1983 DIVISION SERIES
Cedar Park vs. Fort Worth –
Game One – A pitching match up between Soto and Boddicker that was expected to be low scoring. It was. Hal McRae managed a single off Soto in the Bear’s first, and after Oberkfell walked, Mike Easler lined a single to right and McRae scored, sliding around the tag by Parrish. After Boddicker pitched out of a jam in the top of the 5th, the Bears managed another run off Soto with two outs. McRae singled and Claudell Washington tripled to score McRae. No scoring by either team unti the Panthers 9th. Leon Durham led off with a triple. Boddicker then threw a wild pitch to allow Durham to score. However, he settled down from there and finished up the game. FINAL score, Cedar Park 2, Forth Worth 1.
Game Two – Charlie Hudson for FW, Lamar Hoyt for CP. Hoyt would last only 3 innings as he and 4 other Bear’s hurlers were pounded by the Panthers for 8 runs and 11 hits. The Bears out hit the Panthers collecting 15, but not enough of them were for extra bases to keep up with the visitors scoring. Leon Durham got Forth Worth off to a good start with a 3-run HR in the first. The Panthers never trailed. In the 3d, Lansford tripled and scored on Bonnell’s double. Durham’s grounder moved Bonnell over, then a throwing error by Ramirez allowed Bonnell to score. Inning after inning the Bears had baserunners as Hudson gave up 13 hits, but they did not score enough runs while their pitchers kept giving them up. FINAL: Forth Worth 8 Cedar Park 6.
Cedar Park head up I-35 to Forth Worth, TX, wondering what to expect from their pitching staff.
The defending Champions look to defend their 82 title as the 83 Division Series moves to Ft. Worth. The weather was supposed to be near perfect for the two games with temperatures in the lows 70’s.
Game Three – The Bears leadoff hitter, Puhl led of the game with a bloop single and went to third on a hit and run single by McRae. For McRae it was his 5th hit of the series making him 5 for 9. Cedar Parks last OF, Washington made the Bears 3 for 3 in the first with another bloop hit scoring Puhl. Oberkfell followed with Cedar Park’s 4th straight single scoring McRae and Cedar Park was now up 2 – 0 with no outs and runners on second and third and with their DH coming to bat hitting .556 after the first two games, but Easler lines out to Smalley. After a walk to Chambliss Panther starter Stuper faced Hubbard with the bases loaded and in serious jeopardy of letting game 3 get out of hand quickly. Hubbard hits a shot toward the gap in left field but Peters runs it down. Washington scores and Hernandez cuts it to third to catch Oberkfell, who along with Chambliss was trying to advance on the throw to the plate. After the top of the first Cedar Park was up 3 zip.
The Panthers started their comeback when Hernandez led off the bottom of the first with a home run.
Both starting pitchers settled down after that with Stuper getting help in the top of the 3rd as the Panther defense snuffed out another Bear runner trying to grab an extra base, “Space on the right … OBERKFELL leading off … now STUPER pitches … soft blooper to right toward the gap … and MUMPHREY … cuts it off on the bounce … OBERKFELL’s well around second they’re waving him on here comes the throw EASLER’s going for second on the throw OBERKFELL’s in at third … SMALLEY cuts it to second … and EASLER’s tagged out…not even close … BEARS gone!”
In the 5th after the first two runners reached on a walk and a single for Ft. Worth Durham came on to pinch hit for Bonilla, but hit into an easy 4-6-3 double play as Heath moved to third. The next hitter, Mumphrey hits a ball past the diving Hubbard to score Heath then Hernandez followed with another two out hit doubling home Hubbard to tie the game at 3.
