2002 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #17

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
GIAMBI,Jason	CBL AL	.458	1.458	6	24	11	3	0	7	12	14	6	3	1	0	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
BYRD,Paul	DEW AL	2	2	0	0	1.02	17.2	2	2	16	6	1	0	0	0	2	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
BATISTA,Tony	BAL NL	.455	1.091	3	11	5	1	0	2	3	8	1	0	0	0	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
PEREZ,Odalis	HLW NL	2	2	0	0	1.29	14	2	2	8	4	3	0	0	0	0	2

Dondero Oaks @ Southlake Stealers
Series Preview:	A battle of the two worst teams in the AL as Southlake heads to Dondero for a 6-game set.
Game #1:	Dondero 9 Southlake 5 W: K. Ishii (4-8) L: C. Park (3-11) S: M. Rivera (12) Jose Valentin had 3 hits, falling a double shy of the cycle to go with 3 RBI.
Game #2:	Dondero 2 Southlake 0 W: J. Santana (3-6) L: P. Hentgen (1-10) S: M. Rivera (13) Johan Santana was fantastic going 8.1 striking out 10 while giving up just 4 singles. He did however walk 6 batters which somehow did not bite him in the butt.
Game #3:	Dondero 2 Southlake 0 W: J. Lackey (6-5) L: T. Sturtze (0-11) John Lackey goes 7.2 giving up a lone double to Carlos Beltran which proved to be the only hit for Southlake.
Game #4:	Southlake 4 Dondero 2 W: R. Villone (1-1) L: K. Wunsch (1-2) S: S. Hasegawa (1) Southlake gets on the board with a win as Todd Zeile and Carlos Beltran both hit homers to lead the Stealers to victory.
Game #5:	Dondero 6 Southlake 1 W: B. Tomko (3-8) L: C. Park (3-12) Dondero put up 4 in the first and then just coasted to the win. Once Southlake went to the bullpen in the 5th, Dondero managed just 1 more hit.
Game #6:	Southlake 5 Dondero 2W: P. Hentgen (2-10) L: K. Ishii (4-9) S: M. Koplove (1)Rondell White got himself a 3 run homer in the 6th which put the game out of reach at 5-0.
Series Summary:	Dondero takes the toilet bowl 4 games to 2 and moves Southlake to the worst record in the AL, although only by a game and a half. Next week Dondero will host Iowa and Southlake heads home to welcome in Fort Worth.

Chicago Demolition @ Houghton Penguins
Series Preview:	The Houghton Penguins holding a tie with the DeWitt Tigers for first place in the American League East, take on the Chicago Demolition who hold on to first place in the American League Central. Six games at Capone Field for this series.
Game #1:	Bobby Higginson has 3 HIts and 2 RBIs for Chicago, Roger Clemens goes 7 IP. Final Score: Chicago 5 – Hougton 1 Win: Roger Clemens 1-0 (3.36) Loss: Pete Walker 3-2 (4.53)
Game #2:	Hougton crushed the Demolition in this one. 2 Home Runs by Jeff Kent, along with 5 RBI’s lead the way. Albert Pujols & John Mabry both Homer as well & have 3 RBI’s each. Final Score: Hougton 18 – Chicago 7 Win: Kirk Rueter 9-6 (3.02) Loss: Alan Benes 1-4 (8.64)
Game #3:	Hougton wins this one in 13 Innings. Albert Pujols with a 2 Run Home Run wins it. Final Score: Hougton 4 – Chicago 2 (13 Innings) Win: J.C. Romero 5-4 (1.63) Loss: Arthur Rhodes 1-2 (2.13)
Game #4:	Andy Ashby was masterful for 8 Innings. Albert Pujols & Miguel Tejada both have 4 Hits. The Penguins shutout the Demolition. Final Score: Hougton 8 – Chicago 0 Win: Andy Ashby 7-7 (5.06) Loss: Darryl Kile 4-5 (4.08)
Game #5:	Chicago gets back on track thanks to Kevin Millwood going 8 Innings. Eli Marrero has 3 Hits, Roberto Alomar 2 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 7 – Hougton 2 Win: Kevin Millwood 9-6 (2.97) Loss: Pete Walker 3-3 (4.47)
Game #6:	John Mabry goes 3 for 4 to help give the Penguins the win. Mark Buehrle goes 7.1 Innings allowing only 1 Run s the Penguins win the final game of the series. Final Score: Hougton 3 – Chicago 1 Win: Mark Buehrle 11-6 (1.96) Loss: Roger Clemens 12-3 (3.40) Save: Octavio Dotel #13
Series Summary:	The Penguins flex their little muscles and beat up the Demoltion 4 games to 2.

