Arena The Baseball Draft Three - Baseball Dynasty

Aproids 9th

Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [2-4] vs. anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [1-5] @ Suntrust Park

The bottom third of the standings with an early small sample size were looking to improve their fortunes. The Enhancers would send Old Hoss to the mound, whilst the Matatas would send Max Fried. Neither would factor in the decision.

The Enhancers would strike first in the first, with Norm Cash driving home Harry Heilmann. Acuña Matata would tie it back up in the bottom of the first on a Brooks Robinson walk that would score Brian McCann. 1-1. In the third, Acuña Matata would take the lead when the eponymous Ronald Acuna Jr. would drive home Brooks Robinson and Goose Goslin with a single to left. 3-1 Matata. And then immediately in the top of the fourth, the Enhancers would tie it up on a productive out by Luke Appling, scoring Al Rosen... and then a Max Fried balk scoring Joe Mauer. 3-3.

In the fifth, Barry Bonds Barry Bondsed with a homer to make it 4-3. And in the sixth, Brooks Robinson would drive in two more runs with a double, scoring McCann and Ozzie Albies, and then Goslin would single home Robinson. 6-4 Acuña Matata. Old Hoss would be lifted in that sixth inning with a final line that included five and two-thirds innings pitched, with 6 ER on 15 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts... at least he didn't hit anyone? Max Fried would last into the seventh, before being pulled, with a final line of six and two-thirds innings, with 4 runs (2 earned), on 7 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts.

Bullpen Management. Judge Judy doesn't have it, and Brian Snitker doesn't either -- because he doesn't have a bullpen... he's got the pu-pu platter of starting pitchers, all thrown in relief. So whilst the Performance Enhancers can lift Old Hoss and turn the ball over to Blake Treinen, the Matatas turned to... Julio Teheran. Not good, Bob...

Facing one batter in the end of the 7th, Teheran escaped easily. Facing more than one batter in the 8th, he turned into Tehran with how badly he was bombed. In the 8th, he gave up a two-run, pinch hit homer to Miguel Cabrera, ending Treinen's night. 6-6. And then, after Keith Foulke held the game in the bottom of the 8th, Teheran would finish exploding in the 9th. A walk to Bonds, a plunking of Norm Cash, and then Al Rosen -- with his third hit of the night -- would drive in Bonds. Joe Mauer would drive home Cash, and then Appling would score Rosen on a fielder's choice. 9-6 Enhancers. Zach Britton would come in to easily mop up the game, and Enhancers would start their slow climb back in the standings...

Player of the Game, sponsored by Passover: Al Rosen
Final: Performance Enhancers 9, Acuña Matata 6
Win: Keith Foulke (1-0)
Loss: Julio Teheran (0-2)
Save: Zach Britton (2)

Aproids 10th

Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [3-4] vs. anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [1-6] @ Suntrust Park

Acuña Matata... what a wonderful phrase. Acuña Matata, unfortunately, ain't got no winning ways. Pete Alexander and Barry Bonds dominated the Acuña Matata squad right from the first inning, and never looked back. And Don Drysdale had an ERA the same year as Copernicus was born.

Bonds, who would have been player of the game were it not for Pete Alexander's pitching performance, had two hits, two walks, scored three times, and drove in three runs -- and got us started with the scoring with a solo homer in the first. Acuña Matata, on the other hand, had two runners reach second base all game, and had six 1-2-3 innings.

Pete Alexander finished with the complete game shutout with three hits, no walks, and 8 Ks. Don Drysdale, on the other hand, lasted seven and a third, giving up 12 earned runs, on 13 hits, seven walks, and (in one lone bright spot for the future), 7 Ks.

STAT TO WATCH: Norm Cash is on pace to shatter the HBP record...

Player of the Game, sponsored by Presidential names: Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander
Final: Performance Enhancers 12, Acuña Matata 0
Win: Pete Alexander (2-1)
Loss: Don Drysdale (0-2)

Aproids 11th

Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [4-4] vs. anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [1-7] @ Suntrust Park

A relative pitcher's duel, as Acuña Matata would try not to get swept at home.

Acuña Matata would strike first in the first, with Ozzie Albies plating Willie McCovey with a double splitting the outfielders into LF. 1-0 Acuña Matata, and that's where the score would hold until the 4th inning.

In the fourth, Catfish Hunter would make his only two real mistakes of the game. Bonds would tie the game with one out on a solo homer that almost hit the scoreboard in CF. And then Hunter, in command much of the game, would give up a single to Cash, strike out Al Rosen, and then issue his second walk of the game to Joe Mauer. And Charlie Gehringer would make him pay, launching the second homer of the game and inning, a three-run shot. 4-1 Enhancers.

That would be all of the scoring Catfish Hunter would allow, but would it be enough for Jacob deGrom and the Enhancers to hang their hat on?

Acuña Matata would get runners on base every inning after the fourth. In the sixth, they'd score their second run on a Brooks Robinson single, scoring Ozzie Albies. But in the eighth, it looked like Acuña Matata would have a chance -- double with one out -- and squandered it, as deGrom would get two quick groundouts after that. With Zach Britton coming in with the lead, Acuña Matata couldn't scratch anything else out, and the Enhancers would leave Atlanta with the sweep.

Player of the Game, sponsored by Andrew Yang saying "automation": Charlie Gehringer
Final: Performance Enhancers 4, Acuña Matata 2
Win: Jacob deGrom (2-1)
Loss: Catfish Hunter (0-2)
Save: Zach Britton (3)

Aproids 12th

anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [1-8] vs. Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [5-4] @ Shea Stadium

As the series moves back to New York, would Acuña Matata be able to at least minorly change their fortunes? As Marv Albert would say: "Yes!"

Another pitcher's duel, this one looked like it would be similar to the last game in Atlanta... until it wasn't. Both Steve Carlton and Dallas Keuchel were fantastic in this one, but from the first inning it looked like they maybe wouldn't be.

In the top of the first, Steve Carlton got into immediate trouble, with a walk to Brian McCann (... batting leadoff?) and a single to Wille McCovey, and after a strikeout of Ozzie Albies, Rob Beloir would reach on an error by Luke Appling, to load the bases with 1 out and @tom nodding sagely from offscreen about Steve Carlton. But Carlton would escape with brilliant pitching and fielding, erasing the threat on a 3-2 fielder's choice from Brooks Robinson, and getting Goslin to fly out to right for the third out.

Similarly in the bottom of the first, Dallas Keuchel would issue an immediate free pass to Ty Cobb -- who almost as immediately stole second -- and then a second walk to Harry Heilmann. As Keuchel would average just under two walks per nine in 2015, he found this pretty unusual, and then got the meat of the Performance Enhancers lineup out 1-2-3 -- Bonds line out, Cash flyout, and Rosen ground out.

From there both pitchers were settled in, and rolling. In the sixth, both pitchers would make their only mistakes -- only Dallas Keuchel's were slightly worse. Steve Carlton would give up a Brooks Robinson single that would score Ozzie Albies in the top of the sixth. 1-0 Acuña Matata. But Dallas Keuchel would give up a triple to Harry Heilmann, who would then be scored on a Barry Bonds fielder's choice, followed by Norm Cash lasering a ball out and just over the right-field wall. 2-1 Enhancers. And that's where we'd go until the ninth, where Jon Stewart would roll the dice by sending Steve Carlton back out with over 110 pitches instead of turning to early-favorite for Fireman of the Year Zach Britton. It almost worked...

