2019 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #24

Christian_Yelich19Trevor_Richards19Eric_Hosmer19Zack_Wheeler19

NAME TEAM AVG SLG G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI K W IW SB CS HBP
YELICH,Christian HOL  AL .556 1.333 5 18 10 2 0 4 6 13 6 1 0 0 1 0
                                   
NAME CLUB G W L S ERA IP R ER H K BB IBB WP BK HB HR
RICHARDS,Trevor MAN  AL 2 2 0 0 3.00 12 4 4 14 11 7 0 0 0 1 1
                                   
NAME TEAM AVG SLG G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI K W IW SB CS HBP
HOSMER,Eric CRK  NL .455 .773 6 22 10 1 0 2 5 8 6 3 1 1 0 0
                                   
NAME CLUB G W L S ERA IP R ER H K BB IBB WP BK HB HR
WHEELER,Zack LBD  NL 2 1 0 0 0.00 18 0 0 6 14 3 0 0 0 0 0

Sacramento  Capitals @ Bethesda  Bandicoots

Series Preview: Fumes is all we got left … and a bad time to run into Sacramento.
Game #1: Greinke wins his 22nd of the year scattering three hits over seven innings and Pedro Strop gets the final four outs as they combine to shutout the Bandicoots 1-0.
Giancarlo Stanton drove in the only run of the game with a double off Bethesda starter John Gant that scored Francisco Lindor.
Game #2: Tyler Glasnow is garbage for Sacramento, but luckily for the Caps Sonny Gray can only aspire to be garbage as the visitors crush any playoff hopes that Bethesda may have had with a 9-7 win.
Francisco Lindor (36), Justin Upton (21) and Trey Mancini (12) homered for Sacramento with Ryan O’Hearn (13) homering twice and David Peralta (28) going deep for Bethesda.
Game #3: Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer duel it out with eight shutout innings apiece but then in the 9th it became a battle of elite relievers with Strop (Sacramento) and Ottavino (Betehsda) duking it … Story was the Story though as he launched his 41st homer of the season with Jeff McNeil aboard to give Bethesda its first win of the series 2-0.
Game #4: Tyson Ross gives up a run in the 1st inning but then shuts down the Capitals as the Bandicoots even the series with a 5-1 win.
Lorenzo Cain doubled, walked twice, scored once and drove in one to lead the Bandicoots.
Giancarlo Stanton singled in the lone Sacramento run.
Game #5: Hyun-Jin Ryu’s brilliant game was shot to pieces by “closer” Steve Cishek who with the Bandicoots up 2-1 gave up a three-run homer in the top of the 9th to Justin Upton with the Caps coming from behind to take in 5-2.
Upton’s 22nd homer of the year ruined any chance Bethesda had of coming out ahead in this series. Cishek served up another homer to Chris Dickerson (13) before getting the gaff and being replaced by Ryan Tepera.
Giancarlo Stanton (30) also homered for Sacramento.
Trevor Story (42) broke a 1-1 tie and set the stage for the Bethesda win with a solo shot off Colin McHugh in the bottom of the 8th.
Game #6: David Peralta doubled in the 6th to drive in two runs as the Bandicoots topped the Capitals 2-1 to earn a series split.
A strange game with the two lowest graded starters that saw action in the series (Nick Vincent and Alex Cobb) being untouchable for five innings and even then both runs Bethesda scored off Vincent in the 6th were unearned (Trey Mancini bad throw). Cobb left after the 5th scattering just four hits and a walk and striking out five.
Series Summary: Bethesda closes out its home season with a split against playoff bound Sacramento. Ah well … close but not close enough.

Corktown  Cycle @ Harsens Island  Walleye

Series Preview: Corktown comes to Harsens Island
Series Summary: Corktown wins 4 of 6

Fremont  Cannons@ Coconut Creek  Crushers

Series Preview: Playing out the String.
Game #1: Tight game goes to the 11th. FRE edges out the win 7-6.
Game #2: Ohtani and Margot combine to go 9 for 12 with 8 RBI in a 19-0 rout for FRE.
Game #3: Rodon goes all the way in a FRE 10-2 win. Ohtani homers for the 3rd straight game.
Game #4: Vargas goes all the way in a FRE 5-2 win.
Game #5: Myers hits 3 HR’s as CCC finally wins a game 11-8.
Game #6: FRE gets to Snell in the 7th and pull away to win 6-3.
Series Summary: FRE takes the series 5-1.

