Monday, September 29, 2014

Chris Gotay and the 1980's Amazin's win the KOD19 Championship


Amazin's take KOD19 WS in 6 over O's

The Orioles and Mets meet for the KOD19 championship; with the Mets hoping things end up the same way they did when the franchises met in the 1969 World Series.


Game One –Scott McGregor vs. Dwight Gooden.
The Orioles strike first with three runs in the third, but the Mets get it back on a Strawberry three-run homer in the fourth. DeCinces gives the O’s the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth, but McReynolds ties it up with a two-run homer of his own in the eighth. This game goes to extras.  Lowenstein hits a sacrifice fly in the twelfth to give Baltimore a 6-5 lead,but Howard Johnson’s RBI single in the bottom of the inning keeps the Mets alive. In the fourteenth, Larry Sheets leads off with a homer off of Neil Allen, and the Orioles take a one game to none lead with a 7-6 win.

WP – Stewart                    LP – Allen
Game Two –Mike Boddicker vs Sid Fernandez

The O’s strike first again with two runs in the first and one in the second. The game is knotted at three in the eighth when Cal Ripken Jr.’s single drives in two runs off of Randy Myers for the go-ahead runs. Storm,Davis and Tippy Martinez come in to support Boddicker, and the Orioles leave New York up two games with a 5-3 win.

WP – Boddicker                                LP – Myers                          S – T. Martinez
Game Three– David Cone vs. Mike Flanagan.

The teams travel to Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium and Joel Youngblood leads off the game with a homer off of Flanagan. This one was a pitcher’s duel, as the Mets get another run in the seventh and the Orioles get one in the eighth and that is all. David Cone does the distance, limiting the O’s to four hits as the Mets get back in the series with a 2-1 win.

WP – Cone                          LP – Flanagan
Game Four– Bob Ojeda vs. Jim Palmer.

The Mets get single runs in each of the first three innings and break it open with three runs in the fifth to even up the series with a 6-1win. Ojeda goes the distance, slogging his way through allowing ten hits and three walks, but is aided by the Mets turning three double plays behind him.The Mets get three hits apiece from Wally Backman, Lenny Dykstra and Howard Johnson.

WP – Ojeda                        LP – Palmer
Game Five– Dwight Gooden.vs. Scott McGregor


The Mets continue to enjoy the crab cakes in Baltimore, pounding out seventeen hits while Gooden throws a four-hitter in a 12-0 win.  Daryl Strawberry has two homers and drives in four, while Keith Hernandez has four hits. The road teams continue to rule, as the visitors have won all five games this far as the teams pack up and head to Shea for Game Six.

WP – Gooden                    LP – McGregor
Game Six –Mike Boddicker vs. Sid Fernandez.

The Orioles pounce on Fernandez with two runs in the second and three in the third to take a 5-1 lead. They extend their lead to 8-2heading into the bottom of the eighth with Mets fans looking towards the token booths and the #7 train. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Howard Johnson homers to make it 8-3. After Lee Mazzilli flies out for out number two and what follows will be etched in KOD lore. John Stearns walks, Dave Magadan singles, Nate Snell comes in to relieve Boddicker. Gregg Jefferies singles to drive in a run, Backman singles to make it an 8-5 game. Hernandez singles in another run and the O’s turn to Tippy Martinez. Youngblood comes through with a two-run pinch-hit double and the game was tied at 8. We were going to extras.
The team’s cycle through the bullpens and benches; with Tim Stoddard and Myers pitching out of bases loaded jams in the twelfth and thirteenth innings respectively. Pete Falcone was given the ball by the Nets in the fourteenth with no backup, and he was able to stay out of serious trouble, while Sammy Stewart was doing the same for the O’s. Baltimore turned to Scott McGregor in the seventeenth, and in the bottom of the eighteenth, Joel Youngblood led off with a single. Youngblood stole second, and Strawberry hit one into the gap to score him to give the Mets a 9-8 win and the title for KOD19.
WP – Falcone                     LP – McGregor
This series was phenomenal; two evenly matched teams and Mark and the Orioles had a great season. My hats off to him and all of the KOD managers; the Mets were just lucky enough to get a theme that encompassed the best stretch in their franchise history. Can’t wait for KOD20.
--submitted by Chris Gotay--

Monday, May 19, 2014

October 04, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

California 5, Minnesota 3

Bobby Grich homered twice, Doug DeCinces homered once, and Mike Witt pitched 8.2 innings to lead the Angels to a 5-3 win in the series opener.  Rob Wilfong’s first inning HR had given the Twins the early lead. But the game quickly turned into a nip-and-tuck affair with no team leading by more than 1 run until Brian Downing’s 8th inning sacrifice fly made the score 5-3 California.  Brian Harper’s 2-out double brought the tying run to the plate for Minnesota in the top of the 9th.  But Bryan Harvey induced a harmless fly ball off the bat of Dan Gladden to earn the save and preserve the game for Witt.

California leads the Series 1-0.






October 05, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

Minnesota 5, California 4

Kirby Puckett went 3-5 as part of a 12-hit team attack, and Mike Smithson tossed 6 strong innings, as Minnesota knotted the series with a 5-4 victory in game 2. California managed to claw back into the game after the Twins had built a 4-0 lead.  But Tom Brunansky’s 8th inning solo HR off Andy Hassler proved to be the game winner.  Four Minnesota relievers carried the team for the final 9 outs, with Jeff Reardon getting the save.  Wally Joyner and Jack Howell homered for the Angels in a losing cause.  

Series tied 1-1.



October 07, HHH Metrodome, Minneaplis

California 8, Minnesota 7

The strong starting pitching that was present in the first two games was not the case as the series moved to Minneapolis. Neither team’s starter lasted through the 5th inning, as runs were scored in every inning of the game. Doug DeCinces and Brian Downing homered for the Angels, while Rob Wilfong and Dan Gladden did the same for the Twins. By the time the dust settled, California had managed to hold on for the win. Luis Sanchez picked up the victory with 2 innings of excellent relief, with Bryan Harvey getting the save.

California leads the Series 2-1.







October 08, HHH Metrodome, Minneaplis

California 12, Minnesota 8

California jumped all over Twins ace Frank Viola in game 4, scoring 7 times in the first two innings, with Reggie Jackson’s 3-run homer being the big blow.  But then Viola settled down, and Angels’ starter Don Sutton became progressively shakier. Kirby Puckett and Gary Gaetti each hit home runs, and by the end of the 5th inning it was 1-run game.  Amazingly, Reggie Jackson took the wind out of the Minnesota comeback sails with yet another HR off Viola in the top of the 7th.  The two teams traded a few more runs off the bullpen of the other, and each team ended up banging out 15 hits. The Twins refused to go quietly, placing runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out in the bottom of the 9th. But once again California’s closer Bryan Harvey managed to settle down enough to strike out the final two batters to give the Angels the game and the series win.


