PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #8

·         Dallas Cougars @ Detroit Crime

Game #1:

7th inning GS by Smoak gives Detroit 7-5 win

Game #2:

3 hit shutout by Villanuava Detroit 2-0

Game #3:

Detroit wins a tight one 4-3

Game #4:

Strasburg and Benoit combine to get a 3-1 victory

Game #5:

Longo gets 5 RBIs and Detroit wins 9-4

Game #6:

Detroit gets 4 HRs as Detroit takes this one 10-4

Series Summary *

Detroit wins series 6-0 over Dallas; 4 of the games decided by 2 runs or less

Fremont Cannons @ Chicago Mobsters

Series Preview

Fremont heads into the Windy City for a six game set with a day off in the middle and end of series. Maybe a time to get players healthy.

Game #1:

Adam Wainwright (7-0 1.92) picks up the win in his only start of the series. Waino goes 7 allowing no runs. Andrelton Simmons has a solid day for Chicago going 2 for 4 with 2 Doubles and 4 RBI’s.
Final Score: Chicago 6 – Fremont 1

Game #2:

Josh Beckett pitches well for 7 innings for Chicago in a game that goes 12 innings. Fremont puts up 13 Hits, and gets 2 in the 12th to win it. Justin Morneau is 2 for 5 with 3 RBI’s. Kevin Gregg (2-0 2.54) picks up the win for Fremont & Dann Farquhar gets his 7th save on the season. Andrew McCutchen is 4 for 6 for the Mobsters.
Final Score: Fremont 5 – Chicago – 4

Game #3:

Chris Sale (3-5 3.74) who’s been a tough luck loser as of late pitches well for the Mobsters. 8 Strong innings, followed up by Aroldis Chapman’s 18th save. Dexter Fowler is 3 for 4 & a walk.
Final Score: Chicago 5 – Fremont 2

Game #4:

Felix Hernandez (9-1 2.69) suffers his 1st loss of the year as he gets pounded for 9 earned runs over 6 innings. Logan Morrison is 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s & Wilin Rosario is 3 for 5 with 2 RBI’s for the Cannons. Ross Detwiler (1-5 5.44) gets the win for Fremont.
Final Score: Fremont 9 – Chicago – 3

Game #5:

C.C. Sabathia (1-2 3.46) goes 9 for Chicago, allowing only a solo Home Run to Chris Johnson in the top of the 9th. Kevin Slowey matches Sabathia, but after a lead off double in the bottom of the 9th, clinging to a 1-0 lead, Slowey is pulled for Danny Farquhar (0-1 1.08) who gives up a 2-Run Walk Off Home Run to Buster Posey. Chicago wins it with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th.
Final Score: Chicago 2 – Fremont 1

Game #6:

Samuel Deduno (2-1 2.41) goes 7.1 innings and allows only 3 earned run. Danny Farquhar gets back on track with his 8th save of the season. Brandon Phillips is 3 for 3. Chris Johnson is 3 for 5 with a Solo Home Run.
Final Score: Fremont 5 – Chicago – 3

Series Summary *

Fremont always plays Chicago tough and splits the series 3-3 with the Mobsters.

·         Bethesda Bandicoots @ Hollywood Werewolves

Series Summary *

Hollywood takes 5 of 6

·         Motor City Muscle @ Valdosta Snappers

Series Preview

Motor City @ Valdosta in a battle of second division clubs.

Series Summary *

Valdosta gets some offense for a change and takes 4 of 6 from the Muscle.

Selkirk Steelers @ Jersey Nor’easters

Series Preview

Two sub-500 teams square off.

Game #1:

Little used and little thought of Liam Hendricks gets the call for the Nor’easters and responds by throwing a complete game 11-hitter. Jersey wins 5-1.

Game #2:

Tim Lincecum was a bit shaky for the Nor’easters but hangs on to win the game 4-3. Bryan Shaw gets a save.

Game #3:

Jose Quintana pitches a strong game for Jersey and rides a 3-run homer in the second inning by Brandon Barnes to notch a win. Jersey win 3-1.

