would feature a classic pitching matchup between Jim Palmer and Tom Seaver. These two lived up to all expectations. Palmer allowed just 5 hits over 8 innings to improve his ERA to 3.47 in a no decision. Seaver was spectacular in one of the best performances of the season. He took a no-no into the 8th inning broken up by a Gary Carter single with one out. Seaver was masterful allowing only 4 base runners for an 11-inning shutout victory! He improved to 14-5, 2.88era. Jeff Heath went 3 for 4 and delivered the walk-off two-run blast off Tony Watson to seal the Hoboken victory.
Hoboken 2 Nags Head 0 11 innings
Game #3: As is so often the case, both offenses erupted after the Game 2 pitching duel. The Zephyrs roughed up Nolan Ryan for 4 runs in the first. Ryan took an early shower allowing 7 earned in 5.1 innings. His record dropped to 3-8, 4.48era. The heart of the Hoboken lineup provided four home runs to pace the 9-run attack. Noodles Hahn survived his second straight rocky start allowing blasts to Jimmie Foxx and Juan Samuel to bring Nags Head within one run(6-5) in the 6th inning. Hahn’s record improved to 15-7, 2.03.
Hoboken 9 Nags Head 5
Game #4: Cole Hamels battled Red Faber in another pitching duel in Game 4. Hamels was masterful allowing just one earned run over 7 innings to earn a split for the Sox. His record improved to 7-5, 3.96. Francisco Cordero came on in the 9th to earn his 21st save. Giancarlo Stanton’s solo shot in the 8th proved to be the winner. Faber was extremely strong allowing just two earned over 8 innings. His record dropped to 12-7, 2.23era.
Series Summary: The split achieved what both teams were looking for coming into the series. The Sox’ playoff hopes are still very much alive and Hoboken should remain firmly ensconced in second place. Nags Head got some very good pitching and excellent defense(no errors) to come away with a hard-fought road split. Giancarlo Stanton and Jeff Heath both homered twice in the series with clutch game winners.
Fire Lake Segers @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Preview: The Fire Lake Segers (48-44) visit the West Michigan Retrogrades (57-36) in a battle of playoff hopefuls. This interdivisional showdown was played via TeamViewer. Thanks for joining me, Terry Graham!
Game #1: Game one saw the Segers get an awesome pitching performance from Denny McLain, who the Retrogrades having been eyeing in a trade. McLain played West Michigan like an organ an pitched a complete game 5-hit shutout, striking out 6, for an SC of 81. Considering the Retrogrades have the best team batting average in the NL, McLain should be considered for pitcher of the week. Rose, Menke, and Pinson collected hits for Fire Lake, while Roseboro had 2 knocks. The Retrogrades got hits from Davis, Cano, Dickey, Beltre, and Wallace.
FIRE LAKE SEGERS 2 – WEST MICHIGAN RETROGRADES 0
Game #2: The Segers got out to an early led and held on for the victory, getting a crazy double-play to end the contest. Rose had 3 hits; Larkin, Menke, and Roseboro had 2 hits for the Segers. Beltre went 2-4 with an HR for the Retrogrades.
FIRE LAKE SEGERS 5 -WEST MICHIGAN RETROGRADES 3
Game #3: Again, the Segers jumped out to an early lead and the Retrogrades needed a comeback. This time, the completed the effort. After George Sisler was ejected for arguing ball and strikes, his Retrogrades teammates found renewed focus to tie the game. Then, in the 8th inning, Tommy Davis and Bill Dickey hit back-to-back homers to give West Michigan a 2-run lead. The Segers got hits from Rose, Larkin, Votto, Menke, Pinson, Cardenal, and Rolen. For West Michigan, Davis had the go-ahead homer, Dickey had 3 hits, Adrian Beltre and Bobby Wallace had 2 hits, while Snider, Johnson, and Davis had a hit a piece.
FIRE LAKE SEGERS 4 – WEST MICHIGAN RETROGRADES 6
Game #4: Again, the Segers jumped on top with 2 runs in the opening frame. The Retrogrades got single runs in the 1st, 6th, and 8th innings to complete the comeback. George Sisler had the big, go-ahead hit in the 8th inning. Cardenal had 2 hits for Fire Lake, while Bench, Sanders, and Menke had a hit a piece. West Michigan saw Heavy Johnson go 2-3 with a HR, Sisler get 2 hits, and Davis and Wallace each get a hit. Adrian Beltre had 3 walks. Cone and Foster both pitched well for their respective clubs.
FIRE LAKE SEGERS 2 – WEST MICHIGAN RETROGRADES 3
Series Summary: A competitive split for both ball clubs. The series easily could have gone south for either team, so the split seems acceptable. Denis Menke and Bobby Wallace both went 5-14 for the series. Denny McLain should be considered for pitcher of the week for his game 1 performance. Adrian Beltre should be in the talk for player of the week for his 5-9 (.556), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 BB series that saw him on base 71% of the time.
San Tan Valley Moonrakers @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: The San Tan Valley Moonrakers (46-47) visit the Detroit DeLoreans (54-39) for a rematch four-game NL divisional crossover series.
Game #1: SAN 0 – DET 1: Detroit’s A. Reynolds spun a complete game 3-hit shutout while striking out seven. The DeLorean’s S. Rice singled in A. Rendon in the seventh inning for the game’s only run. N. Lajoie and R. Collins each had multi-hit games for Detroit.
Game #2: SAN 0 – DET 2: Another low scoring affair that had Detroit’s S. Sallee throwing a 5-hit shutout, while San Tan’s R. Johnson also went the distance. However, Johnson walked five while Sallee walked none. The Moonrakers S. Magee went 2 for 4. Detroit’s B. Avila collected his first hit and RBI of the season while giving N. Lajoie a needed rest.
Game #3: SAN 4 – DET 5 (10): After 25 scoreless innings, the Moonrakers knotted the game at two in the top of the fifth inning, then tallied two more in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead. However, Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when R. Collins hit his second 2-run homer of the game. Then an RBI sing by C. Klein won it for the DeLoreans in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Game #4: SAN 2 – DET 9: Detroit’s bats rapped out 14 hits and nine runs in the rout. Five DeLoreans had multi-hit games, led by N. Lajoie, 2 for 5 with 3 RBI and two doubles and A. Rendon, 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and two doubles. The Moonrakers were led by C. Cedeno, 2 for 5 with a double and K. Keltner, 2 for 4 with a double, homer, and 1 RBI.
Series Summary: Detroit sweeps the series and avenges the sweep earlier in the season by San Tan Valley. Player of the week consideration should be afforded to A. Reynolds (9 Ips, 0 ER, 7 Ks), N. Lajoie (.538, 7 for 13, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 doubles), and R. Collins (.438, 7 for 16, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 HRs, 2 doubles)
Fantomz Force @ Motown Yankees
Series Preview: Simple series between two teams working to stay playoff relevant, both coming in with sub-.500 records.
Game #1: Adam Wainwright was the story, going the CG shut-out route, allowing only baserunners and punching out 8 for a game score of 88. Motown touched up Satchell Paige with 3 in the 3rd and a couple of  relievers with another 3 spot in the 7th as Motown was able to parlay 11 hits into a 6-o victory. Stan Hack and Dixie Walker went a combined 5-6 with 4 runs and 2RBI’s.
Game #2: FF came in hopping mad, injuring both Dixie Walker and Dave Bancroft on the second play of the game, for the remainder of this series and a few games into the next one, and plating a run in the top of the 1st. Motown came back with a single run in the bottom of the 1st, and it was a pitchers duel through the 5th. FF scored another run in the top of the 6th, while Motown came back strong against Gaylord Perry, taking a 4-2 lead after 6 after Stan Hack knocked a 2 run single. FF OF Judge rocked a solo shot in the top of the 8th, but Cal Hubbell steadied and closed out FF for another CC victory, 4-3. Wes Westrum went deep for Motown, while Judge and Donaldson rocked HR’s for FF.
Game #3: FF came out strong again scoring a top 1 run off Motown ace Dave Brown, with Weilman tossing a shutout through 7. Choo scored in the top of the 8th to give FF a 2-0 lead, but Motown came back with 2 in the bottom of the 8th, highlighted by an Ashburn double and a sac bunt with the infield in by PH Heinie Groh, plating Ashburn. Season long arsonist Steve Mingori brought his late inning 3.88 ERA in the 9th and surprisingly worked through a 1-2-3 inning. Stan Hack continued his hot series by hitting one out in the bottom of the 9th for a 3-2 Motown victory.
Game #4: Addie Joss went 7 shutout innings for his 5th win of the season, with Mingori picking up his 5th save. Torriente went deep, and Ashburn and Marion knocked in single runs for the Motown 3-0 victory.
Series Summary: Motown completes the surprising sweep, with some admitted horrible Force dice rolls greatly contributing to the cause. Adam Wainwright’s game 1 performance should put him in the center of pitcher of the week consideration.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Preview: No time for write up wainwright wins a series sorry im almost late
Series Summary: Wainwright wins a series on pitching
Coastline Bobacat @ Iowa Giants
Series Preview: Coastline continues its road trip as they visit Iowa for a 4 game series.

Series played via TeamViewer

Game #1: CLB Swift against IOW B.Feller.
IOW out early in the B1 as Morgan 2bs and Nieman rips an rbi-3b, but Swift is able to strand Nieman. CLB H.Wilson hits a solo-HR in the T2 to tie it at 1-1. In the B3 Harper 1bs, moves up on a groundout, and Nieman comes through again with an rbi-2b. The pitchers, Swift and Orosco for CLB, and Feller for IOW, take over from there and toss scoreless innings through the 7th. In the B8 IOW gets an insurance run as Morgan 3bs and scores on Hamilton’s Sac Fly. In the T9 Ripken draws a lead-off walk to chase Feller. IOW brings in Gossage who then walks H.Wilson, but Gossage bears down and gets E.Howard, Gehrig, and PH Skowron to end the game. IOW Feller (6-15) with the win, Gossage gets his 16th save, and Swift (10-8) takes the loss.IOW 3, CLB 1
Game #2: CLB C.Finley against IOW D.Dean
CLB C.Ripken opens the scoring in the T1 with a solo-HR. In the B4 IOW gets a 2 out rally as Yelich 1bs, scores an Harper’s H&R rbi-2b, and then Alexander rips an rbi-1b for a 2-1 IOW lead. In the T6 Niedenfeuer comes on for IOW and M.Williams 1bs, PH Burks bbs, Becker 1bs to load the bases to chase Niedenfeuer, and Richert comes in. Jenkins is left in to hit and he comes through with a Sac Fly to tie the game 2-2 as Burks moves to 3rd. Richert then uncorks a WP to score Burks and give CLB the lead 3-2. IOW brings in Rincon and Ripken laces an rbi-1b to extend the CLB lead to 4-2. But Rincon stops the bleeding getting H.Wilson to hit into a 643 DP to end the inning.CLB then gets 2 scoreless innings from Maglie, 1 from Casilla (thou IOW got 2 runners on with 2 out in the inning), and then Sutter closed it out for the CLB win. CLB C.Finley (12-4) gets the win, Sutter picks up save #39, and Niedenfeuer (1-4) ends up with the loss.CLB 4, IOW 2
Game #3: CLB D.Stieb against IOW M.Lanier
IOW takes the early lead in the B2 when Sosa 1bs and York hits a 2-run HR. In the T4 CLB gets one back when Ripken 2bs, moves up on a H.Wilson groundout, and scores on Skowron’s rbi-1b. In the T7 CLB Gordon bbs, M.Williams H&R 1b puts runners at the corners, which brings on Niedenfeuer. S.White then ties the game with a Sac Fly. CLB takes the lead in the T9 when M.Williams 1bs, moves up on a groundout, and Gehrig 1bs him home.CLB Sutter comes on in the B9 to close it out but IOW is up to the task as Sosa 1bs, a York FC, Weaver 2bs, and then Masi lays down the perfect squeeze bunt to tie the game at 3-3! Sutter fans Alexander and the game goes to extra frames. In the T10 Gossage is still on the hill for IOW as he gets Jenkins 1-3 to open the inning. But Ripken beats out an inf-1b bringing up A.Simmons (came on for defense for H.Wilson in the 9th). A,Simmons then picks a great time to hit his 1st ever LEG HR as he strokes a 2-run HR to Deep LF.In the B10 Sutter throws away Schalks grounder, but then gets Hamilton to hit into a 463 DP before giving way to Albers for the 1 out save. Sutter (2-2) blows the save but earns the win, Alber gets his 1st save, and Gossage (1-3) gets the loss.CLB 5, IOW 3
Game #4: CLB K.Brown against IOW R.Oswalt
In the T1 CLB Becker hits a solo-HR for a quick 1-0 CLB lead. In the B2 IOW Sosa 1bs, Alexander 1bs, and K.Brown uncorks a WP to move the runners up. York then follows with a rbi-1b to score Sosa, but H.Wilson is able to nail Alexander at the plate to keep the game tied at 1-1. IOW keeps coming in the B3 when Oswalt 1bs (1st hit of the year), Morgan 2bs, PH Nieman bbs to load the bases, and Sosa draws a rbi-bb. Alexander rips an 2-rbi 2b followed by a York rbi-1b, but Alexander is again nailed at the plate trying to score (this time by Jenkins) as IOW takes a 5-1 lead!CLB starts to inch back into the game in the T5 with a Gehrig solo-HR. CLB adds another in the T6 after walks to Becker and H.Wilson followed by a Howard rbi-1b making it 5-3 IOW that knocks Oswalt out of the game. Niedenfeuer then fans Gehrig to end the inning. In the T7 CLB Gordon leads off with a solo-HR, PH Goslin then draws a 1-out bb, steals 2nd, and Becker plates him with an rbi-2b to tie the game at 5-5! After Niedenfeuer gets Jenkins on a comebacker 1-3, Fidrych is brought in, Ripken then rips an rbi-1b to give CLB the lead but is nailed at 2nd to end the inning.CLB Casilla tosses a perfect B7 to set up the T8 for the ‘Cats. In the T8 Wilson bbs, Howard 2bs, Gehrig hits an rbi-1b, Gordon then hits into a 363 DP that scores Howard for a 8-5 CLB lead. In the B9 CLB Sutter comes on and is once again roughed up by IOW as Schalk bbs, Boudrerau 2bs, and J.Bell hits a Sac Fly. But Sutter bears down and gets Harper 1-3 to end the game and pick up his 40th save. K.Brown (11-8), despite pitching poorly, gets the win and Niedenfeuer (1-5), who have a tough series takes the loss.CLB 8, IOW 6
Series Summary: Coastline wins another close series 3-1 over Iowa. All the games were tough hard played games and could’ve gone either way with a timely hit here or there.
Climax Cougars @ Hollywood Zombies
Series Summary: Hollywood miraculously splits with the Cougars, as they don’t Climax in the series.

