2016 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #1
| NAME | TEAM | AVG | SLG | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | R | RBI | K | W | IW | SB | CS | HBP |
| ALTUVE,Jose | SBLÂ AL | .474 | .842 | 7 | 38 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| NAME | CLUB | G | W | L | S | ERA | IP | R | ER | H | K | BB | IBB | WP | BK | HB | HR |
| GALLARDO,Yovani | FREÂ AL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NAME | TEAM | AVG | SLG | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | R | RBI | K | W | IW | SB | CS | HBP |
| CESPEDES,Yoenis | TEMÂ NL | .333 | .767 | 7 | 30 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NAME | CLUB | G | W | L | S | ERA | IP | R | ER | H | K | BB | IBB | WP | BK | HB | HR |
| HARVEY,Matt | CWKÂ NL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.12 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago  Mobsters @ Tijuana Bottle Rockets | |
|---|---|
| Series Preview |
A few miles south of the USA / Mexico Border the Bottle Rockets of Tijuana play host to the Mobsters from Chicago. Rumors abound that the Mexican Drug Cartel have there hands in on a fixed series, but those could just be rumors.
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| Game #1: |
Felix Hernandez (1-0 0.00) goes 5.2 Innings & Chicago’s pen did the rest. Buster Posey started hot hitting 2 Home Runs, & Driving in 4. DUstin Pedroia was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s.
Final Score: Chicago 10 – Tijuana 1 |
| Game #2: |
Chris Sale (0-1 2.25) went the distance for Chicago, but Sale was outdone by Corey Kluber (1-0 0.00). Darren O’Day picked up the Save for the Bottle Rockets. Billy Butler & Justin Upton had RBI’s for Tijuana.
Final Score: Tijuana 2 – Chicago 0 |
| Game #3: |
Tanner Roak went 6 Innings, holding Chicago to 1 run. Matt Albers went 2 Innings & O’Day picked up his 2nd Save on the season.
Final Score: Tijuana 2 – Chicago 0 |
| Game #4: |
Zack Greinke (1-1 4.09) started his 2nd game on the season & went 6 Innings. Jose Bautista & Joe Mauer both Homered (Mauer 3 RBI’s). Andrelton Simmons & Andrew McCutchen both Homered for the Mobsters. Darren O’Day picked up save #3 on the season.
Final Score: Tijuana 7 – Chicago 6 |
| Game #5: |
Dustin Pedroia Homers & has 3 RBI’s. Posey is 3 for 5 with a Homer & 2 RBI’s. “King” Felix Hernandez (2-0 0.00) goes 6 Innings on 3 days rest & picks up his 2nd win on the young season.
Final Score: Chicago 7 – Tijuana 2 |
| Game #6: |
Both starters are long gone as this one goes 11 Innings. Drew VerHagen (1-0 0.00) picks up the win in relief. Andrew Miller picks up his 1st save on the season.
Final Score: Chicago 5 – Tijuana 4 |
| Game #7: |
Carlos Martinez (1-0 1.35) has a shutout heading into the 9th with a 2-0 lead. After a lead off walk to Jose Bautista, Martinez barks at home plate umpire Joe West & Chicago Manager Stray Corrado comes out and instantly pulls Martinez for Chapman. Chapman’s 1st pitch to Edwin Encarnacion smacks a double to left, Bautista rounds 3rd heading home, Dexter Fowler throws a seed to Posey at the plate & BAMN – Tag – & Joe West calls Bautista out. After a pop up & Strike Out Chicago wins it. Chapman the Save.
Final Score: Chicago 2 – Tijuana 0 |
| Series Summary |
Chicago wins the series. The Cartel was happy as they didn’t think the Bottle Rockets would win more than 2. Chicago has some work to do heading into the long season, needing one more strong bat. Tijuana needs a bullpen, a catcher & a couple of starters.
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| Triple Creek Patriots @ Bethesda Bandicoots | |
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| Series Preview |
National League teams Triple Creek and Bethesda kick off the season with orange-faced presidential hopeful throwing out the first Mexican … I mean pitch.
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| Game #1: | APBA’s vendetta against the best fielding shortstop in baseball, Jose Iglesias, pays dividends for Triple Creek as they come out on top 5-2 in a sloppily fielded game that saw Iggy muff up twice. The errors led to a pair of unearned runs for the Patriots who themselves committed three errors. Luckily for Triple Creek, starting pitcher Clay Buchholz was on his game going seven strong while only allowing four hits with no walks and five Ks. Former Bandicoot Marwin Gonzalez had couple of hits for Triple Creek as did catcher Jose Lobaton. Not much was clicking on the Bandicoots’ side although David Peralta had a moment of glory with his first long ball of the season. Unknown Mac Williamson made an impact in the game – or rather the ball did when it nailed him in the head as he was knocked out for five days.
FINAL: Triple Creek 5, Bethesda 2 |
| Game #2: | Jake Arrieta began his campaign for an MWBL Cy Young by allowing just one unearned run on two hits in seven stellar innings in a 4-1 win that even the series. Arrieta walked just one while fanning eight Patriots in the game. Patriots’ starter Rubby De La Rosa lasted seven innings himself giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. It was a costly win for Bethesda, however, with Lorenzo Cain getting knocked out for 10 days after taking a whiffle ball to the head in the 6th inning. Cain had doubled and scored a run in the game while Andre Ethier had two hits including a homer for Bethesda.