Game #4:

Selkirk strikes back. Two homers from Pablo Sandoval and one by Matt Adams plus the strong pitching by Jeremy Heffner bring Selkirk a 6-1 win.

Game #5:

Hyun-Jin Ryu is a stopper. He follows a loss with 8-innings of 3-hit shutout ball and wins 8-0 lowering his era for the year to 1.97. Howir Kendrick and Brandon Barnes homer for Jersey.

Game #6:

This was the game of the year for Jersey and a potential back-breaker for Selkirk. Trailing 6-0 in the 8th inning Jersey scores one in the 8th and 6 runs in the 9th. Yunel Escobar hits a walk-off grand slam. The Nor’easters win 7-6

Series Summary *

Jersey wins 5 of 6 but still remains below 500 for the year. Selkirk appears to be headed for a high draft pick.

Elyria Indians @ Coconut Creek Crushers

Series Preview

Two potential playoff teams square off.

Game #1:

Jordan Zimmerman gives up 2 solo HR’s but that’s it in a 3-2 ELY win.

Game #2:

The Crushers live up to our name by hitting 6 HR’s (5 solo) in a 7-6 CCC win.

Game #3:

All Jarrod Parker in a complete game 4-0 ELY win.

Game #4:

Geovany Soto gets a rare spot start and it pays off. He hits two 2B’s and a 2-run HR to lead CCC to a 5-3 win.

Game #5:

All pitching as Matt Garza outduels Matt Moore for a CCC 2-1 win.

Game #6:

Ervin Santana is sharp in a 3-1 CCC win.

Game #7:

Ubaldo Jiminez and CCC cruise into the 8th inning with a 5-2 lead. ELY’s offense finally breaks out. They pound on the CCC bullpen and tie it up 5-5 after 8. Todd Helton drives a 2-out pitch from CCC closer Melancon for a run scoring 2B to give ELY a 6-5 lead going to the bottom of the 9th. Lefty Justin Wilson comes on to face leadoff hitter Domonic Brown and he gets him easily. Next up is Josh Donaldson who draws a walk. Up comes Mike Napoli. ELY lets the lefty Wilson stay in to face him. Big mistake as Napoli clubs a 2-run walkoff HR to win the game for CCC 7-6.

Series Summary *

CCC wins the series 5-2.

Clovis Wheat Kings @ Tempe Tempers

Series Preview

The first place Wheat Kings traveled to Tempe for a six game series

Game #1:

Tempe broke open a close game in the 8th with four runs. Tempe 9-4.

Game #2:

Cano slugged a 2 run HR and Colon gave up 1 hit over 7 inning. Holland the save. Tempe 2-0

Game #3:

Beltre slugged a 2 run HR in the 7th and the pen shut the door again. Tempe 2-1

Game #4:

More great pitching. Cano HR was all Iwakuma and Holland needed. Tempe 2-0.

Game #5:

Liriano went 8 inning and Chacin when 9 inning giving up only 2 hits each. Tempe’s pen finally failed in the 11th as Rollins drove the first run of the game. Hunter added one more for insurance. Clovis 2-0 11inn

Game #6:

Tempe’s pen blew a second game in a row to Rollins. Rollins hit a massive three run HR in the 7th and Grilli picked up his second save of the series.
Clovis 5-4

Series Summary *

Outstanding pitching during the entire series. Tempe wins the series 4-2, but just about every game came down to one or two plays.

·         Pittsburgh Lumber Company @ Yonge Street Stalkers

Series Preview

The Lumber Co. staggers north of the border, hoping to snap a 2 game losing skid. PIT enters the tilt holding a slim lead in the ultra competitive ALE. If history is a guide…I foresee good pitching and not much offense.

