2003 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #3
| NAME | TEAM | AVG | SLG | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | R | RBI | K | W | IW | SB | CS | HBP |
| IBANEZ,Raul | DDO AL | .500 | .950 | 5 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NAME | CLUB | G | W | L | S | ERA | IP | R | ER | H | K | BB | IBB | WP | BK | HB | HR |
| PRIOR,Mark | SSS AL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NAME | TEAM | AVG | SLG | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | R | RBI | K | W | IW | SB | CS | HBP |
| LIEBERTHAL,Mike | MIC NL | .500 | 1.357 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NAME | CLUB | G | W | L | S | ERA | IP | R | ER | H | K | BB | IBB | WP | BK | HB | HR |
| PEAVY,Jake | LBT NL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
California Quakes @ Castle Rock Hounds |
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| Series Preview: | Two familiar foes find themselves in unfamiliar territory, 3rd and 4th place in the Division, heading into Week 3. Castle Rock is without the services of Bonds for the whole series. Let’s see where the offense comes from for the Hounds. |
| Game #1: | Powered by homers from Wilkerson, Luis Gonzalez, Piatt and Barrett, the Hounds jump all over the Quakes with a 7-0 victory. Andy Pettitte goes 8 strong for the Hounds, allowing just two hits and two walks.
WP: Pettitte (1-0) |
| Game #2: | California seems to have things under control in this one, as Kris Benson is pitching a gem, giong 7.2 and allowing just one earned run. But, Castle Rock has a huge 9th inning rally off of Cliff Politte, plating three runs, capped off by a Luis Gonzalez walk-off double with 2 outs to take the game 6-5. Gonzalez went 4-5 with a double and a homer, as he tries his best to fill Bonds’ shoes in the lineup.
WP: Benitez (2-0) |
| Game #3: | Luis Gonzalez hits his third homer of the series to make it 1-1 in the 1st. But, bolstered by a solid performance frm Heilman and a clutch two-out, two-RBI single from Salmon in the 8th, the Quakes win their first game of the series by a 4-1 count. Politte has an uneventful 9th to get the save.
WP: Heilman (1-1) |
| Game #4: | Despite having a clear starting pitching advantage in this one, Pineiro (13) vs. Patterson (3), it is Patterson that puts outduels Pineiro, going 7.2 and allowing just one earned run. Teixeira and Salmon go back-to-back with a triple and homer in the 8th to break things open for California and make it 6-2. California and Colorado exchange runs in the 9th, but the final is 9-4 Quakes, as they even up the series. Pineiro moves to 0-4 on the season, quite the disappointing start.
WP: Patterson (1-2) |
| Game #5: | Castle Rock continues to make the California starting pitchers look like aces, as Brandon Duckworth goes 8.2 without allowing a run and Aaron Fultz comes on to get the last out for a California 3-0 victory.
WP: Duckworth (3-1) |
| Series Summary: | California loses the first two, but storms back to win the final three and the series, cementing Castle Rock’s spot in the bottom of the AL West. It’s a long season, but this is not where we expected to be after 16 games. |
Monroeville Maulers @ Chicago Demolition |
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| Series Preview: | This week, two teams sitting at a tight 5-6 record clash in a pivotal matchup, with a winning record on the line. The Chicago Demolition bring a powerful, classic core, while the Monroe Valley Maulers counter with electric slugging and a dominant arm.
Chicago Demolition (5-6): The Demolition are built around legendary aces Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens. Their success will hinge on the quality starts and strikeout totals provided by this elite duo. If Martinez and Clemens can limit runs and work deep into games, they will set up their offense, led by the consistent power of Carlos Delgado, for victory. Delgado needs a monster week to keep pace with the Maulers’ slugger. Monroe Valley Maulers (5-6): The Maulers’ identity is pure thunder, thanks to Hall of Fame slugger Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero’s high-contact, high-power approach is a constant threat for home runs and RBIs. On the mound, Jason Schmidt offers the potential for dominant strikeout performances, making him a critical weapon against the Demolition’s potent lineup. The ultimate determining factor will likely be the performance of the aces. Can Schmidt out-duel one of Chicago’s legends, or will the combined force of the Demolition’s pitching staff neutralize Guerrero and the rest of the Maulers’ offense? Prediction: This is a coin flip, but the sheer consistency of two top-tier starting pitchers gives the Demolition a slight edge. They need their staff to deliver and minimize the damage from Vlad. |
| Game #1: | Monroeville overcame a significant deficit to defeat Chicago in a thrilling matchup, 8-6. Chicago’s Demolition squad jumped out to an early lead, building a 6-0 advantage by the bottom of the 4th inning, highlighted by an RBI single and a three-run double by Roberto Alomar in that frame.