Yonge Street  Stalkers @ Detroit  Crime

Series Summary: YSS wins the first 2 games ( 8-2) (11-9) but Det comes back to win the series 4-2 including the final two games being decided by 2 runs

Triple Creek  Patriots @ Jersey  Nor’easters

Game #1: Bad loss for the Not’easters. They give up 4 runs in the 9th to tie the game and then 2 in the 12th and take a 10-8 loss.
Game #2: Bounce back, Mengden pitches 6 innings allowing no earned runs as the Nor’easters take the game 8-1.
Game #3: Triple Creek’s Alex Wood throws a complete game shutout winning 4-0.
Game #4: Bounce back again, Jersey’s Marco Gonzales goes 9 shutout innings yielding to Josh Hader who goes 2 shutout innings and scores the winning run in an 11 inning 1-0 win for Jersey.
Game #5: For the second time this series the Nor’easters give up 4 runs in the 9th inning and take a 7-3 loss.
Game #6: For the 3rd time this series the two teams go to extra innings. Jersey wins it in the 10th 4-3.
Series Summary: The series is split 3-3 in what are now meaningless games for Jersey.

Long Beach  Dirt Bags @ Pittsburgh  Lumber Company

Series Summary: A tough Long Beach squad comes to town and the fans are treated to some great baseball. Unfortunately the home team loses 4 of 6, but the ticket buyers got their money’s worth.

