PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #26

Chicago heads into Cedar Park for the Final Regular Season Series of the year.

Chicago gets 2 in the 9th on a Randy Ready 2 Run HR. Dennis Eckersley picks up his 37th save on the season.
Final Score: Chicago 3 – Cedar Park 1

Mike Moore (14-10 3.08) picks up the win for the Bears. Greg Olson with save #26.
Final Score: Cedar Park 6 – Chicago 4

Tied at 3 each after 9, the Demolition score 1 in the 12th on a George Brett HR. Dennis Eckerlsey picks up save #38.
Final Score: Chicago 4 – Cedar Park 3

Doug Drabek (20-7 2.52) picks up his 20th win on the season. Ozzie Guilen & Wade Boggs have 2 RBI’s each. Six Chicago relieivers mop up and stretch out their arms for the final 9 outs of the game.
Final Score: Chicago 6 – Cedar Park 0

Dave Stewart (15-10 3.10) picks up the win, and stares down the manager in the dugout when he’s told he won’t be returning for the 9th. Rob Murphy, Larry Andersen & Eckersley all throw a third of an inning, and Eck locks down Save #39 on the season.
Final Score: Chicago 3 – Cedar Park 1

Chicago is well rested (hopefully) going into the first round Division Series. They await the outcome of the Detroit / Mexico City results to find out what happens next.

Winnipeg continues to improve each season but can’t reach .500. Clovis is only a game back of Valdosta and 2.5 games up on Michigan. They needed to pound the Goldeyes.

Tibbs blows the save and Clovis wins 4-3 in a nail biter. Wilsons 2 run hit was the key blow in the game, and Barfield homered as well. Myers saved his 29th.

Howell hit a 3 run homer off Winnipeg stottlemyer and that was all that Bud Black needed. Clovis 4 Winnipeg 2

Winnipeg sent thier ace Tom Glavine and Clovis sent Bankhead. Well Glavine did his part 9 innings 3 hits 1 run ending his season with a
14-8 record and a 2.50 era. Winnipeg’s Kevin Elster hit a grandslam on a Blankhead curve. WGE 7 Clovis 1

Smiley was solid and CLovis wins 6-3

Winnipeg closer tibbs (11 starter) gets the start as the Winnipeg pitchers were on fumes at this point. Tibbs was ugly giving up 12 runs but only 3 earned in 6 innings. Howell got the homer as Clovis and Smiley(3 hitter) win 12-0.This gives Clovis a 4 to 1 series lead now it was time to do better.

Selkirk again calls on a mainly relief pitcher Caderat (6/8*) to start. Well unlike tibbs hes was great pitching out of jams. He allowed 6 hits and 4 walks but no runs. Howell was amazing only 2 hits but alas in the 4th it was an alomar single, bergman single alomar to third and then Calderon sac fly for the only run in the game,.

Jay Buhner and pinch hitter Linton hit 2 run homers off Black. Wge 6 Clovis 4

Winnipeg ends their best season with 75 wins. Clovis with 93 wins must now has to wait and see as they did not get the final win to insure a playoff series as Michigan can catch them.

Mexico City takes the first game of the series, and then Detroit Stars put a beating on the Chihuahuas, who promptly lose the last six games of the series.   Detroit will play Chicago in the A.L. West Division Series, and the Chihuahuas with their tails between their legs will take on the Panthers of Fort Worth.

Ft. Worth looking for one win to clinch the AL East and 5 wins to clinch home field advantage for the AL playoffs.  California looking to put a frustrating season behind them.

Fred McGriff hits a 2-run homer in the first and Mike Heath doubles home two more in the 3rd as the Panthers chase Quakes starter,  Ryan out of the game early. Ft. Worth wins the AL East.

Final score: FWP 7, CAL 1

Rookie pitcher – at least I think he still qualifies as a rookie – Kevin Brown allows only 3 hits through 6 innings while the Panther’s offense lead by Billy Ripken 3 hits, and two RBI each from Carney Lansford and Lonnie Smith gives Ft. Worth a 5-1 lead through 7. The
normally stellar Panther pen breaches a little allowing a run in the 8th and 9th but holds on for the win.

Final score: FWP 5, CAL 3

Zane Smith was tough for 5 innings, but the heart of the Panther’s batting order led the come back. Lonnie Smith, Lance Parrish, and Carlos Martinez would combine for six hits (3 doubles and 2 home runs) in 9 AB’s scoring all 5 of Ft. Worth runs. Herm Winningham would bring home two insurance runs in the 8th with a pinch hit single as the Panther’s take the third game.
Final score: FWP 5, CAL 2

Carney Lansford and Roberto Kelly each had 3 hits while 7 different Panther’s drove in a run led by McGriff who had 2 RBI as Ft. Worth wins easily.

Final score: FWP 8, CAL 3

Ft. Worth comes back from a 5-2 deficit by scoring 4 times in the 7th. Dwight Smith becomes the 2nd Panther to hit for the cycle this season. Willie McGee was the first back on April 30th. McDowell gets his 9th save. The victory gives the Panther’s home field in the playoffs unless they make it to the World Series.

