Twins Take 2 of 3 from Red Sox

Game 1: Min (Liriano) vs Bos (Nagy)

The Twins wasted a strong start from Francisco Liriano, as he held Boston to only 1 run on 3 hits before tiring after 7. Then the Twins troubles began, as reliever Pat Neshek took the hill and the Red Sox bats came alive. Jim Rice hit a 2-run homer to bring the Red Sox to within 1 run (4-3). Twins closer Doug Corbett came on in the 9th to close out the game, but the Red Sox tied the score 4-4 as Billy Goodman doubled home Garciaparra with the tying run. Goodman then singled home the go ahead run for the Sox in the 11th, and Jonathan Papelbon closed out the Twins to eke out the extra inning win.

Game 2: Min (Stone) vs Bos (Curtis)

Twins starter Dean Stone pitched effectively, but gave up a 3-run homer to Red Sox 3b Frank Malzone in the 4th. Red Sox starter John Curtis stifled the Twins attack through 6 before passing a 3-0 lead to fireman Dick Radatz in the bottom of the 7th. Radatz proved unable to put out the Twins rally, as Tom Brunansky hit a 2-run homer to bring the Twins within1. In the Twins 8th, Radatz again struggled as he walked 3 and threw a wild pitch to allow the Twins to tie the game before yielding to Bob Stanley. Justin Morneau singled home 2 to give the Twins a 5-3 lead which Dave Goltz saved for Stone.

Game 3: Min (Kralick) vs Bos (McGlothen)

It looked like another nail biter, as the Twins nursed a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the 7th. The Twins would then score 7 across the next 3 innings to blow the game open, as Red Sox hurlers McGlothen, Lyle, and Brandon were all hammered. Twins were paced by Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek, who each had 3 hits.

--Submitted by Erik Nelson--

Expos take 2 of 3 from Braves

8/25 - Turner Field

Lannan vs R.Reed

Expos 9, Braves 5

"We didn't do too bad despite spotting you guys 6 runs" was the tongue and cheek comment made by Brave manager Andy Sexton at his post game press conference.  Ron Reed's ineffectiveness and a errors by the left side of his infield opened the flood gates for the Expos.  Montreal starter John Lannan wasn't exactly stellar himself giving up 5 runs in 7 innings.  The top of the Expos order:  DeShields, Raines and Cromartie went a combined 8-12 with 5 RBI's.  Delino Deshields stole 2 bases and scored 3 runs.  Raines scored 3 times as well.  Warren Cromartie's 3 run shot was the big blow in a 4 run second inning.  David Justice (3-4) paced Atlanta's offense that scored 3 runs in the 6th to bring the score back to respectability.

8/26 - Turner Field

Blair vs Moss

Braves 3, Expos 1

The bats took a rest in game 2.  Starter Damian Moss hurt his arm with 2 out in the 4th with the game tied 1-1.  "Bedrock" came out of the pen and closed out the inning and tossed another 3 scoreless innings to go along with 7 k's.  For his effort Steve Bedrosian got his first win of the season.  Solo runs in the 6th and 8th gave the Braves a 2 run lead that Greg McMichael protected with 2 perfect innings of relief for his first save.  A solo blast by Bob Horner in the 6th and a 2 out RBI single by the enigmatic Rico Carty in the 8th accounted for the go ahead and insurance runs.

8/27 - Stadie Olympique

Beachy vs Hermanson

Expos 5, Braves 2

Brandon Beachy was just peachy until he ran out of octane in the 8th.  For 7+ innings Beachy was tossing goose eggs on the scoreboard.  Montreal looked like they closed up shop and went on vacation.  Then in the bottom of the 8th Tim Raines led off with a single and stole second.  Harper lined out and Zimmerman went down on strikes.  It looked real good that Beachy was going to get out of the inning without any damage and keep his shutout in place.  Then without a warning the Expos struck for 5 consecutive singles (4 for runs) + a wild pitch by John "I love the 7 train" Rocker to put the Expos on top by 3.  Dale Murray was brought in to close out the 9th and notch his 3rd save.  David Palmer got his first win of the year with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.  Raines, who went 2 for 5, boosted his season average to .362 while snagging his 8th stolen base.  Earl Williams hit his 4th homer of the season for the Braves.

O's sweep hapless Jays

Game 1 – Memorial Stadium
Guzman v Estrada
Baltimore 2 Toronto 1  
Juan Guzman and Chuck Estrada locked into a classic pitchers dual in this one.  Despite control issues that resulted in 6 walks, Guzman yielded only 4 Baltimore hits and 1 run over 5 innings.  The single Baltimore run scoring on a Wild Pitch with Eddie Murray on third base in the fourth inning.  In the meantime, Chuck Estrada held Toronto to just 3 hits over nine innings.  Toronto scored its lone run in the top of the 6th inning on a Damaso Garcia RBI double that drove in Alfredo Griffin from first base.  This one was decided in the bottom of the tenth when three Baltimore batters singled against reliever Tom Henke with the final hit coming from Cal Ripken Jr. to drive in Bob Nieman from third base.


