PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #26

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
ABREU,Jose	DAL AL	.375	1.000	6	24	9	0	0	5	6	13	6	1	0	0	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
BUEHRLE,Mark	FRE AL	1	1	0	0	0.00	9	0	0	0	5	3	0	0	0	0	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
CRUZ,Nelson	CWK NL	.385	.962	6	26	10	3	0	4	6	9	5	0	0	0	0	1

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
LIRIANO,Francisco	CWK NL	2	2	0	0	0.79	11.1	2	1	11	16	4	0	1	0	0	0

Fremont Cannons @ Manhattan Project
Series Preview	Cannons seek encouraging momentum for next season.
Game #1:	Fremont 5-2 WP=Nolasco LP=Simon SV=Farquhar
Game #2:	Fremont 5-0 WP=Buehrle LP=Fernanez
Game #3:	Manhattan 7-2 WP=Worley LP=Kendrick
Game #4:	Fremont 4-0 WP=Cosart LP=Smyly
Game #5:	Manhattan 4-3 WP=Duffy LP=Nicasio SV=Street
Game #6:	Fremont 1-0 WP=Nolasco LP=Porcello
Series Summary	Fremont takes the final series from Manhattan 4-2

New York Outlaws @ Jersey Nor’easters
Series Preview	Two questions remain for the Nor’eastrers, can they finish at 500 or better and will Lincecum make the required BF’s to remain a Nor’easter.
Game #1:	Tough loss for Jersey losing 1-0.
Game #2:	A trun around as they Nor’easters are pounded 12-8.
Game #3:	OK, a bounce back taking the a 5-4 win.
Game #4:	Another tough loss, this time 3-2.
Game #5:	Yet another bad loss for the Nor’easters, this by a score of 4-2.
Game #6:	Last game of the year and the two questions are not yet resolved. Jersey needs a win to finish at 500 and Tim Lincecum needs to get to 303 BF’s to stay a Nor’easter. Lincecum throw a complete game winning 2-1. Jersey finishes at 81-81 and Lincecun will stay a Jersey Nor’easter…..unless I cut his worthless butt.
Series Summary	NYO win the series 4-2.

Clovis Wheat Kings @ Grand Haven Gators
Series Preview	The NL West leaders Clovis Wheat Kings, travel to Grand Haven to take on the Gators in a 6-game series.Clovis will be looking to lock in their Division Crown, while Grand Haven will be looking forward to the off-season
Game #1:	Liriano (CWK) vs. Wilson (GHG) Clovis jumps all over the Gators in this one Game Final: Clovis 10 – Grand Haven 2
Game #2:	Cashner (CWK) vs. Fister (GHG) Both starting pitchers dominate through 7 innings. Fister gives up a solo HR in the 8th and that was all it took. Game Final: Clovis 1 – Grand Haven 0
Game #3:	Lohse (CWK) vs. House (GHG) The Gators steal a game, as their offense comes alive a bit. Holding a slim 1 run lead, they manage to add on 3 more over the 7th & 8th innings. Clovis attempted a come back in the 9th, as they got one run back and had the tying run at the plate….but they fell short Game Final: Grand Haven 6 – Clovis 3
Game #4:	Vogelsong (CWK) vs. Hale (GHG) The Wheat Kings take the lead in the 4th inning thanks to a solo HR from Nelson Cruz. Not to be out-done, Roberto Perez belts one the next half inning for the Gators, only this one was one of the 2-run varieties…..but that was the only offense Grand Haven would put together. Clovis would add 2-runs to take the game Game Final: Clovis 3 – Grand Haven 2
Game #5:	Liriano (CWK) vs. Burnett (GHG) Biggest story in this game is Nelson Cruz falls a triple short of the cycle and carries the team to victory with his solid performance: 4-5, 2B, HR, 3RBI Game Final: Clovis 6 – Grand Haven 1
Game #6:	Wolf (CWK) vs. Matzek (GHG) 1st Inning: Wheat Kings jump out early with a 2-run lead – they had their chances for more, as Matzek started the game wild, hitting 2 batters and walking another. Grand Haven doesn’t let that worry them, as the first three batters go back-to-back-to-back with HRs (Carl Crawford, Erik Aybar, Steve Tolleson)….they will dd another run later in the inning to take a 4-2 lead after 1 inning of play 2nd Inning: Much of the same from Matzek, only this time it really comes back to hurt the Gators. He walks 2 consecutive batters in front of Nelson Cruz, who then sends one out to the stands. Randy Wolf sees much of the same issues for Clovis as his command is not sharp. He walks 2 consecutive batters as well, and a single from SteveTolleson scores the tying run. Game is knotted up at 5-5 after only 2 innings of play Things settle down a little after that – until the 5th winning when the Gators grab 2 easy runs to take the lead The 6th inning sees Grand Haven break it wide open – they bat around and tack 6 runs on the board, taking a 13-5 lead. The Wheat Kings will eat away at the deficit, but it will prove too big of margin to overcome…The Gators knock out 18 hits in this ball game . Game Final: Grand Haven 13 – Clovis 8
Series Summary	Clovis takes 4 games of the 6-game series; with those wins, it was enough to clinch them NL West Division Champions……Congrats to the Wheat Kings! Nelson Cruz had a fantastic series and looks sharp heading into the playoffs. Series stats:10-26 (.384), 6 Runs, 3 Doubles, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 1 HBPGrand Haven will head into the off-season, where lots of golf, mixed-drinks and Netflix await the players.