The Maulers began their furious rally in the top of the 6th, scoring five runs against Chicago reliever Justin Speier and cutting the lead to just 6-5. Damian Mientkiewicz doubled home two runs and Jason Varitek singled in another during the inning. Monroeville then completed the comeback in the 7th inning, tying the game on a Jacque Jones RBI double and taking the lead, 7-6, on a Jose Hernandez sacrifice fly. They added an insurance run in the 9th. Final Score: Monroeville 8 / Chicago 6 Win: Dontrelle Willis 2-1 (4.64) |
| Game #2: | The Chicago Demolition secured a 5-2 victory over the Monroeville Maulers in the second game of the series. Monroeville took an early 2-0 lead, scoring one run in the 1st on a Jason Varitek sacrifice fly and adding another in the 3rd on a solo home run by Doug Mientkiewicz.
However, Chicago’s offense came alive in the bottom of the 4th inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Roberto Alomar broke the game open with a clutch three-run double, giving the Demolition a 3-2 lead. They extended that lead in the 5th inning on an RBI single by Sammy Stewart and a run-scoring double play by Carlos Delgado, making the score 5-2. Chicago’s bullpen, with Terry Adams and closer Billy Wagner, silenced the Maulers for the final 3 2/3 innings to secure the win. Final Score: Chicago 5 – Monroeville 2 Win: Kevin Gregg 2-0 (2.79) |
| Game #3: | The Chicago Demolition edged out the Monroeville Maulers in a tight contest, securing a 4-3 victory.
Chicago took an early 2-0 lead in the first two innings, with Edgar Renteria scoring the first run after a single and a sacrifice fly by Tony Clark driving in the second. The Maulers answered back in the top of the 4th, as a two-RBI double from Frank Catalanotto tied the game at 2-2. The Demolition immediately regained the lead in the bottom of the 4th with Renteria driving in Roberto Alomar. Carlos Delgado extended Chicago’s lead to 4-2 with a solo home run in the 5th. Monroeville mounted a threat in the 6th, scoring one run on a sac fly by Jay Jones to narrow the deficit to 4-3 and loading the bases, but relief pitcher Brendan Donnelly escaped the jam. Billy Wagner closed out the 8th and 9th for the save, sealing the win for Chicago. Final Score: Chicago 4 – Monroeville 3 Win: Roger Clemens 1-0 (2.66) |
| Game #4: | The DEMOLITION secured a decisive victory over the MAULERS, winning 7-1. The game started quietly, with both teams trading solo home runs—S. Stewart for the DEMOLITION in the bottom of the first and D. Mientkiewicz for the MAULERS in the top of the second, making it 1-1.
The DEMOLITION offense exploded in the third inning, scoring four runs driven by an RBI double from H. Matsui and a two-run single by G. Norton, propelling them to a 5-1 lead. Norton added another solo home run in the sixth. Starter Matt Kinney earned the win for the DEMOLITION (1-0, 4.70 ERA), going 6.1 strong innings, while Jason Schmidt was tagged with the loss. The MAULERS scattered 10 hits but could only push across the single run. Final Score: Chicago 7 – Monroeville 1 Win: Matt Kinney 1-0 (4.70) |
| Game #5: | The Chicago Demolition offense exploded in the bottom of the first and fourth innings to secure a convincing 12-2 victory over the Monroeville Maulers.
The Maulers initially took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a home run by J. Varitek. However, the Demolition quickly responded with a two-run shot from C. Delgado to tie the game, followed by a P. Nevin triple that drove in two more, kicking off a massive first inning that saw Chicago score 6 runs. After two pitching changes for Monroeville, the Demolition bats continued their onslaught in the fourth inning, scoring 5 more runs on key hits and walks, extending their lead to 11-2. Demolition starter Pedro Martinez settled in nicely after the first, striking out 7 over six innings for the win. Final Score: Chicago 12 – Monroeville 2 Win: Pedro Martinez 3-1 (1.71) |
| Series Summary: | The Chicago Demolition (now 9-7) have emerged with a decisive series victory, winning four of five games against the Monroe Valley Maulers (now 6-10) to secure a coveted winning record. Tensions ran high throughout the series as the two 5-6 teams battled, but Chicago’s classic core pitching and timely power ultimately overwhelmed Monroe Valley’s electric slugging.
