Week ending April 19
Arizona vs Mad Town
Game 1
Bogaerts(2) put the Zephyrs up 1-0 in the 1st. Hillard scored on a wild pitch to tie it up in the 7th. Betts(4) put the Devils up 2-1 in the 8th. A Franco (2) blast put the Zephyrs up 3-2 in the 8th. Abreu picked up his 3rd save
3-2 MTZ
Game 2
Mad Town raced to a 5-0 advantage behind Franco 2(4) and held on
5-2 MTZ
Game 3
Schwarber(2) and Henderson (1) went back to back in the 6th for the first- and only-run.
3-0 ARZ
Game 4
Carroll (2) won it in the 12th
5-4 ARZ
Game 5
Schwarber(3) got things started in the 1st and Arizona ran away with this one
7-1 ARZ
Arizona takes 3 of 5 and heads home to await Gulf Breeze
Mad Town goes on the road to Tulsa
Louisiana vs Jonesboro
Louisiana takes 3 of 5 from Jonesboro
The Louisiana Cajuns invaded Jonesboro and took 3 of the 5 games from the Crackers
Game 1- Series started with promise as the Crackers in 8-3. Gausman(1) is the winner, Gioloito(1-1) takes the loss. Grossman(1) homers for the Crackers and Outman(3) for the Cajuns.
Game 2-Cajuns bounce back to win 7-3. Miley(1-1) is the loser, Lynn(2-1) the winner. Pederson(3) homers for the Crackers.
Game 3-Crackers in a squeaker 4-3 as Ozuna2(2) homers twice and Bauers(2) also goes yard for the Crackers. Outman(4) homers for the Cajuns. King(1-1) is the loser, Santos(2-0) gets the win.
Game 4-Cajuns win 8-1. Woodruff(3-0) is the winner, Williams(1-2) the loser. Arozarena3(3) homers 3 times, Bauers(3) for the Crackers.
Game 5-Cajuns take the rubber game 3-2. Wesneski(1-1) is the winner and Bielak(1-2) takes the loss. Pederson(4) homers for the Crackers. Thomas(2) and Witt(2) for the visitors.
Next up Jonesboro heads to Shenandoah and Louisiana hosts East Coast.
Tidewater vs Chappaqua
Chappaqua 4-6 visits Tidewater 9-2
Gm.1 TID 5-1 A 2-run double by Duran in the 1st and a 3-run double by Flores in the 8th tips the scales for TID as Gilbert scatters 6 hits over 8 innings for the win. Juge's single accounts for the only CHA run.
Gm.2 TID 5-4 J.Lowe sends one over the wall for a 2-0 CHA lead in the 1st. J.Davis counters for TID with a 3-run shot in the 2nd. S.Brown's RBI double in the 4th ties it. Buxton gets into it in the bottom of the 4th and ties it with his 3rd homer of the year and Soto follows in the 5th with his 4th homer. Buxton's error gives CHA their last run and then TID's pen covers the last 2 innings with 6 up 6 down.
Gm.3 TID 5-2 TID got all 5 runs in the first 3 innings on their way to 12 hits. A.Ibanez was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. J.Duran had 2 hits and a RBI and J.Palacios 2 hits and a RBI ro lead the way. The pen finished the last 2 innings giving up 1 hit. CHA was led by G.Moreno who went 1-4 with 2 RBI.
Gm.4 CHA 4-0 This was a pitchers game. CHA shut TID down allowing but 1 measly single A.Houser went 7 innings giving up the only hit of the game. The bullpen faced 6 batters in the next 2 innings and struck out 5 of the 6. Y.Diaz provided the offense with a 3-run homer in the 5th.
Gm.5 TID 5-4 F.Freeman had a bases loaded double, Bichette a RBI single and Soto a GO RBI,...all in the 2nd inning for a total of their 5 runs in the game. J.Lowe and E.Valdez had RBI doubles to make the score 5-2 heading into the 8th. Y.Diaz came off the bench for CHA in the 8th and sent a longball over the wall to make it a 1-run game, Once again, however, the pen came through as Cosgrove picked up Save #3 and preserved the win for TID.
This could have gone either way as the games were close and a hit here or there could have made a difference. TID escapes with a 4-1 series win.
Greensboro vs Mokena
April 15 - The Roozys, with much improved starting pitching, open with Bradish against Verlander. Mokena takes the opener in a close one, 3-2. McKinstry (#1) and Tatis (#2) homer for the visitors, and Shohei hits his 4th for the Hoppers.
April 16 - Eduardo Rodriguez faces Martin Perez in game 2. Perez tosses a CG gem, winning 10-zip as the Hopper bats come alive. Julio blasts his first 2 of the season, and Trout (#3), and Albies (#1) also homer for Greensboro.