California wins the Series 3-1.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Astros - Dodgers LDS - Astros Hold Off Dodgers In 5

Game 1 Houston @ LA
The Astros trotted out their ace Bob Knepper in Game 1. The Dodgers countered with 5-0 Fernando Valenzuela. The Astros got off to a fast start playing their usual smallball. In the 2nd inning, Dickie Thon singled in Kevin Bass to take a 1-0 lead. They followed it up in the 5th inning as Jose Cruz lined a single up the middle scoring Bill Doran to take a 2-0 lead. However, this would be all the runs the Astros would score as the Dodgers came back in the 7th and 8th innings with 4 runs off of Bob Knepper and reliever Joe Sambito combined. In the 7th, Mike Scioscia grounded in Mike Marshall and Ken Landreaux lined a triple down the right field line scoring Scioscia to tie the game at 2. Davey Lopes then sacrificed Landreaux home to put the Dodgers up 3-2. In the 8th, the Dodgers got 1 more insurance run as Mike Marshall sacrificed Steve Garvey home to give the Dodgers a 4-2 comeback lead. Jay Howell closed out the Astros in the 9th to give the Western Division champs the first game 1-0.

Game 2 Houston @ LA
The Dodgers now had a chance to take control of the series in game 2. In the second inning, the Dodgers scored all 3 runs of the game as Dusty Baker doubled and Steve Garvey was hit by a errant Mike Scott pitch. Mike Scioscia grounded into a double play seemingly to end all hopes for the inning. Then, Ken Landreaux walked and Mike Marshall hit a 3 run homer giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. That was all the runs they needed as the Astros only managed 4 hits off of winning pitcher Oral Hershiser. It looked like a sure sweep as the Dodgers and Astros headed to Houston.

Game 3  LA @ Houston
Facing elimination the rest of the way, the Astros went with the 5-1 knuckleballing Joe Niekro. Burt Hooton hoped to close out the Astros in game 3. In the 2nd inning the struggling Astro offense caught fire. They scored 4 times with their patented smallball. Joe Niekro could only last until the early 6th, but got the win. The Dodgers managed 2 runs, but the Astros held off them off  5-2 to grab a game in the series. LA still led the series 2 games to 1.

Game 4  LA @ Houston
Here come the extra inning games. In Game 4, the Dodgers went with Bob Welch and the Astros countered with Nolan Ryan. The men from LA wanted to end this series quickly with a 2 run outburst in the 1st inning. Steve Garvey singled to bring in Ken Landreaux and a Nolan Ryan wild pitch plated Pedro Guerrero making the score 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Cesar Cedeno solo homered off of Welch tightening the Dodger lead to 2-1. In the 6th, the Astros tied the Dodgers on back to back doubles from Phil Garner and Glen Davis. Both teams scored 1 run in the 7th inning making the score 3-3. As the starting pitchers left, this tie would not end until the bottom of the 11th inning. After Larry Anderson worked his way out of the top of the 11th, the Astros went back to smallball. Pinch hitter Billy Hatcher reached first on an error. Bill Doran was then intentionally walked by Dodger pitcher Tim Belcher. Cedeno moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. Jose Cruz was then intentionally walked. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Craig Biggio worked Belcher for a walk and the Astros had come all the way back from a 2-0 series deficit to tie at 2. On to LA to crown a winner in Game 5.

Game 5 Houston @ LA
What is more exciting than a deciding game in a series? This one would hold true to that excitement. The surging Astros were just 1 game away from advancing after a 0-2 series start. Houston again went with staff ace Bob Knepper and the Western Champion Dodgers put their season on the back of Jerry Ruess. The Dodgers opened this final game like gangbusters. Pedro Guerrero singled in Mike Marshall in the second inning to go on top 1-0. In the 3rd inning, Mariano Duncan hit a homer down the left field line to take a quick 2-0 lead for the home team. Through this rough patch, Bob Knepper withstood the barrage and proceeded to keep the Dodgers at bay the rest of the way. Houston scored a run in the 4th as Biggio knocked in Cedeno with a RBI single. The Dodger faithful were sensing a win as the top of the 8th came with their team up 2-1. The Astros caught a moment of lightning with 1 out as Craig Biggio grounded to third baseman Pedro Guerrero and as he booted it, Cedeno who was on third came in to tie the game 2-2 to the dismay of the Dodger fans. For 2 more innings the teams could not find a way to score. Clutch pitching by Joe Sambito for Houston and Jay Howell for the Dodgers. It would all unravel in the top of the 11th for the Dodgers. Steve Howe came in to pitch for the West Champs. After 1 out, Terry Puhl and Dickie Thon singled. Bill Doran then doubled in Puhl giving the Astros the lead 3-2. Cedeno then walked and Jose Cruz singled in Thon and Doran making the score Astros 5 Dodgers 2. Biggio singled in Cedeno to end the scoring at 6-2. Reliever Dave Smith closed out the Dodgers in the bottom of the 11th and the Houston Astros win the game and the series. 

The series was there for the Dodgers to take, but some timely hitting and pitching advance the Wild Card Astros. Houston will face either SF or NY for the League Championship series.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

CARDINALS - PHILLIES ... Cardinals take 3 of 4 from the Phils to finish at 25 - 20.

September 27 ... Cardinals 3 Phils 2 .... Lonnie Smith's 4 single of the game with 2 outs in the 9th scored Ozzie Smith with the game winner. Smith had singled and stole 2nd.  Cardinals had scored 1 run in 1st inning on 3 walks and wild pitch and another run in 2nd on Lonnie Smith's single. Phils had solo homers from Trillo and McBride.  Bair pitched to 1 batter in 9th and got the win.

September 28 ... Phils 8 Cardinals 5 ... Phils built up 8 - 0 lead as Maddox and Schmidt homered and Matthews had 2 run double. Cardinals scored 5 runs in final 2 innings forcing the Phils to use more bullpen than they wanted.  Oberkfell had 4 hitsand 2 rbis while Templeton and Keith Hernandez each had 3 hits as Cardinals actually out hit the Phils 15 - 13.

September 29 ...Cardinals 8 Phils 5 .... Cardinals raced off to 6-1 lead and added solo homers by Hendrick and Clark to give LaPoint a win.  Cardinals used 5 singles and 3 walks to score 5 runs in the 3rd inning as both Pena and Oquendo had 2 run singles.  Phils could manage only 3 hits over the last 5.2 innings. Mike Schmidt with a pair of hits and 2 rbis. Bruce Sutter got his 9th save of the season.