Both teams had chances with a runner getting to second base in the 6th inning, but neither team delivered. The Bears also had a runner thrown out trying to steal 2nd to end the top of the 7th
In the bottom of the 7th after Mumphrey walked with two outs southpaw Diaz came on for Cedar Park to face one of the leagues best clutch hitters in Hernandez. The Panther’s first baseman battled the crafty lefty to a full count, “There goes MUMPHREY … lined toward first … it’s over his head … PUHL’s got a long way to go MUMPHREY races to third … they’re waving him home … the throw from right field … too late MUMPHREY scores … PANTHERS lead! … and HERNANDEZ’s in to second standing PANTHERS 4, BEARS 3” It was the 4th hit of the series and his second double in as many at bats.
The Bears couldn’t do anything with a lead off single in the 8th, but had a chance to tie the game with two outs in the 9th and runners on 1st and 2nd, “The runners take their lead … ZACHRY deals … RAMIREZ lashes one to right … base hit CEDENO’s rounding third … they’re holding him up … but he’s going anyway he ran right through the red light … coming down the line … here comes MUMPHREY’s throw on the bounce … OUT!…great throw … go to town, PANTHERS! … they cut off the tying run! they cut off the tying run! … the coach was waving frantically to hold him up … what was he thinking about? PANTHERS win ” Cedar Park had 5 runners thrown out on the bases including two caught stealing. FINAL SCORE : PANTHERS 4, BEARS 3
Game Four – It didn’t take long to see how game three would affect the Bears in game 4 as the Panthers exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the first knocking out Cedar Park starter, Pena before he could even record an out. The first 8 Panther batters reached on hits.
Ft. Worth got two more runners on in the second but stranded them.
When Ft. Worth started subbing players Cedar Park quickly let them know they wouldn’t go down with out a fight. With 1 out and two runners on McRae came up to hit in the third, “The offering from LAPOINT … MCRAE rams it down the line … it squirts by the diving MILLER this will roll awhile … BONNELL is chasing it down … BILARDELLO rounds third … he’ll score RAMIREZ will score … MCRAE turns on the afterburners … he’s heading for third now the relay throw … safe with a sliding triple” It was McRae’s 6th hit of the series and his first triple. He later scores on a deep fly ball by Cedeno. After 3 innings the score was Panthers 7, Bears 3.
In the top of the 4th Cedar Park made the Panthers more nervous since they had already taken out several key players when Bears quickly scored 2 more runs after the first 3 hitters reached on two singles and a double. Panther starter, LaPoint works out of the jam getting two pop ups and a ground out to 2nd. The game was no longer a blow out as the Bears now only trailed by two at 7 to 5.
Cedar Park almost tied the game in the 6th when Hubbard came up with a runner on and only one out, “LAPOINT rocks and fires … lofted down the line to right … that could be trouble BONNELL races over … into the corner … he leaps … he’s got it!”
In the bottom of the 6th with one out and a runner on 2nd Cedar Park reliever Diaz is thrown out of the game for plunking Heath in the leg. Diaz kept Cedar Park in the game as he cooled down the Panther attack after they had knocked out Pena in the first. After Washington struck out Bonilla walked to load the bases then veteran Rivers cleared them with a double. It was only the 2nd hit of the series for Rivers.
Cedar Park got a lead off walk in the 7th but the runner was quickly erased on a double play. Ft. Worth goes on to take game 4 and the series. FINAL SCORE: PANTHERS 10, BEARS 5
Congratulations to Cedar Park on a fine season
Detroit vs. Washington –
Washington hosts the ever dangerous Detroit Stars. Detroit comes into the series at a bit of a disadvantage with their two ace starting pitchers needing a little more rest.
GAME #1
Detroit struck 1st blood in the 3rd scoring a run. Detroit added runs in the 7th and 8th innings taking a 3-0 lead to the bottom of the 8th.
Russell was brilliant for 7 innings, yielding 0 runs and 1 hit, however, like so many times throughout this season, the Past Timers rebounded. In the 8th, the Past Timers lifted themselves off the floor and snapped back like a rattle snake scoring 4 runs, knocking out Russell and Niedenfuer. The 4 run rally was topped off by a 2 run double by Aikens.