Tempe Tempers @ Valdosta Snappers
Series Preview	Mighty Tempe visits Valdosta to take on the Snappers, enjoying their best year ever. Both teams looking to avoid any injuries as the games mean nothing in the standings.
Game #1:	Tempe 3-2. Matt Cain (2-1) outduels Tim Hudson (14-13) for the win.
Game #2:	Tempe 7-2. Brad Penny wins his 1st game of the year as Tempe wins easily.
Game #3:	Valdosta 14-6. Mark Reynolds and Kurt Suzuki each knocked in 4 for the Snappers.
Game #4:	Valdosta 8-4. Russell Martin hit his 15th HR, Chris Carter his 42nd and Mark Reynolds his 25th as the Snappers overpower the Tempers.
Game #5:	Valdosta 3-0. Phil Hughes (13-15) with the win and Kimbrel for his 37th save. Martin homered again for the home team.
Game #6:	Tempe 6-5 (20 Innings). Just what the players love on the last day of the year…20 innings. A total of 19 pitchers worked the game and two players accrued 10 AB’s.
Series Summary	Split with no major injuries.

Motor City Muscle @ Elyria Indians
Series Summary	Elyria and Motor City split the six game series. Season OVER!

Dallas Cougars @ Hollywood Werewolves
Series Summary	Hollywood finishes the season with a 4-2 series win against Dallas

Traverse City Crusaders @ Coconut Creek Crushers
Series Preview	Let the healing begin.
Game #1:	CCC’s Andrew Heaney shows a glimpse of the future with a complete game 6-1 win with 11 K’s.
Game #2:	No pitching in a 12-9 TCC win.
Game #3:	All Trevor Bauer in a 5-1 TCC win.
Game #4:	TCC hits 3 HR’s to overcome Napoli’s 2HR effort. TCC wins 7-3.
Game #5:	Feldman and Rondon are just enough as CCC wins 4-3.
Game #6:	Garza with the complete game as CCC wins 7-1.
Series Summary	CCC takes the final two games and earns a 3-3 split in the season’s final series.

Sacramento Capitals @ Long Beach Dirt Bags
Series Summary	Before the series started Long Beach knew they were locked into the wild card so played to rest players and avoid injury. Unfortunately, J.D. Martinez got hurt and will miss the first round series. Long Beach did win 5 of the 6 games to finish 96-66, a 34 game improvement over last year’s 62-100 record.