Goslin pop out.
Ronald Acuña Jr strike out.
Hank Aaron hitting a ball into the apple.
TIE GAME! And Don Drysdale in for Dallas Keuchel in the bottom of the ninth would shakily shut down the Enhancers. FREE BASEBALL!

In the 10th, remembering the bullpen, Jon Stewart would turn to the Normally Reliable Keith Foulke. After getting McCovey to groundout, Ozzie Albies would hit a double, and Beloir would reach on an error by Al Rosen, before Brooks Robinson would put runners on second and third with two outs and Goslin at bat. However, despite facing the player he had, the intentional walk was handed out and leaving the fate of Acuña Matata with Ronald Acuña Jr... who promptly smoked a single through the infield and scored Albies and Beloir. 4-2 Acuña Matata.

Again, without a true bullpen, Don Drysdale would be left to finish off the game and made it interesting. A walk to Cobb, a single to Heilmann, followed by a Bonds pop-out, Cash foul out, and Al Rosen walk. Bases loaded, two outs, Joe Mauer. And no joy in the Big Apple, as Joe Mauer has struck out.

Player of the Game, sponsored eponymously: Ronald Acuña Jr
Final: Acuña Matata 4, Performance Enhancers 2 (10 Innings)
Win: Don Drysdale (1-2)
Loss: Keith Foulke (1-1)

Aproids 13th

anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [2-8] vs. Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [5-5] @ Shea Stadium

This game was another roller-coaster, and another game in which Old Hoss didn't factor in the decision -- but at least Julio Teheran fared better?

The game was tied after one at 1, due to a Harry Heilmann solo homer in the top of the inning and a Ty Cobb error on a Hank Aaron flyball that scored Brooks Robinson. That sentence gave sexual gratification to @DarthIntegral . In the third the Performance Enhancers would live up to their juiced name. Harry Heilmann would reach again on a walk, and then Norm Cash would smack a two-run homer. Followed by a back-to-back jack hit by Al Rosen. 4-1 Enhancers.

Acuña Matata would claw one run back in the fifth, with Willie McCovey doubling home Brian McCann. And in the seventh, they'd claw all the way back, with Ozzie Albies scoring Julio Teheran on a single, an Rob Beloir driving home Brian McCann with a fielder's choice. All tied up at 4...

And this is where having an actual bullpen helps. While Enhancers are running out Blake Treinen, Keith Foulke, and then Rollie Fingers at the end of the ninth... Acuña Matata still has to rely on Dallas Keuchel. And, in fairness, if not for the infield, it would have been fine. After two quick outs -- a Joe Mauer pop-out, and a Gehringer groundout -- Luke Appling walked, and David Wright came in to pinch-hit, hit a groundball to Rob Beloir... and reached on an error. Giving the Performance Enhancers an extra out is never a good plan, and this was no difference. With Wright on first, and Appling on second, Ty Cobb would hit an immediate single to load the bases, and Harry Heilmann would end the game with a walkoff and Dallas Keuchel would get the loss on an unearned run.

Player of the Game, sponsored by a plate of salt: Harry "Slug" Heilmann
Final: Performance Enhancers 5, Acuña Matata 4
Win: Rollie Fingers (1-0)
Loss: Dallas Keuchel (0-2)

Aproids 14th

anakinfansince1983 (Acuña Matata) [2-9] vs. Point Given (Performance Enhancers) [6-5] @ Shea Stadium

Another game. Another Enhancers lead wiped out by Acuña Matata. And another walkoff...

The Enhancers Enhanced in the first in the usual manner. Bonds two-run homer, Cash back-to-back solo homer. 3-0 Enhancers.

Acuña Matata scored one run in the second, with Goose Goslin scoring Brooks Robinson on a fielder's choice.
Acuña Matata scored one run in the third, with Willie McCovey crushing a homer down the left field line.
Acuña Matata scored one run in the seventh, with Brian McCann scoring Hank Aaron with a triple.

And then in the ninth, Max Fried in to pitch for Acuña Matata. Al Rosen on second, Joe Mauer on first, two outs and Luke Appling at the plate. Luke Appling would hit a hard single to left-field and Al Rosen and his speed of 60... beats the throw!

Player of the Game, sponsored by using the Force: Luke Appling
Final: Performance Enhancers 4, Acuña Matata 3
Win: Blake Treinen (2-1)
Loss: Max Fried (0-1)

Final Standings: Acuña Matata [2-10] || Performance Enhancers [7-5]

 

For the record, the only reason I gave that a like was your use of the word "eponymous"

 

Fair.

 

Tuesday, Aproids 9th
stone temple seattle pilots (3-3) at ASSES (4-2)

For Four Innings, the home fans for ASSES were treated to regular season Clayton Kershaw.

In the fifth, he morphed into Playoff Kershaw. Though, to be fair, his defense did not help him. At all.

Through four inning, Kershaw had allowed just one run - a solo homer by Jocko Milligan to lead off the second inning - and his team had carved out a 3-1 lead.

But, in the fifth ... Kershaw gave up a leadoff single to Cesar Cedeno, who then stole second. Mike Trout moved him to third, reaching on an infield single, and then Trout stole second. Kershaw retired Nap Lajoie for the first out, but the pinch-hitting Todd Helton delivered an RBI double, scoring both Cedeno and Trout, tying the game at three. A ground out by Ichiro was the second out, but an error by Hugh Duffy let Hughie Jennings reach base, and scored Helton. Tip O'Neill singled to put runners on the corner, and Jennings scored on a passed ball from King Kelly, before a Milligan RBI single scored O'Neill. A strike out of Cesar Cedeno ended the inning, and was the last batter Kershaw would face, as he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom half of the inning.

Kershaw's final line: five innings pitched, six runs allowed (three earned) on nine hits.

In the sixth, Lin-Manuel Miranda would give Koji Uehara a shot to keep ASSES in the game ... and Uehara would throw away his shot.

A walk to Trout opened the inning, and a single by Lajoie put men on the corners. After Dellin Betances popped out, Lajoie stole second, and Ichiro doubled, scoring both men on base. Hughie Jennings singled, and Marlon Anderson botched a grounder, letting O'Neill reach and Ichiro score, ending the night for Uehara, as he retired just one batter.

There was no relief to come, though, as Jake Northrupp gave up a double to Milligan to score a pair, and Milligan scored one batter later as George Brett singled. Nap Lajoie would drive in one more run in the inning, and that 13-3 lead would allow the pilots to cruise to a win in the opener.

It was a big night for Milligan, as he collected three hits, drove in four runs, and had eight total bases.

Player of the game, brought to you by Idina Menzel as Maureen: Jocko Milligan
Final: pilots 13, ASSES 3
Win: Betances (2-0)
Loss: Kershaw (0-2)

Wednesday, Aproids 10th
stone temple seattle pilots (4-3) at ASSES (4-3)

On a night when the stone temple seattle pilots needed him to be phenomenal, Pedro Martinez was juut kind of ... okayish.

And they needed more than that, because Elmer Steele was lights out. And the ASSES's bullpen was, too.

Steele went five innings, giving up just two hits while blanking the pilots.

Jake Northrupp, Koji Uehara, and Sergio Romo combined for four more shut out innings, giving up just four combined hits between them.

Martinez game up five runs (three earned) in six innings, with Mike Adams giving up another run in his one inning of relief.

