"Bat-ista" - Dbacks sneak past Dodgers in NL WC play in classic !

In a very close game the 01 Arizona Diamonbacks held on for a 4-3 victory over the 13 LA Dodgers. The DBacks turned to an obviously tired Randy Johnson despite The Big Unit pitching an inning of relief in Arizona's regular season finale vs these same Dodgers. Johnson was only able to go 2 innings before asking out with his team trailing 1-0. Manager Daly was expecting a bit more of a fight out of Johnson but quickly turned to plan B Miguel Batista. Batista used not only his arm but his bat to guarantee more games for him and his teammates. Batista went 4 shut out innings and chipped in with a huge RBI single as well the DBacks 3 run 4th inning. The Dodgers did not go quietly as they scored 2 runs off reliever Erik Sabel in the 7th after Batista was removed. Greg Swindell relieved Sabel in a tight spot but was able to get a huge double play to keep the game at 4-3. Both teams threatened over the next 2 innings but timely double plays kept it a 1 run game. Byung-Hyun Kim came in for the DBacks in the 9th to record his 10th save of the short season. Yasiel Puig had a chance with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th to be the hero but he weakly waved at strike three in the dirt to end LA's hopes of extending its season.

--submitted by Peter Daly--

A's take 2 of 3 vs Rangers in battle to not finish 4th.

2002 Oakland and 2011 Texas battled to get out of last place in the AL West, where Seattle and the Angels are fighting for the division title.

Oakland wins game one, scorching Texas starter C.J. Wilson for two in the top of the eighth, as Eric Chavez hits a key double.  The Rangers can't quite come back all the way, despite 11 hits. Mark Mulder moves to 5-1 for Oakland. OAK 6, TEX 5.

Texas wins game two, 3-2, on a game-ending RBI single from Mike Napoli in the bottom of the ninth, off Oakland closer Billy Koch.

Oakland comes back to upend Texas in the deciding game for last place, winning 5-3. Texas starter Derek Holland drops to 0-7 (he won 16 games in real life that year), allowing three runs in the fifth to make the difference. Ray Durham's three run homer in that inning is the big blow for Oakland.

Good series with Andy, and a really fun season to play those 2000 era teams. Best of luck to those of you fighting for a playoff spot, and Happy Holidays!

Regards,

Joe Pryweller

Chicago-Kansas City Put on Royal Crown Show

The AL Central race was the closest in KOD20 this year and the final series between Chicago and Kansas City was no exception. In fact, there were so many twists and turns; and wild, wonderful, heart-breaking moments that I would literally be writing until Christmas if I tried to recap everything.

I have been doing baseball gaming for the vast majority of my life. I think these 3 games were the craziest, most exciting I have yet experienced. Below are the very basics. I would encourage those with a vivid (maybe morbid) curiosity to take a look at the box and pbp from these games. Whew!

Bottom line – I believe Chicago’s 2 wins assure them a playoff spot. If Cleveland gets 1 win against Detroit, they will tie the White Sox, but lose the h2h tie-breaker for the Division Title. If they win 2 or 3, they win the crown outright. However, Chicago’s 22 wins should be enough to earn them the #2 WC slot.  

September 28 at Kansas – Chris Singleton singled home Tony Graffanino and Craig Wilson in the 11^th to lift the White Sox to a 10-8 victory. KC closer extraordinaire Greg Holland surrendered the first two earned runs of the season in the 9^th for a very rare blown save. In fact, Chicago scored 4 in the 9^th to send the game to overtime.

September 29 at Kansas City – Lorenzo Cain’s 2-run homer in the B8 answered the 2-run shot by Singleton in the T8 and the Royals hung on for a 5-4 win.

September 30 at Kansas City – The Royals plate 4 in the b9 to send this one to overtime (sound familiar) dead-locked at 7-7. The ChiSox score 2 in T10 for a 9-7 lead with Paul Konerko doubling in Frank Thomas for the 9^th Pale Hose run. KC loads the bases in the B10 with 1 out. Salvador Perez scores on a passed ball placing the tying run at 3^rd and the winning run at 2^nd. Keith Foulke fans Norichika Aoki and gets Jarrod Dyson to ground to 2B to end it.

Baltimore stumbles to finish line. Charm City fans quite dismayed

Baltimore closes out the KOD20 season losing 8 straight division games to fall from a tie for first to a likely tie for last in the AL East.  Pitching and not being able to drive runners in consistently killed theh O's all season long. Kudos to DKS, way too much like the real thing!

