2025 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #24

The Mobsters managed to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Willy Adames hit a double, and a clutch double by Riley Greene brought him home to make it a 1-1 game.

The score remained deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth, where Tijuana broke the tie in a chaotic sequence. After a walk and a hit-by-pitch put runners on first and second, a passed ball allowed Corbin Carroll to race home and score the go-ahead run. Austin Wells then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in the final run of the game.

The Bottle Rockets’ bullpen was lights out, holding Chicago scoreless for the final two and a third innings to seal the win. Spencer Turnbull was phenomenal for Tijuana, pitching six and two-thirds innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out six to earn the win. Luis Gilbert took the loss for Chicago, despite a solid outing where he gave up two earned runs over five and a third innings.

Final Score: Tijuana Bottle Rockets 3 – Chicago Mobsters 1

Win: Spencer Turnbull 3-5 (1.52)
Loss: Luis Gilbert 21-7 (2.41)
Save: Ryan Zeferjahn #10

The Mobsters started hot in the first inning. Luis Arraez and Yandy Diaz hit back-to-back singles, followed by a walk to Yordan Alvarez to load the bases against Tijuana’s starting pitcher, Marcus Stroman. Willy Adames then hit a single that brought in Arraez, giving Chicago an early 1-0 lead. However, Stroman managed to work his way out of the jam, getting the next three batters out to minimize the damage.

The Bottle Rockets were not going to be outdone. In the bottom of the first, Corbin Carroll hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1. The scoring continued with singles from Ian Happ and Isaac Paredes, followed by a two-run double from Cedric Mullins that brought home Happ and Paredes, making it 3-1 for Tijuana.

Tijuana really blew the game open in the second inning. After a couple of walks, Isaac Paredes stepped up to the plate and crushed a three-run homer to deep center field, extending the lead to a commanding 6-1. That was the last straw for Mobsters’ starter, Hunter Brown, who was pulled from the game after just 1.2 innings.

The Mobsters’ bullpen, led by Jesus Luzardo, did a fantastic job of shutting down the Bottle Rockets’ offense for the rest of the game, allowing no further runs. However, Chicago’s offense went cold after their first-inning run. The team struggled to get anything going against Tijuana’s pitchers, and they ultimately couldn’t mount a comeback.

The Bottle Rockets’ pitching staff was solid all around, with Michael Kelly earning the win for his two scoreless innings in relief. Chicago’s bats were silenced for the final eight innings, and the Bottle Rockets cruised to a comfortable victory.

Final Score: Tijuana Bottle Rockets 6 – Chicago Mobsters 1

Win: Michael Kelly 3-0 (0.66)
Loss: Hunter Brown 7-7 (3.70)

The Mobsters took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. With one out, catcher Max Garver walked and was replaced by pinch-runner Julio Rodriguez, who promptly advanced to third on a single by Luis Arraez. Yandy Diaz then singled to left field, scoring Rodriguez and giving Chicago a 2-1 lead. The next batter, Alex Bregman, singled hard to first base, and Arraez scored from third. A heads-up play by Bregman saw him take second on the throw home, but he was thrown out at third trying to advance further, ending the inning.

The Bottle Rockets threatened in the bottom of the ninth. After the Mobsters brought in closer Aroldis Chapman, Cedric Mullins hit a solo home run to right field, cutting the lead to just one run. However, Chapman settled down and got Ke’Bryan Hayes to ground out to shortstop Willy Adames, who fired to first to end the game and secure the victory for Chicago.

Final Score: Chicago Mobsters 3 – Tijuana Bottle Rockets 2

Win: Bryce Miller 15-5 (2.38)
Loss: Randy Rodriguez 1-3 (4.64)
Save: Aroldis Chapman #31

However, the bottom of the eighth proved to be a nightmare for Chicago’s bullpen. After Lugo walked Isaac Paredes and hit Ke’Bryan Hayes with a pitch, a pitching change was made. Junior Caminero, pinch-hitting for Elehuris Montero, delivered a clutch single to tie the game, and the floodgates opened. Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with a two-run single, and Corbin Carroll blasted a triple to score another run. An RBI sacrifice fly by Ildemaro Kiner-Falefa capped off a massive five-run inning for the Bottle Rockets. The Mobsters tried to mount a rally in the ninth with a leadoff solo homer from Alex Bregman, but it was too little, too late, as Ryan Zeferjahn shut the door to earn the save. Carlos Sanchez was solid on the mound for Tijuana, going eight strong innings and striking out eight to earn the win.

