PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #16

Kirby_Puckett88Greg_Maddux88Ryne_Sandberg88Jeff_Robinson88

NAME TEAM AVG SLG G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI K W IW SB CS HBP
PUCKETT,Kirby CPB AL .458 .792 5 24 11 0 1 2 6 9 2 0 0 0 1 0
NAME CLUB G W L S ERA IP R ER H K BB IBB WP BK HB HR
MADDUX,Greg TCT AL 2 2 0 0 0.56 16 1 1 9 14 2 0 0 0 0 0
NAME TEAM AVG SLG G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI K W IW SB CS HBP
SANDBERG,Ryne SCS NL .346 .846 5 26 9 2 1 3 5 13 3 0 0 0 1 0
NAME CLUB G W L S ERA IP R ER H K BB IBB WP BK HB HR
ROBINSON,Jeff M. LBT NL 1 1 0 0 0.00 9 0 0 0 9 2 0 0 0 0 0

 

·         Steel City Sluggers @ Sugar Land Skeeters

Series Preview

Steel City travels to Sugar Land for five.

Game #1:

Dennis Martinez can’t hold a 5-0 SCS lead but the Sluggers win in 11.

Game #2:

SCS 4, SLS 0. 2-hit shutout for Bret “Odd” Saberhagen despite it being an even year.

Game #3:

SCS 12, SLS 3. Henderson 4 RBI and a HR, Sandberg 3 and a HR.

Game #4:

SCS 11, SLS 7. Henderson with 3 more RBI and another HR.

Game #5:

SCS 10, SLS 7 in 11 innings after Coles HR ties it in the 9th. Sandberg with the CYCLE, 6 RBI, Henderson with another HR.

Series Summary *

Steel City sweeps, outscoring SLS 43-22 in the five games. Sandberg is 9 for 26, 13 RBI, 3 HR and a cycle. Henderson is 6 for 18 with three HR 9 RBI.

·         Forth Worth Panthers @ Detroit Stars

Series Summary *

Detroit takes the series 3 games to 1, with a Rain Make-Up Scheduled for the day after the series.

·         Clovis Cougars @ Valdosta Bombers

Series Preview

Valdosta trying to get to .500 and Clovis looking toward the playoffs.

Game #1:

Valdosta 5-0. Tom Candiotti (9-3) with a 3 hitter and Andy Van Slyke with a 3 run HR.

Game #2:

Clovis 4-3. The Cougars sneak past the Bombers and Randy Myers saves #24.

Game #3:

Valdosta 2-1 (11 Innings). Cory Snyder hit a PH HR in the 11th off of big Lee Smith for the Valdosta win.

Game #4:

Valdosta 5-1. Charlie Hough (6-12) with the CG victory. Van Slyke hit his 2nd 3 run bomb of the series.

Game #5:

Valdosta 6-4. The aged Don Sutton evened his record at 3 as the Bombers slip past the Cougars.

Series Summary *

Bombers win 4 of 5.

·         Janesville Juggernauts @ Stockton Wings

Series Preview

Janesville comes to Stockton!

Game #1:

Janesville takes the opener 9-7!

Game #2:

The Wings bounce back and win 3-1!

Game #3:

Janesville wins 10-7!

Game #4:

Janesville again 5-4!

Game #5:

Janesville 5-4 in the final!

Series Summary *

Janesville takes the series over the sinking Wings 4-1!

·         California Quakes @ Chicago Demolition

Series Preview

Second place California comes into the Windy City to take on the Demolition.

Game #1:

Ozzie Smith is 3 for 5 with 2 RBI’s, Carlton Fisk went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and the Quakes win it over the Demolition.
Final Score: California 7 – Chicago 6

Game #2:

Dave Stewart improves to (14-5 2.45), Dennis Eckersley picks up his 20th save.
Final Score: Chicago 3 – California 2

Game #3:

Orel Hershiser (13-5 2.42) goes the distance in a shutout.
Final Score: Chicago 3 – California 0

Game #4:

wade Boggs goes 3 for 5, with 2 Doubles, & 3 RBI’s. Kent Hrbek is 4 for 5 with 2 RBI’s. Roger Clemens (11-6 3.66) gets the win, as Chicago overpowers the Quakes.
Final Score: Chicago 9 – California 1

Game #5:

Doug Drabek (11-4 3.39) gets the win as Chicago keeps their hitting shoes on. Boggs 3 for 5. Mike Scioscia is 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s.
Final Score: Chicago 8 – California 2

Game #6:

George Brett ges 3 for 4, Pat Borders is 2 for 4 with 32 RBI’s. Jose Bautista (10-7 3.43) gets the win, and Dan Plesac picks up his 11th save.
Final Score: California 4 – Chicago 3

Game #7:

Paul Kilgus improves to (5-4 2.64) with a 2 hit shutout. 2 RBI’s each from Otis Nixon, George Brett & Dale Murphy give the Quakes a blow out win in the final game of the series.
Final Score: California 7 – Chicago 0

Series Summary *

Chicago takes the series 4 games to 3 – in a great fought series by both teams.

