2003 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #25

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Panthers continued their late-season surge Thursday night, rallying from an early deficit to defeat the California Quakes, 6–4, in the opening game of a five-game series.

The win pushed the Panthers to 99–42 on the season and extended their winning streak to five games, while the last-place Quakes dropped their 18th straight contest.

California threatened early, loading the bases with no outs in the first inning against Panthers starter Todd Ritchie. But the right-hander escaped unscathed, striking out Ben Broussard before inducing an inning-ending double play.

Fort Worth nearly struck first in the bottom half when Jose Reyes tripled with one out, but Quakes starter John Thomson stranded him at third to keep the game scoreless.

The Panthers finally broke through in the third inning. After putting runners on first and third with no outs, Reyes lifted a fly ball to right that resulted in a double play but allowed Warren Morris to score for a 1–0 lead.

The Quakes responded in a big way in the fifth. Consecutive singles by Luis Castillo and Ryan Freel set the table for Mark Teixeira, who tied the game with an RBI single. California kept the pressure on, taking advantage of shaky pitching and timely hitting. Broussard drove in a run on a ground ball, Carlos Guillen followed with an RBI single, and Raul Gonzalez added another run on a fielder’s choice, giving the Quakes a 4–1 lead.

Fort Worth answered quickly. In the bottom of the fifth, B.J. Surhoff doubled home a run to cut the deficit to 4–2.

The Panthers completed the comeback in the seventh inning. With runners on base, pinch-hitter Edgar Martinez delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the game at 4–4.

Fort Worth took the lead for good in the eighth. Tike Redman led off with a double and scored on Fred McGriff’s single to center, putting the Panthers ahead 5–4. Later in the inning, Reyes added an insurance run with another RBI single, extending the lead to 6–4.

California mounted a final threat in the ninth. With two outs, Broussard doubled to put the tying run in scoring position, but Guillen lined out to left field to end the game.

Reliever Matt Mantei earned the victory, improving to 4–2, while Dustin Hermanson took the loss for the Quakes. Joe Borowski recorded his league-leading 36th save.

Both teams collected 14 hits, but Fort Worth proved more efficient in key moments, continuing its strong push toward the postseason. Meanwhile, the Quakes’ struggles deepened, as missed opportunities and defensive lapses once again proved costly.

Final Score: Panthers 6, Quakes 4

FORT WORTH — In a game that began with missed opportunities and ended in emphatic fashion, the Fort Worth Panthers powered past the California Quakes, 10–4, to secure a postseason berth and their 9th Divisional Title (5th in AL West) extending their winning streak to six games.

Backed by a dominant stretch from starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia and a relentless offensive surge in the middle innings, the Panthers improved to 100–42 on the season, maintaining their grip atop the standings.

Despite early pressure from California, Fort Worth set the tone by escaping trouble in the opening inning. The Quakes loaded the bases against Sabathia but failed to score, a missed chance that foreshadowed a frustrating night for the visitors, who left 14 runners on base.

The Panthers broke through in the third inning when José Guillén launched a towering solo home run to left-center field, igniting the home crowd and giving Fort Worth a 1–0 lead. The momentum quickly snowballed. Defensive miscues by California allowed another run to score later in the inning, pushing the advantage to 2–0.

The decisive blow came in the fourth inning. Fort Worth erupted for six runs, capitalizing on shaky pitching and continued defensive lapses by the Quakes. Guillén delivered a two-run single, Edgar Martínez added an RBI groundout, and Gary Sheffield contributed with a run-scoring hit. Pinch-hitter Fred McGriff capped the rally with a two-run single, extending the lead to 8–0 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Sabathia, meanwhile, weathered control issues—issuing seven walks—but limited the damage when it mattered most. The left-hander worked seven innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out five. The victory marked his 20th consecutive win, a remarkable streak that continues to draw attention across the league.
California managed to get on the board in the fifth inning and added late runs, including a two-run homer by Miguel Olivo in the ninth. However, the outcome was never seriously in doubt.
Fort Worth added insurance in the fifth inning when Rich Aurilia blasted a two-run home run, pushing the score to 10–1. From there, the Panthers’ bullpen closed out the game without incident.
For the Quakes, the loss marked their 19th straight defeat, underscoring a difficult season that has seen the club fall well out of contention.

With the win, the Panthers not only clinched a playoff spot but also took a 2–0 lead in the five-game series. As the regular season winds down, Fort Worth appears poised to carry its momentum into October.

Final Score: Panthers 10, Quakes 4

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Panthers continued their torrid late-season run Thursday, overwhelming the struggling California Quakes 11–1 in Game 3 of a five-game series.

Behind a historic performance from ace Kevin Brown and a relentless offensive attack, the Panthers extended their winning streak to seven games while handing the Quakes their 20th consecutive loss.
Brown (19–3) was once again masterful, tossing seven innings of one-run ball while allowing just five hits.