Has Col. Kurtz (Apocalypse Now fame) once said, "The horror, the horror....."  Anyway, congrats to the Yankees on their division crown.

Game 1

Camden Yard

Arroyo vs Gonzalez

Boston 9 Baltimore 4

Miguel Gonzalez had been solid all season for Baltimore, but with the pennant already clinched in New York his concentration waned as he gave up 5 runs in 1 and 1/3 ininngs. In the top of the first Many Ramirez drove Johny Damon in from third to stake Boston to a 1-0 lead.  Boston added 4 more in the top of the second on three singles a double and a walk, before TJ McFarland came in to stem the scoring by getting the last two outs of the inning.  In the meantime Branson Arroyo was cruising against the Orioles hitters until he gave up a two run home run to Chris Davis in the bottom of the third.  In the bottom of the sixthh Baltimore struck again on a Steve Pearce RBI single.  this was a close as Baltimore would get as the Baltimore bullpen gave up 4 more runs to allow Boston to cruise to an easy win.

Game 2

Camden Yard

Martinez vs Chen

Boston 6 Baltimore 4

In what would be the closest game of the series Baltimore struck first in the botom of the third on an Adam Jones RBI double.  Boston answered back against Chen in the top of the 4th on a David Bellhorn RBI single.  Boston claimed the lead the net inning on a leadoff home run by David Ortiz.  Baltimore answered back with a two run home run by J J Hardy to reclaim the lead 3-2.  With Chen tiring in the seventh, the Baltimore Pyrotechnic Bullpen entered the game and Boston quickly lit up the Baltimore sky. In the eigth Darren O'day gave up a two run shot to Bill Mueller and in the ninth Fransisco Rodriquez gave up three singles, including a two RBI single to Bellhorn.  the best Baltimore could do was load the bases in the bottom of the 8th on two singles and an error before Matt Weiters hit into a 3-6-3 double play that scored J J Hardy from third.  Once again the Baltimore pen was unable to keep up with the opponents pen.

Game 3

Camden Yard

Schilling vs Britton

Boston 14 Baltimore 6

In a game the summed up the Baltimore season in a nutshell, the pitching imploded, only this time early.  The only good thing to come from this game was that the few fans who stayed past the 4th inning had a great chance to try out new seat locations for KOD Holiday edition.  After 4 innings Boston led in this one 10-1.  Britton was charged with 9 runs over three innings and gave up 5 walks.  when Kevin Gausman relieved Britton he then gave up 5 more over 3 1/3 ininngs (this was the highlight for Baltimore).  In the meantime Schilling cruised, holding Baltimore to 4 runs over 7 ininngs before he tired and the Boston pen took over.  This one was just ugly all the way around for Baltimore and dropped the O's into a possible last place tie with Boston in the AL East......My, how the mighty fell the last three weeks!

Anyway, as always, it was fun (sort of) and Erik was great to work with on finding a time to play during this busy time of year.

Merry Christmas to you all, and see you during the Holiday Tournament!

--submitted by Mark Nixon--
Baltimore

Yanks Clinch (Barely) AL East Regular Season Flag

The Yankees needed only one win to clinch the AL East regardless of what happened with the Orioles – and they almost couldn’t pull it off. Phil Hughes started Game 1 well, but tired out early and the Rays never looked back. Game 2 was a typical result for CC Sabathia (getting shelled) but atypical for James Shields (a complete game gem). New York was forced to put the guy I wanted to start in Game 1 of the ALDS into the Game 3 start to stop the bleeding, and even that almost didn’t work. Only a five-run eighth inning put the Yankees ahead. In the bottom of the ninth Mariano Rivera came darned close to blowing the save but hung on. This Tampa team really matches up well against me.

New York gets the pennant but may have blown home field.