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #18

National League Pitchers of the Week – Bruce Sutter – Coastline / Francisco Cordero – Nags Head

0-0 record, 3 Saves, 3.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts, & 0 walks

 

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Carl Mays  – Wrigleyville

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits,4 strikeouts & 1 walk

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Arky Vaughan – Clockwork

.467 avg  / 0.867 slg, 7 for 15, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 3  runs, 3 RBIs & 2 walks

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Joe Dimaggio  – Las Vegas

.421 avg / 1.105 slg, 8 for 19, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 5 runs, 10 RBIs & 1 walk

Cincinnati Knights @ Lewisberry Country Blumpkins
Series Preview: The 2nd Place Knights visit the accidental 1st Place Blumpkins as LCB was looking to make Cincinnati kneel before them to be knighted properly…
Game #1: Giambi, Lynn and Teddy Baseball all hit solo shots as Cincinnati wins 4-2.
Game #2: A 3run 1st, highlighted by Gil Hodges’ 2RBI 2B, propels the Blumpkins as the pen hangs on for a Country Blumpkin 4-3 win.
Game #3: Knights score 6 in the 4th off Babe as Jim Viox caps it off with a bases loaded 2B. He added another RBI in the 8th as the Knights win easily, 7-2.
Game #4: Freehan and Bando (with a TRIPLE!?!?!??!) knock in runs in the top of the 9th to break a 3-3 tie and clinch the Knights 5-3 victory.
Series Summary: Knights win series 3-1 in a fairly close series. No player really stood out.
New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Chicago Nine
Series Preview: NWM Heads into CHI for 4.
Series Summary: Chicago gets spanked 3 games to 1.
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Kansas City Blues
Series Preview: Blues going for a split
Game #1: Easy 9-3 win for Sturgeon
Game #2: Scgerzer pitches a gem Sturgeon win 9-3
Game #3: Degrom wins 5-1 for the Blues
Game #4: Sturgeon win with an 11th inning 3 run homer by Dave Parker
Series Summary: Sturgeon wins series 3-1
Boston Braves @ Purry Cowpokes
Series Preview: The Boston Braves travel to Purry to take on the Cowpokes. Robyn and I attempted to play via Teamviewer but Robyn had issues on his end. We decided to play over the phone.
Game #1: In the bottom of the 1st, Rickey Henderson walked, stole 2nd, and scored on the 1st of Nomar’s 2 errors. That was the only run scored and it was unearned. Jake Weimer followed up his no-hitter by striking out 7 in his 5 hit shut-out. Johnny Antonelli also went the distance for the Braves, striking out 4 on 6 hits. Final score Purry 1 Boston 0
Game #2: Javier Vazquez improved to 15-3 with a 5-hit complete game. Carlos Santana’s 3-run homer in the 1st were all the runs that Vazquez needed. Final score Purry 6 Boston 2
Game #3: Jimmie Hall homered off of Steve Carlton to tie the game at 2. Jim Rice drove in Diamond Bill Monroe in the top of the 9th and Billy O’Dell recorded the last 3 outs to gain the victory. Final score Boston 3 Purry 2
Game #4: Jim Rice hit 2 homers and drove in 3 as the Braves came back from an early deficit to gain a win for Don Newcombe. Final score Boston 4 Purry 2
Series Summary: Game 1 was an instant classic. A pretty even and well pitched series as there were two 1-run games and one decided by 2 runs. It was very enjoyable and entertaining to play Robyn over the phone. I learned a lot about Red Sox lore. Series was a split.
Wrigleville Whales @ Indiana Indians
Series Preview: Two last place teams going nowhere meet in Indiana.
Series Summary: Indians take 3 of 4 from Whales. No player stands out for player or pitcher of the week.
Kansas City A’s @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: A’s enter the series having playing relatively well going 6 and 4 in their last 10 games although they were on a 3 game losing streaks. Cats come in hot on a 10 game winning streak.
Game #1: Luis Aparicio lead off the game with a triple for the A’s scoring on a single by Bill White, but the lead was short lived as Ken Singleton blasted a three run bomb in the bottom of the first for Ft. Worth. Dale Murphy hit a solo home run in the 4th with one out and after the 2nd out KC hit 4 straight singles, the last being an infield single, to score two more runs to go back in the lead at 4-3. Hunter Pence singles home the tying run in the bottom of the 7th for the Cats, but the A’s went back in front in the 8th with two singles and an error. In bottom of the 9th Pete Runnels lead off with a single, but two outs quickly followed when Al Oliver stepped up, “The pitch … base hit right field … it drops in front of COLAVITO ’66 he has to play the long bounce … RUNNELS ’60’s around third they’re waving RUNNELS ’60
here comes the throw home here’s the play at the plate … and he’s … safe easily … tie ballgame!21 ribbies now for OLIVER ’83” After singles by Pence and pinch hitter Lee May loaded the bases another pinch hitter entered the game, ” CATS skipper Jarl Jackson walking down the bench He’s calling on his reserves … Moises ALOU ’00 will now hit for HARRAH ’83 … The runners take their lead … the offering to ALOU ’00 … lined to left AARON ’70 and BONDS ’79 both give chase … but it’s going to land in no man’s land it’s all over! … two runs will score And the CATS take it! …in dramatic fashion they have beaten the A’s in a squeaker 6-5″Final Score: Cats 6, A’s 5 – Pete Runnels extends hitting streak to 18 games.
Game #2: Justin Verlander pitched a one hit complete game striking out 7. The only damage was a solo home run by Walker Cooper in the 2nd. F. Worth scored five runs over the first two innings and cruised from there. Gene Alley led the team with 3 hits and Ken Singleton hit his 10th home run of the year.

Final Score: Cats 6, A’s 1

Game #3: Ft. Worth scored three in the first highlighted by a two run homer by Lee May his 17th of the year and Greg Maddux plus a trio of relievers kept KC hitters off balance all game.

Final Score: Cats 4, A’s 1 – Pete Runnels extends hitting streak to 19 games.

Game #4: Hank Aaron opened and closed out the scoring in the game with a two run homer in the first and a ribbie single in the 9th for the A’s. Unfortunately for KC the Cats scored 7 times in between. Three Ft. Worth hitters had three hits and Robby Thompson hit his first homer of the year.

Final Score: Cats 7, A’s 3

Series Summary: Cats sweep and will face AL East division leader, Lewisberry next week.
Coastline Bobcats @ San Tan Valley  Moonrakers
Series Preview: Coastline (59-30) opens its road trip by traveling to San Tan Valley (45-44) for a 4 game series.

Series played via TeamViewer

Game #1: CLB opens the series facing SAN dominant ace R.Johnson. R.Johnson opens the game by striking out Kemp and Burks in the T1, but Ripken then 2bs, bringing H.Wilson to the plate. H.Wilson then rips an rbi-1b to score Ripken but is pegged at 2nd on the cutoff. SAN wastes no time getting the run back in the B1 as Cedeno 2bs, moves to 3rd on a groundout, and then eventually scores on Stephens rbi-1b. CLB continues to treat R.Johnson poorly in the T2 as Skowron 1bs and Gordon hits a 2-run HR. In the B4 with 2 out SAN Randolph reaches on White’s error, Piazza 1bs, and R.Johnson helps himself with an rbi-1b to pull SAN within a run. In the T5 CLB Ripken hits a solo-HR to get the run back. But SAN Trosky answers with a solo-HR in the B5. CLB keeps the pressure on in the T8 when Gordon 2bs, M.Williams 1bs, but Gordon is pegged at the plate as Williams takes 2nd. S.White then follows with an rbi-1b. In the T9 Burks hits a solo-HR to make it 6-3 CLB. Sutter comes on to pitch a perfect B9 for his 36th save. CLB Swift (10-7) gets the win and SAN R.Johnson (11-5) takes the loss.

CLB 6, SAN 3

Game #2: SAN jumps out ahead in the B2 when Stephens 2bs, J.Williams rips an rbi-2b, Magee 1bs, and Walsh bloops an rbi-1b for a 2-0 SAN lead. That’s how it stays through the 5th as Finley and Walsh trade scoreless innings. In the T6 Jenkins 1bs, steals 2nd, and scores on a H.Wilson rbi-1b. CLB M.Williams opens the T7 by drawing a walk, Goslin comes on to PH, and SAN brings in Lyle for the lefty on lefty match-up. Goslin then laces a H&R rbi-2b to tie the game at 2-2! Both bullpens take over and toss scoreless innings through the 11th inning. In the T12 SAN Becker 2bs to lead off and that brings on Stratton, and then 1 out later Ripken hits a 2-run HR. Sutter comes on in the B12 and has to pitch around a Piazza and Averill 1b, but gets Charleston to hit into a 5-4-3 game ending DP. Maglie (4-0) earns the win, Sutter notches his 37th save, and Garrelts (3-4) gets the loss.

CLB 4, SAN 2

Game #3: CLB opens the scoring in the T2 when Gehrig 2bs with 2 out and M.Williams 1bs him home. In the B4 SAN Stephens 2bs, Magee 1bs, Randolph bbs to load the bases, and Piazza lines a 2-rbi 1b, Cedeno then has a rbi-2b to make it 3-1 SAN. In the T6 CLB Jenkins 1bs with 2 out, Ripken follows with a H&R 1b, and Howard ties the game with a 2-rbi 2b! In the T7 CLB again does it with 2 outs as Goslin 2bs and then PH Kemp drives him home with an rbi-1b. CLB uses Marshall and Albers in the 7th and 8th before Sutter closes out the game in the 9th. Stieb (11-5) with the win, Sutter with his 38th save, and V.Trucks (4-8) takes the loss.

CLB 4, SAN 3

Game #4: SAN looking to avoid the sweep scores first in the B2 when Magee 1bs and Randolph’s H&R rbi-2b drives him home. CLB Gehrig’s solo-HR in the T4 ties the game 1-1. SAN then gets their own 2 out rally in the B$ when randolph 2bs and Triandos hits a 2-run HR! SAN stretches their lead in the B5 when Trosky 2bs, Stephens hits an rbi-1b, Keltner 1bs, and with 2 out Triandos hits a fly to CF that Goslin misplays allowing Stephens to score, but Keltner is pegged at 3rd to end the inning. In the T7 CLB M.Williams bbs, White 1bs, Goslin bbs, Jenkins then rips a 2-rbi 1b to bring CLB within 2 runs. After Ripken bbs, Lyle gets H.Wilson to ground out to end the inning. SAN Barnes would then come on to pitch a perfect 8th and 9th for his 8th save. Hadley (8-6) gets the win and K.Brown (10-8) picks up the loss.

SAN 5, CLB 3

Series Summary: Coastline takes the series 3-1 over San Tan Valley. Another closely played series that could’ve gone either way.
West Michigan Retrogrades @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: The Retrogrades travel to Hoboken for a solid match-up of second-place teams. The Zephyrs will look to avenge the earlier sweep at West Michigan.
Game #1: Tom Seaver improved his record to 13-5, 3.12era in a solid pitching duel with Curt Davis. Jud Wilson provided the offense with a two-run blast. Willie Brown plated the only Retrograde run with a pinch-hit solo blast.
Hoboken 2 West Michigan 1
Game #2: Urban Shocker was brilliant in facing Hoboken ace Noodles Hahn. Shocker improved to 12-8, 2.86 allowing only one run in a complete game. Bill Dickey led the WM offense with 3 RBIs and a home run. Hahn dropped to 14-7, 1.86.
West Michigan 6 Hoboken 1
Game #3: Red Faber and Prince Hal Schumacher locked horns in a strong pitching match-up as Hoboken prevailed 3-2. Faber improved to 12-6, 2.22 as Schumacher dropped to 11-4, 4.93. Travis Jackson’s clutch two-run single in the 2nd frame proved to be the game winner.
Hoboken 3 West Michigan 2
Game #4: Willie Foster was brilliant scattering six hits to shut out the Zephyrs in the get away game. Foster improved to 11-7, 2.58. Heavy Johnson starred offensively clobbering two two-run homers to account for all four Retrograde runs. Jered Weaver pitched well but dropped to 9-4, 3.41.
West Michigan 4 Hoboken 0
Series Summary: A well-played split between to likely playoff teams.
Motown Yankees @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: A TeamViewer NL crossover rematch between the Motown Yankees (41-48) and Detroit DeLoreans (52-37).
Game #1: MTY 5 – DET 1 (17) – Setting the pitching-dominant tone of the series, both A. Wainwright and A. Reynolds were sharp. The Yankees scratched a run in the top of the eighth inning and Detroit tied it up in the bottom of the ninth. There would be no more runs until Motown plated four runs in the top of the 17th inning to win 5-1. K. Loften was the only batter with multiple hits.
Game #2: MTY 0 – DET 2 – Detroit’s Cy Morgan pitched a complete game shutout for a 2-0 DeLoreans victory. Detroit’s Ripper Collins was the only player with multiple hits going 2-3 with a double and home run.
Game #3: MTY 0 – DET 2 – H. Vaughn and J. Romero combined for the Detroit shutout in another pitching duel. Again, only one player with multiple hits. This time it was Nap Lajoie who went 2 for 4 with a double (40).
Game #4: MTY 5 – DET 1 – Just like it started, Motown wins 5-1 with a final at-bat rally. D. Walker was strong at the plate for Motown, going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
Series Summary: A series split with the Yankees winning the first and last games 5-1 and the DeLoreans winning the middle two games 2-0. Pitchers were the standout performers in the series.
Iowa Giants @ Climax Cougars
Series Preview: Two sub-.500 teams swat at each other with their purses for four games.
Game #1: Bob Feller was brilliant, but the trio of Van Lingle Mungo, Ellis Kinder and Clay Carrol was brilliant-er for the Climax Cougars as they finally broke the game-long scoring drought thanks to Josh Gibson’s line drive hit into the left field alley in the 10th in a 1-0 victory.
For Feller (5-15), it was more of the same hardluck as he has had all season. He gave up just four hits including the game winner to Gibson while striking out nine and walking three while going the distance.
Mungo was like a tornado on the mound for Climax and kept the Iowa hitters off-balance never knowing where the ball was going to make ground. Mungo lasted 7.2 innings and gave up just four hits but walked 7 while striking out four. Kinder and Carroll (1-4) were perfect in their 2-1/3 innings of relief.
The win extended the Cougars streak to five games.
Game #2: More great pitching was on the menu but this time the Giants were the winners coming out ahead 2-1 thanks to a 2-run 3rd inning.
Iowa out-hit Climax 7-6 with Josh Hamilton driving home the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly to deep right that allowed Buck Weaver to score easily from 3rd.
Dizzy Dean (4-8) fanned seven in 7 innings and gave up five hits and as many walks. Goose Gossage pitched two shutout innings to earn his 15th save of the year.
Harlond Clift drove in the lone Climax run with a sacrifice fly.
With two of the three runs scored in the game coming off the sac fly and all of one run scored in the first game, the fans were reaching for their heart meds with all the excitement.
Game #3: Forensic scientists had to be called in to identify the remains of the Iowa pitching staff after Climax exploded for an 18-2 win over the Giants.
Jim Fregosi was 5/5 with three singles, a double and a triple and drove in a game-high six runs while Buck Leonard (11) and Josh Gibson (5) smacked home runs with the latter scoring four runs in the game.
Of course, the win came with a pretty heavy cost as the last pitcher of the game for Iowa, Bob Lemon, decided to exact a little payback by plonking Sam Crawford in the head with a pitch sending the outfielder to the DL for seven days.
Game #4: Queue the scoring drought …
Bryce Harper smashed a home run in the top of the 11th to lead the Giants to a 2-1 win and earn the split for Iowa.
Harper’s homer was his 6th and was accompanied in the power department by Rudy York (18) who blasted one in the 5th inning off Rube Waddell.
Mel Ott (14) answered with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the 1st inning off Iowa starter Roy Oswalt who despite coming into the game itchy and downgraded to a 1 allowed just one run on six hits and two walks over 7 innings. He also struck out 9 of the Sam Crawford-less Cougars. In fairness, Jose Mendez (Crawford’s replacement) was one of the better performers for Climax with a hit and a walk in four trips to the plate.
Iowa won despite getting just three hits in the game – the same number Mel Ott had for Climax.
Series Summary: A very frustrating split for home team Climax as they had hoped for more and probably should have won more considering that they outscored the Giants 21-6 in the series, but the timing of when the runs were scored sucked. The icing on the cake was the one-week injury to their best player not named Mel Ott.
Fantomz Force @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Near .500 Fantomz(43-46) in the NL West visits 1st in the NL West and Clockwork(63-26). It turned out to be a great and unexpected 4 games but results were in line with the season so far.
Game #1: Paige is a solid 2 in 5.2 for Fantomz but so is Uhle for Clockwork 2 in 7 innings. When Terry drives in Vaughns triple to give Selkirk and tekulve a 3-2 lead. Gromek pitches the ninth but a double and walk made it interesting. Clockwork 3 Phantomz 2 W-Tekulve (3-4) S-Gromek L-Cishek (3-2)
Game #2: Choo homers on the first pitch of the game off Blyleven but that was it for Phantomz.Wakefield homers and Foster a huge disappointment drives in 2 in the 4-1 Clockwork win. W-Blyleven (13-5) L-Perry (10-7) S- Tekulve(23)
Game #3: Wow what a game Mathesom amazing all year did not have it allow 3 runs 2 earned in 6 innings.Weilman gives up 5 in 7.2 innings. Doby, Judge and Mcdougald all homer for Phantomz Force. Clockwork only manage 1 homer lopes to tie the game 7-7 in the 9th. But judge won it in the 10th off Newhouser for the Force win 8-7 in 10 innings. W-Ziegler (4-1) S-Chisek (1) L-Newhouser(3-3)
Game #4: Donaldson homered for Phantomz off Kluber who was not good as the Heros try to get his batters faced in. He went 6 innings but allowed 5 runs. Fortunately Clockwork’s Lewis just off the DL this series had a huge game with 3 hits and a homer. But it was bad control from (trying not to say something nasty here) Vazquez that lead to the game winning hit by Terry, Clockwork 6 Phantomz 5 w- Gromek (4-0) L-Vazquez(2-2)
Series Summary: Clockwork Heros manage to win 3 of the 4 games. The series was extremely close. Its amazing the Clockwork is winning the West as their best hitters have really disappointed
Like rest of the NL our hitters Foster 100pts of average lower R/G not the expected 8 but 3.6, dykstra not 8 but 4.2, Arky Vaughn 13.3 but 7.0 as the great opposing pitchers have held the team to almost half the expected runs.
Thankfully our grade 18 pitchers are doing their real life numbers as Christy Matheson 1.72 era, Blyleven 3.15 era, Donovan 2.05 era, Uhle 2.97 era, Rowe 2.34 era have carried the team. Other than Gromek 2.35 era, our 17+ pen has been hit pretty hard Tekulve 2.76, Valverde 6.00,newhouser 4.74 era.Hitter of the week OF Lewis 6 for 14 with 6 rbis and a homer in 4 games.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Fire Lake Segers
Series Preview: Virginia (43-46) travels to Fire Lake (46-42) to try and avenge the Segers’ 4 game sweep just a few short weeks ago. The Cavaliers looking to get back to .500. Fire Lake has quietly won 22 of their last 31 games, to move into 3rd place in the tough N.L. West.

