1996 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK 27

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
BAGWELL,Jeff	FFS AL	.412	1.059	5	17	7	0	1	3	4	10	2	2	0	0	0	1

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
MERCKER,Kent	HWE AL	2	2	0	0	0.56	16	2	1	6	14	4	0	0	1	0	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
HILL,Glenallen	LBT NL	.529	1.235	5	17	9	0	0	4	4	8	5	2	0	0	1	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
MCDONALD,Ben	SCS NL	1	1	0	0	0.00	8.2	0	0	6	8	2	0	0	0	0	0

Hampton Huskies @ Manhattan Gas Hornets
Series Preview:	… tick tick tick
Game #1:	For two teams going through the motions at this point, it was a heckuva entertaining game as the Manhattan Gas Hornets held off a late-inning surge by the Huskies to take the opener 7-6. Ernie Young (15) homered and doubled to drive in four runs to led the Manhattan charge. For Hampton, Henry Rodriguez walloped home run #38 as part of a three-hit binge which resulted in three RBIs. Tony Clark (14) and Brian MacRae (21) also homered for Hampton. Bob Patterson got his 24th save with a scoreless 9th for the Hornets.
Game #2:	As so often seems to be the case with huge comebacks the Hampton Huskies scream back from a 9-1 deficit to tie it and send it into extra innings only to run out of pitching and have the Hornets grab a run in the top of the 10th as they took their second straight close game 10-9. Chad Krueter hit his first home run of the year as the only Hornet to leave the park (well, of course, they all left the park after the game … we can’t keep them hostage in the stadium overnight – can we?). TINO MARTINEZ WAS A LUDICROUS 6/6 WITH FIVE SINGLES, A DOUBLE AND SIX RBIS FOR MANHATTAN!!! Derek Jeter and Dave Martinez also had three hits in a game that saw Manhattan’s 1st through 4th hitters go a combined 14/22 while the rest of the lineup was 2/24 – one of those was Kreuter’s home run. Kevin Young (11) continued to hit his power stroke with a two-run blast in the 7th inning. BJ Surhoff and late-game insert Jeromy Burnitz each had three hits as well for Hampton. Rich Krivda picked up his first save of the year for Manhattan with a scoreless 10th.
Game #3:	Chan Ho Park inched his way towards a .500 record with seven pretty solid innings in a 6-2 win for Hampton. Mickey Tettleton bashed his 16th of the season for Hampton as part of a two-hit 3-RBI attack and continued to produce despite seeing reduced playing time thanks to Tony Clark (who has hit a few homers but otherwise pretty much sucked). Tino Martinez (18) hit a two-run shot off Park in the 1st inning for pretty much the sum and total of Manhattan’s offense.
Game #4:	Tim Belcher continued to pitch extremely well and gave the worn-out Hampton bullpen a badly needed break as he went the distance, tossing a three-hitter in a 6-0 win for the Huskies. Belcher (14-9) didn’t walk a batter and struck out four in the game. Mr. Mickey Tettleton went 3/4 with a double and his 17th homer of the year and drove in two runs.
Game #5:	Boredom set in I guess as neither team seemed too interested in doing much of anything, but it was the Huskies who managed to generate the most apathy as they fell 3-1 to Manhattan. Jack Howell had two hits and drove in a run for Manhattan and Chris Haney went the distance scattering nine hits without walking a batter. He also struck out six to improve to 12-11 on the year. Jeff Reed singled and doubled to drive in a run for Hampton. Yay.
Series Summary:	Ah well … the two teams played as it mattered for the first two games but then reality set it and well … you know … winning games at this point is like rescuing your rearview mirror after a semi has just crushed your car.