Troy Tulowitzki had an double in the second. Walt Bond homered in the fourth. And, Shane Spencer drove in three runs via singles in the fifth and seventh innings.

Player of the game, brought to you by Idina Menzel as Maureen: Elmer Steele
Final: ASSES 6, pilots 0
Win: Steele (1-0)
Loss: Martinez (1-1)

Thursday, Aproids 11th
stone temple seattle pilots (4-4) at ASSES (5-3)

The ASSES brought their Gunns, Charlie Bender took it on the chin, and the home team went home happy for the second day in a row.

ASSES scored a pair in the first inning off of Bender, Hugh Duffy and Shane Spencer each provided RBI singles. stone temple seattle pilots tied it up in the top of the second, with an RBI single from Nap Lajoie, and a run-scoring error by Duffy.

But, in the bottom of the inning, ASSES took the lead right back. Marlon Anderson singled to leadoff the inning, and he scored as Troy Tulowitzki doubled. Cliff Lee lined out for the first out of the inning, but a single by Pete browning and a walk to King Kelly loaded the bases. Duffy then singled, to score Tulowitzki and Browning, and it was 5-2 to the ASSES early in the game.

We'd stay there until the fifth, when the ASSES would add three more, and knock Bender out of the game. Hugh Duffy opened the inning with a single. He stole second, and moved to third as Jocko Milligan's throw went to Mike Trout instead of Nap Lajoie. Spencer singled to score him, and after a single by Manny Ramirez, Walt Bond singled to score Spencer, before, a few batters later, Tulowitzki singled to score Ramirez. That ende the night for Bender, with Dellin Betances relieving to induce an inning-ending double play from the pinch hitting Bill Joyce.

In the seventh, Tulowitzki would add two more runs on a double - his third and fourth RBI of the night - and Mark Loretta would get a consolation RBI in the ninth.

Player of the game, brought to you by Idina Menzel as Maureen: Troy Tulowitzki
Final: ASSES 10, pilots 3
Win: Northrop (1-0)
Loss: Bender (1-1)

Friday, Aproids 12th
ASSES (6-3) at stone temple seattle pilots (4-5)

Coming home limping, stone temple seattle pilots would get the start they needed out of Zack Greinke.

Unfortunately, they would not get any offense to support him.

Greinke went seven innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. Unfortunately for him, he was opposite Walter Johnson, he tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just six hits along the way.

The first run - and, as it turns out, the winning run - was scored in the fourth inning without a hit. Or a ball even being put into play. King Kelly drew a leadoff walk. He stole second, and moved to third as Jocko Milligan's throw went to Ichiro, again. Miligan then had a passed ball, allowing Kelly to score. Greinke would escape that inning without further damage.

In the seventh, we'd get the second run of the game, this one finally producing the game's only RBI. With two outs, Troy Tulowitzki singled. He moved to third on a single by Johnson, and then scored on an infield single by Pete Browning.

After taking the hard-luck loss, Greinke is probably assuming himself to be on the trading block.

Player of the game, brought to you by Brazilian Comic Con: Walter Johnson
Final: ASSES 2, pilots 0
Win: Johnson (2-0)
Loss: Greinke (0-1)

Saturday, Aproids 13th
ASSES (7-3) at stone temple seattle pilots (4-6)

stone temple seattle pilots wasted no time getting on the board in this one. After being shutout the night before, in this matinee, they scored before they produced an out.

In the bottom of the first, Ichiro reached on a leadoff single, and moved to second as Mark Loretta reached on an error by Hugh Duffy. Todd Helton then singled to score Ichiro. Jocko Milligan then hit into what should have been an inning-ending double play, but thanks to the error, it was not. A walk to George Brett followed, a single by Cesar Cedeno scored Loretta, and a double by Tip O'Neill scored Brett and Cedeno, and it was 4-0 pilots after one inning.

We'd stay there until the top of the fourth, when the ASSES finally got to pilot's starter Elton "Ice Box" Chamberlain. "Ice Box" got Shane Spencer to line out to start the inning, but gave up singles to Manny Ramirez and Walt Bond. That was enough for the actual Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan to make the change, going to the normally reliable Dellin Betances. Betances walked Marlon Anderson to load the bases, and then walked Troy Tulowitzki to score a run. A shallow sac fly - not deep enough to score a run - kept the bases loaded and recorded the second out, but Betances couldn't escape, giving up three-run, bases-clearing double to Pete Browning to tie the game, before retiring King Kelly to end the inning.

In the fifth, the pilots would manufacture themselves back into the lead. Ichiro struck out to open the inning, but singles by Loretta and Mark Helton put runners on the corners. Milligan delivered an RBI ground out, with Helton retired at second, and Loretta coming in to score. George Brett then doubled, scoring Helton, before Cesar Cedeno grounded out to end the inning.

Loretta would add an RBI single in the seventh, giving Eric Gagne a comfortable three-run margin to work the ninth, which he did in 1-2-3 fashion.

Player of the game, brought to you by Brazilian Comic Con:
Final: pilots 7, ASSES 4
Win: Betances (3-0)
Loss: Mathewson (1-2)
Save: Gagne (1)

Sunday, Aproids 14th
ASSES (7-4) at stone temple seattle pilots (5-6)

It was a game of the long ball, with all but one run coming via homer.

Each team homered twice. for stone temple seattle pilots, it was a pair of two-run homers. For ASSES, it was a pair of solo shots.

And that was the difference in the game.

Manny Ramirez drew first blood, with a solo shot in the second. But, Jocko Milligan answered in the third with a two-run homer, and Mike Trout padded the lead with a two-run homer in the fourth. It was Ramirez again the seventh, pulling the ASSES to within two, but a George Brett RBI double in the eighth pushed the lead to three.

The pilots then went with Eric Gagne in the ninth, and he worked around a leadoff error to get the save.

Pedro Martinez was phenomenal, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out eight in eight innings of work.

Clayton "Playoff" Kershaw wasn't quite as good, giving up four runs on eleven hits and lasting just five innings.

Player of the game, brought to you by Brazilian Comic Con: Pedro
Final: pilots 5, ASSES 2
Win: Martinez (2-1)
Loss: Kershaw (0-3)
Save: Gagne (2)

Records at the end of the series:

ASSES 7-5
stsp 6-6

 

Mental note: openers vs. Pedro at all times. Possibly only openers from now on...

 

Tuesday, Aproids 9th
Every City Bandwagoners (5-1) at Amazings (1-5)

Neither team could seem to get separation early in this one.

Amazings took a quick 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out single by Hank Greenberg, but Every City Bandwagoners surged ahead in the fifth, using a two-run homer from Buster Posey. That lead lasted only until the bottom of the fifth, as Amazings, took the lead back on a two-run double by Wade Boggs, only to see the Bandwagoners tie it up in the sixth on on a Mike Schmidt RBI double.

In the bottom of the sixth, Carlos Beltran would double home Johnny Bench, and after Mr. Met lifted his started - Tom Seaver - for a pinch hitter (Tony Gwynn, who struck out), Mr. Met would have to turn to his bullpen to finish the game.

And his bullpen would have no issue doing so, with Joe Nathan and Dan Quisenberry combining for three innings of shutout ball.

