Congratulations to Andy Weinrib and his 2011 Philadelphia Phillies - KOD 20 Champs

It was a hard fought 7 game series that was completely enjoyable to watch.  Yes, I did watch it via the technology of Webex I got to see every play in all 7 games.  Game 1 ending in a triple play left both managers speechless and shocked.  The Yankees scoring a boat load of runs in the 10th inning off of Kyle Kendrick was certainly Andy's darkest hour during the series.  Yet KOD20's championship manager kept on fighting and his Phightin's delivered him his first ever KOD Championship.  Special congratualtions to Michael Hopcroft on winning his first KOD Pennant and taking his team all the way to the wire in game 7.  In the end a Met fan from Brooklyn wins it all managing a team from Philly that he rooted hard against !  What an awesome story !  Congratulations Andy !

World Series Game 7 - "Hall-a day Celebration in Philly"

GAME 7
Hamels vs Pettitte
Phillies 10, Yankees 5
You couldn't have drawn up a better script.  Hamels vs Pettitte for all the marbles.  Each manager couldn't have been happier to have their big game lefties out on the hill for Game 7.  On one had you have Cole Hamels, the 2009 NLCS and World Series MVP.  A man, who at 27 is in the prime of his career with the history of pitching in a Series clincher and a 7-4 (3.09) lifetime post season record.  In the other corner you have Andy Pettitte, who has pitched in 8 Fall Classics and sports 19 post season victories...the most in history.  With all that build up and emotion the truth is neither of these men were a factor in today's game.  Hamels was bad, giving up 4 runs in 6 innings.  Pettitte was worse, giving up 4 runs in 5 innings.  By the time Hamels left the game, in the middle of the 7th inning, he had given up 4 runs, but still had a 2 run run lead.  The real pitching story was Doc Halladay, who manager Weinrib tapped to finish the final 3 innings and protect a tenuous 2 run lead.  Doc was on 3 days rest and today would have been his normal "throw day".  With no more games to be played after today manger Weinrib elected to have Doc do his bullpen session in the fishbowl called game 7.  Doc was shaky at first allowing the runners Hamels put on to score, but he quickly righted the ship.  With the score 6-5 after 8 the tension began to mount.  Manager Hopcroft made the necessary decision that Torre and Girardi both would have made...he elected to give Mo the ball to start the 9th.  The strategy was sound.  You hand the ball to the greatest releiver of all time and have him

protect a one run deficit and you get 3 outs in the bottom of the inning to score 1 run to tie or two to win.  No one in their right mind would do otherwise.  What Hopcroft, and any other manager, couldn't predict was the melt down that would occur.  Mariano Rivera, the greatest reliever in the history of both the regular season and the post season gave up 4 runs in one inning and recorded just one out.  When all the dust cleared the Broad Street Bombers were sitting on a 5 run lead with 3 outs to go.  Manager Weinrib got both Bastardo and closer Madson up in the pen, but thought the better of it and said, "Doc, you got us this far, go finish it out".  Halladay made his skipper look like a crafty riverboat gambler by rolling 3 more sevens in a row to set the Yankees down in order to clinch the KOD20 title.  The first man to hobble over and hug his manager was injured 2B Chase Utley, who managed to play through the pain and deliver a big RBI triple against Mo in the 9th.  How he made it to third was a minor miracle.  There would be no celebrating in Stan's Bar on River Street tonight.  That celebration would be held on 9th and Passyunk as the crowd waiting on line in front of Genos and Pat's went ballistic.  Never before has a man born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and a lifelong Met fan (Andy Weinrib) been celebrated so much by the fickle fans of Philly !
Phillies win World Series 4-3

World Series Game 6 - "Tex Message"

GAME 6 - Yankee Stadium
C.Lee vs Burnett
Yankees 7, Phillies 4

Game six will go down in Yankee lore as Mark Teixeira (3-3) day.  New York's slick fielding 1st baseman sent two "Tex Messages" deep into the Bronx night to knock in 4.  The Bombers scored 7 times and chased Cliff Lee (7 runs 5.2 IP) once again from the hill.  Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez each had 3 hit days in a losing effor.  A.J. Burnett (6IP/2ER) fanned 5 and finally came up big in a pressure situation, with the Bombers back up against the wall needing to stave off elimination.  The Phightin's most definitely missed Utley in the lineup and hope he can make it back for tomorrow's decisive game seven.
Series tied 2-2

World Series Game 5 - "Doc carves up Bombers"

