PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #10

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
SWINDELL,Greg	POR AL	1	1	0	0	0.00	9	0	0	4	7	3	0	0	0	0	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
BELLE,Albert	CBL AL	.313	.719	7	32	10	1	0	4	4	11	4	0	0	0	0	1

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
MORRIS,Jack	MGH NL	2	2	0	0	1.20	15	2	2	14	7	7	0	1	0	0	1

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
FIELDER,Cecil	LBT NL	.296	.778	7	27	8	1	0	4	6	6	7	0	0	0	0	0

Steel City Sluggers @ Winnipeg Goldeyes
Preview	It is expected to be a close race to the Finish with Steel City, Winnipeg and Germantown. At the moment Steel City has a 3 game lead. So Winnipeg needs to win this series to keep the race close.
Game #1:	Dennis Martinez shutdown the Winnipeg hitters on just 3 hits and a run. Schilling the Winnipeg ace was solid 3 in 8.1 as Hollins got him for 2 rbis. SCS 3 WGE 1 W-Martinez 6-3 L Schilling 6-4
Game #2:	Glavine always seem to do well vs Steel City and he was great throwing a 2 hitter McGuire and Vizquel homered for Winnipeg. WGE 6 SCS 0 w-glavine 4-4 l-Hurst 3-5
Game #3:	Grace homered in the first for SCS but Candoitti and the pen settled down and did not allow another run. Darling took the loss as Pena and Mcguire homered. WGE 5 SCS 1 W-Rojas 4 -2 L-Darling 6-3
Game #4:	Jackson got the start but it was quick hook time as the strong Winnipeg pen was used. Liebrant got McGuire out with the bases loaded and was pumped but Devereaux liked the next fastball and hit the eventual game winning Grand Slam. WGE 7 SCS 4 w-Rojas 5-2 l-Liebrandt 5-3 S-Beck 7
Game #5:	Winnipeg was feeling great and the amazing Benes was on the mound but alas got hurt without getting to face a batter. Alteast kile was on the team to get some innings inning and he had to take the ball, As expected though steel city bats like the 7 with a W and scored 5 runs in 6 innings. Ryan was solid 2 in 8 for the SCS win. SCS 5 WGE W-Ryan 6-3 L-Kile 1-1 S-Lillquist 6
Game #6:	Once again Martinez was excellent allowing just 1 run a Vizquel double in the 2nd. But this time Schilling was great pitching 8 4 hit shutout innings and Beck got the 3 batter save. WGE 1 SCS 0 w-Schilling 7-4 Martinez 6-4
Game #7:	Hurst was better 2 in 6 this time but Glavine was better 1 run in 7.1 innings as he left game up 2-1. But Rojas blew his 6th save on another homer for the 21ZH as Grace took him deep to tie the game 2-2. It went extras and Lilliquist walked Mcguire and Redus run for him. With 2 out and redus on second and Deverauz who was IBB’d in a good manager move was pulled for Mark Eichhorn,. Eichhorn has never been great vs lefties and Viquel made him pay with an rbi single. WGE 3 SCS 2 (11) W-Beck 2-1 L-Lilliquist (1-3)
Summary:	So Winnipeg got an unexpected 5-2 series win to tie Steel City but Germantown is like likely winner as they should move into first with a series win. Pitcher of the week: Glavine (1-0) 16.1 innings 1 run just 8 hits 5 walks and 10 K’s bs a great lineup Martinez for SCS was also great 15 innings 2 runs allowed No real hitter of the week although Vizquel and Grace were really clutch. Benes will miss 6 more days but will remain active

Missouri Black Bears @ Sugar Land Skeeters
Summary:	Three ten-inning affairs to start the series including a 10-inning CG win by Magnante in his season debut. Sugar Land surprises