Game 2 – Memorial Stadium
Mirabella vs Bunker
Baltimore 14 Toronto 6

Over the first three innings Toronto jumped all over Baltimore starter Wally Bunker scoring 2 in the first, 1 in the second and 3 more in the third inning.  Big blows for Toronto came in the form of a two run home run for Eric Hinske in the first, a solo shot by John Olerud in the second and a two RBI triple by Al Woods in the third.  Bunker’s early exit led to a trio of Baltimore pitchers (Jim Palmer, Jorge Julio and Jerry Walker) who were able to hold Toronto in check the rest of the way giving the Baltimore offense a chance to figure out Mirabella.  In the bottom of the 5th inning Mirabella gave up three singles and a double.  However, it was a most unfortunate miscue by Olerud which enabled Baltimore to post 4 unearned runs.   Heading into the bottom of the 8th Baltimore still trailed by 2 with Mike Timlin on the mound for his second inning of relief.    By the time the inning was over, Baltimore had sent 15 men to the plate (6 singles and 4 walks), scored 10 runs and put the game out of reach. 


Game 3  - Exhibition Stadium
Chacin vs Garver
Baltimore 3 Toronto 0

Another tight pitchers dual.  Ned Garver for Baltimore ran his season opening string of scoreless innings to 24 by pitching a complete, 3 hit game.  Gustavo  Chacin scattered 9 Baltimore hits over 7 1/3  innings with all of Baltimore’s runs scoring in the fourth on a double by Jim Gentile, singles by Cal Ripken Jr., Gus Triandos and Bob Nieman and a walk with the bases loaded to Hal Smith.

All in all a well played series.  Thanks for the great games Eric!
--submitted by Mark Nixon--

Mets & Giants - Aug 25 - 27

Game 1 - August 25 Willoughby vs Seaver The Giants win this pitchers duel with Willoughby going 6 strong and big hitter Tito Fuentes drives in 2 insurance runs in the 8th to lead to the 4 - 1 victory. Orlando Cepeda was 3 for 3 and has raised his avg to .298. Seaver went 7 solid for the Mets but took the tough luck loss. ******************************************************************************** Game 2 - August 26 The Mets would batter the Giants in this one banging out 14 hits. W Backman was 3 for 5 and D Strawberry added a 2 for 4 day with 3 RBI's. G Gentry had the shutout going but was pulled for a RP in the 8th and the Giants scored a couple to make it semi respectable. R Herbal went 5IP and allowed 7 ER and just was not on today. Mets win 8 - 2. ********************************************************************************* Game 3 - August 27 Marichal vs Matlack Both SP's got off to rough starts as we were tied at 4 after just 3 innings. Jim Ray Hart smacked 2 HR's in this one buit it was not enough as Ike Davis was the hero for the Mets with a BIG PH HR with 2 outs in the 6th. The Giants would fight back and add 1 in the 8th but come up just short and lose 6 - 5. Mets win the series 2 - 1.

The 10-4 WSox take on the 9-5 Mariners

GAME 1: Burns (2-0) vs Madritach (0-0)

Frank Thomas hit a homer and had 3 hits and Floyd Robinson continued his hot hitting getting 3 hits and 2 rbi and upped his average to .365. Britt Burns his 3rd win allowing only 1 run in 7.2 with Hernandez getting the save (2nd) and still without a era to speak of.... 4-3 WSOX

GAME 2: Lemonds (0-0) vs Young (1-0)

Sox came into game with a perfect 8-0 record on the road when Wsox bats were finally silenced as 3 Seattle pitchers toss a whitewash. .Seattle gets all 4 runs in 1st with catcher Johjima knocking in 2 .. Matt Young win (2-0) lefty Dave Lemonds regrouped however getting CG loss....   4-0 SEATTLE

GAME 3: Fleming (0-0) vs Peters (2-2)

Both starters pitched well and game was deadlocked through 9. In Seattle 11th Al Davis singles home a runner  and a SF gave the Mariners a 4-2 lead. In WSox 11th pinch hitter Tony Muser led  off inning with a triple off Wilhelmsen. After a Thomas strikeout Ed Herrmann singled home Muser to make it 4-3.

Ron Kittle blooped a single to left, Herrmann to 2nd. Ramirez grounds to 3rd advancing runners with 2 out. Floyd Robinson intentionally walked to load bases. Ed Vandeberg comes in the face Pete Ward and Ward promptly lines a grand slam homer down right field line for a wsox winner. ... Ward 5 rbis on day. Wilhelmsen the loss (1-1) and Takatsu the win (1-0)...7-4 WSOX

 Sox leave series with 12-5 record. After starting 9-3 Mariners now have lost 4 of last 5 at stand at 10-7.  --submitted by Dan Holm--

Straight A's

8/25 - Angel Stadium
Archer (3-1) vs Lopez (2-1)
A's 6, Angels 2

Marcelino Lopez blew a 2-0 lead by allowing Yeonis Cespedes' 2 out 2 run single in the top of the 5th.  Deuces would run wild as Oakland would again post a 2 spot in both the 7th and 8th innings to triple up the hometown Halos.  Cespedes, batting in the 3 hole for the first time this season, went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's.  Scott Spiezio had a 2 RBI day as well with a big double in the 8th to give Jim Archer some much needed breathing room.  Halo lead off man, Carney Lansford, had half of his team's hits going 3 for 4.  Lopez was on the hook for the first 4 runs and reliever Ken Tatum was tagged for the final 2.