FINAL: Bethesda 4, Triple Creek 1 |
| Game #3: | Chase Headley and traitorous Marwin Gonzalez had key hits in the Patriots’ rally off beleaguered reliever Ryan Madson in the 9th inning to snatch a 4-2 win and take the series lead. Jose Lobaton … c’mon, cut me some slack, dude … had another two-hit game and scored a run with pinch hitter Jonathan Villar bopping a nifty triple. Alex Rodriguez had two innocuous singles for the Bandicoots who look to snap the league’s record for hitting into double plays. Both starting pitchers, former Bethesdan Alex Wood (one earned run allowed on five hits in five innings) and current Bethesdan Sonny Gray (one earned run on six hits and eight strikeouts in seven innings) failed to factor in the decision.
FINAL: Triple Creek 4, Bethesda 2 |
| Game #4: | The Bethesda Bandicoots staved off a late-inning charge by the Patriots and preserve the win as starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi kicked off the season in fine style allowing just one walk and five hits while striking out eight in two outs shy of a complete game. Lefty old fart starter turned closer Rich Hill slammed the door shut on the Patriots after Michael Brantley doubled in the top of the 9th to bring in Nori Aoki and make it a narrow 2-1 game. The Bandicoots scored in the 5th and 6th innings on RBI singles by AJ Pierzynski and Andre Ethier. Odorizzi helped his cause with a double in the game. Jose Iglesias committed his 3rd error of the series (11 errors in all of 2015).
WIN: J.Odorizzi (1-0) |
| Game #5: | Bethesda starter Erasmo Ramirez gave up just two hits over seven innings and Travis Shaw homered to lift the Bandicoots to a 3-1 win over Triple Creek. Shaw, a last-minute substitute at 3rd base for the self-absorbed Alex Rodriguez, homered off TCP starter Miguel Gonzalez in the 4th inning to even the score after the Patriots had opened the scoring in the three-walk third inning on an RBI double by Michael Brantley (another Bandicoot from way back). Bethesda took the lead in the 6th on an RBI single by AJ Pierzynski and then added another the next inning on Chris Colabello’s pinch hit single.
WIN: E.Ramirez (1-0) |
| Game #6: | Another closely fought, well-pitched game that went deep into the 12th inning before the slumbering Adrian Gonzalez finally woke up and smacked a Dan Jennings’ hanging curveball deep into the right field cheapies for a 3-2 Bethesda win. The Patriots sent the game into extra innings when pinch hitter Jonathan Villar launched Triple Creek’s first and only homer of the series in the 7th inning off Chris Young. Villar had quite the series off the bench after having tripled earlier. Rich Hill remained perfect for the season not allowing a run after a three-up, three-down 12th inning to get the win.
WIN: R.Hill (1-0) |
| Series Summary |
A few injuries, a few errors, some good pitching and some not in the series that was close-fought with Bethesda coming out ahead 4-2 thanks to some nice performances by their squad of Old Bastards.
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| Yonge Street Stalkers @ Detroit Crime | |
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| Game #1: |
Det wins 5-4 in 11 innings
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| Game #2: |
YSS wins 8-5 GS Zunino
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| Game #3: |
Det wins 7-1
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| Game #4: |
Det wins a close one 4-3
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| Game #5: |
Det takes this one 11-1
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| Game #6: |
Det wins 12-0
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| Game #7: |
Det wins a close one 2-1
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| Series Summary |
Det wins series over YSS 6-1
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| Columbus Explorers @ Selkirk Steelers | |
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| Series Preview |
This will be a long year for Selkirk as the rebuild begins again. Columbus will try to be above .500 maybe get the wild card.
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| Game #1: |
Col 8 Sel 2
Homer Zimmerman W-Dickey(1-0) L-Alvarez(0-1) |
| Game #2: |
Col 6 Sel 3
W Happ(1-0) L-Lamb(0-1) HR: SEL Sanchez |
| Game #3: |
Col-2
Sel-1 W-Mccullers(1-0) 1 run 8 innings L-Gibson(0-1) |
| Game #4: |
Col 3
Sel 2 W-Milone(1-0) S-Rodriquez(2) L-Norris(0-1) |
| Game #5: |
Late inning comeback by Columbus in the 9th to tie, 10th to win, Col 6 W-Gilmartin(1-0) |
| Game #6: |
Selkirk gets revenge and scores in the 8th and 9th to win Sel 3 |
| Game #7: |
Happ great start 0 in 8 and Cuddyer homer for Col. Col 3 W-Happ(2-0) |
| Series Summary |
Columbus wins 6 of the 7 games vs Selkirk. AJ Happ should get pitcher of the week consideration.