Stockton Wings @ Fort Worth Panthers
Preview	The Stockton Wings come to Cow town to battle the Panthers as the Top two teams in the AL East square off. The Wings are having a fine season tied with Ft. Worth for the most road wins in the AL, but still a distant 9 games behind the Panthers with the Corktown Bootleggers hot on their tail only two games behind.
Game #1:	TOP 2nd – C. Snyder singles to drive home two, but is thrown when the throw home is cut to second. STO 2, FWP 0TOP 3rd – Wings put runners on the corners with nobody out, but could only manage 1 run on a B. Larkin groundout to short. STO 3, FWP 0 BOT 3rd – First two batters single and then D. DeShields steals 2nd, but just like Stockton the Panthers can only manage 1 run on a R. Brewer sac fly. STO 3, FWP 1 BOT 5th – R. Brewer singles home D. DeShields. STO 3, FWP 2 TOP 6th – Panther reliever J. Innis comes in with two runners on and walks 3 straight hitters help Stockton expand their lead. STO 5, FWP 2 BOT 6th – Sac fly by I. Rodriguez. STO 5, FWP 3 TOP 7th – Wings use the home run ball to put the game out of reach. Solo homers by L. Walker (8) and B. Hunter (3) and a two-run homer by M. Tettleton (6) Final score: STO 9, FWP 3
Game #2:	TOP 2nd – M. LaValliere RBI single. STO 1, FWP 0 BOT 2nd – Solo HR by G. Sheffield (12). RBI double by I. Rodriguez. FWP 2, STO 1 TOP 3rd – K. Hrbek singles home two, but gets thrown out at 2nd base. STO 3, FWP 2 BOT 6th – With two outs D. DeShields singles home two. FWP 4, STO 3 BOT 7th – Solo HR by G. Sheffield (13). FWP 5, STO 3 BOT 8th – F. McGriff RBI single. Final score: FWP 6, STO 3
Game #3:	Z. Smith was nearly untouchable for 8 innings for the Panthers, but gives up a double and triple in the 9th to M. Grissom and G. Larkin. Ft. Worth closer J. Austin comes into the game allowing a game tying sac fly. The Panthers could have easily lost this game if it weren’t for DH E. Martinez. He went 4 for 4 driving in all the runs with a RBI single in the first, his 12th home run in the 8th, and a walk off RBI single in the Bottom of the 9th. Final score: FWP 3, STO 2
Game #4:	BOT 1st – Sac fly by D. DeShields. FWP 1, STO 0 TOP 2nd – C. Hayes 2 RBI double. STO 2, FWP 1 TOP 3rd – L. Walker solo HR (9). STO 3, FWP 1 BOT 3rd – E. Martinez 2 RBI double. STO 3, FWP 3 TOP 7th – B. Larkin RBI single. STO 4, FWP 3 TOP 8th – M. LaValliere RBI double. Final score: STO 5, FWP 3
Game #5:	BOT 1st – D. DeShields RBI double. FWP 1, STO 0 TOP 2nd – K. Hrbek somehow makes it to 2nd base after slipping going around first on a RBI double. FWP 1, STO 1 BOT 2nd – RBI double by I. Rodriguez. FWP 2, STO 1 BOT 5th – W. Joyner ribbie-single. FWP 2, STO 2 TOP 6th – C. Davis singles home one run. The Panthers hold on the rest of the way. Final score: FWP 3, STO 2
Game #6:	Ft. Worth starter, Abbott gives up two runs in the first on a single by Walker and a solo HR by M. Tettleton (7), but allows only 1 more hit through 7 innings. RBI singles in the 6th by E. Martinez, G. Sheffield, and W. Joyner give the Panthers the lead. In the 7th D. DeShields caps of the scoring driving in two with his 4th double of the season. Final score: FWP 5, STO 2
Game #7:	Panthers score 4 in the first highlighted by back to back homers by McGriff (11) – a two run shot and G. Sheffield (14). Ft. Worth cranks out 12 hits and wins easily. Final score: FWP 8, STO 1
Summary:	Ft. Worth expands their division lead to 12 games by taking 5 of 7 from Stockton, who may drop to third if Corktown and has a winning series against California.Next week the Wings have a much easier series against Chicago while the Bootleggers visit the Panthers.