8/26 - Angel Stadium
Zito (1-0) vs Jer.Weaver (0-1)
A's 8, Angels 0

The A's couldn't have asked for more from Barry Zito, who made his season debut and gave up just 1 hit in 7 innings without yielding a run.  The youngster threw 103 pitches and rather than risk injury he was removed from the game.  Relievers Steve Ontiveros and Ryan Cook were just as good shutting down the Angels the rest of the way.  Offensively it was the Mitchell Page show.  Oakland's left fielder was 4 for 5 with 4 runs scored and an RBI courtesy of his solo homer in the top of the 1st.  Halo starter Jerred Weaver was pulled after 5 having given up 3 runs.  He did fan 6 and only walk 1, but his manager was convinced it was just not his day.  Paul Hartzell (3.1 IP / 5 R) was dreadful in relief.

8/27 - Oakland Coliseum
R.Clark vs Hamilton
A's 5, Angels 3
The series shifted north on the PCH and the A's continued to trot out another lefty starter.  For the second day in a row an Oakland lefty made his mound debut.  Dave Hamilton was tossing a shutout until he ran out of gas with 2 outs in the 7th and gave up 2 run.  That would make the score 5-2 Oakland.  The A's touched Ricky Clark up for 4 big runs in the bottom of the 4th to build a nice lead, all with 2 out.  Catcher Tim Thompson doubled home Dave Revering and Ed Charles to make it 3-1 Oakland.  Dick Green's single made it 4-1 and Walt Weiss' (no relation to the manager) RBI single tallied the 4th run of the frame.  After Hamilton left the Halo's failed to score in the 8th, but mounted a gallant stand in the 9th.  With closer Huston Street on board for the A's the Halos were down to their last 3 outs.  Pinch hitter Wally "Absorbine" Joyner drove a double off of Street to lead off the inning.  Pinch hitter Bob "Buck" Rodgers skied to right.  Devon White delivered his 2nd two bagger of the day to bring Joyner home and make it a 2 run game.  Street got his act together and fanned Kennedy and got Lansford to fly out weakly to Page in left to end the game.  With the 3 game series sweep Oakland moved past the .500 mark for the first time since the second week of the season.  The Angels still sport a division leading 11-6 record.

Royals take 2 of 3 from Motown

8/25 - Tiger Stadium

Splittorff (1-1) vs Verlander (1-3)

Roylas 3, Tigers 2

Lefty Splittorff kept the Tigers off stride most of the day and match the more heralded Verlander pitch for pitch.  Down 2-1 the Royals scored 2 in the top of the 4th on a Quinn long ball and a Wathan ground out.  Goodwin stole his 19th of the year as he marches toward the KOD record books.

8/26 - Tiger Stadium

Drago (1-2) vs Lolich (1-1)

Royals 12, Tigers 5

Goodwin stole 2 more bases and the KC offense got into high gear with 12 runs on 14 hits.  Detroit had 15 hits, but could not string them together as they left 11 men on base.  Carlos Beltran (.344) went 3-5 with 2 runs scored.  Aviles had 3 RBI's.

8/27 - Royals Stadium

Galarraga (1-0) vs Busby (0-2)

Tigers 5, Royals 4

Goodwin stole 3 more bases and Berroa added 3 of his own, but the Tigers still managed to hang on and win this thing by 1.  Detroit found a way to make a 3 run third hold up.  Ever clutch Norm Cash's 2 run single followed a Harvey Kuenn RBI ground out.  A trio of singles followed by a bases loaded walk to Austin Jackso and a Dick McAuliffe RBI ground out make it 5-1 Detroit after 3 and 1/2 innings.  KC answered back with 2 of their own in the bottom of the frame.  Zumaya had a 2 run lead heading into the 9th but served up a lead off homer to Quinn.  KC threatened by getting Berroa on via the bunt as Zumaya made a throwing error.  Berroa proceeded to steal 2 bases and get to third with 1 out.  Ellie Rodriguez lifted a fly to shallow center.  Berroa decided to test Austin Jackson's arm and tagged up and headed for home.  Jackson threw a one hopper to Lowry who put a neat sweep tag on Berroa to end the game in dramatic fashion.

Padres Down Dem Bums

Game 1 at Jack Murphy Stadium,

Andre Ethier and Nate Colbert smashed homeruns as both teams battled in the opener.  San Diego laced hits together in the sixth inning to break up a 2 all tie to lead 5-2. However, the Dodgers came back with solo runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings to tie the game. However, Kevin Kouzmanoff delivered with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom half of the ninth to send the San Diego fans home delighted. Padres 6....Dodgers 5.

Game 2 at Jack Murphy Stadium,

Hideko Nomo had a perfecto until the bottom of the eighth inning when Nate Colbert smacked a laser off the centerfield fence to break up the masterpiece.  Nomo wound up giving up 2 hits. He may have lost the perfect game but earned the victory.  Nomo struck out 13 batters and received help from Black in the ninth. Joe Ferguson hit a homerun to help Nomo for the win.  Dodgers 2....Padres 1.