These games were played via Team Viewer. Thanks Paul!

Game #1: Lefty Gomez (7-8,2.83) vs Ron Guidry (6-9,4.54)

Top of the 2nd, Ralph Kiner’s 6th home run of the season, staked Lefty Gomez to an early 1-0 lead. Denis Menke’s 4th inning rbi single tied it up in the 4th and it was 1-1 through 5 innings. In the top of the 6th, Al Rosen put the visitors on top with a rbi double. When Kevin McReynolds followed with a 2-run homerun (his 5th), Virginia had a 4-1 lead and Guidry was laboring. The Cavaliers added a 5 spot in the 7th to chase Guidry and Camilo Pascual, though all 5 runs were unearned. That was the ballgame. Lopez went 8 innings, scattering 4 hits in allowing just the single run. Rosen, McReynolds and Lance Parrish each had 2 hits. McReynolds drove in 4 of the Cavaliers nine runs.

VIRGINIA – 9, FIRE LAKE – 1

Game #2: Bob Turley (6-8,3.05) vs Denny McLain (6-7,3.58)

Scheduled starter Eppa Rixey wasn’t available, so Denny McLain’s start was moved up a day. It wasn’t his best day, as Virginia scored 4 runs in his 6 innings of work. Frank Robinson (his 12th) in the first inning and Andruw Jones (his 8th) in the fourth inning, both homered off Denny McLain as the visitors took an early 3-0 lead. Fire Lake was up to the task though, as they also scored 4 runs off Turley in his 6 innings, erasing that early 3-0 Virginia lead. In the top of the 7th, Frankie Frisch (7th) homered off Matt Morris to give Virginia their third lead of the game, 5-4. In the bottom of the 7th, Scott Rolen (6th) homered off Roberto Hernandez to tie the game up yet again. 5-5 after 7 innings, the two bullpens put up zeros through the 11th inning. Gary LaVelle came on to throw a 1-2-3 top of the 12th. Virginia called on Keith Foulke in the bottom of the 12th. Foulke retired Joey Votto, then Scott Rolen singled for his 3rd hit of the game. With Rolen off and running, Vada Pinson laced a walk-off double (for his 3rd hit) that tied the series at one game apiece.

FIRE LAKE – 6, VIRGINIA – 5 (12 INNINGS)

Game #3: Juan Guzman (3-4,2.97) vs Eppa Rixey (4-2,3.13)

Eppa Rixey answered the bell in game three, and it was worth the wait for the home crowd. Scoreless through 4, Rico Petrocelli (making a rare start in place of Barry Larkin) hit his first home run of the season to put the Segers up 1-0. Time and again, the Cavaliers put Rixey’s feet to the fire as the lefty walked 5 around three hits and two Petrocelli errors. And, every single time, he got himself out of trouble with a key double play. Virginia hit into three double plays and every one of them was huge. Petrocelli’s home run was the game’s only run. Eppa’s unlikely complete game shutout came with a game score of 78.

FIRE LAKE – 1, VIRGINIA – 0

Game #4: Ed Reulbach (6-7,4.41) vs David Cone (7-8,2.74)

Virginia struck early in this one, as Frank Robinson’s (who has to wonder why he’s not on Fire Lake’s roster?) 1st inning rbi single scored Alan Trammell who had doubled with one out. In the bottom of the 4th, Jose Cardenal put the Segers in front 2-1, driving in Rolen and Pinson. With David Cone cruising through 7, the home crowd was feeling good about a third consecutive win. Then Daniel Murphy led off the top of the 8th with a pinch-hit double, and Cone’s day was over. Don Gullett got the call, but Trammell’s Sac Fly scored pinch runner Dale Mitchell to tie the game at 2-2. Gullett and Foulke both threw 3 hitless innings and to the 11th inning they went. Gullett was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 10th and Fire Lake called on Dave Stewart to stop the visitors in the 11th. Frank Robinson singled and scored on Al Rosen’s 3rd hit of the game, this one a H&R double. Matt Morris was called on to stop Albert Pujols and the old guy dribbled a 15 hop single into the outfield to give Virginia a 4-2 lead. When Grant Jackson left the Virginia bullpen with a save on the line, the Fire Lake crowd confidently ordered more beers. Unbelievably, Jackson set down Votto-Rolen-Pinson in order to earn his first LEG Save and give the Cavaliers a series split.

VIRGINIA – 4, FIRE LAKE – 2 (11 INNINGS)

Series Summary: A fun series to play, but a series split, by two teams hovering around .500… Eppa Rixey’s game 3 shutout was the series’ best pitched game and should get him some consideration for pitcher of the week. Al Rosen was the series’ best hitter, going 7-for-17, 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 rbis and 2 walks.

Virginia out homered Fire Lake 5 to 2, and out hit them 29 to 25. Fire Lake wins the season series 6 games to 2.

Nags Head Surf Sox @ Hollywood Zombies
Series Summary: Hollywood drops 3 of 4 to Nags Head
Wainwright Wranglers @ Pigtown Bombers
Series Preview: A series with two teams who are a combined 58 games out of 1st place.
Game #1: A relatively easy 10-5 win for Pigtown. Wainwright actually outhit Pigtown 16-8, but 3 RBIs from Jackie Robinson and Ernie Lombardi along with a 7-run 4th inning allowed the home team to win the opener.
Game #2: A tale of two halves of a game. Pigtown was cruising at up 2-0 through six innings. Jim Abbott was pitching a two hitter and the home crowd was celebrating a likely win…Then the 7th inning came and Wainwright’s E. Suarez hit a 3-run bomb and Lefty Grove just kept throwing darts. Wainwright wins 5-4.
Game #3: An epic 17 inning game with Wainwright coming out on top 8-6 on a 3-run HR by Vidro. The bullpens for both teams were completely exhausted.
Game #4: Wainwright takes the finale 7-5 and wins the series. Both starters went most of the game. Puckett hit a HR and had a 2-run 2B for the winners.
Series Summary: Wainwright wins the series 3-1. Not star pitchers. Battings stars are as follows: Ernie Lombardi 5-14, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, Darren Daulton 5-14, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, Kirby Puckett 9-21, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, Jackie Robinson 6-18, 3 2Bs, 7 RBIs
Las Vegas Pirates @ Menomonee Minutemen
Series Preview: Las Vegas travels to the chilly state of Wisconsin for a 4 game set against the Minutemen of Menomonee. Both teams are 5th in their divisions, however, the Minutemen have a better record.
Game #1: Chance vs Hudson
The Minutemen scatter 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 errors to score 3 and blank the Pirates.
Huddy throws a 5 hit shut-out.
Final Score: LVP 0 MEN 3
Game #2: Cuellar vs Grissom
The battle of which pitcher is worse. Cuellar gets the hook after 2.3 IP and 5 ER. Men manager $#%$#%$ allows Grissom to go 5 IP and give up 9 ER before the hook. LVP continues the rampage and absolultly throttles MEN. Players of the game are Dimaggio 5-6 3B 3 HR 5 R and 10 RBI, Fielder 3-4 2 HR 2 R 6 RBI
Final Score: LVP 18 MEN 7
Game #3: Spahn vs John
Spahn and John both throw gems but sadly John’s gem was slightly better because he did not give up the only run of the game, which was a solo HR by Adcock.
Player of the game John 9 IP 4 H 5 K 4 BB Shutout.
Final Score: LVP 0 MEN 1
Game #4: Camnitz vs Scott
Scott goes 10 IP only giving up 2 ER via HR’s from Stargill and Fielder. However when he was pulled and Jansen comes in MEN commits 3 errors and allows LVP to score 3 runs in the 11th to win the game.
Final Score: LVP 5 MEN 2
Series Summary: Great series by both teams in their split and LVP shows why they should have a better record and MEN shows why they are so bad, so glad we got Jugg head to do nothing this season.

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #17

Lewisberry  Country Blumpkins @ Kansas City Blues
Series Preview: Blues try to get a winning effort from the franchise
Game #1: Hershiser pitches CG 5-hit shutout win 11-0
Game #2: Bunning vs DeGrom Blues out hit Blumkins 10-7 but come up short 4-3
Game #3: Blues hang on to 9-8 win Ruth gives up 7 unearned
Game #4: Blumpkins 9-run 15-hit barrage win 9-2
Series Summary: Blues under perform once again lose series 3-1 to the Blumpkins
Maybe if I had a cool name like the Blumpkins I would do better
Menomonee Minutemen @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: It’s a battle of teams with similar records, but different statuses in their division. Menomonee comes in at 48-41, 14 games back and in 5th in the AL West. Jack Street’s record stands at 49-40, but is only 1 game behind Lewisberry in the AL East. Should be a good series.
Game #1: Marv Grissom (6-6) takes the mound for the Minutemen against Frank Viola (4-3) for the Hustlers.

MM 6/8/0
JS 18/16/1

WP – Viola 5-3
LP – Grissom 6-7
Sv – None
HR – M – Goldschmidt (13), Posey (4) J – Martinez (10), Medwick (18), Hisle (8) Scioscia (3)

It was a merry-go-round for the Hustlers as they took advantage of 16 hits and 12 walks to post 18 runs. Medwick & Scioscia both pick up 3 hits and 4 rbis in the victory. Jack Street loses Joe Hoerner for 7 days.

Game #2: Tommy John (8-5) vs. Dan Haren (4-8)

M 2/5/0
J 0/4/0

WP – John 9-5
LP – Haren 4-9
Sv – None
HR – None

Tommy John comes in and puts out the bat fire going the distance walking 2 and striking out 3. Not much offense in this one, Jose Altuve does pickup up 2 hits, including a double, scores 1 and drives in 1.

Game #3: Jim Scott (9-6) vs. Tom Glavine (9-3)

M 6/8/1
J 16/15/0

WP – Glavine 10-3
LP – Scott 9-7
Sv – None
HR – J – McGwire (26), Kent (7)

Turns out the bat fire wasn’t out, just smoldering and it relit. Jack Street took an 8-0 lead in the first and never looked back. McGwire gets out of his homer slump with a grand slam and drives in 6 runs on the day. Jeff Kent also drives in 4 for the Hustlers. Harold Baines has a nice day for the Minutemen going 3-4 with a triple and 2 runs.

Game #4: Tom Gordon (1-0) vs. Sonny Siebert (4-9)

M 4/9/0
J 5/8/1

WP – Hand 4-3
LP – Gordon 1-1
Sv – Brantley 15
HR – M – Bonds (16) J – Hornsby (23), Medwick (19), Justice (5)

Good battle. Menomonee comes out with single runs in the first and second. Hustlers push across 3 in the third, but Minutemen come back and tie it in the 4th. Jack Street gets 1 in the 7th and Minutemen tie it up in the 8th. Jack Street pushes across the game winner in the bottom of the 8th on David Justice’s solo shot. Hits spread around in this game. Bonds & Seybold pick up 2 hits for Minutemen with Bonds also posting 2 rbi. Hornsby and Medwick both rap two hits and two rbis for the Hustlers.