September 30 .... Cardinals 2 Phils 1 ..... Joaquin Andujar pitched and hit his way to victory.  Andujar pitched 8 innings allowing 1 run on 6 scattered hits and he singled in the Cardinals 2 runs with 2 outs in the 7th inning stunning the Phils.  Sutter earned his 10 save of the season with a perfect 9th inning.  Phils lone run came in 2nd on 3 singles with Bowa getting the rbi.

Cardinals finish at 25-20 and Phils end with 23-22.    

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Rangers Sweep Twins to Dash Division Hopes

Texas might have had a difficult season but the Rangers ended the year on a high note by sweeping the NL West contending Twins in four straight, including two extra inning affairs. Minnesota -- hoping for a division crown -- is left fighting for a wild card berth, while Texas ends the year only a game under .500.

Game One: Tex 7, Min 5
W: Medich (3-2)
L: Smithson (5-6)
S: Harris (1)

Doc Medich holds Twins' hitters at bay for eight innings before tiring in the ninth. Texas scores its runs early off Mike Smithson, plating seven runs in the first five innings and then keeping the hard-hitting Twins from rallying. Geno Petralli (you'll hear that name again in this series) goes four for four, and Pete O'Brien and Larry Parrish hit back to back homers to lead the scoring.

Game Two: Tex 8, Min 5 (12 innings)

W: Harris (4-1)
L: Davis (2-2)

Texas, behind their ace Frank Tanana, takes a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth before the Twins' Kent Hrbek clubs his ninth homer to tie it up. Good relief pitching keeps the score knotted until the bottom of the 12th, when Gary Ward pounds a double into left center that clears the base and brings home three. Greg Harris pitches three innings of scoreless relief for the win.

Game Three: Tex 3, Min 2 (10 innings)

W: Schmidt (1-0)
L: Blyleven (1-6)

A nice pitching duel between Allan Anderson and Danny Darwin leads to a 2-2 score after nine, fueled in part by Tom Brunansky's two run homer, his eighth. The Rangers prevail in the bottom of the 10th as catcher Geno Petralli, batting .375 for the year to nail down starting duties, blasts a walkoff homer off Bert Blyleven, who has struggled this season.

Game Four: Tex 9, Min 
W: Matlack (1-2)
L: Viola (6-3)

Minnesota ace Frank Viola is belted in his season ending start, giving up six runs in five innings. Texas's Jon Matlack, who has pitched much better than his record indicates, was masterful in eight innings of three-hit shutout ball on the Texas side of the ledger.  Curiously, of Texas's 15 hits, 14 were singles, as the entire team got into the scoring.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

California Takes Three of Four from Texas to Remain in Playoff Hunt

The Angels took a series from the Rangers but it wasn't easy -- two games went to extra innings and a third was won by a run.  But by winning this tense matchup, California remains in good position for a playoff spot, keeping pace with Minnesota for the AL West crown.

Game One: Rangers 6, Angels 5 (10 innings)

Buddy Bell's three hits and three RBIs leads the way for Texas in a win in extra innings. After a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th from Bobby Grich puts Curtis Wilkerson on second for Texas, Bell sneaks a single between first and second for the comeback win.

Game Two: Angels 2, Rangers 1


Mike Witt improves to 7-1 by keeping the Rangers off the board. Texas's Danny Darwin pitches a complete game five-hitter but gives up Wally Joyner's eighth homer and an eighth inning double down the third base line from Rod Carew to break the tie and give the Rangers the win. Bryan Harvey saves his ninth.

Game Three: Angels 3, Rangers 2 (10 innings)

Another nail-biter, this one is tied 1-1 after nine as neither team can muster much offense off starters Chuck Finley and Jon Matlack. The Rangers get the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th when Pete O'Brien hits his fourth homer off the Angel's Harvey.  But California responds in the bottom of the inning. Texas closer Jim Kern blows his fourth save -- he walks two to load the bases for California with no outs and then proceeds to induce infield popups from Joyner and Doug Decinces. But he can't escape the jam, as Angels' pinch hitter Chili Davis strokes a two-out, two-run single off Kern to start the celebration in Anaheim.

Game Four: Angels 5, Rangers 3

Another day, another close game. This one is tied at three apiece going into the eighth, but Texas relievers again come up short. Greg Harris gives up an RBI single to Bob Boone to break the deadlock and then Dale Mohorcic walks in another run after loading the bases. Harvey nails down his 10th save.


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

ChiSox Take 3 from Athletics

Sept. 22 at Chicago – Greg Luzinski’s (8) 2-run blast down the LF line lifted the White Sox to a 3-2 over Oakland.

Sept. 23 at Chicago – Jose Canseco’s (3) 2-run bomb (one of his 3 hits) highlighted a 4-run 8th for the Athletics as they evened the series with a 4-1 win. Wayne Gross tripled in two more later in the inning. Dennis Eckersley notched his 9th save in relief of Dave Stewart (3-5). 

Sept. 24 at Oakland – Tom Seaver (2-2) and Dennis Lamp combined on a 5-hitter as the ChiSox blanked the A’s 6-0 by the Bay. Luzinski (9) and Harold Baines (8) went back-to-back in the 6th to highlight the offense.


Sept. 25 at Oakland – The Pale Hose captured the series by scratching out 3 runs (2 on IF outs) in the 5th and holding on for a 3-2 victory. Mike Heath (3) and Mark McGwire (8) hit solo shots in the 8th and 9th respectively for the A’s, but it wasn’t enough. Bobby Thigpen (8) got the save for Britt Burns (3-4).

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

I5 Series Ends in Splitsville for Dodgers and Padres

San Diego,

Game 1,
Pete Guerrero smacked his 14th dinger of the tournament as he led the Dodgers over the Friar squad.  Burt Hooton improves to 5-2 with six innings of solid pitching. Tom Neidenfuer pitched a couple innings of lights out relief work. Jay Howell nailed down the 9th inning for his 7th save. The loss went to Ed Whitson (2-5).
Dodgers 5....Padres 3.

Game 2,

Padre batters battered the Dodgers relief corps as they struck for eight runs in the final three innings to earn a come from behind win.  San Diego was trailing 7-4 heading into the ninth inning but struck for four runs to win it in walkoff fashion.  Steve Garvey connected for a game winning 3-run homer off reliever Jay Howell to send the San Diego fans happy.  Padres 8...Dodgers 7.

Los Angeles,

Game 3,
Steve Garvey was the star again but this time for his other team. Garvey hit his sixth homerun and drove in 3 runs in support of Tim Belcher-who won his 3rd game of the season.  Padre lefty hurler, Dave Dravecky fell to 1-6 despite decent pitching. Dodgers 5...Padres 2.