Blarney Drive Bandits @ Long Beach Titans
Series Preview:	A couple of lottery teams nearing the finish line of a lone season.
Game #1:	Glenallen Hill goes nuts with a 4-5 3 HR 4 RBI game. Baerga adds a solo shot. LBT 7 BDB 3 W – VanLandingham (4) L – Hanson (11) S – Christiansen (1)
Game #2:	Back and forth affair and Blarney just couldn’t muster the hit at the right time. Baerga doinks another solo shot. Myers falters late, again, and shoots his ERA up to 5.53 on the season. LBT 5 BDB 3 W – Martinez (4) L – Aguilera (7) S – Patterson (2)
Game #3:	Hulk Smash! Sager is trounced for 4 in the 1st and Karchner is blitzed for 6 in the 6th. The Bandits made it 3 for 3 and drilled Brocail for 3 in 1 inning of work. All Blarney as they collect 19 hits. LBT 4 BDB 14 W – Wells (6) L – Sager (17) S – None
Game #4:	Williams allows only 5 hits in 8+ innings but walked NINE! Blarney can’t find green with runners in scoring position again and strand 12. Rob Deer‘s first start of the season and he walks 4 straight times. LBT 2 BDB 0 W – Williams (6) L – Wengert (3) S – Mesa (15)
Game #5:	The score was 3-2 after 2 full and only one more run would be scored. The Titans add another in the 8th off Aguilera. Benes has a nice start and Patterson/Mesa locked it down late. Jeff King homered and doubled but Benes was a double-threat today as he drove in two. LBT 4 BDB 2 W – Benes (3) L – Hanson (12) S – Mesa (16)
Series Summary:	Titans take 4 of 5.

California Quakes @ Castle Rock Hounds
Series Preview:	These teams are getting pretty sick of facing each other, as they came off of a 6-game set in California. But, California is pretty happy about that I am sure, as Castle Rock is limping into the end of the season.
Game #1:	California jumps all over Castle Rock early and often, putting up 12 runs in a 12-1 rout. Fassero picks up his 25th win of the season and Lansing goes 4-4 with 3 RBI.
Game #2:	The Hounds strike back in an extra-inning thriller. Despite a grand slam from Jim Leyritz in the 6th, Castle Rock won’t be denied. Each time it looks like California has it won, the Hounds mount a comeback. It is capped by a Pagnozzi homer and a Stahoviak walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th.
Game #3:	It is a tough pitchers duel with Pettitte and Hutton battling it out. The Hounds defense lets Andy though, and the Quakes come out as 3-1 winners.
Game #4:	California’s bats wake up again for this one, and they put upt 12 runs. Clark picks up his 20th win and Molitor and Palmer go deep in the victory.
Game #5:	The game is tight until the end, but California picks up the 7-3 victory. The Quakes bullpen goes 4.1 innings and only gives up 1 hit. That proves to be key, as Molitor hits two home runs for California and they take it.
Series Summary:	California takes 5 out of 6 from Castle Rock in the penultimate series of the season.

Mexico City Chihuahuas @ Harper Woods Expos
Series Preview:	Mexico City play a meaningless series. Guys are just playin for jobs next year. The attendance was approx 2500.
Game #1:	Expos 5-2 W Mercker 1-10 6.71 era L Foster 3-8 4.46 era S Eckersley 17 3.59 era
Game #2:	Mex 8-4 W Bergman 5-14 5.74 era L Astascio 14-8 3.40 era
Game #3:	Expos win it 11-2 W Mussina 16-13 3.59 era L Givins 0-1 31.50 era
Game #4:	Close win for the ‘Spos 5-4 W Erickson 13-11 L Isringhausen 1-25 7.41 era S Eckersley 18 3.57 era
Game #5:	Home team wins 2-0 W Mercker 2-10 6.22 era L Gross 0-12 5.32 era S Eckersley 19 3.52 era
Series Summary:	The end is near. Looking forward to next season. The Expos will be much better.

Michigan Mauraders @ Sugar Land Skeeters
Series Summary:	Michigan sweeps Sugar Land.

