A's take 2 of 3 from Bombers

8/26 - Network Assoc Col
Hughes vs Lidle
A's 3, Yankees 1

Johnny Damon's lead off single in the top of the 6th was the Yankees first hit of the day.  "El Cap-e-tan", Derrek Jeter's double down the left field line scored New York's only run of the day.  Cory Lidle left the game in the 9th after getting the first out of the inning.  Izzy came on to get Jeter and Abreu to ground out and end the game, while notching his 5th save of the young season.  Oakland scored solo runs in the 2nd and 3rd off of rookie Philip Hughes.  Eric Chavez' lead off shot in the second made it 1-0.  Hernandez' single to center scored Tejada with 2 out in the 3rd to make it 2-0.  Hernandez' sac fly in the 7th supplied Lidle and Izzy with a nice insurance run.

8/27
Pettitte vs Hudson
Yankees 10, A's 0
Andy Pettitte and Ron Villone combined to blank the A's and allow just 5 hits.  Tim Hudson was horrible giving up 7 runs in 4 2/3 innings before the Yanks knocked him out of the box.  A-Rod and Posada both had 2 for 3 days.  Both also scored 3 times and Posada knocked in 2.  Defensive first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz had 3 RBI's on a day when Oakland's ace looked more like a joker.

8/28 - Yankee Stadium

Mulder vs Wang
A's 5, Yankees 3 (12 inn)

Fans at "The Stadium" were treated to a 12 inning instant classic that had just about everything you could imagine, sans a Yankee victory.  Both starters (Mulder & Wang) came as advertised.  Mulder went 7 innings and gave up 2 runs, which came on a Hideki Matsui 2 run shot in the 4th.  Wang gave up just 1 run in the top of the 2nd when Jeremy Giambi and Jermaine Dye hit back to back doubles.  Oakland rallied for 2 runs in the top of the 8th to take a 3-2 lead thanks to a two run double by catcher Ramon Hernandez.  A two out error by Jason Giambi on Johnny Damon's grounder led to A-Rod scoring the tying run.  With neither team scoring in the 9th the game moved into extra innings.  The Bronx Bombers looked like a shoe in to win it in the bottom of the 11th.  Miguel Cairo bunted for a singled with 1 out and stole second off of Jim Mecir.  Molina grounded a single between 1st and second.  Cairo was waved around 3rd as a hard charging Jermaine Dye picked up the ball and threw a one hopper to the plate that Hernandez caught cleanly and slapped the tag on Cairo for the 2nd out.  Next up was "Captain Clutch" himself Derrek Jeter, who lined a double off the wall in left.  Molina, who is not fleet of foot, was moving on the play and since it was two out he was sent home in an effort to win the game.  Terrance Long played the carom perfectly off the wall and relayed the throw to Tejada, who turned and threw a strike to Hernandez to get Molina by about 5 strides.  Seldom do you see the winning run gunned down at the plate twice in the same inning, but that's exactly what happened in the House that Ruth Built.  Oakland seized the momentum in the top of the 11th when Ramon Hernandez hit a 2 run shot down the line in left.  Mercir, who would get the win, got the first 2 batters out before Izzy was brought on to face A-rod.  On a 1-1 count A-rod grounded weakly to third as a stunned crowd on 161st and River left the Big Ball Orchard in the Bronx in dismay.

Toronto pitchers keep the Minnesota bats silent and Sweep the Twins

Toronto 5 Minnesota 0

Game MVP Mike Flanagan threw a 3 hit 9 inning shutout game. Dave Boswell took the loss and allowed 6 hits and 5 runs over 7 2/3. The Blue Jays struck first on a Willie Upshaw triple bringing in Jesse Barfield. He then scored on a passed Ball. In the third Tony Fernandez stole second and George Bell knocked him in with a double. In the 8th an error by Rod Carew allowed Flanagan to get on base and advance to 2nd. he would advance to 3rd on a Lloyd Moseby single and would score on 1 2 out Ernie Whitt single. Moseby would score on a Barfield single. 

Toronto 5 Minnesota 1

Game MVP Jimmy Key went 7 innings allowed 3 hits and 1 run before being pulled with a 5-1 lead. Perry went the distance for Minnesota allowing 8 hits and 5 runs. Minnesota opened the scoring in the 2nd when Key walked Tovar who stole 2nd and scored on a Cardenas single. Toronto got that back in the 4th when Whitt double to the right field fence and Oliva bobbled the ball and Whitt advanced to 3rd on the error. He scored on a Liriano single. In the 4th an error by Carew allowed Upshaw to get to 1st, although pitcher Key was up the coach called hit and run, Key whiffed but a bad throw by Roseboro allowed Upshaw go to 3rd. He scored when Moseby homered. The Jays added to the lead in the 6th when Barfield hit a 360 foot home run and in the 7th Moseby hit his 2nd homerun of the game. Key was showing signs of being tired after 7 and to start the bottom of the 8th Eichhorn came in allowing only a double. In the 9th Reese grounded to Eichhorn but Eichhorn error ed on the throw to 1st, Reese advanced to 2nd. Henke came in and got the next 3 batters to fly, ground and line out. 