Series Summary: A couple of really good games in this series. Hopefully, for the Hustler fans, the hitting is back for this team. Nominees for pitcher of the week – Tommy John. Nominee for hitter of the week: Edgar Martinez 8-15 with 5 runs 6 rbis a double, a homer and 5 walks
Purry Cowpokes @ Chicago Nine
Series Preview: The 50-39 Purry Cowpokes travel to Chicago to take on the 46-43 Nine. Stray is out of town and invited me to play the series.
Game #1: NO-HITTER ALERT !!!
Neil Walker homered twice but the story of the game was the no-hitter fired by Jake Weimer. Weimer struck out 7 and walked 3 in the Cowpokes 8-0 victory.
Game #2: Mel Stottlemyre fired 8.3 innings of 4-hit ball for the Nine in a 6-2 Chicago win.
Game #3: JD Martinez and Griffey Jr homered for the Nine as they take game 3, 4-1.
Game #4: King Felix fires a 4-hit, 1-run complete game and Hank Thompson collects 3 hits. The Nine win 6-1.
Series Summary: The highlight of the series was Jake Weimer’s game 1 no-hitter. (Side-note. I never had heard of him before the draft but I felt that I had to take him since Weimer is my wife’s maiden name). The rest of the series was all Chicago as the Nine pitching held Purry to 4 runs over the final 3 games.
New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: The Salmonbellies came in battling for the top spot in the west. The Pirates were looking to get back towards .500.
Game #1: In this game the Salmonbellies put it all together. Messersmith went the distance giving up only 3 ER’s while also giving up 12 hits. The Pirates could not get one clutch hit. The ‘bellies finished with 3 dingers from Jack Clark, Jimmy Wynn, & Dave Concepcion while beating up John Candelaria & Dean Chance.
SALMONBELLIES 10, PIRATES 3
Game #2: In this game both teams banked on their bats. The Pirates behind the bats of Hal Smith’s 4 singles & Dave Cash’s 3 singles while the ‘bellies finished with 3 hits from Fred Clarke & 2 hits by Willie Mays 2 hits, one of which was a 2 run HR in the 1st inning, grabbing an early lead for the ‘bellies in inning 1 which they never gave up the 4-2 lead. Billy Pierce went 8 innings, striking out 7 while giving up only 2 ER’s
SALMONBELLIES 9, PIRATES 6
Game #3: In this game the Pirates scored 2 in the 1st & 1 more in the 9th to finish their scoring, while for the 2nd straight game the Pirates out hit the visitor’s. Here Mays & Concepcion drove in a pair while Doc Gooden went 6.2 innings & only gave up 2 ER’s.
SALMONBELLIES 4, PIRATES 3
Game #4: Here was the Pirates last chance to get a win. That didn’t stop Sam Leever from pitching a 4 hitter & not giving up an earned run. The Pirates again outhit the ‘bellies & lost the game.
SALMONBELLIES 3, PIRATES 2
Series Summary: The Pirates pitchers faired okay but the bellies almost scored at will. They deserved a better fate, but the Salmonbellies had a better idea for them, as the .bellies made every attempt fruitless
Cincinnati Knights @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Cincinnati Knight 54-31 at K.C. A’s 38-47
Game #1: It’s all A’s 9 -1 behind Three Finger Brown’s 8.2 innings of 1 run ball. Walker Cooper and Roger Maris homer for the A’s.
Game #2: Cincy wins 6-3 as Johan Santana gets the win and Janssen gets the save. Ted Williams doubles and homers and drives in 3 and Northey got a big pinch hit 2 run homer for the Knights. Dale Murphy hoers for the A’s.
Goodman and Whitaker collide in short right field and both are injured. Goodman 8 days and Whitaker for 5 days.
Game #3: Cincy scores 8 runs in the last 3 innings for a come from behind 8-4 win. Freehan knocks in 3 and Sal Bando got a big 3 runs homer in the 8th. Ken Boyer, Hale and Tresh all hit solo homers in a losing effort.
Game #4: Cincy scores 5 in the 1st off Eddie Cicotte and cruise to a 12-7 victory. Ted Williams goes 3 for 3 with a homer and 4 RBI and Giambi also homers for the Knights. Don Buford homered for the A’s.
Series Summary: Cincinnati wins the series 3 games to 1.
Indiana Indians @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: Cats sweep holding the Indians to 9 hits total in the first three games then seeing Indiana explode for 7 hits in the finale. Willie Keeler went 5 for 5 in the series including a pinch hit home run in the first game. Hunter Pence had 2 triples in game three.
Wrigleyville Whales @ Boston Braves
Series Preview: The Al Star game is over in is now followed by the battle of the basements of the AL, East vs. West.
Game #1: Johnny Antonelli fell behind 4 -0 in the second inning but righted the ship and held on for a 8-4 win backed by an out of character 15 hit attack. Dom DiMaggio had four hits two of which were doubles and Eddie Mathews and Adrian Gonzalez three hits each for the Braves. Daryl Evans doubled and knocked in half the Whales runs.
Game #2: Pedro Martinez struck out 8 and stranded 11 Wrigleyville run on baser in a 3-1 Braves win. Mathews continued swinging a productive bat in game driving in 2 of the 3 Brave run via a couple of safeties Ernie “Lets play two” Banks had two hit one a double for the Whales..
Game #3: The Braves cruised to their third series win on the strong arm of Don Newcombe’s three hit shut out 7-0. Adrian Gonzalez had four Rbi’s and Gabby Hartnett three hits in leading the Braves offense. Earle Combs had 2 of the 3 Wrigleyville hits.
Game #4: Wrigleyville powered their way to a win in the series finally 12-11. Bob Muscel had three hits one a homer and Jim Thome was perfect going four for four in the Whales win. Freddie Sanchez and Jeff Cirillo each had three hits for the Braves. Cirillo collected four RBI’s.
Series Summary: The Braves made their miniscule contribution to AL East pride winning three of four from Wrigleyville. The beantown nine’s happiness was tempered by Dustin Pedroia’s second visit to the DL a 15 game vacation
Motown Yankees @ Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: Motown (40-45) travels to Coastline (56-29) for their final 4 game series against the Bobcats this season.
Game #1: CLB is out quick in the B1 when Becker 1bs and H.Wilson hits a 2-run HR. In the B2 Gehrig 1bs, moves up on a Gordon groundout, and then scores when Bancroft throws away M.Williams grounder, 3-0 CLB. MTY wakes up in the T3 when Ashburn 1bs and Hack 2bs him home. MTY keeps coming and ties the game in the T4 when Bancroft 1bs and Mackey hits a 2-run HR. MTY takes the lead in the T5 when with 2 outs Torriente 1bs, steals 2nd, and Bancroft drives him with an rbi-1b. In the B5 CLB Jenkins 1bs, Ripken’s grounder moves him up, H.Wilson is IW, Howard then hits a grounder to Hack, who makes a errant throw allowing Jenkins to score and tie the game. After a scoreless 6th and T7, CLB Becker 1bs to open the B7 and then scores on Jenkins H&R rbi-2b to give the ‘Cats the lead. Ripken F7, H.Wilson is IW again, Howard F9 bringing up Gehrig. Gehrig makes the home crowd happy as he smacks a 3-run HR for an 8-4 CLB lead. MTY doesn’t roll over as they get an Bancroft 1b and a Mackey 1b to put runners at the corners. Lansford comes on to PR for Mackey, D.Walker comes in to PH for White and lines into a H&R 9-3DP that scores Bancroft. CLB Sutter comes on in the T9 and gives up a 1 out 1b to Hack and then McGriff hits a 2-run HR an out later to pull MTY within a run; Torriente bbs, but Bancroft L5 to end the game. CLB Maglie (3-0) gets the win in relief, Sutter earns his 34th save, and Jansen (2-4) goes the distance and gets the loss.

CLB 8, MTY 7

Game #2: MTY grabs the early lead in the T2 when Westrum bbs, Bancroft rips an rbi-3b, and F.White hits an rbi-groundout. MTY extends its lead in the T4 when McGriff 2bs, Westrum 2bs him home but is thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch it. Bancroft then 1bs, F.White’s H&R 1b puts runners at the corners, Gehrig then throws away Lofton grounder to score Bancroft, and Ashburn’s rbi-1b closes out the scoring for a 5-0 MTY lead. CLB answers right away in the B4 as Wilson 1bs, Gehrig 2bs with 2 out, Gordon hits a 2-rbi 2b, M.Williams bbs, and PH Goslin rips a 2-rbi 2b to pull CLB with 1 run at 5-4. After a scoreless 5th and 6th MTY adds a run in the T7 when Hack draws a 2 out bb and Olerud hits a tapper in front of the plate that Orosco throws away allowing Hack to score. MTY Mingori is out to pitch his 2nd inning in the B8 and fans Ripken to start the inning. H.Wilson then 1bs and Howard 2bs which brings on PH Burks. Burks doesn’t disappoint as he clubs a 3-run HR to give CLB a 7-6 lead! CLB Sutter comes on and tosses a perfect 9th for his 35th save. Albers (3-0) picks up the win and Mingori (7-5) is tagged with the loss.

CLB 7, MTY 6

Game #3: MTY out in front in the T2 when Stieb walks Bancroft, White, and Lofton to load the bases and Brown then executes a perfect squeeze bunt to bring home Bancroft. CLB ties it in the B% when Skowron 1bs (1st hit of the game) and M.Williams hits an rb-3b 1 out later. In the T6 MTY Torriente 2bs, Mackey 1bs, and Banroft makes his 1st HR of the season a big one as he hits a 3-run blast to give MTY a 4-1 lead! MTY adds 1 more in the T7 and that’s the way the game would end. MTY D.Brown (11-7) is dominant giving up only 1 run on 3 hits while fanning 10 to earn the win. Stieb (10-5) takes the loss.

MTY 5, CLB 1

Game #4: CLB scores first with a run in the B2 when Skowron 3bs and eventually scores on M.Williams rbi-groundout. MTY Hubbell settles in and does not give up a another hit through his 7ip of work. But CLB K.Brown is just as tough as he holds MTY scoreless through 5 innings. In the MTY T6 McGriff breaks through and hits a solo-HR to tie the game at 1-1! The remains tied after 9 as the MTY Uehara comes on to toss 2 scoreless innings, and CLB Marshall tosses a scoreless 9th and 10th. In the T10 Uehara is lifted for PH Olerud which brings Mingori into the game in the B10. MTY Mingori fans Skowron, gets Gordon on a 4-3 groundout, but M.Williams connects on a fastball and hits a solo-HR over the LF wall for the win! CLB Marshall (6-2) gets the win and MTY Mingori (7-6) takes the loss.

CLB 2, MTY 1

Series Summary: Coastline wins the series 3-1 over Motown. But the series was extremely close and could’ve just as easily been a 4-0 Motown sweep.
Hollywood Zombies @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Preview: The Hollywood Zombies (NL West 30-55) travel from the west coast of the United States to the west coast of Michigan to take on the West Michigan Retrogrades (NL East 52-33). With warm temperatures in the Great Lakes region, playing conditions were perfect.
Game #1: In a tight, well-pitched game, the Zombies’ Walter Johnson made one mistake in his 7 innings of work. In the 2nd inning, after a Duke Snider double, Bobby Wallace singled him home. Hollywood tied the game in the 7th on a solo homer from Shawn Green. West Michigan’s Curt Davis matched the Hall of Famer with 7 innings of work and only 1 earned run allowed. The starters gave way to the bullpens and the Retrogrades outlasted the Zombies. In the bottom of the 10th, with one out pinch hitter Austin McHenry drew a walk. Marty McManus pinch ran for him. West Michigan put the hit & run on with Max Carey at the plate. Carey ripped a ball into the right field corner and McManus easily scored from first base for the walk of win for the Retrogrades. Miguel Tejada was 2 for 4.
ZOMBIES 1, RETROGRADES 2 (10 innings)
Game #2: The Retrogrades sent their ace, Urban Shocker up against another Hollywood Hall of Famer hurlers, Eddie Plank. Both pitched well for 5 innings, only surrendering a run a piece. Hollywood took the lead in the top of the 6th when Shawn Green singled in Jeff Bagwell who reached on a base hit. But in the bottom of the frame, the Retrogrades stormed back. Roy Sievers walked, Tommy Davis singled, Adrian Beltre doubled in a run, Bobby Wallace drove in a run on a ground out, then Bill Dickey hit a 2-run homer. West Michigan would add another run in the 7th when Urban Shocker doubled and then was doubled home by Roy Sievers. Adrian Beltre was 3 for 3 on the day; Bill Dickey was 2 for 4.
FINAL SCORE : ZOMBIES 2, RETROGRADES 6
Game #3: After falling behind by 2 runs after one inning, the Zombies “came alive” in the top of the 2nd, scoring 7 runs off starter George Mullin. Mullin was having control problems and served up a ball that skimmed the ground to Vlad Guerrero who smashed it over the left centerfield fence for 3 runs. The Retrogrades bullpen held Hollywood in check the rest of the game, but the damage was done and the Zombies cruised to victory. In addition to Vlad’s bomb, Tommy Davis also hit a homer for the Retrogrades and went 3 for 4. West Michigan also got 2 hits a piece from Heavy Johnson and George Sisler. The Zombies got 2 hits a piece from Miguel Tejada, Brett Butler, and Eddie Collins.
FINAL SCORE : ZOMBIES 8, RETROGRADES 4
Game #4: This excellent game was scoreless until the bottom of the second when Bill Dickey and Duke Snider hit back-to-back solo home runs. That score remained until the top of the 6th when the Zombies took a one-run lead with a two-run triple from Miguel Tejada and then an RBI single from Yadier Molina. Hollywood took the lead in the 7th when Jeff Bagwell singled home Brett Butler who’d walked and stolen second base. The Zombies clung to the lead until the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Duke Snider ripped a double. Hollywood brought in Mike Meyers to the nightmare inning. With two-outs, Bobby Wallace doubled home Snider. The Zombies walked Robinson Cano to get to the pitchers spot in the order. The Retrogrades pinch hit with Austin McHenry who hit a blooper just behind shortstop which scored Wallace for the walk-off victory. Bill Dickey and Duke Snider each had two hit; Shawn Green and Yadier Molina each had two hits.
FINAL SCORE : ZOMBIES 4, RETROGRADES 5 (walk-off)
Series Summary: Even though West Michigan took the series three games to one, it easily could have been a three win series for Hollywood, or even a sweep. Each team won a game easily and the other two ball games were lucky, walk-off wins for the Retrogrades. Hollywood currently stands at 31-58 and will host Nags Head next week. West Michigan improves to 55-34 and will travel to Hoboken next week to take on NL West’s 2nd place club.
Detroit DeLoreans @ Clockwork Heros 
Series Preview: Clockwork feeling good after facing the Bobcats for 8 games, and winning 7. But now a solid Detroit team was hoping to take advantage of Clockwork.
Game #1: Mathewson goes a solid 7 innings allowing a Cronin triple to score and giving up a Chuck Klein blast. Reynolds was better allowing 1 in 7.2 innings. But in the bottom of the 9th Clockwork got two off O’Flaherty as Collins made a bad error. Then Aker gave up the game winning hit as Lopata comes through. Clockwork 3 Detroit 2 W- Rowe (6-2) L-O’flaherty (1-3)
Game #2: Uhle was great allowing just 2 hits in 7 innings but a walk by Rice scored. Arky Vaughn homered for Clockwork to send the 1-1 game into the 12th inning. Bradley off the bench singled in the Jet
jethroe to win the game 2-1. W_Newhouser 3-2 L-Casey (6-3)
Game #3: Hippo Vaughn is solid for Detroit only mistake is a 3 run homer to Foster. Blyleven did not have it for Clockwork as Rip Collins homers and Herman has a nice game. Detroit 6 Clockwork 3 W-Vaughn(10-5) Romero S (7) L- Blyleven(12-5)
Game #4: Mathewson dominates 9 innings 4 hits one run. the Hero bats woke up as Melton hits 2, Terry 1 and Lopata another. Clockwork 12 Detroit 1 . W-Mathewson (16-3) L-Sallee(9-6)
Series Summary: Clockwork does not let up and wins 3 of the 4 games.Mathewson goes 16 innings and just 3 runs and 9 hits.
Hoboken Zephyrs @ Virginia Cavaliers
Series Preview: Virginia at 42-43 and in 4th place in the East plays host to Hoboken 50-35 and in 2nd place in the West. Virginia hovering around the .500 mark not knowing how to win,…especially at home and Hoboken with a great home record playing around .500 on the road. Not a good situation for Virginia. Joel and I played via TV and it was a great series to play with close games. Thanks Joel, it was fun.
Game #1: Gm.1 HBK 5-4 W-N.Hahn (14-6) L-L.Gomez (7-8)

Well, not much changed for Virginia. Hoboken exploded out of the gate. Eddie Stanky took the first pitch of the game and looped it into right for a single and Stan Spence then smoked one to right that sailed over the wall for his 20th homer of the season and a quick 2-0 Hoboken lead. With the lead and Noodles Hahn on the mound with his sub 2.00 ERA, Virginia was in trouble. However, uncharacteristically, Virginia fought back. Al Rosen singled to lead off the 2nd for Virginia and went to 3rd on a H&R single by Kevin McReynolds. Ralph Kiner walked and suddenly the bases were loaded for the Cavaliers. When lance Parrish lined an RBI single into LF Virginia fans were pumped. But this was Virginia and Hahn was on the mound. Noodles quickly got Pujols to fly out to shallow LF and induced Gomez to ground into an inning ending DP. Still, Virginia had scored and was only down 2-1. An inning later Frankie Frisch and Al Rosen doubled and suddenly it was a new game at 2-2. It didn’t stay that way long. In the 5th Hahn singled, Eddie Stanky walked, Stan Spence flew out, Jeff Heath walked to load the bases, and then Lefty Gomez lost all recognition of where the plate was and walked the next two batters on 8 pitches,…Hoboken 4-2. Back to back doubles from Eddie Yost and Tommy Henrich in the 7th bumped the Hoboken lead to 5-2. Virginia would score 2 more runs in the 8th on a solo homer from Frank Robinson and a RBI single by Andruw Jones. That 5-4 score would hold up for Hoboken as Hahn finished the complete game despite giving up 4 runs and having his ERA jump to 1.74. And once again it was another Virginia home loss.