Game #1:

Stop the presses…a pitchers duel. Gerrit Cole and the YSS pen hand Annibal Sanchez (6-1) his first loss of the young season. The “Lumber Company” managed 4 singles. YSS 1 – PIT 0

Game #2:

Felix Doubront flipped the game 1 script. He combined with 2 PIT relievers on the shutout. Shelby Miller (1-5, 3.24 ERA) continues to shine in his role as tough luck loser. PIT 2 – YSS 0

Game #3:

I shit you not…Ivan Nova was awesome. 9 innings, 4 hits, 0 walks, 14 K. 30 batters faced. The hulking Darin Ruf hit a solo shot for the only damage. YSS 2 – PIT 1

Game #4:

It was Verlanders turn to allow 0 or 1 run. The Lumber Co. brought the wood today. Adam Lind led the way with a pair of 2 run HRs. S. Marte injured 6 days. PIT 8 – YSS 1

Game #5:

PIT scored 2 in the 8th to take a 4-2 lead, but the home team answered with 3 in the bottom half. The YSS pen continued it’s surprising good-ness. YSS 5 – PIT 4

Game #6:

Just to show it wasn’t a fluke (it WAS a fluke), the Stalkers beat the piss out of Annibal Sanchez (2.2 IP, 9H,3BB,2K,6ER). Hammerin’ Hank Conger hit 2 HRs for the victors. YSS 7 – PIT 3

Game #7:

Felix “da stoppuh” Doubront is strong and notches his 2nd win of the series. PIT 4 – YSS 2

Series Summary *

The Stalkers were very close to taking the series 5 games to 2, but Doubront was too strong. The lack of offense from the home team is getting tiresome. PIT heads home to host CCC, while YSS stays put and hosts the Cougars from Dallas.

·         Sacramento Capitals @ Iron City Yinzers

Series Summary * 

Iron City wins 6 out of 7.

·         New York Outlaws @ Roseville Thorns

Series Summary *

New York takes the series 5 games to 2

·         Traverse City Crusaders @ Virginia Sluggers

Series Preview

Traverse City 9-36 comes to VIR 29-17

Game #1:

VIR 2-0 Cahill goes 8 scatters 5 hits no runs. Carpenter gets save #13.

Game #2:

VIR 8-5 Santana goes deep and collects 4 RBI. Walker hits his 10th as VIR gets 3 in the 10th to win.

Game #3:

TCC 1-0 Gallardo tosses 1-hit shutout. Scherzer’s error in 8th allows games only run.

Game #4:

VIR 8-2 Homers by Schierholtz, Santana, and Flaherty lead Sluggers.

Game #5:

VIR 9-3 Tillman pitches CG 4-hitter with 11 K’s. D.Adams flexes muscle with 2 homers 4 RBI. Dozier hits his 5th long ball for TCC.

Game #6:

TCC 6-5 4 run 1st keyed by Dozier’s 2-RBI single gives TCC early lead, B.Bantz clinches it with a 2-run double in the 5th.

Game #7:

VIR 7-3 Lyles gets 1st victory with help of Santana’s 2 homers and 4 RBI. N.Walker (thanks Stray) gets his 11th long ball. T.Fraizer was 4-5 for TCC.

Series Summary *

VIR takes 5 of 7. They won’t catch Hollywood,…but the question is will they stay in front of Coconut Creek?

Columbus Explorers @ Camarillo Quest

Series Preview

A couple of teams hanging around 500 to square off for a 7 game series.

Series Summary *

Behind some strong hitting for their pitching (Dickey key triple in game 6 and CJ Wilson home run in game 7), Camarillo takes the final 2 games of the series to win 4 games to 3.

Tijuana Bottle Rockets @ Southbend Lynx

Series Preview

Southbend hosts Tijuana for a 6 game series.