Minnesota 1 Toronto 4

John Cerutti kept the streak going by being the 3rd Blue Jays pitcher in as many games receiving Game MVP honors. He pitched 7 2/3 innings 4 hits 1 unearned run and struck out 7. Kaat went the distance allowing 4 hits and 4 earned runs. Minnesota once again opened the scoring in the 4th Uhlaender singled, Carew reached 1st on a Cerutti error, Oliva grounded into a double play but Uhlaender went to third. Killebrew was walked and Tovar doubled scoring Uhlaender. Toronto got on the board in the 6th when Upshaw and Fernandez walked and Bell blasted a 394 footer over the left-field wall. Messelman came in to relieve Cerutti when the Twins had runners on the corners. He got Oliva to ground out. In the 8th Bell repeated the feat with a solo 381 footer. In the ninth Musselman ran onto trouble with2 out and runners on the corner. The Twins brought in Mitterwald to pinch hit for Holt. The Jays countered by bringing in Henke who grounded to third and Cardenas was forced out at 2nd. Henke got the save. George Bell brought his consecutive game hitting streak to 11 games which started in the Blue Jays first game of the season. He was 3 for 4 today with a double, 2 homeruns and 4 RBIs. 

Thanks to Marvin for playing.

--Submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Problems on the North Side ???

 Cubs never led in any of the 3 games. Banks is going to Triple A if he continues his funk. Thanks - Gene-Cubs

No statues for the '59 MVP in KOD14 so far

 

LA starts season @7-1 after taking 3 of 4 from Houston

8/21 - Dodger Stadium
Bergman vs Weaver
Dodgers 2, Astros 0

Jeff Weaver continues to shine in Southern California as he threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball before giving way to Darren Dreifort and the "Save Machine" Eric Gagne.  Weaver fanned 4 and gave up just 6 hit.  In the process his ERA dropped to 0.57.  LA managed a solo run in the 3rd and another in the 6th, but with the kind of pitching that they are getting it was more than enough.  Dodger 2nd baseman Jose Hernandez had half of his team's hits going 3 for 4 with 1 run scored and 1 run knocked in.  Hernandez had a hand in both of LA's tallies.  In the 3rd he knocked in Cora and in the 6th he scored on a Milton Bradley ground out.

8/22
Hampton vs Perez
Dodgers 3, Astros 1
Another tight pitchers duel in Chavez Ravine saw Mike Hampton go the distance for the Astros, but come away from the game with his first loss on the season.  This happened because Odallis Perez was rock solid for 7 innings where he scattered 6 hits and gave up just 1 run in the 6th.  Mota pitched a scoreless 6th and Gagne easily picked up his 3rd save of the season with a perfect 9th.  Pitching aside the true star of the day was Jayson Werth, who went 3 for3 with 2 RBI's and a run score.  Werth needed just a double to complete the hitting cycle.  His homer was his third of the year.

8/23 - Astrodome
Ishii vs Lima
Astros 3, Dodgers 0

Call this one "Lima Time".  Houston starter Jose Lima tossed his second consecutive shutout to boost his record to 2-0.  He scattered 7 hits over his 9 innings of work.  Houston jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Gutierrez tripled home Biggio, who led the inning off with a walk.  Bill Spiers' ground out to second scored Gutierrez to make it 2-0.  Houston added an insurance run in the 6th when the enigmatic Carl Everett led off with a walk and stole second, then scored on Ken Caminiti's single that just found it's way between first and second.  Houston only managed 4 hits on the day, but they sure made them count off of Kaz Ishii, who had control problems with 5 walks in just over 5 innings.

8/34
Lima vs Reynolds
Dodgers 6, Astros 2
If you can't beat Lima, you join Lima, or more specifically you have him join you.  Lima did double duty pitching game 3 for the 'Stros and now game 4 of the series for LA.  Although he didn't toss a shutout here, his 7 inning / 2 run effort was more than good enough to get the win for an LA squad that has jumped out to a 7-1 start.  The Dodgers gave Lima 6 runs to work with and he more than made them stand up in the end.  (Yo) Andrian Beltre went 3 for 4 with a run and an RBI.  With his season average now standing at .452, LA's powerful thirdbaseman is poised to make a run at the NL MVP.

Special Note From Justin Ryan (HOU):  "Also super utility man Bill Spires went 5-5 in a losing cause in game 4 for Houston's anemic offense."

Jints and Friars split

Game 1

at San Diego Stadium,

Juan Marichal pitches a strong one hitter as he shuts down the Padres 4-0.

Game 2

at San Diego Stadium,

Randy Jones and Shaw square off in a classic pitchers duel won by Shaw 2-1.  Bobby Bolin pitches three innings in relief to earn the save.

Game 3

at Candlestick,

Padres finally get into the win column after losing their first six games.  Tucker Ashford, Dave Winfield, and Oscar Gamble all go yard to support Bob Owchinko, who evens his record at 1-1. Padres win 5-2 with Rollie Fingers getting the save.