GAME 5
Sabathia vs Halladay
Phillies 2, Yankees 1

 

In a rematch of game 1 starters, Doc Halladay once again bested C.C..  This was a classic battle of heavyweight (No puns intended) champs going toe to toe without either giving an inch.  The Phightins got on the board first when Doc singled home Polanco with one out.  A two out Robby Cano homer in the top of the 6th tied it up at 1-1, but Ryan Howard answered back in the bottom of the frame with a bomb of his own.  Halladay was finished after 8 innings and 108 pitches.  Ryan Madson took the ball and set the bombers down in order to notch the save and give the Phils a 3-2 series lead.  The only dark spot on this fantastic day in South Philly was the ankle injury that Chase Utley sustained.  Wilson Valdez did an amiable job replacing Philadelphia's perennial All-Star secondbaseman.  Utley twisted his ankle on a routine  grounder by Melky Cabrera with 1 out in the top of the 5th.  He is listed as day to day, but medical experts believe he is gone for the series.  This would be a huge blow to the Phightin's chances.
Phillies lead series 3-2

World Series Game 4 - "This is Wor"

GAME 4
Hughes vs Oswalt
Phillies 9, Yankees 4

2 runs in 1/3 of an inning was all that manager Weinrib needed to see before he played captain hook and yanked Roy Oswalt from the hill.  Vance Worley came on and threw 5 perfect innings in relief where he didn't allow a hit and fanned 9.  That performance was more than enough to help the Phils grab back the momentum.  A 3 run blast by Raul Ibanez in the bottom of the 2nd didn't hurt either.  JRoll chipped in a 2 run shot later in the game as the Phigtin's turned a early deficit into much ado about nothing en route to a big win.  Both JRoll and Ibanez posted 3 RBI games.  Polanco chipped in with 2 RBI's as every Phil reached base via the hit.  Phil Hughes was Yanked by skipper Hopcroft after 3 and a third.  Once again a small ballpark and the longball victimized this flyball pitcher.
Series tied 2-2

World Series Game 3 - "Handy Andy"

GAME 3 - Citizen's BB
Pettitte vs Hamels
Yankees 6, Phillies 1 (10 inn)

 

The night was electric as the Fall Classic returned to the City of Brotherly Love.  Yankee fans who traveled 90 miles south on the Turnpike were targets of abuse dished out by the Broad Street Faithful.  Wearing a Jeter jersey and sitting in the upper deck was a dangerous thing to do.  Philly fans were yelling "Yankees Suck" at the top of their lungs.  There is no love loss between Philly and New York.  With two big game lefties on the mound fans expected a tight one and they weren't disappointed in the least.  A Chase Utley solo shot in the first drew first blood for the Phightin's off of Andy Pettitte.  That would be the only blood they would from the winningest pitcher in post season history.  With Pettitte in rare form Cole Hamels was forced to step up his game, and boy did he ever step up.  The only blemish on his 8 inning tour was a RBI double by Swish in the 4th.  Other than that he fanned 13 Yankees, but couldn't get the run support to get the win.  Tied 1-1 after the 9 the game headed to extra innings.  At least 4-5 fights broke out in the stands as both fan bases went after each other. Yankee fans make up a loud minority and Philly fans weren't taking any more.  When Howie Kendrick gave up 5 runs in the top of the 10th all the air seemed to be sucked out of CBB.  Yankee fans who made the trip became even louder and more obnoxious.  Security had to respond to this powder keg in order to keep it from exploding.  All of the damage happened with two out thanks to 4 successive Yankee hits, which included RBI singles from Cano and A-rod.  Mark Teixeira's two bagger accounted for 2 runs and Swish'second double of the game ended the scoring.  Mo would get the win in relief as the Yanks took a 2-1 series lead and manager Weinrib was left cursing his porus pen.
Yankees lead series 2-1

World Series Game 2 - "Another Thrilla From Godzilla"

GAME 2
C.Lee vs Burnett
Yankees 6, Phillies 4

Cliff Lee spotted the Bombers a 3 run lead, but the Phightin's offense got in gear and rallied back with 4 unanswered runs to take a 4-3 lead which they held until the bottom of the 8th when Johnny Damon tied the game up with a leadoff homer.  Robby Cano doubled and scored on Hideki Matsui's 380 foot shot into the right field bleachers.  David Robertson, who fanned two in a perfect 8th got the win and Mo pitched a perfect 9th (what's new ?) to grab the save.
Series tied 1-1