--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

Pirates take 2 from Reds

sept 24: Reds 3 Pirates 2

The Reds bunched 2 walks and 2 doubles to score 3 runs in the 3rd inning and then held on to defeat the Pirates 3-2.  Brandon Phillips doubled in Hanigan who had walked and then after Joey Votto walked, Jay Bruce doubled in both runners as Votto just narrowly beat the throw home. Bronson Arroyo went 6 innings giving up 2 runs and allowing only 5 hits. The Reds bullpen trio of Simon, Marshall, and Chapman came on to save the game. Pirates starter James McDonald deserved better as he only allowed the 3 third inning runs and had 2 hits and a rbi himself.

sept 25:  Pirates 5 Reds 1 

Jose Tabata and Garrett Jones had 4 hits and 4 rbis to back starter AJ Burnett who pitched 8 innings allowing no runs and 2 hits.  Tabata hit 2 run homer in the 2nd inning and Andrew McCutchen (who also had 2 hits) singled in a run in the 3rd.  Garrett Jones 2 run double in the 5th finished the Pirate scoring. Burnett struck out 10 and walked but 1 and only had 1 Redleg reach 2nd base.

sept 26:  Pirates 6 Reds 1

Brandon Cumpton went the distance for the Pirates allowing 1 run and 4 hits. He struck out 5 and hit 2 Reds but did not walk anyone. Jose Tabata continued his hot hitting with a double, 2 singles and 2 rbis. He also had 2 outfield assists in the first inning throwing out 2 Red runners attempting to reach 3rd base. Jody Mercer chipped in with 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 rbis.  And Andrew McCutchen had 4 singles and rbi.  There were 6 double plays in the game with the Pirates hitting into 4 of them. Drew Stubbs homered for the Reds only run.

2001 DBacks sweep 2010 Padres

GAME 1 @ San Diego

Arizona wins 1-0 in 11 innings

WP: Guzman (1-0)
LP: Mujica (0-2)
SV: Kim (7)
HR:  none





Curt Schilling and Wade LeBlanc got the series started by matching zeroes.  Schilling went 9 1/3 for Arizona giving up just 6 hits while striking out 11.  LeBlanc matched Schill for the first 8 innings, allowing just 3 hits while fanning 6 of his own.  The lone run for the game was scored in the top of the 11th when Tony Womack drove in Damian Miller.  Byung-Hyun Kim pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 12th to pick up his 7th save.

 

GAME 2 @ San Diego

Arizona wins 2-1

WP: Johnson (5-2)
LP: Correia (1-4)
SV: Kim (8)
HR:  Dellucci (4)

Game 2 starters Johnson and Correia picked up right where their game 1 counterparts left off.  Correia outlasted Johnson 8 innings to 6 2/3, but it was Johnson that walked away with the victory.  The Big Unit gave up just 1 unearned run while striking out 7.  A 1st inning homer by David Dellucci and a 4th inning Luis Gonzalez RBI were all the offense needed.

GAME 3 @ San Diego

Arizona wins 2-0

WP: Ellis (1-1)
LP: Garland (3-4)
SV: none
HR:  none

Following Johnson and Schilling is a tall task for any pitcher, but on this day, Robert Ellis was more than up for the challenge.  The Arizona righty making his 2nd start of the season was sensational.  Needing only 95 pitches to dispose of the Padres in game 3, Ellis gave up just 3 hits, walked none and struck out 3 en route to the complete game shutout.  Luis Gonzalez and Greg Colbrunn each drove in a run for the DBacks as they somehow managed to turn 5 runs into a 3 game sweep of the Padres. 

Indians Slug their way to First-Place Tie

September  20 at Chicago – Carlos Lee doubled off the LF wall to score Paul Konerko in the 10^th to lift 2000 Chicago to a 3-2 win over 2005 Cleveland. Jake Westbrook and Mike Sirotka were dealing zeros until the 7^th when Herbert Perry (3) and Chris Singleton (2) went yard for a 2-0 White Sox lead. The Indians tied it with 2 in the 9^th off closer Keith Foulke. Victor Martinez (4) led off with a long bomb. With 2 outs Casey Blake doubled in PR Alex Cora. Mark Buehrle (3-0) got the win in relief. Bob Wickman (1-1) took the loss.

September 21 at Chicago – Tribe batsmen were busy in this one, banging out 14 hits and scoring single runs in 5 of the 9 innings for a 5-3 victory to even the series. Jose Hernandez (4) led the way, going 4-4 with a solo homer. Travis Hafner drove in 3 with 3 knocks. Everyone’s favorite cereal, Coco Crisp had 3 safeties. Lee (3) and Frank Thomas (7) went deep for Chicago. Scott Elarton (3-2) pitched 7 complete with just 1 earned run against him. Wickman (6) notched the save. Jim Parque (3-2) started and lost for the ChiSox.   