Game 4

at Candlestick,

The Surprising Tucker Ashford hits his second homerun in as many days and third of the year to help the Padres even the series at 2.  Jerry Turner also smashed one in the seats in offensive support of Eric Rasmussen. John D'Aquisto earned his first save of the year as the Friars down the Giants 4-2.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bucs take 3 of 4 from Cubbies.

8/21 - Forbes Field
Anderson vs Veale
Pirates 3, Cubs 2

Anderson and Veale locked up in a close one where neither starter factored into the decision.  Tied 2-2 and heading to the bottom of the 9th the Cubs went to bullpen ace Don Elston, who quickly got Gene Alley and Roberto Clemente out to start the inning.  A seemingly harmless single to Stargell was followed by walks to Clendenon and Bailey, which set the stage for Mr. Clut Bill Mazeroski who singled home the winning run.

8/22
Hobbie vs Fryman
Cubs 3, Pirates 0
This game was all Glen Hobbie, who according to his manager (Gene Couture) "pitched the game of his life".  Hobbie was spectacular tossing a 1 hitter vs this stacked Buc lineup.  He fanned 9 and walked 4 as he went the distance and baffled the Bucs.  Future/Former Buc Dale Long hit a solo blast in the 9th to take a 2-0 lead and turn it into an insurmountable 3-0 lead with the way Hobbie was dealing.  Hobbie carried his no-hit bit until the top of the 8th when Maz lined a clean single to center with 1 out.

8/23 - Wrigley Field
Law vs Ceccarelli
Pirates 9, Cubs 7

Repeat after me, "No lead is EVER safe when the wind is blowing out at Wrigley".  This was the case today as the "Deacon" Vern Law had a 9-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th when the Cubbies struck for 5 runs and almost pulled it out.  Part of the blame would lie on the shoulders of the Pirates manager (wonder who that is?), who left Law in way past his effectiveness in order to rest his pen.  Finally Don Cardwell was called on to get the final out with George Altman coming to bat as the potential winning run.  Altman popped up weakly to first and the Cubbies came up 2 short in a game that the pundits had them dead and burried.  With the wind blowing out this game was homer-fest (6 total).  Pirate Slugger Donn Clendenon hit 2.  Even Vern Law got into the action going 2 for 5 with a homer and 2 RBI.

8/24
Blass vs Hillman
Pirates 3, Cubs 1
Steve Blass went 8 innings and gave up 1 run on 5 hits, while fanning 7.  Roy Face pitched a scoreless 9th as there was no reason to trot Blass back out to the mound and make the same mistake made yesterday.  Blass protected a tight 3-1 lead until the top of the 9th when the Bucs posted a 3 spot on reliever Dave Morehead.  Matty Alou, Gene Alley, Donn Clendenon and Bill Mazeroski all had 2 hit games.  Each team made 2 errors, with 1 leading to an unearned run against Cub starter Dave Hillman.

Braves take 3 of 4 from Redbirds

In a series that featured games closer than the scores might indicate, the 1993 Atlanta Braves took the first three games of their four game series against the 1970 Cardinals, only to have the Cardinals salvage the finale.

 

Greg Maddux and Bob Gibson dueled in a showcase pitching match up for the opener. Gibson was uncharacteristically wild in this one, surrendering 7 walks. The Braves jumped on him for four runs in the second inning on two walks, three singles, and a run scoring ground out. That was all they needed as Maddux was sharp, as you would expect, not walking a single batter and striking out six in the 4-2 victory.

 

Game two featured lefthanders Steve Carlton and Tom Glavine on the hill. This one was a 2-1 ballgame until the 8th when the Braves broke it open with a 5 spot against the Cardinal bullpen, three of which tallied on Deion Sanders' long home run, to coast to a 7-1 win.

 

Game three was tied at 3 at the end of regulation, as the Cardinals erased an early 3-0 deficit with 2 in the seventh and one in the eighth. Once again the Cardinal bullpen played with matches, with Chuck Taylor the prime arsonist this time. The 10th inning started with a Sid Bream pinch-hit homer. Otis Nixon then walked, Terry Pendleton singled, and after a ground out and strike out, Taylor intentionally walked Fred McGriff to get to the righty hitting Jeff Blauser. Apparently the intentional walk got Taylor into a walking mood as he then walked Blauser to force in a run, and gave up a single to Damon Berryhill to plate another before McGriff was gunned down at the plate. Greg McMichael pitched a scoreless bottom half to finish it off.

 

The Cardinals got game four behind Jerry Reuss's stellar work in his first start of the year. Reuss pitched seven scoreless innings in the contest, as his mates jumped on John Smoltz early for 2 runs in the first and one in the fourth. This time the Cardinal bullpen came through, with Tom Hilgendorf and Chuck Taylor putting up zeroes in the 8th and 9th respectively to seal the win.

 

The Braves climb to 6-2 and the Cardinals are 4-4.

--Submitted by "Bike" Mike Roberts-- 

 

 

Dial M for Manny runs

The Mariners lose the first game to Texas but take the next three. Randy Johnson has an 11-K day in a win, and A-Rod’s first homer is a slam.