Detroit Stars @ Chicago Demolition
Series Preview:	Division rivals take each other on in the Windy City of Chicago. Detroit up by 4 games in the division are looking to head home with the division wrapped up. Chicago hoping to get back in the race face a though Stars team. I-94 traffic headed west into Chicago brought droves of Detroiters in for the series. Will they go home with smiles or frowns?
Game #1:	Roger Clemens goes the distance in this one & is told to be ready as he might come back early on 3-days rest if the Demolition is back in the race. Charles Johnson was the man on offense with 2 hits in 2 trips with a Home Run & 2 RBI’s. Final Score: Chicago 2 – Detroit 0 Win: Roger Clemens 12-13 (5.05) Loss: Al Leiter 16-10 (3.63)
Game #2:	Tony Phillips had 2 Hits, but it was the bottom of the Chicago line up that did the damage. Jeff Cirillo 3 Hits, Edgar Renteria 2 Hits, Mark Lewis 1 Hit & Charles Johnson 2 Hits. Chicago gets a walk-off in the bottom of the 9th by Mark Lewis to win this one. Final Score: Chicago 5 – Detroit 4 Win: Billy Wagner 3-2 (2.45) Loss: Tim Scott 0-2 (5.20)
Game #3:	Pedro Martinez goes the distance while fanning 9. Carlos Delgado with a 2-Run Home Run in the 3rd was more than enough for the Demolition. Final Score: Chicago 3 – Detroit 0 Win: Pedro Martinez 14-12 (3.63) Loss: Ken Jarvis 0-1 (3.38)
Game #4:	Both teams had 12 Hits but it was Bobby Witt who has been surprising this year pitched solid to keep Chicago in it. Cecil Fielder & Ricky Gutierrez have 2 RBI’s each. Chicago’s bullpen which is not being used much does hold on to this one. The teams are now tied in the standings. Chicago is on a roll. Can they keep it up in Game #5? Final Score: Chicago 6 – Detroit 4 Win: Bobby Witt 12-3 (4.30) Loss: Ismael Valdez 13-12 (4.14) Save: Billy Wagner #6
Game #5:	Roger Clemens is brought back on 3-Days rest & Detroit gets out to a 3-Run lead thanks to a Bobby Bonilla 3-Run Blast in the top of the 2nd Inning. Chicago chips back as Tony Phillips goes 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s. The score is all knotted up after 6 Innings. Detroit gets a lead in the top of the 7th, but Chicago ties it back up with 1 themselves. Chicago gets 1 in the bottom of the 8 & Billy Wagner locks down the 9th giving the Demolition the win.Final Score: Chicago 5 – Detroit 4 Win: Mike Oquist 1-1 (1.50) Loss: Tim Scott 0-2 (5.28) Save: Billy Wagner #6
Series Summary:	Chicago does the impossible & sweeps the Stars right out of the Windy City. Besides the two 3-0 Shutouts, all three other games were within 2 Runs. Detroit could have easily taken this series, or even swept the Demolition, but it just didn’t happen offensively for the Stars. Chicago, on the other hand, had everything go right for them. Chicago stays at home to take on the Harper Woods Expos, while the Stars head back to Detroit to take on the worst team in the Mid-West Winter League, the Mexico City Chihuahuas. Do we have a showdown 1 Game playoff at the end of next week? Stay tuned, it just got really exciting in the MWWL.

Portland Mavericks @ Fort Worth Panthers
Series Summary:	Ft. Worth sweeps thanks to their bullpen moving to 1 game behind California, but with both teams assured of playoff spots it’s not likely the Panthers can overtake the Quakes as both teams will probably be resting players for the playoffs.