Tempe  Tempers @ Columbus  Explorers

Series Preview: NL Central rivals Tempe (Evil Empire) Tempers and the home town Columbus Explorers meet for the final time in the regular season. In Tempe, the Tempers won 5 of 7 – which is about there norm as they are winning 82% of the games (that’s 82!!). While top flight catcher is on the farm – the pitching staff has Johnny Cueto, a 12 Starter, as the lowest man on the totem pole! Average bullpen arm? 17* with 15* as there low. Don’t expect a lot of Columbus scoring. Explorers have had decent pitching, but will need some serious career games to stay close – or a new strategy….
Game #1: Opening game features Corey Kluber vs. Glenn Sparkman (just a shade over 2 ERA vs. a guy who’s hovering at 5). Kluber doesn’t disappoint – he goes 7, gives up 3 hits, fans 6 and yields only 1 run – a 2nd inning Asdrubal Cabrera homer (24). Sparkman leaves in the 2nd for a PH as the Explorers experiment with the opener option. Sparkman managed 2 innings giving up just 1 hit. 4 more Columbus pitchers give up 3 more hits over the final 7 innings AND give up NO RUNS!! Columbus wins 1-0! David Robertson (7-2) gets the win pitching the 3rd and 4th, Jose LeClerc (21) gets the save pitching the final 2. Of course the bullpen gets well used.
Game #2: Fresh off the surprise win, J.A. Happ takes the mound for Columbus against Miles Mikolas. Mikolas is effective, going 6 innings, 3 hits, no walks, 4 Ks and gives up only 1 run. The one run was a D.J. LaMahieu rbi double in the 2nd scoring Matt Carpenter. Meanwhile, Happ was doing the game 1 “staff” impersonation. He goes through 8 innings giving up 4 hits and NO runs. So, it’s 1-0 bottom of the 8th, Kirby Yates pitching, into his 2nd inning. Spencer Kieboom leads off with a walk, Ian Desmond in to PR. Happ to the plate, Desmond steals 2nd, then Happ bunts him to 3rd. Dee Gordon up, infield in, Gordon hits a nubber the Xander Bogaerts charges, comes home and throws it wild – Desmond’s safe, Gordon goes to 2nd. Choo up, he walks and Sipp comes in to pitch. Charlie Blackmon then grounds to Maikel Franco at 3rd – no play at 3rd and he fires it right past Ryan Braun at 1st, Gordon scores, Choo to 3rd. Then Matt Carpenter makes the next pitch a 3 run memory shot (23) and Columbus puts up 5 runs in the 8th – all unearned! Braun then leads off the 9th with a solo homer (16) to finally get Tempe a run – 17 scoreless until then. Happ gives up a 1 out walk, but then finishes the job for the win (19-3) – a CG 5 hitter. Mikolas takes the rare loss (18-3)
Game #3: Johnny Cueto opens (and I mean that literally) against Wade LeBlanc for game 3. Marcell Ozuna says Tempers are going to score in this game and early when he lifts a 1 out solo homer (13) in the 1st. The lead dissolves in the 2nd when Tyler Flowers launches a 2 run homer (15) to give Columbus the 2-1 lead. Next time Flowers is up – Shawn Kelly hits him – 21 days worth of injury!! And not ejection, it was clearly deliberate. LeBlanc lasts into the 4th, but leaves 2 on as David Robertson comes in to quell a rally – and does. So we move the 7th – still 2-1 Explorers. Bottom half, Kyle Crick comes in and Paul DeJong rattles his 1st pitch off the for a double. D.J. LaMahieu moves him to 3rd. Desmond up and grounds to Ozzie Albies – who throws it away – another Tempers miscue and it’s 3-1. Run was earned as DeJong was going to score anyway. 3-1 Columbus and the 8th starts with Yumeiro Petit into his 3rd inning and he gives up a lead off single to J.D. Martinez. Jose LeClerc is called on – hoping to replicate game 1. Xander Bogaerts singles to RF moving Martinez to 2nd. Yoenis Cespedes fans. Ryan Braun walks to load the bases, still only 1 out. Maikel Franco steps up and LeClerc launches a wild pitch, 3-2. Then Maikel grounds to 1st – and the Explorers get the out at first, but the tying run scores, 3-3. LeClerc gets his 4th blown save! UGH. But they get the 3rd out. Bottom of the 8th, Jared Hughes in to pitch. Lane Adams hits one to Franco – it’s hot, he gloves it, Braun scoops, bobbles, but it’s a hit. Spencer Kieboom then singles to RF. Hughes is out, Tony Sipp comes in to pitch. He gets Carpenter to pop out. But Charlie Blackmon catches one and hits a gapper that scores Lane and move Kieboom to 3rd. Asdrubal Cabrera then flies deep to Martinez for the 2nd out and Kieboom tags and scores making it 5-3. LeClerc then pitches like he should for the 9th and Columbus wins their 3rd straight game 5-3. LeClerc gets the win (7-3), Hughes gets the loss – and it’s his 1st of the year as he goes to 12-1!