·         Cedar Park Bears @ Montana Cutthroats

Series Preview

The Cedar Park Bears visit Montana for a 5 game set.

Game #1:

Dwight Evans homers and drives in 2 as the Bears defeat the Cutthroats 5-2. Mike Moore goes the distance with a 6-hitter while only allowing 1 earned run. He also struck out 8. Bill Krueger made his debut for Montana (and only appearance of season) by retiring first 10 batters before running into trouble. FINAL – CPB 5 MCT 2

Game #2:

Montana carries a 1-0 lead into the 6th but Cedar Park explodes for 6 runs in the inning. Six straight batters reach base in the pivotal frame. Montana tries to make it interesting with a four run 7th but to no avail. Cutthroats actually load bases in 9th and bring Steve “bye bye” Balboni to plate as potential winning run. Chuck Crim gets him to end game. Andres Thomas homers for Cedar Park. FINAL – CPB 8 MCT 5

Game #3:

Cedar Park jumps out to a 5-1 lead early in the game behind Kirby Puckett and Will Clark. However, Montana battles back as game unfolds and gets tying run on 2nd base in 9th. Pena closes door and Cedar Park takes it 7-6. Puckett and Clark each had 3 hits while Puckett homered and drove in 3. FINAL – CPB 7 MCT 6

Game #4:

Cedar Park muscles up with four homeruns from four seperate batters to win 10-6. The Bears registered 2-run scoring innings in 5 of the 9 frames. Washington, Puckett, Clark, and Thomas all homered for Cedar Park. Steve Balboni homered for Montana and had 4 hits in the loss. FINAL – CPB 10 MCT 6

Game #5:

Bears cruise to the sweep as Dwight Evans breaks a 2-2 tie in the 5th with a 3-run homerun. Evans leads the way with a 4 for 5 day including 3 runs scored, 4 runs batted in, and a homerun. Mike Boddicker holds Montana to 1 earned run over 7 innings to get his 7th win of the season. FINAL – CPB 10 MCT 3

Series Summary *

The Bears dominate the Cutthroats by sweeping them 5 games to none. Montana only had two 1-0 leads in the entire series. Not much doubt about this series.

 Missouri Black Bears @ Michigan Marauders

Series Preview

Missouri comes to Michigan in a key N.L. East Battle. Manhattan has started to gain some distance, and so this series is important to determine 2nd place.

Game #1:

Mike Scott vs. Jim Deshaies
This game is Missouri’s all the way, as Mike Scott gives up 3 hits over 7 innings. Andres Galarraga hits one homer and has 3 RBI.
Missouri 6 Michigan 1

Game #2:

Charlie Liebrandt vs. Teddy Higuera
Two leftys square off. All 5 Missouri hits are doubles, but Michigan counters with 5 homers. Higuera goes to 13-4 on the season.
Michigan 9 Missouri 3

Game #3:

Jack Morris vs. Walt Terrell
25 hits in the game. Michigan gets 15 and Missouri gets 10. Bo Jackson gets 3 hits and 3 RBI to lead the way for Michigan.
Michigan 11 Missouri 5

Game #4:

Dennis Rasmussen vs. Frank Tanana
2 leftys face each other. Tanana pitches 3 good innings, but is ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes as a hitter. Brunansky and Gaetti hit key homers for Michigan.
Michigan 5 Missouri 3

Game #5:

Youmans vs. Langston
Langston pitches an outstanding game for the Marauders. He gives up 1 unearned run.
Michigan 2 Missouri 1

Game #6:

Musselman vs. Deshaies
Galaragga with 3 key RBI for Missouri.
Missouri 6 Michigan 4

Game #7:

Mike Scott vs. Teddy Higuera
Missouri builds early lead, but Michigan comes back to tie the game on a key homer by Bo Jackson. In the top of the 10th, Missouri wins the game on a suicide squeeze.
Missouri 6 Michigan 5 (10)

Series Summary *

Michigan wins 4 of 7 from Missouri and only narrows the Missouri second place lead.

·         Long Beach Titans @ Winnipeg Goldeyes

Series Summary *

Long Beach takes the series 5 games to 2 – Highlight of the series is Long Beach Jeff Robinson throws a No-Hitter!

·         Mexico City Chihuahuas @ Traverse City Tigers

Series Preview

The Traverse City Tigers have been showing they are indeed human of late, and fell back to earth, they have been touched up by the California Quakes, Detroit Stars & the second-place Cedar Park Bears of late. Now they have the Mexico City Chihuahuas in town to play the Tigers. The Chihuahuas find themselves in fourth place 46-45, 13 behind T.C., and only a 1/2 game behind Detroit for 3rd place, as the Tigers look to at least keep their 7-game division lead over Cedar Park. Not to mention, keeping people healthy.

Game #1: Dave LaPoint will pitch for T.C. in the first game with a 5-4 record, and 3.56 ERA to face off against Mexico City’s David Cone who is sizzling at 12-4 with a 1.66 ERA (108 K’s in 135 IP)!