The game was effectively decided in the bottom of the first inning, when Fort Worth erupted for five runs on six hits, chasing Quakes starter Brandon Duckworth after just one-third of an inning. B.J. Surhoff sparked the rally with an RBI double, followed by back-to-back run-scoring doubles from Gary Sheffield and Ivan Rodriguez. Shea Hillenbrand later added a two-run single to cap the early outburst.

That early surge gave Brown more than enough cushion.

The Panthers added to their lead in the third when Rodriguez launched a solo home run to center field, his 22nd of the season. Rodriguez finished the night with three hits and multiple RBIs, continuing his strong campaign.

Fort Worth’s offense remained relentless throughout the game, collecting 18 hits in total. Sheffield contributed a pair of extra-base hits and drove in multiple runs, while Jose Reyes and Surhoff consistently pressured the Quakes with their speed and timely hitting.

The Quakes managed their only run in the sixth inning when Mark Teixeira delivered an RBI double, but the brief spark did little to shift momentum. Brown and the Panthers’ bullpen quickly shut the door, retiring the final nine batters in order.

California’s pitching staff struggled throughout, with Duckworth (6–17) absorbing the loss after the disastrous first inning. Relievers Todd Jones, Dan Smith, and Dustin Hermanson were unable to slow the Panthers’ offense, which scored in five different innings.

With the victory, Fort Worth improved to 101–42 and took a commanding 3–0 lead in the series. The Panthers, already playoff-bound, continue to showcase why they are among the league’s most complete teams, leading in multiple offensive categories while boasting one of the top pitching staffs.

Meanwhile, the Quakes—now mired in a 20-game losing streak—fell further into last place, their season continuing to unravel as the schedule winds down.

The two teams will meet again in Fort Worth as the Panthers look to extend both their winning streak and their dominance over California.

Final Score: Panthers 11, Quakes 1

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Panthers continued their dominant stretch Thursday, riding a relentless middle-inning surge and another masterful outing from Hideo Nomo to a 10–5 victory over the struggling California Quakes.

The Panthers, already playoff-bound, pushed their overall winning streak to eight games while handing the Quakes their 21st straight loss.

For three innings, the game unfolded as a pitcher’s duel. Nomo was sharp early, retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced, while Quakes starter Matt Kinney navigated traffic despite defensive miscues behind him.

That balance broke in the bottom of the third. Fort Worth capitalized on aggressive baserunning and timely situational hitting. Rich Aurilia opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly, and Edgar Martinez followed with another, giving the Panthers a 2–0 lead without the benefit of an extra-base hit.
The floodgates opened an inning later.

The Panthers erupted for six runs in the fourth, chasing Kinney and overwhelming the Quakes with a mix of power and persistence. RBI hits from Luis Rivas, Carl Crawford, and Aurilia extended the lead before Martinez delivered the decisive blow—a two-run homer down the left-field line that made it 7–0. Fort Worth added another run on a passed ball later in the inning, turning the game into a rout at 8–0.

Meanwhile, Nomo was in complete control. Mixing his trademark delivery with pinpoint command, the right-hander allowed just one hit through six shutout innings, striking out five and walking one. California managed little solid contact against him, repeatedly producing weak fly balls and routine grounders.

The Panthers continued to pile on in the fifth, adding two more runs to stretch the lead to 10–0, highlighted by Martinez’s fourth RBI of the game.

California finally showed life in the eighth inning. Luis Castillo broke up the shutout with a two-run double, Carlos Guillen followed with an RBI single, and Morgan Ensberg capped the rally with a two-run homer to right, trimming the deficit to 10–5. But the comeback effort came too late.

Fort Worth’s bullpen stabilized in the final innings, and reliever Luis Ayala closed the door in the ninth, retiring the side in order to secure the victory.

Martinez led the Panthers’ 15-hit attack with four RBIs, while Aurilia collected three hits and drove in a run. Crawford added two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base as Fort Worth’s lineup showcased the depth that has made it one of the league’s most potent offenses.

For California, the loss underscored a season unraveling. The Quakes managed just five hits and committed three errors, two by shortstop Carlos Guillen, that contributed to early scoring opportunities for Fort Worth.

Kinney (1–4) took the loss, surrendering five runs (three earned) before being lifted in the fourth inning.

As the series continues, the contrast between the two clubs could not be more stark: the Panthers surging toward the postseason, and the Quakes searching for an end to a historic skid.

Final: Panthers 10, Quakes 5

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Panthers capped a dominant five-game series sweep Thursday with a 5–2 victory over the struggling Quakes, extending their winning streak to nine games while handing their opponents a staggering 22nd consecutive loss.

Behind another steady outing from left-hander Mark Redman and a four-hit performance from Fred McGriff, the first-place Panthers continued to look every bit like a postseason contender.