Game #2: Gm.2 VIR 3-2 W- B.Turley (6-8) L-T.Seaver (12-5) SV- K.Foulke (25)

Another close game, but Virginia was able to scratch its way back for the win. Jud Wilson provided the only offense for Hoboken with a 2nd inning blast over the RF wall for a 2-0 Hoboken lead. Then, after giving up two hits in the first two innings, Virginia’s Bob Turley somehow managed to only give up two more in the next 7 innings without allowing a runner to cross the plate. That opened the door for Virginia if they could take advantage of it. And they did. In the 2nd inning Kevin McReynolds hit his 4th homer of the year to narrow the lead to 2-1 Hoboken. Virginia tied it in the 6th on an error and a FC DP that scored the tying run. The winning run came in the 8th when PH’er Daniel Murphy doubled and scored later on a SF by Alan Trammell. Keith Foulke then came in to register his 25th save and give Virginia the rare win.

Game #3: Gm.3 HBK 3-2 W-Red Faber (11-6) L-J.Guzman (3-4)

Hoboken rebounded quickly from the previous game loss. Continuing to score first, Hoboken plated a run in the second courtesy of a Travis Jackson SF and then added 2 more in the 3rd when Eddie Stanky doubled and scored on a FC and Tommy Herich later drove in Jeff Heath with a double. Frank Robinson then put Virginia on the board with his 11th homer in the bottom of the 3rd but Hoboken was still ahead 3-1. With Red Faber teasing Virginia hitters, Hoboken was able to maintain the lead in spite of Virginia getting one more run in the 7th on Joe Harris’s RBI single. From there Faber kept Virginia at bay and collected his 11th win of the year.

Game #4: Gm.4 HBK 5-1 W-J. Weaver (9-3) L-E.Reulbach (6-7)

After three 1-run games, this one looked like a rout. However, it was basically close until the 9th. After two it was 0-0. Then in the 3rd Hoboken broke through with 3 runs. Pitcher Jeff Weaver knocked in the first run with a RBI single and after Stan Spence singled putting runners at 1st and 3rd, Jeff Heath doubled to the wall driving both runners in for a 3-0 Hoboken lead. (Boy is that a run-on sentence) With that lead, Weaver put up goose eggs until the 7th when Al Rosen doubled in Frank Robinson to make it 3-1 Hoboken. Just for good measure, Stan Spence took a Rafael Betancourt pitch to the opposite field for a 2-run homer in the top of the 9th to finalize the score at 5-1.

Series Summary: Hoboken (surprise! surprise!) took the series 3-1. They were led at the plate by Stan “The Man” Spence who was 7-16 with 4 RBI and a homer. Tommy Henrich chipped in going 4-11 with 3 RBI in 3 games for a .364 BA. On Virginia’s side, Frank Robinson was 7-17 with 2 solo homers and a .412 BA and Al Rosen was 5-12 (.417) with an RBI. The amazing stat (to me) was that Hoboken had 4 complete games. Of course, when you have the numbers those pitchers have you can understand why. Virginia on the other hand, used 5 different relievers 7 times for a total of 8.2 innings,…but it didn’t help, Hoboken was just that good!
Wainwright Wranglers Fantomz Force
Series Preview: Two struggling teams faced off in Force Field this weekend … and are weighing their prospects for this season and next …
Game #1: Game 86 – Nap Rucker ’11 (4-9) v. Satchel Paige ‘41 (11-7)

Fantomz 4-3 (10): Wainwright wasted no time scoring, as leadoff hitter Bip Roberts scored on Tony Gwynn’s 1st-inning double. The Force tied the game in the 5th when Ron Santo scored on an infield groundout. The teams went back-and-forth during the middle innings, with the Wranglers tying the game in the 9th inning when Mark Grace scored on an infield groundout. In the 10th inning, Al Lopez singled home Joe Judge, who beat the throw home for the winning run.

W – Russell (2-3) L – Ward (3-2)

Game #2: Game 87 – Lefty Grove ‘87 (11-6) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (9-6)

Fantomz 2-0: Joe Judge delivered a two-run 2nd inning that accounted for all the game’s runs. Gaylord Perry pitched a six-hit shutout, striking out seven and walking one, while Gil McDougald had Fantomz’ other two hits. Wainwright’s Lefty Grove absorbed a tough loss.

W – Perry (10-6) L – Perry (11-7)

Game #3: Game 88 – Vic Willis ’06 (6-15) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (6-11)

Fantomz 3-2: Two struggling pitchers matched up in a classic pitchers’ duel. The Wranglers scored first when Kirby Puckett singled home Darren Daulton in the 2nd inning. The Force tied the game during the following frame when Adam Eaton doubled home Ron Santo. Fantomz inched ahead in the 4th inning when Shin-Soo Choo doubled home Larry Doby. Both offenses went silent after Doby’s run. Weilman limited Wainwright to three hits.

W – Weilman (7-11) L – Willis (6-16)

Game #4: Game 89 – Doc White ’03 (8-12) v. Stan Coveleski ‘23 (1-10)

Wainwright 7-6 (10): The Wranglers built a 4-0 lead after five innings, highlighted by Kirby Puckett’s sixth dinger. The Force went ahead with two 6th-inning and three 7th-inning runs, consisting mostly of singles and walks. Wainwright inched ahead in the 8th inning, only to have Fantomz tie the score on Doby’s second double. The momentum shifted to Wainwright after Choo was thrown out at home attempting to score the winning run during the 9th inning. In the 11th inning, George Brett plated Puckett with the winning run.

W – Smoltz (4-2) L – Russell (1-3)

Series Summary: The equally-matched teams played three one-run games and one two-run game, as a lucky bounce here and there would have completely changed the series.

Player of the Week nominee: Fantomz’ Gil McDougald, hovering around .200 all season, hit 8-for-18 with three rbi.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fantomz’ Gaylord Perry for firing a six-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for an 81 Game Score.

Iowa Giants @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: IOWA GIANTS (29-56) vs. NAGS HEAD SURF SOX (40-45)

The Iowa Giants, residing in the cellar of the N.L. West, and losers of 10 straight, visit the suddenly hot Nags Head Surf Sox. The Giants are 11-33 on the road, but hoping for some success along the Atlantic.

Game #1: Bob Feller (4-14 4.06 ERA) vs. Nolan Ryan (3-6 4.44 ERA)

Bob Feller is having an off year to say the least. Not sure how a 22 XY gets an ERA of over 4 and has only won 4 of 18 decisions. He faces Nolan Ryan, who returns from the disabled list for his first start since early June.

Top 1 – Nolan is looking a little rusty. Bryce Harper starts the game with a single and is followed by Joe Morgan who clubs one over the center field fence, his 5th round tripper on the season. Giants take an early 2-0 lead.

Bottom 3 – Back to back singles by McCarver and Jeter put runners at the corners. McCarver scores on a Sandberg SAC fly. IOWA 2-1

The pitching on both sides shut down the offenses the rest of the way and the Giants hold on for the one run victory, ending their losing skid. Feller tosses a good one, going 7, scattering 4 hits and 4 walks and striking out 8 for his 5th win of the year. Gossage tosses 2 scoreless innings for his 12th save. Joe Morgan had 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 doubles, and a homerun … all the offense Iowa needed. Jeter went 2 for 2 with a walk for the Sox. Ryan has a decent outing for his return to the rotation, he just didn’t get any support from his offense.

IOWA 2 6 0
SOX 1 4 0
WP – Feller (5-14)
LP – Ryan (3-7)
S – Gossage (12)

Game #2: Dizzy Dean (3-7 4.89 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (5-5 4.34 ERA)

Top 4 – Phil Masi RBI double scores Sosa for a 1-0 Giant lead.

Bottom 4 – A Jimmie Foxx walk, Stanton single, and Winfield HBP load ‘em up for the Sox with no outs. Gary Carter bounces into a double play, scoring Foxx to tie the game 1-1

Bottom 7 – Gary Carter scores on a passed ball to give the Sox the lead, 2-1. Following a Samuel walk, that puts runners at the corners, Von Hayes connects for a 3 run blast, his 6th home run of the year, and Nags Head leads 5-1

Top 8 – Rudy York hits a 2 run, pinch hit, homerun off Mitch Williams to cut the Sox lead in half. Sox 5-3

Francisco Cordero comes in and tosses a scoreless ninth, registering his 17th save of the season, and evening the series at a game apiece. Dean goes the distance in a losing effort for the Giants, and Sosa had a pair of hits. Samuel, Hayes, and Stanton each had 2 hits in support of Cole Hamels, who goes 7 and only allows one run on 5 hits.

IOWA 3 7 0
SOX 5 8 2
WP – Hamels (6-5)
LP – Dean (3-8)
S – Cordero (17)

Game #3: Bob Lemon (1-3 9.71 ERA) vs. Joaquin Andujar (4-12 5.37 ERA)

Top 2 – Buck Weaver’s RBI single scores Dale Alexander for a 1-0 Giant lead

Top 4 – It’s déjà vu all over again … Dale Alexander scores on a Weaver RBI single, 2-0 Giants

Bottom 5 – A Winfield walk, McCarver single, and Andujar bunt single load the bases with none out. Sandberg grounds a double play ball to Judy Johnson who boots it, allowing Winfield and McCarver to score and tie the game. Andujar scores the go ahead run on a SAC fly off the bat of Jeter. Sox 3-2

Top 6 – Iowa strikes back – Judy Johnson redeems himself with a double that puts runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Andujar strikes out Masi and intentionally walks Buck Weaver to get to the pitcher. Lemon makes the Sox pay, however, smacking a 2 run single to put the Giants back in front 4-3

Top 7 – Josh Hamilton’s 2 run homerun, his 3rd, gives Iowa a 6-3 lead

Rincon and Gossage combine to hold the Sox hitless over the final 3 innings, and the Giants are victorious in game 3. Dale Alexander scores 3 times, Weaver, Lemon, and Hamilton each knock in 2. Lemon came into the game with an ERA near 10, but only allows 1 earned run over 6 innings. Andujar drops his 13th.

IOWA 6 9 1
SOX 3 6 0
WP – Lemon (2-3)
LP – Andujar (4-13)
S – Gossage (13)

Game #4: Bill Doak (0-3 6.16 ERA) vs. Zane Smith (4-1 2.76 ERA)

Top 1 – For the 4th straight game Iowa takes the early lead. This one really hurt the Sox, literally. Zane Smith retires the 1st 2 batters before Josh Hamilton reaches on a 2 out single. Sammy Sosa follows with a looper to right … Sandberg and Dawson collide going for the ball and it drops … Hamilton scores from first, but the big issue for Nags Head is they lose Dawson for 5 days and Sandberg for 7 … which is going to make for some difficult decisions regarding the D.L. prior to the next series. Giants 1-0

It’s all zeros until the Giant half of the 8th when Sammy Sosa’s solo round tripper, his 9th of the year, gives Iowa an insurance run – Iowa 2-0

Top 9 – Buck Weaver’s SAC fly scores Judy Johnson 3-0 Giants

Gossage comes on and pitches a scoreless ninth for his 3rd save of the series.

Bill Doak pitches a gem for Iowa, throwing 8 shut out innings, allowing only 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 7. Sosa led the Giant offense with 2 hits, including the homerun, and 2 RBIs. Zane Smith had another strong outing for the Sox, going 8, allowing only 2 runs, but the offense is unable to support him.

IOWA 3 8 1
SOX 0 5 1
WP – Doak (1-3)
LP – Smith (4-2)
S – Gossage (14)