2 starts
15 innings 11 hits 2 runs 1 earned 15 strikeouts 2 walks 2 wins 0.60 era |
| Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas @ Motor City Muscle | |
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| Series Preview |
Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas travel across town to open the season with seven games against the Muscle
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| Game #1: |
SWD 4 – MCM 3 WP: Robertson HR: MCM–S. Perez; SWD–Alvarez de Grom left with a lead that the Muscle bullpen could not hold. Alvarez gave up the game-tying HR to Alvarez in the 9th and then Burns won it in the 10th with an RBI double. |
| Game #2: |
MCM 3 – SWD 2 WP: Verlander HR: SWD–Lawrie Verlander pitched well in his Muscle debut, but the bullpen was shaky again before closing it out. |
| Game #3: |
SWD 2 – MCM 1 WP: Boyd HR: MCM–Tucker Boyd pitched a gem and Alvarez paced the Chihuahua attack with three hits and a HR as the Muscle let another close one get away late. |
| Game #4: |
MCM 13 – SWD 1 WP: Leake HR: SWD–A. Cabrera Motor City ambushed the SWD pitching staff early and often, scoring five in the 1st inning and and three more in the third. James Loney had five hits and three RBI to lead the attack. Four other MCM hitters had three hits. Ironically, the only HR was hit by SWD. |
| Game #5: |
MCM 3 – SWD 1 WP: Godley HR: none SWD jumped out to a quick lead, but Godley slammed the door shut, with the help of Rosenthal. |
| Game #6: |
MCM 2 – SWD 1 WP: de Grom (CG) HR: MCM–Tucker, Trout Hudson and de Grom locked in a classic pitchers’ duel until MCM got solo homers in the eighth and ninth. |
| Game #7: |
MCM 4 – SWD 3 WP: Locke HR: none See-saw battle saw single runs scored in the top of 1st, bottom of 2nd, top of 3rd, and bottom of 5th. In the bottom 8th, Trout double home two runs but SWD came back with another in the ninth before MCM closed it out. Cabrera had two of SWD’s RBI and Panik had three hits for MCM |
| Series Summary |
MCM takes the opening series 5 ames to 2. 6 of the 7 games weren’t decided until late and could have gone either way. Loney had 6 RBI and Trout had 5 RBI for MCM Cabrera had 4 RBI and Alvarez had 3 RBI for SWD Rosenthal recorded 2 Saves for MCM |
| Corktown Cycle @ Pittsburgh Lumber Company | |
|---|---|
| Series Summary |
Pittsburgh drops the first two, but manages to take 4 of the next 5 to win the series.
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| Hollywood Werewolves @ Dallas Cougars | |
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| Series Preview |
Opening day in Dallas!
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| Game #1: | It was a pitching duel between the two southpaw’s until the 6th inning when Goldscmidt came up with two outs and Yelich on third for Hollywood, “YELICH with a head fake at third … here’s the pitch from KEUCHEL … big swing it’s a dying quail to right … POLANCO gallops in … HARRISON races back but it parachutes between them … a Texas League single for GOLDSCHMIDT … YELICH scores easily … WEREWOLVES 1, COUGARS 0″In the bottom of the 6th Pollock ties the game with a single for Dallas and with runners on the corners Kershaw gets Abreu to foul out, but then Francoeur stepped up to the dish, “HARRISON takes his lead at third … the pitch … a shot to left field … it’s hit deep way back … it’s long gone! … a three-run homer for FRANCOEUR . So Jeff FRANCOEUR supplies three big runs on the two-out homer … his 1st home run of the season and the COUGARS break the tie and now lead 4-1″Hollywood would get another run on a wild pitch in the 7th, but they never really threatened after that. Dallas takes season opener. Both starting pitchers reached double figures in strikeouts.
FINAL SCORE : COUGARS 4, WEREWOLVES 2 |
| Game #2: | Dallas got to Werewolve starter Price in the first. After a stolen base by Harrison put runers on 2nd and 3rd Pollock smashed a double into the left field gap, “WEREWOLVES playing for the out at first … the pitch … powered into left field … toward the gap that could be trouble … it drops … one run scores … two runs score POLLOCK’s headed for second … here’s GORDON’s throw … and he slides in safely double and two RBI” It was Pollock’s first double of the season. He would later score on a two out single by HundleyCougar’s starter Warren held Hollywood hitless until one out in the third innnig when Plouffe came up, “He cranks and fires … a blast to center … POLLOCK runs straight back … turns … he’ll look but he won’t touch it … it’s long gone! … home run for PLOUFFE COUGARS 3, WEREWOLVES 1″The Werewolves would score again the next inning when Kinsler led off, “To the plate … and KINSLER has hit it … deep left center … it has serious distance will it hit off the wall? … no! … it’s long gone! … a home run for KINSLER. So KINSLER has his 1st homer of the season … and the WEREWOLVES are sneaking up on the COUGARS they are within one … score now 3-2″In the bottom of the 8th Dallas CF Pollock would rudely greet Hollywood reliever Dyson, “TOMLINSON edges a bit more off second … pitcher steps off … now DYSON’s set again … the pitch POLLOCK jacks one to deep left … GORDON retreats … still going back … to the track to the wall … gone! … home run for POLLOCK … A.J. trots around the bases he loves a trip downtown” Later in the inning Hundley would single home another run to close out the scoring as Dallas takes game 2.