Top of the 1st
Lead-off single by Barry Bonds, just beating the throw. Bonds moves up to second on a ground out by Dykstra, which was followed up with Harold Reynolds drawing a walk from LaPoint. The Tigers strikeout Kevin Mitchell. Kelly Gruber steps up with men on 1st & 2nd with 2 outs, Gruber hits it into the gap in left-center, Bonds scores, the throw comes in, Reynolds goes for 3rd while Gruber heads to second, Pete O’Brien of the Tigers cuts it off & throws the ball to second as they get Gruber on a close call. End of inning, but not before the Chihuahuas could tack one on. Mexico City 1, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 2nd
David Cone of Mexico City is looking dominant as always with four K’s early on, after two.

Top of the 3rd
Barry Bonds hits a one-out double. Lenny Dykstra pops out behind third base. Harold Reynolds hits one to left, which drops before LF-Jesse Barfield, Bonds is rounding third, and decides to test Barfield’s cannon of an arm, the play at the plate… and he’s SAFE! Reynolds holds at first, two outs. Mitchell would hit a deep fly to Mookie Wilson at the track in center for the third out. Mexico City 2, Traverse City 0

Top of the 4th
Tony Fernandez draws a walk with one out. Phil Bradley sends one to the wall, Fernandez threatens to go for home but holds, and Bradley is into second, standing, for his 20th double of the season. John Marzano hits this one into the left corner, Barfield really has to run for this one, Fernandez & Bradley scores, Marzano goes for second & is in safely; Back-to-back doubles for the small dogs! Dave Bergman grounds out & advances Marzano to third with two outs, as Barry Bonds steps up to the plate. LaPoint intentionally walks Barry Bonds, and decides to face .241 Lenny Dykstra. Dykstra hits it to Rafael Ramirez, a nice diving stop, the throw to second & they get the force at second for the 3rd out! The Ump signals time, Rafael Ramirez is still down, he will have to leave the game, we’ll find out more about him later, as Felix Fermin will have to come in to play some short. Mexico City 4, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 4th
Mookie Wilson leads off with a single, breaking up Cone’s early bid for a no-no — Tigers are hoping to start a little magic. Wilson is off to second on the pitch, Molitor smacks it up the middle, base hit! Runners on 1st & 3rd for Dave Winfield (batting .287 with 19 HR’s), who has slowed down as of late. Winfield pops up for the first out. Joe Carter steps up, grounds it to short, Fernandez momentarily has a tough time getting it out of his glove, and is able to get the force at second, but no play at first as Mookie crosses home plate to put the Tigers on the board. Mexico City 4, Traverse City 1

Top of the 5th
Harold Reynolds draws a walk, that is the 4th walk allowed by Dave LaPoint already. Kevin Mitchell laces a single to left-center, Reynolds thinks about third, but the 3rd Base coach flashes the stop sign. Runners on 1st & 2nd, no outs for Kelly Gruber. Gruber grounds it to Fermin at short, no play at second, only first, as runners advance to 2nd & 3rd, with one out. Tony Fernandez strikes out for the second out. Phil Bradley steps in with a .287 average, the Tigers elect to face John Marzano (who had a double earlier) & his .125 batting average. Marzano hits up to the mound, LaPoint has it, and then drops it! The quick throw to first, just in time for the final out, oh baby! Just a lot of noise.

Bottom of the 5th
Tigers fans are starting to get active, hoping they can’t start something in the 5th. With one out, Bob Boone laces a double to right. Tigers go to the bench, to bring in switch-hitting second baseman Johnny Ray for Tom O’Malley, Ray will likely play 2nd for the remainder of game, while pushing Molitor back to his natural 3B position. Cone misses the corner, as Ray draws up a free pass. Runners on 1st & 2nd, one out, Felix Fermin in for the injured Ramirez, swings right through the at-bat, Cone’s 5th K. Two outs now for Mookie Wilson, hits it up the middle, Fernandez is there, the shuffle throw to second for the force, and that ends the threat.

Top of the 6th
LaPoint is still in there for the Tigers, despite not having a good performance, he’s trying to eat up some innings. LaPoint cruises through the 6th, 1-2-3. Score remains: Mexico City 4, Traverse City 1

Bottom of the 6th
Lead-off single to right for Paul Molitor. Winfield grounds it to second, as Molitor was off & running, only play is at 1st for one out. Joe Carter pops out behind 3rd Base for the second out. Lefty Pete O’Brien couldn’t take advantage of right David Cone, as he hits a deep fly to right for the final out.

Top of the 7th
Harold Reynolds draws a walk, now LaPoint’s 6th walk allowed in this ballgame — not good, with a dangerous runner like Reynolds. Reynolds is off & running for a steal attempt of second, Boone gets off a great throw, and nails the runner! LaPoint is very thankful. Kevin Mitchell hits one to the mound, LaPoint knocks it down, throws back to first, making it the 2nd out. Will LaPoint actually get through another inning?
Kelly Gruber hits a deep fly to right-center, as he gives Joe Carter a good run for the final out.