Final Score: Tijuana Bottle Rockets 5 – Chicago Mobsters 2

Win: Carlos Sanchez 13-6 (2.43)
Loss: Sean Lugo 18-8 (2.27)
Save: Ryan Zeferjahn #11

The Mobsters’ offense, however, was not to be denied. They began to chip away at the deficit in the fourth when Yandy Diaz launched a solo homer. In the fifth, Riley Greene blasted a two-run shot of his own, bringing the score to 6-3. Chicago kept the pressure on in the sixth, scoring two more runs to make it a one-run game. The score remained 6-5 until the eighth inning when the Mobsters’ bats exploded. Yordan Alvarez tied the game with an RBI double, and then Willy Adames followed up with another double to drive in the go-ahead run. Greene added an insurance run in the ninth with his second homer of the game, a solo shot that sealed the deal.

The Chicago bullpen was outstanding, shutting down the Bottle Rockets’ offense for the final five innings. Jesus Luzardo, Ryan Yarbrough, and Devin Williams combined to hold Tijuana scoreless after the fourth. Aroldis Chapman came in and shut the door in the ninth, earning his 32nd save of the season.

Final Score: Chicago Mobsters 8 – Tijuana Bottle Rockets 6

Win: Ryan Yarbrough 5-2 (2.29)
Loss: Cole Sulser 1-1 (2.60)
Save: Aroldis Chapman #32

The Bottle Rockets responded immediately in the bottom of the first with a solo home run from Corbin Carroll, his first of the season. They continued to chip away at the lead in the second inning when Tyler Barnhart hit a single that scored Nick Senzel, who had led off the inning with a double. However, that was as close as Tijuana would get. Chicago extended its lead in the fourth inning with two sacrifice flies from Gary Sanchez and Luis Arraez, making it a 5-2 game.

The Mobsters added an insurance run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly from Yordan Alvarez, and another in the ninth when Riley Greene hit an RBI single. Chicago’s starting pitcher, Logan Gilbert, was stellar on the mound, going seven innings, giving up just two runs on four hits, and striking out seven. The Mobsters’ bullpen held the Bottle Rockets scoreless for the final two innings, sealing the win.

Final Score: Chicago Mobsters 7 – Tijuana Bottle Rockets 2

Win: Logan Gilbert 22-7 (2.41)
Loss: Framber Valdez 11-11 (3.02)

The Bottle Rockets’ success was built on a combination of stellar pitching and clutch hitting. Pitchers like Spencer Turnbull and Carlos Sanchez delivered phenomenal performances, with Turnbull allowing just one earned run over six and two-thirds innings in the series opener, and Sanchez striking out eight over eight innings to secure a crucial win. The Mobsters’ offense, a consistent force all season, was repeatedly stifled by the Bottle Rockets’ pitching staff.

Tijuana’s offense also came alive at key moments. Corbin Carroll was a standout performer, hitting a solo home run and a key triple in two separate victories. Isaac Paredes was another offensive catalyst, launching a three-run homer in a decisive 6-1 blowout. The Bottle Rockets also showed a penchant for late-game heroics, mounting a five-run eighth-inning comeback in a 5-2 victory that stunned the Mobsters.

Despite the series loss, the Mobsters did have their moments. They showcased their own resilience, mounting a massive comeback in an 8-6 slugfest fueled by two home runs from Riley Greene. Yordan Alvarez was a consistent offensive threat for Chicago, hitting a solo homer in one game and a key RBI double in another. Mobsters closer Aroldis Chapman also secured two saves, highlighting a bullpen that, at times, was effective in shutting down the Tijuana offense.

BANDICOOTS 4 / 2 / 1
COMETS 2 / 6 / 2
WP – Keller (15-7)
LP – Montas (9-17)
S – Scott (5)

BANDICOOTS 0 / 3 / 0
COMETS 2 / 7 / 0
WP – Birdsong (5-6)
LP – Wacha (9-8)
S – Kerkering (24)

BANDICOOTS 10 / 13 / 0
COMETS 4 / 8 / 2
WP – Kirby (19-7)
LP – Soriano (7-10)

BANDICOOTS 10 / 13 / 1
COMETS 6 / 9 / 1
WP – Kelly (6-1)
LP – Cannon (9-9)
S – Hader (16)

BANDICOOTS 1 / 5 / 0
COMETS 2 / 7 / 0
WP – Stone (10-6)
LP – Keller (15-8)
S – Kerkering (25)

BANDICOOTS 9 / 12 / 0
COMETS 3 / 9 / 1
WP – Kirby (20-7)
LP – Montas (9-18)

The Corktown Cycle got off to a hot start in the top of the first. A walk and two singles loaded the bases for Nate Lowe, who sent a pitch soaring deep into right field for a three-run homer. The Walleye weren’t going to be outdone. They responded in the bottom of the second, as Santiago Espinal scored on a hit by Jared Young and Gavin Lux came home on a single from Nick Fortes, cutting the deficit to a single run. The Walleye weren’t done there, as they took the lead in the third inning with a massive three-run bomb from Gavin Lux to make it 5-3.