Mel Ott (not yet red hot) added a two-run homer in the seventh to give that pen some breathing room.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Hating Baseball: Wade Boggs
Final: Amazings 6, Bandwagoners 3
Win: Seaver (1-1)
Loss: Clemens (1-2)
Save: Quisenberry (2)

Wednesday, Aproids 10th
Every City Bandwagoners (5-2) at Amazings (2-5)

Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer in the first inning, to give Every City Bandwagoners a 3-0 lead before Amazings could record an out.

But, Amazings tied it in the fourth, getting a leadoff homer from Wade Boggs, and a two-run homer from Babe Ruth.

Pujols drove in his fourth run of the game in the fifth on an RBI ground out.

Down one, heading into the bottom of the ninth, could Amazings find a way to give their fans hope and excitement and break their hearts?

Of Course They Could! This is Amazings we're talking about!

With one out in the ninth, Hank Greenberg homered down the leftfield line, tying the game at 4 and sending us to extra innings.

In the tenth, Mr. Met would keep the ball in the hands of Joe Nathan, on for his second inning of work.

Rickey Henderson would leave off the tenth with a single, and would score as Honus Wagner doubled. Wagner moved to third on a ground out by Pujols, and then after Tom Henke relieved Nathan, Mickey mantle would single to score Wagner. Mike Schmidt would ground out for the second out, but Larry Walker would hit a moon shot to right field, and it was 8-4 for the Bandwagoners.

Was there room for Amazings to make it even more gut wrenching for their fans? you bet!

Mr. Met sent up Jose Altuve as a pinch buzzer hitter to open the bottom of the tenth, and he singled. after a deep fly out by Jackie Robinson, Wade Boggs stepped up and homered to right, making it a two-run game with one out. Goose Gossage relieved Francisco Rodriguez at that point, and retired Mel Ott on a fly out. But, Babe Ruth doubled, and scored as Greenberg singled, putting the winning run at the plate and the tying run on first base.

Alas - these are the Amazings - and Cal Ripken Jr. lined out to second to end the game and complete the heartbreak.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Hating Baseball: Albert Pujols
Final: Bandwagoners 8, Amazings 7 (10 innings)
Win: Rodriguez (1-0)
Loss: Nathan (0-1)
Save: Gossage (1)

Thursday, Aproids 11th
Every City Bandwagoners (6-2) at Amazings (2-6)

Amazings and Every City Bandwagoners would trade punches in the early innings.

The Bandwagoners got on the board first, getting an RBI triple from Albert Pujols and an RBI single from Mickey Mantle to make it 2-0 in the top of the first.

Amazings answered right back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from Mel Ott (getting hot). But, The Bandwagoners grabbed two more runs in top of the second, thanks to a sac fly from Eddie Collins and an RBI single from Rickey Henderson, only to have Amazings grabs two of their own in the bottom of the second on a two-run double from Jackie Robinson.

And then ... both pitchers would settle in, keeping futher runs from scoring and keeping us locked at a 4-3 game until the seventh, when Rickey Henderson hit a solo homer to push the Bandwagoners' lead to 5-3.

But, in the ninth, Bandwagoners would pull away with four insurance runs, ending all drama, and freeing Amazings' fans from having the hope of a comeback. Honus Wagner had an RBI single, and Mickey Mantle a bases-loaded / bases-clearing double.

That ninth inning made it a night to forget for Warren Spahn, as his final line would end up at eight-and-two-thirds inning pitched, nine runs allowed on eleven hits.

Bret Saberhagen, meanwhile, would get the complete game, giving up just three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out six.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Hating Baseball: Bret Saberhagen.
Final: Bandwagoners 9, Amazings 3
Win: Saberhagen (1-0)
Loss: Spahn (0-1)

Friday, Aproids 12th
Amazings (2-7) at Every City Bandwagoners (7-2)

A change in venues would not bring a change in luck for Amazings, as Babe Ruth got shelled for eight runs on twelve hits in just six-and-two-thirds innings, while issuing seven walks.

Every City Bandwagoners got four runs in the bottom of the third. Albert Pujols opened the scoring, notching a single to score Rickey Henderson. Then Mike Schmidt doubled with the bases loaded, and three more runs came in.

Babe Ruth (the outfielder) and Mel Hot (he of questionable hotness) tried to keep Amazings in the game, with Ruth getting a sac fly in the fourth and Ott an RBI single in the fifth. But, in between those two runs was a two-run single by Mickey Mantle, meaning it was 6-2 for the Bandwagoners.

Two more runs in the seventh - a double by Eddie Collins and a single by Rickey Henderson - pushed it to 8-3, and ended the night for Ruth (the pitcher).

Wade Boggs would homer in the ninth - possibly while drunk - to give us the final margin.

Eddie Cicotte tossed the complete game, giving up three runs on seven hits.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Baby Yoda: Mike Schmidt
Final: Bandwagoners 8, Amazings 3
Win: Cicotte (2-0)
Loss: Ruth (0-2)

Saturday, Aproids 13th
Amazings (2-8) at Every City Bandwagoners (8-2)

A two-run home run by Babe Ruth in the top of the seventh put Amazings on top 5-4, and gave their fans some hope of stopping their slide.

It was fleeting hope.

Eddie Collins singled in the bottom of the inning to score Mickey Mantle and tie the game, and one inning later, Albert Pujols hit a two-run double to put Every City Bandwagoners back on top - this time, to stay.

Judge Judy handed the ball to Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth, and nine pitches later the game was over, and the thirty-seven fans in attendance went home happy.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Baby Yoda: Albert Pujols
Final: Bandwagoners 7, Amazings 5
Win: Papelbon (0-1)
Loss: Henke (0-1)
Save: Rodriguez (3)

Sunday, Aproids 14th
Amazings (2-9) at Every City Bandwagoners (9-2)

We're only twelve games into the season, but Amazings' fans might want to get off the emotional roller coaster now. Baseball is, once again, hurting them.

After Mike Schmidt opened the scoring for Every City Bandwagoners in the first inning with a two-out, RBI single, Amazings took the lead in bottom of the third. They got a pair of two-run homers from Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth, and were quickly up 4-1.

But, a Larry Walker solo homer in the fourth made it 4-1, and a Mike Schmidt three-run homer in the fifth made it 5-4.

Hank Greenberg put Amazings back on top at 6-5, delivering a two-run single with two outs in the seventh, only to see Schmidt single home Mickey Mantle in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game at six.

That's where we stood entering the ninth inning, with the universally loathed Jonathan Papelbon on for Judge Judy's Bandwagoners. The inning opened with an error - Honus Wagner misplaying a grounder - and Jackie Robinson reaching base. Tony Gwynn then singled to right, putting runners on the corners. Papelbon struck out Babe Ruth, but gave up a towering home run to REIGNING MVP MEL OTT (WHO IS RED HOT), and Amazings lead 9-6.

Mr. Met gave the ball to his closer - Dan Quisenberry - and in an eerie sign of mirroring, the bottom half of the inning opened with Honus Wagner reaching base on an error by Cal Ripken, Jr. Albert Pujols doubled, scoring Ripken, and Mickey Mantle tripled, scoring Pujols. Schmidt flew out to shallow left, but Larry Walker delivered a single to right to score Mantle and tie us at nine, before Buster Posey hit into a double-play to send us to extra innings.

Amazings would put the potential go-ahead run in scoring position with one out in the eleventh and twelfth innings, but do nothing with that.