The series began with a thrilling 8-6 comeback victory for the Maulers, overcoming a 6-0 deficit against the Demolition bullpen. However, that was the extent of Monroe Valley’s success. Chicago immediately countered, taking the next four contests, including two comfortable wins (7-1 and 12-2) and two tight affairs (5-2 and 4-3). Highlights included two crucial Roberto Alomar three-run doubles, first in a loss and then a clutch series-tying hit. The Demolition’s legendary rotation delivered as predicted, with Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez each securing a win, while closer Billy Wagner locked down multiple saves. Monroe Valley’s powerful offense, led by the predicted threat Vladimir Guerrero, struggled to string hits together, while their projected ace, Jason Schmidt, was handed a loss in the 7-1 rout. The Demolition’s offensive firepower ultimately proved too much, capped by a massive 12-2 victory featuring a Carlos Delgado two-run shot and a six-run first inning. The Demolition now head into their next matchup with significant momentum and a winning record in hand. |
Dondero Oaks @ Fort Worth Panthers |
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| Series Preview: | Third week of the season and third week of divisional play.
The Oakes come to Ft. Worth 2 games behind the Panthers in the AL West |
| Game #1: | Kevin Brown gives up a one out double followed by a homer in the first to Paul Ibanez then limits Dondero to 2 hits over the next 6 plus innings. Ft. Worth only had 1 RBI but scored 4 runs.
Final Score: Panthers 4, Oaks 2 |
| Game #2: | Dondero again scores in the first with a Ibanez ribbie-single, but the Panthers score 4 in the 7th highlighted by a 3-run homer by Jose Guillen, “The runners take their lead … here’s a pitch … this one could have wings … up … up! and away! … a three-run shot to left … that pitch was right in his wheelhouse … GUILLEN has his 3rd homer of the season … he’s now homered in 3 straight games”
Final Score: Panthers 4, Oaks 2 |
| Game #3: | The Oaks were cruising with a 6-0 lead in the 7th when the sleeping Panther bats woke up scoring 13 runs in two innings – two grand slams and one 3-run homer later and Ft. Worth completed an incredible come back.
Final Score: Panthers 13, Oaks 8 |
| Game #4: | This time Dondero dominated from start to finish allowing just a single hit as Rodrigo Lopez eats some innings for the Panthers. The Oaks injure another Panther OF with a HBP
Final Score: Oaks 8, Panthers 1 |
| Game #5: | Carl Crawford leads another Panther offense attack by going 5 for 5 and Ft. Worth wins going away.
Final Score: Panthers 9, Oaks 4 |
| Series Summary: | Dondero was able to tame the Panther batters in 3 of the games, but can only manage 1 win. Ft. Worth takes the series 4 games to 1. |
Hampton Huskies @ Flora-Bama Mullets
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| Series Preview: | The Flora-Bama home crowd welcomes their new slugger to the team as Hampton visits for five. |
| Game #1: | Wolf took a no hitter into the 8th. Flora-Bama 3-1 |
| Game #2: | Mullets get six straight hits and three homers in the 1st. Depaula did get payback by hitting Berkman in the head and injuring him for rest of the series. Flora-Bama 11-6 |
| Game #3: | Hunter and Huff each hit bases clearing doubles in the 4th as Chacon imploded. Ludwick had two homers in the loss. Flora-Bama 8-3 |
| Game #4: | Lopez went deep twice but Webb rebounded to pitch into the 9th. Unfortunately, he gave up two singles to start the inning and the pen gave up a walk-off sac fly to Huff. Flora-Bama 4-3 |
| Game #5: | Schilling only gave up one hit over eight innings but Wagner allowed a Lawton two run homer to tie it in the 9th. Huff walked it off again with a solo shot in the bottom of the 10th. |
| Series Summary: | The Mullets recent acquisition leads them to two walk-offs and an unexpected sweep of the up and coming Huskies. Aubrey Huff became an instant fan favorite as he powered the offense with 7 RBIs with a .333 AVG and a .762 SLG. |
Southlake Stealers @ Yucaipa Badgers |
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| Series Preview: | Is the division reaching parity? |
| Game #1: | SSS 7-1 Spencer 2 HR’s Prior lowers his era to .77 |
| Game #2: | YUC 4-3 3 runs in B9 for a walk off win. |
| Game #3: | YUC 6-1 Hernandez complete game only 1 run. |
| Game #4: | YUC 6-1 |
| Game #5: | YUC 4-3 Muller walk off in B13. |
| Series Summary: | YUC wins series 4-1 |
Hollywood Vampires @ Winnipeg Goldeyes |
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| Series Preview: | Hollywood playing just above .500 and Winnipeg just below .500 to start. |