The Walleye’s offense truly caught fire in the fifth inning. Jared Young hit a two-run triple and was followed by an RBI single from Nick Fortes. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Josh Naylor singled home two runs, and Nolan Arenado hit an RBI single. A two-run double by Santiago Espinal capped off the seven-run inning, pushing the score to a commanding 12-4. The Walleye kept the pressure on in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, adding four more runs to their total, including a solo home run by Josh Naylor in the eighth.

Despite the lopsided score, Corktown’s Nate Lowe had a great day at the plate, collecting two hits, including a three-run home run. Ryan Mountcastle and Amed Rosario also had multi-hit games for the Cycle, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the offensive onslaught from the Walleye. The Harsens Island Walleye offense was unstoppable, racking up an impressive 21 hits in the game. Gavin Lux and Jared Young led the charge with three RBIs each, while Josh Naylor, Nolan Arenado, and Nick Fortes also had big days at the plate. Eugenio Rodriguez picked up the win for the Walleye, pitching a solid six innings and allowing just four earned runs.

Final Score: Harsens Island Walleye 16 – Corktown Cycle 5

Win: Eugenio Rodriguez 5-5 (4.21)
Loss: Cole Rea 6-11 (4.31)

The score remained stagnant until the bottom of the fifth when the Walleye finally got on the board. Nolan Arenado led off the inning with a single, and Santiago Espinal followed with a game-tying two-run home run, knotting the game at 2-2. However, Corktown wasted no time reclaiming the lead. In the top of the sixth, Chisholm stole second after drawing a walk. Logan O’Hoppe then stepped up and delivered a crucial two-run blast, putting the Cycle back on top 4-2. The offense didn’t stop there, as Nate Lowe doubled, and Alex Verdugo hit an RBI single to score another run, extending Corktown’s lead to 5-2.

Corktown’s pitching was a team effort. Brayan Bello earned the win with a solid outing, giving up two earned runs over 6.1 innings. The bullpen, consisting of Jeremiah Estrada, Brenan Hanifee, and Tony Santillan, shut down the Walleye offense for the rest of the game, with Santillan earning the save in the ninth. Michael King took the loss for Harsens Island after giving up four earned runs in five innings of work. Despite a late-game double by Josh Naylor in the ninth, the Walleye couldn’t mount a comeback.

Final Score: Corktown Cycle 5 – Harsens Island Walleye 2

Win: Brayan Bello 9-15 (5.19)
Loss: Michael King 11-12 (2.88)
Save: Tony Santillan Save #9

The Cycle wasted no time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the top of the first. The rally was highlighted by a solo home run from Ryan Mountcastle and a two-run shot by Jazz Chisholm. They added two more runs in the second, with J. Bleday and Chisholm each picking up RBIs. The third inning saw Corktown tack on another three runs, thanks in large part to a pair of RBI singles from Ryan Mountcastle and a sacrifice fly from J. Bleday.

The Walleye’s pitching staff struggled mightily. Starter T. Madden was pulled after just 1.1 innings, having given up five earned runs on seven hits. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, with C. Holderman and H. Brazoban also giving up runs. Corktown’s offense remained relentless, scoring a run in the sixth, two in the seventh, and a final run in the ninth to reach their impressive total of 12 runs.

On the other side of the field, the Walleye’s bats were mostly silenced by Corktown’s ace, Triston Bibee. Bibee was stellar, pitching seven scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and striking out eight. The Walleye finally managed to break through in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Sammy Long, when Nick Yorke blasted a two-run home run, but it was far too little, too late.

Final Score: Corktown Cycle 12 – Harsens Island Walleye 2

Win: T. Bibee 16-6 (2.89)
Loss: T. Madden 0-2 (18.00)

The Cycle tied the game in the second inning when Austin Volpe tagged up and scored on a sacrifice fly from Alex Verdugo. The game remained deadlocked until the fifth when O’Hoppe stepped up to the plate with two runners on and crushed a massive three-run homer, putting the Cycle ahead 5-2.