April 17 - Dunning and Max. Greensboro comes from behind to take it, 9-5. The injured Max wins his 2nd, but he does not pitch well, relinquishing 4 walks and 4 earned runs in 7 innings.
April 18 - Berrios faces Ohtani. This one is really exciting, and very close. It takes 10 innings before the Hoppers make another in-game comeback, plating the winner in the 9-8 contest. Lots of long balls in this one, including four for Mokena: Walker (#2), Harper (#3), Moustakas (#2), and Trejo Lars (#2), Contreras (#6), and Tork (#3) for Greensboro.
April 19 - In the finale it's Kyle Hendricks opposting Quintana. This time Mokena comes from behind, as they take the finale, 2-1. Pham hits his 2nd, and Ohtani hits his 5th.
Greensboro takes 3 of the 5 in a very tough series.
The Hoppers now head west to San Diego, as Mokena heads home to host Durham.
Antelope vs Gulf Breeze
The Antelope River Cats were the opposition in series #3 at Gulf Breeze and the visitors obliterated their hosts- winning in every facet of the game in a 5-0 series sweep.
Gm 1: 9-2 Ant Two in the 4th and 4 in the 5th would be all the Cats needed in this one- Wacha (3-0) was sharp and both Semien & Martinez (3 rbi) were 3 for 5.
Gm 2: 5-2 Ant Tied at one in the 9th, I brought on Bryse Wilson. Bad move. 2R HR by Gurriel (3) & Edman (2) won it. GB out hit Antelope 10-5. Kimbrel with the win (2-1)
Gm 3: 12-5 Ant Down 1 in the 9th, I thought I'd use my 20 reliever. Another bad mnove- It went D, WP, rbi 1B, BB, 1B, rbi BB, 3R triple. My 20 reliever now with a 16.20 ERA. HR bt Martinez (6), Raleigh (5) and Suarez (2). Woo (2-1) over Gomber (0-3, 10.80).
Gm 4: 5-0 Ant Williamson (1-1) was great- just 3 singles allowed in 7 frames and Martinez (7), Semien (3), and Tucker (1) all left the building.
Gm 5: 3-1 Ant For those of you scoring at home- GB went 18 frames without a run, getting a SF in this one in the 9th to break the string. Yay! Too bad Antelope scored 3 tims in the 4th with Edman & Straw notching back to back rbi singles. Medina (1-1) over DeSclafani (1-1).
For the series- Antelope had 24 XBH, including 8 HR. GB had 5 XBH- all doubles. Yeeesch.
Next week, the Breeze heads to Arizona to battle the Dusties while Antelope heads home to host Freeport.
Coney Island vs Brooklyn
Two teams with very weak rotations meet up - who can get the hotter bats (and near no-hitter happens along the way).
Game 1 - Busch homers (1) for Brooklyn in 5th, Cyclones get a 2 run Rivas double in bottom half. But Young comes in to pitch the 6th and Swanson gets a tying rbi single. Then the bats go silent and bullpens get tough! Free baseball sees Pache draw a walk in the 10th, Laureano in to PR - works his way to 3rd and scores on a Pereza walk-off single against a drawn in infield.
BRO 2-5-0 LP Diekman (0-)
CIC 3-4-0 WP Jackson (1-0) BS Young (1)
Game 2 - Crazy game as Codgers score 6 times in the 1st culminated by a 3 run Yepez (1) homer (those homers kill rallys!!). But Harrison struck out the sides in the 1st for a "fast start"!! But actually he settles down well after that and goes 5 more innings - scoreless. And the Cyclones get him back in the game in the 3rd scoring 5 times - no homers. And then 2 more in the 4th to take the lead! 8 WALKS helps in the comeback. Well - Harrison got the Cyclones through 6 and then Adam and Peralta continue the dominance and blank Brooklyn the rest of the way. Good for Cyclones since they didn't score again after the 4th but their comeback was enough!
BRO 6-6-2 LP Corbin (0-1)
CIC 7-7-1 WP Harrison (1-0) S Peralta (5)
Game 3 - Brooklyn again gets off to early lead with 3 in the 2nd on a 3 run Santana homer (3). Swanson drives in 2 more in the 4th and another in the 5th gets them up 6-1. And this time, the pitching holds up. Why? Adam (grade 3) Wainwright on his farewell tour looked like Wainwright of old! 7 innings, 6 hits 1 ER and 7 Ks. Swanson ends up with 3 hits.