Seattle improves to 6-2 and now waits to see what Oakland does.  --submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

Amazin's and Phightin's split series with 2 each

8/21 - Citizens Bank Ballpark

Gooden vs Moyer

Mets 7, Phillies 2

Vintage Doc for 7 innings sealed the deal as the Mets offense found its stride vs a tiring old man Moyer.  Heading into the 8th the score was 1-1 and looked to be a tight pitching duel until Moyer tired ad the Mets scored 4 runs in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to make it seem like a laugher.  curiously Moyer is actually older than Doc Gooden, even thought the latter was a meta star first.  It seems like both hurlers had a reverse of fortune with Gooden having a meteoric rise over the first 6 years of his career and Moyer hot hitting his stride until his mid 30's.  Gooden would give up 7 hits, but only 2 runs over 7 innings.  He also fanned 7, which never hurts.  Kevin McReynolds, who left the game hitting a buck 90 went 3 for 4 with a 3 RBI's.  Mackey Sasser hit his first homer of the season and had 3 RBI's.  Jayson Werth had 3 hits in a losing cause.

8/22

Viola vs Halladay

Phillies 8, Mets 0

For the second straight outing Frank Viola was battered from pillar to post.  Doc Halladay was stellar tossing a pain free 3 hit shutout.  After scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 3rd the Phighin's never looked back.  Placido Polanco was 3 for 5 wi.  Raul Ibanez was the oly Philly regular not to post a hit, although he did knock in 2.

8/23 - Shea Stadium

Hamels vs Cone

Mets 5, Phillies 4

New York made a late comeback after Cole Hamels began to tire and the pen was leaky.  Down 3-0 after 6 and a half innings of play the Amazin's exploded for 4 urns in the bottom of the 7th to take a 4-3 lead.  Dave Magadan's 2 out double scored Elster.  After Straw was given an intentional pass, McReynolds singled between Utley and Gload to score HoJo.  Sasser's single looked to break the game open, but the Phills weren't done and when Polanco singled Schnider home the game was tied at 4-4, until the bottom of the 9th when Daryl Boston hit a walk off double off the righ field wall to score Jefferies.

8/24

Kendrick vs Fernandez

Phillies 8, Mets 0

3 of the 4 games in this series were completely one sided.  This time it was the Phightin's turn to win easy.  Kyle Kendrick threw himself a tidy 2 hit shutout to get his second win of the season and lower his ERA to 0.63.  El Sid was once again dreadful for the Mets. Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez both went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's going to Werth and 3 to Ibanez as the Flushing faithful left Big Shea disgusted and disgruntled.

Royals take 3 of 4 from A's. Both teas have identical 5-3 records

8/21 - Royals Stadium

Heredia vs Leibrandt

A's 16, Royals 2

Gil Heredia went the distance thanks to plenty of run support and a weak Royals offense.  Oakland scored 16 run on 18 hits.  Only 1 homer was hit all day and that oddly came by KC's Bo Jackson.  Eric Chavez (4-5, 3 runs and 4 RBI's) was the offensive standout for Oakland.  Jason Giambi went 4 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI.  Both had 2 doubles on the day.  The game got so out of hand KC brought in Bill Buckner to pitch a perfect 9th.  Maybe they should have started him ?

8/22

Hudson vs Saberhagen

Royals 4, A's 3 (13 inn)

Bret Saberahagen pretended he was a 1960's era pitcher by going 11 full innings and giving up just 1 earned run (a solo blast to Giambi in the 1st).  KC would score a walk off run in the bottom of the 13th off of Jeff Tam when Bo Jackson singled home George Brett, who doubled with 1 out.

8/23 - Oakland Coliseum

Gubicza vs Mulder

Royals 2, A's 1

KC struck first with 2 runs in the opening frame.  Gubicza (8 IP / 1 R) made it hold up until the 9th when Jeff Montgomery came on to pitch a perfect 9th to earn his 2nd save of the season.  KC's offense came from one swing of the bat, which was a 2 run shot by Danny Tartabull in the first.  Oakland got their only run in the 5th when Tejada singled home Santangelo, but they could not get any closer.

8/24

Aquino vs Zito

Royals 8, A's 4

Tied 3-3 after 4, the Royals got to Zito for 2 more big runs to give the unheralded Aquino a 2 run lead thanks to a error by Chavez at 3rd base.  Kevin Seitzer's 2 run single with 2 out was the big hit.  In the top of the 7th the Royals added 3 more to go up 8-3.  4 consecutive singles with 2 outs by Boone, Brett, White and Stillwell accounted for the 3 runs to put the game away as the A's just couldn't hit their way out of a disappointing outing by so-called ace Zito.

Amazin's and Bucs split 2 @ Forbes Field

GAME 3 - 8/18 - Forbes Field
David Cone vs Vern Law
Mets 9, Pirates 3

David Cone bent, but he did not break.  New York's slender right hander gave up 3 runs in 7 innings while fanning 6 and not walking any.  In the process the Bucs had his back up against the wall many times, but he did not give up the "big inning".  All the while the Met offense was chipping away at "the Deacon" (Vern Law), who gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in 6 innings.  Jeff Innis pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief for the save.  Daryl Boston, who Ralph Kiner says "solidified New York's outfield woes" went 3 for 4 withe 3 runs scored and 4 RBI's.  Boston's 3 run homer in the 9th sent what remained from an opening day sell out crowd scurrying for the exits.  Dave Magadan and Mackey Saser also had 3 hits as the Mets spoiled the Bucs home opener.