September 22 at Chicago – Aaron Boone and the Indians made a very loud statement when they tallied 3 touchdowns to just one for Chicago. No typo; Cleveland moved into a first place tie with the Pale Hose (both 19-17) in the AL Central Division with a dominating 21-7 performance. Boone (4,5,6) crushed 4 hits with only one staying in the ballpark. His RBI total alone added up to a TD and PAT -- All this from the 9^th spot in the batting order. Hafner (7), Martinez (5), Blake (4) and Grady Sizemore (2) also left the yard. All Tribesmen had at least 1 hit with Ron Belliard knocking in 4 runs with 3 hits. Jeff Abbott (1), Ray Durham (1) and Konerko (3) homered for Chicago, making a total of 10 bombs that hit the seats this day. Cleveland starter Cliff Lee (4-2) was the biggest beneficiary of the spoils.  

Cardinals take 2 in Cincy

sept 20:  Cardinals 3  Reds 2

Mike Matheny's 8th inning solo homer gave Cardinals come from behind win in game 1.  Matheny's fielder's choice ground out in the 4th inning had given Cardinals early 1-0 lead but Reds got one in the 5th on Ludwick's homer run and a lead run in the 6th on Jay Bruce's double.  J. Cueto was too tired to continue and Reds reliever Alfredo Simon wild pitched in the tying run in the 7th. Jason Isringhausen got the save.

sept 21: Cardinals 8 Reds 4

Cardinals used the long ball to their advantage to take game 2. Larry Walker hit a solo  homer in the first inning. Albert Pujol erased 3-1 Reds lead with 3 run homer in the 6th, and Jim Edmonds hit 2 run homer in the 7th. Jas Marquis finished 5 innings for the win and Cards bullpen allowed only 1 run in last 4 innings. Ryan Ludwick had 3 hits and a pair of rbis for the Reds.

sept 22:  Reds 5 Cardinals 4 (10 innings)

 Brandon Phillips scored the winning run on Jim Edmonds wild throw to home plate after catching Ryan Ludwicks fly ball in bottom of the 10th. It was the 4th Cardinal error of the game. The Reds did not get a hit until the 6th inning when an error and 3 doubles gave them a 3-2 lead. Edgar Renteria's single tied the game in the 7th and So Taguchi's rbi single in the  8th gave the Cardinals a 4-3 lead heading into the 9th. Jason Isringhausen could not put the game away  as with one out, Navarro got a pinch hit single and Hanigan doubled him to 3rd. Drew Stubbs squeeze bunt then tied the game. In one of the many game oddities, Yadier Molina stole a base although he did not have any in 2004. There were 5 total errors in the game, 3 by the third basemen. Cingrani got the win although he loaded the bases in the 10th on a single and 2 walks.

 

Mets Take Down Friars.

Game 1 at Shea Stadium,

Nick Hundley hit a homerun and drove in 3 runs in the Padre victory.  Clayton Richard pitched a strong seven innings to place his 4th win of the year. Richard received relief assistance from Luke Gregerson and Ryan Webb to help seal the Triumph. Padres 8....Mets 6.

Game 2 at Shea Stadium,

New York evened the series with a slug-fest in New York. A total of eight homeruns were crushed in the game as it was a long evening for pitchers. Paul LoDuca hit 2 of the homeruns to help the Mets cause.  Jon Garland surrendered ten runs in 5.1 innings pitched.  Homeruns were also hit by Headley, Hundley, Hairston, Delgado, Reyes, and Shawn Green.  John Maine threw 6 innings of 6 hit, 3-run ball to improve his record at 2-2. Mets 11...Padres 5.

Game 3 at Petco Park,

Jose Valentin hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning to plate Jose Reyes. That would be the only scoring for either team on this day. Both starters were strong. Mat Latos pitched into the 9 inning but his offense could not scratch across a run through Met's pitchers.  New York used four relievers to shut down the Padres. The final New York hurler was Billy Wagner. The lefty closer earned his 11th save as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Mets 1....Padres 0.