Game #4: Jhoulys Chacin makes an itchy start as a 6 – and Columbus continues their fairy tale series by scoring 4 runs off him in the 1st. Columbus brought 8 guys to bat and Charlie Blackmon (24) and Paul DeJong (22) each launched 2 run homers for 4-0 lead. But Tempe gets 1 back in the 2nd off Julio Teheran. Ozzie Albies hits a 1 out double. And with 2 outs, Ryan Braun is called in to PH for Chacin and he hits a PH 2 out rbi double. Columbus gets it back with Dee Gordon single and SB and a Shin-Soo Choo rbi single.
Then things began to fall the Tempe way. 4th inning – lead off Michael Brantley double. Franco moves him to 3rd. Albies grounds up the middle for an out, Brantley holds. 2 outs, Evan Gattis walks. Yoenis Cespedes then in to PH, bops one to RF scoring Brantley and moving Gattis to 3rd. Joey Votto then singles in Gattis and it’s 5-3 at the end of 4. The 5th – Teheran shows some control issues with a lead-off walkd to Bogaerts. Brantley grounds him to 2nd. Franco lines a single to left and Bogaerts scores, 5-4 Columbus.
6th inning – Gattis leads off and grounds one through Carpenters legs, Teheran leaves – Luis Avilan comes in. Franchy Cordero comes in to PH for Jared Hughes and walks. Joey Votto then doubles in Gattis and Cordero holds at 3rd. That ties the game. Avilan is yanked, Jordan Lyles comes in. Marcell Ozuna whiffs. And Matt Magill comes into to face J.D. Martinez. He grounds to 2nd for the out but a run scores, 6-5 Tempe. Bogaerts then singles driving in one to end the 6th inning scoring but 3 runs came in and it’s 7-5 Tempers. Brantley gets a lead-off walk off David Robertson inthe 8th and Albies hits a 1 out rbi double to run it to 8-5 after 7. Note – the Tempers used 5 relievers that yielded only the single run in the 2nd and the final was 8-5. Jared Hughes gets his 13th win (13-1) and Avilan gets both a BS (2) and the loss (2-2). Kirby Yates gets the save (16).
Game #5: Seemed like normalcy was returning as Tempe used back to back doubles by Joey Votto and Marcell Ozuna to open the game. Then Xander Bogaerts cracks a 2 run homer (23) in the 1st to off starter Jordan Lyles. And it’s 3-0 before Cory Kluber even comes out to pitch. And Kluber again is strong on the mound – he does give up a solo homer to Shin-Soo Choo (23) in the 4th. And he gives up another run in the 6th after a Blackmon lead-off double, Choo walk, and then an Asdrubal Cabrera 2 out rbi single. He leaves, and Shawn Wright bails him out. Funny things, though, after the 1st, the Explorers pitching staff (including Lyles) goes into shut-down mode. Petit (2), Watson (2), LeClerc (2), Steckrider (1.1) and Matt Magill (1.2) all produced goose eggs. And if you add all those innings to Lyles 3 – that’s 12 innings. Yes. the Explorers got the tying run on in the 9th and tied the game. Then in the 12th – with next to no one on the bench, Victor Reyes comes up with 1 out and 2 out and hits a game inning SF as Columbus comes back to win 4-3. Magill gets the win (3-0). Kelley gets a BS (2) and Kyle Crick gets the loss (3-5).
Game #6: One more game to go, Miles Mikolas vs. Jimmy Yacabonis (in what will be his last regular season starts – his elbow was tight after the game so he’s being shut down). Mikolas was excellent, 7-1 innings, 2 hits, but in the 8th he was scored on when Paul DeJong singles. Inning started with a lead-off walk to Enrique Hernandez. Ian Desmond in to PR, he steals 2nd. BALK – Desmond moves to 3rd. Brock Holt pops out, DeJong comes in to PH and gets the single. After a walk, Dylan Floro comes in and the rally is over. That run made it 1-1.
Yacabonis was also doing well, blanking Tempe through 5. In the 6th . 2 outs in the top of the 6th and Mikolas walks!!!! Joey Votto then walks. Marcell Ozuna singles scoring Mikolas for the 1-0 lead. So, we get through 9 innings, and it’s still 1-1.
Top 10, Bogaerts leads off against David Robertson and draws a walk. Brantley pops out and Franco hits into a DP. Bottom half – Desmond leads off against Tony Sipp and singles. He steals 2nd. Kieboom sacrifices him to 3rd. And DeJong hits a SF to win the game – his 2nd rbi. Tony Sipp suffers his first loss of the season (7-1) And Robertson gets the win (8-2)
Series Summary: So – somehow, the Explorers take 5 of 6 (and win the season series 7-6). But a lot happended with the running game, and the -4 arm of Gattis helped the local cause. But still, it helps propel the Explorers within close range of WC #1. But the NL still has Tempe and Sacramento as the cream of the crop -by a lot.