Series  Summary: So much for the streaking Sox as they lay an egg against Iowa, dropping 3 of 4. The Giants’ pitching was stellar in the series, holding Nags Head to only 9 runs on 23 hits over the 4 games.
San Tan Valley Moonrakers @ Climax Cougars
Series Preview: A pretty darned good team, San Tan Valley Moonrakers (45-40) sitting in a tie for 3rd place in the NL West heads to central Canuckland for four games against a badly underachieving team in the Climax Cougars (39-45 and 7th in the NL East) hoping to continue the pounding the rest of the league has put on the home team’s pitching that has them worst in the League.
Game #1: What was it that I said about pitching?
The only saving grace in this one was that as it turned out good pitching was in short supplies for both teams in this game.
Climax starter Greg Harris did what only Greg Harris has done all season for the Cougars – sucked – and gave up a leadoff double high off the wall to Cesar Cedeno. San Tan’s manager mercifully didn’t advance the speedy Cedeno despite a fairly deeply hit fly ball by all-star 3rd baseman Bob Elliott, but it didn’t matter as run-machine Hal Trosky ripped one for a double down the right field line that made it 1-0 for the Moonrakers. But wait … Harris was not done …Vern Stephens was up next and hit a hard grounder through the 1b-2b hole and Trosky raced around 3rd base and home … only Ott threw a bullet in from right field and Chief Meyers applied the tag to end the threat.
Monty Stratton’s bottom of the 1st included a one-out walk to Meyers followed by a tape measure blast by Mel Ott which had Climax up 2-1 heading into the 2nd inning.
Skip ahead just one inning and the top of the order for San Tan Valley continued to give Harris fits … are we sure we got the right Greg Harris???? Cedeno doubled again (with one out) and then Elliott lined one over the infield to bring Cedeno in and tie it 2-2.
The bottom of the 3rd looked like it was going to be a snoozer, but Stratton’s defence crapped out on him when shortstop Vern Stephens muffed a throw on Meyer’s slow grounder. Still cursing his infielder’s sloppiness, Stratton threw one high and inside a little too inside to Ott and nailed him to make it runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs. That brought up Jose Bautista who had not done much of anything since the first month of the season. Nothing breaks you out of a slump better than a 3-run homer though and that is what he did, bopping it into the left field cheapies to make it 5-2. With Harris pitching though …
Earl Averill led off the 4th with a high high high high fly ball that had it been straight would have gone 700 feet. It did go over 400 feet though which put it about 15 feet over the right field wall and made it 5-3. Harris … hmmm. Bullpen on alert. Sherry Magee was up next and hit one back to the mound … and past Harris and under the glove of sprawling shortstop Jose Mendez for a single. Harris got a chance to redeem himself on the next play as Willie Randolph chopped one back to the mound, but nope … once a useless tool always a useless tool. Harris bobbled the ball and Randolph was easily safe.
Fearing that Harris’s next move may be to spontaneously combust, the righty was mercifully removed for Ellis Kinder. Inheriting the mess with none outs, Kinder surprised everyone by getting Mike Piazza to foul out to first base, Stratton popped out to shallow left and Bautista robbed Cedeno of an extrabase hit by making a shoestring catch to left.
Frank Smith, one of the more pleasant surprises for the Cougars this season with a 1.38 ERA, was brought in to pitch the 5th with a 5-3 lead. Trouble started immediately for the deadball era righty as the trainer rushed out after Smith’s first pitch had about as much on it as a cheese pizza (not much up here in Canada). Smith said he was good to go but we questioned that after Elliott hammered the next pitch into the gap in left field for two bases. Smith chickened out and rather than face Mr. RBI Trosky, he walked him to bring up Stephens who is just only slightly less dangerous. Smith got Stephens looking (his 3rd K of the game) and then struck out Averill. The most dangerous hitters out of the way, Smith took something off his next pitch and Sherry Magee ripped it into centre field allowing Elliott to score easily and make it 5-4. Smith then walked Randolph to load the bases, bringing up everyone’s fav Piazza (and not the cheese Piazza). Smith couldn’t come anywhere near the plate and walked Piazza on four pitches which brought in the tying run. That brought up San Tan Valley pitcher Stratton and the first pitch Smith unleashed to him bounced halfway to the plate and over Meyer’s head allowing the runners to advance and make it 6-5 for the visitors. El Sid Fernandez came in and ended the bloodshed by getting Stratton to fly out to right field.
So the pitchers’ duel moved to the bottom of the 5th with Stratton still out there but for how long? A little too long perhaps as Harlond Clift opened with an opposite field single and then advanced to 2nd base on Meyers’ ground out. Ott then singled to right allowing Clift to score to tit it 6-6, but Bautista (now sporting the nickname Hobo) ground into a double play that ended the inning.
Fernandez opened the 6th throwing smoke and got Cedeno swinging for the first out. Elliott followed up by catching up to the fastball and smashed it to the wall and luckily glove of Sam Crawford in centre to make it two down. Well, as we know where there is smoke there eventually is fire and it came in the form of Trosky’s bat. The lefty all-star hammered the ball well over Ott’s head in right field to give the Moonrakers back the lead. Stephens was up next and made it obvious where there was smoke at the start of the inning, Fernandez was just running on fumes as the slugging shortstop mashed the ball into Kelsey’s Pub and Grill across the street from the ballpark. San Tan Valley leads 8-6. Ugh. To quote Climax catcher Meyers on the mound visit following the homer, “If he (Fernandez) was a coonhound I’d take him out back of the woodshed and put one right between his eyes.” ’nuff said
Stratton finally ran out of gas in the Cougars’ half of the 6th when he opened the inning by allowing a double off the base of the centre field wall by Crawford and then a walk to George Grantham. Jess Barnes replaced Stratton and got Johnny Mize to pop out to first base and then Mendez grounded out to make it two outs but he advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd base. There was no way Fernandez was going to be allowed to hit and in came Buck Leonard. Leonard launched a ball that still had not come down at the time this series writeup was being completed, but it made it suddenly and shockingly 9-8 for Climax.
The Cougars tacked on three more runs against Barnes in the 7th on an RBI double by Bautista, an RBI-single by Grantham and a startling error by gold glove catcher Piazza that allowed a run to score from 3rd base … and that was it. Climax comes from behind in a messy game on both sides to win the series opener 12-8.
W-Fernandez (2-5) Sv-Carroll (6) L-Barnes (2-1)
HR-SAN: Trosky (22), Stephens (22), Averill (8); CMC: Ott (13), Bautista (15), Leonard (10)
Game #2: San Tan Valley starter Virgil Trucks was perfect heading into the 4th inning against the Cougars, but wound up dying a death of a thousand cuts as the Climax hitters churned out 13 hits over the next five innings that translated to a 7-1 win over the Moonrakers.
Smoky Joe Wood earned game MVP honors after allowing just one unearned run over 8 innings with the only San Tan run scoring on a passed ball by Chief Meyers and the pitcher was a slick 3/3 at the plate with a double and an RBI.
Not much action in this one compared to the first game other than that the Cougars tattooed a dent in the left field wall with seven doubles to left centre in the game.
W-Wood (6-6) Sv-none L-Trucks (4-7)
HR-none
Game #3: Bump Hadley and Cannonball Redding brought their A game into Game three so hits and runs were hard to come by.
It did not start out that way as Hadley started the game with a bit of a case of the jitters loading the bases with two outs on walks to Mel Ott, Jose Bautista and Harlond Clift (who coincidentally I think are 1-2-3 in walks among hitetrs in the NL) and then gave up a two-run double to Sam Crawford.
Hadley gave up pretty much all of nothing after that other than the odd walk here or there, but Josh Gibson got to him in the 6th with a double high off the wall in left field that scored Bautista (who walked three times in the game).
Meanwhile, all Redding was doing was trying to qualify for Pitcher of the Week. As with Hadley, Redding went the distance but unlike Hadley he only gave up one hit – a bloop double to Vern Stephens in the 5th – as the Cougars won their 3rd straight 3-0.
Hadley’s complete game was a bit of a wild one. He struck out 8 (including George Grantham 3 times) but gave up 7 walks to go with the four hits.
Redding’s one-hitter included eight strikeouts and one walk.
W-Redding (3-5) Sv-none L-Hadley (7-6)
HR-none
Game #4: Climax’s lack of power this season appeared to have become contagious as the two teams were now two games without knocking one out of the park.
The power outage didn’t continue too long for Climax as the second hitter of the game for the Cougars, George Grantham, smacked a line drive over the centre field wall that was gone almost before it left Eric Gagne’s hand.
Mel Ott then singled and then Johnny Mize crushed one over the left field wall to make it 4-0 after the first inning.
… and that is as close as the game got as the Cougars’ Grantham got his second homer of the game off reliever Dave Righetti in the 6th and pinch hitter Ossee Schrecongost bonked one out in the 7th as Climax coasted to a 11-3 win.
Oscar Charleston and Cesar Cedeno each had a couple of his for San Tan Valley but the rest of the lineup could only account for a total of two hits – Hal Trosky, of course, hit a two-run double and Jimmy Williams singled and walked twice.
Grantham scored three runs in the game for Climax as part of a 4/5 day with the two solo home runs. Fregosi and Mize each had two hits.
W-Waddell (7-6) Sv-none L-Gagne (1-5)
HR-SAN: none; CMC: Grantham 2 (6), Mize (2), Schrecongost (1)
Series Summary: The series can be summarized by one simple sentence: Climax avoided facing Randy Johnson. The shocking sweep of the Moonrakers leaves both teams scrambling among the unwashed masses of the league as they fight to stay within sight of league-leaders Coastline and Clockwork.
Pigtown Bombers @ Fire Lake Segers
Series Preview: Pigtown traveled to Fire Lake and earned a split of the 4 games. Sorry for the lack of a write up this week.
Player of the week nominee, Pigtown’s Hank Greenberg. 7-for-20, 7 rbis, 3 doubles and a grand slam.
Pitcher of the week nominee, Fire Lake’s David Cone. 4-hit shutout, all singles, Struck out 5, walked none. Game Score 84. Also, Pigtown’s Luis Tiant, 7 innings of 1-hit ball, Game Score 80.

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #16

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Zane Smith – Nags Head

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, &  walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Dutch Leonard  – New Westminster

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts, & 0 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Joe Cronin – Detroit

.556 avg  / 1.056 slg, 10 for 18, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 8  runs, 4 RBIs, & 4 walks

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – John Mayberry  – Chicago

.500 avg / 1.300 slg, 5 for 10, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, 7 walks

New Westminster Salmonbellies @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: The New Westminster Salmonbellies, 3rd in the AL West come to battle the first place (although 4 games worse) Jack Street Hustlers. The Hustlers “riding” an 11 game home losing streak.
Game #1: Tesreau toes the rubber for New Westminster vs. Dan Haren for the Hustlers.

NW 11-13-0
JS 2-8-0

WP – Tesreau 9-5
LP – Haren 4-8
Sv – None
HR – NW – Beltran (13), Clarke (1), Clark (11), Campanella (5)

This one was all Salmonbellies, as the picked up 4 in the third and 2 in the fourth and then just ran away and hid. Tesreau went 8 giving up 7 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and striking out 8. F. Clarke went 4-5 with 3 singles and a homer, 3 runs and 2 rbi. Campanella also drives in 3 in the win.

Game #2: D Leonard vs. Glavine

NW – 5-8-0
JS – 0-4-3

WP – Leonard 12-5
LP – Glavine 9-3
Sv – None
HR – NW – Wynn (17)

Dutch Leonard was on fire in this one and the Salmonbellie offense put up 3 in the first, which was MORE than enough. Dihigo 2-5 and Toy Cannon Wynn 2-4 were the offensive heroes. Dutch Leonard went the distance giving up the 4 hits, walking no one and striking out 8. Good candidate for pitcher of the month.

Game #3: Doc Gooden vs. Sonny Siebert

NW 6-8-1
JS 3-7-1

WP – Gooden 9-3
LP – Siebert 4-9
Sv – Caudill 9
HR – NW – Clark (12), Wynn (18) JS – Martinez (9)

New Westminster again posts a 3 spot in the first and were never really in danger. Game was not as close as the score. Jimmy Wynn continued his hot hitting going 3-4 falling just a double short of the cycle. He also score a run and drove in 3. Jack Clark did some damage as well, going 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 rbi.

Game #4: June’s Pitcher of the Month Sam Leever vs. Hustler Ace Bill Byrd

NW 1-5-1
JS 4-9-3

WP – Byrd 7-4
LP – Leever 10-5
Sv – None
HR – None

The Hustler home losing streak is stopped at 14, as Bill Byrd was aceworthy going the distance giving up the 5 hits, an unearned run, walking 5 and striking out 7. Ducky Medwick was the offensive hero goign a perfect 3-3 with a double, run, rbi and a walk.

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Same result as last week. New Westminster takes the Hustlers to school taking 3 of 4. Jimmy Wynn would be the Player of the week nominee going 7-16 with a triple, 2 homers, 3 runs and 6 rbi. Dutch Leonard is worthy of pitcher of the week consideration as well.
Lewisberry Country Blumpkins @ Madison East Puregolders
Series Preview: Lewisberry Country Blumpkins (One of my favorite team names ever) at the Mighty Purgolders of Madison East.
Game #1: Orel Hershiser dominates, outdueling Jose Mesa by throwing a three-hit shutout at the hapless Purgolders. Lewisberry eeks out at 3-0 win.
Game #2: Josh Beckett for the Bad guys (I am a Cubs fans, and Beckett is using that damn 2003 Bartman tainted card…) vs. the highly honorable Vinegar Bend Mizell, a mid-season pickup simply because we like the nickname. Turns out he stinks on the mound too, giving up 3 in the third and 2 in the fourth for the loss. Bad guys 8-3.
Game #3: Babe Ruth vs. a guy who was not as fit as Babe, Mark Buerhle. Surely this cannot end badly? Or the Blumpkins could spurt out three in the 7th and three in the 9th to win 9-3. The Blumpkins look very comfortable and satisfied sitting back and experiencing victory shot after victory shot…..
Game #4: Jack Morris vs. Art Nehf. at least this time the Good guys were competitive, losing only 7-5. Trevor Hoffman snatches the baton and tugs it to victory.
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: The Purgolders swallowed this series sweep pretty hard. Managerr Rick Roeth was feeling very salty after the finale, asking the crowd “What beats a blumpkin?” No one had an answer….

Babe Ruth was 5-9 as the DH in the first two games, including missing the cycle by a HR in game 2 (ironic, right?) He also won game 3 as the starting pitcher.

Chicago Nine @ Wrigleyville Whales
Series Preview: Chicago Nine (43-42, .506, 4-GB) @ Wrigleyville Whales (31-54, .365, 27-GB)
Game #1: G-1- Stottlemyre v Coveliski. Pitching duel with Chicago prevailing by a 2-1 score! Mel (2-3, 3.24) hurled 7.1-Innings of 1-run, 5-hit ball and Jeff Nelson (Sv-14, 2.08) picked up save with 1.2-innings of no-hit ball. Bryant & Ivan Rodriguez drove in runs for Nine, while Ritchey supplied a solo homer, his 8th, for Wrigleyville. Coveleski (0-2, 8.68) tossed CG, allowing 8-hit with 6-walks in loss.

FINAL Nine 2 Whales 1

Game #2: G-2- Sabathia v Mays. Chicago took advantage of 2-Wrigleyville errors and won game-2 by a 4-2 score! CC (7-8, 5.48) scattered 7-hits and K’d 6 over 8-innings with Nelson coming on to earn his 15th save! Thompson & Richardson had 3-hits apiece for Nine and Bobby drove in 2-runs. Banks & Chapman had 2-hits each for Whales. Chicago stole 3-bases but was also nailed 3-times by Lollar.

FINAL Nine 4 Whales 2

Game #3: G-3- King Felix v Hunter. Catfish (1-1, 8.24) was roughed up for 4-runs on 8-hits and 7-walks but Whales offense woke up and scored 7-runs in 7-5 victory! Hunter allowed 2-HR’s, both solo homers by John Mayberry. Ernie Banks & Irish Meusel combined for a 7-7 game, 2-BB, scoring 2-runs and drive in 2-runs. Lazzeri (11) and Thome (1) cracked HR’s for Whales.

FINAL Whales 7 Nine 5

Game #4: G-4- Richard v McNally. A McNally error led to 3-unearned runs in 7-6 Chicago win! JD Martinez (11) smashed a 2-run-HR and Richardson drove in 2-runs for Nine. JR was roughed up for 5-runs over 4.1-Innings but Shields and Nelson combined for 4.2-innings of 1-run ball with Shields (5-2, 3.25) earning “W” and Nelson (2.18) Save # 16.

Yaz (5), Darrell Evans (1) and Lazzeri (12) clubbed HR’s in Whales loss.