Bottom of the 7th
With one out, Bob Boone logs his second hit of the game, with a single to right. Tigers decide to pinch-run for Boone with speedy, but achy Tim Raines; Raines has 13 steals in the 66 games he has played. Johnny Ray hits one to Tony Fernandez, it handcuffs him, he still is able to get the throw off to first for the second out, as Raines moves to second. The Tigers fail to do anything as Felix Fermin hits one to shallow left, only to be chased down by Fernandez at short. 4-1, Mexico City still leads.

Top of the 8th
Scott Terry in to pitch again righties Fernandez, Bradley & Marzano, and succeeds getting through the side in 1-2-3 fashion.

Bottom of the 8th
Cone cruises through the inning 1-2-3.

Top of the 9th
Tigers send in southpaw Ken Dayley to face the Chihuahuas, as he gets through the side with no problems as well.

Bottom of the 9th
Cone is still in there for Mexico City, he has only allowed 5 hits to this point, while striking out 6 Tigers for the night — he has already racked up 13 complete games for the season, going for #14. Joe Carter send this one deep to left, Bonds is going back, back, back to the wall, and puts it away…. I think Carter thought it was gone, and with the expression on Cone’s face, I think he was thinking the same. Lefty, O’Brien who has been hot of late, foul tips this one into Marzano’s glove, ring that up as strikeout #7 for David Cone. One more batter to beat in Jesse Barfield, who’s only batting .184!

David Cone gets his 14th complete game of the season, and a few more votes in for possible A.L. Cy Young Award — making his record 13-4 with an astounding 1.62 ERA! Despite not pitching great, Dave LaPoint did his job by not allowing any late inning runs, and eating up some innings to take the load off the bullpen. The Tigers just couldn’t take advantage of their opportunities.

FINAL SCORE: Mexico City 4, Traverse City 1 Game #2: Greg Maddux goes up to the mound for the Tigers, we’ll see if we are in for another great pitching outing like the first game of this series (with David Cone). Maddux enters with an 8-6 record & 3.41 ERA, he will face Bill Swift, who is not doing so well with a 4-5 record & ERA slightly above five.

Bottom of the 1st
Raines gets it started by hitting a gapper to left-center that goes over Phil Bradley’s head, Raines trucks around second & decides to test Bradley’s arm, in safely at 3rd with a triple. Molitor hits a single that drops in between 2B-Reynolds and right fielder Lenny Dykstra, as Raines scores easily. Winfield fails to make contact in what appears to be a hit & run attempt, Molitor is caught stealing second on John Marzano’s quick peg from the plate. Swift gives a free pass to Winfield. Carter hits one to short, Mex City shortstop Fernandez gets the force at second, but the Chihuahuas couldn’t get Carter at first for the double play. Traverse City 1, Mexico City 0

Bottom of the 5th
One-out single for Felix Fermin (in for the injured Rafael Ramirez). Mookie Wilson gets a hold of this one & sends the ball into the stands just over the center field wall.
Traverse City 3, Mexico City 0

Top of the 6th
Harold Reynolds leads off with a double, which is followed up by a Tony Fernandez single to put runners on the corners for Barry Bonds. Bonds grounds to short, Fermin makes the throw to first to get Bonds, Reynolds will score for the small dogs, as Fernandez approaches second. Kevin Mitchell gets a base hit to left, Fernandez will advance to third, but will have to stay as the throw comes in to Molitor. Kelly Gruber hits one to Molitor, Molitor has no play at second & gets the runner at first, Fernandez has to stay put. Runners on 2nd & 3rd with two outs for Cecil Fielder. Which Maddux hands him a hat trick, Fielder has struck out all three times. Traverse City 3, Mexico City 1

Bottom of the 6th
One-out double for Joe Carter. The Chihuahuas go to the pen & call on Jose Alvarez (2-2, 1.13 ERA) in relief of Bill Swift, to face Johnny Ray. Alvarez does his job by striking out Ray & getting O’Brien to fly to center.

Top of the 8th
Tigers take Greg Maddux after 7 solid innings of work, southpaw Dave Leiper works 2/3 of an inning, and the Tigers call on righty Brian Holton to try to finish off the Chihuahuas, who have a runner on first in Barry Bonds. Holton strikes out Kevin Mitchell.

Top of the 9th
Tigers keep with Brian Holton on the mound, and he locks down a 1-2-3 inning for his first save of the season.

FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 3, Mexico City 1 Game #3: Bob Knepper (8-3, 2.58 ERA) vs Wes Gardner (1-5, 4.24 ERA)

Top of the 1st
Barry Bonds reaches first on a walk, steals second, and scores on a two-out single to right by Kevin Mitchell. Mexico City 1, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 2nd
Molitor leads off the inning with a single to right. Joe Carter flies to center. Lefty Ron Hassey jams a single to right just behind first base and now rolls into foul ground, Molitor races around third and is coming home, the throw to the plate by Phil Bradley, and Molitor’s out! The aggressive baserunning by the Tigers does not pay off. Esasky would end up flying to left for final out.