Citarella came on in the 9th for the Past Timers to record a 1-2-3 9th and the save.
Final Score: Washington 4 – Detroit 3
GAME #2
This game was a lot different from game #1. The Past Timers came out swinging. With 2 on and 2 out in the 1st, Brett hit a 3-run homer.
After Detroit scored in the top of the 3rd, Aikens hit a 2-run homer to put Washington up by 4 runs..
Detroit added runs in the 6th and 7th from solo homeruns from Horner and Stapleton.
But it wasn’t enough, because in the bottom of the 6th inning, Washington exploded for 7 runs, putting the game out of reach.
Final Score: Washington 12 – Detroit 4
The series now moves to Detroit, where Washington hopes to luck out a win over Denny or Guidry.
Game Three – Fontenot vs. DeLeon
Detroit scores 3 in the 2nd and 4 in the 6th and puts a licking on the starter Fontenot winning 9-2
Fontenot goes 5 giving up 7 hits and 6 runs- DeLeon gets the win going 7 giving up 2 runs with 9 Ks
Whitaker with a HR and 3 RBIs; Franco and Stapelton 2 RBIs each, Herndon and Pena had 2 hits each for Wash
Game Four – McMurtury vs. Guidry
Guidry gives up solo shots in the 1st and 2nd to Moseby and Moreland, then in the 3rd with 2 outs and a man on 2nd he calls for the trainer complaining of arm trouble….you’ve got to be kidding me…he is done for the next 5 days…I need you today not in 5 days I yell to Louisiana Lighting; he tells me he cant move his arm and hits the showers…I make the call for Hawkins who gets us out of the 3rd but cant get anybody out in the 4th…C’MON…Campbell comes in and gets me out of the inning n-scaved; WHEW…he pitches quite well going 3 but did give up a HR to Moseby his 2nd of the game. Now down 4-0 in the 6th Detroit starts a comeback with Whitaker scoring on a Horner single; Bottom 7 down 4-1 Rice cranks out a solo shot 4-2. In the 8th Parker scored the tying run on a Whitaker single…Free Baseball Baby…Wash. does not score in the 10th or 11th but bottom 11 after a lead off 2b by Wynegar then a IBB to Baylor, Parker comes thru with the game winning 2b and a 5-4 victory….Sutter, Curtis and Scherrer shut down Wash with 5 scoreless innings.
Series is tied up 2-2
and Detroit is counting on CY Young candidate and 24 game winner John Denny to out-duel Dave Steib.
Game Five –
In a game that featured both teams aces and promised to be a pitchers duel, turned into nothing but a nickel and dime game.
Washington struck in the 1st scoring 3 runs to take a quick 3-0 lead.
Detroit came right back with a run in the top of the 2nd making it a 3-1 game.
However, Washington answered Detroit’s run by scratching out their own run.
Ozzie Smith squeezed home Moreland to put Washington up 4-1.
In Detroit’s 3rd, Horner’s 2-run homer made the game close 4-3.
In the 4th, Washington’s Moseby doubled in 2 runs chasing Denny, with Curtis now pitching for Detroit. So much for the pitchers duel. After 4 innings, Washington up 6-3.
Stieb was pulled after 5 innings, after giving up 3 runs and scattering 8 hits.
Warren came into to relieve Stieb, by pitching the 6th & 7th and yielded a run in the 6th. After 6 innings Washington 6 – Detroit 4.
In the bottom of the 7th, with Curtis still pitching, Aikens hit a solo shot which prompted the hook again. Scherrer, now pitching, yielded another run, making the score Washington 8, Detroit 4 after 7 innings.
With Garrelts now pitching for Washington, Detroit added another run in the top of the 8th to make it an 8-5 game.
In the bottom of the 8th, Moseby hit a 2-run homer to make it 10-5.