Game 4,
Randy Ready came in for an injured Luis Salazar and went 3 for 3 with an RBI to help the Padres to a victory.  Mark Thurmond won his first game of the season to improve his record at 1-3. The crafty lefty went 6 innings allowing only one run on six hits. The Padre bullpen did the rest.  Goose Goosage came in the ninth with 2 Dodgers on base but was able to retire Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and struck out Steve Garvey with runners on second and third to end the game.  Steve Howe sinks to 0-3 and Goose recorded his 5th save. Padres 5...Dodgers 4.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Pirates - Phillies ... After losing game 1, Phillies come back to win the final 3 to run their record to 22 - 19.

September 22  .... Pirates 9 Phils 4 ..... Pirates blasted 3 homeruns and 6 doubles to win game 1 easily. Parker lead with 2 doubles, homer and 4 rbis while Bonds had a single and 2 run homer and Morrison contributed solo homerun. Bibby got the win surrendering a pair of solo homers to Mike Schmidt and 2 run homer to Milt Thompson.

September 23 .... Phils 7 Pirates 2 ... Mike Schmidt hit first inning 2 run homer and Denny shut the Pirates out until the 7th when Parker lead off with a homerun.  Bowa with 2 singles, triple and 2 rbis and Rose and Hayes each with a pair of singles and rbi.  McGraw faced 7 batters and retired them all for the save.

September 24 .... Phils 1 Pirates 0 ...  a totally type of game as Phils scratched for a runin the 3rd inning as starting pitcher Rawley walked and went to 2nd on sacrifice by Pete Rose.  After Bowa's out, McBride singled in Rawley.  Pirates never had a runner as far as 3rd base and in the 9th, facing Bedrosian, Ray and Madlock went out easily but Parker walked and Bonds singled him to 2nd.  With no lefty in the pen, Reed faced Sid Bream and got him on a deep fly to left for save.

September 25 .... Phils 5 Pirates 1 ... The first 15 Phils went down in order as Rhoden was on his game.  But the Phils opened the 6th with 4 straight singles to plate 2 runs and 2 sacrifices later lead 3-0.  Jason Thompson lead off their 6th with a homer but that was all there was to the Pirates scoring. Pirates left runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 7th, a runner on 2nd in the 8th.  Carman and Reed retired the last 5 Pirates in order to preserve the win for Gross.

    

Friday, April 18, 2014

CUBS - PHILS ....  Phils win 3 of 4 using the long ball and move above .500 for the season.

September 17 ... Phils 8 Cubs 5 .... Phils got 3 run homers in both the 7th and 8th innings to rally past the Cubs.  In the 7th Mike Schmidt hit his 2nd homer of the day to score 3 runs and give Phils a 5-4 lead. And then 1 inning later, with Cubs having tied the game, pinch hitter Ricky Jordan hit a pinch hit 3 run homer that followed 2 walks.  Rion Cey hit 2 run 1st inning homer earlier for the Cubs. McGraw with the win and Bedrosian earned the save.

September 18 ... Phils 5 Cubs 2 (10 innings) ...Mike Schmidt hit a 3 run homer with 1 out and 2 on in the 10th inning to give Tekulve and Phils the win. Phils had lead 2-0 into the 7th on rbi singles by Schmidt and Rose, but Cubs rallied to tie the game Dernier's rbi single and a wild pitch. 

September 19 ... Phils 5 Cubs 3 .... Glen Wilson's 2 run homer in the 7th gave Phils their 3rd straight win.  Ron Cey's solo homer in the 3rd gave Cubs early 1-0 lead but Phils batted around in the 4th to score 3 runs. Maddox had rbi single and then ground outs by Wilson and Samuel scored the other 2.  Berryhill's double plated a run for the Cubs in the 6th and Buckner's double scored the last Cubs run in the 7th. Bedrosian got the save with a perfect 9th inning.

September 20 ... Cubs 7 Phils 0 ... Greg Maddux  threw a complete game, 5 hit shutout to salvage the last game for the Cubs. Mumphrey went 5 for 5 (4 singles and double) and Mark Grace had 4 singles and 3 rbis to lead the Cubs 16 hit attack which featured 15 singles.  After the 2nd inning, Phils could only manage 2 singles.  

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Great Series Between Chisox and Rangers

The White Sox and Rangers came into this series with identical (and lousy) 14-19 records, as they both hoped to end the season on a high note. A battle royale was raged, with each game won by a narrow margin and two of them going to extra frames. The Rangers end up taking three of four, as the Chisox avoided a four-game sweep with late game heroics in game four from Greg "The Bull" Luzinski.


Game One: TEX 3, CHIW 2
W: Russell (1-0)
L: Thigpen (1-2)

Lamar Hoyt carried a slim 1-0 lead into the seventh before the Rangers struck for two, the big blow a two-run single by Gary Ward. But back came the White Sox in the eighth on Harold Baines' seventh homer of the year, a solo shot off the Ranger's tough Jon Matlack. But the Rangers won it with an RBI in the bottom of the eighth, as Scott Fletcher (who played for both clubs) doubled and scored on a two-out single between third and short by Buddy Bell.

Game Two: TEX 6, CHIW 5, 11 innings
W: Russell (2-0)
L: Thigpen (1-3)

This time out, Chicago struck for three early runs as Rudy Law hit his first homer and Greg Walker stuck a double off the wall that scored another. But Floyd Bannister allowed the Rangers back in the game, as Ruben Sierra doubled to lead the rally. The Rangers got two more in the eighth to take a 5-3 lead. But closer Jim Kern was a wild man in the ninth, walking three to help Chicago tie it. In the 11th, Sierra gave Texas the victory with a leadoff homer over the rightfield wall, his first. Sierra went three-for-six with two RBIs and two runs scored, his best game of the year.

Game Three: TEX 5, CHIW 3
W: Harris (2-0)
L: Lamp (1-2)
S: Russell (7)

Once again, Chicago had the lead into the late innings, a 3-1 edge behind Tom Seaver, who was pitching a gem. Again, the Rangers struck late, as that man Ruben Sierra keyed the comeback by slamming a double off the rightfield wall that scored two to break a tie and win the game.

Game Four: CHIW 2, TEX 1, 11 innings
W: Thigpen (2-3)
L: Russell (2-1)

A terrific pitching duel between Chicago's Britt Burns and Texas's Doc Medich leads to a 1-1 tie after nine, as both starters pitch into the eighth inning. Greg Luzinski unties it off reliever Jeff Russell (who figured in a win or save in every game of this series) by pouncing on a fastball for his seventh homer of the year for a walkoff victory in the 11th.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Brewers Douse Texas in Three Tight Games

A great series between Milwaukee and Texas, as the first place Milwaukee team manages to squeak out two victories in the three game set and make Bernie Brewer slide into the suds more than once.