Top of the 3rd
With runners on the corners for Barry Bonds, one out. Bonds pops up for second out. Kevin Mitchell hits one into the deep left corner that gave Winfield a hard time getting to, Mitchell makes it to third on a triple, mark him down for 2 RBI as well! The next batter Kelly Gruber slams this one to center, a two-run blast, breaking the game open to a early 5-0 lead for the Chihuahuas. Knepper allows a single to Bergman, and then delivers walk #5 to Phil Bradley, as the Tigers decide to go to the pen. Knepper was completely out of rhythm out there, as they go with righty Luis Aquino. 2 2/3 of work for Knepper allowing 5 runs & 5 walks!
Aquino gets them out of the inning. Mexico City 5, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 5th
Tim Raines gets a hold of a two-strike, two-out pitch and sends it over the wall in right, breaks the shutout up for Mexico City’s Wes Gardner. Mexico City 5, Traverse City 1
Top of the 6th
Two-out single by Harold Reynolds, which Tony Fernandez follows up with a free pass — which now brings up the dangerous lefty Barry Bonds. Tigers will try and counter that with southpaw Ken Dayley (3.12 ERA in 26 innings of work). Dayley does his job, and rings up Bonds with a K.

Bottom of the 6th
Pete O’Brien swings at the first pitch, and kisses this one goodbye! Tigers keep trying to chip away, they certainly have their work cut out for them. Dave Winfield sneaks one through to right, 2nd hit in the game for Winfield. Molitor strikes out for the first out. Carter & Hassey each fly out to end a possible threat. Score remains: Mexico City 5, Traverse City 2

Top of the 7th
Lead-off double for Kevin Mitchell, his 3rd hit of the game, he is now a HR short of a possible cycle. Dave Bergman gets his 2nd hit of the game, as Mitchell advances to third with one out. Dayley strikes out Phil Bradley for the second out, now it’s up to Henry Cotto to see if he will add to M.C.’s lead. He ends up grounding out to the mound.

Bottom of the 8th
With 2 outs, Wes Gardner walks Dave Winfield, for his first walk allowed in the game, which cues the Mexico City manager to make a switch to Duane Ward. A solid performance by Gardner. Bergman knocks down the hit by Molitor, no play at second or first, both are safe! Two on, two outs for Tigers. Hassey strikes out for final out, ending the threat.

Top of the 9th
Tigers go to the pen, after 2 2/3 innings by Ken Dayley. Dayley didn’t allow a walk, unlike the other two Tiger pitchers who allowed 8 walks. Brian Holton allows a lead-off triple by Kevin Mitchell, Mitchell’s fourth hit of the game, and 2nd triple of the game — making it 6 triples for the season. Bergman draws a one-out walk. The Chihuahuas will elect to go with pinch-runner Howard Johnson for Bergman. Howard Johnson gets caught stealing on Ron Hassey’s arm, for the second out, Mitchell stays at third, 2 outs.

Bottom of the 9th
Paul Mirabella comes in for the save, relieving Duane Ward, he will try for his 13th save of the season — which he locks it down 1-2-3.

FINAL SCORE: Mexico City 5, Traverse City 2 Game #4: Jose Rijo takes the mound for T.C. with an 8-3 record & 3.14 ERA, facing Mexico City’s Danny Darwin (4-3, 2.61 ERA).

Top of the 1st
The Chihuahuas’ Tony Fernandez is safe at first on a throwing error by Johnny Ray, Barry Bonds collects a base hit, by beating Rafael Ramirez’s throw to first. First & Second, one out for yesterday’s hero Kevin Mitchell — he adds to the Tigers’ torture by hitting a single to shallow left, making Barfield run in for it, Fernandez rounds third, the throw home, and Fernandez scores; Bonds advances to third, while Mitchell collects a single & moves up to second. Kelly Gruber hits a deep fly to left, Bonds decides to test Barfield’s arm, the play at the plate & he’s OUT on a close play! Double play, end of the inning, but not before Mexico City strikes first, 1-0.

Top of the 5th
One-out triple for Lenny Dykstra. Phil Bradley follows by getting plunked by a pitch for the 11th time already this season, runners on first & second. Bradley is off & trying to steal second, the throw from Hassey towards second, Dykstra is going for home, Ramirez cuts off the throw & throws it to home, the tag, and Dykstra is safe! Bradley steals second.

Bottom of the 6th
Johnny Ray draws a walk. Rafael Ramirez is up, he squares to bunt, the bunt goes straight to the mound, Darwin is up with it fires to second for one, Fernandez throws it to second, double play — or WAIT! Fernandez’s foot was off the bag, this will go down as a sacrifice for Ramirez. Mookie lines out to Tony Fernandez. With 2 outs, Molitor draws a walk, runners on first & second. Winfield ends up flying out for the 3rd out, the Tigers have yet to score & have only raked together 3 hits so far.
Score remains: Mexico City 2, Traverse City 0

Top of the 7th
Tigers take out Jose Rijo who pitched 6 2/3 innings of fine ball, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits & 3 K’s. Juan Agosto, the lefty comes in to face Lenny Dykstra.