Smith, now pitching for Washington, had a 1-2-3 9th inning, thus giving Washington its very first playoff series win.
FINAL: WASHINGTON 10 – DETROIT 5
If my research is correct, this is the first playoff series victory in the 14 year history of this franchise.
Again, if my research is correct, this series victory avenges the loss to Detroit in a 1977 divisional series victory when the Washington franchise was called the Texas Spirit.
Washington tip toes quietly out of this series, because Detroit was a very tough team to beat. They could easily have won their division and this playoff series. Denny & Guidry had great seasons along with Jim Rice and Don Baylor. I tip my cap respectfully to Sergio on putting together a great team, and consider myself fortunate to have beaten him.
Hollywood vs. Valdosta –
For the first time in 8 years, Hollywood actually will host a playoff series. In 1975, Hollywood won their 2nd World Series Championship then stripped their team clean. In 1980, Hollywood began it’s run of 3 straight wild card appearances. In 1983, they finally won the division. They take on Valdosta, who had to travel 3000 miles to the Golden State.
Game One – Frank Tanana vs Matt Young. Hollywood is taking a bit of a gamble at home, throwing their #3 & #4 starters, and holding their #1 & #2 guys for the road.
1st inning: Damaso Garcia leads off and reaches on a Pedro Guerrero error. Then Dikie Thon draws a walk. young gets Tim Wallach on an infield fly, Greg Luzinski on a fly out and Jack Clark on an easy grounder, to end the threat in the first. With 2-outs, Pedro Guerrero singles, but is stranded by Eddie Murray.
2nd inning: Billy Sample draws a 1-out walk and steals 2nd. Bob Brenly is walked “unintentionally” and Tanana sacrifices them over. Garcia pops out to Jim Gantner to end the threat. With 2-outs, Jim Gantner singles but is stranded by Garry Templeton.
3rd inning: The Bombers go 1-2-3. With 1-out, Rickey Henderson walks and steals 2nd. He then moves to 3rd on a Dale Murphy groundout and is stranded when Guerrero strikes out.
4th inning: Both teams go 1-2-3.
5th inning: Frank Tanana reaches on a Templeton error with 1-out, but is stranded. Jim Gantner leads off with a single. Templeton lines out to 3rd for out #1. Young sacrifices him to 2nd base, but Henderson flies out for out #3.
6th inning: Jack Clark walks with 2-outs then is stranded. Hollywood goes 1-2-3
7th inning: The Bombers once again go 1-2-3. With 1-out, Carlton Fisk doubles to the gap. Then after Gantner pops out, Garry Templeton doubles home Fisk for the first run of the game. Hollywood leads 1-0. Matt Young, who was standing in the batters box, heads back towards the dugout expecting a pinch hitter and is stopped by Manager Cutler. Here is the conversation….”Matt what are you doing?, said Cutler” “Skipper, aren’t you pinch hitting for me?, said Young. Cutler, looking at him dumbfounded, says, “Uh, no…you have a no hitter.” Young looks at the scoreboard thinking that it was a cruel joke to see all ZEROS on the Valdosta line. He smirks as he grabs his bat and heads to the plate….And ends the inning with an easy grounder.
8th inning: With Young taking deep breaths, he gets Garcia on a grounder, strikes out Thon and gets Wallach on a fly out. With 1-out, Dale Murphy walks. He promptly steals second which leads to a Pedro Guerrero intentional walk. However, Eddie Murray and Rudy Law can’t get the job done.