That brought us to the thirteenth inning, and Warren Spahn in his second inning of relief work. He got two quick outs - a ground out from Rickey Henderson and a shallow fly out from Wagner. But, he walked Albert Pujols, and a single by Mantle moved Pujols to third, putting the winning run ninety feet away. Mike Schmidt, however, made the distance Pujols had to travel negligible, as he hit a walk-off, three-run homer to win it, giving him two three-run homes in the same game, and eight RBI on the night.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Baby Yoda: Mike ****ing Schmidt
Final: Bandwagoners 12, Amazings 9 (13 innings)
Win: Rodriguez (2-0)
Loss: Spahn (0-2)

Records at end of series:

Every City Bandwagoners 10-2
Amazings 2-10

 

Actually, I had the score backwards. It was 8-7 bandwagoners.

 

Me before fake baseball season and real baseball season.



Amazing.

 

Tuesday, Aproids 9th
Del Boca Vistas (3-3) at Game of Throws (1-5)

Del Boca Vistas took an early lead in this one, and never looked back.

Robinson Cano got a two-run triple in the second inning, and scored on a ground out by Adrian Beltre.

Game of Throws pulled one back in the bottom of the inning, on a Jason Giambi single to score Frank "Home Run" Baker. But they'd get no closer than that 3-1 score.

Kenny Lofton got an RBI double in the fourth to push the lead to 4-1, and Cano would get another RBI in the fifth, scoring Lou Boudreau. Cano would come around to score later that inning, and it was 6-1 to the Vistas.

Frank Baker pulled Throws back to witing 6-2 with an RBI single in the sixth, but Beltre added an RBI single in the ninth to push the lead back out.

Del Boca Vistas had two stars of the game with Tim Keefe tossing a complete game, giving up two runs on seven hits, while Cano collected four hits, three RBI, and scoring two runs.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Toad Ramsey's Inevitable Revenge: Robinson Cano
Final: Vistas 7, Throws 2
Win: Keefe (2-0)
Loss: King (0-1)

Wednesday, Aproids 10th
Del Boca Vistas (4-3) at Game of Throws (1-6)

Cy Young and Lady Baldwin gave us one masterful night of pitching.

They combined to put sixteen zeros on the scoreboard.

In fact, the bottom of hte third inning is the only time they didn't do so.

Jason Giambi got a leadoff single to start the inning, and Baldwin struck out Chris Hoiles to get the first out. Young then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Giambi into scoring position, and with two outs, Robin Yount singled to score Giambi. Robbie Alomar then doubled to score Yount. Baldwin issued an intentional walk to Joe Dimaggio, and got Carl Yastrzemski to ground out to end the inning.

That was it for runs Game of Throws would get against Baldwin, who put together a final line of eight innings pitched, two runs allowed on five hits, with five strikeouts.

That wasn't enough tonight, because Cy Young pitched so well, even Old Hoss Radbourn's twitter account had to respect it.

Young tossed the complete game shutout, allowing just seven hits, and striking out two. Del Boca Vistas wouldn't get a runner in scoring position after the fifth inning.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Toad Ramsey's Inevitable Revenge: Cy Young
Final: Throws 2, Vistas 0
Win: Young (1-1)
Loss: Baldwin (1-2)

Thursday, Aproids 11th
Del Boca Vistas (4-4) at Game of Throws (2-6)

It took until the fourth inning for the bats to finally come alive for Del Boca Vistas. But come alive they did.

Down 1-0 thanks to an RBI single from Carl Yastrzemski in the first, the Vistas grabbed the lead in the fourth on a two-run double from Jimmie Foxx.

They added two more in the sixth on an RBI double from Joe Kelley and an RBI single from Kenny Lofton.

Foxx added a two-run homer in the seventh, and that was followed by a two-run double from Kelley and an RBI double from Lofton. That made it 9-1 for the Vistas, and they weren't quite done yet.

The pinch hitting Babe Herman got got an RBI double in the ninth, and scored on a single by Lofton, making it 11-1.

Chris Hoiles got a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to give the game the final tally.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Toad Ramsey's Inevitable Revenge: Jimmie Foxx
Final: Vistas 11, Throws 3
Win: Sale (1-0)
Loss: Kluber (0-1)

Friday, Aproids 12th
Game of Throws (5-4) at Del Boca Vistas (2-7)

Justin Verlander and Babe Adams went nearly pitch-for-pitch in an epic pitching duel.

Adams gave up an RBI double to Joe Dimaggio in the first inning, the only run he'd allow on the night, as he went eight innings, giving up that run on just five hits, while striking out seven.

Verlander gave up a solo homer to Al Simmons in the fourth inning, the only run he'd allow on the night, as he went seven innings, giving up that run on just five hits, while striking out five.

And so, it would become a question of which bullpen would blink first.

The first chance came in the bottom of the eighth, as Jon Snow turned to Hoyt Wilhelm, while Izzy Mandelbaum sent up the recently promoted Bob Hazle as a pinch hitter. Hazle got a single, and moved to second as Joe Kelley walked. Hazle moved to third on 4-6 fielders' choice by Kenny Lofton, and scored as Lou Gehrig lifted a fly ball to deep center, with Hazle getting in just ahead of the throw by Dimaggio.

In the ninth, Mandelbaum sent out Sean Doolittle. And the batters he faced would do little. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out, Hack Wilson hit a shallow fly out, and Home Run Baker chased strike three to end the game.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Bloomberg2020: Babe Adams
Final: Vistas 2, Throws 1
Win: Adams (1-1)
Loss: Wilhelm (0-2)
Save: Doolittle (3)

Saturday, Aproids 13th
Game of Throws (2-8) at Del Boca Vistas (6-4)

Toad Ramsey was out for revenge.

He'd have to settle for a terrible stat line: eight innings pitched, six runs allowed on nine hits, five walks issued and eight strikeouts.

Jack Taylor got the kind of stat line the Toad was hoping for: a complete game shutout, with eight hits scattered over nine innings.

Lou Gehrig got the scoring going early Del Boca, getting a ground-rule double in the first inning to score Joe Kelley. Al simmons then singled to score Kenny Lofton, before a line out by Jimmie Foxx was the first out for the Vistas in the game. Lou Boudreau grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Gehrig, and after a walk to Robinson Cano, Adrian Beltre singled to score Boudreau.

Al Simmons added an RBI single in the second, and Kelley an RBI single in the sixth.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Toad Ramsey's Inevitable Failed Revenge: Jack Taylor
Final: Vistas 6, Throws 0
Win: Taylor (1-0)
Loss: Ramsey (0-2)

Sunday, Aproids 14th
Game of Throws (2-9) at Del Boca Vistas (7-4)

On getaway day, it was all Del Boca.

Al Simmons gave them a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI ground out. A Joe Dimmagio RBI Triple and Carl Yastrzemski RBI single briefly gave Game of Throws the lead in the third.

But in the fifth and sixth, Del Boca would take complete control of the game.

Jimmie Foxx singled to score Lou Gehrig and tie the game in the fifth. Then, after a walk to Lou Boudreau loaded the bases, Robinson Cano hit a sac fly to give Del Boca the lead at 3-2.

In the sixth, the flood gates would open.

Kenny Lofton got a leadoff single, and Gehrig walked. Al Simmons singled to score Lofton, then Foxx doubled to score Gehrig and Simmons. Boudreau singled to score Foxx. Cano singled to put two men on base, and Adrian Beltre singled to score Boudreau and end the night for Mickey Welch. Francisco Cordero relieved, and Juan Marichal laid down a sac bunt, moving the runners to second and third, providing the first out of the inning. Kelley singled to score Cano and Beltre, and it was 10-2 for Del Boca, and the game was effectively over.