Game 3 at Ebbets Field,

The series shifted to famed Ebbets field as the Padres did battle in Flat Bush.  The swinging friars got homeruns from unlikely players such as utility infielder Ramon Vazquez, Kahlil Green, and Luis Salazar to power the visitors past the hosts. Matt Clement contributed on the mound with a stellar 7 innings of 2 run ball and seven punch outs.  Clement earned his first win to move to 1-3 on the season.  Padres 6...Dodgers 2.

Phillies take 2 of 3 from the Friars

Game 1 at Philly,

Ryan Howard had a huge day with 6 RBI and a homerun. The Phillies smacked around the beleaguered Padres pitching staff as they pounded starter Matt Clement for 10 runs.  J.A. Happ threw 6 innings of scoreless ball to win his first game of the season.  "Skates" Smith got into the Phillie hit parade with 4 safeties himself. Phillies 14....Padres 1.

Game 2 at Philly,

Lonnie Smith had another perfect day as he went 3 for 3 including a homerun. For the series, Smith is 7 for 7.  Sanford evened his record at 2-2 with 8 strong innings.  Padre starter, Bob Shirley went to 1-2 as he surrendered seven runs in seven innings pitched.  San Diego shortstop Kahlil Greene got 3 hits in a losing effort. Phillies 7....Padres 2.

Game 3 at San Diego,

San Diego starter Dave Frieselben scattered 11 hits over seven innings to prevent a Philly sweep.  Roberto Alomar tripled in a run and scored when John Kruk lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.  San Diego added solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings to increase their lead to 4-0.  Philadelphia got in the scoring column on a 2 run blast to left off the bat of Richie Allen.  However, there was no further scoring as Butch Metzger pitched the final two innings to nail down the San Diego win and Metzger's first save of the tourney.  Freiselben earned the win to improve to 1-2....Padres 4....Phillies 2. 

O's take 2 of 3 from Twinkies

2 big homers

Game 1: Baltimore (Garver) 9 Minnesota (Kralick) 0

Orioles starter Ned Garver remained perfect for the season, going the distance in a 6-hit shutout of the Twins. Cal Ripken Jr. hit 2 homers and went 3 for 5, and Gus Triandos also added a homer for the O's. 

Game 2: Minnesota (Blackburn) 9 Baltimore (Barber) 1

The 2 teams switched roles this game, as the Twins jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Twins took advantage of 4 hits and 4 walks in the 2nd to take a 6-0 lead they would not relinquish. Twins starter Nick Blackburn made his first start of the year and went 8 innings, scattering 6 Oriole hits. Twins cf Irv Noren hit his first dinger of the season. 

Game 3: Baltimore (McDonald) 7 Minnesota (Hall) 3

Despite walking 4 and giving up a 2nd inning homer to Noren, Orioles starter Ben McDonald was very effective. He would give up an additional run in the 8th as the Twins made a comeback bid, but Oriole reliever Eddie Watt shut down the Twins to limit the damage. Orioles catcher Clint Courtney was 2 for 2 with a homer after pinch hitting in the Orioles 3 run 6th.

--submitted by Bill Schneider--

South SIders take 2 of 3 from Royals

Game 1: Appier vs Bere

The wsox were homer happy early with Tony Muser hitting a solo shot in the 1st and Ed Herrmann hitting a 3 run homer in 2nd as Sox hold on to a 6-5 win. Chris Singleton also homered opening the 4th. Appier 4 innings, 8 hit,s 6 runs, 4 earned in the loss (1-1). Jason Bere the win in his 1st start of year. He was uncharacteristically NOT wild walking only 1 in 7 innings scattering 10 hits. Takatsu his 3rd save pitching 2 scoreless.

Game 2: Gale vs Peters

Sox had a 4-2 lead going into the 7th but their fielding got sloppy as  usually sure handed Luis Aparicio booted a sure DP ball and 1 out later Peters couldn't handle a ball hit back to him for a error. When you give a team 4 outs you pay and Perez followed with a run scoring double and Berroa singled home what turned out to be the decider in a 5-4 Royals win despite getting outhit 14-7. Rich Gale let up 12 hits in 6 innings for th win. Quisenberry the save his 1st.
Peters the loss (2-2) giving up 5 runs but only 2 earned.

Game 3: Rogovin vs Butler

Minnie Minoso had 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 rbi as Sox hammer Royals 9-3 to take series. Bill Butler walked 5 and let up 5 runs for the loss. Saul Rogovin the win. Tommie Agee big game 3 hits 2 runs scored, Sox 14 more hits now stand at 10-4.

--submitted by Dan Holm--

Amazin's sweep Bucs

Game One - Josh Thole's two-out RBI single in the second gives the Mets an early lead, and Jon Matlack makes it stick. The lithe lefty scatters six Pirates' hits to post a 1-0 shutout, walking three and striking out six.