9th inning: Matt Young stands at the mound with Carlton Fisk, with 3-outs to go for a 1-0 win and a 1-0 series lead, but also, a no-hitter in his first playoff experience. Greg Luzinski steps to the plate…..THAT BALL’S HIT TO LEFT…HENDERSON ON THE RUN…HE’S GOT A GREAT JUMP..REACHES UP…AND BRINGS IT DOWN! 1-OUT!! Jack Clark digs in….FLY BALL TO LEFT…HENDERSON DRIFTS TOWARD THE LINE…HE’S UNDER IT….MAKES THE CATCH!!! 2-OUTS!!! Brian Downing is the last of the Valdosta hope to break up this no-hitter. THE PITCH…ON THE HANDS…IT’S A SLOW ROLLER TOWARD GUERRERO….HE CHARGES…SCOOPS IT, OVER TO FIRST…JUST IN TIME!! MATT YOUNG HAS DONE IT…HE THROWS A NO-HITTER AND HOLLYWOOD WINS 1-0 AND TAKES THE SERIES LEAD AT 1-0.
Game Two – Floyd Bannister vs Mike Madden
1st inning: Damaso Garcia walks to lead off the game, however Thon grounds into a 6-4-3 and Wallach lines out to Eddie Murray. Rickey Henderson leads off with a single. and steals 2B. However Bannister gets Murphy-Guerrero-Murray in succession to end the threat.
2nd inning: After Luzinski grounds out, Jack Clark gets the first Bomber hit of the series when he doubles to center. Mike Madden gets Downing on strikes and Sample on a popup to end the threat. Ganter walks with 2-outs, but Templeton strike out to kill any scoring thoughts.
3rd inning: Bombers go 1-2-3. Henderson walks with 1-out, but Hollywood strands him.
4th inning: Bombers & Vampires both go 1-2-3.
5th inning: Bombers go 1-2-3. Templeton walks, is sacrificed to 2nd by Madden, but is stranded by Henderson.
6th inning: Bombers & Vampires both go 1-2-3.
7th inning: With 2-outs, Luzinski singles but is left there by Clark. Rudy Law singles to lead off the bottom half. It’s the first Hollywood hit since Rickey lead off the game with a single. However Law is thrown out trying to steal. Then Bannister gets Fisk and Gantner pretty easily
8th inning: Brian Downing leads off the 8th with a homer, the first Valdosta run of the series. Lee Smith is bought in to keep the score at 1-0. Bannister gets the first 2-outs in the 8th, than is pulled for Bob Stanley. Stanley walks Henderson – who steals second. Then walks Dale Murphy and hits Pedro Guerrero to load the bases for Eddie Murray. Stanley is pulled for Tippy Martinez. Then Eddie Murphy clears the bases with a double off the base of the center field wall for a 3-1 Hollywood lead. Martinez then, with his head down, gets pinch hitter Alan Wiggins to end the inning
9th inning: Al Holland takes over for Lee Smith on the mound. He gets Damaso Garcia to fly out, Dickie Thon to ground out and Rickey Henderson robs Tim Wallach of a homer to end the game. Hollywood wins 3-1.
With the series 2-0 Hollywood the series moves to south Georgia. The Bombers managed exactly 3 hits in Hollywood and are hoping some home cookin’ of fried possum and grits will do the trick.
Game Three – It was a typical 95 degree afternoon as the Bombers hope a combination of garlic handed out to the fans and some nice sunlight will give us an advantage.
Bill Gullickson (6-12, 3.10) squared off against Moose Haas (15-9, 2.33). The game got off to an exciting start as Rickey Henderson was called out on strikes to lead off the game and was ejected. The following exchange was caught on the home plate microphone:
Umpire Doug Harvey: Strrrriiikke Thrrrreeeee!
Rickey Henderson: Rickey says bullshit!
Umpire Doug Harvey: Outside corner Rickey.
Rickey Henderson: Rickey says you are blind as a damn vampire bat. Rickey says you are full of shit!
Umpire Doug Harvey: Watch it Rickey.
Rickey Henderson: Rickey won’t put up with these bullshit calls M*F’er
Umpire Doug Harvey: You’re gone Rickey!!!!
That set the tone as the Bombers finally hit the ball smacking 4HR’s and outlasting the Vamps 7-3 for a game 3 victory.