World Series Game 1 - "Triple Play Saves the Day"

GAME 1 - Yankee Stadium
Halladay vs Sabathia
Phillies 5, Yankees 1

 

With the bunting all rolled out in the "Big Ball Orchard up in the Bronx" the KOD20 World Series was set to begin.  Managers Hopcroft (NYY) and Weinrib (PHI) shook hands and exchanged lineup cards at home plate after a 30 minute technical delay with the networks.  That delay didn't harm Doc Halladay (8IP/1ER) one bit.  Philly's ace scattered 10 Yankee hits as he avoided danger over and over again.  Shane Victorio stepped to the plate and led the series off with a homer.  The Bombers tied it up in the third when Godzilla singled home Damon.  It remained tied until the 6th when the Phightin's busted out with 3 big runs off of CC.  A lead off triple by Ryan Howard was followed by a Raul Ibanez single to make it 2-1.  Two batters later Chooch Ruiz hit one 332 feet down the left field line to plate two more to give Doc a 3 run lead.  Philly added another in the 9th to make it 5-1, but New York still had some life left.  Melky led off the 9th with a clean single off of Doc.  That was all she rode as manager Weinrib lifted his ace in favor of his close Ryan Madson.  El Cap-i-tan readjusted his batting gloves and stepped in and out of the box enough times to rattle Madson, which resulted in a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out.  If Johnny Damon goes yard now it's a one run ballgame and pandemonium would break loose up in the Bronx.  Damon worked the count to 3-1 and got that grooved fastball he was looking for.  He turned on it and hit a bullet to first that miraculously found Ryan Howard's glove.  An inch or two either way and we are looking at a bases clearing double.  Instead both runners are caught dead in their tacks in no man's land.  Howard immediately tags Jeets for the second out on the play then tosses to JRoll who steps on second to double Melky up for the completion of the most unlikely ending of a World Series game, a triple play.
Phillies lead series 1-0

Congratulations to Andy Weinrib (Phillies) and Michael Hopcroft (Yankees) in winning their respective pennants.

Congratulations to our KOD20 Pennant Winners:  Andy Weinrib (Phillies) and Michael Hopcroft (Yankees).  Both gentlemen are long time KOD members and first time pennant winners.

Join me in wishing them both the best of luck in the KOD20 Fall Classic

ALCS Game 5 - "No Mo' Chances" - 2009 New York Yankees clinch the KOD20 AL Pennant

Game 5: US Cellular

Sabatha vs Sirotka

 

Chicago would have one last chance to survive, but the start was not promising. The Yankees bot three runs in the first three innings, with a Johnny Damon solo shot heading it off, and Sirotka was chased in the fifth inning as New York put up three off a two-RBI Cano double and a sac fly from mark Teixeira. Sabathia was strong through six, but then came the seventh: and the deluge. After giving up an RBI single to Ray Durham with runners on first and second, Sabathia was lifted for Brian Bruney who proceeded to walk the next three men (walking in two runs), give up a two-RBI single to Paul Konerko, another two-run single to Herb Perry, and a go-ahead single to Mark Johnson. Phil Coke came in and gave up a walk to load the bases, but managed to lure Ray Durham into a flyball to mercifully end the inning. The Sox, however, were unable to close the deal as Matsui got New York the lead back with a two-run shot in the eighth. Frank Thomas doubled in the Chicago half off David Robertson but was stranded there. The White Sox’ last chance came against Mariano Rivera in the ninth, when Jose Valentin walked anf stole second. But Mo induced two grounders and a lineout to Derek Jeter. The Yankees hang on to win 8-7 and bring manager Michael Hopcroft his first trip to the World Series. WP: Coke LP: Wunsch S: Rivera

Yankees Win Series 4-1

--All series writeups submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

ALCS Game 4 - "A Thriller from Godzilla"

Game 4: US Cellular

Hughes vs Baldwin

A wilder playoff tilt than this one you will probably never see. It opened with back-to-back home runs from Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano, Swisher leading off the second with his fourth blast of the ALCS, and an incredible eight-run third in which in which the Yankees sent fourteen men to the plate. It looked like it would be easy sailing for ALDS hero Phil Hughes staked to an 11-0 lead, but then Hughes imploded to give up seven runs in the bottom of the inning capped off by a Lee Perry three-run shot. He remained in the game throughout the inning and came out to pitch the fourth but was lifted for Joba Chamberlain after a walk to Ray Durham (who would eventually score). It seemed like anything could happen, and it did when Hideki Matsui hit a grand slam in the fifth. Chicago was able to get a run in the eighth but otherwise the Yankee bullpen held, as New York wins it 15-9 to get within a win of clinching. WP: Chamberlain. LP: Baldwin