 

Game Two - The Mets get two runs in the first and three in the third to take a 5-0 lead and roll to a 7-0 win. Ike Davis ans Darryl Strawberry hit back-to-back homers in the seventh to pad the lead, but the real story was Dwight Gooden. Doc pitches a one-hitter, facing the minimum 27 batters (Garret Jones got the only hit, was erased on a fielder's choice by Al Martin, who was caught stealing), walking none and striking out seven.

 

Game Three - John Candelaria pitches a strong seven innings for the Bucs, but makes one mistake. David Wright hits a three-run homer in the fifth, and it is enough for Jerry Koosman and two relievers to finish the Mets' sweep in a 3-1 win. The only Pirates' run scored when Jason Bay was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but Koosman was able to get Warren Morris to pop out to strand three baserunners.

--submitted by Chris Gotay--

KOD16 – Week 4 – San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs

Game 1

San Francisco 4 – Chicago 10

Juan Marichal vs. Rick Reuschel

The Giants defense failed them in Game 1 of a series that saw both teams enter with 8-3 records. The Cubs scored 10 runs on only 7 hits, though they were aided by 6 Giant walks. Reuschel played Houdini in escaping jam after jam to earn the win. Marichal was the hard luck loser. The Giants rallied in the 8^th scoring 4 runs to close the gap to 6-4. But Al Holland promptly gave all those runs back in the bottom half of the inning allowing the Cubbies to take game 1. Geovany Soto was MVP.

Game 2

San Francisco 8 – Chicago 6

John Montefusco vs. Mark Prior

The Giants scored early, and then watched the Cubs take the lead before scoring 5 runs in the last 3 innings to take game 2 in this wild exciting series. Neither starting pitcher was effective and both were gone by the 5^th inning. With the Cubs holding a 5-3 lead heading to the 7^th, Bill Mueller lead off with a double. Light hitting Terry Whitfield then followed with a 360 foot blast off Fergie Jenkins to tie the game. Then in the 8^th inning Orlando Cepeda launched a massive blast off Chuck McElroy to give the Giants the lead for good. But that didn’t end the excitement. The Cubs scored one run in the bottom half of the 8^th and should have had a second. If you go by what was happening on talk radio in Chicago after the game, Walt Moryn was safe at the plate with what would have been the tying run. But alas, baseball as usual is living in the 19^th century and has not deemed it appropriate to use all the tools at their disposal to make sure the games are called correctly. Wait a minute. What am I doing? Oh, that’s right, game recap. Sorry about the rant. The Giants added an insurance run in the top of the 9^th to take game 2.

Game 3

Chicago 1 – San Francisco 2

Kerry Wood vs. Kelly Downs

For those of you who like old fashioned baseball, well today you were in for a treat. Downs and Wood hooked up in a tremendous pitching duel. Line score for the Cubbies? 1 run on 1 hit. Giants? 2 runs on 6 hits. Downs was spectacular in his 1^st start of the season. Robby Thompson was the hitting star for San Fran with 4 hits and two solo home runs. He hit one in the 1^st to give the Giants the lead and added his second in the 6^th to give them the win. Walt Moryn, yes the same that was thrown out at home on that controversial play, scored the only run in the 6^th after leading off with a walk. Randy Jackson then followed with the only hit for Chicago, a double, scoring Moryn. After that Downs, Fred Breining and Frank Linzy kept the Cubbies at bay and give the Giants the win in both the game and series.

What a great series.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

Halos sweep Bosox

August 22, Fenway Park

Boston took a 2-1 lead into the top of the 8th thanks to 2 Carlton Fisk solo HRs and Lynn McGlothen's fine pitching. But the Angels managed to rally off the Red Sox bullpen, stringing together 4 hits and 2 walks, including an Adam Kennedy triple and Mark Trumbo double.  By the time the dust settled LAA had scored 5 times. Rickey Clark (2-0) picthed into the 8th inning for the win, and Troy Percival the rest of the way for the save. 
LAA 6, BOS 3  

August 23, Fenway Park

A 6-run Angels outburst in the top of the 4th inning broke a scoreless tie. Mike Trout's 3-run HR was the big hit of the inning. Frank Tanana (2-1) goes 8 inning allowing only 1 run for the win. Al Nipper (0-1) took the loss. Bob Rodgers and Walt Dropo also hit solo HRs.
LAA 9, BOS 1

August 24, Angel Stadium

Garrett Anderson's bottom of the 9th pinch hit walk-off double off Dick Radatz scored Wally Joyner with the only run of the game, giving Los Angeles the sweep of the series.  Dean Chance pitched well for the Angels but didn't last long aenough to get the win, which went to reliever Jose Arredondo (2-0).  Red Sox starter Frank Sullivan pitched 8.1 brilliant innings of 5 hit, no walk, 8 strikeout baseball, but ran out of gas in the 9th.  
LAA 1, BOS 0

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Spos take 2 of 3 from Redbirds

7 stolen bases on the season

GAME 1 - Busch Mem Stadium
Rogers vs Hughes
Expos 4, Cardinals 1

Steve Rogers nursed a 2-1 lead until the 7th when the Expos finally solved the riddle called Dick Hughes. A Delino DeShields RBI triple and a Brad Fulmer RBI single made it 4-1 Expos.  Hughes, who was brilliant all day finding his way out of trouble, saw his luck run out in the 7th.  Rogers, who made his first start of the season, exited after getting 1 out in the 8th and put the ball in the capable hands of Tim Burke and Tyler Clippard, who were both pefect.  Tim Raines was 3-4 with 3 runs scored and 2 swiped bags.