WP-B.Gullickson (1-0)
LP-M.Haas (0-1)
HR-Luzinski (1), J.Clark (1), D.Thon 2 (2)
Game Four – Larry McWilliams (19-5, 2.24) against veteran Steve Carlton (10-11, 3.10).
The Vampires took a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st inning but that was all they would get as Lefty shut ’em down after that. The Bombers went up 3-2 in the 3rd on a 2-Run 2B by Brian Downing and an RBI 1B from Ed Romero. Bombers added 1 in the 4th and 2 in the 5th and held on to win 6-2.
WP-S.Carlton (1-0)
LP-L.McWilliams (0-1)
SV-B.Stanley (1)
So we head back west with a surprising 2-2 tie! Matt Young who tossed a historic no-hitter in game 1 will face Frank Tannana in the series finale in Hollywood.
Hollywood hosts Valdosta hoping to reclaim the glory they lost in that hick-east coast-town. All the non-pampering in a Motel 6, threw their team off.
Game Five – Young vs Tanana. Matt Young takes the mound again after no hitting Valdosta in game 1.
1st inning: Damaso Garcia walks to lead off the game. Dickie Thon strikes out, Wallach pops out, than Garcia is out trying to steal second. Rickey Henderson doubles to lead off the bottom of the inning. Then after Dale Murphy moves hiim to 3rd, Pedro Guerrero gets Hollywood on the board with an rbi single. Then is stranded on the base path
2nd inning: Greg Luzinski finally breaks through on Young stopping the 10 inning hitless streak against him, with a double. Jack Clark follows with an RBI single to tie the game at 1. Then after Downing singles him to 3rd, Billy Sample grounds into a double play that gives Valdosta a 2-1 lead. Hollywood goes down 1-2-3
3rd inning: Garcia singles, Thon walks and Wallach singles to load the bases with 1-out. Luzinski strikes out and Clark flies out to end the threat. Rickey singles and steals second, but is stranded
4th inning: Sample doubles and steals 3rd, but is stranded. Than, after Luzinski makes a critical error at first on a Carlton Fisk grounder, Jim Gantner homers to give Hollywood a 3-2 lead.
5th inning: Thon singles with 1-out than is thrown out trying to steal second. Pedro Guerrero homers to make it 4-2 Hollywood.
6th inning: After Luzinski is walked, Clark is K’d. With 1-out, Downing singles and Manager Gardner sends Luzinski to 3rd and is thrown out by Rickey Henderson. Billy Sample then reaches on an infield single, which prompts the removal of Young. George Frazier gets Bo Diaz on an easy grounder. With 2-outs, pinch hitter Ed Jurak doubles to center, then moves to 3rd on a wild pitch. He’s stranded on a Rickey grounder.
7th inning: Gary Lucas comes in and K’s pinch hitter Biff Pocoroba, before giving up a single to Garcia. Thon forces him for 2-outs. Lucas is pulled for Ray Burris who gets Wallach on a popup. Tippy comes in and gives up a lead off single to Murphy. Murphy moves to 2nd on a Eddie Murray ground out, than scores on pinch hitter Alan Wiggins single for a 5-2 lead.
8th inning: Lee Smith comes in and gives up a double to Luzinski, then strikes out Clark, before giving up a 2-run shot to Brian Downing that cuts the lead to 5-4. Sample singles then is thrown out by Fisk, who has now thrown out 3 runners in the game. With 1-out, Templeton singles. Tippy is pulled for Bob Stanley, who gives up a hit-and-run single to pinch hitter Chris Smith. Rickey then unloads a 2-run double to center that makes the lead 7-4 Hollywood. After Dale Murphy is intentionally walked, Pedro Guerrero loads the bases with a single. Then after Eddie Murray strikes out, Wiggins plays hero again with a bases clearing double and a 10-4 lead!
9th inning: Mike Walters gets them 1-2-3 and Hollywood advances with an easy win.