GAME 4 - 8/19
Sid Fernandez vs Steve Blass
Pirates 3, Mets 2

The Bucs took advantage of El Sid's wildness and his lack of fielding prowess to score 3 big runs in the bottom of the second.  Matty Alou's 2 run single made it 3-0, but El Sid evaded further damaging by getting Gene Alley to pop out to third, Clemente to pop out to center and Stargell on strikes.  That allowed the Mets to get right back in it with 2 runs off of Steve Blass in the top of the 6th.  Mackey Sasser led off the inning with a double, then scored easily on Jefferies' double to make it 3-1.  Blass got the next 2 batters out then served up an RBI single to his opposing number to make it a 1 run game.  Blass had 1 more inning left in him, then he gave way to lefty Bill O'Dell who spent two innings getting out of more jams than Jerry Matthers did as the "Beaver".  In the 8th O'Dell allowed a lead off single to Jefferies then two batters later almost gave up a homer to shortstop Kevin Elster.  Matty Alou tracked Elster's fly down along the ivy covered wall in left center for the second out of the inning.  O'Dell started the 9th getting the first two outs easily, then for some unknown reason he ran a fastball inside to Strawberry that wound up hitting the "Straw-man" on the wrist.  Kevin McReynolds walked to push the tying run into scoring position.  Sasser was given an intentional pass due to the fact that he was a double's machine vs Buc pitching.  That brought up the "boy wonder" (Jefferies), who went down swinging at O'Dell's 1-2 offering.

A's sweep Halos in tight series that could have gone either way...

GAME 1 - 8/16 - Network Assoc Coliseum
David Frost vs Tim Hudson
A's 5, Angels 2

Tim Hudson was on his "A" game going 7 innings and giving up just 1 run on 4 hits.  The A's pen gave up just 1 run over the final 2 innings, which facilitated a call to closer Jason Isringhausen to finish out the 9th.  "Izzy" gave up 1 hit and allowed an inherited runner to score, then clamped down to get the Halos out to give the hometown fans a nice feeling with an opening day win.  Oakland scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, then solo runs in the next 2 innings to make Hudson's life a bit easier.  Angels starter Dave Frost walked 7, which turned out to be his downfall.  Terrence Long hit a solo shot in the 5th for the team in green, while going 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored.

GAME 2 - 8/17
Nolan Ryan vs Mark Mulder
A's 2, Angels 1
Neither starter escaped the 5th inning.  Both were doing fantastic, but Mulder exceeded the dreaded 100 pitch plateau, while "the Express" rubbed up a blister and had to leave prematurely.  California drew first blood when Bobby Grich singled home Jim Anderson with 2 out in the top of the 4th.  Anderson got on base thanks to Jason Giambi's fielding error, which led to the only run (unearned) that Mulder would yield.  Oakland would tie the game up via a passed ball charged to catcher Brian Downing, which allowed Migued Tejada to move into scoring position for Jeremy Giambi, who singled him home.  The game remained tied until the bottom of the 8th when the A's got the go-ahead run off of reliever Mark Clear, who walked Jeremy G with the bases loaded to score big bro Jason.  Izzy came on to pitch a perfect 9th to record his 2nd save in as many days.

GAME 3 - 8/18 - Anaheim Stadium
Barry Zito vs Frank Tanana
A's 3, Angels 2 (10 inn)

Frank Tanana was flat out dominant in a losing effort.  He struck out 8 and gave up just 2 hits in 8 innings. The one run that he gave up, a solo run in the 5th, was unearned.  He handed the ball off to his manager Douglas Zaner, who entrusted the lead to reliever Mark Clear.  It looked like "clear sailing" in the 9th as Tejada popped out to short and Jason Giambi lined out to second.  Clear pained the corner for two quick strikes to Eric Chavez, then threw a ball that was just off the outside corner.  The 1-2 offering that he threw caught too much plate and Chavez hit a high arching shot 368 feet to right center to tie the game up a 1 all.  You could hear a pin drop at the Big "A".  Two outs and two strikes and Chavez ties up the game with a solo blast.  Clear started the top of the 10th and got Dye to ground out to sencond, then got Hernandez to fly out weakly to right.  Frankie Menechino hit a hot smash to short that the usually reliable Bert Campaneris booted.  Frankie then pilfered second and scored on a slicing single to left by Johnny Damon to put the A's up 2-1.  Jim Mecir started the bottom of the 10th for Oakland and fanned the hard to strike out Rod Carew.  Izzy was called on to get two run of the mill guys named Grich and Baylor.  Izzy jammed Grich and got him to pop to short and did the same to Baylor to get the 1979 AL MVP to bounce out to third to end the game.  Izzy now had his 3rd save in as many days.