FINAL SCORE : COUGARS 6, WEREWOLVES 2 |
| Game #3: | Hollywood RF Yelich would lead off the game with an infield single and reach third on a ground out and passed ball. He would score on a ribbie single by Cabrera.Dallas would tie the game in the bottom of the first on Abreu’s first hit of the year scoring Blanco. Then the Cougars would take lead when 3B Solarte delivered a two out hit, ” It’s a shot to left center … base hit … MORRISON is racing over he cuts it off deep in the gap … HARRISON is well around third … ABREU is rounding second they’re waving HARRISON in … HARRISON scores … they’re holding ABREU at second … as the throw comes in to second. So the single drives in one … and the COUGARS go ahead by a run 2-1″The Werewolves would tie the game in the third on two out single by Cabrera and then re-take the lead in the 4th on a sac fly by Iannetta.Dallas would tie the game in the 5th, but might have had a chance for more. Pollock facing Cueto with runners on first and third, “Infield back at double play depth … the runners take their lead … and the pitch it’s blooped toward short … ROLLINS’s backing up quickly … and it drops for a hit DYSON fields it … GYORKO scores … tie ballgame! … HARRISON’s headed for third … here comes the throw … here’s the play at third … and he’s … out by inches! WEREWOLVES 3, COUGARS 3″Again Hollywood goes back into the lead on a sac fly by Morrison in the 6th.For second straight game Hollywood brings in Dyson to face Pollock with Blanco on third and Harrison on first and for the second straight game Pollock would deliever, “HARRISON well off first … they start the runner … hit deep to left field over MORRISON’s head … BLANCO will score … tie ballgame! … it’s off the wall MORRISON plays the carom … HARRISON digging … he rounds third … they’re waving him in and he scores … COUGARS have the lead! … POLLOCK’s in standing with a double. So the double scores two big runs … and the COUGARS take the lead from the WEREWOLVES! they now lead by one 5-4 … listen to that crowd! and POLLOCK now has 8 runs batted in on the season”
FINAL SCORE : COUGARS 5, WEREWOLVES 4 |
| Game #4: | Â After a day off the Werewolves bats woke up led by Cabrera, who had two homers and 6 RBI’s. His first home run came in the first, ” NORRIS winds and fires … CABRERA puts a charge into it … long run for POLLOCK but he’d need wings to get to this one … kiss it goodbye! Miguel CABRERA will circle the bases” and his 2nd came in the 7th inning “The runners take their lead … NORRIS winds up … launched to right … way back … going gone! … he just went with the pitch WEREWOLVES 6, COUGARS 4″Gyorko and Goldscmidt would each hit his first homer of the year for each club but Hollywood was in complete control of this game as they get their first victory of the year.
FINAL SCORE : WEREWOLVES 9, COUGARS 4 |
| Game #5: |
Former Hollywood starter Guthrie who’s claim to fame for his three seasons in Dallas was avoiding 20 loss seasons and a collection of backups were no match for the Werewolves as they easily win game 5.
FINAL SCORE : WEREWOLVES 9, COUGARS 1
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| Game #6: |
Another pitching duel between two number 1 starters and Keuchel comes on top again. Kershaw would get 12 more strikeouts, but Keuchel would only allow two hits before a bullpen quartet got the final 4 outs.
FINAL SCORE : COUGARS 2, WEREWOLVES 0
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| Series Summary |
Dallas takes the opening series against Hollywood 4 games to 2.
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| Grand Haven Gators @ Clovis Wheat Kings | |
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| Series Preview |
Play Ball! The season opener for the Clovis Wheat Kings and the Grand Haven Gators. Clovis coming off a successful season last year that ended with a game 7 loss in the LCS against Tempe is looking to be in the hunt for the postseason. Grand Haven is in its second season and continuing their rebuilding process.
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| Game #1: | Sam Santiago belted out the National Anthem before an enthusiastic crowd as the two teams lined up along the baselines for the obligatory introductions. When everything was set the crew in blue yelled out “Play ball!” and the 2016 season was underway. Clovis would send Matt “The Dark Knight” to the mound to oppose Jesse Chavez who got the nod for Grand Haven. Harvey missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The first inning passed with both pitchers retiring the side. In the second Clovis loaded them up with a pair of singles and an error before Byrd walked driving home the first run of the season. Castro knocked in arun with a ground out and then with two outs Curtis Granderson said hello to the Clovis faithful with a deep blast that made it a quick 5-0 Clovis lead. Harvey would continue to mow down the Gators as the game progressed through the 6th inning. In the seventh Harvey again retired the side, thus far he had not yet surrendered a hit. In the bottom of the inning Harvey stepped up to bat against Buck Farmer and….”FARMER deals … a blast to right … way back … it’s gone! … he just went with the pitch”! One out later, Nelson Cruz victimized Farmer as well for a commanding 7-0 Clovis lead. Harvey faced Perez, Peterson, and that other Perez in the eighth and sat each of them down. Clovis scored again in the eighth on some sloppy defense but everyone was interested in getting to the main event; could the Dark Knight put an exclamation point on his return with a no-hitter and a home run on opening day? The ninth * TOP OF THE 9th, GATORS 0, WHEAT KINGS 8 – * D. NAVARRO facing M. HARVEY, T 9th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 0-8 – Now the delivery … taken … strike three … he’s gone … one away that’s his 11th strikeout of the game … and two outs to go. * F. GALVIS facing M. HARVEY, T 9th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 0-8 Here he comes … grounded to the right side … and PHILLIPS gloves it … the throw in plenty of time … two away * J. LAGARES facing M. HARVEY, T 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 0-8 Here he comes … LAGARES doesn’t offer … and he draws a free pass and that’s only the 2nd walk issued by HARVEY … that was LAGARES’s first walk of the season * M. CONFORTO facing M. HARVEY, T 9th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 0-8 Here’s the pitch from HARVEY … soft liner … one-hops BELT he’ll make the play at first himself … and that’s it!!! Harvey has done it, an opening day no-hitter!  Harvey faced thirty batters, struck out 11, walked two. One Clovis error and home runs from Cruz, Granderson, and Harvey for the Wheat Kings!!
FINAL SCORE CLOVIS 8 GRAND HAVEN 0 |
| Game #2: |
Samardzjia vs Morton.
