1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MMD 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 0
W - Schilling (1-0) L - Oliver (0-1)
The Cardinals have not only lost their first two games of the season, but they’ve been entirely shut out both times. This is thanks in large part to excellent Meow Meow starting pitching; reigning Cy Young winner Carl Pavano’s near flawless performance in Game 1 was followed by an equally strong showing by Curt Schilling, who dominated in 8 scoreless innings, although there were a few wasted opportunities for the Cardinals. The same could be said for Meow Meow Dui, except that they had a few opportunities where they were able to capitalize as well. A Greg Zaun two run homer in the fifth kicked off a small rally, in which SS Marco Scutaro notched his 2nd RBI of the game and 3rd of the season, which leads the team. Chris Hammond, the former Z-Slayer, came in to relieve Schilling in the 9th, and ended up working his way into a bases loaded jam. Despite the heart of the Cardinals order coming up to bat with only 1 out, they weren’t able to put any runs on the board. For the Cardinals, the disappointing start to the season can be partially chalked up to the fact that they’ve faced two of the best pitchers in the league; they will try to right the ship with their next series, a single game against their Division 2 rivals the Maxion Bombers. Meow Meow Dui, on the other hand, celebrated the near perfect execution of their strategy, as described by their general manager Checko Checko Taklamente: “The three pillars of our success are quite simple. First, a focus on strong pitching above all else. Secondly, Chinese medicine. Third, NO JAPANESE OR KOREAN PLAYERS!!!” We’ll see how they do with their third and fourth starters take the mound, with specifically Kenny Rodgers facing off against the offense obsessed Z-Slayers. Stay tuned for an epic clash of an all pitching team facing an all hitting team; surely the matchup that everyone will be watching next round.---------------------------------------------------
RED 7, LIN 0 F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
RED 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
LIN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W – Fogg (1-0) L – Schoenweiss (0-1)
The scoreboard above tells the story pretty well; besides a hell storm in the 4th, there was really not much going on in this game. Both teams racked up a pile of wasted opportunities either by stranding baserunners or by constantly rolling outs on the hitters card. Scott Schoenweiss had pitched well in the first three innings before giving up a leadoff triple to Alfonso Soriano in the fourth; he then proceeded to get the next two batters out before Larry Walker brought Soriano home with an RBI single. But even with two outs, the Aces managed to rally with a series of walks and singles culminating in a Paul Konerko grand slam. Although the other pitchers in the game pitched well (Josh Fogg completed the game for the Aces, while relievers Lance Painter and Braden Looper admirably ate up the next five innings for the Lindsyans) the rest of the game was a pageantry of offensive folly. The JELLY QUEEN DREAM TEAM certainly had opportunities to chip away at the Red Clay lead, but they failed time and time again. It will be interesting to see which versions of the Lindsayns show up for their intra-league matchup when they travel to Bobia this weekend. Red Clay, on the otherhand, will host the Marauders, looking to get back into the saddle of leadership of Division 2. -------------------------------------------------
ZSY 9, MEL 0 F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ZSY 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 3
MEL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W – Hernandez (1-0) L – Beckett (0-1)
Melmegetian Owner Dr. Vindaloo was so furious in his post-game press conference, that much of what he said was not intelligible in his thick Indian accent. “Tell me; what other explanation could you offer? Runelyvs Hernandez sucked for my team last year! He couldn’t pitch his way out of a curry soaked paper bag! And now you tell me that he shuts out his old team once that he has joined another one that is constantly under suspicion of steroid use? No no no my friend, this is too much for this former professional cricket player to swallow.” Whatever comes of these heavy accusations, the Marauders certainly cannot be happy with their 0-2 start to the season, scoring only 1 run in their first two games against a team that is not exactly considered a pitching powerhouse. Josh Beckett did pitch well for the Marauders, allowing only two runs in six strong innings. One of these runs was only possible due to Carl Crawford stealing his way to third base after a walk, in similar fashion to the Bobian Juan Pierre. Things really fell apart after Beckett left the game. Buddy Groom entered in the seventh and gave up a two run homer to former Marauder Ralph Kiner. 3B Jeff Cirillo homered again in the 8th, while Paul Lo Duca capped off a ninth inning rally with a bases loaded double. On the flip side, also former Marauder Runilyvs Hernandez pitched seven shutout innings for the Z-Slayers, keeping the Marauders scoring chances to a minimum. Although the Z-Slayers must be beaming with pride to see their offense take flight, they must also be very excited about the excellent pitching results from their first two starters, who last year were 3rd and 4th in their respective rotations last year. The real test of this team, however, will come in the next two games when their 3rd and 4th starters take the mound, who together add up to a measly 130 points. When combined with a very thin bullpen, the real test here will be to see if the offense has enough firepower to overcome this. In no better way will this experiment be run than in their next game where the Z-Slayers will battle for first place against the pitching focused Meow Meow Dui. The Marauders, at the other hand, currently dwell in the basement of Division 2, and will have a tough matchup next series against the Red Clay Aces.
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