ALCS Game 3 - "(Big) Hurt so Good"

Game 3:  US Cellular

Pettite vs Parque

As the series moved to Chicago, Swisher opened the scoring with his third home run of the series in the third. Luckily for the Sox nobody was on base. Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez hit solo shots of their own in the fourth and it looked grim for the home team. Petite was strong for seven innings, giving , but tired in the eighth and was lifted for Phil Coke who alloqws onw of Pettite’s runners to score as well as one of his own. After nine the game had been tied at three, and in the tenth Frank Thomas hit a one-out solo home run to give the White Sox new life with a 4-3 win. WP: Foulke LP: Aceves 

Yankees lead series 2-1

ALCS Game 2 - "Jorge's Day"

Game 2: Yankee Stadium

Eldred vs Burnett

 

The longball would be the key in this contest. To start the bottom of the third, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada hit back-to-back shots off Carl Eldred to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Burnett would hold serve until the seventh, when he started to come unraveled, giving up two singles, a walk, and a run. Brian Bruney got the final out of the inning and Jorge Posada answered in the bottom of the inning with another solo shot. In the ninth Rivera again came in to close, and when Jose Valentin hit a solo home run off him it meant some anxious moments, but he got Chris Singleton to ground out to secure the save. New York wins 3-2 to leave the Bronx with a 2-0 series lead. WP: Burnett LP: Eldred S: Rivera

Yankees lead series 2-0

ALCS Game 1 - "Swish-a-licious"

Game 1: Yankee Stadium

Sirotka vs Sabathia

[AP Reporter - Michael Hopcroft]

The ALCS opens in the Bronx, with the Yankees starting CC Sabathia, their RL ace who has had a terrible KOD campaign, against Pale Hose ace Mike Sirotka. The scoring did not open until the top of the fifth, when Chris singleton scored from third on a Ray Durham ground ball. But the Yanks answered in the bottom of the inning as Nick Swisher smashed home a three-run shot. Yankee pitching held tight the rest of the way, with Sabathia going seven strong innings. David Robertson pitched a three-up three-down eighth, and Mariano Rivera gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Magglio Ordonez, only to get him thrown out on a pitchout. Although Mo would give up a walk later in the innings, the Sox went quietly and the Yanks secured a 3-1 win to open the series. WP: Sabathia. LP: Sirotka. S: Rivera

Yankees lead series 1-0

NLCS Game 6 - "J-Rollin' to victory" - 2011 Phillies take KOD20 NL Pennant

GAME 6 - Citizens Bank BP
M.Morris vs Worley
Phillies 8, Cardinals 1
 

Matt Morris got shelled and Vance Worley cruised to 6 shutout innings.  Like in game 1 the Phightin's bats were once again live.  No long balls, but 8 runs on 8 hits carried the day.  Howard again had the big stick (2-3, 1 run scored) and Utley and J-Roll each had 2 RBI's.  Philly heads to the fall classic as Andy Weinrib, a charter member of KOD, wins his first Pennant.
Phillies win series 4-2

NLCS Game 5 - "Howard leaves Cards Cryan"

GAME 5
Oswalt vs Suppan
Phillies 6, Cardinals 5

 

For a long while it looked like Roy Oswalt was going to channel his inner Howard Ehmke once again.  "Ozzie" did author up a "quality start" by fanning 8 and allowing 3 in 6.1 IP.  When he left the game he was up 5-2, but Bastardo and Hamels blew the save as the Cards scored 3 in the 7th.  A Ryan Howard solo blast in the top of the 8th wasted the Redbirds comeback.  Hammels (gets the win) threw a clean 8th and Madson cut a scoreless 9th for the save.  Cardinal fans had their hearts ripped out with this loss.
Phillies lead series 3-2

NLCS Game 4 - "Rolen on the River"

GAME 4
C.Lee vs W.Williams
Cardinals 3, Phillies 2

Tied 2-2 after 3 this game looked to give the series it's first barn burner. When Scott Rolen hit his leadoff homer in the 4th no one realized that would actually turn out to be the winning run, which it did.  Williams was solid on the hill and Kline did a great job getting 4 outs before Izzy had to come on to get the final 2 outs.
Series tied 2-2