FINAL Nine 7 Whales 6

Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Chicago out-scores Wrigleyville 18-16 and out-hit Whales 38-33 in 3-1 series win and Nelson earned 3-Saves! Whales out-homered Nine 6-3.
Middle Channel Sturgeon @ Menomonee Minutemen
Series Preview: Middle Channel at Menomonee
Game #1: MCS 1 MEN 9
W: John
L: CoombsMEN runs Sale from the game early scoring 6 in the first two innings, MCS never recovers.
Game #2: MCS 9 MEN 4
W: Scherzer
L: ScottMCS returns the favor from game 1 and ties the series.
Game #3: MCS 2 MEN 4
W: Gordon
L: Foster
S: RojasMCS takes the early lead but MEN takes the lead in the bottom of the 5th and never looks back.
Game #4: MCS 7 MEN 3
W: Leiter
L: HudsonMCS score 6 in the 6th and routes MEN
Game #5:  
Game #6:  
Game #7:  
Series Summary: Great series from both teams that ended in a split
Purry Cowpokes @ Las Vegas Pirates
Series Preview: This series was pitted to play 2 Pennsylvanian’s against each other. The Cowpokes record being far better than the Pirates, I expected dem cowpokes to reek havoc on these under tapped potential Buccos.
Game #1: In this game, the Pirates broke out to an early 1-0 lead until Purry broke thru to the “Candyman” John Candelaria in the 4th, & then again in the 6th & 7th to lead the Cowpokes to a 3-1 lead. That’s when the Pirates squeaked out 2 more single runs in the 6th & 8th, to tie the score at 3 until the 10th, where King Cecil Fielder did what Cecil has done all season long, as he did all year long, & hit a 2 run dinger, while his son Prince could only watch.
COWPOKES 3, PIRATES 5 (IN 10)
Game #2: This game the Cowpokes played it like expected. They broke ahead early & never looked back. With HR’s by Strong & Wells, which led the 14 hit attack. Javier Vazquez let his team with his 14th win while giving up only 1 earned run.
COWPOKES 9, PIRATES 4
Game #3: In this game, the game started out with the first 5 innings of shutout baseball to both potent offenses. Then after “Da Pokes” scored the games first run in the 6th, before these scrappy, crappy Pirates blew the doors off of this game over the next 3 innings, by scoring 9 unexpected runs, highlighted by Joe DiMaggio’s first HR of the year with the bases crammed with Bucs. Bob Buhl pitched 7 & 2/3 of 4 hit baseball. Also homering was Prince Fielder. One further note here. The Pirates finished with 9 runs on 9 hits. 2 HR’s & 7 doubles with no singles.
COWPOKES 3, PIRATES 9
Game #4: This game was Howie Camnitz’s first game back from the DL, & he wanted to show he belonged. He went 6 & 2/3 of scoreless 2 hit ball, with bat help by Dave Cash, Hal Smith, & Dick Groat, who all had 2 hits. The Cowpokes made a game of it in the 9th, with a 3 run HR by shortstop Wells. The game was capped off by Mariano Rivera’s 12th save as he lowered his ERA to a tiny 1.08 ERA.
COWPOKES 4, PIRATES 6
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Series Summary: The 4 game series had a lot of action on both sides, capped off by 6 HR’s by each side. The Pirates pulled off an extremely unexpected 3 out of 4 games win. Purry has a n exceptionally good team will be back for many years to come.
Kansas City Blues @ Kansas City A’s
Series Preview: Battle of Kansas City: The Blues 32-49 at the A’s 35-46.
Game #1: The A’s win 8-1 behind Fergie Jenkins 7 innings of 2 hit 1 run pitching, Hal Morris had the big hit with a pinch hit bases loaded clearing double in the 7th. Boog Powell homered for Blues only run.
Game #2: Blues even the series with a 11-7 victory, led by Delgado’s 2 homer 4 RBI game. Boog (Alou) Powell hit a 3 run shot and Jose Canseco drove in 3. Bobby Doerr had 3 hits and 3 RBI for the A’s.
Game #3: A’s win 9-3 behind Mort Cooper’s solid 7.2 of solid pitching and Bill White had 2 hits including a 3 run shot. Mort’s brother Walker contributed an RBI double, the Coopers graduated about 55 years ahead of Mgr. Alderson from William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO. as did President Harry Truman and legendary TV producer Paul Henning, the creator of the Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. Schulte homered for the Blues.
Game #4: A’s win game 4, 3-1 behind Eddie Cicotte’s 3 hit complete game.
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Series Summary: The A’s win the series 3 games to 1.
Indiana Indians @ Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The Indiana Indians visit Glenn Sample Field less than a week after the Cincinnati Knights went to the Hoosier State and participated in the first-ever ‘Battle of I-74’. The teams battle to a series split in the last series before the All-Star break, how would things turn out in the meeting right after?
Game #1: IND 4-5-0, CIN 6-14-1

Mike Scott worked eight and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs, while fanning seven for his seventh win. Five different Knights had multiple hit games and Cincinnati stranded 13 runners in the victory. Ted Williams chipped in with a homer for the winners.

Game #2: IND 1-4-2, CIN 2-5-0

In a pitchers duel, Stephen Strasburg went the distance, allowing a single earned run on four hits and struck out eleven in picking up his fifth win. David Price was brilliant in the loss as well, working eight and two-thirds innings — before Chick Hafey’s double walked it off for the Knights.

Game #3: IND 0-4-0, CIN 4-7-1

Reb Russell tossed a gem for Cincinnati, going eight shutout innings and surrendering three hits and amassing five Ks. Jason Giambi went two-for-three with a double and a pair of runs scored. Indiana suffered a blow when Julio Franco and Mickey Mantle collided on a fly ball in the sixth inning. Franco will miss six games and Mantle will be down nine.

Game #4: IND 1-5-0, CIN 6-8-0

Wilbur Wood’s lone start of the season was masterful. Wood allowed one unearned run in eight innings of work, holding the Indians to five hits and striking out three. Ted Williams paced the offense, going two-for-three with two RBI, a double and a homer.

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Series Summary: Cincinnati sweeps the four game set from Indiana, solidifying its hold on second place in the American League West. Indiana remains in the seventh in the American League East and has to head to Fort Worth for a showdown the the A.L. West leaders next week.
Fort Worth Cats @ Boston Braves
Series Preview: The Fort Worth Cats 52 games over 500 firmly fixed in first place in the American League west pulled into Boston solidly in the AL easts cellar. The Cats blitzkrieged their way to a four game sweep and a 81-25 season record.
Game #1: Justin Verlander held the Braves to 1 run posting his twelfth win. Lee May had two solo round trippers and Frank Chance two hits for the Cats. Dom DiMaggio, Adrian Gonzalez and Tony Conigliaro all had two safeties for the 6-1 losers.
Game #2: Greg Maddux won his fourteenth game in uncharacteristic fashion giving up three run in a 9-4 18 hit rout. Pete Runnels returning to he city where he won two AL batting titles lead the Cats offense with 3 hits Hunter Pence matched his hit total and five others collected two hits. Jeff Cirillo-s two hits and Freddy Sanchez’s 2 run triple were key hits for the Braves.
Game #3: Jim Kaat, one of my personal favorites, won his eleventh game in a 10-7 Cat win despite yielding 12 Brave safeties. Moises Alou ‘s grand slam and three hits each form Keith Hernandez and Willie Keeler were major clogs in the Cats offensive performance. Gabby Hartnett’s three hits, 2 hits each from Bo Jackson and Dom DiMaggio augmented by a Adrian Gonzalez homer fueled the Brave offense.
Game #4: The Fort Worth hit parade continued in a game four in a17-4 23 hit explosion. Moises Alou enjoyed a perfect 4 for 4 day at the plate Frank Homerun Baker and Hunter Pence each had three hit, two of Pence’s were home runs in the Cats batting practice of a game. Tony Conigliaro and Gabby Hartnett each had 2 hits for the Braves. Hartnett’s heroics pushed his season average to .300. When your in the cellar count your blessing even the small ones.
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Series Summary: The Fort Worth Cats sweep of the Braves advanced their admirable record to 81-25 and an apparent strangle hold on first place in the Al West. If they loose the entire rest of their season games the will not fall bel0ow 500. Jarl Jackson has created a superbly constructed and played team as well as possession of one of the LEG’s best senses of humor.
Clockwork Heros @ Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: Coastline hosts Clockwork in a 4 game series coming out of the All-Star break.

Series played via TeamViewer

Game #1: CWH gets on the board in the T2 when Terry 1bs, Wakefield rips an rbi-3b, Schoendienst then plates Wakefield with a rbi-groundout. In the CWH T3 Mathewson 1bs, Santop reaches on a FC, steals 2nd, and scores on a Foster rbi-1b. Foster would then score when Gehrig misplays Ripken’s throw on a Terry grounder. CWH adds 1 more in the T6 on singles by Bradley, Wakefield, and Schoendienst. CWH Mathewson is strong through 6 innings before giving up a solo-HR to Wilson in the B7. CLB M.Williams hits a solo-HR in the B8 to close out the scoring. CWH Tekulve comes on in the B9 to close out the game. Mathewson ends up with 12Ks and goes to 15-3 on the season, Tekulve picks up his 21st save. CLB Swift falls to 9-7 with the loss.

CWH 5, CLB 2

Game #2: CWH jumps on Finley quickly in the T1 when Dykstra bbs, Santop plates him with a H&R rbi-2b, Foster 1bs, and Terry hits a Sac Fly. CWH adds another in the T2 on a Uhle solo-HR. In the B3 CLB Becker hits a solo-HR. But CWH gets the run right back in the T4 with a Bradley solo-HR. CLB Ripken hits a solo-HR in the B4 to bring the score to 4-2 CWH. That’s the way the game would end as both bullpens are strong and close out the game with scoreless innings. CWH Gromek gets the win in relief, Tekulve gets his 22nd save, and CLB Finley falls to 11-4 on the season.

CWH 4, CLB 2

Game #3: CWH opens up the scoring in the T1 again when Wakefield 1bs and Vaughan hits a 2-run HR. In the CWH T3 Vaughan hits a solo-HR, his 2nd of the game. CLB Jenkins hits a 2-run HR in the B6 to bring the game within 1 run. But CWH puts the game away with 3 run in the T8 off CLB ALbers and Marshall with the big hit being a Terry 2-run 2b. CWH adds another in the T9. CLB doesn’t score after the 6th and its another CWH win. CWH Blyleven is strong going 8IP, giving up only 3 hits while fanning 5.
Blyleven goes to 12-4 with the win and Stieb falls to 10-4 with the loss.CWH 7, CLB 2
Game #4: CWH decides to give Kluber a start and he doesn’t disappoint as he goes 7IP giving up only 4 hits and 1 run. Kluber, the 8 graded starter pitches like a 20, while CLB Brown, the 20 grade, pitches like the grade 8. CWH got all the run it would need in the T1 on a Terry 3-run HR. Terry would add another solo-HR in the T3. CWH cruises to a 5-1 win and the sweep. CLB lone run came on a Becker solo-HR in the B6.
CWH Kluber goes to 2-0 with the win and K.Brown is now 10-7 with the loss.CWH 5, CLB 1
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Series Summary: Clockwork solidifies it claim to the best team in the NL with the 4 game sweep over Coastline. Coastline is left wondering what happened to its offense that had done so well against the other pitching rich teams in the NL West. Coastline hopes to have another shot at Clockwork in the playoffs.
Detroit DeLoreans @ Wainwright Wranglers
Series Preview: Battle of a contender and non contender
Game #1: over early as Detroit hammers on Nate Rucker for fpor 7 runs in an inning and a third and cruize to a 12-4 victory
Game #2: Detroit hammers 11 hits off ace Lefty grove and cruise to a 7-3 victory
Game #3: Wainwrights pitching continues to shit the bed as Detroit hammers them again in a 8-4 victory
Game #4: A continuation of the first three games and Wainwright starters all sucking as Detroit cruises to a 6-3 victory
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Series Summary: Pretty easy series to summarize if you get pitching and hit you win if you dont you lose. To frustrated for much of a right up I thought we were better than this going into season. I didnt draft to win this year but thought we be competitive
Fire Lake Segers @  Fantomz Force
Series Preview: The Fire Lake Segers traveled to Force Field to start the second half against the Fantomz Force … Fire Lake won three of four in their meeting just before the all-star break, with the Force hoping to regain some last ground …
Game #1: Game 83 – Ron Guidry ‘83 (6-8) v. Satchel Paige ‘41 (11-7)

Fantomz 4-3 (10): Fire Lake wasted no time scoring, as Vida Pinson scored on Kal Daniels’ 2nd-inning double. The Force tied the game in the 4th on Larry Doby’s longball and inched ahead in the 5th on Gil McDougald’s blast. The Force clung to that 2-1 lead until the 9th inning when Gus Bell deposited a Jeff Russell offering into the right-field seats. The Force tied the game in the bottom half when McDougald doubled home John Stone. In the 10th, Mel Harder, who entered the game to pitch the top half, doubled home Ray Lankford with the winning run.

W – Harder (3-3) L – Morris (4-4)

Game #2: Game 84 – David Cone ‘98 (5-8) v. Gaylord Perry ’74 (9-5)

Fire Lake 5-1: David Cone pitched an excellent eight innings, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out nine. Daniels paced Fire Lake’s offense with a 3-for-3 night, driving in two runs. Eric Davis drove home two 9th-inning runs with a pinch-hit single. Fantomz’s lone run came courtesy of backup catcher Al Lopez’s first home run this season.

W – Cone (6-8) L – Perry (9-6)

Game #3: Game 85 – Eppa Rixey ’28 (3-1) v. Carl Weilman ’14 (6-10)

Fire Lake 5-2: The teams exchanged runs during the 4th inning, then the Segers went ahead in the 5th inning and added two runs during the following frame, highlighted by Tony Perez’s second double. Perez doubled three times and drove home two runs while pinch-hitter and second baseman Dennis Menke went 3-for-3 with two rbi. Rixey allowed one run over five innings for his fourth win.

W – Rixey (4-1) L – Weilman (6-11)

Game #4: Game 84 – Dennis McLean ’68 (6-7) v. Stan Coveleski ‘23 (1-10)

Fire Lake 6-5 (10): The Segers struck first with two 1st-inning runs, but the Force rallied to tie the game Honus Wagner’s two-run triple then moved ahead on Ray Lankford’s two-run 2nd-inning clout. The Segers inched ahead in the 6th inning highlighted by a Menke two-run triple. The Force tied the game in the 8th, but Scott Rolen’s 10th-inning homer run off closer Jeff Russell gave Fire Lake the winning margin.

W – Smoltz (4-2) L – Russell (1-3)

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Series Summary: Fire Lake repeated their earlier series win against Fantomz by taking three of four with Fantomz’ coaching staff left scratching their heads wondering about the ineffectiveness of the bullpen.

Player of the Week nominee: Fire Lake’s Dennis Menke hit 4-for-6 with four rbi.

Pitcher of the Week nominee: Fire Lake’s David Cone, for allowing one run over eight innings for his sixth win and a 73 Game Score.

Virginia Cavaliers @ Hollywood Zombies
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Series Summary: Hollywood drops 3 of 4 to Virginia
Climax Cougars @ Motown Yankees
Series Preview: 2 bad teams going nowhere, even against each other. Apologies to Nik that we couldn’t once again laugh about our teams futility in person.
Game #1: Van Lingle Mungo is all you need to know – 2-0 Complete Game shutout, with run scoring doubles in the 5th and 6th from Johnny Mize and Harlond Clift …….Wainwright takes the loss to drop to 9-6
Game #2: Greg Harris pitched 5 no-hit innings in relief, and Mel Ott hit a 2 run blast in the top of the 14th to tag 18 rated Addie Joss with his 10th loss of the season. He went all 14 for his trouble.
Game #3: Dave Brown picked up win #10 and Steve Mingori finally shut down a team for an inning to pick up his 4th save. Stan Hack went 3-3 with 2 RBI’s, while Climax managed 4 hits and a single earned run, dropping game 3 4-3.
Game #4: Looked like Motown and Carl Hubbell were looking at a series loss as Climax capitalized on 3 Motown 8th inning errors to plate 2 runs and take a 3 run lead. True to form, Climax gave up 3 between the 8th and 9th, while plating the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Both teams combined to leave 15 on base.
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Series Summary: True to form – 2 teams with higher hopes continue to tread water on the outside of the playoff picture.
San Tan Valley  Moonrakers @ Nags Head Surf Sox
Series Preview: SAN TAN VALLEY MOONRAKERS (44-37) vs. NAGS HEAD SURF SOX (37-44)

As the 2nd half of the season begins, San Tan Valley looks to avenge a 3-1 series loss to the Sox in the series preceding the All Star break. Nags Head is on their strongest stretch of the season so far, winners of 8 of their last 10.