GAME 2 - Busch Mem Stadium
Warthen vs Lapoint
Expos 2, Cardinals 1

Dan Warthen upped his record to 3-0 with 7 innings of 1 hit ball.  St. Louis scored their lone run in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1.  Unfortunately for the offensively starved Redbirds (hitting .197 on the year) that run came on a DP, which blew their chances for a big inning.  With back to back singles by Danny Espinosa and Vlad Guerrero to lead off the top of the 4th the Expos were poised for a big inning of their own.  Dave LaPoint's 1-0 fastball was crushed by Ryan Zimmerman and wound up one hoping the left center field wall.  Espinosa scored easily, but Vlad made a poor turn around third and was thrown out at the plate.  After Andre Dawson was given an intentional pass the Expos were unable to get another hit.  Locked into a 2-1 pitcher's duel neither offense could do much.  Both pens were perfect and Dale Murray closed out the game with his 2nd save.

GAME 3 - Stadie Olympique'
Haddix vs Morton
Cardinals 8, Expos 3

It took a 2 1/2 hour plane ride and a crossing of the border to finally jump start the Cardinal offense.  St. Louis would get huge 3 hit days from Joe Cunningham (3-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI) and Allen Craig (3-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI) to get the party started.  St. Louis would score 8 runs on 12 hits to hand Harvey Haddix his first win of the season.  Haddix fanned 7, but did give up 3 runs in 7+ innings.  Carl Morton continued to struggle as Montreal's ace.  His record fell to 2-2 (4.97).

Tribe takes 2 of 3 from Rangers

GAME 1 - Cleveland Stadium
Smithson vs Nagy
Indians 10, Rangers 1

Cleveland launched a 6 spot in the bottom of the 3rd and never looked back.  Charles Nagy went 6 2/3 and gave up just 1 run on 2 hits.  Texas would not get a hit, nor a run vs Cleveland's pen.  Super Joe Charboneau had a breakout 3-4 day with 4 RBI's and a 2 run shot in the 5th.

GAME 2 - Cleveland Stadium
Darvish vs Grant
Indians 7, Rangers 4

Paul Casanova hit a 2 run shot in the top of the 7th to tie the game up at 4-4.  Ranger starter Yu Darvish tired after 6, so the boys from Arlington Texas were forced to go to the pen early.  Cleveland's Mudcat Grant was a workhorse, throwing 135 pitches and going the distance.  He was given a 3 run lead in the 9th when Julio Franco tripled home Sandy Alomar Jr. with 1 out.  That was followed by and RBI double from Larry Doby and a run scoring groundout by Al Rosen.

GAME 3 - Rangers Ballpark
Score vs Brown
Rangers 4, Indians 3

The Rangers found a way to come out on top of this see saw battle.  Herb Score, who didn't factor into the final decision fanned 9 and walked just 1 for the Tribe in 7 1/3 innings of work.  Kevin Brown couldn't match Score's firepower, but when he too gave up just 3 runs.  With 2 out in the 8th and "Inky" on second with a double, Reuben "High" Sierra doubled him home for the go ahead run.  Neftali Feliz pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save to help the Rangers salvage 1 game in the series.

A’s return to the living by taking 2 of 3 from Brew Crew

GAME 1 – Oakland Coliseum – A’s 7 , Brewers 2
Navarro vs Hudson

After exchanging a pair of runs in the 2nd, both offenses settled into a lull until Scott Podsednik scored on a Paul Molitor ground out to make it 2-1 Milwaukee.  That 1 run lead was to be short lived as the A’s offense scored 6 runs over the next 3 innings to win easily.  Back to back RBI singles by Terry “Grapes of Wrath” Steinbach and Dick Green made it a 4-2 game after 6.  “The Glider”, Ed Charles doubled home Yeonis Cespedes to make it 5-2.  In the 8th Oakland put the game out of reach with a lead off homer by Scott Spiezio and an RBI single by Cespedes.  Tim Hudson was superb fanning 9 and walking just 1 in 8 innings of work before handing the ball off to Ryan Cook who struck out the side in the 9th.

GAME 2 – Oakland Coliseum – Brewers 7, A’s 3
Higuera vs Byrd

Lefty ace, Teddy Higuera, pretty much duplicated for the Brewers what Tim Hudson did for the A’s yesterday.  Higuera gave up 2 runs, and struck out 6 in 8 innings.  Pete Ladd gave up a solo run in the 9th, which meant nothing because the Brewers bombed Oakland’s starter Harry Byrd (9 IP, 7 ER).  Byrd did go the distance to eat up innings.  McGehee went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a run driven in.  Molitor scored twice and went 2 for 5.  Mr. Andro himself, Mark McGwire was 3 for 5 with his first homer of the year in a losing effort.
GAME 3 – Miller Field – A’s 8, Brewers 1
Parker vs Eldred

DH Terrence Long continued to wield a hot bat going 4 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored.  Reggie Jackson was the only A’s starter not to record a hit.  The team posted 14 safeties in total vs a beleaguered Cal Eldred (6 IP / 6 ER).  After racking up 7 runs the day before the Brewer offense could only manage 4 total hits today.  Besides Long, both Page and Spiezio each had 2 RBI days.  Milwaukee scored their lone run of the day in the bottom of the first on a B.J. Surhoff RBI single.