NLCS Game 3 - "Carpenter Nails Phightin's"

GAME 3 - Busch Stadium
Halladay vs Carpenter
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1

In a battle of aces Chris Carpenter out-slung Doc Halladay.  The Redbirds needed this win

to avoid going down 3-0 in the series and Carpenter and the pen came through big time.  Tony Womack led off the bottom of the first to give Carpenter a 1-0 lead with a homer.  Larry Walker's RBI double in the 3rd made it 2-0.  Philly would get on the board with a run on a error in the 5th and again threatened in the 9th by getting runners on 1st and 2nd with two out.  With Izzy on the mound looking for the save Cardinal fans had their hearts in their mouths as pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr. launched a bomb that John Mabry made a running stab on against the wall to save the day.
Phillies lead series 2-1

NLCS Game 2 - "Other-Worley Experience"

GAME 2
Marquis vs Worley
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1

 Manger Mike Roberts resorted to a little chicanery of his own by starting Staten Island's own Jason Marquis against Weinrib's Phightin's.  Marquis and Weinrib, both Staten Islanders have a heated rivalry in the borough as to who is the most famous baseball man from these parts.  The hurler was magnificent on the day giving up just 2 in 6 and 2/3's innings.  Philly's Vance Worley, who wanted to make his skipper proud, was better.  Worley went 7, fanned 7 and gave up just 1 run on 3 hits.  Bastardo and Madson preserved the victory and the Phightin's now had themselves a two zip lead in the series.  Both pitchers threw up goose eggs for 6 1/2 innings, before the Phightin's posted 2 in the home half of the 7th.  Ryan Howard broke the ice with a lead off homer in the 7th and Worley singled home Polanco with the bases loaded and 2 out later in the frame.  To say Mr. Worley did his skipper proud, in this un-official "Battle of Richmond County" is and understatement.
Phillies lead series 2-0

NLCS Game 1: "Oswalt has Cards come up Ehmke handed"

GAME 1 - Citizens Bank BP
Morris vs Oswalt
Phillies 6, Cardinals 2

Manager Andy Weinrib's decimated pitching staff was torn to shreds in the LDS, so the Phightin's skipper was forced to go to fourth starter Roy Oswalt, who rewarded his skipper with a near complete game result.  Manager Weinrib hoped Oswalt would be his version of Howard Ehmke and he was not disappointed in one bit.  The Philly bats came alive to chase Cardinal starter Matt Morris after 4 and a third.  Chooch, Utley and Howard all had 2 hit games with Chase Utley knocking in 2 of the 6 with a homer.  In all 4 Phils would go yard.  Ryan Madson came on in the 9th with one out to get the final 2 to seal the victory.  Jim Edmonds went deep for the Cards in a losing effort.
Phillies lead series 1-0

NLDS - Prince Albert can's Bucs in 5

 

The 2004 St. Louis Cardinals continued their hot second half push by taking the powerhouse 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5th game in their NLDS series, and coasting to a 10-2 win to earn a berth in the NLCS. The game was an anti-climatic finish to what had been a wild and evenly played series.

The teams traded 5-1 wins in games one and two in Pittsburgh. The series shifted to St. Louis and saw two ejections in game three, eventually won by the Cardinals in the bottom of the ninth on Albert Pujols' two-out, run scoring single. The Cardinal run broke a 3-3 tie and came after two out and none on, when Tony Womack singled and Larry Walker walked to set the stage for Albert.

The Pirates erased a 5-4 seventh inning deficit in game four with 3 runs and it ended that way, 7-5 Pirates returning the series to Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals pounded out 13 hits, including two homers by Mr. Pujols, to back Chris Carpenter and three relievers in the game five win. 

--submitted by Mike Roberts--

KOD 20 - LDS: Phightins need all 5 games to eliminate Jints

Game 1 - AT&T Park
C.Lee vs Cain
Phillies 5, Giants 4
On most days a 4 run home half of the 1st inning would be more than enough runs for Matt Cain.  It looked like a sure bet until the top of the 8th when Cain tired and the Phils posted a 4 spot of their own.  Couple that inning with Ryan Howard's solo blast in the top of the 4th and you have the one run margin for victory that the Phils needed.  Howard and pinch hitter Ross Gload each had 2 RBI's on the day.  Aubrey Huff's bases clearing 3 run triple was San Fran's loan offensive highlight.
Phillies lead series 1-0