Giants take 2 from Reds

sept 16:  Giants 9 Reds 5

Aubrey Huff went 4 for 5, 2 doubles, triple and home run to lead Giants to easy win for Matt Cain. In the 8th needing only a single to hit for the cycle, Huff was over excited and ran to 2nd for his double instead of stopping at first. When asked after the game why he did not stop at first to get the cycle, Huff simply answered that he was more interested in extra base hits rather than getting the cycle. Andres Torres hit single, triple and homer while Buster Posey and Pat Burrell also homered. Jay Bruce homered for the Reds.

sept 17:  Reds 7 Giants 4 

Reds exploded for 4 runs in the 6th to overtake the Giants. Navarro's pinch hit 2 run single was the big hit. Brandon Phillips had 4 hits for the Reds (2 singles and 2 doubles) while Jay Bruce hit a 2 run homer for the Reds first 2 runs. Giants got solo homers from Torres, Pablo Sandoval, and Juan Uribe.  Leake went 6 innings for the win. Baumgarner went the first 5 innings and left with a 1 run lead but the Giants bullpen imploded allowing 5 run over the next 3 innings.

sept 18:  Giants 5 Reds 0

Barry Zito threw 7 shutout innings, scattering 6 hits and striking out 7 while walking but 2.  Zito even drove in Giants first run when he singled with 2 outs in the 2nd after Uribe had been walked intentionally. Uribe later drove in 2 insurance runs with a double in the Giants 3 run 8th.  Freddy Sanchez had a pair of rbi singles as well as a double. Phillips continued his hot hitting for the Reds with a pair of singles.

Dodgers win 2 from Reds

sept 13: Dodgers 11 Reds 1

Dodgers won this first game rather easily as they scored 7 runs in the 7th inning as Juan Uribe hit a grand slam homer and 2 batters later Van Slyke hit a 2 run homer. Earlier in the game, both Ludwick and Ethier had hit solo homers.  Nolasco pitched 7 innings allowing 1 run and only 4 hits.

sept 14:  Reds 2 Dodgers 0

Cueto and Kershaw engaged in scoreless pitching duel that was not resolved until the 9th inning. Stubbs lead off the 9th and was safe on Michael Young's error. Todd Frazier follwed with a long homerun. Cueto pitched 7 innings allowing 4 hits. Sean Marshall pitched 1-2-3 8th and A. Chapman continued his streak of successful saves striking out 2 in the 9th.

sept 15:  Dodgers 7 Reds 5 (16 innings)

Juan Uribe hit a 2 run homer in the 16th to finally end this marathon event. With the score tied at 3 after 8, Michael Young singled with 2 outs off A Chapman to give the Dodgers the lead. The Reds had had 2 pitchers warming but when the Reds manager walked out to the mound to confer with Chapman he saw that his bullpen was bare and Chapman had to continue pitching. In the bottom of the 9th all chance of relieving Grienke was lost when Dodger pitchers also disappeared and Heisey singled in tying run. Dodgers took lead in the 15th on Crawford's rbi single. Reds tied the game in their half of the inning as Phillips singled with 2outs and kept running around the bases to score the tying run. Withrow got the save as both teams staggered off the field - dazed and confused.

Braves Whallup Padres

Game 1, Petco Park,

Atlanta crushed 4 homeruns as they battered Padre pitchers. Mat Latos was the starter but coughed up six runs in 5.2 innings.  The Big Cat Galarraga drove in 4 runs, a couple coming on his 4th dinger of the year.  Chipper Jones, Andrew Jones, and Brian Jordan also went deep in support of John Burkett's first win of the season.  Braves 9....Padres 3.

Game 2,

Greg Maddux was the story in game two as he went the distance to shut out the Padres in the second game of the series.  Maddux moves to 3-5 with a masterful performance.  Maddux surrendered a measly 4 hits and struck out 8 Padre swingers.  Javy Lopez hit a homerun and drove in three Braves to lead the offense.  The loss was hung on Kevin Correia (1-3).   Braves 5...Padres 0.

Game 3, Turner Field,

Kevin Millwood was overpowering as he struck out 11 batters through eight innings. Millwood improves his record to 4-3 with his strong performance.  Wade Leblanc gave up 3 runs and was lifted after only two innings pitched. Tim Stauffer came into the game in relief and was awesome as he tossed five innings of no run ball.  Adrian Gonzalez was another bright spot for the Padres with 2 RBI on a double and homerun. However, that was not enough to overcome Millwood's brilliant pitching performance.  Former Padres' Quilvero Veras and Reggie Sanders hit homeruns in the win. Braves 3....Padres 2.