Pirates 3 Padres 1

Garrett Jones hit a solo shot and Al Martin added a solo shot as the Bucs beat the Friars 3-1 in the opener of a 3 game series.  Randy Tomlin pitched 7 shutout innings to get the win to improve to 2-0.  Stan Belinda came on in the 9th to get his second save.  There wasn't much offense in this game and a sparse crowd watched as the Padres fell to 3-6 on this young season.

Pirates 7 Padres 3

Garrett Jones rocked a 3-run homerun in the first inning as the Bucs jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead off Matt Clement.  The Padres responded with 2 of their own on a Khalil Greene two run homerun.  The pitchers settled down but the Bucs added 2 more in the 3rd on a Al Martin 2-run homerun.  The Candyman had the hitters baffled as he pitched 6 innings striking out 6 to pickup his second win.  The Padres could only must 4 hits for the entire game.  The series shifted back to Pittsburgh for the finale.

  Pirates 3 Padres 1

Jose DeLeon was throwing major smoke as he struck out 13 batters in 7 innings only allowing 3 hits.  DeLeon worked out of a major jam in the 7th as the Padres had the first two batters reach base.  Jose reared back and struck out the next 3 hitters.  Rich Loiselle picked up his second save.  This is the same pitcher who lost 19 games in his career twice but his rookie season was pretty dominant.  The Pirates sweep the Padres to improve to 8-3 while the Padres fall to 3-8.  The Pirates will play the Mets next while the Padres do battle with the Phillies. 

Botown Sweeps Jays

The normally high powered offense of Boston was shut down for the first two games against the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Sox could not find an answer to the outstanding pitching that Toronto was tossing against them but somehow they found just enough offense to win the first two and then let the bats carry them to the sweep in the third and final game of the home series.

Game 1         Boston  3     Toronto  1

Paul Mirabella pitched strong baseball for the Blue Jays and was staked to an early 1 run lead in the second on an RBI single by J.P. Arencibia of Boston's starter Mike Nagy.  The Red Sox finally got to the Blue Jay starter in the 6th when Dustin Pedroia led the inning off with a solo HR to left center field.  Boston got to the Jay's Mike Timlin in the 8th who had come on in relief of Mirabella as they put 4 singles together for 2 runs.  Jonathon Papelbon came on in the 9th to nail down the 3-1 win.

Game 2      Boston  1      Toronto   0

Game 2 provided a great pitching duel for those fans who like their baseball that way.  Toronto's Gustavo Chacin and Boston's Frank Sullivan hooked up in a nail bitter of game as both starter's shut down the other team's offense. The only blemish on Chacin's resume for the day came in the 2nd inning when Nomar Garciaparra hit a 2 out drive over the Green Monster for the only run of the game.  Boston managed to get only one other runner as far as second base and Toronto left the only runner to reach third on the day stranded there in the third inning.  Papelbon again came on in the 9th for his 2nd save of the series.

Game 3     Boston 6     Toronto  3
As the series moved to Toronto, Boston finally got their offense untracked early in the game as they scored in 4 of the first 5 innings to take a 5-1 lead through 5 innings highlighted by a solo homerun by Tony Conigliaro in the 4th.  To the Blue Jays' credit they scrapped their way back into the game with single runs in the 5th, 6th, and 7th to trail by only 2.  By the end of 6 innings both starters were gone, Curtis for the Sox and Guzman for the Jays.  Dave Steib was into his 4th inning of work when Boston got the insurance run in the 8th on an RBI single by Pedroia.  Sparky Lyle got the 2 inning save for Boston as the Sox completed the 3 game sweep.

Router Issues

Marc,
With the help of Verizon to get into the router and the web page you gave me I think I have the router set up for port forwarding 1452.  Now when I go into port forwarding it indicates that the 1452 port is open.  I still need to test it though.

If you have time today before 5pm can we get together and see if I can host you.  I am out for dinner tonight so wouldn't be able to do it this evening.

Erik

Friars take 3 of 4 from Fish

Game 1 at Florida,
The Fighting Friars put up a three spot in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Johnny Grubb and Gene Richards and a sac fly by Roberto Alomar. Matt Clement pitched 5 solid innings but the victory went to Webb. Luis DeLeon come on to get the save in the ninth as he closed the door on the Marlins.  The loss went to Lindstrom (0-1). Padres 4....Marlins 3.

Game 2 at Florida,
The Marlins got retribution as Dontrille Willis was on his "A" game.  He pitched 7.1 innings of one-hit no run ball and striking out 5 Padre hitters.  Mike Stanton connected for his first homerun of the season while Marlin batters banged out 8 hits.  San Diego committed 6 total errors which included 3 each by catcher Benito Santiago and third sacker Kevin Kouzmanoff.  Padre hurler pitched seven solid innings but received the loss(0-2). Willis earned his first win.  Marlins 5....Padres 0.