Game One: MIL 5, TEX 4
W: Plesac (1-0)
L: Kern (0-2)
S: Fingers (6)

Milwaukee scratched out three early runs off Texas starter Charlie Hough, who couldn't control his knuckler to the tune of five walks. However, the Rangers rallied late after Milwaukee starter Chris Bosio left the game, scoring three times in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-3 lead, as Scott Fletcher hit a clutch two-run single. However, the Rangers' rusty reliever Jim Kern blew his second save of the season,  allowing two out singles from Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper to hand Milwaukee back the lead in the ninth. Rollie Fingers made sure that would hold up in the bottom of the ninth.

Game Two: TEX 5, MIL 4
W: Mohorcic (1-0)
L: Crim (0-2)
S: Russell (6)

Texas returns the favor in game two, winning late by the same 5-4 score as in game one. Milwaukee again takes the early lead, 3-1, as Ben Oglivie and Don Money hit back to back shots to left off Texas starter Frank Tanana. But Texas again responds in the late innings, as Scott Fletcher scorches another two run single in this game to tie it up and then Oddibe McDowell hits a grounder that finds the hole between second and third to give Texas the lead in the eighth. Reliever Jeff Russell puts two on base in the ninth but gets Jim Gantner to ground out to end it.

Game Three: MIL 4, TEX 2
W: Higuera (7-1)
L: Jenkins(0-5)
S: Fingers (7)

Teddy Higuera again looks like a world beater, striking out eight in eight innings and only allowing two runs en route to his seventh win. Texas pitcher Fergie Jenkins would have matched Higuera, if not for the three gopher balls he gave up to Robin Yount, Ben Oglivie and Greg Brock. Fingers again does the job late to give Milwaukee the series win. 


Monday, April 7, 2014

BRAVES versus PHILLIES

September 14:  Phils 5 Braves 3 (10 innings) .... Mike Schmidt hit a 2 run homer in the 10th inning to give Phils the win. All of the Phils runs came on homers as Hayes hit 2 run homer in 4th to tie the game at 2 and Boone hit a solo homer in 6th to give Phils a temporary lead of 3-2. Braves scored first on Washington's double in 4th and tied the game in 5th on Mahler's sac bunt and tied the game in 7th on Butler's double.

September 15: game 1 of double header: Phils 8 Braves 2 ... After Gant hit a 2 run homer in the 3rd, the game was all Phils. Mike Schmidt hit 2 run homer in Phil's 3 run 4th inning and added a single run in 5th on Matthews single and then put the game away with 4 runs in the 6th as Rose, Bowa and Schmidt had rbi hits.  R Andersen pitched 3 scoreless innings to get the save. Gross was the winning pitcher.

September 15: game 2 of double header: Phils 4 Braves 1 .... Mike Schmidt hit a solo homer and a 2 run homer for the Phils and Thompson added rbi double. Hudson pitched 5 plus innings in a rare start for the win and Carman and Tekulve eached pitched 2 scoreless innnings.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Indians Pitching Scalps Texas in Series Win

A battle between two teams aspiring to the .500 level is won by the Indians team over Texas, due to good pitching that tomahawks the Rangers in two out of three games. Texas at least gets the bats going in the third game.

Game One: Cle 6, Tex 1
W: Farrell (1-0)
L: Medich (2-2)

Cleveland blows away Texas's Doc Medich with five runs in the first three innings en route to an easy 6-1 win. John Farrell only gives up five hits in seven innings, showing that he's as good a pitcher as he'll be as a manager. Home runs by Joe Carter (4) and a scorching hot Cory Snyder (5) seal the deal.

Game Two: Cle 4, Tex 3

W: Swindell (3-1)
L: Honeycutt (0-4)
W: Jones (7)

A spunky Indians team breaks open a 2-2 tie (with all the runs scoring in the first inning) with two more in the seventh, thanks in large part to a big error from Ranger's second baseman Jerry Browne and a line single to left from Snyder, who is batting .411 for the year. Texas threatens against Cleveland closer Doug Jones in the ninth, scoring one and putting a man at third with two gone. But pinch hitter Billy Sample grounds out to end the opportunity and gives Cleveland two straight wins.

Game Three: Tex 10, Cle 4
W: Darwin (1-1)
L: Waits (2-2)

Danny Darwin rights the Rangers ship with a fine start, showing great control by not walking a batter (and striking out six) in 6.1 innings. Five of the 10 Ranger runs are scored in the first two innings off a battered Rick Waits, led by a triple and RBI single from Mickey Rivers and three straight RBI singles to left in the second. Buddy Bell's second homer late in the game off Dan Spillner gives Texas a big margin and ends any thought of a Cleveland comeback.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Pirates and Giants split 4 game series

GAME 1 : Candelaria vs Downs
San Francisco (15-12) -- 2
Pittsburgh (10-17) -- 1

WP: Holland (2-2) LP: Walk (0-2) SV: Minton (5)

  John Candelaria did all he could to push the skidding Pirates back onto the winning path.  The Candyman blanked the Giants for the 1st 6 innings while driving in the lone Pirate run of the game in the 3rd.  But in the 7th, SF tied it up on a Mike Aldrete ground out following a Kevin Mitchell triple to lead off the inning.  Then in the 8th the Giants took the lead after a Will Clark home run off of Bob Walk.  Greg Minton closed the door in the 9th for his 5th save of the year.



GAME 2 : Reuschel vs Reuschel
Pittsburgh (11-17) -- 8
San Francisco (15-13) -- 3

WP: R.Reuschel (2-0) LP: R.Reuschel (2-2) SV: McWilliams (1)

Rick Reuschel was poised to pick up a victory in this matchup.  It was just a matter of which hat he would be wearing for the post game interview.  It turns out Reuschel would be wearing the Black and Yellow of his Pittsbugh Pirates after going 6 strong innings giving up 1 run while driving in 1 with his bat.  The Pirates were powered by HRs by Mike Easler and Barry Bonds as well as 3 hit games by Ray and Madlock to coast to an 8-3 win.  Larry McWilliams picked up a 3 inning save but was shaky giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.  But luckily the Bucs had built up enough of a cushion to pick up the win.


GAME 3 : Blue vs Bibby
Pittsburgh (12-17) -- 11
San Francisco (15-14) -- 10  (11 innings)

WP: R.Reuschel (2-0) LP: R.Reuschel (2-2) SV: McWilliams (1)

33 Hits and 21 runs over 11 innings in just under 5 hours at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.  A Barry Bonds walk off 441 foot bomb off of Al Holland in the bottom of the 11th inning capped a wild game that saw each teams pitchers struggle to hold onto a lead.  SF lead 2-0 after 1 and 5-3 after 2 and a half, while the Pirates lead 3-2 after 2, 7-5 after 3, 10-5 after 4 and all the way until a Candy Maldonado homer in the 8th off Enrique Romo tied the game at 10.   Brett Butler for SF and Tony Pena for Pit both had 4 hit games with Pena and Jack Clark leading their teams with 4 RBI apiece. 