Final score: FWP 7, CAL 6

Crafty veteran lefty Tommy John out all year with an arm injury looks rusty in the first giving up 3 runs, but settles down and somehow manages to avoid any more trouble while the Quakes still hit him hard. Fred McGriff triples home the winning the run in 5th. Bill Landrum gets his 55th save of the season.

Final score: FWP 4, CAL 3

California closes out the season with a victory as Ft. Worth rests many of it’s starters. Young pitcher Tewksbury wasn’t bad for the Panther’s but he did allow a 2 run homer to Paul O’Neil for the Quakes. Nolan Ryan gets career win number 246 by pitching a complete
game shutout allowing only 5 hits while striking out 10 although he did walk 6.

Final score: CAL 3, FWP 0

Panther’s close out the season winning 6 of 7 against division mates, California. While the Panther’s attention turns to the playoffs the Quakes think about their off season vacations.

Only drama left for Steel City is trying to get to 120 wins and ensuing a few players meet their usage requirement. Michigan is trying to get the wildcard.

With different stakes, it’s clear which team came to play — Michigan takes all but one game from the home team.

Valdosta hosts the Skeeters and are in the drivers seat as far as the playoffs go. On paper it looks like an easy series for the Bombers but we have to play the games…

Sugar Land 10-5. Well that sucked…Walk and a cadre of Bomber RP’s get pounded as the Skeeters win behind Jerry Reuss(6-10).

Sugar Land 6-3. Tom Candiotti was hit often and early as the Skeeters sneak by with a rare win from Mike LaCoss (3-8).

Sugar Land 11-6. Tom Browning (15-10) lasts just 3 IP as the Skeeters pound the Bombers for the 3rd straight game. Lilliquist improved to 8-18 with the win.

Valdosta 1-0. Just what the doctor ordered…a 2 hitter from Bryn Smith (13-11) as the Bombers get things going in the right direction.

Valdosta 5-2. Don Robinson improved to 16-11 as the Bombers cruise.

Valdosta 12-3. Cory Snyder made his 1st HR of the year a big one as his grand slam highlighted an 8 run 3rd inning for the Bombers  off of Jerry Reuss. Bob Walk (7-2) improved to 6-1 for the Bombers since being traded.

Valdosta 6-0. Tom Candiotti scattered 3 hits on his way to his 20th victory of the year.

Valdosta was lucky to win 4 of 7 and will wait and see as far as the wildcard goes.

Germantown takes 4 of 7 from Long Beach to close out the season.

Battle to avoid last place in the A.L. West.

JANESVILLE 4, TRAVERSE CITY 1

Eric Plunk pitches complete game victory over T.C.; Templeton and Surhoff each had two hits.

TRAVERSE CITY 4, JANESVILLE 0

Greg Maddux pitches 3-hit shutout.

JANESVILLE 5, TRAVERSE CITY 3

Bobby Bonilla had 3 hits, RBI & 2 runs, while Steve Buechele hit a solo HR to give Nauts win.

TRAVERSE CITY 1, JANESVILLE 0

Charlie Hough pitches shutout, while Janesville’s Doyle Alexander battled in this one as well, allowing only 3 hits, but the one run helped earn his 20th loss of the season.

JANESVILLE 5, TRAVERSE CITY 4

Bobby Bonilla hit his 34th HR & 102nd RBI of the season, as he helped J’ville edge Tigers. Cotto hit his 10th HR in a losing cause.

JANESVILLE 8, TRAVERSE CITY 2

Plenty of hits in this one, 27 total by both teams combined. Bobby Bonilla was once again a nuisance for Tigers, 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI & 2 runs. Paul Molitor collected 3 hits for Tigers.

TRAVERSE CITY 5, JANESVILLE 2

Greg Maddux ends the season on a high note, with two complete games this series, finishing the season 12-17, with a 3.33 ERA. He had a much better 2nd half. Baines went 2-for-4, with a Grand Slam in the 5th inning.

Janesville beats T.C. 4-3, as both teams finish at the bottom with a 56-106 record. For the Tigers it was a long year after winning the division a year before.

Season finale sees the Missouri Black Bears coming to Manhattan to play the Gas Hornets. Last year the Gas Hornets season came to an end at the hand of the Black Bears in the Division series, this year the Gas Hornets reverse the favor (of disservice). Hopefully for the home team they can get some rest and avoid injuries as they prep for the post season.

High scoring affair as Key and Valenzuela get knocked out – Key after 6.1 and 4 runs, Valenzuela after 4 (and 3 runs). He was lifted for a PH, but left trailing 3-1. When Key left it was 4-4, then the Black Bears scored 2 more in the 8th, both unearned off Reardon as result of an Anderson error to take a 6-4 lead. However, in the bottom of the 8th, the Gas Hornets got to Price (2 walks) and Castillo (2 hits) and plated 4 runs (2 earned – Polidor error) to get an 8-6 come from behind (twice) victory.MBB 6-11-1 LP Castillo (0-2), BS 1MGH 8-12-1 WP Smith (2-5) S McClure (22)Galarrago goes 4 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 rbis. Joyner gets 3 hits for Manhattan.Missouri suffers two injuries in the game, Buddy Bell will miss a day after a tough play at 3rd base (but the runner was out). Castillo is done for the year with a wrist injury (8 days).