Mariners Dunk White Sox Twice

Sept. 9 at Chicago – John Olerud banged out 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in 3 runs to lead the Mariners to an easy 9-2 win. Randy Winn and Jose Guillen also had 3 hits apiece to help Jamie Moyer (5-0) remain undefeated.

Sept.  10 at Chicago – Paul Konerko’s single in the B9 plated Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee to give Chicago a 5-4 walk-off win. Konerko (1) also hit a solo shot in the 2^nd inning. Chicago had to battle back from a 3-run deficit after Edgar Martinez (5) bombed one with 2 aboard in the 1^st.

Sept. 11 at Seattle – Mike Cameron doubled with two outs in the B9 to score Bret Boone for a 2-1 Mariners walk-off win. Ichiro Suzuki (1) had homered in the 4^th. Rafael Soriano (2-0) was the winner in relief. Keith Foulke (0-2) took the loss. 

Mets take 2 from Reds

Mets scored 31 runs but still won only 2 games.

Sept 9:  Reds 5 Mets 3 

Johnny Cueto gave up 2 runs early and then settled in to pitch 6 innings to earn the win. Ryan Ludwick hit a 2 run homer to tie the game in the 4th and 2 innings later Todd Frazier hit 2 run homer to give Reds the lead. Joey Votto doubled in an insurance run in the 7th and the Reds bullpen held the Mets scoreless. Aroldis Chapman earned save although he walked the first 2 batters and gave up sacrifice bunt to advance them. bearing down, he got Reyes to popout to the catcher and then Carlos Beltran hit line drive out to end the game.

Sept 10:  Mets 13 Reds 0

It was all Mets who scored at least 1 run in the first 4 innings and built up a 8-0 lead. Mets only had 12 hits but received 8 walks from wild Reds pitchers and also had 1 batter plunked. David Wright had single, double and rbi while Jose Valentin had a 3 run double and Beltran hit solo homer. John Maine pitched 6 scoreless innings allowing only 1 single and Brian Bannister finished the game allowing just 2 more singles.

Sept 11: Mets 18 Reds 0

Another rout as Mets again had 8-0 lead after 4 and Tom Glavine on cruise control for an easy win. David Wright hit single, triple, 2 home runs driving in 6 runs and Endy Chavez and Shawn Green also homered. For good measure, Mets scored 8 runs in the 9th inning hitting 5 doubles and a triple as the Reds manager closed his eyes and let pitcher Pedro Villarreal take the punishment.

Fighting Phils drop two to San Diego

Game 1,
Petco Park,

Catcher Nick Hundley connected for his third homerun of the year to help lead the Friars over the Phillies in the first game of a double header.  Mat Latos was very strong on the hill as he pitched 7 solid innings to notch the victory. Latos evens his record at 2-2. Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his fourth save.  Padres 2....Phillies 1.

Game 2, (second game of DH)
Petco Park,

Tim Stauffer got the spot start and looked marvelous for San Diego today. Stauffer's seven innings of one run ball was enough to even his record at 2-0.  Chase Headley crushed a homerun in the win and drove in 3 runs. Adrian Gonzalez banged out 3 hits. Heath Bell got another save to give him two in one day. The loss was tagged to Cole Hammels 0-2. Padres 4...Phillies 2.

Game 3,
Citizens Bank Park,

The final game was salavaged by the Phillies to avoid the sweep. The contest was another close, tight, pitcher's duel but the Phillies pulled it out in the bottom of ninth with a game winning hit from Raul Ibanez to plate Chase Utley. Reliever Ryan Webb got hung with the loss as the win went to Ryan Madsen. Phillies 2..Padres 1.

A's Bats Go to Sleep; ChiSox win 2 of 3

Sept. 6 (Game 1) at Oakland – Miguel Tejada homered as one of his 3 hits and drove in 7 runs to power Oakland to a 10-6 win in the lid-lifter of the season’s lone double header. Every hitter in the A’s lineup had at least 1 hit except Carlos Pena. David Justice also had 3 knocks including a triple and home run. Barry Zito (3-2) tossed 7 2/3 for the W.  Kip Wells (0-1) started and lost for the White Sox. ChiSox mound men surrendered 9 free passes for the game.