GAME 4 : Krukow vs Rhoden
San Francisco (16-14) -- 8
Pittsburgh (12-18) -- 4

WP: Krukow (5-0) LP: Rhoden (3-3)

Mike Krukow was solid over 6 innings to pick up his 5th win of this short KOD season.  The Giants once again got a big day from Will Clark with 4 more hits and 2 runs scored.  Kevin Mitchell added a 3 run homer and Darrell Evans was also 2 for 3 with a homer and 2 RBI. 
Phillies take 3 from Padres

September 9 - Phillies 7 Padres 2 ....  Mike Schmidt hit a pair of home runs driving in 3 and Shane Rawley pitched 7 plus innings allowing 2 runs and 6 hits before he was ejected after arguing a ball 4 pitch call.  Glenn Wilson contributed a 2 run rbi single and catcher Bo Diaz had rbi double.  Padres runs came on back to back homers by Santiago and Salazar.

September 10 - Phillies 6 Padres 3 .... Pete Rose hit into a double play in the 7th inning but it also scored the eventual winning run. Glenn Wilson hit an insurance 2 run homer in the 8th.  The Phils scored first on Maddox's first inning solo homer but the Padres bounced back an inning later scoring 3 runs on 2 singles, 2 walks, an error and ground out. Phils pitching held the Padres to 1 hit over the last 7 innings. Bedrosian earned the save.

September 11 - Phillies 3 Padres 2 ... Phillies squeezed past the Padres to win their 3rd straight. Phillies lead 3-0 into the 6th with Boone, Rose and McBride contributing rbi hits. In the 6th, starter Steve Carlton suddenly weakened giving up 3 singles and 2 walks (Gwynn's single plated 2 runs) to leave the bases loaded with only 1 out. However he regrouped to strike out both McReynolds and Santiago leaving the game with a 1 run lead. The Phils bullpen gave up 3 hits but McGraw had just enough to shut the door ending the game on double play grounder to earn the save.

September 12 - Padres 9 Phillies 5 ... Padres rallied for 6 runs in the last 3 innings to salvage a win in the series.  Padres started fast with 3 runs in the 2nd inning combining a walk and 4 singles with starter Hawkins driving in the last run.  But the Phils started their half of the 5th with 3 singles (McBride's hit scoring the first run), getting the 2nd run on Schmidt's sac fly and taking the lead on Hayes 2 run homer.  Padres rallied in the 7th as Kruk had a 2 out 2 run single to give Padres the lead. In the 8th, Padres used 5 singles to score 4 more runs to guarantee their win.  Hayes added a meaningless solo homer in the 9th for the Phils.  Kruk finished the game with 3 rbis.

Friday, March 28, 2014

KOD Week 8

Cubs and Astros Split a Big Series


Chicago and Houston squared off in a 4 game set and each won two. The series could have been a sweep for either club, but Chicago Manager, Jim Walden and Houston Manager, Jim Upchurch,were each happy with the split.


Game 1

Chicago 6
Houston 5
 
Houston jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Craig Biggio single that scored Cesar Cedeno. Chicago tied it in the 2nd on a Jody Davis RBI single, but Houston countered with 2 in the bottom half of the inning. It stayed 3-1 until the 7th when Gary Matthews opened the inning with a triple. Mark Grace, Jody Davis and Damon Berryhill singles helped produce 3 Cubs runs and it was 4-3, Chicago. Houston proceeded to tie it in the bottom of the 7th as Ohil Garner singled to score Bill Doran. Chicago would answer in the 8th when Andre Dawson, who led off the inning with a triple, would score on a Ron Cey sacrifice fly. Could Chicago hold on for the win? No. A Phil Garner sac fly would tie it up. Chicago's Andre Dawson would blast a 333 footer down the left field line to give Chicago the lead again. Lee Smith, who would get the win after blowing the save opportunity in the 9th, shut down the Astros in the 10th. 


MVP Andre Dawson

 
 Game 2
 
Chicago 0
Houston 4
 
Joe Niekro would go the distance in game 2 and shut out the Cubs while only giving up 5 hits. Glenn Davis   would provide the highlights as he went 3 for 4 with a 2 run home run to pace Houston.

MVP Joe Niekro



  Game 3 

Houston 2
Chicago 6


Greg Maddux would run his record to 3-3 with a complete game, 6-2 win.

Leon Durham opened the scoring with a double off the right filed wall scoring Bob Dernier, giving Chicago a 1--0 lead. It wouldn't hold up as Houston scored a run in the 2nd and 3rd to take a 2-1 lead. Chicago would score the next five runs over the next 4 innings while pounding out 16 hits for the game. Nolan Ryan would take the loss for Houston.

 MVP Andre Dawson
 
Game 4 
 
Houston 3
Chicago 2
 

Bob Knepper would take the win for Houston and gain a split for the Astros. In a 3-2 Houston win 4 of the 5 runs would be home runs.Craig Biggio would hit his 3rd, Ray Knight and Bill Doran would hit their first, all for The Astros. Shawon Dunston would hit his 3rd for Chicago. It would be tied 2-2 until the 7th when Ray Knight would hit the game winner and give Rick Sutcliffe his 4th loss of the year.

MVP Bill Doran
 
 
 
 

Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Red Sox Shut Down the Rangers' Offense to Take Series

Boston continues its push for the AL East crown by taking two of three from Texas. John Tudor and Roger Clemens hand the Red Sox shutout wins in the first two games, but Boston runs into Texas ace Frank Tanana in Game Three.

Game One: Bos 3, Tex 0

W: Tudor (2-2)
L: Darwin (0-1)
S: Aponte (1)

Crafty lefty John Tudor pitches no-run ball for 7.1 innings, outdueling Texas's Danny Darwin, who only allows five Boston hits. Jim Rice smacks an RBI double, and Rich Gedman scores after lining a double to right for the main scoring. Relievers Lee Smith and Bob Aponte keep Texas from challenging, although the Rangers do threaten with two on in the eighth but can't bring them home.

Game Two: Bos 7, Tex 0
W: Clemens (5-0)
L: Hough (4-2)

Roger Clemens fires rockets at the Rangers hitters, striking out nine in 7.2 innings to add to his league leading K totals.  The game is close going into the ninth, with Boston up 3-0 on homers from Rick Miller and Wade Boggs and an RBI walk from a wild Charlie Hough. But then the Red Sox explode for four more, capped by Dwight Evans' eighth homer. Evans leads the AL with 28 RBIs.