Hampton Huskies @ Winnipeg Goldeyes
Series Preview:	Two last place teams play 6 games.
Series Summary:	Winnipeg manages to win a series! 4-2 over Hampton. Lofton and lopez again hits the DL. Getting lopez to reach 50% as his 42 injuries are just insane now 47 games worth in 4 DL stints.

DeWitt Tigers @ Fort Worth Panthers
Series Summary:	Every game was a blowout. Panthers win one while Tigers take 5.

Blarney Drive Bandits @ Manhattan Gas Hornets
Series Preview:	Manhattan opens a 3 week stretch of games vs. two division leaders, Blarney Drive and Valdosta and winding up with NL Central 2nd place Gladstone – whew!! And of course RJ is on the hill this week….
Game #1:	Odalis Perez tosses 7 inning 3 hitter, giving up 1 unearned run as Brett Butler commits 2 errors. And that 1 run was the only run of the game as Tim Wakefield goes 7.1, 4 hits and no runs! Hitting was on hold! BDB 0-4-2 LP Perez (2-4) MGH 1-3-0 WP Wakefield (11-3) S Mike Williams (3)
Game #2:	Hitting returns for game 2 – at least for one team. Al Leiter suffers his first loss (glad I hadn’t seen that before the game) as he is tagged for 3 homers in 5 innings and 6 runs. It wasn’t pretty – except for the Manhattan fans. 11 hits, Durham (14), Anderson (24) and Wendell Magee (3) homer. Matt Morris goes the distance with a great 3 hitter. Blarney Drive now scoreless in 18 straight innings this week. BDB 0- 3-2 LP Leiter (11-1) MGH 6-11-2 WP Morris (8-4)Only bad thing on the day for Gas Hornets was a collision between Kendall and Tino – both out for most of this game and all day tomorrow.
Game #3:	Bandits break the scoring drought in the 1st on a Jake Spivey homer (18). But Gas Hornets get it back with 2 to spare in the 2nd as Chris Singles homers (6) for 3 runs. Then Maglio Ordonez homes (20) for 3 in the 3rd and Blarney Drive regains the lead 4-3. But Gas Hornets get 2 more in the 3rd on a Phelps homer (13). Then they plate 4 in the 5th, most off Dave Weathers as they put a bunch of doubles together. 9-4. You’d think it was a cake walk but no, 2 more Blarney Drive runs in the 7th and then 2 in the 9th including another Ordonez homer (21). Seems like my relievers like to give up lead off hits and runs….but finally Kim after a shaky time, gets the final out for a 9-8 win! BDB 8-6-0 LP Ramon Ortiz (7-8) MGH 9-9-3 WP Gabe White (3-0) S Kim (16)
Game #4:	Well after scoring 8 runs in the game 3, the Bandits decide they like scoring and they lay into John Halama – first for 1 in the first, but then after falling behind 2-1, the open up in the 5th scoring 2, then another in the 6, 4 big ones in the 7th and 2 more in the 8th. Vladimir Nunez, who left the previous game with either a hang nail or sore wrist, came back today and was ineffective – 2 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 homers. HOMERS – oh yes, Mike Lowell hits 2 (17, 18, 4 rbis) and Ron Gant (13, 2 rbis). And the Bandits totaled 10 runs which held up nicely with David Wells tossing a 3 hitter (7 innings) and giving up just those 2 early run – including a Jeter homer (8). In fact Jeter was basically the only offense, 2 of the 3 hits and 2 rbis. BDB 10-10-0 WP Wells (11-5) MGH 2- 6-0 LP Halama (5-4)
Game #5:	After two high scoring outbursts from the Bandits, the Gas Hornets were getting concerned – so the asked Rick Reed if he had anything special and he said sure coach – give me the ….. ball. He got it, goes out and pitches 9 innings, 9 ks, no walks and just 3 hits as he blanks Blarney Drive (3 shutout this week!). OH – his task was made the harder because he was up against Randy Johnson, 13-1 going into the game. Randy was tough, but Anderson doubles in 1 in the 1st and Chris Singleton doubled in another in the 2nd. A Kendall rbi single in the 5th was the final run of the game – and the final run given up by Johnson who left after 5 innings. BDB 0-3-1 LP Johnson (13-2) MGH 3-6-2 WP Reed (8-5)
Game #6:	Any excitement left for game 6? Odalis Perez against Denny Neagle (getting some more starts to cover limited time of our add on starters). He’s been holding his own and 1 inning Jeter solo homer (9) gets him some help. But then a Jason Kendall passed ball in the 3rd leads to 2 unearned runs 2 runners come in to score!! 2-1 BDB. A Gas Hornet run in the 6th ties it up. Wakefield pitches 3.1 innings keeping the Bandits at bay – and Embree and Strange do the same to Manhattan and it’s 2-2 heading into the 9th. Kim takes over for Manhattan (7-0 when he entered). But his fortunes take a turn as he gives Cora reaches on an error by Kendall to leadoff the 9th. SB and a Spivey rbi single. A Spivey SB, Lane single bunting. But the 1 run was it as Kim fans 2 and gets the 3rd out. Then comes Buddy Groom! McCracken leads off and walks – Singleton in to PR and he steals (borrow from the BDB playbook). Let’s steal 3rd – safe. Blum then whiffs, 1 down. Tino then walks. Damian Jackson then hits to Durazo at 1st – DP ball – that he throws into LF – Tino ends up at 3rd, Singleton scores, game tied. Graffanino into PR at 3rd. Durham up, he lines to RF – Ordonez races in, catches it, Graffanino races home, the throw, Pratt blocks the plate, he’s …….. safe, game over, seriously, yes. Tempers flare as Pratt and Bandits management argue the call, but it stands and the Gas Hornets upset the Groomster to pull it out. BDB 3-9-1 LP Groom (2-3) BS (5) MGH 4-5-1 WP Kim (8-0)
Series Summary:	Another weird week as Manhattan goes 5-1 with 3 shutouts and the Bandits are not a team to be trifled with – IN FACT THEY ARE THE TOP SCORING TEAM IN THE MWBL and in the NL by close to 100 runs!! So it’s kind of a shocker!! They also lead the MWBL in HRs but were limited a bit this week. For Manhattan – the 2 shutouts by Morris and Reed were only the 2nd and 3rd individual shutouts on the team this season.