Sept.  6 (Game 2) at Oakland – Pitching was as stingy in the nigthcap as it was liberal in the opener. Tony Graffanino’s 2-run single in the T4 gave the Pale Hose the only runs they needed, erasing the Athletics 1-0 lead after a Greg Myer’s solo blast in the 3^rd.  Sox win 2-1. Jon Garland (1-0) started for Chicago and went 5 1/3. A parade of Kelly Wunsch, Aaron Myette, Lorenzo Barcelo and Keith Foulke (9) followed and allowed just two more hits. Tim Hudson (2-3) was solid, but failed to get the bat support.  

Sept. 7 at Chicago – A quick flight to the Windy City for a single game the next day found the White Sox ready to go and the Athletics still a bit jet-lagged. The ChiSox struck with 3 in the 1^st . A walk to Ray Durham and consecutive singles by Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordonez and Paul Konerko plated a couple of runs. One out later, Graffanino singled in another. Meanwhile Cal Eldred (2-2) extended the A’s scoreless string to 12 innings with 1-hit, shutout ball in 6 IP. The home club put another crooked number on the board in the 5^th. Konerko and Craig Wilson (3 hits) each had 2-run singles to extend the lead to 7-0. All Sox hits were 1-baggers in this one. Oakland put up single runs in each of the final 3 innings, including Pena’s solo blast.  

I Film Myself Catching Andrew McCutchen's 16th Career Home Run

Pittsburgh vs LA - 

Game 1: A close game goes in to the 10th inning
where Andrew McCutcheon blasts a Paco Rodriguez pitch 408 feet to right
and leading the Pirates to a 5-2 win in 10.

Game 2:
Chris Capuano gave up 3 runs in the top of the first and looked like the
Pirates were going to run away with it. However, with 1 in the first, 2
in the second, and another in 4th, the Dodgers bounced back to take a
4-3 lead. Slugger Michael McKenry of the .217 batting average went 403
feet to left center, pushing the Pirates ahead 5-4. The Dodgers could
only manage 3 hits in the final four innings, and the Pirates won 6-4.

Game
3: Clayton Kershaw is great. Perfect through 6 1/3, Kershaw only gave
up 2 hits and the Dodgers cruised to a 2-0 victory as they put together 4
hits in the second inning.

Dodgers are now 12-12 and next play Houston.

The Pirates soar to a 19-5 start and next face the Giants.

--submitted by Keith MacDonald-- 

Nats take 1st series since week 2 by taking 2 of 3 from Dbacks

9/6 - Game 1 (DH)
Bank on Ballpark
Strasburg (0-4) vs Batista (2-2)
Dbacks 10, Nats 3

Washington continued it's losing ways as phenom Stephen Strasburg dropped his 4th decision by giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits in 6 innings.  Bad, I mean Brad Lidge poured more kerosene on the fire in relief allowing 3 runs in his one forgettable inning of work.  Arizona got a huge 4 for 4 performance from Craig Counsell, who knocked in 3.  Ryan Zimmerman had 3 hits, including his 7th homer of the season.

9/6 - Game 2 (DH)
Detwiler vs Witt
Nats 3, Dbacks 0

Ross Detwiler threw 2 hit / shutout ball for 7 1/3 innings before giving way to the pen.  Stammen got the final two outs in the 8th and Tyler Clippard earned his 5th save with a scoreless 9th to preserve the group shutout.  Both teams combined for a measly 9 hits with none being bigger than the 2 run shot that Ian Desmond hit in the top of the 7th.

9/7 - Nationals Park
Reynoso vs E.Jackson
Nats 6, Dbacks 3 


 Jason Werth (3-4) and Ryan Zimmerman (2-3) combined to score 4 of the 6 runs that the Nats would post on the board today.  Zim and rookie phenom Bryce Harper each knocked in 3.  Harper did his with one swing of the bat, while Zim hit a pair of long balls (he had 3 in the series).  Washington had to mix and match 5 relievers over the final 4 innings culminating in a 6 pitch strikeout by Tyler Clippard to get the save with the tying run at the plate.

Reds Scalp Braves

Sept 6 (1st game):  Reds 7 Braves 0

Homer Bailey was terrific pitching 7 shutout innings, allowing but 3 singles, striking out 3 and walking 2. reds broke a scoreless tie in the 4th, scoring 3 runs. Brandon Phillips doubled in the first run and after a single and walk loaded the bases, Hanigan singled in a run and Bailey drove in another on sacrifice fly. Reds scored 4 insurance runs in the 7th as Phillips hit a 2 run homer and Jay Bruce followed with a long homer to right. After Chris Heisey tripled, Scott Rolen completed the scoring with rbi single. Simon finished the game with 2 scoreless innings.