Game Three: Tex 3, Bos 1
W: Tanana (5-1)
L: Hurst (2-1)
S: Kern (5)

Frank Tanana continues his league mastery with his fifth win, lowering his ERA to 1.18 in the process with eight innings of one-run ball. The Rangers finally score a few runs, plating two off Bruce Hurst in the fourth with RBI singles from Buddy Bell and Gary Ward and another an inning later on a throwing error from Boston SS Marty Barrett. Jim Kern gets his fifth save, while Hurst suffers his first loss.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

 Cubs lose 2


I know we're into week 8 but I had to get this in for Keith. He and the Dodgers pounded us good.
The Cubs ended week 7 of KOD by not showing up, at least for competitive purposes. A two game set ended with Chicago scoring a total of 1 run. Keith and the Dodgers rolled right through the Cubs like Sherman rolled through Georgia.

Game 1

It was a laugher in Wrigley. Jerry Reuss started for the Dodgers and Greg Maddux faced him for the Cubs.  It was over in the first two innings. Los Angeles scored 3 in the top of the first. 4 singles and a walk produced 3 Dodger runs. In the top of the second, Los Angeles put two more runs on the board on a shot to left by John Shelby. That was all the Dodgers would need but for good measure they put 7 more runs on the board before calling it a day. Los Angeles pounded Chicago pitching for 18 hits. Reuss gave up only 6 hits and Chicago scored a lone run in the bottom of the 9th as the Dodgers pounded the Cubs, 12-1.




















Game 2

While not as bad as game 1, it was still a showcase for Dodger pitching. Tim Belcher with some help from Tom Neidenfuer shut out the Cubs, 5-0. Again the runs came quickly as Los Angeles put up 2 in the second on a Mike Sciosia home run. They added another in the third on a RBI single by Bill Russell.

Chicago would hardly threaten and only managed 3 measly singles. The Dodgers would add 2 more runs in the ninth and take the game, 5-0.











Had to throw this one in as Belcher played for the Stars and I'm from Huntsville and saw him pitch.
Giants Take 3 from Phils
 September 4th ... Phils 4 Giants 3 .... Pete Rose singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 9th as the Phils rallied for 2 runs to over take the Giants. Giants had just taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the 9th on doubles by Will Clark and Mitchell. The Giants took an early lead on Jeff Clark's solo homer int he 2nd that was matched by Hayes solo homer. Will Clark's sac fly gave Giants a lead in the 4th and Phils tied the game in the 5th when Uribe made errors on 2 grounders. McGraw pitched last 2 innings for the win.

September 5th .... Giants 3 Phils 2 (10 innings) ... Will Clark homered to lead off the 10th inning to even the series for the Giants.  Giants 2 runs came on 2 fielder choice grounders by Chris Brown while the Phils scores came on double play grounder by Maddox and solo homer by Schmidt. Holland pitched last 2 innings for the win.

September 6th .... Giants 5 Phils 4 .... With the bases loaded and 1 out in the bottom of the 9th , Larry Bowa muffed a double play grounder allowing winning run to score.  Phils had taken an early 2-0 lead on Schmidt's single and McBride's rbi double only to see the Giants tie the game in the 4th as Leonard hit a 2 run homer and take the lead in the 5th as Maldonado doubled in a run and W Clark plated the other on a ground out.  Phils tied the game in dramatic style in 7th as Boone and Samuel hit back to back homers. 

September 7th .... Giants 5 Phils 4 .... for 4th straight game the team that won scored the winning run in their last at bat. The Phils lead 4-0 going into the 8th as Diaz hit a pair of homers, driving in 3 and Pete Rose contributed rbi single.  Giants rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th combining 5 hits and 2 walks.  Aldrete, Leonard, Youngblood and Brenly had consecutive rbi hits to tie the game.  Brenly's hit was to a drawn in infield and Leonard beat Mike Schmidt's throw home.  Chris Brown lead off the 9th with a home run off Bedrosian for the win.   
 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Twins Split Over White Laundry

Sept. 1 at Chicago – Gene Larkin singled in Randy Bush with the game winner in the 9th as Minnesota begins September play by slipping by Chicago 3-2. The White Sox built a 2-0 lead early for Britt Burns (1-3), but the Twins tied it in the 8th when Dan Gladden tripled home Steve Lombardozzi, then scored on Greg Gagne’s infield out. Ron Davis (1-1) notched the win in relief. Jeff Reardon (6) got the save.

Sept. 2 at Chicago – Tom Brunansky homered among his 3 hits and drove in 3 runs as Minnesota rolled over the ChiSox 7-1. Ken Schrom (1-1) was the beneficiary on the mound. Tom Seaver (1-2) was lit up for the second consecutive game. Ozzie Guillen’s solo blast in the 3rd was the lone run for the Sox.

Sept. 3 at Minnesota – The HHH Homer Dome was just that as Greg Luzinski, Ron Kittle and Carlton Fisk all went deep for the Pale Hose in a 10-4 victory. Brunansky also had 3 more hits, including another round tripper for the Twins. Richard Dotson (2-3) took home the win; Alan Anderson (2-3) the loss.


Sept. 4 at Minnesota – LaMarr Hoyt (3-2) shutout the Twins on 4 hits through 8 innings as the White Sox earned the split in the series with a 5-0 whitewashing. Juan Agosto recorded the final 3 outs. Tony Bernazard homered and drove in 3 runs to power the offense.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Phils visit the Braves

September 1:  Phils 7  Braves 3 ... The Phils, down 3-2, rallied for 5 runs in the 9th inning as they combined 3 singles with 5 walks to upend the Braves. Lonnie Smith's double in bottom of 8th had given Braves a 3-2 lead. In the 9th, starter Mahler was lifted and Braves bullpen imploded. First Camp walked the lead off Mike Schmidt and after 1 out, Thompson singled and then Trillo singled Schmidt in to tie the game. Forster entered and walked the next 3 hitters with pinch hitter Matthews and Rose getting easy rbis. Forster was yanked and Moore entered to give up 2 run single to Bowa. Earlier in the game, Gant had started the game with a home run and Chamblis singled in a 2nd run later in that inning. Phils tied the game in the 5th on Boone's rbi single and Rose's 2 out double. Carlton was the winning pitcher. 