Marichal would get the complete game, giving up two runs on five hits, and striking out Millie Bobbie Brown.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Bloomberg2020: Juan Marichal
Final: Vistas 10, Throws 2
Win: Marichal (1-0)
Loss: Welch (0-1)

Records at the end of the series:

Del Boca Vistas 8-4
Game of Throws 2-10

 

Mandelbaum!

 

Easily the early front runner for manager of the year

 

Tuesday, Aproids 9th
Reseda Free Fallers (5-1) at Sudden Valley Cornballers (3-3)

In a wild game that featured seven home runs, Joe Morgan shined brightest. He hit a pair of homers, drove in five runs ... and, despite all that ... his team still couldn't find the win.

The Reseda Free Fallers smacked five homers in the game. Morgan got it started, hitting a two-run bomb in the second. Chipper Jones and Willie Stargell went back-to-back in the fifth on a pair of solo homers, and Morgan hit his second of the night - a three-run bomb - later that inning.

But, the Free Fallers were always chasing in this one, and never able to catch up.

Sudden Valley grabbed an early lead in the first, with a Sam Thompson RBI triple and a two-run homer from Ken Caminitti.

After Morgan cut it to 3-2. Billy Hamilton added an RBI single, Rogers Hornsby a two-run double, and Jeff Bagwell a two-run homer in the second to make it 8-2, and make it a short night for Free Fallers' starter Mike Scott, who would only go one and a third inning, giving up eight runs on seven hits.

Sudden Valley made it 9-2 in the fourth on a Roy Campanella RBI single, before the Corn Ballers would add five runs on those three homers in the fifth. Ken Caminitti plated two more in the sixth to make it 11-8, before a Shawn Green homer in the ninth made it 11-9 at the end of the game.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by wanting to be a little bit taller, or a (corn) baller: Ken Caminitti
Final: Ballers of Corn 11, Fallers of Free 9
Win: Ryan (1-0)
Loss: Scott (1-1)
Save: Jansen (2)

Wednesday, Aproids 10th
Reseda Free Fallers (5-2) at Sudden Valley Cornballers (4-3)

Roy Campanella lead a hit parade as he fell a triple short of the cycle and drove in six runs, powering the Cornballers to a second win in the series.

The pitchers got the offense started, though. Three Fingers brown gave his team a 2-0 lead, doubling to score Alex Rodriguez and Ed Delahanty in the second, before Bob Feller got an RBI Ground out in the third to make it 2-1.

A Joe Morgan RBI Triple and Gary Carter RBI ground out briefly put Reseda on top in the fifth, but in the bottom of the inning, the Corn Ballers got their lead back. Ken Caminitti got an RBI single to tie the game, and Campanella hit a three-run homer to them back on top for good.

Campanella added a three-run double in the sixth to make it 9-3, and a bases loaded walk to Rodriguez provided the final run in the eighth.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by wanting to be a little bit taller, or a (corn) baller: Roy Campanella
Final: Ballers of Corn 10, Fallers of Free 3
Win: Brown (1-1)
Loss: Feller (1-1)


Thursday, Aproids 11th
Reseda Free Fallers (5-3) at Sudden Valley Cornballers (5-3)

After a couple of days of slugging the ball, the Cornballers and Free Fallers treated us to a fantastic pitchers' duel, thanks to Dazzy Vance and Bob Gibson - clearly not the same Bob Gibson we saw a year ago.

The third inning saw Gibson double off of Vance. Billy Hamilton would single to move Gibson to third, and Stan Musial would ground out and score him.

That would be the only run allowed by Vance, as he would go seven innings, scatter five hits and strike out nine.

Unfortunately, he would take the hard luck loss. Because Bob Gibson was even better.

Gibson tossed a complete game shut out, giving up just two hits, and striking out fourteen.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by wanting to be a little bit taller, or a (corn) baller: Bob Gibson
Final: Cornballers 1, Free Fallers 0
Win: Gibson (2-1)
Loss: Vance (0-1)

Friday, Aproids 12th
Sudden Valley Cornballers (6-3) at Reseda Free Fallers (5-4)

Back at home, would the Reseda Free Fallers find a little magic?

More like a little heartbreak.

Willie Stargell and Jose Canseco got RBI singles in the first, and Canseco picked up another RBI in the fourth on a ground out, while Shawn Green added an RBI single to give the Free Fallers a 4-0 lead after three innings.

Luis Tiant would give up a two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the fifth, but was otherwise cruising through seven innings, taking a 4-2 lead into the eighth.

In the eighth, Rogers Hornsby would hit a leadoff homer, cutting the lead to 4-3, but Tiant would recover and retire Stan Musial, Chuck Klein, and Jeff Bagwell to send us to the ninth with a one-run lead.

But, Ken Caminitti would hit a leadoff homer in the ninth, tying the game, with Tiant getting Gabby Hartnett, Rodriguez, and the pinch hitting Carlos Delgado to send the game to extra innings.

Jesse Orosco relieved Tiant. And didn't provide much relief.

He gave up a single - and stolen base - to Billy Hamilton. Then, got two ground outs from Hornsby and Musial, but gave up an RBI double to Chuck Kelin and a two-run double to Gartnett to make it 7-4.

Kenlsey Jansen came in for the bottom of the tenth, and aided by a double play, worked around a single and a walk to get a scoreless inning for the save.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by a six four Impala: Chuck Klein
Final: Cornballers 7, Free Fallers 4 (10 Innings)
Win: Chapman (2-0)
Loss: Orosco (1-1)
Save: Jansen (3)

Saturday, Aproids 13th
Sudden Valley Cornballers (7-3) at Reseda Free Fallers (5-5)

Jeff Bagwell homered early - a two run shot in the first.

Ken Caminiti homered in the middle of the game - a three run blast in the fourth.

And Caminiti homered again late - a solo shot in the sixth.

That added up to a 6-0 lead for the Cornballers, and only a two-run homer from Willie Stargell in the eighth would provide a blemish against their starter, Dutch Leonard.

Leonard went seven-and-two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on six hits, while striking out five.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by a six four Impala: Ken Caminitti
Final: Arrested Development Reference 6, Tom Petty Reference 2
Win: Leonard (1)
Loss: Koufax (1-1)

Sunday, Aproids 14th
Sudden Valley Cornballers (8-3) at Reseda Free Fallers (5-6)

Would a 6-4 lead after eight inning be enough for the Reseda Free Fallers to finally take a game in this series?

No. No it would not.

With Bruce Sutter on to pitch, Rogers Honsby drew a leadoff walk, and Chuck Klein singled. Jeff Bagwell singled, to score Hornsby and put Klein on third, and Luis Gonzalez grounded out to score Klein. Sutter got Gabby Hartnett to ground out to short, and struck out Alex Rodriguez, and we were tied at six heading into the bottom of the ninth.

And there ... J J Putz entered the game and got two quick outs, getting ground outs from both Duke Snider and Nomar Garciaparra.

But, just as it seemed like the same old, same old for Free Fallers Fans ... Chipper Jones stepped up and deposited a fast ball into the seats beyond the right-field wall, walking it off and sending the fans home happy.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by a six four Impala: Chipper Jones
Final: Tom Petty Reference 7, Arrested Development Reference 6
Win: Sutter (1-0)
Loss: Putz (0-1)

Records at the end of the series:

Sudden Valley Cornballers 8-4
Reseda Free Fallers 6-6

 

Free.

freeee faaaallin.