Bottom of the 9th
Mookie Wilson leads the inning off with a single. Paul Molitor comes up, the hit & run is on, Molitor connects this one is going to right, Dykstra is after it, Mookie scores, Molitor is going for third, as the throw from Dykstra comes in, Reynolds collects the relay, as Molitor is being waved for home, Reynolds relay comes in, and Molitor is OUT on a close play! The Tigers are finally on the score board, with one out. But that’s all she wrote as Winfield & Carter ground out for a complete game performance by Danny Darwin.

FINAL SCORE: Mexico City 2, Traverse City 1 Game #5: Mexico City leads series 3-1, can the Tigers try to make this a series?

The Tigers now trail 3-1 in the series, and now must face off against Dwight Gooden, who is sporting a 5-5 record & 3.88 ERA. Gooden will have to face the 8-5 John Candelaria, the “Candy Man”, we will see if Candelaria has the sweet stuff, or if Dwight has Gooden Plenty on his way.

Top of the 1st
Barry Bonds draws a walk. Bonds is a few feet off the bag, the pitch home, Bonds is off & running, Dykstra connects, lining it toward third and will trickle down the line, as Bonds is rounding third, and he’ll score off of the throw by Jesse Barfield, as Dykstra trucks into second. So just like that, 1-0 Chihuahuas! Harold Reynolds hits a fly to right, it’s caught by Joe Carter, Dykstra tags up & goes for third, the throw by Carter, and he’s out! Doubled up! Kevin Mitchell hits one into the right center gap, Raines is after it, and it’s over his head, bounces off the carom, Mitchell is thinking about third, Raines throws it in, Mitchell puts on brakes and stays at second. Kelly Gruber grounds it to second, Ray is up with the throw to first, final out of the inning. Mexico City 1, Traverse City 0

Top of the 3rd
Barry Bonds leads off with a solo HR, adding to Mexico City’s lead.

Bottom of the 3rd
A pair of singles by Jesse Barfield and Rafael Ramirez to kick off the inning. Tim Raines steps up and hits one towards third, Kelly Gruber decides to let it roll, hoping for it to go foul, but it refuses to! All is safe, bases are loaded & no outs for the Tigers as Johnny Ray comes to the plate. Ray flies out to deep left, Barfield tags up & scores, as the other runners hold. Pete O’Brien grounds out and moves the runners up one base, two outs. Joe Carter fails to add to the score, and grounds out for final out. Mexico City 2, Traverse City 1

Bottom of the 5th
Rafael Ramirez leads off with a double for his second hit of the game. Next at bat, Tim Raines hits one hard towards shortstop Tony Fernandez, a nice diving stop, but will have to hold on to this one — while Ramirez trucks into third; Fernandez at least prevented a run for now, but there is no outs, with left-handed Johnny Ray to face Doc Gooden. Ray delivers a textbook hit-and-run, as Ramirez scores, with Raines making third, tie game! Gooden walks Pete O’Brien, loading up the bases for Joe Carter. Carter is batting .259 with 15 HR’s & 58 RBI for the season, Gooden sets & delivers, as Carter pops it up behind the plate for the first out of the inning. Molitor steps up and delivers a two-run single, O’Brien holds at second. Ron Hassey moves the runners up with a groundout to the mound. Runners on 2nd & 3rd, with 2 outs for Bob Boone — Boone does nothing more for the Tigers this inning as he hits this one to second, and is out at first with a groun dout.
Traverse City 4, Mexico City 2

Top of the 6th
Leadoff double for Lenny Dykstra. Harold Reynolds would score in Dykstra on the very next at-bat with a single to right. Reynolds steals second. Kevin Mitchell is called out on strikes, Candelaria’s 7th K of the night. Kelly Gruber gets a fastball, and this one is to left, it’s going..going…gone! Two-run blast for Gruber, as Mexico City now has the lead — the air in the stadium has emptied out on that one. The Tigers go to the pen, and see if Luis Aquino can get Tony Fernandez out — which he does by striking him out. Tigers decide to let him face another hitter, this time Phil Bradley hits a sharp ball towards third, Molitor, and throws it to first, O’Brien bobbles it in the dirt, and he’s safe! They record this one as a single. Tigers call for Brian Holton to face John Marzano, he does his job by getting Marzano to fly out to center. Mexico City 5, Traverse City 4

Bottom of the 8th
Pinch-hitter Felix Fermin hits a single to right. Bob Boone draws a walk, as the Tigers will go to their bench for Jesse Barfield. Who’s going to be? Dave Winfield steps to the plate, no outs — The Chihuahuas’ manager will make his move as well, going with Duane Ward, he’s hoping for the double play. Winfield hits it to the mound, Ward tosses to second for the force, and the throw back to first, not in time! Runners on 1st & 3rd, one out — the pitch, and it’s a passed ball, getting past Marzano, the tying run in Fermin scores, as the go-ahead run Winfield trucks into second. The pitch to Ramirez, this one is hit towards Gruber, it skips by him, Winfield will score, as Ramirez reaches 2nd on a double. Ward intentionally walks Tim Raines. Mexico City’s manager comes back out & is asking Ward for the ball, they are calling on Jose Alvarez. Alvarez strikes out Johnny Ray for the second out. Lefty Pete O’Brien against righty Alvarez, the pit ch is straight down the pike, strike three! But not before the Tigers score 2 in the bottom of the 8th!
Traverse City 6, Mexico City 5