Game 2
Hamels vs Lincecum
Phillies 5, Giants 3

A 3-3 tie after 8 evaporated when J-Roll doubled home Victorino, then scored on Placido Polanco's single.  Contreras and Madson pitched scoreless innings to send the Phightin's home needing one more victory for to close out the series.
Phillies lead series 2-0

Game 3 - Citizen's Bank Ballpark
J.Sanchez vs Worley
Giants 7, Phillies 3 (12 inn)

 
 

Who would think Buster Posey's RBI single in the top of the 5th, which tied the game at 3, would be responsible for sending the game into extra innings.  For the next six innings neither team would plate a run.  Pressure began to mount as the Jints needed a win here to extend the series.  The Phightin's needed a run to avoid losing momentum.  Travis Ishikawa led off the top of the 12th off of reliever Kyle Kendrick with a stand up double.  The Kung Fu Panda struck out swinging, but Uribe's single put runners on the corners with 1 out.  With one swing of the bat Nate Schierholtz hit a 3 run blast to put the Jints up 6-3.  They would tack on 1 more run then sit back as Casilla pitched a perfect bottom of the 12th to give the Jints their first win in the series.  Romo got the win and Kendrick took the loss.
Phillies lead series 2-1

Game 4
Bumgarner vs Halladay
Giants 6, Phillies 4

Big Game Madison Bumgarner was a tad better than Doc Halladay today.  Still it took a 3 run 8th by the visitors from the Bay to really put the game out of reach.  Posey and Schierholtz both had 3 hit days with Travis Ishikawa hitting the Jints only long ball.  Bumgarner and 4 relievers limited the Phils to 3 hits, while stealing all of the momentum as the series headed back to San Fran for a decisive game 5.
Series tied 2-2

Game 5
C.Lee vs Cain
Phillies 5, Giants 2

Through the first 4 games of the series the visiting team reigned supreme.  The Giants would have to break that trend in order to complete their comeback from an 0-2 deficit.  Catcher Benji Molina's RBI double with one out in the 3rd staked Cain to a 2-0 lead.  Hunter Pence's 2 run homer evened the score at 2-2.  From that point on it was all Philly.  A RBI double by Chooch in the 6th broke the 2-2 tie.  Hunter Pence's second homer of the day, in the 8th, gave the Phightin's a 2 run lead and when Chooch scored in the top of the 9th on a DP ball Philly had a 3 run lead heading into the 9th.  In an interesting managerial move Phils skipper Andy Weinrib brought in starter Cole Hamels with 1 out in the 7th.  King Cole did not disapoint his skipper earning a rare save by giving up just 1 hit in the final 2 2/3 innings.  Sometimes it takes an unconventional move to win a pennant or LDS series.
Phillies win 3-2

ALDS - '09 Bombers drop '05 Tribe in 4

Game 1 - New Yankee Stadium
Westbrook vs Sabathia
Yankees 3, Indians 2 
C.C. was Good-Good as the Yankees scored solo runs in the 1st, 2nd and 5th innings.  When C.C. hit his 118th pitch he was replaced by David Robertson, who pitched a scoreless 8th then handed the ball off to Mo who threw a perfect 9th.  Johnny Damon had the only long ball in the game.  Jeter/Damon/Cano all were 2 for 4, with Damon scoring twice.
Yankees lead series 1-0

Game 2
Lee vs Burnett
Yankees 4, Indians 3

Fans up in the "Big Ball Orchard up in the Bronx" were treated to a second one run victory.  The usually fragile A.J. Burnett gave his team 7 solid innings (6 hits / 2 ER), then let the pen do the work.  Phil Coke was perfect in the 8th and like clockwork Mo fanned 2 and was his perfect self in the 9th.  Tex and Godzilla each went yard.  On the day Mark Teixeira was 2-4, knocking in 3 of New York's 4 runs.
Yankees lead series 2-0

Game 3 - Jacobs Field
Pettitte vs Sabathia
Indians 6, Yankees 1Cleveland's only win of the season was so convincing local scribes neglected to write about it in the original series synopsis.  The Tribe jumped out to a 3-0 lead off of Andy Pettitte in the bottom of the 2nd and never looked back.  A two spot in the 7th and a solo run in the 8th sealed the deal.  Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia (7IP / 1 ER) was superb fanning 7 and walking just 1.  Their balanced offensive attack produced 6 runs on 11 hits.
Yankees lead series 2-1
 