Steel City Sluggers @ Santa Rosa Beach Bums
Series Preview:	The Bums welcome the Steel City Sluggers to the Emerald Coast for a five-game set. No question the biggest two series of the season for both teams as they faced off last series and this in a tight division race. The Sluggers have strengthened their team throughout the season and maintained first place throughout with the Bums hot on their heals for most of the season. The Bums have stayed the course with their team. The Sluggers are fresh, the Bums are pretty much worn out and even if the Bums do well they face Hampton next series who have been tough on them all year probably without 2 or 3 of the main starting pitchers. Common wisdom is the Sluggers will take it in the end as they have shown all season.
Game #1:	The Sluggers go with McDonald (11-9, 4.15) and the Bums Appier (17-9, 3.29). Goose eggs until the 4th when Sluggers Gwynn leadoff with a double, followed by an infield hit by Grace and a walk by Nilsson to fill the bases with 0-out. Seitzer then doubled for two. Wilson followed with an RBI ground out for the first out. And Bums MacFarlane let one get by to make it 4-0 Sluggers. McDonald kept the Bums at bay, but the Sluggers defense shined throwing two Bums out at the plate. Steel City 4 7 0 WP: McDonald 2b: Gwynn, Seitzer, Wilson; S: Osuna. Santa Rosa Beach 0 6 0 LP: Appier 2b: MacFarlane, Hudler.
Game #2:	Darwin (15-7, 2.72) to the mound to face Bums Finley (14-8, 4.42). Sluggers Johnson lead the game off with a double and scored three batters later on a Seitzer single. Grace then scored on a Slaught single. After a Sandberg walk, Vaughn singled in a run. Dunston followed with an RBI ground out and the Sluggers take a 4-0 lead in the 1st. Sandberg added a 2-run homer in the 5th to make it 6-0. Sluggers pitching held the Bums to two hits into the 9th inning. Steel City 11 17 1 WP: Darwin 2b:Amaro 2, Johnson, Dunston, Darwin; HR: Mashore, Sandberg; SF: Raines. Santa Rosa Beach 4 5 1 LP: Finley 2b: Alomar; HR: White; HBP: MacFarlane.
Game #3:	With the energy out of the Bums fans the Sluggers go to Hamilton (10-4, 4.81) to keep the momentum and the Bums call on Smoltz (18-6, 2.48). Sluggers Johnson lead the game off with a single and two batters later Grace singled him home. In the bottom half Cangelosi matched Johnson. Thomas walked followed by a 3-run homer by Caminiti. Sluggers Nilsson leadoff with a homer in the 4th, Bums 3-2. In the 5th Sluggers Johnson doulded and Gwynn singled him home to tie the game. In the bottom half Cangelosi walked, Thomas walked and with 2-out Seitzer uncorked one to first, Bums 4-3. Then Sluggers Hamilton did the same scoring Thomas, Bums 5-3. In their next at bat with 2-out Wilson went deep. In the bottom half White and Gagne leadoff the inning with singles. After a sacrifice by Smoltz to move Gagne to second, Cangelosi produced an RBI ground out. Bums up two again. After a Caminiti single and Hudler double, MacFarlane banged an RBI single in the 7th. The Sluggers weren’t done. In the 9th pitch hitter Amaro leadoff with a walk, pitch hitter Slaught singled and Raines banged in a run, 7-5. With 2-out Bums go to lefty Villone to face Gwynn with runners on first and third. Sluggers pull Gwynn and go with rughty Vaughn for the win. Villone won. Steel City 5 9 1 LP: Hamilton 2b: Johnson; HR: Nilsson, Wilson. Santa Rosa Beach 7 11 1 WP: Smoltz 2b: Hudler 2; HR: Caminiti; SH: Smoltz; H: Castillo, Batchelor; S: Villone.
Game #4:	With two games left the Bums will face the Sluggers aces. In this game it is Smiley (15-5, 3.39) to face Rosado (11-4, 2.31). Sluggers leadoff the 2nd with a walk and two singles by Sandberg, Vaughn and Dunston to fill the bases. Two batters later Johnson lifted a sacrifice fly to left to open the scoring. Gwynn then singled to make it 2-0. Dunston added an RBI single in the 3rd. In the bottom half, pitch hitter Jensen reached via error, Sanders singled and a couple batters later Thomas went yard, tie game. With 2-out in the 7th Thomas strikes again. Gagne leadoff inning with a single, Sanders singled and Thomas went yard for a second 3-run homer in the game. In the next at bat with 1-out Sluggers Gwynn singled and Grace doubled making it second and third in the 9th. Crabtree then walked Seitzer filling the bases. Batchelor, who has not been impressive all year in these situations is called on. Sluggers pull Wilson and call on Nilsson for the big swing. He popped to Thomas. 2-out, bases loaded, 6-3 deficit for Sluggers Sandberg. Bums still sticking with Batchelor. Sandberg skies it to Sanders in center. Steel City 3 10 2 LP: Smiley 2b:Grace; SF: Johnson; Sb: Morandini. Santa Rosa Beach 6 9 1 WP: James 2b: Caminiti, Hudler, MacFarlane; HR: Thomas 2; H: Fetters, Montgomery, Crabtree; S: Batchelor.
Game #5:	Here comes late year add Guzman (16-4, 2.60) for the Sluggers and the Bums give Appier (17-10, 3.34) a second try in this series. Sluggers start fast again Johnson singled and Gwynn banged a perfect hit-and-run to put runners on first and third, 0-out. Grace then followed suit lofting one to left and Cangelosi gunned Johnson down at the plate! Nothing for the Sluggers. With 2-out in the bottom half Thomas drew a walk and Caminiti ripped a double down the right field line. Thomas was sent home and Caminiti was waved to third. The Sluggers cut to third and Thomas scored. Seitzer walked to leadoff the second. Wilson laid a bunt down and MacFarlane threw to second to start a double play! In the bottom have White went yard with a solo shot, 2-0 Bums. In their next at bat Sluggers Johnson retaliates with his own 2-out solo shot. Bums Thomas leadoff the 4th with a walk and Caminiti followed with a double. Second and third 0-out. MacFarlane produced an RBI ground out and Caminiti moved to third. White then lifted a sacrifice fly to right, 4-1 Bums. Bums Gagne leadoff the 5th with a single and advanced on an Appier sacrifice bunt. Alomar banged Gagne home with a single, Bums 5-1 chasing Guzman. Slugger weren’t going away as Nisson ripped a 2-run homer in the 6th. Caminiti answered with a leadoff homer in the bottom half, 6-3. After an endless number of coaching moves on both sides, with runners on first and third pitch hitter Encarnacion doubled in two to make it very tough on the Sluggers, Bums 8-3. Steel City 3 9 0 LP: Guzman 2b: Morandini; HR: Johnson, Nilsson. Santa Rosa Beach 8 10 0 WP: Appier 2b: Caminiti 2, Encaenacion; HR: Caminiti, White; IBB:Gagne; HBP: Cangelosi; SH: Appier; SF: White; H: Montgomery, Villone.
Series Summary:	Well, if only but for. No if only but fors in baseball. The Bums comeback after a dismal start to the series to win it 3 games to 2.