Clovis jumps out to a 5-0 lead after two with a two run Phillips blast being the key hit. Samardzjia pitches well only being touched by a two run double of the bat of Conforto through his 6 innings of work. Clovis added an insurance run in the seventh and Grand Haven made it interesting with a 2 more of of Kontos in the ninth but Zeigler came in and nailed it down for the Wheat Kings. FINAL SCORE Clovis 6 Grand Haven 4
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| Game #3: |
Liriano vs, House
Clovis again jumped out to a quick lead, 5-0 after 2 innings behind the big power bats of Arenado and Cruz who both went deep. Liriano was spectacular surrendering only a pair of hits, striking out 15 and walking none for the complete game shutout. FINAL SCORE CWK 6 GHG 0
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| Game #4: |
Richards vs. Lohse
Lohse, a Wheat King last year, would be back for an encore but this time in a Gator unie. Unfortunately for Kyle, Clovis continued to pound out the long ball as Cruz, Belt, and Phillips would all take him deep in his 6 innings of work. Richards pitched well into the sixth only surrendering one run while striking out 5 and walking none before the bullpen took over. A parade of six ‘pen arms shut down the Gators only surrendering one run to close it out. FINAL SCORE CWK 5 GHG 2
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| Game #5: |
Gonzalez vs. Hale
Fan favorite Gio Gonzalez who almost lost his rotation spot in spring training to James Paxton responded with a brilliant 2 hit complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts for Clovis’ fifth straight victory. The Wheat Kings again used the long ball in pummeling Hale for the 6-0 win. Byrd, Phillips, and Castro provided the big flies for the Wheat Kings today. |
| Game #6: | Harvey vs. Chavez
Could the Dark Knight do it again???? FINAL SCORE Grand Haven 2 Clovis 1 |
| Game #7: |
Samardzjia vs. Morton
Almost a complete reversal of the first match up between these two. Samardjzia pitched like a journeyman, laboring through 5 and giving up 4 runs. Morton pitched effectively into the seventh giving up 3 runs. Ozuna went deep off of Watson to give the gators a bit of a cushion and the Wheat Kings could never figure out Villerreal or Quackenbush who retired 8 straight to end the game and hand the Gators their second straight win. FINAL SCORE GHG 6 CWK 3
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| Series Summary |
Clovis takes the series 5-2 winning the first five before dropping the final pair. The big story was of course the opening day no hitter from Matt Harvey who dominated the game with 11 strikeouts and a home run to boot!
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| Coconut Creek Crushers @ Mesa Solar Sox | |
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| Series Preview |
A sold out Solar Sox Stadium for the seven game opening series with the Coconut Creek Crushers. Hot dogs and beers were in plentiful supply to feed the 45,000 faithful as they cheered on the inaugural edition of what they hope to be an, at least, competitive and, at most, an enjoyable team to watch. Phil Rizzuto and Bill White have the call…..
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| Game #1: |
An auspicious beginning, as Kevin Keirmeier throws out Mookie Betts at the plate in the top of the 1st inning! In the bottom of the 1st Eddie Rosario brings the fans to their feet with a two run blast, giving him the honor of first Solar Sox homer and RBIs. Trevor Bauer was on, with 7 innings of one run ball, striking out 8. Rosario had 2 more hits, scored 4 times and the Sox beat the Crushers and Matt Garza 7-1.
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| Game #2: |
Mesa’s Ian Kennedy was brilliant, hurling an 8 hit shutout, walking none and striking out 7. Coconut Creek’s Mookie Betts (who would prove to be almost unstoppable in the series) was the lone Crusher highlight, with 3 hits. Brian Dozier and Ryan Howard had homers for Mesa. The Solar Sox win 8-0.
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| Game #3: |
Coconut Creek gets their first lead of the series when Adam Duvall cracks a homer off David Phelps in the 1st. Jody Mercer’s RBI double in the third raises the lead to 2-0 before Scott Van Slyke’s SF cuts it to 2-1. Randall Grichuck’s drives in Betts (2 more hits) for a 3-1 Crusher lead, which evaporates when Yan Gomes drives a two run homer in to the left field stands. In the 6th Van Slyke gives the Sox the 4-3 win with an RBI single, driving home Oddubel Herrera. Carson Smith gets the first Solar Sox save.
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| Game #4: |
A wild one. Coconut Creek scores nine times in the second and 11 times in 4 innings off Eddie Butler, only ONE of which was earned, courtesy of errors by Ben Paulsen and Rosario. That 11- lead was chipped away at until the Sox actually had the tying run at the plate with the score at 11-8. That’s the way it ended, though, as Hector Rondon struck out Herrera to end the game. Betts had 2 more hits. Victor Martinez had a HR and 3 RBI. Reserve catcher Michael McKenry had the Sox first 4 hit game.
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| Game #5: |
Jessie Han and Raisel Iglesias hooked up in a pitchers duel that ended up going in to extra innings tied 1-1. In the top of the 14th Johnny Giovatella tripled and Mookie Betts (who else?) singled him home for a 2-1 Crusher lead. However, not to be denied, the Sox strung together 4 consecutive singles to score twice in the bottom of the inning and salvage a 3-2 win. Yan Gomes drove home the game winner.
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| Game #6: |
Trevor Bauer was less effective this time around, walking 5 in 7 innings. He also struck out 7, gave up a homer to Betts (now hitting .480) and left the game with a 5-3 lead. 4 Sox homers (Herrera, Dozier, Paulsen, and Howard) were the difference in the 5-3 win.