Valdosta Bombers @ Manhattan Gas Hornets
Preview	NL East matchup between the Valdosta Bombers and the Manhattan Gas Hornets. Gas guys suddenly think they are in a pennant race – sell next year to solidify the starters with a bunch of older seasoned guys and they have to take advantage of every opportunity they get. They hope this is one of those as the Bombers are struggling on the mound.NOTE – this week contains one of the rarest (if not the rarest) of rare plays – I ACTUALLY GET INTO THE Play by PLAY! [Hint: game 1]
Game #1:	The outcome of the game was not much in question after 2 Gas Hornet triples in a 5 run 5th. In the 7th with the score 6-0 Lee hits a 2 run homer (2) for the Valdosta. Then in the 8th with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd, the Bombers choose to walk Dave Martinez to load the bases and pitch to Dick Schofield. THEN IN HAPPENS:* D. SCHOFIELD facing B. SAMPEN, B 8th, 2 Outs, Bases Loaded, Ahead 8-2And SAMPEN drops the ball! … it’s a balk! … the ump is bringing MARTINEZ home … MCREYNOLDS moves to third … MARTINEZ’s taking second … Fritz is out of the stands and the ump’s taking some heat … Roswell and Kenneth are off the bench Jeff, Sam, and Ileana are waving their arms phenoms Colby, Alan, Gregg, Corlise, and Bill [THAT’S ME] are running over … everyone’s hopping mad but the call stands … and the fans leave the fieldJust one of those things added to the PBP from back in the days I was will Miller Associates.Anyway – Manhattan ends up with 3 runs in the inning, Pagnozzi hits a 2 run shot 5) in the 9th and it’s all over. VAL 4 7-0 LP Moore (1-7) MGH 9-12-0 WP J.Jones (3-2)
Game #2:	No rare plays – but Jack Morris has some issues in the 1st and gives up an Eric Karros 2 run homer (9) – 1 of 3 Karros hits in the game. But Jack settles down after that and goes 6 more strong innings. He gets a ton of support including a 5 run 4th (2nd game in row for that feat). When it was all said and done, the Gas Hornets scored 12 – the Bombers nothing after the 1st. Yount had 4 rbis including a 2 run HR (3) in the 4th. VAL 2-10-2 LP Burba (2-7) MGH 12-14-1 WP Morris (7-3)
Game #3:	This game was low scoring – Tino Martinez hits a 2 run homer (6) in a 3 run 3rd. Welch tosses a 4 hitter and is lifted with 2 outs in the 7th. Radinsky then walks one, gives up a hit and Edens comes in. Edens gives up a hit – and 2 Bombers scores on Lee double. Edens gets the final out, goes back in the 8th gets 2, gives up another hit and D.Jones comes in a retures the next 4 batters he faces for the save. Osborne wishes he could have the 3rd inning back – only blemishes in his outing. VAL 2-7-0 LP Osborne (7-3) MGH 3-8-1 WP Welch (5-2) S D.Jones (11)
Game #4:	This one belonged to Orel Hershiser – not only did he pitch 8 scoreless (5 hit) innings, but he got 2 hits. One drove a runner from 1st to 3rd. Then Hershiser steals 2nd. SF nets a run. Harris pitched an eventful 2 hit 9th, but the Gas Hornets managed a 4-0 victory. Nixon 2 hits in the loss. Wilson 6 hits in 6.1 innings but also 4 walks. VAL 0-7-0 LP Wilson (2-5) MGH 4-6-0 WP Hershiser (4-5)
Game #5:	Any hopes for a sweep vanished when Shane Reynolds took the hill in this one. He manages to scatter 8 hits mixed with 2 walks and keeps the Gas Hornets limited to 1 run as he tosses a CG for the win. Finley triples (not the last time this week) and gets 2 hits, Nixon gets 2 singles and 2 rbis – Reynolds gets a double and scores a run. VAL 5-9-2 WP Reynolds (2-2) MGH 1-8-2 LP Stewart (5-6)
Game #6:	Rematch from game 1 pits Moore against J.Jones and Jones gets the best of it again – although in a lot closer matchup than the 1st time around. Manhattan squirrels one in the 2nd on a 2 out rbi single from Schofield. But the Bombers get 2 back in the 3rd when Finley hits a triple. Wallach then hits one to the left of the mound that Schofield gets, they get Finley in a run down, BUT he gets back to 3rd. Karros then rips one RF and scoring Finley. Clark then fans – Jones gets PUMPED and pumps the next pitch back to the wall for a WP scoring the go-ahead run, 2-1 Valdosta. But the Gas Hornets get one back in the bottom half then another in the 4th. They tack on 4th run in the 8th and D.Jones pitches a perfect 9th for the save. VAL 2-4-1 LP Moore (1-8) MGH 4-9-0 WP J.Jones (4-2) S D.Jones (12)
Game #7:	The finale was Burba vs. Morris again – and it was an odd one. Burba gives up 4 hits in 6 innings and SF to Fermin in the 4th – one run. Morris on the other hand gives up 8 hits and 4 walks in 8 innings and gives up NO runs. He gets out of the 1st three innings thanks to the DOUBLE PLAY. And in all, he benefited from SIX (6) DPs in his 8 innings!!! VAL 0-8-0 LP Burba (2-8) MGH 1-4-0 WP Morris (8-3) S D.Jones (13)
Summary:	So the Gas Hornets manage to take 6 of the 7 games to continue their daydream. Valdosta on the other hand is living a nightmare right now, but their hopes are for a brighter future.