Harper Woods Expos @ Iowa Giants
Series Preview:	Harper Woods in a battle for first place Central Division American League, Iowa last place Eastern Divsion.
Series Summary:	A good series for Iowa after trading its best pitcher Greg Maddux Iowa splits the series.

Valdosta Bombers @ Long Beach Titans
Game #1:	Franklin gave up 5 hits and no walks as Long Beach wins the opener 2-1. Nixon supplied all the offense with a 2 run 2B in the 2nd.
Game #2:	Moyer was very sharp over 7 innings picking up the win as Valdosta took a 2-1 win. Abreu and Chavez had back to back run scoring hits in the 5th.
Game #3:	Burba threw a 3 hit shutout as Long Beach won 3-0. Trammel had 2 solo HRs to pace the offense.
Game #4:	Valdosta had a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th when Long Beach rallied for 4 runs and won 5-4. Sandberg’s HR drove in the winning run and Trammel hit his 3rd HR in 2 games.
Game #5:	Long Beach scored 4 runs in the 3rd and held on for a 5-3 win. After Reichert was knocked out in the 4th, the Titans bullpen threw 5 2/3 shutout innings.
Game #6:	Baez and Franklin had a great pitchers duel and the game was tied 1-1 until Nixon led off the bottom of the 11th with a walk off HR to give Long Beach a 2-1 win.
Series Summary:	Long Beach got surprisingly good pitching and surpised 1st place Valdosta by taking 5 of the 6 games.

Baltimore Blue Crabs @ Danbury Mad Hatters
Series Preview:	3rd place teams face off.
Game #1:	DMH 5-2
Game #2:	BAL 5-0, Tim Hudson 4hit CG 13th win.
Game #3:	BAL 8-2
Game #4:	DMH 6-4
Game #5:	BAL 16-4
Game #6:	BAL 15-6
Series Summary:	Baltimore takes 4 of 6.

Monroeville Maulers @ California Quakes
Series Summary:	California takes 5 of 6 from Monroeville.