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| Game #7: |
Well, the Sox win again 4-2 behind Kennedy’s second win. Nate Kearns pitched well for the Crushers, striking out 11 in 7 innings but he gave up a homer to Howard and all 4 Sox runs.
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| Series Summary |
Surprising 5-1 series win for Mesa as Ryan Howard hit .333 with 3 homers. He won’t do that again! Mookie finished up at .414. He’s now my second favorite baseball Mookie, behind the immortal Mookie Wilson of 1986 Mets fame!
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| Sacramento Capitals @ Long Beach Dirt Bags | |
|---|---|
| Series Preview |
It is opening day in Long Beach as the Titans host their long time rivals to the north
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| Game #1: |
Valencia opened the scoring for Sacramento with solo HRs in the 2nd and 4th innings. From there Scherzer took over throwing a 1 hit shutout in the Capitals 6-0 win. DeShields added to the offense with a run scoring 2B and solo HR.
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| Game #2: |
Sacramento took a 4-1 lead in the 3rd behind a 2 run 2B by Norris and a 2 RBI 1B by Murphy. Martinez hit a 2 run HR in the 4th to cut the lead to 4-3. It stayed that way until the 9th when Lindor scored from first on a Valencia 1B to give Sacramento an insurance run. Harris came in and retired the Dirt Bags in order to close out the 5-3 win.
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| Game #3: |
Lynn pitched 7 strong innings to get the win in the Capitals 5-2 victory. Dickerson led the offense with 2 hits and 2 RBI.
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| Game #4: |
Long Beach finally picked up their first win of the season in the 3-2 victory. Ventura threw 6 strong innings and Gennett had the key hit a 2 run 2B in the first driving in what proved to be the winning run.
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| Game #5: |
Garcia gave up just 1 hit in 7 innings in the Capitals 5-0 win. The Sacramento offense was all HRs, 2 run shots from Moreland and Norris and a solo blast by Herrera.
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| Game #6: |
Long Beach had better luck against Scherzer in this game. Martinez hit a 2 run HR in the 4th to give the Dirt Bags a 3-2 lead. They took that into the 9th when Pujols led off with a HR to tie the game. Sacramento took the lead in the 10th on a Stanton 2 run bomb. Harris came in to get Long Beach in order to save the 5-3 win.
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| Game #7: |
Pillar broke a 2-2 tie with a HR in the 5th and Long Beach won the series finale 3-2. Fiers picked up his 1st win of the season and Melancon got his 2nd save.
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| Series Summary |
Sacramento won 5 of the 7 games. Without much lineup depth, it is pretty clear that Long Beach will only go as far as the middle of their order will take them. In this series they struggled. Sacramento has a strong team and will be a factor all year.
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| Southbend Lynx @ Virginia Sluggers | |
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| Series Preview |
Opening Day in Yorktown, Va. where the Continental Army, along with the French, defeated Lord Cornwallis and ended the War that brought Independence to the thirteen Colonies.Though the Southbend/Virginia matchup was not of the same epic proportion, there was plenty of fireworks. Both teams came into the contest with no expectations of competing for a title,…and they left with the same expectations.
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| Game #1: | Chris Archer got the nod to start on Opening Day for Virginia and Jon Niese for Southbend. After Archer breezed through the top of the 1st, Niese took the mound for Southbend and wished he hadn’t. Segura grounded out and Markakis rattled the wall with a deep drive and easily went to second. Rizzo followed with a shot down the line into the RF corner and Markakis scored standing up.That brought up the newly acquired George Springer who came over from Sacramento in a huge off-season deal. “* G. SPRINGER facing J. NIESE, B 1st, 1 Out, Runner on 2nd, Ahead 1-0 NIESE comes to him … that’s hit … back and deep the other way … back … back…back…… … oh, man, it’s long gone! … a two-run shot over the right center field wall” Not a bad start for the newest member of the Sluggers. But it doesn’t stop there. Somewhat rattled, Niese gives up a walk to Carlos Santana and faces Neall Walker. “WALKER drives one down the left field line … it’s deep enough if it’s fair and it’s … long gone! … a two-run dinger.” With a big 5-0 lead, Brandon Guyer follows Walker, “The pitch … and a long one … into left field … CANHA looks up … adios! … good-bye! arrividerci! … back-to-back home runs for the SLUGGERS!” Markakis knocked in another run in the 2nd and VIR held a commanding 7-0 lead. It stayed that way till the 5th and Virginia thought they were cruising. Not so. In the 5th Canha walked. After an out Soto got hit by a pitch. Concerned about Archer’s loss of control, the pitching coach went out and talked to Archer. When the next batter popped up to center for the 2nd out all seemed good. Except, nobody told Altuve that,…” J. ALTUVE facing C. ARCHER, T 5th, 2 Outs, 1st and 2nd, Behind 0-7. The pitch … this one could have wings … up … up! … and away! … a three-run shot to left, that pitch was right in his wheelhouse … ARCHER hung one … and ALTUVE made him pay. LYNX 3, SLUGGERS 7. It gets better for Southbend. Not to be intimidated by back-to-back homers by VIR,…”L. FORSYTHE facing C. ARCHER, T 5th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 3-7 ARCHER comes home … that’s socked to left … way high … way deep … way out of here! FORSYTHE hit that on the sweet spot …back-to-back homers for the LYNX!  