AXN 6, TYC 7 F/10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
AXN 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0
TYC 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 1
W - Takatsu (1-0) L - Hasegawa (0-1) Blown Save - Hasegawa (1)
Both two time champions squared off in their first game of the season in what was also expected to be a pitching duel between Barry Zito and Randy Johnson. However, neither ace looked particularly sharp, with both giving up two homeruns apiece. Tycoon 1B Fred Mcgriff had two homeruns (both 2 run shots), while the Alyxian Ken Griffey Jr.’s grand slam was shortly followed by Brian Jordan’s solo homerun in the 7th. But the Darkpaw bullpen could not hold on. Shigetoshi Hasegawa blew the save in the ninth by failing to get out of a bases loaded jam, and then proceeded to walk in the winning run for the Tycoons in the tenth. While the Darkpaws are certainly glad to see Griffey homer once again, they must be totally aghast with their bullpen situation, a nightmare weakness that has now continued for several seasons. Hasegawa struggled dreadfully last season to close games and it was expected that they would use their cap room this offseason to shore up their relievers. Ultimately it was decided to invest these points in new DH Mike Piazza and second starter Kerry Wood, and no changes were made to the bullpen. Although it’s just the first game of the season, the Darkpaws might not have such a long leash for Hasegawa; should he struggle further, they might need to turn to relievers Satoru Komiyama or Rich Garces to actually close games since their other closer, Lance Carter, is only control 2. Since they have no cap room, pulling off a trade would require a perfect coincidence of wants, and probably require more than the Darkpaws would be willing to part with. On the Tycoon side, the team’s owner (the Ghost of Mao) remarked briefly that despite the win, he was not happy with his team’s sloppy performance; after which remarks he proceeded to flick kitty litter at the reporter before scurrying under the dining room table to hide.
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LIN - 9, RED - 5 F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
LIN 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 4 0
RED 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0
W - Karsay (1-0) L - Takatsu (0-1)
If you thought that most teams were sending their best pitchers to the mound in the first game of the seasons, it would stand to reason to assume that we'd see some pretty good pitching duels. But that trend clearly has not been the case thus far, perhaps personified best in this game between the JELLY QUEEN DREAM TEAM and the Red Clay Aces, where a whopping grand total of 14 runs were tagged to both teams best pitchers. Neither starters Josh Beckett and Mark Buehrle were particularly effective, nor was Red Clay reliever Shingo Takatsu who was responsible for the meltdown in the top of the 8th. The only pitcher who didn't give up any runs was the Lindsyan reliever Steve Karsay, who pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win. On the batting side, it was interesting to note the Lindsyans make a game time decision to play 2B Brian Roberts, a defensive specialist, instead of the better hitting 2B Jose Vidro. While they brought in Roberts for his defense, he had a bit game at the plate with 3 doubles, 2 RBI, and a stolen base.
MEL - 1, ZSY - 3 F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
MEL 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ZSY 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
W - Wells (1-0) L - Moyer (0-1) S - Graves (1)
Although Z-Slayer Park has largely been repaired from the bombing it sustained from the Zachrian Air Force during last season's intense playoff round against their archrival Wildhearts, the parking lot outside the stadium is still more or less just a smoking crater with a large cloud of Zachrian gas still hovering around the nearest highway off ramp. But officials insist, "the House that Sid Meier built" is structurally safe and ready for baseball. The few fans that did make it to the game were surely surprised to find that of all games, their superhuman Z-Slayer offense would be participating in the best pitching duel of Series 1 thus far. The former Cy Young winner Jamie Moyer pitched a solid 7 innings, only once making a serious mistake in giving up a 3 run homer to one of the newest Z-Slayer offensive weapons, SS Jack Wilson. On the Z-Slayer side, Kip Wells also put in an excellent performance, dominating the Marauders for seven innings, also only making a single slip up in the for of a solo shot surrendered to MEL DH Frank Thomas. After his seven innings, Wells turned the game over to closer Danny Graves, who secured the save and the Z-Slayers first win of the season. Next game will feature both team's offensive units trying to come alive with a Josh Beckett vs. Runelyvs Hernandez matchup.
W - Wells (1-0) L - Moyer (0-1) S - Graves (1)
Although Z-Slayer Park has largely been repaired from the bombing it sustained from the Zachrian Air Force during last season's intense playoff round against their archrival Wildhearts, the parking lot outside the stadium is still more or less just a smoking crater with a large cloud of Zachrian gas still hovering around the nearest highway off ramp. But officials insist, "the House that Sid Meier built" is structurally safe and ready for baseball. The few fans that did make it to the game were surely surprised to find that of all games, their superhuman Z-Slayer offense would be participating in the best pitching duel of Series 1 thus far. The former Cy Young winner Jamie Moyer pitched a solid 7 innings, only once making a serious mistake in giving up a 3 run homer to one of the newest Z-Slayer offensive weapons, SS Jack Wilson. On the Z-Slayer side, Kip Wells also put in an excellent performance, dominating the Marauders for seven innings, also only making a single slip up in the for of a solo shot surrendered to MEL DH Frank Thomas. After his seven innings, Wells turned the game over to closer Danny Graves, who secured the save and the Z-Slayers first win of the season. Next game will feature both team's offensive units trying to come alive with a Josh Beckett vs. Runelyvs Hernandez matchup.
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MMD - 1, STL - 0 F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
MMD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W - Miceli (1-0) L - Simontacchi (0-1) S - Foulke (1)
Opening Day in St. Louis saw the reigning Cy Young award winner Carl Pavano take the mount representing his new team. And he looked just as good as he did last year, pitching 7 innings of domination in which a runner had made it into scoring position only one time. The Cardinal starter Bud Smith was able to keep pace for most of the game, although he did have to work out of trouble once or twice. That being said, the Meow Meow offense stranded quite a few number of base runners, one of the principle offenders being left fielder Eric Chavez, who will absolutely need to produce for this offence to perform at a big league level. After a dinky bases loaded single by Marco Scutaro, Meow Meow handed the game over to Dan Miceli and their all star closer Keith Foulke, who picked up the win and the save respectively.
W - Miceli (1-0) L - Simontacchi (0-1) S - Foulke (1)
Opening Day in St. Louis saw the reigning Cy Young award winner Carl Pavano take the mount representing his new team. And he looked just as good as he did last year, pitching 7 innings of domination in which a runner had made it into scoring position only one time. The Cardinal starter Bud Smith was able to keep pace for most of the game, although he did have to work out of trouble once or twice. That being said, the Meow Meow offense stranded quite a few number of base runners, one of the principle offenders being left fielder Eric Chavez, who will absolutely need to produce for this offence to perform at a big league level. After a dinky bases loaded single by Marco Scutaro, Meow Meow handed the game over to Dan Miceli and their all star closer Keith Foulke, who picked up the win and the save respectively.
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