September 2:  Phils 5 Braves 4 (11 innings) .... The Braves took an early 4-0 lead as Hubbard hit 2 run homer in 2nd inning and then hit a 2 run double in the 3rd.  Glavine gave up only 1 hit in first 5 innings, but the Phils scored 2 runs in 6th as pinch hitter Schu started the inning with a double and later scored on McBride's single. Glavine now walked Schmidt to load the bases and after walking Matthews to force in a run was gone.  In the 7th the Phils tied the game getting a run on a passed ball and the tying run on Bowa's double.  In the 11th, Gross pinch hit and singled and was sacrificed to 2nd by Manny Trillo.  Rose followed with a double for the game winner.  Bedrosian got the save as Rose snuffed the Braves with an unassisted double play.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

TexasBatters Do the Two Step on Royals' Hitters

The Rangers take three of four from the Royals in a battle of two AL West teams that can't hit the side of a barn. Texas manages to get its bats moving against KC's impressive starters (Leonard, Saberhagen, etc.) to move within two games of .500. KC plummets to a KOD worst 7-17.

Game One: Texas 7, KC 4
W: Hough (4-1)
L: Leonard (0-3)
S: Kern (4)

Dennis Leonard's loses his third while seeing his ERA rise to a hefty 6.75. He gives up three in the fifth after KC taken an early 2-1 lead, as the Rangers spray the ball around for a double, two RBI singles and a walk that spells Leonard's end.  Texas scores three more in the seventh off Bud Black, sparked by a leadoff triple from suddenly hot-hitting Mickey Rivers. Homers from KC's best hitter, Willie Mays Aiken, and Hal McRae at least make it close. Charlie Hough wins his fourth, with peerless relief help from closer Jim Kern.

Game Two: Texas 4, KC 0
W: Tanana (4-1)
L: Leibrandt (0-4)

Frank Tanana again is on his game for Texas, winning his fourth and lowering his ERA to a miniscule 1.19. A two-run double from Steve Buechele and a scorching single from Pete O'Brien provide the run support in the easy shutout win. The Royals only manage five hits.

Game Three: Texas 5, KC 4

W: Medich (2-1)
L: Gubicza (0-3)
S: Kern (5)

Doc Medich writes the prescription for another Texas win, as he scatters seven hits and one run in seven innings. Five straight two outs hits in the Texas second plate four off Mark Gubicza, capped by a two-run triple from Gary Ward. KC manages to make it close, scoring three runs in the eighth off Texas relievers as Hal McRae triples in two and Danny Tartabull follows with an RBI single. Kern again holds off the Royals in the ninth for his fifth save.

Game Four: KC 7, Texas 4
W: Black (1-1)
L: Matlack (0-2)
S: Montgomery (2)

Bud Black comes on in relief of Bret Saberhagen, yet another troubled KC starter, in the third inning and shuts down the Rangers' bats in 4.1 innings of one run ball. Steve "Bye Bye" Balboni strokes a grand slam off a struggling Jon Matlack in the fourth to provide KC with a 6-3 cushion that was comfortable enough for the win. Balboni went 4-for-4 with two runs scored to boot. Jeff Montgomery finally got a save opportunity for KC, nailing down his second.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Brew Crew Drowns White Sox 2 Games to 1

August 29 at Milwaukee – Ted Higuera (4-1) surrendered just 2 hits in a complete-game 5-1 victory for Milwaukee over the visiting White Sox. Ben Oglivie and Jim Gantner went deep to power the offense.

August 30 at Milwaukee – Ben Oglivie’s (5) 3-run blast highlighted a 4-run 3rd inning for the Brew Crew as they captured a 4-3 win. Chet Lemon and Scott Fletcher went yard for the ChiSox in the 7th, but it wasn’t enough. Mike Caldwell (2-1) got the win with Rollie Fingers (3) getting the save. Floyd Bannister (1-2) took the loss.


August 31 at Chicago – Harold Baines' (3 hits) single and Tony Bernazard’s double in the bottom of the 8th plated the winning pair of runs as the White Sox enjoyed the home cooking in a 5-3 win. Ed Farmer (1-0) and Bob McClure (0-1) took the win and loss in relief, respectively. Bobby Thigpen (5) earned the save.

Thanks to Andy Sexton for subbing with Milwaukee

Friday, March 14, 2014

Orioles take 2 outta 3



O’s Take Two  from A’s
Game 1:  Oakland 4 Baltimore 3

Baltimore Starter:  McGregor
Minnesota Starter:  McCatty
Game MVP:  Phillips

Baltimore travels to the bay on the left coast for two.  In the opening game, Baltimore ace Scott McGregor gives up a one out solo jack to Tony Phillips to claim a 1-0 lead for Oakland in the bottom of the third.  Steve McCatty and McGregor go toe to toe, yielding nothing until the top of the sixth when Cal Ripken helps Baltimore break through with the three run shot to left center.  The game then returns back to a string of scoreless innings before Earl Weaver decides to turn the two run lead over to the Baltimore bullpen in the ninth.  Baltimore closer Don Aase immediately gives up three consecutive singles and a run before getting Alfredo Griffin to line to shortstop Ripken for the first out.  At this point, Tippy Martinez comes in to try and preserve the win.  He starts well by getting Rickey Henderson to ground out back to the mound for the second out.  Earl decides to walk Tony Phillips who already has a double and home run on the game to get to the slumping Jose Canseco (hitting under .200).  Jose comes through with a single through the left side driving in two runs and securing the win for Oakland.


Game 2:  Baltimore 5 Oakland 1 

Baltimore Starter:  Boddicker
Minnesota Starter:  Langford
Game MVP:  Boddicker

Another strong pitching matchup has the game scoreless until the top of the sixth.  Following two walks and a Cal Ripken RBI single, Eddie Murray deposits Langford’s offering in the right centerfield seats for a 3 run home run and a 4-0 Baltimore lead.  The scoring comes to a halt when Oakland breaks up the Boddicker shutout on a Mike Heath solo home run to right center.  This time the Baltimore pen comes through in the form of Scott Williamson who stops the Oakland threat after Boddicker yielded a pair of singles.   Williamson pitches a scoreless ninth to earn his first save and send the series to Baltimore.  


Game 3:  Baltimore 10 Oakland 3

Minnesota Starter::  Norris
Baltmore  Starter:  Palmer
Game MVP:  Lynn

 Back to the land of crab cakes and Natty Boh!  Veteran Jim Palmer was able to work his way out of trouble in the top of the second after yielding three single, but only one run.  Baltimore bats would dominate the rest of the way, answering with 2 in the bottom of the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd,  1 in the 4th, 4 in the 7th and another in the 8th.  Baltimore’s attack produced 18 hitws on the day, with 13 coming against Norris in 6 1/3 innings of work.  Palmer gave up 6 hits in his 6 1/3 innings of work before Sammy Stewart pitched the final three innings, giving up two in the top of the ninth.  As Chuck Thompson would say, “Ain’t the beer  cold!” 

Overall a well played series on both sides.  Two very well pitched games in Oakland.