Game 4 - Jacobs Field
Hughes vs Millwood
Yankees 2, Indians 1

En route to the sweep the Bronx Bombers rattled off their 3rd consecutive 1 run victory.  Strategically manager Michael Hopcroft saved Phil Hughes for the bigger ballpark and his young righty did not disappoint.  Hughes went 6 innings and gave up just 1 run then sat back and watched Aceves (7th) and Robertson (8th) pitch scoreless innings in relief.  Then for good measure, Mo came on board and struck out the side in the 9th for the series clincher.  Kevin Millwood (2 runs over 8 IP) was more than just the hard luck loser.  He should by all accounts be a sore loser since he threw 119 pitches, gave up just 3 runs and go no support whatsoever.  Millwood was tossing up goose eggs until the top of the 7th when A-roid hit an uncharacteristic clutch 2 out 2 run shot.  That bomb turned out to be the difference maker as the Bombers sweep a series that featured 3 straight one run games.
Yankees win series 3-0

KOD 20 AL League Division Series - Seattle vs. Chicago

Game 1, October 4 at Seattle – There was never a doubt that this version of the “South Side Hitmen” could bash the ball around the yard. The question was could the pitching stop opposing batsmen enough? They did in the opening game of the series as Jim Parque (4-2) and two relievers withstood Ichiro Suzuki’s 4 knocks and 10 total hits for the Mariners in a 7-2 White Sox winner. Suzuki singled and scored in the 1^st for the M’s. Chicago went up 3-1 in the 3^rd on a sec fly from Magglio Ordonez and a 2-run double by Jose Valentin. The Sox went up 4-1 the next inning when Carlos Lee (4 hits) singled in Charles Johnson. Seattle closed the gap in the 7^th on a John Mabry pinch sac fly, but Johnson crushed the Emerald City’s hopes with a 2-run big fly in the 8^th.  

Game 2, October 5 at Seattle – The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas blasted a solo shot in the

1^st for the ChiSox off Ryan Franklin (5-2). It only made Ben Davis and the Mariners mad. Davis crushed a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the frame off Mike Sirotka (3-5) and Seattle was off and running to a 10-4 series tying victory. Randy Winn singled home Jose Guillen in the 2^nd. It stayed that way until the 5^th when John Olerud singled in Bret Boone and Guillen doubled in a pair for a 7-1 lead. The Pale Hose clawed back some with 3 in the 7^th, but the M’s tacked on 3 more in the 8^th for the final tally.

Game 3, October 7 at Chicago – Back on the south side of Chicago, Seattle displayed its own fire power in a 9-5 win. Rey Sanchez banged out 4 hits and drove in 3 from his 9^th spot in the order. After each team pushed a run across in the 2^nd, the Mariners exploded for 4 in the 4^th and 3 in the 5^th to bury the Pale Hose. Sanchez singled, doubled, scored twice and knocked in one during the fray. Guillen drove in a pair in the 4^th and Boone hit a 2-run bomb in the 5^th. Chicago rallied for 3 in the 9^th, but Arthur Rhodes eventually slammed the door. Joel Piniero (4-3) started and won for the Navs. Cal Eldred (2-4) took the loss.  

Game 4, October 8 at Chicago – The Mariners backed the White

Sox firmly up against the wall and looked to finish the massacre, leading 3-0 through the first third of the ballgame. Boone cracked a solo shot and Winn clocked a 2-run smash. Frank Thomas then donned the Superman cape. He doubled in a run and scored a run in a 2-run 4^th inning for the ChiSox. The Big Hurt then powered a 3-run 5^th with a 2-run blast. The Sox would even the series with a 5-3 victory. James Baldwin (5-2) tossed 6 for the win. Keith Foulke nailed down his 24^th save of the season. Freddie Garcia (5-3) was the shell-shocked loser.

Game 5, October 9 at Seattle – Both teams’ hitters seemed to be sleeping after catching the red-eye back to the West Coast. First game starters Jim Parque (5-2) and Jamie Moyer (7-3) were dealing goose eggs. Then, the visiting team awoke and the home club never did. Chicago captured this ALDS with a shocking 8-0 whitewashing. Johnson, Ordonez and Thomas collected RBI singles in the 5^th for a 3-0 lead. Herbert Perry crushed a 3-run home run in the 6^th. Ray Durham doubled home the final two runs in the 8^th. Bill Simas and Sean Lowe hurled the final 2.2 innings to nail down the shutout.