Game #1: Ed Walsh (3-2 3.38) vs. Cole Hamels (5-5 4.27)

Bottom 2 – Tim McCarver SAC fly scores Giancarlo Stanton with the game’s first run. NH 1-0

Top 3 – After pitcher Ed Walsh gets his first hit of the season, Oscar Charleston clubs a Cole Hamels pitch over the right centerfield fence to put San Tan up 2-1

Bottom 3 – Jimmie Foxx’s 17th home run of the season; NH reclaims the lead 3-2

Bottom 4 – Following a Derek Jeter 2 out single, Cole Hamels collects his first double and RBI of the season – NH 4-2

Top 5 – Gus Triandos’ 4th homerun of the season scores Sherry Magee and ties the game at 4

The two squads exchange zeros until the 10th –

Top 10 – NH calls on their ace closer, Francisco Cordero, with a 0.33 ERA and 15 saves, he’s feeling a little slighted for being left off the All Star Team … it all must have gotten into his head because he wasn’t his normal sharp self, walking Charleston and Cedeno to start the inning. Trosky then doubles to score Charlston for a 5-4 Moonraker lead. Vern Stephens then steps to the plate and smacks a double of his own, plating both runners and STV has a 7-4 lead.

Bottom 10 – Sparky Lyle comes in to pitch the 10th for the Moonrakers. Nags Head puts 2 runners on, but Lyle gets HOJO to fly out to end the game and preserve the victory for STV.

Dawson had 3 hits for the Sox. Charleston, Stephens, and Triandos each had a pair of RBIs, and Hadley tosses 3 innings of one hit, shut out, ball to get the win for STV.

STV 7 9 0
SOX 4 11 0
WP – Hadley (7-5)
LP – Cordero (2-2)
S – Lyle (8)

Game #2: Eric Gagne (1-4 5.56) vs. Joaquin Andujar (4-12 5.28)

Top 4 – Bob Elliot’s home run, #10, a solo shot, and Vern Stephens’ 2 run blast, his 21st, put STV up 3-0. Later in the inning, Averill triples and scores on a Piazza RBI single and the Moonrakers lead 4-0

Bottom 4 – Andre Dawson’s solo homerun (#13) puts the Sox on the board

Bottom 5 – Von Hayes’ RBI single scores Gary Carter and cuts the Moonraker lead to 4-2.

Bottom 7 – Gagne, who had pitched well through 6, starts the 7th issuing back to back walks to Samuel and Sandberg. Muddy Harris pulls Gagne for Sparky Lyle. A Kingman RBI single scores Samuel to make it a one run game. Andre Dawson follows with a blast to left, his 2nd homerun of the game, and the Sox are in front 6-4

Charlton tosses a scoreless 8th, and Cordero returns to his dominating self in the 9th to even the series.

Averill and Piazza each had two hits for STV, Dawson led the Sox with 2 homeruns and 4 RBIs

STV 4 7 0
SOX 6 7 0
WP – Watson (2-0)
LP – Lyle (4-2)
S – Cordero (16)

Game #3: Randy Johnson (11-3 1.65) vs. Zane Smith (3-1 3.38)

Bottom 1 – The Sox get to Randy Johnson early, Von Hayes picks up a one out single. Jimmie Foxx follows with a rocket to left, a 2 run homerun, #18 on the year, NH 2-0

Top 6 – Zane Smith, masterfully is tossing a one hitter. With 2 outs, Cedeno slugs one to center that goes off Von Hayes’ glove … a 4 base error that cuts the Sox lead in half, 2-1. The error ends Hayes’ 62 game streak without an error. So, what happens on the next play, Trosky smacks one to Hayes … off his glove AGAIN … Trosky makes it to third on the back to back errors on Hayes! Smith does get Stephens to bounce out to end the inning and cling to the one run lead.

Bottom 7 – Gary Carter’s solo homerun gives NH a little breathing room 3-1

Other than a Jimmy Williams single, Smith shuts down the Moonrakers to best Randy Johnson on this afternoon. Both starters go the distance an pitch well – Johnson scatters 5 hits, but 2 are homeruns.

Smith only allows 2 hits and the unearned run, while striking out 5, making a strong claim to a permanent position in the starting rotation.

STV 1 2 2
SOX 3 5 2
WP – Smith (4-1)
LP – Johnson (11-4)

Game #4: Rafael Soriano (0-2 5.06) vs. Mike Mussina (6-6 3.61)

Top 3 – Trosky’s RBI single scores Bob Elliott to put the Moonrakers up 1-0

Soriano and Mussina shut down the opponent offenses until the Sox break through in the bottom of the 7th. HOJO draws a walk to start the inning. He steals second. McCarver then skies one to Cedeno in left … Cedeno drops it, putting runners at the corners. Jeter comes to the plate and lines a single to right to score Johnson and tie the game. Dave Kingman is called on to bat for Mussina and he delivers a single to score McCarver and put Nags Head up 2-1. The Moonrakers will use Lyle and Garrelts in the inning, but when the dust clears 7 Sox runs score, the big hit, an Andre Dawson 3 run double. 7-1 Sox after 7.

Top 8 – with a 6 run lead, Mitch Williams makes his LEG debut … and it goes about as well as you would expected … Wild Thing does manage to get one out, but he allows 4 hits and a run before leaving with the bases loaded. Charlton comes in to face the left-handed hitting Earl Averill. Averill flies out to left, scoring Elliot, before Charlton retires the side. NH 7-3

Bottom 8 – Mike Marshall’s first LEG homerun, a solo shot, puts NH up 8-3

Dan Quisenberry tosses a scoreless 9th to preserve the Sox victory.
The top 4 in the STV lineup get two hits each in this one, Trosky adds a pair of RBIs, Elliot scores twice. Dawson’s 3 RBIs, and Mussina’s 7 inning, 5 hit 1 run effort lead the home team.

STV 3 10 2
SOX 8 11 0
WP – Mussina (7-6)
LP – Soriano (0-3)

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Series Summary: Zane Smith’s 2 hitter, and Andre Dawson’s 6 hit, 7 RBI performance in the series lead the Sox, and Nags Head’s surge toward the .500 mark continues, as the squad now sits at 40-45
Iowa Giants @ West Michigan Retrogrades
Series Preview: With the All-Star break in view, the red-hot West Michigan Retrogrades (48-33) host the Iowa Giants (29-52) in a four game series.
Game #1: The second half of the season got off to a rough start for Iowa in the bottom of the 1st when leadoff hitter Heavy Johnson “hit a drive deep to left field carrying and BELL ’27 makes a great catch and slams into the wall! But he has the ball in his mitt! for out number one. BELL ’27’s down and it doesn’t look good. He’s shaken up and he won’t be able to continue let’s hope he returns soon for the GIANTS sake and he gets a big hand from the crowd. The report from the clubhouse… the GIANTS left fielder James Cool Papa BELL ’27 injured for 14 days.
Luckily, the Giants had Bob Feller on the mound, who for 6 innings nearly single-handedly beat the Retrogrades.
West Michigan got the scoring starting in the second when Adrian Beltre doubled in Max Carey.
The Giants tied the game in the top of the third when Christian Yelich doubled in Chet Lemon. Then they took the lead in the fifth when Bob Feller smashed a hanging Curt Davis curveball into the leftfield stands.
The Retrogrades tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Robinson Cano doubled home Bobby Veach.
Feller was at again in the seventh when he blasted another pitch over the wall, this time in center, to put the Giants ahead.
Goose Gossage took over for Feller in the seventh but he ran into trouble in the eighth when Heavy Johnson turned around a 99 MPH fastball and smoked it over the fence in left.
A tired Goosage gave way to Tom Niedenfeuer in the bottom of the 9th. Niedenfeuer, unfortunately for the Giants, was channeling the 1985 playoffs and served up a cock shot to Max Carey, who drilled it into the right field stands for the walk-off game winning home run!
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 3, RETROGRADES 4
Game #2: The Retrogrades jumped on the Giant’s Dizzy Dean early when Robinson Cano launched a 3-run homer in the second inning. That’s all the support Urban Shocker would need in his seven innings of work. West Michigan would tag on three more runs in the next three innings with RBI from George Sisler, Adrian Beltre, and Heavy Johnson. Duke Snider and Tommy Davis each had three hits a piece.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 1, RETROGRADES 6
Game #3: West Michigan got the bats going early, tagging Iowa for four runs in the first, to cruise to victory. Bill Dickey hit a big home run in the first inning. Tommy Davis added a homer of his own later. Adrian Beltre and Bobby Wallace had three hits a piece. Willie Foster pitched seven inning, only giving up one earned run for the victory to lower his season ERA to 2.62.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 1, RETROGRADES 10
Game #4: The story of this game was Hal Schumacher, who pitched a complete game shutout, scattering 7 hits, striking out five and improving his season record to 11-3. More than that, Schumacher was also the best hitter in this contest, going 2-3 and hitting his fourth home run of the season. He also improved his batting average to .349. If LEG had a Silver Slugger award, he’d be in the running for the NL honor.
FINAL SCORE : GIANTS 0, RETROGRADES 2
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Series Summary: West Michigan sweeps Iowa with two games being close and two games being lopsided. Player of the Week candidates would be Hal Schumacher with his complete game shutout (SC 74) while going 2 for 3 with a homer. Iowa’s Joe Morgan should be considered for POW for his 6-17 series with two SBs.
Iowa now sits at 29-56; West Michigan is 52-33.
Pigtown Bombers @ Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: Pigtown travels to Hoboken to carry us into the All-Star break.
Game #1: Noodles Hahn was brilliant scattering 8 hits over 8 innings. Hahn improved his record to 13-6, 1.61era. Roy Halladay got roughed taking an early third-inning exit. His record dropped to 3-3, 6.52era. Stan Spence and Frank Duncan had 3 knocks each, Jud Wilson a two-run blast and Noodles drove in 3 to help his own cause as the Zephyrs routed the Bombers.
Hoboken 9 Pigtown 1
Game #2: Red Faber twirled a lovely two-hitter allowing a late solo blast to Benny Kauff. Faber’s record improved to 10-6, 2.25era. Eddie Stanky went 3 for 3 scoring 3 runs out of the leadoff spot for Hoboken. Stan Spence chipped in two hits and two rbis. Jim Abbott’s record dropped to 2-12, 3.45era.
Hoboken 5 Pigtown 1
Game #3: Hoboken was able to take a wild seesaw victory in 10 innings. Pigtown was led by Bobby Grich and Manny Ramirez both with two-run homers. Ewell Blackwell earned the win in long relief improving his record to3-7, 3.65era. Jeff Heath led the Zephyrs with 4 rbis and Bill Dahlen had 3 hits.
Hoboken 8 Pigtown 7 10 innings
Game #4: Joe McGinnity made Hank Greenberg’s first inning two-run blast hold up. McGinnity allowed just one earned over 7 innings; a solo shot by Frank Duncan. McGinnity’s record improved to 9-7, 3.93era as John Franco came on to earn his 4th save. Jud Wilson also chipped in a solo homer for Hoboken. Tom Seaver, working on long rest, took an early exit. Seaver’s record dropped to 12-4, 3.30era.
Pigtown 4 Hoboken 2
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Series Summary: Hoboken took 3 of 4 from a struggling Bomber outfit. The Zephyrs leaned heavily on their 1-2 punch of Noodles Hahn and Red Faber to take the first two games. Pigtown escaped a sweep behind Joe McGinnity’s strong outing in Game 4.

LEG PLAYER OF THE MONTH – JUNE SEASON 1

American League Pitcher of the Month – Sam Leever – New Westminster Salmonbellies

Sam Leever narrowly edged out Justin Verlander who was vying for his second consecutive PotM award. Leever won on the strength of his 6-0 record with two complete games in six starts in which he posted a 2.10 ERA and allowed just 29 hits in 47 innings.

Other worthy candidates for this award were:
2nd – Justin Verlander (FWC – 14 votes)
3rd – Jake Weimer (PUR – 7 votes)

National League Pitcher of the Month –  Willie Foster – West Michigan Retrogrades

Willie Foster dominated NL hitters throughout the month of May posting a minuscule 1.31 ERA over 48 innings in which he allowed just 28 hits and 8 walks. No small wonder he cruised to a 5-1 mark which included two complete games and a shutout.

Other worthy candidates for this award were:
2nd – Christy Mathewson (CWH – 12 votes)
3rd – Randy Johnson (SAN – 8 votes)

 

American League Player of the Month –   Tris Speaker – Purry Cowpokes

Unlike the pitcher voting, there was no contest for the top prize among AL hitters. Sir Tris massacred pitching all month posting an eye-popping .450 average (27/60), .515 OBP (8 walks), and .950 SLG (13 doubles, a triple, 5 homers, and 18 RBIs). And just for the hell of it, he stole a couple of bases.

Other worthy, but far distant candidates for this award were:
2nd – Joe Medwick (JSH– 10 votes)
3rd – John Mayberry (CHI – 6 votes)

National League Player of the Month – Ripper Collins – Detroit Deloreans

Ripping pitchers a new one was regularly on the menu for this Motor City masher. Collins hammered his way to 14 homers in the month and then tacked on 10 doubles and a triple while driving in 26 and scoring 26. That .388/.434/.939 slash line is just plain nasty. Nice going, sir.  Like in the AL, a pretty easy choice to top honors.

Other worthy candidates for this award were:
2nd – Mel Ott (CMC – 12 votes)
3rd – Tommy Davis (WMR – 3 votes)

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #15

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Randy Johnson – San Tan Valley

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts, & 2 walks

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Orel Hershiser  – Lewisberry

1-0 record,  9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, & 2 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Heavy Johnson – West Michigan

.438 avg / 0.813 slg, 7 for 16, 1 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3  runs, 7 RBIs, 4 walks, & 3 stolen bases

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Tris Speaker  – Purry

.500 avg / 1.429 slg, 7 for 14, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 5 runs, 6 RBIs, 1 walk, & 1 stolen base Continue reading “2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #15”

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #14

 

National League Pitcher of the Week – Mario Soto – Fire Lake Segers

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 3 hits, 10 strikeouts,  & 1 walk

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Justin Verlander  – Fort Worth Cats

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts, & 1 walk

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Chuck Klein  – Detroit Deloreans

.615 avg / 1.308 slg, 8 for 13, 6 doubles, 1 home run, 3  runs, & 2 RBIs, 2nd consecutive week

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Shoeless Joe Jackson  – Madison East Puregolders

.533 avg / 1.133 slg, 8 for 15, 1 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers, 3 runs, 6 RBIs, & 4 walks Continue reading “2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #14”

2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #13

National League Pitcher of the Week – Satchel Paige – Fantomz Force

1-0 record, 9.0  innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts,  &1 walk, Anyone else tired of this guy’s brilliance?

 

 

 

 

American League Pitcher of the Week – Gene Conley  – Boston Braves

1-0 record, 9 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 9 strikeouts, & 3 walks

 

 

 

National League Player of the Week – Chuck Klein  – Detroit Deloreans

.381 avg / 0.810 slg, 8 for 21,  3 doubles, 2 home runs, 5  runs, & 7 RBIs

 

 

 

American League Player of the Week – Sal Bando  – Cincinnati Knights

.500 avg / 1.500 slg, 5 for 10, 1 double, 3 homers, 3 runs, 9 RBIs & 1 walk

 

Continue reading “2020 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #13”