"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.