Game #1:

TIJ I.Kennedy goes 7 and get help from the bullpen to hold on for the win. The big hit for TIJ was a 2-run 2b in the 7th by Puig to give TIJ a 4-2 lead. The Lynx got 1 back in the 7th on a Crisp rbi-groundout, but Kennedy finished the 7th before giving way to the pen. Cotts picks up his 5th save. TIJ 4, SBL 3

Game #2:

TIJ T.Roark is the story in this game as he goes 8 strong inning giving up only 2 hits and 1 run. The lone SBL run came on a Trumbo rbi-2b in the 4th. The TIJ runs come on a Zobrist 2-run 2b in the 3rd and a Butler rbi-1b in the 4th. Cotts picks up his 6th save for TIJ. TIJ 3, SBL 1

Game #3:

SBL finally get in the win column, but almost threw the game away giving up 4 unearned runs. J.Upton hits a Grand Slam in the 6th for a 6-3 TIJ lead. But SBL gets back within 1 on a Joyce 2-run HR in the B6th. SBL takes the lead in the B8th when Trumbo rbi-2b plates Crisp and take the lead when Lowrie plows into Mauer, who drops the ball. SBL adds another run and Putz comes on for his 4th save in the 9th. SBL 8, TIJ 6

Game #4:

SBL get 2 in the 1st on back-to-back solo-HRs by Lowrie and Trumbo. Choo gives TIJ a 3-2 lead in the 5th with a 3-run HR. Colabello swats a 2-run HR in the 6th for a 4-3 SBL lead. R.Pena ties it for TIJ in the 8th with a rbi-2b. But SBL Colabello hits his 2nd HR of the game, a solo-HR in the bottom of the 8th, to give SBL the lead. Putz comes on for his 5th save. SBL 5, TIJ 4

Game #5:

TIJ C.Kluber is strong going 7 innings giving up 2 runs and Choate and Cotts close out the game. TIJ gets a Lagares solo-HR and Mauer rbi-bb in the 3rd fro a 2-0 lead. Mauer rbi-1b in the 5th is the deciding run. The win is costly for TIJ as they lose Puig for 12 days. Cotts picks up his 7th save. TIJ 4, SBL 2

Game #6:

SBL take the lead in the 2nd on a Altuve rbi-2b. But TIJ takes the lead back in the 4th on rbi-1bs by M.Young and Lagares. TIJ adds 2 more in the 6th on a SBL Morse throwing error and Brignac rbi-1b. SBL would get close but the TIJ bullpen holds on for the win. Cotts picks up his 8th save (his 4th save of the series) TIJ 6, SBL 3

Series Summary *

TIJ takes the series 4-2. But all the games were close and fun to play.

·         Long Beach Dirt Bags @ Manhattan Project

Series Preview

Series split 3-3

Game #1:

Long Beach 5-1
Darvish has 10 K’s and 3 ER’s, but Manhattan fails to hit—
Only 5 scattered hits against Arroyo.
Manhattan Bullpen gives up another 2 runs in the 9th.
Middlebrooks and Espinosa both have 2 ER’s.
WP=Arroyo
LP=Darvish

Game #2:

Long Beach 5-2
Same pattern, Manhattan again limited to 5 scattered hits.
Konerko and Middlebrooks each homer and score all 5 runs.
WP=Ventura
LP=Medlen

Game #3:

Manhattan 3-1
Zito gives up just 1 ER is 6.2 innings and the bullpen closes the Dirt Bags down.
However, the DB’s were still threatening in the 9th.
WP=Zito
LP=Carmona
SV=Street

Game #4:

Manhattan 9-8
Manhattan trails all the way—then launches 6 runs in the 9th against Kintzler in relief.
WP=Smyly
SV=Dunning
LP=Kintzler

Game #5:

Manhattan 8-1
Jose Fernandez dominated—yielded just 2 hits, one ER—and the bullpen held.
Middlebrooks was the only Dirt Bag to score—solo HR in the first.
WP=Fernandez
LP=Miley

Game #6:

Long Beach 2-1
Arroyo beats Darvish for the second time.
Great pitching for both—game tied 1-1 most of the way.
Pinch hit triple by Hoes in the 9th put Long Beach ahead.
WP=Arroyo
SV=Kintzler
LP=Darvish

Series Summary *

Series dominated by pitching for 4 of the 6 games.
Dirt Bags batting was more consistent than Manhattan’s pitching