Tijuana Bottle Rockets @ Chicago Mobsters
Series Preview	What could become an American League Division Series match up had the Bottle Rockets heading into the Windy City of Chicago for a six game series to end the year.
Game #1:	Chris Sale (19-5 1.41) went tie distance for the Mobsters. Scott Van Slyke had 3 hit in 4 trips, including a Home Run. Van Slyke, Pedro Alvarez & Dexter Fowler all had 2 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 6 – Tijuana 0
Game #2:	C.C. Sabathia (4-0 3.93) went 5 Innings, and 5 Chicago relievers chipped in to hold the Bottle Rockets off the scoreboard. Buster Posey was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 6 – Tijuana 0
Game #3:	Adam Wainwright (24-5 1.73) was solid for 8 innings, allowing only 1 Unearned Run. Steve Pearce was 3 for 4 with a Home Run & 2 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 7 – Tijuana 1
Game #4:	Yu Darvish (5-14 4.25) went 5.1 innings before 4 Chicago relievers came on to nail it shut for the Mobsters. Andrew McCutchen was the star of the game going 3 for 4 with a Home Run & 6 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 8 – Tijuana 1
Game #5:	Chicago held a 1-0 lead after 8 innings, but the Bottle Rockets took the lead with 3 in the 9th. Chicago tied it at 3-3 by scoring 2 runs of their own in the 9th. Chicago wins it in the 11th. Final Score: Chicago 4 – Tijuana 3
Game #6:	Chris Sale (20-5 1.36) notched his 20th win (Giving Chicago 3 – 20 Game Winners). McCutchen stole his 30th bag on the season, drove in 2 RBI’s & finishes the season with 40 Home Runs, 133 RBI’s a .327 Batting Average & 31 Steals. Final Score: Chicago 9 – Tijuana 2
Series Summary	Chicago put a hurting on the Bottle Rockets in the final series of the year, but as was stated earlier this could be An American League Division Series match up & Tijuana will be looking for revenge.