BUT WAIT,…it still gets better for Southbend. Obviously more than a little shook after after all the action with two outs, Archer was determined to get the last out. But Kang singled and up stepped clean-up hitter Mark Trumbo,…”ARCHER kicks and delivers … lofted deep to left field … GUYER got a late start … he’s back way back … he won’t get it … it’s gone! … home run for TRUMBO, he seems to like base runners.” The score now stands LYNX 6, SLUGGERS 7. Virginia struck back with a solo shot from Sgura in the 6th to make it 8-6 VIR. SBL got that run back in the 7th on a FC and VIR added a run in the 7th on an RBI triple by Walker. 9-7 VIR. In the top of the 8th a high throw by Segura put Soto on first and brought up Jonny Gomes (whom the announcer said WAS NOT a home-run threat),… “J. GOMES facing H. ROBLES, T 8th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 7-9. The pitch … hit toward GUYER in deep left … he’s chasing it down … he’s at the warning track, and he watches it sail over the wall … Jonny ties it up! … home run for GOMES and two runs score LYNX 9, SLUGGERS 9″ AND HE’s NOT A HOMERUN THREAT! Yeah, right. A Markakis double broke the tie as Segura scored to make it 10-9 going into the 9th. Kang led off the 9th with a single and Trumbo watched strike 3 go by for the 1st out. Escobar coaxed a walk putting runners at 1st and 2nd and Canha stepped into the box,…” M. CANHA facing F. RIVERO, T 9th, 1 Out, 1st and 2nd, Behind 9-10. Now the delivery … stroked solidly to left field … base hit … GUYER’s racing over. KANG’s rounding third … he’s headed for home … digging … the throw … collision…SAFE!…LAIRD dropped the throw … KANG plowed into him hard and knocked the ball loose, unbelievable! … the gamble pays off … ESCOBAR’s in at third … CANHA ends up at second. score that an error on LAIRD … 2 errors now for VIRGINIA LYNX 10, SLUGGERS 10 Would this crazy game ever end?!?! The young rookie reliever, Osuna, came in for the Lynx. Springer came up empty and was out #1. Santana then crushed one deep over Joyce’s head for a stand-up double to put a runner in scoring position. The next batter was Neal Walker,…”WALKER is two for four … he’s driven in 3 WALKER tucks in his shirt … ties the lace on his left shoe … he lifts the bat, weighing it. The delivery from OSUNA … he swings … it’s smashed deep to left center that’s good for extra bases … it’s all over … JOYCE doesn’t even bother … SANTANA scores LYNX 10, SLUGGERS 11 FINALLY! The Sluggers win the opener as Walker comes through with his 4th RBI of the game. |
| Game #2: |
SBL 13-1
A stingy Bolsinger and bullpen held VIR to 5 hits. SBL had 17Â hits,…Altuve 5-6 and Soto 2-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Everyone in the SBL lineup, EXCEPT Escoibar, had a hit. Tillman took thw loss for VIR. |
| Game #3: |
VIR 7-1
A stellar performance by T.Cahill as he threw a CG 5 hitter, allowing 1 run (unearned) and striking out 12 Lynx batters. Carlos Santana provided the offense as he went 2-3, scored 2, had 3 RBI and sent 2 balls out of the yard. |
| Game #4: |
VIR 7-3
VIR 13 hits,…SBL 11. SBL just couldn’t score. Guyer was 2-5 with 2 RBI and a homer for VIR and Kang was 3-5, 2 RBI and a homer for SBL. de la Rosa got the win and Holland the loss. |
| Game #5: |
SBL 8-3
Down 3-0, SBL put together a 4-run 7th and 4-run 9th to pull out the win for A.Bradley. J.Jaso’s 3-run blast in the 7th put SBL ahead and Soto’s 2-run triple in the 9th capped the come from behind victory. Walker continued his hot hitting with a homer for VIR. |
| Game #6: |
SBL 5-4
SBL 14 hits, VIR 13. 5 pitchers for both teams. Back to back doubles by Morse and Corporan highlighted a 3 run 7th for SBL but VIR tied it in the bottom of the inning as Guyer scored on a WP. VIR had 2 chances to win but Santana was thrown out at home in one inning and Segura was stranded in the 13th after a leadoff triple. SBL won it in the 14th with a 1-out solo shot off the bat of Escobar. Motte the winner, Rivero the loser. |
| Game #7: |
SBL 11-6
Wasn’t even that close. Bolsinger tough again. Altuve 4-6, 3 runs, 5 RBI, 2 HR. Rizzo with 3 hits for VIR and ARam hit a homer. |
| Series Summary |
SBL takes the series 4-3.
Altuve was a monster…18-38 .474 BA, 3 doubles, a triple and 3 homers,11 RBI,4 SB,…32 total bases. VIR will lose a lot of games this year, but if all goes well. there building process will have the Sluggers back in shape soon. |
| Jersey Nor’easters @ New York Outlaws | |
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| Series Preview |
Opening Series for NY-NJ Division Rivals.
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| Game #1: |
NJ 9 NY 8
A 5 run 9th inning capped by a David Ortiz Grand Slam just missed being a miracle for NY. NJ: Murphy (5 rbi)- Tomas (3/5) |
| Game #2: |
NY 2 NJ 1
How many times does this happen? A slugfest followed by a pitchers duel.. NY: Anderson (8 ip 1r)- Ortiz (3/4, HR)- Beltran (2/3,HR) |
| Game #3: |
NY 6 NJ 4
Outlaws score 4 in bottom 1st; Jersey scores 4 in top 4th. NY: Pagan (2/4, 3rbi, 2HR)- Ortiz (1/3 HR)- ARam (3/4) |
| Game #4: |
NJ 4 NY 2
Heston (7.1 2r 10k) throws a Jersey gem! NJ: Escobar (3/4) |
| Game #5: |
NJ 4 NY 2 (deja vu all over again!)