Game 3 at San Diego,
Nate Colbert smashed a homerun with a runner on off Olsen and San Diego added another run later to win another one run game against the visiting fish.  Steve Arlin was awesome as he went the distance to improve to 1-0.  Arlin two runs on five hits and struck out nine to gain the victory. Marlin hurler, Scott Olsen got the loss to even his record at 1-1.  Padres 3....Marlins 2.

Game 4 at San Diego,
Four homeruns were hit in this game. Two bombs by the Padres and two from Florida. However, the hosts scored more runs to take the series.  Nate Colbert hit his second homerun of the series and season with a runner on in the first and Wil Venable crushed one into the seats with 2 runners on in the third inning. Charles Johnson and Mark Kotsay hit solo homeruns for Florida.  Bob Shirley earned the win to even his record at 1-1 dispite serving up 5 runs in six innings.  Shirley got help from the Padre pen. Show, Webb, and Rodriguez combined to throw 3 innings of 1 hit ball to nail down the Marlin batters.  Padres 9.....Marlins 5

--submitted by Joey Scigliano (with this disclaimer)-- Sorry, not a big blogger and with the work hours I don't have much time to figure it out so I'm posting my results through email.

P.S. - Joey, you did a gr8 job !  The blog is what we make of it.  No writeup is too small, or too large (well maybe mine are too large, LOL !) 

Birds sweep A's in 3 one run games

Game 1 – Memorial Stadium
Byrd vs McDonald
Baltimore 6 Oakland 5

As has been the case for every game in Memorial Stadium so far, the home team immediately fell behind by a run in the top of the first.  This time Yeonis Cespedes scored on the combination of a single, a groundout, a Clint Courtney passed ball and an RBI single by Mark McGwire.  Baltimore broke through for three against Oakland starter Harry Byrd in the bottom of the third with the big hit being a two RBI triple by noted “speedster” Brooks Robinson.  Baltimore added one run in each of the next three innings to stake Ben McDonald to a 6 to 1 lead after six innings.  Oakland rallied with one in the seventh on a Jose Canseco home run to left and three runs in the eighth including a run scoring single from Jim Finigan and  a Dick Howser walk that forced in Reggie Jackson against reliever Tim Stoddard.  Baltimore escaped when Billy O’Dell came in to strike out Dick Green with the bases loaded.  Greg Olson closed out the game for Baltimore by striking out Mitchell Page and getting McGwire to ground out to second to end the game with the tying run on second base in the top of the ninth.

Game 2 – Memorial Stadium
Keough vs Bunker
Baltimore 3 Oakland 2

Baltimore, for the first time this season, jumped out to an early lead at home when Nick Markakis scored from third on a Clint Courtney groundout to short after singling, advancing to second on an outfield error and advancing to third on a Matt Keough wild pitch.  Baltimore plated two more in the third on an error, three walks and a single.  Oakland once again rallied against Bunker on a two run homer by Reggie Jackson which closed out the scoring in this game.  Eddie Watt came on in the ninth for Baltimore to close it out, but not before Oakland made one more charge on a Dan Johnson single, a Rickey Henderson stolen base (running for Johnson).  An intentional walk to Jim Finigan by Watt set up the game ending double play.    
 

Game 3 – Oakland Coliseum
Estrada vs Archer
Baltimore 6 Oakland 5

A third consecutive one run game stated with Baltimore scoring 4 in the top of the 1st inning against Oakland starter Jim Archer.  Highlights of the 1st inning included 2 RBI doubles by Gus Triandos and Hal Smith.  Oakland chipped away at the Baltimore lead over the next three innings in the bottom of the 4th stringing together two doubles (Dan Johnson and Dick Green) along with two singles (Dick Howser and Yeonis Cespedes ) to kno the game at 4. The game was decided in the 5th when Baltimore responded with 2 runs on a Nick Markakis 2 RBI double.  Oakland countered with 1 in the bottom half of the frame as a Reggie Jackson double scored Mark McGwire all the way from first base.  At this point, both bullpens took over control as 7 innings of combined relief pitching resulted in only one more hit.

Game 4 – Oakland Coliseum
Garver vs Blanton
Baltimore 3 Oakland 0

Baltimore completed the sweep of the four game series on the strength of six strong innings from starter Ned Garver who yielded only 2 hits and no runs.  Effectively countering Garner was Oakland starter Joe Blanton who held the Birds to only 4 hits over 6 2/3 innings, but yielded three runs which came on a Roy Sievers solo shot in the top of the 6th another Brooks Robinson triple (most likely a career high :0)) that plated both Bobby Grich and Cal Ripken in the 7th.  Just as the night before, once the bullpens took the field, the hitters called it a night. Combined both bullpens yielded only three hits over 5 1/3 innings of work 

--submitted by Mark Nixon-- 

Editors Note:  Mark Nixon did a great job handling his pen and winning those close games.  He is turning out to be a fine strategic manager and a gr8 edition to KOD in this his inaugral season