Selkirk Steelers @ Columbus Explorers
Series Preview	Final series of the season for the Selkirk Steelers (75-81) and the Columbus Explorers (68-88) – they hold down 3rd and 4th place in the NL East and will stay that way regardless of the outcome. Selkirk is hoping for a sweep to finish at .500 – but the Columbus fans (and all of MWBL) this series marks the final appearances for Derek Jeter. He’s had limited time with the Explorers this (where he started it all), but it’s been effective. Tickets for this series have been sold out since the day the trade was made for him to return. So, after some last minute Selkirk roster adjustments, the series got underway – electricity was in the air – more so than many (if any) last place teams have ever had.
Game #1:	Selkirks hopes for a sweep go down quickly as Columbus plates 3 in the 1st, 2 in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd. And that was after a Kung Fu Panda HR (15) in the top of the 1st. Sparking the attack was a 3 for 5 night from Revere (avg now .341) and homeruns from Blackmon (17) and Dunn (20). Dunn was quoting Japanese as he rounded the bases – the fans were stunned – and seeking egg rolls after the trot. Jeter came in to PH and smacked a single. SEL 3-8-0 LP Hammel (13-9) COL 9-15-1 WP Tomlin (4-4)
Game #2:	The teams traded runs in the 1st, then Steelers get 1 in the 2nd, Columbus answers with 1 in the 3rd but then Selkirk goes up with 2 in the 5th and another in the 6th and ends up 7-4 winners. E.Cabrera goes 2 for 5 with 3 rbis and HR (6). Sandoval gets 2 hits and rbi and Bourjos goes 3 for 5 with 2 rbis (all singles). Downside for Steelers – Gentry gets hit leading off the 1st and is injured for the rest of the series (and then some, but should be back by spring). Gordon and Revere get half the Explorer hits (2 each) and Gordon scores 3 times. Collmenter sharp in the win. Jeter draws a PH walk. SEL 7-11-0 WP Collmenter (11-11) S Black (7) COL 4-8-2 LP Baker (5-9)
Game #3:	Columbus’s best hope for a Cy Young winner (OK, so we’re campaigning – he it’s a long shot, but WOW, what this guy has done with little abilities deserves some consideration) – starts this one and puts on another really big shew. Brett Oberholtzer, starting his 20 game, tosses a CG 7 hitter. Selkirk scored in the 1st, the 1st three batters reaching before Obie settles down. From there he tosses a 4 hitter (7 total) and just that 1 lone run. Walks 1 and fans 13. Runs his record to 12-4 with an ERA of 3.17. Not bad for a “4” [but he is left handed with a Z 🙂 ]. Meanwhile the Explorer offense capitalizes on 13 hits (and 3 Steelers errors and 3 walks) to score 9 runs. Blackmon homers (18) as well as Revere and Nieto (both #2 shots for them). Revere gets 2 more hits to run his average to .344. Gordon gets 2 more hits and Blackmon has 3. SEL 1-7-3 LP Stauffer (3-5) COL 9-13-1 WP Oberholtzer (12-4)
Game #4:	Well reality sets in (barely) as the “better” team comes back to take game 4, 9-4. Steelers score 3, then with a 3-2 lead in the 5th they add 3 more on an Adams Bomb (13). 3 more in the 8th (3rd time in the game they score 3 in an inning) they walk away with the game 9-4. Adams was 3 for 5, 3 rbis, the homer and 2 runs. Sandoval and Heisey drive in 2 each. Heisey, Miller and Bourjos get 2 hits each. Gordon (3 hits), Revere (2 hits, again) have good games as he season winds down. Dunn (21) and DeAza (7) homer for the home team. Jeter goes 0 for 1 in the game. SEL 9-13-1 WP Alvarez (13-10) COL 4-12-3
Game #5:	Brandon McCarthy and Tommy Milone get the starting calls for this one and Jeter is starting at SS. Selkirk scores 3 in the 3rd on a 2 run E.Cabrera single and an Adams rbi single. Cabrera gets another rbi in the 4th and Sanchez hits a solo HR (8). It’s now 5-0 Selkirk. Dunn guts it to 5-2 in the bottom of the 5th with a 2 run HR (22). After a Gordon triple, Jeter grounds out driving him home and Baker gets a SF. The score is now 5-4 Selkirk after 7, but League, Black, and Soria close it out from there to preserve the win. Jeter goes 0 for 4. SEL 5-9-2 WP McCarthy (9-14) S Soria (16) COL 4-10-0 LP Milone (6-11)
Game #6:	Hammel vs. Happ – Jeter’s last game and he’s on the field at SS as the game starts. Ian Desmond, the regular SS, is leading the cheers for #2. Bottom of the 1st, Gordon grounds out, Jeter works Hammel for a walk. Moves to 2nd on Revere grounder. Blackmon then doubles scoring Jeter! Dunn doubles, it’s 2-0 Columbus end of 1. Bottom of the 3rd, Gordon leads off and whiffs. Jeter then works over Hammel hard and draws his 2nd walk. Jeter then steals 2nd. Revere moves him to 3rd on a single. Blackmon hit’s one over Upton’s head for a double scoring Jeter and Revere for a 4-0 Columbus lead. But like game 5, that lead was tenuous. In the 5th Selkirk stages a rally and scores 3 before Happ can settle down. Happ then gets lifted for a PH after 6. Top of the 8th, Hardy the Columbus pitcher is replaced at the start of the inning, score 4-3 Columbus. What makes this moment big is that the pitcher change results in a double switch. But the switch is made AFTER the fielders take their positions because Jeter is part of the switch. The announcement is made, Desmond is coming it to SS (batting in the 9th spot) and Derek is coming off. Both dugouts empty to congratulate him and they form an exit tunnel for him – the crowd cheers for a constant 20 minutes. Anticlimax to the 8th, Chris Perez comes in and gives up 3 hits and the tying run. BUT — bottom of the 9th, Gordon leads off and gets an infield single. Hernandez up, Gordon takes off and steals 2nd (57th steal). Next pitch, he’s off to the races again and steals 3rd (58th steal). Hernandez then draws a walk and Romine comes in to PH. 1st pitch and he’s off an running to steal 2nd. Teagarden has other ideas, he tosses the ball over Cabrera’s head and into CF – Gordon trots home to score the winning run and just like that the season is over. Great win in Jeter’s finale, he was 0 for 2, but 2 walks and 2 runs! And what play for Selkirk to end their season with. Cabrera goes 3 for 4 with 2 rbis. Sandoval gets 2 hits. Blackmon gets 3 more hits and Revere gets another 2 to finish the season batting .346. SEL 4-13-1 LP Black (4-5) COL 5-10-2 WP Dunn (6-3) BS Perez (2)
Series Summary	Long season for both teams, however, the Explores inexplicably were on fire most of the last month and a half – and entertaining most of the way. No bullpen however. Big thing as the season ended was the retirement of Jeter. MWBL will miss him. Columbus looking forward to some youthful appearances next year, but still have some serious holes to fill, but things are maybe shaping up some.