Redman (12–6) was in control from the outset, retiring the side in order in the first inning and allowing just three hits over six scoreless frames. He worked efficiently, escaping limited threats and benefiting from sharp infield defense, including a key double play in the second inning.

The Panthers broke through in the second. After McGriff singled, Shea Hillenbrand drove a ball into the right-field corner for an RBI triple, giving Fort Worth a 1–0 lead. They added another run in the third when Carl Crawford singled, stole second, and eventually scored on a groundout by B.J. Surhoff.

Fort Worth stretched the lead to 3–0 in the fourth on Hillenbrand’s second RBI hit of the night, but the inning could have been bigger. The Panthers loaded the bases with no outs, only to leave all three runners stranded as John Thomson battled back with two strikeouts.

That missed opportunity didn’t linger long.

In the fifth, McGriff delivered the decisive blow. After Jose Guillen drew a two-out walk, McGriff launched a two-run homer down the right-field line, pushing the lead to 5–0 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Thomson (5–17) took the loss despite striking out six over 4 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and three runs before exiting in the fifth.

The Quakes finally broke through in the seventh when Todd Greene homered off reliever Matt Mantei. Morgan Ensberg added a solo shot in the eighth, but Fort Worth’s bullpen held firm from there. Closer Joe Borowski recorded the final three outs for his league-leading 37th save.

McGriff led the Panthers’ offense, going 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Hillenbrand drove in two runs of his own. Crawford added a spark atop the lineup with a hit and a stolen base.

For the Quakes, the loss underscored a season-long slide. Despite collecting seven hits, they struggled to capitalize, leaving seven runners on base.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 103–42 and continue to build momentum heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Quakes remain mired at the bottom of the standings, their losing streak now stretching beyond three weeks.

Final: Panthers 5, Quakes 2.

Some career highlights for the home team.

Edgar Martinez moves into a tie for 2nd best all time in games played for the Panthers tying the great Willie McGee at 1839 games, but remains stuck on 499 career doubles.

Hideo Nomo reaches 20 victories for the 3rd time in his career and reaches 150 total wins with the Panthers.

The Stealers lean on the incredible dynamic of Ichiro Suzuki and Carlos Beltran at the top of the lineup, providing a mix of speed and precision that keeps pitchers under constant duress. On the mound, Southlake counters with the young brilliance of Mark Prior and the veteran stability of John Smoltz.

The Demolition, however, possess enough firepower to trade blows. Led by the massive power of Carlos Delgado and the hitting prowess of Hideki Matsui, Chicago’s offense can turn a game around in a single inning. Their pitching staff is equally legendary, headlined by “The Rocket” Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez. Expect a postseason atmosphere as these division rivals battle for momentum and regional bragging rights.

Final Score: Southlake 9 / Chicago 0

Win: Mark Prior 21-2 (2.29)
Loss: Jason Schmidt 14-8 (2.79)

Final Score: Southlake 5 / Chicago 4

Win: Ron Mahay 3-1 (3.94)
Loss: Terry Adams 5-3 (3.02)
Save: John Smoltz #28

Chicago’s offense provided all the support Martinez needed via the long ball. Tony Batista broke the scoreless tie in the fourth with a two-run homer off Sidney Ponson, and Carlos Delgado added a solo insurance blast in the sixth. Billy Wagner entered in the eighth and slammed the door, recording the final four outs to earn his 33rd save and secure the division-rival win.

Final Score: Chicago 3 – Southlake 0

Win: Pedro Martinez 19-7 (1.46)
Loss: Sidney Ponson 13-8 (2.69)
Save: Billy Wagner #33

The Demolition fought back in the sixth when Tony Batista launched a three-run home run off Eric DuBose, cutting the deficit to two. However, the Southlake bullpen held firm. Guillermo Mota struck out the side in the seventh, and Ron Mahay navigated a lead-off walk in the ninth to secure his second save.

Final Score: Southlake 6 – Chicago 4

Win: Eric DuBose 8-6 (3.69)
Loss: Jason Bere 0-1 (9.00)
Save: Ron Mahay #2

The tie was broken in the fifth when Nomar Garciaparra drove in Beltran with a two-out single. Wade Miller earned the win, striking out nine over 5.1 innings, while John Smoltz retired the side in the ninth to record his 29th save.

Final Score: Southlake 4 – Chicago 3

Win: Wade Miller 11-8 (4.36)
Loss: Doug Waechter 2-3 (4.70)
Save: John Smoltz #29

Chicago’s lone bright spot came via a vintage Pedro Martinez performance, as “El Grande” tossed 7.2 shutout innings to secure a 3-0 victory. Despite a late-series surge from Tony Batista and Carlos Delgado, the Demolition couldn’t overcome Southlake’s relentless pressure. The Stealers’ bullpen proved elite, with John Smoltz slamming the door on multiple comeback attempts to stifle Chicago’s division title hopes and solidify Southlake as the team to beat.