Gladstone Gladiators @ Flora-Bama Mullets
Series Preview:	Flora-Bama looks to pickup ground against Gladstone before heading on the road for a tough stretch.
Game #1:	The Gladstone number five starter (Schoenweis) was pitching like an ace with a no hitter for the first five innings. Mullets scratched out two hits and a run and a Piazza solo for a 2-0 lead after six. O’leary’s pinch hit rbi double and Ordonez rbi single tied it in the 7th. Flora-Bama loaded the bases in the 9th, but Silva worked out of it. In the bottom of the 13th, Neives singled and Vizquel’s successful hit and run put runners on the corners. Bell’s sac fly to deep center won it. Flora-Bama 3-2 13th
Game #2:	In the bottom of the 1st, Kennedy reached on an error, Hunter was hit and Berkman crushed a three run homer. Bell added a solo in 2nd. I’m not sure if Helling’s girl friend left him for Hunter, but he beamed Hunter for a second time in the 2nd inning and was promptly ejected. Piazza added a rbi single to make it 5-0. Beckett could have picked up an easy win, but he manned up and backed up his teammate. He was also promptly ejected after he hit Koskie in the 3rd for retaliation. Both benches cleared and the game was stopped for 10 minutes. In the 4th, Hunter was actually pitched to and he crushed a monster homerun. He took his sweet time rounding the bases and both benches cleared for a second time. Things finally calmed down and the pens kept things pretty quiet until Santiago hit a homer in the 8th for Gladstone. Flora-Bama 6-3
Game #3:	Flora-Bama only managed three hits, but two of them (Vauhgn & Hunter) left the yard. Schilling went nine for the win and only gave up a solo to Hinske. Flora-Bama 2-1
Game #4:	Battle of the eight grade starters. Bell got the Mullets going with a rbi double after an error in the 2nd. Delucci’s solo in 4th tied it up. Tucker’s three run homer off reliever Stewart gave the Gladiators their first lead of the series 4-1 in the 7th. Vazquez’s control was outstanding and he just got stronger as the game went on. He came into the 9th as a 20 grade and wouldn’t give up the ball to the closer. He finished with a complete game six hitter. Gladstone 4-1
Game #5:	The Gladiators jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st. A two run homer in the 4th from Hidalgo made it 5-0 Gladstone. Bell’s solo and Kennedy’s rbi double put two on the board for the Mullets in the 5th. Koskie added a solo in the six to go up 6-2. Juan Gone finally ended a horrible slump with a three run bomb in the 7th that cut the lead to one run. Bagwell’s solo in the 8th made 7-5. RBI doubles from Bell and Tarasco in the bottom of the 8th tied it up 7-7. In the bottom of the 9th, Piazza walked, Berkman singled and Hunter singled to load the bases. Vizquel just missed a grand slam, but the deep fly was enough to get the catcher home from third. Flora-Bama 8-7
Game #6:	Three straight singles and a walk made it 1-0 with the bases loaded and no outs in the 1st. Schoenewies got Hunter to hit it back to him and he turned the home to first double play. Vizquel singled in one more run, but a strikeout of Bell prevented the big inning. In the 2nd, Rowand drove in two runs with his first homerun of his career. Santiago’s two run homer in the 7th made it close, but Hammonds closed it out to give Becket the win. Flora-Bama 4-2
Series Summary:	The Mullets take the series behind two exciting walk off wins. The schedule will get much harder for Flora-Bama in the coming weeks as they face Hollywood and Blarney Drive. The Gladiators return home and look to rebound against lowly Hampton.

Castle Rock Hounds @ Corktown Bootleggers
Series Preview:	The Hounds invade the Bootleggers city of Corktown for a six game series.
Game #1:	Ramon E. Martinez and Scott Rolen with 2 RBI’s lead the way for Corktown. 5-1 CBL
Game #2:	Jason Giambi is the man for Corktown with a HR and 3 RBI’s. 8-5 CBL
Game #3:	Jermaine Dye helps the Hounds past Corktown in a wild affair. 16-12 CRH
Game #4:	Mark Bellhorn with a Grand Slam helps Castle Rock over Corktown. 13-6 CRH
Game #5:	Jason Giambi with 2 Home Runs for Corktown. 5-3 CBL
Game #6:	Barry Bonds with a Home Run & 3 RBI’s for the Hounds. 7-5 CRH
Series Summary:	Series split with some nice offensive numbers in the series.

Hollywood Vampires @ Michigan Marauders
Series Summary:	Hollywood takes 5 of 6.