GAME 4 - 8/19
Cory Lidle vs Jim Barr
A's 3, Angels 1 (10 inn)

4 saves in consecutive games

For the second straight night in a row the Angels got a virtuoso performance from one of their starters (Jim Barr) and walked out of the ball yard with nothing but an agonizing loss to show for it.  Jim Barr went 8 1/3 innings and gave up just a solo run in the 7th.  That solo run came on one of the wildest plays of the series.  Miguel Tejada walked with 1 out and Eric Chavez hit a bomb off the centerfield wall, for what should have been a certain triple.  Tejada had absolutely no problem scoring from first to tie the game, but Chavez, who in his haste to turn on the jets while rounding first fell flat on his face.  While Tejada was motoring, Chavez had to struggle to his feet and crawl and stumble his way back to first for what might be the longest recorded single in KOD history.  That bumbling and stumbling play cost the A's a chance to score what would certainly have been the go ahead run since Giambi singled to center in the next AB.  Starters Cory Lidle (6.2 / 1 ER) and Jim Barr (8.1 / 1 ER) left the game  and earned no-decisions.  The game headed into extra innings after Chad Bradford pitched out of difficulty in the bottom of the 9th.  Dyar Miller took the hill in the top of the 10th for the Halos and plunked Jeremy Giambi, who was immediately lifted for a pinch runner (F.P. Santangelo).  After Olmedo Saenz struck out on 3 straight pitches Hernandez walked and Menechino lined out to left for out #2.  Miller got Damon into an 0-2 hole then lost him by served up a frustrating infield single.  Terrance Long came up with the bases loaded and also wound up in an 0-2 hole.  Long shortened his stroke and lined one up the middle to score both Santangelo and Hernandez to put Oakland up 3-1.  For the bottom of the 10th, Izzy took the hill looking for his 4th save in his 4th consecutive day of action.  After Brian Downing grounded a single to the opposite field, Grich struck out.  Baylor lined a single up the middle to put the go ahead run at the plate in the form of Willie Aikens, who grounded to short for what should have been the second out of the inning.  Miguel Tejada thinking double play all the way tried to throw the ball before he got a handle on it and all hands were safe.  Dan Ford came to the plate with 1 out and the bases loaded.  A single ties it up and an extra base hit would have won it.  With an 0-1 count Izzy, who was definitely tired after 4 straight days of work, put one right down the middle.  Ford hit a 1 hop bullet to Tejada at short.  Unlike the previous play, Tejada got it cleanly and tossed it to Menechino for one and over to Giambi for a game ending double play.  Oakland gains the improbable sweep in a series that could have gone either way.  Jason Isringhausen has to be the series MVP notching 4 saves in 4 straight games.

Dodgers sweep Friars

Game One: 2004 Dodgers (0-0) at 1978 Padres (0-0)

The reigning champion Dodgers opened their KOD14 season at the 78 Padres. With the Dodgers relying on power and hoping to give Eric Gagne a chance to save games late, they were not expecting a strong performance by Jeff Weaver.  However, Weaver threw a complete game, spreading 5 hits and 1 run, while striking out 4 Padres.  The Padres scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the 4^th as Gene Richards opened the inning with a double and two batters later, Dave Winfield brought him home with an RBI single.  Gaylord Perry held the Dodgers scoreless until the 6^th inning when he gave up a solo homerun to Jayson Werth.  The Dodgers then exploded for three more runs in the 7^th inning as Jeff Weaver reached base on error, Cesar Izturis bunted him to second with a sacrifice. Joey Cora lined for the second out, but Perry began to struggle. A single by Adrian Beltre made it 2-1 with Weaver coming in. Then Shawn Green hit a 2 run homer to bring the score to 4-1, Los Angeles.  Weaver faced only 10 batters over the final 3 innings to record his first win.

Game MVP: Jeff Weaver (LAD) 9IP, 1ER, 5 hits

Game Two: 2004 Dodgers (1-0) at 1978 Padres (0-1)

Odalis Perez faced off against Randy Jones in game two of the series. San Diego struck quickly and hard, scoring 1 run in the second as Fernando Gonzalez picked up his first RBI of the season. And then in the 3^rd, Dave Roberts opened with a single, Randy Jones sacrificed him to second on a bunt, Gene Richards hit a deep triple to make the score 2-0. The Perez walked Ozzie Smith, and Oscar Gamble hit the Padres' second triple of the inning, bringing Richards and Smith in to score. Dave Winfield then singled to center allowing Gamble to score.