Chicago Demolition @ Detroit Stars
Summary:	Detroit somehow sweeps Chicago, but Detroit suffers a few injuries along the way.

Corktown Bootleggers @ California Quakes
Summary:	California takes 5 of 7 from Corktown.

Blarney Drive Bandits @ Long Beach Titans
Game #1:	Oliver hit a 2 run HR to give Long Beach a 2-1 lead in the 2nd. They added 3 insurance runs in the 5-1 win. Tomlin and 3 relievers combined on a 3 hitter.
Game #2:	Pendleton broke up a 3-3 tie with a HR in the 6th. Fielder added a solo shot in the 8th to make the final 5-3. For the second game in a row Oliver hit a 2 run HR to give Long Beach an early lead.
Game #3:	Randy Johnson was dominant giving up just 2 hits over 8 innings in the Bandits’ 1-0 win. He struck out 11 and walked only 1. Murray supplied the only offense with a HR in the 4th.
Game #4:	Stottlemyre had a 3 hitter through 8 and a 2-0 lead when he was removed for Smith who gave up a 2 run HR to tie the game. In the 10th Hamilton tripled in Wilson with the winning run in Blarney Drive’s 3-2 win.
Game #5:	Blarney Drive broke open a 1-1 tie with 3 runs in the 6th and won 4-2. Hamilton and Bordick had the key hits in the rally. Wells pitched into the 7th and picked up the win.
Game #6:	Blarney Drive jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 3rd with Murray getting the key hit a 2 run 1b. They held on from there and won 4-3. Black went 8 strong innings to get the win.
Game #7:	Fielder broke up a 2-2 tie with his second HR of the game a 2 run shot in the 8th and Long Beach won 5-2.
Summary:	Blarney Drive wins 4 of the 7 games.

Flossmoor Flying Squirrels @ Portland Mavericks
Preview	Two struggling teams meet in the NL West, the Portland Mavericks 24-29 and the Flossmoor Flying Squirrels. Portland trying to climb from last place to, well, who knows… it is all about the journey.
Game #1:	In a nail biter, Rich Wilkins gives Portland the win in extras with a solo blast-o-rama. Wilkins has all three RBIs for Portland in the 3-2 win.
Game #2:	This time is the Flying Squirrels who escape with the nut, 2-1. Ron Gant‘s two-run shot broke an otherwise great pitching performance as Frank Castillo gives up just 4 hits in the complete game loss.
Game #3:	An unearned run but Portland on pitch Ken Hill proved to be costly, as the Squirrels once again with a one run game 3-2.
Game #4:	Enough of the close games says Portland… exploding to the 7-0 win. Greg Swindell gets the complete came shutout. Keith Miller takes one in the noggin and gets injured for 10 days, and then later Maverick Lance Johnson takes another, earning Mesa an ejections. Obviously still some back blood between the two teams over Flossmoor getting Maddux in the dispersal draft, wait… why are the Squirrels mad! Damn rodents. 😉
Game #5:	Did someone say, another one-run win? Mavericks see a two run lead disappear in the 9th inning after a two run HR by Ruben ‘sandwich’ Sierra ties it up. On to extras again. Portland gets the winner in the bottom of the 10th when some here got some kind of a hit. =) 3-2 Portland. Charlton picks up his second loss of the series for Flossmoor, and Portland wins vs Maddux.
Game #6:	The 0-8 David Cone on the mound for Flossmoor. That is the A starter David Cone… what the heck is going on in this alternate universe? One this day King Cone would get his first win 3-1 Flying Squirrels.
Game #7:	In yet another barnburner, it is Portland that squeaks out the win after a 2-run HR by Will Clark 7-6. Once again it is Norm Charlton with the loss, his third of the series and second blown save.
Summary:	Portland gets the series win 4 games to 3 that featured FIVE one run games.