Lauderdale vs. Germantown –
Game One – Was all about Lauderdale’s pitching.
Game Two – Was all about Germantown’s offense.
Hello from Germantown, where the Grays host the Breakers from Lauderdale in games 3 and 4 of the Division series Championship. The Grays squeaked into the Division championship by winning the last two series of the season. First, a 4 games to 3 series victory over the fine Long Beach team whom won 20 of 28 against the Grays for the season. Then a 5 games to 2 series win over Hollywood with Long Beach falling one game short later in the week. The Grays are even with Lauderdale at 1 game a piece. Lauderdale defeated the Grays 8 games to 2 during the season. As usual the Grays found it difficult to give Lea run support and were defeated by the Breakers 3-0 in Game 1. The Grays bounced back in Game 2, winning 8-2. Regular season records no longer count, nor do the first two games of this series. It’s now the best 2 out of 3. Sit back and enjoy on this relatively mild 78 degree summer evening with clear skies.
Game Three – The Grays are sending lefty Mike Flanagan to the mound. He went 12-3 with a 2.64 ERA. The Breakers will counter Flanagan with righty Storm Davis who was 9-13 with a 3.97 ERA. The Grays struck first in the 1st with 2-out. Dawson singled, stole and scored and a Cooper grounder past Cey. Breakers tie it in the 3rs. With 2-out Paciorek singled and Hendrick brought him around with a triple. The Grays come right back in the bottom half. Dawson singled, Cooper doubled and PH Campaneris dropped it over Paciorek’s head for a 2-run single, 3-1. The Breakers get one back in the 6th. Upshaw doubled, Bernazard was intentionally walked and PH Matthews banged an RBI single, 3-2 Grays. Nahorodny then singled, 3-3. That’s how it would remain until the 12th when Yount and Cooper doubled for the walk-off win.
Breakers x-Gray Paciorek went 2-5 R 2b W and Cey 2-5 2b. Hood, Dawley and Andersen pitched 7 innings of scoreless relief.
Grays Cruz was 2-5 W Sb, Dawson 3-6 2R 2b Sb, Cooper 3-6 2RBI R 3-2b and Campaneris 1-4 2RBI. Flanagan pitched 5.1IP allowing 1R on 4H 1W w/ 3K. Burgmeier and DeLeon pitched 6.1 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
Lauderdale 3 10 0
Germantown 4 11 0 – 12 innings
Game 4. The Grays sent Charlie Lea to the mound 14-9 on the year with a 2.58 ERA to face the breakers Don Sutton 15-9 with a 2.73 ERA. The Grays scored in the 2nd. Cooper singled, DeCinces walked and Ray banged an RBI single. Then Lea added on with his own bloop RBI single, Grays 2-0. Grays add a third in the 3rd. With 2-out Cooper singled, stole and scored on a DeCinces double. Yount added an RBI single in the 4th. The Breakers get 2 back in the 6th on a 2-out double by Cey, 4-2 Grays. The Breakers made it a 1-run game in the 7th. Nohorodny singled, singled and Marshall banged an RBI single bringing Nahorodny home from second on a close play, 4-3 Grays. The Grays respond in the bottom half. Yount singled, Dawson doubled and Cooper brought Yount home on a short fly to right, 5-3. Dawson advanced to third with 1-out. Campaneris laid down a sacrifice bunt, 6-3.
Breakers Hendrick was 3-4 R and Cey 1-4 2RBI. Dawley, Hood and Lahti pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Grays Cooper went 2-2 RBI 2R W Sb SF and ay 2-4 RBI R 2b. Lea pitched 5IP allowing 0R on 2H 1W w/ 6K. Lefferts, Armstrong and Tellmann pitched 3.1 innings without allowing an earned run.
Lauderdale 3 8 2
Germantown 6 10 1
Congrats to Lauderdale for winning the National League East Title.