Series 8: The looooooooong Game

MAX 4, MEL 2 F
W – Daal (1-2)            L - Beckett (1-2)              S - Rivera (2)

Two of the most lackluster teams in the league took to the field in this one, eager to pick up some wins to make a late season playoff push. The Bombers were the first try strike with a three run rally in the second inning, the big hit coming in the form of a Bengie “Don’t Make Fun of My Speed” Molina double, which knocked in his 9th RBI of the season, second best on the team. Corey Koskie and Edgar Martinez also had RBIs, while Richie Ashburn notched the first of his two stolen bases in this contest. On the flip side of things, Bombers starter Omar Daal had his best performance of the year, going seven and one thirds strong innings. The second straight good performance from Daal definitely gives some hope for this team’s rotation going forward. Vindaloo’s team did not go down without putting up a fight, however.  Daal allowed the leadoff runner on in the eighth before eventually giving way to reliever Ugueth Urbina, who gave up a series of hits to the heart of the Marauder order. When things were said and done, the Marauders had added two runs thanks to big hits from LF Brandon Larson and DH Frank Thomas. Melmegetian reliever Juan Acevedo ran into some trouble himself in the top of the ninth, but was relieved by Latroy Hawkins who managed to escape from a bases loaded one out jam. But the Marauders could do nothing with their last chance in the ninth, as the game was closed out by Mariano Rivera, who earned his second save on only just his third appearance this year. The Bombers have to be happy with their performance in this one, as all parts of the team did well. Dr. Vindaloo, however, is nervously looking over his shoulder; a loss next game would switch his team’s position in the standings with the Bombers, leaving them in the basement of Division 2.
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AXN 1, LIN 3 F
W – Schoenweiss (1-2)            L - Wood 02 (0-2)              S - Karsay (1)

Lindsyan starter Scott Schoenweiss dominated the Darkpaws for six innings, surrendering only 4 hits and a walk during that time. His opponent, Kerry Wood 02, also pitched well but got burned three times in the middle innings; he gave up a solo homerun to Manny Ramirez in the fourth, an RBI double to 2B Brian Roberts (who is in an absolutely vicious competition with BOB 2B Marcus Giles for Division 1 All-Star) in the fifth, and an RBI double to Manny Ramirez again in the sixth. Steve Karsay entered the game in relief of Schoenweiss in the seventh, and pitched three solid innings of relief to earn a save. He did have a scare in the eighth, however, when the Darkpaw offense was able to string together a few hits and score a run. After the game, the JELLY QUEEN was quite happy with her team’s performance, particularly with Manny Ramirez. Although she just kept saying “BRAKOW!” an interpreter insisted that she was trying to express the idea that a hot hitting Manny would be essential for the team to claw its way (no pun intended) back into playoff contention. As for the Darkpaws, speculation is building that long-time starter Kerry Wood will be leaving the team at the end of the season to possibly join an expansion team.

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TYC 2, RED 5  F/17
W – Harper (1-1)    L - Ryan (0-1)     Blown Save - Quantril (1)

Fighting for dominance of the Pee Wee League, neither team really looked like a Division Champ in this one. Both starting pitchers ran into trouble in the first inning, and both worked out of their respective jams with one out or less. For the next seven innings, both pitchers pitched quite well, allowing a runner to reach scoring position every now and then but also getting their fair share of 1-2-3 innings. It also must be said that the lack of runs is also due in large part to the incompetence of the offensive units, who had awful rolls the entire night. As for the starters, Kerry Wood 04 was solid in his first start as a Tycoon, going seven strong but allowing a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, both due to bases loaded walks. His rival, Aces starter Josh Fogg, was just a bit better, also going seven innings but not surrendering a single run. Fogg was relieved in the eighth by Paul Quantril who proceeded to blow the hold (and save) by surrendering a two run homer to reigning MVP Jeremy Giambi. After that, the game went through another eight innings of absolutely shameful offensive performance, without either team scoring. As one of the longest games in league history, this obviously took a toll on both team's bullpens. For the Aces, Quantril pitched one inning, Shingo Takatsu pitched four, Billy Wagner three, and winning pitcher Travis Harper did two. For the losing Tycoons, Trevor Hoffman pitched one, Danny Kolb pitched three, Shingo Takatsu also pitched four, and B.J. Ryan, already used twice in a row, surrendered a three run walk-off homer to Aces firstbaseman Jason Giambi to end the game. Interestingly enough, this was the first loss all year assigned to a Tycoon reliever or closer. This result certainly puts the pressure on the starting pitchers for Game 2 of the series; the edge definitely goes to Tycoon starter Brad Penny, who has been known to complete games. The Aces will send the always reliable Ben Sheets to the mound, who although a very reliable starter, is typically a six inning pitcher.