DeWitt Tigers @ New Hampshire Nighthawks
Series Summary:	Dewitt comes into New Hampshire and takes 4 of 5.

Cincinnati Outlaws @ Valdosta Bombers
Series Preview:	Final series of the year between Valdosta and Cincinnati. The Bombers enter the week one game behind Steel City for home field advantage in the opening round of the postseason.
Game #1:	V 2-3-0, C 4-3-1 Juan Gonzalez pinch-hit 2B in sixth keys a three-run inning
Game #2:	V 3-10-1, C 7-9-0 Melvin Nieves goes 1-4, HR and 2 RBI
Game #3:	V 12-12-2, C 2-7-1 John Flaherty goes 3-5 with HR and 3 RBI
Game #4:	V 5-6-1, C 2-9-3 Bombers score three in first, keyed by Eric Karros two-run homer
Game #5:	V 6-12-1, C 13-15-2 Jerome Walton delivers 2-3 and scores four runs
Series Summary:	Cincinnati takes three of five in what will serve as the closest thing to the playoffs for it. The Outlaws also secure a winning season as a result of the series outcome. Valdosta heads home to host Michigan next week as the regular season concludes.

Winnipeg Goldeyes @ Stockton Wings
Series Preview:	Winnipeg at Stockton for 5 games.
Game #7:	Surprising no one, Winnipeg sweeps.

Corktown Bootleggers @ Flossmoor Flying Squirrels
Series Preview:	Corktown heads to Flossmoor as the top two teams in the AL East battle it out for the second series in a row.
Series Summary:	Every game is close, but Flossmoor makes the bigger plays when they need to and sweep the five game series, clinching the AL East Title for the third straight year and their fourth division title in the last five season. Jeff Bagwell had an MVP level performance in the series, with a pair of late three run homers to win two of the games.