Top of the 9th
This time of the game is when the Tigers call on Doug Jones, and once again he will be asked to close it out. Jones enter with a stingy 1.63 ERA & has succeeded in 13 straight Save opportunities. Doug Jones beans Phil Bradley with a fastball to the helmet, Bradley wanders vaguely down to first, with one out (Fernandez grounded out in prior AB). The Chihuahuas decide to pinch-run for Bradley with Henry Cotto, and decide to not have Marzano hit against Jones, they call Jim Dwyer (batted .118) instead. Dwyer is called on strikes, he’s not happy with the call, as he stares down the ump on his way back to the dugout.It’s all up to lefty Dave Bergman, the pitch it’s a strike & Cotto is off running, the throw from Boone, and he’s safe! The tying run is now on second. Jones lose Bergman, for ball four, and now has to face the dangerous Barry Bonds. Tigers will have Juan Agosto come out to face lefty on lefty — they hate to take their regular closer out, b ut Bonds has been tearing up the righties any chance he gets. Agosto comes in, sets, delivers, this one is smacked out to right, and nearly goes right through Joe Carter’s glove, as he has it for the final out!

Tigers win, and hope to tie up the series next game.

FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 6, Mexico City 5 Game #6: Sid Fernandez is on the mound for the small dogs at 8-7 with a 3.03 ERA, as he will face off against Dave LaPoint (5-5, 3.69 ERA).

Top of the 1st
One-out single pulled to right by Lenny Dykstra. Dykstra is off with the pitch, Harold Reynolds laces a single to center, and the Chihuahuas have runners on the corners. LaPoint with the pitch, and this one is a no doubter the moment it connected with Kevin Mitchell’s bat — long gone to deep left center! 3-0 Mexico City! Kelly Gruber reaches first on a lousy throw from Johnny Ray, pulling O’Brien off the bag. Tony Fernandez comes up & hits it to short where they get the force at second, two down. Phil Bradley sends this pitch into the right field corner, Carter giving chase, Fernandez rounds third and will score easily, Carter is up with it, Bradley’s rounding second & going for third, the throw, the relay, Bradley slides, and the ump signals safe! Just under Molitor’s tag, RBI triple. The Chihuahuas don’t add to their early assault: Mexico City 4, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 2nd
Dave Winfield lines one towards second, it’s out of reach of Harold Reynolds, Winfield is on with a lead-off single. Paul Molitor steps up, did he go around? He laid off the pitch, a free pass to Molitor, two on, no outs. Deep fly to center by Joe Carter, caught by Phil Bradley, Winfield decides not to test Bradley’s strong arm. Bob Boone hits a strong one towards short, he’s up with it, this could be two, flips to second for one, over to first, double play — side retired.

Bottom of the 3rd
After a Nick Esasky strikeout, the Tigers follow with back-to-back single by Rafael Ramirez & Mookie Wilson. Johnny Ray hits one to the mound, only play is at first as runners advance one base, two outs. Pete O’Brien finds his pitch, puts a charge in this one, heading towards left, Bonds is on the run, to the track, he leaps and steals it at the wall!

Top of the 7th
Both pitchers go back & forth, Dave LaPoint has pitched 5 consecutive scoreless innings, and stays in for a 1-2-3 7th Inning as he continues to eat innings. Score remains: Mexico City 4, Traverse City 0

Top of the 9th
Two-out RBI double for Phil Bradley, Kevin Mitchell led inning off with double (2nd hit of the game) as Henry Cotto pinch-ran for Mitchell & scored. Mexico City 5, Traverse City 0

Bottom of the 9th
Back-to-back free passes Pete O’Brien & Dave Winfield to start the bottom of the inning, Sid Fernandez was cruising up to this point. Late-Inning replacement for Molitor, Tom O’Malley flies to center for the first out, no advancement by the runners. Joe Carter strikes out for the second out, with Bob Boone coming up to the plate. Easy grounder to Reynolds, the force at second & that’s the game folks!

Kevin Mitchell once again does damage to the Tigers, with a two-hit, 3 RBI performance with a homer — while Sid Fernandez shuts out T.C., allowing only 5 hits, while striking out 5 & walking three.

FINAL SCORE: Mexico City 5, Traverse City 0 Game #7: A pitching matchup between two great up-and-comers in David Cone & Greg Maddux. We should be in for a doozy!