Detroit Crime @ Yonge Street Stalkers
Series Preview	No questions to be asked…No problems to be solved. YSS hosts DET. The Stalkers are packed and ready to go home, while DET is tinkering for the playoffs.
Game #1:	Esmil Rogers went 8 and allowed 2 runs. 3 Criminal errors nicked Zach Wheeler (4R, 2ER). Peralta and Longoria hit solo shots in the losing effort. YSS 4 – DET 2
Game #2:	Michael Pineda finished strong. 8.1 IP, 0ER,3H,1BB,7K. YSS 5 – DET 1
Game #3:	The Adam Jones Show. He hit 2 homers (both off Shelby Miller) and drove home all 4 runs. DET 4 – YSS 2
Game #4:	A well pitched game. Kazmir and 2 relievers teamed up for the shutout. Shout out to Joe Kelly for a strong “year”. DET 3 – YSS 0
Game #5:	The Crime SP McGowan went 5 innings, 4 pitchers followed with scoreless frames. That was enough. DET 3 – YSS 2
Game #6:	Shields went 7.2 and allowed 1 ER. Abad finished. YSS 3 – DET 1
Series Summary	The teams split. Good Luck to all playoff bound teams.

Pittsburgh Lumber Company @ Iron City Yinzers
Series Preview	The teams play their final games of the season as they fight it out to not finish in the cellar of the NL East.
Game #1:	The game started off with 13 hits between the two teams in the first 2 innings. Justin Smoak broke it open in the top of the 4th for Lumber Company. Iron city had 2 runners thrown out at the plate early in the game. Matt Lindstrom had a 3 inning save (1) for Pittsburgh. Pitt wins 10- 5
Game #2:	Smaok Homered again in the 1st for Pitt. The floodgates opened after Iron City pulled starting pitcher Robbie Ray and the Lumber Company ran up 6 runs from the 7th and 8th innings. Justin Verlander finished with a complete game and 10 Ks. Pitt wins 7-1
Game #3:	Robinson Chirnois hit a 2 run HR in the 1st inning and that would be enough for the Yinzers. Danks goes 7 shutout innings and Sergio Romo earned his 9th save of the season. Iron City wins 2-0
Game #4:	Eric Hosmer broke up the scoreless game in the 7th with a solo shot. Alex Rios added a 2 run HR of his own for the Yinzers in the 8th. Romo gets the save again. Iron City wins 3-0
Game #5:	Jonathan Lucroy had 2 solo HR in this game for The Lumber Company. Pitcher Ian Kennedy was 2 for 5 from the plate with 2 RBI. He went 8 innings. Pitt wins 7-3.
Game #6:	Billy Hamilton lead off the game with a HR setting the tone for the reminder of this one. Matt Kemp homered twice and drove in 4. Pitt wins 7-1
Series Summary	The Lumber City showed up strong in their final series of the season going into the offseason and the Yinzers finish at the bottom of the NL East.

Bethesda Bandicoots @ Triple Creek Patriots
Series Preview	1st place Bethesda paddles into Triple Creek for the season ending series.
Game #1:	Arrieta (10-5) vs. Gonzalez (8-8) Patriots pitching keeps the ball in the park and that’s the difference maker today. Gonzalez wins #9 and Leone picks up save #24. BB 1 TCP 3
Game #2:	Ross (8-7) vs. Vargas (12-7) All Badicots todays as they plate 5 in the 8th and sprinkle in single runs in 3 other innings. Ross wins #9 and Bethesda combines for a 3 pitcher shutout. BB 8 TCP 0
Game #3:	Gray (15-6) vs. Frias (1-3) Frias stumles out of the gate and the Patriot pen adds gas to the fire. Six Bandicots have a multi hit game and Triple Creek’s Brantley tallies 3 doubles. BB 9 TCP 6
Game #4:	Cobb (10-10) vs. De La Rosa (5-12) Knotted after regulation. The Patriot pen was gassed so Paulino was called on in the 11th. He took care of business in the 11th but serves up a dinger special to Smith in the 12th. BB 5 TCP 2
Game #5:	Odorizza (5-8) vs. Buchholz (14-5) Buchholz has been a surprise all year. He finishes the season in stellar fashion by tossing 8 shutout innings and striking out 13. Unfortunately, the offense could do nothing against Odorizzi, and Triple Creek falls in a nail-biter. BB 1 TCP 0
Game #6:	Estrada (3-1) vs. Gonzalez (9-8) Another tight game with Bethesda plating a run in the 9th to pull out the win. BB 2 TCP 1
Series Summary	Bethesda loses the first game but then plays their butts off to take the next 5.

Virginia Sluggers @ Southbend Lynx
Series Preview	Virginia visits Southbend to end the season.
Series Summary	Scherzer was denied his 20 win season when Joyce hit a 2-run HR in the 9th to win the 1st game.