Portland  Lumber Jax @ Rosemere  Renegades

Series Summary: Portland logically takes 4 out of 6.

Southbend  Lynx @ Mesa  Solar Sox

Series Preview: Still in the Wild Card hunt, Mesa invites first place Southbend in to the desert, hoping to gain ground.
Game #1: Mesa gets an 8th inning solo homer from Eugenio Suarez to break up a 2-2 pitchers duel. Holland and Bauer both went 7 innings and gave up 2 runs. Mesa wins 3-2.
Game #2: Mesa’s James Paxton strikes out 13 in 8 innings and gets homer help from Mazara and Rosario in a 7-2 win.
Game #3: Another 2-2 game going in to extra innings. Lucas Duda hits a solo homer off David Hernandez to give Southbend the lead but closer Moronta (in his second inning of work) loses it on a walk off double from Randal Gruchuck.
Game #4: Southbends bats knock around Aaron Sanchez to the tune of 9 runs in 2 2/3 innings. Trumbo with the big three run homer and the Lynx win 9-4.
Game #5: Michael Foltynewicz wins his 22nd of the year, easily, 8-3. Jake Cave clubs two homers and Altuve and Canha add solo homers in the rout. Folty struck out 11 in 7 1/3 innings.
Game #6: Mesa takes the series on a 6 run 3rd inning, sparked by Yan Gomes’ grand slam. Bauer wins his second of the series and 14th of the year, striking out 10 despite giving up another long ball to Max Muncy.
Series Summary: Mesa performs well in taking 4 of 6 from the powerful Lynx. 22 games left to see in Mesa can gain their first MWBL playoff berth.

Hollywood  Werewolves @ Southwest Detroit  Fighting Chihuahuas

Series Summary: Hollywood takes 5 of 6.

Manhattan  Project @ Motor City  Muscle

Series Preview: Manhattan @ Motor City for 6 games.
MCM trying to clinch the division, MAN battling for a Wild Card spot
Game #1: MAN 9 – MCM 8

WP: T. Richards
LP: de Grom
SV: Oberg

HR: MAN–N. Cruz; MCM–Y.Alonso

MAN built a big lead and had to hold on. MCM’s Avisail Garcia injured for 16 days

Game #2: MCM 3 – MAN 0

WP: Verlander
LP: B. Anderson
SV: Vizcaino

HR: none

Justin Verlander threw seven innings of 3-hit ball, striking out seven.

Game #3: MAN 6 – MCM 1

WP: Suarez
LP: Hendricks

HR: none

Andrew Suarez nearly matches Verlander, scattering four hits and striking out seven over seven shutout innings.

Game #4: MAN 4 – MCM 3

WP: Quintana
LP: F. Pena
SV: Oberg

HR: MAN–T. White, Duffy; MCM–Castellanos, Ahmed

Tyler White’s two-run HR is the difference as MAN hold off another late-inning MCM rally.

Game #5: MAN 9 – MCM 2

WP: Tanaka
LP: Davies

HR: MAN–N. Cruz, Butera, Adrianza; MCM–Trout, Ahmed

Good news and bad news for MAN’s Wilson Ramos, who went 3-3 with two doubles and two RBI, before suffering an injury that will end his season (out 24 days).

Game #6: MAN 9 – MCM 1

WP: T. Richards
LP: Leake

HR: MAN–Wong, White, N. Cruz, Haniger, Duffy

MAN buries MCM under an avalanche of HRs. Five Project hitters had at least two hits, and six had an RBI.

Series Summary: MAN takes the series, 5 games to 1

Trevor Richards had 2 wins, and Scott Oberg had 2 saves for MAN

MAN outhomered MCM 11-5

Nelson Cruz had 3 HRs, Matt Duffy and Tyler White had 2 each for MAN

There were actually two games with no HRs.

Injuries: MAN–Wilson Ramos (24 days in Game 5); MCM–Avisail Garcia (16 days in Game 1)

Dallas  Cougars @ Virginia  Sluggers

Series Preview: Several teams fighting for wildcard berth,…and these are two of them with identical records.
Game #1: VIR 5-0 T.Williams (13-10) L-Y.Mendez (2-5)

Rafael Devers slices 3-run triple in a 5-run 1st inning and Williams tosses 8.1 of 2-hit ball to give VIR the win.

Game #2: VIR 10-1 W-L.Castillo (13-5) L-L.Giolito (10-11)

Castillo throws CG 3-hitter, Rizzo knocks in 4 runs, Merrifield, Devers and Santana go deep and VIR gets another win.

Game #3: DAL 6-5 W-R.Stock (3-1) L-C.Gearrin (1-3) SV-E.Diaz (34)

The tide turns as Abreu hits a 2-run homer and Solarte a 2-run single. Cougars bullpen holds VIR to 1 hit over 3.2 innings to preserve the win.

Game #4: DAL 4-0 W-C.Anderson (10-12) L-A.Plutko (4-7)

Anderson shuts out VIR on a 4-hitter. Abreu and Rojas with key RBI’s but Anderson controlled the game.