Bottom of the 3rd
Both pitchers have been shutting down the batters up to this point as expected. David Cone walks off the lead-off man of the 3rd inning in Ron Hassey. He moves up on a ground out. Mookie Wilson hits one to the mound, Cone fires an off-balanced throw to third, past Gruber, and to the wall, Hassey will touch third & go home (he scores), as Wilson advances to 2nd, mark this down as a E-1, FC. Fastball upstairs to Tim Raines, but Raines just stands there, ball four — runners on 1st & 2nd with one out. Cone bounces back by fanning Johnny Ray & getting Dave Winfield to pop out beyond third. Traverse City 1, Mexico City 0

Bottom of the 4th
David Cone walks the struggling Joe Carter to lead off the inning. Pete O’Brien up at the plate, Carter is off & running, and O’Brien hits this one into the corner in right, Carter is around third & scores standing, while O’Brien trucks into second with an RBI double. With one out, Ron Hassey hits one down the right field line, Dykstra is up with it, throws it to Fielder, as O’Brien rounds third, but puts on the breaks (runners on the corners). Rafael Ramirez lines one to Cecil Fielder, two away. Mookie Wilson ends up popping up behind the plate to end the threat, but Tigers add one. Traverse City 2, Mexico City 0

Bottom of the 5th
Johnny Ray gets on with a one-out single to center. Dave Winfield comes up and laces one down the line in left, Bonds is after it in the corner, Ray is around third, Bonds fires it in to Marzano at the plate, and he’s OUT! Tigers try to be aggressive and it doesn’t pay off, as Winfield trucks into second with a double. Joe Carter draws his second walk of the day, Cone’s 4th given up already… off his mark, compared to Game 1 of the series. O’Brien hits one through short, Bonds runs in to get it, Winfield is around third, this time the 3rd Base coach puts on the stop sign — Bases loaded for Paul Molitor, with 2 outs. Molitor hits it to short, and gets the force at second, Cone keeps escaping disaster, Tigers better hope he doesn’t start settling down.

Bottom of the 6th
Ron Hassey pokes a single to right, his second hit of the game. Tigers go to their bench, and call on Felix Fermin to pinch-run for him — hoping to get that insurance run. Rafael Ramirez lays down a sacrifice bunt towards third, Gruber momentarily bobbles it, and gets Ramirez at first, moving Fermin to second. Phil Bradley steals a hit from Mookie Wilson in center, Fermin fakes going to third, as the throw comes in. David Cone rings up Tim Raines with a K to once again get out of a possible jam, side retired.

Top of the 7th
Greg Maddux still cruising, Bob Boone now behind the plate for T.C.; Barry Bonds leads off by just reaching second under the tag for a double, despite a great throw from Raines. Second hit in the game for Bonds, only Mexico City’s third of the night. Maddux strikes out Kevin Mitchell for the first out. Gruber pops out to third, and now it’s up to big, Cecil Fielder. Maddux strikes him out, make that another hat trick for Cecil — Score remains: Traverse City 2, Mexico City 0

Bottom of the 7th
Johnny Ray delivers a lead-off double into the left-center gap, his 2nd hit of the game, his 30th double of the season. Cone nearly hits Dave Winfield with a pitch, ducking & drawing a walk instead — 5th walk for Cone, first & second, no outs. Joe Carter steps up to the plate, he has already drawn two walks of his own, as Carter thinks he’s found his pitch, but it’s a loud out to left. Pete O’Brien hits one to short, Fernandez to second for one, over to first, double play.

Top of the 8th
The Chihuahuas make a curious move in taking out Lenny Dykstra, batting .242, (who bats left) against righty Maddux, in favor of Jim Dwyer, who has been no factor off the bench to this point in the season. Dwyer lays off the pitch, and draws a walk, Phil Bradley pops up behind third. Junior Ortiz who came in as a defensive replacement for Marzano, hits one to the warning track in right, but it’s a loud out, two down. Harold Reynolds hits a single to right, the slow Dwyer holds at second. The Tigers decide to let Maddux face switch-hitting Tony Fernandez instead of opting for a reliever — and he flies to left for the final out of the inning.

Bottom of the 8th
Rafael Ramirez’s two-out triple knocks out David Cone. Jose Alvarez comes in with an outstanding 1.04 ERA, he’s looking for one out. Cone showed he was vulnerable, allowing 8 hits & 5 walks, but escaped for most part by allowing only 2 runs, 1 earned — the damage could have been worse. Righty Alvarez against switch-hitting Mookie (hitting from the left side), Alvarez fires, and he strikes him out!
Traverse City 2, Mexico City 0

Top of the 9th
Greg Maddux stays in, and faces his biggest challenge in lefty Barry Bonds — Bonds grounds out to second. Mitchell flies to left for out number two. Kelly Gruber is the Chihuahuas’ last hope, and he goes down swinging, as Maddux collects the shutout & his 5th complete game of the season.

FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 2, Mexico City 0

Series Summary *

Mexico City wins the series, 4-3, gains a game on T.C. and maybe has helped Cedar Park gain more ground, we’ll have to wait & see the results. Kevin Mitchell & David Cone were the highlights in this series.

 

·         Manhattan Gas Hornets @ Germantown Grays

Series Summary *

Manhattan takes the series 4 games to 1.

FIRST GAME FILE
DUE MONDAY 04/01/2024
AT 8:00 AM - ET!

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