| Series Summary: | Holly7wood holds on in the 9th nailing a runner at home of game 5 to take the series 3 games to 2. |
Corktown Bootleggers @ Houghton Penguins |
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| Game #1: | John Olerud hits a Grand Slam in the first inning, and Corktown holds on to win 5-2. |
| Game #2: | Eric Young breaks a 4-4 tie in the 7th with a 3-run homerun for Corktown as they go onto win 7-4. |
| Game #3: | Houghton’s Darren Oliver allowed 1 run over 8 innings, but with the Penguins winning 6-1 in the top of the 9th, Jesus Colome gave up 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks to tie the game. Houghton goes on to lose the game 7-6 in 10 innings. |
| Game #4: | Jon Garland throw a 2-hit shutout for Corktown. Final score 6-0. Houghton’s John Thomson goes to 0-3 and is immediately traded to California. |
| Game #5: | Jesus Colome lets another game go into extra innings, but this time Houghton manufactures a run in the bottom of the 11th inning with a walk, stolen base, sacrifice, and a single to score the winning run. Dave Roberts scores the winning run and he stole 3 bases in the game. He was immediately traded to California. |
| Series Summary: | Houghton’s vision of climbing above .500 is dashed by Corktown as Houghton was only able to salvage 1 11th inning win out of 5 games. All but 1 game were within 3 runs, so there may be hope. |
Long Beach Titans @ Blarney Drive Bandits
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| Series Summary: | Titans take both 1-run games and sweep the series. |
Danbury Mad Hatters @ Valdosta Bombers |
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| Series Preview: | Week 3 finds Danbury paying a visit to Valdosta. |
| Game #1: | Valdosta 9-7. Valdosta came back from a 6-1 deficit to win it thanks to some strong bullpen work. & HR’s hit in the game. |
| Game #2: | Valdosta 12-3. Thome homered (9) for the Mad Hatters, but it was all Bombers in this one. Bombers clobbered 5 HR’s. |
| Game #3: | Danbury 12-8. Again, plenty of offense with Thome providing 2 more HR’s. |
| Game #4: | Valdosta 5-2. Steve Finley popped a 3-run HR, which was enough for Nate Cornejo (1-2, 5.21) to pick up a win. |
| Game #5: | Danbury 4-3. If Richie Sexson homers 2x with Moyer on the mound allowing just 3 hits in 7 1/3 IP, Bombers should win right? Adam Eaton improved to 1-0 and Mike Remlinger picked up his 1st save. |
| Series Summary: | Valdosta takes 3 of 5. |
Manhattan Gas Hornets @ Baltimore Blue Crabs |
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| Series Summary: | The Crabs take 5 of 6 from Baltimore. |
Iowa Giants @ DeWitt Tigers |
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| Series Summary: | Iowa wins the series against DeWitt. |
Michigan Marauders @ Gladstone Gladiators |
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| Game #1: | With a depleted bullpen, Gladstone needed Javier Vazquez to eat as many innings as possible. He rose to the challenge, tossing a complete game, yielding 3 runs and scattering 6 hits over 9 innings. The Gladiator bats also showed up, hammering Michigan’s pitchers with 14 hits and crossing the plate 6 times. FINAL SCORE: GLA 6 – MIC 3 |
| Game #2: | It was Michigan’s turn to hammer Gladstone’s pitching staff, scoring 10 runs on 8 hits (including a grand slam by Mike Lieberthal). FINAL SCORE: MIC 10 – GLA 4 |
| Game #3: | Gladstone seemed to have things under control as they took a 4-0 lead through 7 innings, and starter Gio Gonzalez was having his way with the Marauder hitters. But a bonehead move on the part of the manager caused everything to unravel. Gonzalez was taken out to rest his arm after 7 innings, Carlos Silva gave up 3 runs in the 8th and yielded to Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt got the last out in the 8th, but then gave up the tying run in the 9th, and the winning run in the 10th. FINAL SCORE: MIC 5 – GLA 4 |
| Game #4: | Gladstone again took the lead through 7, this time by a 6-1 score. Michigan battled back, notching 3 runs (only 1 earned, though) off of reliever Scott Schoenweiss. Francisco Rodriguez gave up one more, but held the line to earn the save. FINAL SCORE: GLA 6 – MIC 5 |
| Game #5: | With the series tied, Gladstone sent Russ Ortiz in an effort to take the rubber match. He didn’t have his best stuff, and yielded 4 runs over 7 innings. The Gladiators managed to tie the score by the time he left, and pulled ahead in the 8th. But Mike MacDougal yielded 4 runs on 3 walks and 4 hits in the top of the 9th to blow the save and lose the game. FINAL SCORE: MIC 8 – GLA 5 |
| Series Summary: | Michigan takes the divisional matchup 3 games to 2, sending the Gladiators off talking to themselves about the missed opportunities. |