Mexico City Chihuahuas @ Janesville Juggernauts
Preview	Janesville welcomes division leading Mexico City for a seven game set.
Game #1:	Game one sees Time Wakefield working his magic, as the Juggernauts win it 3-1.
Game #2:	Mexico City scores two quick runs in the first, but that is all the can manage as Eldred gets in a groove and Janesville wins it 4-2.
Game #3:	All Janesville for game three, as they led all the way in winning it 5-2.
Game #4:	An extra inning affair, the Chihuahuas score two in the top of the 12th to take their first game of the series 9-7.
Game #5:	The Juggernauts come up big in the 7th to 9th innings and win game five 7-6.
Game #6:	The Juggernauts bullpen falters and Mexico City takes advantage scoring 4 runs in the eighth inning to win game six 6-3.
Game #7:	The final game of the series sees the Chihuahuas bullpen come up big and they hang on to win it 4-3.
Summary:	A good series, Janesville wins it at home 4-3. Next up for the Juggernauts is a road trip to visit the Portland Mavericks, while Mexico City is at home against the California Quakes.

Michigan Marauders @ Germantown Grays
Preview	Michigan Marauders visit Germantown for a 5 game series. Both teams are in the middle of a playoff hunt.
Game #1:	Marauders Deshailes out duels the Grays Guzman. Marauders Hoiles went 2-3 2RBI R HR W and Ripken 2-4. DeShailes 6IP 1R on 3H&5W w/3K. Guthrie and Henneman pitched 3 innings of shutout relief to close it. Grays Gusman 5.1IP 1R on 5H&0W w/7K. Nied, Filer, DiPino and Aguilera pitched 2.1 inning of scoreless relief. Michigan 2-1.
Game #2:	Grays jump out to a 3-0 and hold on. Marauders Palmiero went 2-3 R W and Ripken 2-4 2RBI. Guthrie pitched 2 more innings of scoreless relief. Grays Alomar was 3-4 2RBI 2R 2HR, Jose 2-4 RBI R HR and McRae 2-4. Smoltz 6IP 2R 5H&2W w/6K. Assenmacher, Aguilera, Fetters, DiPino and Montgomery pitched 3 innings of scoreless relief to close it. Grays 4-2.
Game #3:	Nagy went the distance keeping the Grays at bay, 9IP 1R on 6H&0W w/7K. Hoiles went 2-4 2RBI R HR and Jackson 2-4 2b. Grays Almoar was 2-4 R Sb. Hernandez, Nied, Filer and Montgomery pitched 4 scoreless innings in relief. Michigan 3-1.
Game #4:	Grays out gun the Marauders in a shoot out. Marauders Slaught went 2-5 2RBI R 2b HR, Palmiero 4-5 3RBI 3R 2b 3HR and Gaetti 2-4 2RBI 2R 2b HR. Plesac and Henneman provided 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Grays Jose was 2-3 4RBI 2-2b, Alomar 2-6 R Sb, Mack 3-5 2R 2b W, Caminiti 2-6 2RBI R, Wilkerson 4-4 3RBI 3R Sb and Finley 2-2 RBI R. Mulholland, DiPino, Filer and Wohlers pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Germantown 13-8.
Game #5:	A 3 spot in the 7th was the difference. Marauders Ripken went 3-4 RBI and Henneman pitched 2 innings of shutout relief. Grays Jose 2-4 2R W and Alomar 4-5 RBI 2R 2b. Morgan 5.1IP 2R on 6H&0W w/5K. Nied, Filer, Wohlers, Fetters and Montgomery pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless relief to shut the door. Germantown 6-3.
Summary:	Germantown wins the series 3 games to 2. Marauders Palmiero was the batting MVP. He went 9-19 4RBI 4R 2b 4HR W. Grays Alomar was a close second. He was 12-21 3RBI 6R 2b 2HR 2W 2Sb. Marauders Henneman had 5 shutout innings in relief, but Nagy had the 1R complete game, you pick.