2002 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #20

Prior was greeted with a lead off home run by Rolen. Giambi added another blast in the 9th. But for the innings in-between Prior was masterful. He gave up just other hits, allowed 3 walks and punched out 6 Bootleggers, while going the distance. It was his 4th complete game of the season in just 11 starts. His ERA is now sub 2.50 as his campaign for Rookie of the Year continues.

For Corktown Garcia got stung by the long ball as he gave up four homers, including two to Hank Blalock. A bit of a setback for their Wild Card push but still 5 more to go against the lowly Stealers.

Final 7-2

WP: Prior (6-2)
LP: Garcia (6-8)

After getting just 4 hits yesterday, Chan Ho Park and 4 relievers limit Corktown to 4 hits again through 8 innings. It was game over with Smoltz on the mound and the Stealers with a 6-1 lead. But it was in the 9th that CBL awoke.

A walk, a double and an intentional free pass to Erstad loaded the bases for A-Rod. Rodriguez has been disappointing this season hitting just .245, but he did not disappoint tonight. He took a 2-2 sinker from Smoltz over the fences and suddenly we had a ballgame.

The motto for Corktown tonight, however, turned out to be too little – too late, as Wil Cunnane came in to shut the door and earn his 3rd save of the year.

The big blow offensively came from Blalock who hit his 3rd homerun of the series to spark a 4 run 4th inning.

Final 6-5 Stealers
WP: Park (4-13)
LP: Traschel (8-8)
S: Cunnane (3)

Southlake would load them up in the 4th with no outs but only get one across. However, they kept chipping away. They put up a 6 spot in the 5th, the big blow a 3 run homer by Lawton. It was now 11-7 after five innings.

A Carlos Beltran two run blast in the 6th cut the lead in half. With two on and two outs in the 7th inning, hot hitting Blalock would pinch hit. He roped a single to rightfield and suddenly it was 11-10.

With Corktown’s GM up in his box watching his career go down the toilet, he saw Urbina handle a 1-2-3 8th inning. Then watched as Percival got the first two outs in the 9th. Pinch hitter Anderson would single bringing up the one guy they didnt want to see
Blalock.

Hank would swing through a sinker. Then fouled off a nasty slider in on his hands. Blalock spit on two more sliders, the second of which Percival definitely wanted for strike three and he let Angel Hernandez know it. Blalock fouled off a sinker and the crowd was in a frenzy. Percival went for the punch out and unleashed a fastball at 97MPH. It caught too much of the plate though and Blalock sent it deep into the night sky. The crowd erupted as Blalock threw his bat screaming “Let’s Go!!!”.

Unfortunately for the home team, there was no joy in Southlake as Glanville located the ball in that night sky and watched as it settled into his glove while standing on the warning track for out number 3. The improbable comeback could not be completed.

Final score 11-10 Bootleggers.

WP: Daal (9-6)
LP: Sturtze (1-14)
S: Percival (23)

This series is tied up at 4 games each while both managers are upset knowing it could just as easily be four games to none for their squad.

Final 3-1

WP: Garland (5-10)
LP: Villone (1-4)
S: Percival (24)

From there it was all Stealers bullpen as they threw goose egg after goose egg up on the scoreboard.

Final 6-3 Southlake

WP: Hentgen (3-12)
LP: Batista (10-9)
S: Smoltz (10)

Corktown pushes two runners across the plate in the 11th inning of Mark Prior, coming in relief for the first time this year. On short rest even.

Twice in the game Southlake had lead off triples and both times, the runner was gunned down at the plate trying to score on a flyball.

Beltran was just a double short of hitting for the cycle.

Final Score: 3-1 Bootleggers
WP: Ainsworth 2-0
LP: Prior 6-3
S: Cook 1