Chicago awaits the winner of the Yankees – Indians for the right to go to the World Series.  

--submitted by Bruce "Not Frank" Thomas--

NLDS: "Suppanman" - Cards wear out exhaused Dbacks to advance to LDS

After a long week waiting for the weather in St. Louis to clear for this 1 game playoff, the 01 Arizona bats decided not to show up and no, sadly, their season is over. Jeff Suppan (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R) was too much for the DBacks bats to fight through. And St. Louis was able to turn their 5 hits into 4 big runs thanks to HRs by Mike Matheny (4) and Jim Edmonds (9). Without Johnson and Schilling available due to having to claw their way into the playoffs, Arizona just didn't have a chance.

Thanks for Bruce Thomas for subbing for Mike.

Good luck to all that are left playing.

Pete

01 ARZ

ALWC - "Say it ain't so Joe" - Saunders flirts w/No-No as Halo pen crumbles to Thomas and company

October 2 at Anaheim – White Sox 5, Angels 4

7 innings of no hit ball

“What Happened”? Heading into the 7^th inning, Joe Saunders and the 2007 Angels were in complete control of this wild Card match-up. In fact, Saunders was hurling a no hitter against the 2000 White and the Halos were leading 4-0.  Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer in the 2^nd to put Anaheim on top. Kendry Morales hit another in 4^th for a 2-0 lead. In the 5^th, Maicer Izturis doubled in Chone Figgins and Vlad Guerrero singled in Izturis. Paul Konerko led off the ChiSox 7^th with a base on balls. It was the fifth free pass issued by Saunders. Manager Dovid Zaner brought in Darren Oliver to preserve the no-no. He retired Jose Valentin, but Herbert Perry followed with the Sox first base knock. Charles Johnson walked to load ‘em up. Chris Singleton hit a scorching liner that was snared by 2B Izturis. Justin Speier was called in to get the third out. He did, but not until after Ray Durham singled to score two. Following a 1-2-3 Anaheim 7^th, Chicago was back at it again with Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez singling off Scott Shields. Konerko grounded into a double play, but Valentin smacked a 2-run blast to tie the game at 4-4. The Angels got a man on in the B8th, but failed to advance him. The White Sox got 2 on, 2 out in the 9^th facing Chris Bootcheck. The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas worked a full count, then grounded a single through the hole at short and plated Chris Singleton with what proved the be the winning run. Gary Matthews, Jr. led off the b9th with a single, moved to 2^nd on a ground out, but was there at the end when Keith Foulke fanned Guererro. White Sox win 5-4. Chad Bradford, the 4^th of Chicago’s 6 pitchers was the WP. 

The "Big Hurt" with a big "little" shot

--submitted by Bruce Thomas--

White Sox Come Back on Halos to Capture AL Wild Card

October 2 at Anaheim – “What Happened”? Heading into the 7^th inning, Joe Saunders and the 2007 Angels were in complete control of this wild Card match-up. In fact, Saunders was hurling a no hitter against the 2000 White and the Halos were leading 4-0.  Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer in the 2^nd to put Anaheim on top. Kendry Morales hit another in 4^th for a 2-0 lead. In the 5^th, Maicer Izturis doubled in Chone Figgins and Vlad Guerrero singled in Izturis. Paul Konerko led off the ChiSox 7^th with a base on balls. It was the fifth free pass issued by Saunders. Manager Dovid Zaner brought in Darren Oliver to preserve the no-no. He retired Jose Valentin, but Herbert Perry followed with the Sox first base knock. Charles Johnson walked to load ‘em up. Chris Singleton hit a scorching liner that was snared by 2B Izturis. Justin Speier was called in to get the third out. He did, but not until after Ray Durham singled to score two. Following a 1-2-3 Anaheim 7^th, Chicago was back at it again with Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez singling off Scott Shields. Konerko grounded into a double play, but Valentin smacked a 2-run blast to tie the game at 4-4. The Angels got a man on in the B8th, but failed to advance him. The White Sox got 2 on, 2 out in the 9^th facing Chris Bootcheck. The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas worked a full count, then grounded a single through the hole at short and plated Chris Singleton with what proved the be the winning run. Gary Matthews, Jr. led off the b9th with a single, moved to 2^nd on a ground out, but was there at the end when Keith Foulke fanned Guererro. White Sox win 5-4. Chad Bradford, the 4^th of Chicago’s 6 pitchers was the WP.