NJ: Duda 2/4 3rbi 2HR- Elias 7.1 2r |
| Game #6: |
NY 4 NJ 3
NJ: Duda 2/3 2rbi HR NY: Ortiz 1/3 HR INJURY: B McCann (NY) out 7 days |
| Game #7: |
NY 5 NJ 4 (10 inn)
Fitting that this series ends with a 10 inning thriller capped off by a 1oth inning walk off HR.NJ: Bruce 2/3 NY: Uribe 3/4 3rbi HR- Ortiz HR (his 5th of series) |
| Series Summary |
The fans were the real winner of this series as every game was close and exciting. Ortiz smashed 5 Home Runs for the New Yorkers. We were lucky to escape with a 4-3 series win.
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| Manhattan Project @ Fremont Cannons | |
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| Series Preview |
Opening Day in Fremont! Will the Cannons again contend for a lottery pick, or will the influx of young talent get them to the playoffs ahead of schedule?
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| Game #1: |
Mark Buehrle ended 2015 with a no-hitter- can he start 2016 with one? No, but he goes seven innings, allowing only one run while striking out eight. Maikel Franco and Byron Buxton both notch their first major league home runs, with hopefully many more to come.
Fremont wins 6-1.
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| Game #2: |
Another fine effort from a Fremont starter. Gallardo goes the distance, allowing no runs while striking out twelve in a 3-0 Fremont victory. Dietrich is lost to the Cannons for 24 days after a HBP.
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| Game #3: |
Manhattan gets their first W of the season behind Jose Fernandez’s 11 K’s in 6.2 IP, winning 5-3. Freddie Freeman homered for the Project, while Carlos Correa hit his first major league HR for the Cannons. Austin jackson was knocked out for 6 days.
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| Game #4: |
Duffy outdueled Rodon in this one, racking up 10 K’s as Manhattan wins 2-1. Kyle Seager homered for the second time this year.
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| Game #5: |
It was all Manhattan in this one, as they blast the hometown Cannons 11-0. Hill, Holiday, and Realmuto all homered for the Project, while Freeman went 4-4.
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| Game #6: |
Another strong performance by Mark Buehrle dropped his ERA to 0.57 and the Cannons win 2-0. Each side only managed one XBH.
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| Game #7: |
The rubber match saw Gallardo maintain his 0.00 ERA, as Fremont shuts out Manhattan 3-0. Khris Davis homered for the Cannons in the win.
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| Series Summary |
Fremont takes their first series of the season against divisional rivals Manhattan.
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| Valdosta Snappers @ Tempe Tempers | |
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| Series Preview |
Sam Santiago sang the National Anthem as Tempe raised their ninth World Series flag in front of the Tempe faithful.
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| Game #1: |
Santiago took a shutout to the 9th, but had to settle for a 3-1 victory. Kimbrel gave up two runs in the 8th that ended up being the difference. Tehran only gave up 1 unearned run (PB) over seven innings.
Tempe 3 – 1 |
| Game #2: |
Tempe jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Valdosta managed their first hit. Cespesdes had a career day hitting two, 2 run homeruns and then a Grand Slam for 8 RBIs.
Tempe 14-1
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| Game #3: |
Lewis helped his cause with an RBI double in the second but then couldn’t keep Tempe at bay. Cargo solo hr, Cespedes two run rbi double, Cano two run rbi double and Longoria two run hr.
Tempe 8-2
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| Game #4: |
Wilson took a shutout into the 8th. Vizcaino walked four batters in the 9th but was able to get Gattis to ground out with the bases loaded.
Valdosta 3-1 |
| Game #5: |
Carter’s three run homerun put Valdosto up early 4-0, but Tempe roared back with four of their own to tie it. Davis two run HR put Tempe up in the 4th. Butler two run hr in 6th brought Valdosto back within one run. 6-7. Josh Hamilton hit a solo shot in the 9th to tie it at 7-7. In the bottom of the 9th Cano was gunned at the plate, but a two out single by Melky gave Tempe the walk off win.
Tempe 8-7
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| Game #6: |
Johnson homered in the 2nd and in the 3rd. Tempe managed to get one back in the 4th but left the bases loaded. Cargo 2 run hr made it a one run game in the 5th. Carter two run hr in the 8th put Valdosta back up by three. Tulo solo in the 9th was all Tempe managed off Vizcaino.
Valdosta 6-4
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| Game #7: |
Vadosto jumped out to a 3 run lead on Carter HR in the 1st. Tempe came back with two the bottom half. A Gattis pinch hit solo home run tied in the 7th. Delgado worked out of 3rd and 1st and one out jam in the bottom of the 10th. Valdosto finally broke through in the in 15th as Tempe’s pen was completely exhausted. Tempe left 14 runners on base in game they should have won.
Valdosta 5-3 15 INN
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| Series Summary |
Valdosto rallied to take the final two games of the series. Tempe wins the series 4-3, but feels like they should have walked away with five wins. Cespedes was the player of the series with 13 RBI, 3 homeruns, and a 7 game hitting streak.
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