 

BOB GIBSON!



KEN CAMINITI!



GO CORNBALLERS!

 

Tuesday, Aproids 9th
A Shaq of Their Own (3-3) at Let's Play Two (5-1)

A Shaq of Their Own got off to a quick start, and capped it with a big inning late.

But, they gave up a few too many runs in between, and that cost them the game, with their comeback efforts falling short.

A Ted Williams RBI double and Wee Willie Keeler RBI single in the first put A Shaq of Their Own up 2-0 early.

In the bottom of the second, though, Let's Play Two erased that deficit and took the lead. Randy Johnson lifted a sac fly with the bases loaded, and that was followed by Frank Robinson breaking the opposing GM's heart with a two-run single to left to make it 3-2.

Ted Williams provided an RBI ground out in the top of the fifth to briefly tie the game at three, but Ryne Sanberg hit a solo homer in the bottom of the inning to un-tie and put LPT back on top.

Arky Vaughan got an RBI single in the top of the sixth to briefly tie the game at four, but in the bottom of the inning, a single by Robinson was followed by a double by Ken Griffey, Jr. to put LPT back on top. LPT wasn't done, though, as an Ernie Banks single scored Griffey and a two-run homer by Sammy Sosa made it a four-run inning and an 8-4 lead.

We'd stay there until the eighth. In the top of the inning, Keeler reached on an error by Sandberg with one out, and Vaughan walked, with a single by Tris Speaker scoring Keeler. After a pitching change, Pudge Rodriguez singled to score Vaughan, and the pinch-hitting Lefty O'Doul singled to score Speaker. But, Derek Jeter and Joe Jackson grounded out to end the inning, with LPT up 8-7.

In the ninth, LPT gave the ball to Bobby Thigpen. And he needed just eight pitches to get the 1-2-3 inning, and close it out for the save.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Dart Shaped Box: Frank Robinson
Final: Cubbie 8, Shaq 7
Win: Johnson (1-1)
Loss: Arrietta (1-1)
Save: Thigpen (3)

Wednesday, Aproids 10th
A Shaq of Their Own (3-4) at Let's Play Two (6-1)

This time, A Shaq of Their Own would get enough runs early, and Let's Play Two would see their late rally fall just short.

Shoeless Joe Jackson helped ASoTO manufacture their first run in the first inning. He singled with one out, and then stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out by Ted Williams' frozen head, and then scored on an infield single by George Sisler.

In the second, ASoTO would expand their lead. Wee Willie Keeler got it going with an infield single, and he moved to third as Arky Vaughan singled. Tris Speaker singled to score Keeler, and a Pudge Rodriguez fielder's choice would put men on the corners again. Addie Joss would help his own cause, singling to score Vaughn, and Rodriguez scored on a ground out by John McGraw, making it 4-0, when Jackson struck out to end the inning.

Let's Play Two got one back in the bottom of the second, on a Ron Santo single, but ASoTO got a two-run double from Vaughan in the third to push the lead to 6-1.

Tris Speaker got an RBI triple in the fifth, and an RBI single in the seventh, making it 8-1 heading into the eighth.

In the eighth, Let's Play Two could finally give Joss a little trouble. Ken Griffey, Jr. singled to open the inning, and with one out Sammy Sosa singled to put men on the corners. Ryne Sandberg singled to score Griffey, Frank Thomas singled to score Sosa, Santo hit a sac fly to score Sandberg, before Joss got Yogi Berra to pop out to end the inning.

in the ninth, Let's Play Two would give Joss a little more trouble. Pinch Hitter Vladmir Guerrero would open the inning with a single, Frank Robinson added another single, and Griffey singled to load the bases. That would end the night for Joss, and bring on Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo would get Ernie Banks to fly out to left, with Guererro unwilling to risk challenging Ted William's cryogenically frozen arm, and the bases stayed loaded. Kuo struck out Sosa, and then got a ground out from Sandberg to end the game.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Dart Shaped Box: Wee Willie Keeler
Final: Shaq 8, Cubbie 4
Win: Joss (2-1)
Loss: Jenkins (0-1)
Save: Kuo (3)

Thursday, Aproids 11th
A Shaq of Their Own (4-4) at Let's Play Two (6-2)

The rubber match for the Chicago portion of this series brought about a pattern.

In the bottom of the first, Let's Play Two scored a pair of runs. Ernie Banks had an RBI double, and he scored on a single by Ryne Sandberg.

In the top of the very next inning, A Shaq of Their Own tied it up. After a Ron Santo error put runners on the corners instead of ending the inning, Derek Jeter (who sucks) delivered a double to score a pair of runs.

In the bottom of the third, Let's Play Two scored a run to re-take the lead. Frank Thomas delivered a single to score Banks.

In the top of the very next inning, A Shaq of Their Own tied it up. After an error by Banks put runners on the corners instead of ending the inning, Derek Jeter (who sucks) singled to deliver a run and tie the game.

To the ninth we went, still tied at three. Ron Santo singled to start the inning, and Yogi Berra singled to right, with Santo hustling to get to third. Eddie Matthews then stepped up as a pinch hitter, and walked it off, singling to right-center to score Santo.

Eddie Plank took the no-decision and deserved much better, going seven innings, giving up three runs - none of them earned - on just six hits.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Dart Shaped Box: Eddie Plank
Final: Cubbie 4, Shaq 3
Win: Wagner (1-0)
Loss: Walsh (1-2)

Friday, Aproids 12th
Let's Play Two (7-2) at A Shaq of Their Own (4-5)

Jim Palmer was fantastic. He went seven innings, and gave up just one run on four hits, with five strikeouts.

That one run came in the sixth, and even then, he showed his dominance in limiting it to just one run. He issued a leadoff walk to Shoeless Joe Jackson, and then gave up an RBI triple to Ted Williams' frozen head. He struck out George Sisler for the first out of the inning, and got a ground out from Wee Willie Keeler, with Williams kept on third. He issued a walk to Arky Vaughan, and then got an inning-ending line-out from Tris Speaker to keep it at 1-0, when it could been much, much worse.

With Billy Wagner on, A Shaq of Their Own would manufacture another run. Jackson drew another leadoff walk, and Williams walked as well. Sisler singled on a grounder to short, loading the bases. Keeler lined out for the first out of the inning, and a ground ball from Vaughan looked like it might be a double play, but he hustled to beat the throw, and Jackson scored on the play, with a ground out by Speaker ending the inning.

That run was insurance ASoTO's starter Doc White didn't need. Because as good as Palmer was, White was even better. He tossed the complete game shutout, scattering five hits and striking out five.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Shaq as Marla Hooch:
Final: Shaq 2, Cubbie 0
Win: White (1-1)
Loss: Palmer (1-1)

Saturday, Aproids 13th
Let's Play Two (7-3) at A Shaq of Their Own (5-5)

Greg Maddux got rocked in the first, gave up a pair of runs in the fifth, and A Shaq of Their Own cruised to victory.

John McGraw singled in the first to get the inning started, and a single from Shoeless Joe Jackson put runners on the corners. Ted Williams singled to scored McGraw, and a fielder's choice by Wee Willie Keeler put runners back on the corners. Arky Vaughan singled to score Williams, and a Tris Speaker ground out scored Keeler, before a strike out of Pudge Rodriguez ended the inning at 4-0.