Game #5: DAL 8-6 W-B.Stewart (2-3) L-S.Bracho (0-2) SV-(35)

Abreu’s RBI single in the 7th breaks a 5-5 tie and Pirela’s 2-run single to the gap in the 8th ices it for the Cougars as they take a 3-2 series lead.

Game #6: VIR 12-2 W-R.Borucki (5-8) L-Y.Mendez (2-6)

A 16 hit attack by VIR gives them a 3-3 series split. J.Rondon launches 2 home runs among his 3 hits and drives in 4 runs. Rizzo and Castro also go yard and Segura picks up 3 RBI on 2 hits.

Series Summary: With the series split, both teams stay in the wildcard hunt. Next week Dallas goes head to head with another wildcard hopeful as they take on Mesa. Virginia gets to play against the surprising AL West leading Southbend team, who is pretty much assured of a playoff spot.

Tijuana  Bottle Rockets @ Chicago  Mobsters

Series Preview: Chicago holds a slim outside chance of a playoff shot and there is no better way of making that happen than playing the Bottle Rockets this week & the Fighting Chihuahua’s next week. Tijuana Bottle Rockets are playing out the string.
Game #1: Chicago pounces on the Bottle Rockets early and give Jarlin Garcia his 22nd loss on the season. Andrew McCutchen has 5 RBI’s with a Home Run. Matt Harvey looks solid going 7 Innings.

Final Score: Chicago 13 – Tijuana 2

Win: Matt Harvey 7-5 (5.65)
Loss: Jarlin Garcia 7-22 (7.69)

Game #2: Chicago’s on the board early as Freddie Freeman & Andrew McCutchen both have Home Runs & 2 RBI’s.

Final Score: Chicago 6 – Tijuana 3

Win: C.C. Sabathia (12-10)
Loss: Josh Rogers 5-12 (4.85)
Save: Aroldis Chapman #31

Game #3: Freddie Freeman show by going 5 for 5 with a Home Run & 6 RBI’s. Lance McCullers improves his record and lowers his ERA.

Final Score: Chicago 9 – Tijuana 3

Win: Lance McCullers 14-4 (2.67)
Loss: Homer Bailey 4-17 (5.70)

Game #4: Yasiel Puig has a Double & Triple & 2 RBI’s & Tanner Roark goes 8.2 Innings before being pulled. Jacob Barnes holds down the fort for a 1/3 Inning Save.

Final Score: Tijuana 4 – Chicago 2

Win: Tanner Roark 10-16 (4.72)
Loss: Marcus Stroman 5-11 (3.83)
Save: Jacob Barnes #4

Game #5: Andrelton Simmons is the star for Chicago by going 3 for 5 with a Home Run & 3 RBI’s. Kohl Stewart started but didn’t last more than the first batter before his season ended. Felix Hernandez then went 9 Innings picking up the win.

Final Score: Chicago 7 – Tijuana 3

Win: Felix Hernandez 5-5 (3.15)
Loss: Jarlin Garica 7-23 (7.80)

Game #6: Yasiel Puig Homers & has 3 Hits. Brett Kennedy goes 6 Innings. Addison Russell is 3 for 3.

Final Score: Tijuana 5 – Chicago 5

Win: Brett Kennedy 4-16 (5.20)
Loss: Matt Harveu 7-6 (5.51)
Save: Aaron Bummer #4

Series Summary: Chicago takes the series 4 games to 2. The Mobsters are at .500, and the odds of them making the playoffs are dwindling. The Bottle Rockets are just waiting for next year and the beginning of the Wander Franco show.

Selkirk  Steelers @ Valdosta  Snappers

Series Preview: NL Central bottom feeders Selkirk and Valdosta hook up for 6 in Valdosta.
Series Summary: Steelers win 4 of 6 from the putrid Snappers. Future Hall Of Famer, Albert “Mr. MVP” Pujols did hit 3 homers for the Snappers and if my math is correct needs 1 more to reach 650 for his storied career. He will try to get that next week against 1st place Tempe.

TRADE DEADLINE
WEDNESDAY 07/24/2024
AT 11:59 PM - ET!

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