Sept 6 (2nd game):  Reds 2 Braves 1

Devin Mesoraco's rbi double in the bottom of the 6th inning proved to be the deciding run. It was Devin's 3rd hit of the game. Mike Leake, starting with only 3 days rest, managed to pitch 5 scoreless innings and left in the 6th after giving up leadoff double to Chipper Jones (he had 3 hits.) Andruw Jones then followed with rbi single to tie the game at 1.  After that single, Lecure retired the next 6 batters. Sean Marshall pitched the 8th avoiding trouble as he gave up a single and hit a batter. Aroldi Chapman came on in the 9th to retire all 3 hitters he faced.  Todd Frazier's single in the first inning had given the Reds the early lead. Tom Glavine was the hard luck loser for the Braves.

Sept 7:  Reds 7 Braves 0

The game started as the first 5 batters who faced Braves pitcher John Burkett reached base and all scored. Joey Votto had rbi double and Brandon Phillips hit rbi single. When Mulholland replaced Burkett, Dioner Navarro greeted him with a 2 run double and starter Bronson Arroyo knocked in the 6th run of the inning with ground out. When Brandon Phillips hit solo homer in the 2nd inning, the scoring in the game was over. Arroyo pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing 5 hits. JJ Hoover finished the game retiring all 6 batters he faced. For the series, the Braves were held to a single run.

Friars upset reeling 'Stros

Game 1,

Houston,

Padres catcher Nick Hundley hit a two-run homer in the 9th to break a 4-4 tie.  Houston added a run the bottom of the 9th but Heath Bell held on to earn his 3rd save.  Padres 6...Astros 5.

Game 2,

Houston,

San Diego hit three homeruns to power past the Astros.  Adrian Gonzalez #6, Everth Cabrera #2, and Ryan Ludwick #2 all went deep in the Padre victory.  Jon Garland was mediocre today but improved to 3-2.  The loss went to Shane Reynolds, who falls to 0-4. Padres 10...Astros 4.

Game 3,

San Diego,

Houston salvaged the last game of the series as they got to Padre starter Clayton Richard early and touched him up for six runs in only 3 innings. Richard sinks to 2-3 as the win went to Wade Miller (3-1) as he pitched six innings scattering 8 hits and only one run. Hitting star for Houston was Richard Hidalgo as he had 2 hits good enough for 3 RBI. Astros 9...Padres 2.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--

Reds Get First Series Win

Sept 2:  Reds 4 Nationals 2

Reds took opening game 4-2 behind the pitching of Bronson Arroyo and the hitting of Drew Stubbs. Stubbs singled in the Reds first run in the 3rd and doubled in the next 2 runs in the Reds 3 run 5th inning. Cozart doubled in Stubbs for the Reds final run. Arroyo pitched 7 innings allowing a run in the first inning on Bryce Harper's sac fly and another run in the 7th on Adam LaRoche's double. Marshall came on to pitch a scoreless 8th and Aroldi Chapman struck out 2 in the 9th for the save.

Sept 3:  Reds 7 Nationals 4 

Johnny Cueto survived a shaky first inning and even though he walked 5 and hit 1, he was able to complete 6 innings and had off a 7-4 lead to his bullpen.  The first 4 batters Cueto faced in the first inning reached base but then a double play and pop out stopped the Nats cold. The Reds scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning on 4 singles, 2 doubles and an error by National right fielder Mike Morse. In the 5th Morse made another error as the Reds scored 3 more times. Brandon Phillips lead the Reds 13 hit attack with 3 hits while Zack Cozart, Tood Frazier and Ryan Hanigan each had 2.  Jonathan Broxton pitched 2 perfect innings for his first save of the year. Bryce Harper hit 2 run homer for the Nationals.

Sept 4:  Nationals 9 Reds 1

National bats beat frustration away hitting 4 home runs as Nationals routed the Reds to salvage the final game. The Nationals started quickly with the first 4 batters producing 4 runs as Werth doubled in 2 followed by Adam LaRoche's 2 run homer. Werth also had a later rbi single. Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Mike Morse all hit solo homers later in the game. Mike Gonzalez went the distance allowing only 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 7 and walking only 2. mat Latos had another disappointing start and Brandon Phillips was the only offensive spark with a single and a rbi double.