We'd stay there until the fifth, when a double by Williams and an single by George Sisler scored two more runs and made it 6-0.

Frank Thomas pulled one back for Let's Play Two, hitting a leadoff homer in the seventh, but ASoTO got it right back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single by Jackson. An Ernie Banks RBI triple in the eighth was the final run of the game.

Jake Arrieta (who sucks) had a great night, going eight innings and giving up two runs on seven hits and striking out fourteen. Sammy Sosa, Frank Thomas, and Ron Santo each struck out three times.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Shaq as Kit Keller:
Final: Shaq 7, Cubbie 2
Win: Arrieta (2-1)
Loss: Maddux (2-1)

Sunday, Aproids 12th
Let's Play Two (7-4) at A Shaq of Their Own (6-5)

We got two masterpieces from the starting pitchers in this one.

Frank Thomas singled with two outs in the second. Ernie Banks singled with one out in the seventh (but was erased on a double play). Ron Santo singled with one out in the eighth (but was erased on a double play). And Frank Robinson singled with one out in the ninth (but was stranded there).

And that was it for hits allowed by Addie Joss. Joss also didn't issue a walk, and the only other base runner to reach for Let's Play Two was on an error by Tris Speaker in the eighth.

It was that kind of dominance.

Which was really bad luck for Randy Johnson. He tossed an eight inning masterpiece giving up just six hits. One of those was a double by Pudge Rodriguez, after a leadoff walk to Tris Speaker, to score the only run of the game.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Shaq as @Juliet316 just choosing to not read this game summary or look at the box score: Addie Joss, unless you're Juliet, then the player of the game is probably Randy Johnson or someone who went undrafted.
Final: Shaq 1, Cubbie 0
Win: Joss (3-1)
Loss: Johnson (1-2)

Records at the end of the series:

A Shaq of Their Own 7-5
Let's Play Two 7-5

 

Records and Standings

Team / W-L / .pct / +/- RD

ECB 10-2 .833 +22
DBV 8-4 .667 +22
SVC 8-4 .667 +20
ASSES 7-5 .583 +15
PE 7-5 .583 +1
LPT 7-5 .583 -1
ASoTO 7-5 .583 -3
stsp 6-6 .500 +14
FF 6-6 .500 -23
AMZ 2-10 .167 -23
AM 2-10 .167 -28
GoT 2-10 .167 -34

On Deck ...

Let's Play Two, Every City Bandwagoners, stone temple seattle pilots, Del Boca Vistas, A Shaq of Their Own, and Reseda Free Fallers all have Monday off
All Other Teams will have Thursday off.

Two teams that look to be early favorites will clash, as @dp4m and ASSES take on @Wang Chi and Sudden Valley Cornballers. Can Sudden Valley use the momentum of literally everyone cheering for them to get some separation in the standings?
two teams that look to be heading for the cellar early on, as @anakinfansince1983 and Acuña Matata take on @RX_Sith and Game of Throws. Maybe one team can get a big result here and buoy their way up the standings?
And, in the battle of Queens, @AmazingB and Amazings will look to get their season on track and take on @Point Given and Peformance Enhancers, who have so far been underwhelming.

@heels1785 and Every City Bandwagoners look to protect their status as the top team in the league, taking on @cubman987 and Let's Play Two, who will just be happy to not have to face Addie Joss again for a while.
@tom and stone temple seattle pilots will take on @a star war and Del Boca Vistas in another clash of teams that look they could be left standing tall in Novembtwits. Can stone temple seattle pilots continue to be the most unlucky team in the league?
And, in a battle for Vanilla Coke Supremacy, @LloydChristmas and A Shaq of Their Own will take on @DarthTunick and the Reseda Free Fallers.

 

game 1: bender
game 2: chamberlain
game 3: martinez
game 4: greinke
game 5: brown
game 6: bender

and just gonna try one lineup for all 6 this time:

1. jennings, ss
2. lajoie, 2b
3. helton, 1b
4. milligan, c
5. brett, 3b
6. o'neill, lf
7. trout, cf
8. ichiro, rf

@a star war

 

Lineup:

1 Pete Browning CF
2 King Kelly C
3 Hugh Duffy 3B
4 Shane Spencer 1B
5 Manny Ramirez LF
6 Walt Bond RF
7 Marlon Anderson 2B
8 Troy Tulowitzki SS

Rotation:

Game 1: Cliff Lee (2010 Seattle Mariners)
Game 2: Walter Johnson (1913 Washington Senators)
Game 3: Christy Mathewson (1908 New York Giants)
<off day>
Game 4: Clayton Kershaw (2016 Los Angeles Dodgers)
Game 5: Cliff Lee (2010 Seattle Mariners)
Game 6: Walter Johnson (1913 Washington Senators)

Everybody @Wang Chi tonight!

 

@anakinfansince1983

I am going to make major changes for a few series here:

Lineup (for all Games)

1. Robin Yount - SS (MIL Brewers, 1982)
2. Chase Utley, 2B (Philadelphia Phillies, 2008)
3. Rod Crew - 1B (MIN Twins, 1977)
4. Fred Lynn - CF (BOS Red Sox, 1979)
5. Cody Bellinger - RF (LA Dodgers, 2019)
6. Scott Rolen - 3B (STL Cardinals, 2004)
7. Ralph Kiner, LF (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1949)
8. Chris Hoiles - C (BAL Orioles, 1993)
9. Pitcher

Pitcher Rotation : (for all Games)

1. Toad Ramsey, SP (Louisville Colonels, 1886)
2. Mickey Welch, SP (New York Giants, 1885)
3. John Clarkson - Starting Pitcher (CHI White Stockings, 1885)
4. Russ Ford - Starting Pitcher (NY Highlanders, 1910)
5. Silver King - Starting Pitcher (STL Browns, 1888)
6. Hippo Vaughn - Starting Pitcher (CHI Cubs, 1918)
7. Francisco Cordero - Relief Pitcher (TEX Rangers, 2004)
8. Trevor Hoffman - Relief Pitcher (SD Padres, 1998)
9. Hoyt Wilhelm - Relief Pitcher (CHI White Sox, 1964)

Bench: (for all Games)

1. Home Run Baker, 3B (Philadelphia Athletics, 1912)
2. Pedro Guerrero, OF, 3B (Los Angeles Dodgers, 1985)
3. John Smoltz - SP (ATL Braves, 1996)
4. Cy Young - Starting Pitcher (BOS Americans, 1901)
5. Corey Kluber - Starting Pitcher (ALT UNIVERSE DEFENDING WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, 2017)
6. Justin Verlander - Starting Pitcher (DET Tigers, 2011)
7. John Smoltz - Starting Pitcher (ATL Braves, 1996)
8. Ernie Lombardi - C (CIN Reds, 1938)
9. Roberto "Alarmo" Alomar - 2B (CLE Baseball Team, 1999)
10. Joe Dimaagio - CF (NY Yankees, 1937)
11. Carl Yastrzemski - LF (BOS Red Sox, 1967)
12. Hack Wilson - RF (CHI Cubs, 1930)
13. Jason Giambi - 1B (OAK Athletics, 2001)

 

It makes me irrationally happy that you keep copying and pasting Kluber's team like that, btw. Keep it up and I might cheat and get you a sweep vs. dp4m via nefarious methods.