Old Arm Reuschel won’t get 20 wins this year, and in his bid for his 18th, he falls short. Going 5 innings, he gives up 5 hits and 4 runs. Black Bears get 1 in the 2nd, 2 in the 4th and another in the 5th to take a 4-0 after 4 1/2. Rasmussen is looking sharp for Missouri and holds the Gas Hornets to 1 run on 5 hits through 6.1 ip. When he leaves the game it’s 7-1 Missouri – Galarraga again hitting well, 3 for 5 with an rbi and 3 runs scored. Wynne knocks in 2 on 2 hits. Bottom of the 9th, the Gas Hornets rally scoring 3 but that’s it.

MBB  7-12-0 WP Dasmussen (7-11) / MGH 4-9-1 LP Reuschel (17-5)

Matt Williams hits #17, a 2 run shot in the 7th, that cut the score to 7-3 Gas Hornets, each team would get another run as the Gas Hornets prevail 8-4. A 3 run 3rd and 4 run 6th seal the deal – Armstrong and Price just couldn’t keep it together. Scott (the man who ended the Gas Hornets season last year with a 2 hitter) goes 6 innings giving up 3 hits and one run for the win. Galarraga gets 2 more hits a scores 1. Alfredo Griffin gets a 3 run double for the Gas Hornets.

MBB 4-8-1 LP Armstrong (2-7) /MGH 8-12-1 WP Scott (16-10)

Bonds excites things for the Black Bears in the 1st with a 2 run shot (20). That 2-0 lead holds until the 3rd when Joyner returns the feat (19). That 2-2 score is how it was through 9 as Bailes, Forsche, Ballard, and Henke keep people from scoring. Then in the 10th Santiago doubles, Bass comes in to PR and Carreon singles him home with 1 out for a 3-2 victory.

MBB 2-5-0 LP Reed (2-6) / MGH 3-9-0 WP Jone (5-1)

This game wasn’t close as the top 3 batters in the Manhattan lineup for 8 for 15 with 6 rbis and 3 runs scored. Oberkfell and Bradley each get 2 hits and 2 runs and Dave Anderson goes 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 run, 2 rbis to add to the 9-1 victory. Jack Morris got the start for Missouri and wished he’d missed the bus going 3.1 innings, 10 hits and 6 runs.

MBB 1-6-0 LP Morris (6-19) /MGH 9-15-0 WP Clary (11-5)

The Gas Hornets had a 2-1 lead going into the 4th. They made a whole lot of substitutions and it must have affected Leary (maybe he
thought the guys behind him couldn’t field, or couldn’t hit or both – and he was going to have to be pin-point precise) – don’t know,
doesn’t matter. Top of the 4th the Black Bears unload for 4 runs including a Foley 3 run shot (7). Meanwhile Jimmy Key, finishing up the season against his former mates, SCATTERS 12 hits over 7.2 innings giving up just 2 runs (he benefitted from 2 GIDPs) to get the win.

MBB 6-8-0 WP Key (13-11) /MGH 2-13-1 LP Leary (9-6)

The regular season ends with Manhattan finishing first again in the NL East at 111-51, the Black Bears, after a playoff season, drop to 52-110 on the year – but watch out, they have a bright future ahead.Gas Hornets get rested, but do suffer an injury that will carry them
into the post season (and they need to figure out which guys will be the starters).

Battle of the last place teams in the AL East as Stockton visits Montana.

Cary throws 7 strong innings and gets backing from Gallagher and Herr who get 3 hits a piece. Montana never trails in win.

FINAL – MCT 4 STO 1

Ellis Burks 3-run HR in the 7th puts Montana ahead for first time in game. Hayes gets 2 hits and 3 RBI in losing cause. Harper and Jordan get 3 hits a piece for Montana.

FINAL – MCT 6 STO 4

Harper goes 4-4 with a HR to lead MCT. Leonard ties game in the top of the 8th with solo HR. Belle wins in bottom half with RBI Triple.

FINAL – MCT 5 STO 4

Five run 8th inning gives Montana come from behind victory. Girardi and Burks get 3 hits a piece. Hayes gets 3 hits for Stockton.

FINAL
– MCT 10 STO 6

Ken Hill goes the distance as Montana wins going away. Harper continues hot bat with 3 for 4 day.

FINAL – MCT 7 STO 2

Montana breaks 3-3 tie in the 7th with two runs. Harper gets another 3 hit game. Herr goes 3 for 3.

FINAL – MCT 5 STO 3

Stockton avoids the sweep as Thompson goes 2 for 4 with a HR. Mike Dunne gets the win with solid outing.

FINAL – STO 4 MCT 3

Montana takes the series 6 games to 1. Brian Harper, despite only playing four games, has a monster series at the plate going 13 for 16 in the series.