And the Padres had a commanding 5-0 lead after 3. There was no noise until the 6^th inning – and when the Dodgers make noise, they are capable of making big noise. With 1 out, Jayson Werth doubled, and Joey Cora doubled him home. Shawn Green struck out and it looked like Jones was going to get out of the inning. But Paul LoDuca singled, Juan Encarnacion singled, Olmedo Saenz reached on an error, Izturis sigled, Milton Bradley doubled and Adrian Beltre singled. However Bradley was thrown out at home, ending the 6^th inning with the Dodgers taking a 6-5 lead. The Padres answered quickly with a run in the bottom of the 6^th to tie the game at 6 as Bill Almon picked up an RBI single. But just to show that they could, the Dodgers responded in the top of the 7^th, with LoDuca picking up his second RBI of the game on a single to left center. The Dodgers held on to their 7-6 lead and Eric Gagne picked up his first save of the season, although he faced 5 batters in the 9^th to make it interesting.
Game MVP: Dave Winfield (SAN) 5ABs, 1 2B, 4 hits, 2 runs scored, 1RBI

Game Three: 1978 Padres (0-2) at 2004 Dodgers (2-0)

The Dodgers once again had a starting pitcher perform well above expectations in this game. Kazuhisa Ishii went 7.2 innings before leaving the game with a blister. He faced only 28 batters giving up 3 hits and striking out 5.  The Dodgers did not have a lot of power today, but they had enough. In the second inning Paul LoDuca picked up an RBI singling home Werth. And then in the 8^th inning Jayson Werth hit a solo homerun to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. The Padres made the game interesting in the top of the 9^th as Gene Tenace hit a solo homerun off of Duaner Sanchez, but that was the only run they scored. And the Dodgers improved to 3-0 with a 2-1 victory. 

Game MVP: Kazuhisa Ishii (LAD) 7.2 IP, 3 hits allowed, 3 walks, 5 Ks

Game Four: 1978 Padres (0-3) at 2004 Dodgers (3-0)

Game Four saw another offensive explosion with the Padres and Dodgers combining for 15 runs. The Padres opened the scoring in the first on an RBI single by Gene Tenace. The Dodgers answered right back in the bottom of the first with Jose Hernandez hitting a 2-run HR. The Dodgers expanded their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the 2^nd as Paul LoDuca hit a solo homerun.  And in the bottom of the third, the Dodgers took a 3 run lead as Joey Cora brought in Izturis who lead off the inning with a triple. The Padres' bats woke up in the top of the 4^th as Tucker Ashford closed the gap to 4-3 with a 2 run homerun, bringing Tenace around to score. The bats stayed silent until the 7^th when the Padres erupted for 4 runs, including a two run homer by Dave Winfield followed by a solo homer by Gene Tenace. The Padres felt good going in to the bottom of the 8^th with a 7-4 lead. But Eric Rasmussen ran out of gas. Izturis lead off with a double, Cora singled, and Beltre singled to make the score 7-5. Rasmussen calmed down and got Jose Hernandez to strike out, and Shawn Green to fly out allowing Cora to score. With a 7-6 lead and 2 outs, Rasmussen claimed he had enough left to finish the inning. But Werth singled, Encarnacion singled, and LoDuca singled, giving the Dodgers an 8-7 lead. Clearly frustrated the Padres seemingly went on strike in the top of the 9^th as Smith and Gamble both tried to bunt their way to safety. And then perhaps the most curious call of this young season, power hitter Dave Winfield tried to bunt. He struck out and the game and series ended with a Dodgers sweep.

Game MVP:Paul LoDuca (LAD) 2 hits, 2 RBIs (GWRBI)

--submitted by Keith MacDonald--

Cardinals Take Two at home, split in Wrigley vs Cubs

Game One: Cards 5 Cubs 0

The 1970 St. Louis Cardinals opened KOD14 in impressive fashion. Perhaps a better way to put is that ace Bob Gibson opened in impressive fashion. Gibson hurled a two-hit shutout in the season lid lifter,

Gibson struck out eighth, walked only one, and was so dominant that no Cub even reached second base. He had six 1-2-3 innings, and faced only 29 batters.

The Cardinal offensive firepower came from a surprising source, as second baseman Julian Javier went 4 for 4 driving in 3 of the Cardinals runs.

Game Two: Cards 4 Cubs 2 (10 innings)

Lefty Steve Carlton took the hill in game two for the Cardinals, matching up with right-hander Glen Hobbie of the Cubs. Carlton was almost as good as Gibson, pitching 8 scoreless innings and departing with a 2-0 lead. Hobbie wasn’t bad himself, going 7 and giving up only 3 hits, one of which was newly acquired Rich Allen’s first home run of the season.

When Carlton gave up a lead off single to former Redbird Al Dark to start the ninth, the Cardinal bullpen was entrusted to bring home the win. But they showed what looks to be the Achilles heel of this club. First Frank Linzy was summoned, who immediately walked Ernie Banks. He then got pinch hitter Jim Marshall to fly out to center, before giving up a single to Lee Walls scoring Dark and sending Banks to third.

With the fire now feeding on gasoline, lefty Tom Hilgendorf was brought in to face Sammy Taylor. Taylor hit a slow roller to the left side that Allen fielded cleanly (Allen was playing his old third base position as Mike Shannon is not 100% early on), and went for the around the horn double play to end the game. But his throw to second was a little wide and the Cardinals could only get the one out, as Banks scampered home with the tying run.

Dale Long then sent Jose Cardenal to the center field track, ending the ninth. With Don Elston on the hill for Chicago, hot hitting Julian Javier (make that “jot jitting Julian Javier”) doubled with one out. Vic Davalillo came off the bench to hit for Dal Maxvill, and was walked intentionally. Elston then retired another pinch hitter, Carl Taylor, while lefty Bill Henry came on to end the threat by getting Lou Brock on an infield pop up.