The Walleye refused to give up, mounting a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. They managed to score two runs on a pair of singles and a crucial error by Cycle pitcher Luis Ortiz, bringing the score to a nail-biting 5-4. However, that was as close as the Walleye would get. The Cycle bullpen, led by Matthew Liberatore, Jeremiah Estrada, and Brenan Hanifee, held the Walleye scoreless for the rest of the game, securing the win.

Luis Ortiz picked up the win for the Cycle, pitching six innings and allowing four runs (three earned). The save went to Brenan Hanifee, who came in to close out the ninth inning and faced a tough situation with the tying run on base. Kyle Winn was tagged with the loss for the Walleye after giving up five runs on six hits over five innings.

Final Score: Corktown Cycle 5 – Harsens Island Walleye 4

Win: Luis Ortiz 11-8 (2.83)
Loss: Kyle Winn 0-3 (5.35)
Save: Brenan Hanifee #21

The Cycle extended their lead in the fourth inning. After a walk by Chisholm and another by Lowe, Anthony Volpe delivered a clutch RBI single to bring in Chisholm. Corktown tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning when Volpe hit a triple to score Chisholm, and Drew Millas singled to bring home Volpe. They added their final run in the seventh inning on a groundout that scored J.J. Bleday.

Harsens Island struggled to get their offense going, managing only four hits throughout the entire game and leaving eight runners on base. Cycle pitching was masterful, with Jose Berrios putting in a stellar performance. He went seven shutout innings, giving up just one hit and striking out two to earn the win. Mike Soroka and Bryce Jarvis closed out the game, each pitching a scoreless inning to secure the victory.

Final Score: Corktown Cycle 6 – Harsens Island Walleye 0

Win: Jose Berrios 5-14 (3.64)
Loss: Luis Severino 8-11 (3.35)

The Cycle struck first, putting two runs on the board in the top of the 1st. After a walk to Ryan Mountcastle and a single by Jazz Chisholm Jr., the bases were loaded for Nate Lowe, who drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Daulton Jansen followed with an RBI single, putting Corktown up 2-0.

But Harsens Island was not to be outdone. They responded with a five-run rally in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a solo home run from Jackson Merrill to kick things off. Back-to-back RBI singles from Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux, a sacrifice fly from Jarred Young, and another RBI single from Nicky Lopez gave the Walleye a commanding 5-2 lead. The scoring continued in the fourth inning when Merrill blasted his second home run of the game, extending the Walleye’s lead to 6-4.

The Cycle chipped away at the lead, scoring a run in the third and another in the fourth, thanks to RBI singles from Daulton Jansen and Jazz Chisholm Jr., respectively. Chisholm Jr. was a key player for Corktown, notching three hits and an RBI while also swiping two bases. However, a crucial double play in the eighth inning killed a potential rally for the Cycle, who had the tying run on second.

In the bottom of the eighth, Santiago Espinal hit a crucial solo home run to give the Walleye an insurance run, making it a 7-5 game. Justin Steele then came in to close out the ninth, retiring the side in order to secure the victory and the save.

Final Score: Harsens Island Walleye 7 – Corktown Cycle 5

Win: E. Rodriguez 6-5 (4.39)
Loss: C. Rea 6-12 (4.41)
Save: J. Steele #6

The Walleye dominated the opening and closing games, winning 16-5 and 7-5, respectively. Their bats came alive with power and timely hitting, led by standout performances from Gavin Lux, Josh Naylor, and Jackson Merrill, who each blasted multiple home runs.

However, the Cycle’s pitching staff and clutch hitting ultimately proved to be the difference. Corktown’s Triston Bibee delivered a masterful performance, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 12-2 rout. The Cycle’s offense was powered by Jazz Chisholm, who hit two home runs in the series, and Logan O’Hoppe, whose three-run blast in a crucial 5-4 victory highlighted their ability to win close games.

The series showcased both teams’ resilience and power at the plate. Despite the Walleye’s offensive explosions, the Cycle’s pitching and timely hitting secured the series win, demonstrating their potential to finish the season strong.

FINAL Columbus 9 Valdosta 1

FINAL Valdosta 3 Columbus 2 (more close ones to follow)

FINAL Columbus 11 Valdosta 1

FINAL Columbus 5 Valdosta 4

FINAL Columbus 7 Valdosta 1

FINAL Columbus 1 Valdosta 0