Ted Abernathy pitched around a hit batsman and walk to keep the game tied after 9 and a half. Henry retired the first two Cardinal hitters in the 10^th before walking Joe Torre. Young first baseman Joe Hague then sent the crowd home (mostly) happy by drilling a Henry fastball into the seats in left.

Game three: Cardinals 6 Cubs 1

The series moved north to Wrigley Field for the final two contests. Game three of the series was rather uneventful as Mike Torrez gave the Redbirds their third straight strong start, pitching 7 strong innings of two hit ball, with only a Jim Marshall solo home run keeping him from pitching shutout ball.

The Cardinals managed to put together 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks off of Cub starter Dave Hillman, with an error hurting the Baby Bears as well.

Sal Campisi looks like he could be a bright spot in the bullpen, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Torrez. Meanwhile the Cardinals ended up getting 12 hits and 7 walks off of four Cub pitchers, with Lou Brock getting three, and Hague, Cardenal, Javier and Maxvill getting 2 apiece. Three games into the season Javier is hitting .667.

Game four: Cubs 3 Cardinals 1

The Cubs notched their first win of the year in the series finale, besting Nelson Briles and the Cardinals 3-1. Moe Draboswsky went six innings for the win, despite issues with his command. Don Elston got the final two outs for the save.

Walt "Moose" Moryn, Al Dark and Irv Noren each had 2 hits for the Cubs. The Cardinals held Ernie Banks to just 2 singles in 15 at bats in the series. Javier went only 1 for 5 in game four to finish the four game set with a .529 average.  --submitted by "Bike" Mike Roberts--

Amazin's and Bucs split 2 @ Shea

8/16 - Shea Stadium
Bob Veale vs Doc Gooden
Mets 2, Pirates 1

1 run in 6 innings of work

Doc Gooden had leadoff hitter Matty Alou in an 0-2 hole and decided to rare back and put some extra heat on his next pitch.  Alou, who is not known for his power, was waiting for Gooden's high heat and turned on it and lined it just over the 8 foot fence in front of the home team's bullpen.  That would be Doc's only mistake in 6 solid innings of work.  New York would even up the score in the bottom of the 3rd when Doc hit a fly ball to deep left to score Daryl Boston who tagged up from third.  Boston got to third on a throwing error by Buc left fielder Willie Stargell.  An error by Alou in center in the bottom of the 6th would allow Kevin McReynolds to score on Craig Jefferies single to center.  Alou charged the ball hard, but had it bounce off the heel of his glove.  With the Pirates offense being held at bay by Gooden and relievers Julio Machado and John Franco, that unearned run in the 6th would be the game breaker.  The aforementioned Franco pitched a perfect 9th to get the save.  Bob Veale was the hard luck loser giving up 2 unearned runs.  Pete Mikkelsen pitched 2 scoreless innings for the Bucs, who could never get their offense going on an uncharacteristically mild 72 degree August day in Flushing.

Started a big rally in top of the 6th

8/17
Woodie Fryman vs Frank Viola
Pirates 10, Mets 8
After a 2-1 pitcher's duel the day before the Flushing faithful was treated to a slugfest that the home team came up short in.  Pittsburgh had themselves a tenuous 7-6 lead after 5 innings of play.  Both starting pitchers were battered and bruised.  Viola, who had more bum notes than sweet music gave up 5 runs in 3 lousy innings.  Fryman, who gave up 8 in 6 1/3 lasted longer, but was certainly not any better.  In the top of the 6th the Bucs scored 3 big runs.  Catcher Jim Pagliaroni lined a 340 foot opposite field shot that landed into the Mets bullpen in right.  Manny Mota singled to center, but Jose Pagan popped out to short for the second out.  Bill Mazeroski singled to put runners on the corners and Fryman singled home Mota to make it 9-6.  Matty Alou's single scored Maz to make it 10-6.  Fryman posted a goose egg in the 6th, so he was rewarded by being allowed to start the 7th.  After getting McReynolds to pop up, he served up a single to Mackey Saser and walked Jefferies.  That was it for his miserable day.  Roy Face came in to put the fire out and got Keith Miller to ground into a 6-4 force out.  Face then proceeded to walk Elster and the opposing pitcher to walk in a run.  He walked the next batter (HoJo) to force in another run before getting Dave Magadan to roll out to second and end the threat.  Face would pitch a scoreless 8th.  Pete Mikkelsen came on to get the save in the 9th, but not before making it a mini-drama.  After getting Jefferies to round out to second he walked Miller.  Elster hit an opposite field bomb that the great Roberto Clemente caught against the wall in full stride.  Manager Stouber played a hunch an let reliever Bobby Ojeda hit for himself, which yielded a timely single to put runners on the corners to set the stage for HoJo to become the day's hero.  Mikkelsen quickly got ahead with a 1-2 count.  HoJo had to make a defensive swing on a borderline strike that he would have taken if he wasn't in the hole.  HoJo weakly popped it up to Gene Alley at short to end the game.  Both teams split the series at Shea and headed out of Laguardia Airport to Pittsburgh for 2 games in Forbes Field tomorrow.