BRO 6-10-1 WP Wainwright (1-1)
CIC 2- 7-0 LP Cruz (1-1)
Game 4 - Lots of early scoring, most of it by the Cyclones. 2 in the 1st, 3 in the 3rd and 4 in the 4th (Marte grand slam (2). Devers knocks out 3 hits including a homer (2) and 4 rbis - Cyclones score 3 more in the 7th. Santana slugs a 2 run homer (4) in the 2nd (tied the game at the time) and Haase adds a solo shot (1) late, but that didn't make a dent in the score as Coney Island breezes to a big 12-4 win.
BRO 4-10-0 LP Flexen (0-2)
CIC 12-14-1 WP Manoah (2-1)
Game 5 - Here comes the near no-hitter. Conforto sneaks a single through the infield in the top of the 7th - Yelich singles in the 9th with 1 out. That and 3 walks was the Brooklyn offense. Garrett Whitlock was all over his stuff. CG, 2 hits, 11 ks! Rafael Devers provided way more offense than needed, 4 for 4, walk, 3 doubles and a homer (3) and 7 rbis!!! Everyone in the home dugout had fun as Cyclones took advantage of a roster issue as a non-roster player tried sneaking into the rotation. The replacement, McGough, didn't fare well. 5 hits, 3 walks in 1.1 ip and 7 runs.
BRO 0- 2-2 LP McGough (1-1)
CIC 15-14-0 WP Whitlock (1-1)
Cyclones continue the hot (unexpected) start - but reality will most likely begin to set in next week as they face a tough, tough Tidewater team. Big bonus!! We avoided an injury this week!!!
Northwest vs Tulsa
The Tulsa Roughnecks edge the Northwest Indians 3-2 in the 5 games.
4/15-TUL 11 NWI 4. Senga vs. Gore. Senga improved to 3-0, allowing just
3 hits in 6 innings. Homers by Stewart, Ortega, and Drury for Tulsa.
4/16-NWI 2 TUL 0. Sanchez vs. Steele. Steele improved to 3-0, allowing
only 2 hits in the CG SHO.
4/17-TUL 7 NWI 4. Lugo vs. Strider. The Roughnecks, shut out on 2 hits
through 6 innings, down 4-0, slam the Indians bullpen for 7 runs in the
last 3 innings.
A bases loaded triple by Baddoo was the big blow, solo shot by Turner.
4/18- NWI 6 TUL 1. Matz vs. Alcantara. Alcantara improved to 3-0,
allowing 5 hits through 7 innings. Duvall 's 3 run homer the big blow
for Northwest.
This game had a bad collision between Drury and Ortega, both injured for
5 days and 31 days respectively.
4/19- TUL 2 NWI 1. Javier vs. German. This nail biter was a good one,
the Roughnecks edge by with Stewart doing the book ends hero home run.
Massey injured for the Indians on a hit by pitch, out 5 days.
Week ending April 13
San Diego vs Tampa
Season's going for the Armadillos much as I expected only this series was worse than series 01!
Game one between Snellzilla and Kershaw (achoo!!) went as expected. Both mowing them down into the 8th inning. Tied into extras, this one 16 innings before a homerun from Burger won the game.
The rest of the series was taken rather easily by the Rays as the Armadillos now on a 7 game losing streak.
Looking like there might be a fire sale somewhere down the road.
East Coast vs Westchester
An interesting series between the visiting Westchester Wombats and the host East Coast Rockies. here were 52 runs scored in the series and the Rockies come away with a 5-0 sweep. The ball bounced our way and the hitters came up with the hit they needed at the right time. The Rockies won 3 of the games with their last at bat and had to come from behind in 4 of the five games.
GAME 1: ECR 9-11-1 WES 8-9-1
Paredes goes deep in the first with 2 aboard. In the home half Alvarez hits the first pitch of the game into the seats and Candelario follows 2 batters later and a 3-2 Wombat lead. Vaughn dies it in the 2nd with a double. Alvarez blasts a 3 run HR in the 4th, 6-3. In the 6th Arraez triples in a run, Carpenter a PH RBI single, and Varsho tags a 3 run HR and a 8-6 lead. Alvarez wallops his third round tripper of the game in the home half, 8-7. Springer knocks in 2 with a single in the 7th. Littell (1-0) gets the win and Kelly (0-1) the loss.
GAME 2: ECR 3-6-0 WES 0-2-0
P Lopez pitches a gem. Allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks with 10 punch outs. Contreras singles in a run in the 1st. Polanco a RBI GO in the 5th and Candelario homers in the 8th. Lopez (1-1) gets the win and Morton (1-1) the loss.
GAME 3: ECR 4-10-1 WES 3-5-0 (10 Innings)
Carpenter a SF in the 1st. Riley ties it in the 3rd with a single. Varsho smashes a solo HR in the 5th, 2-1. Votto swats a HR in the 6th, 3-1. In the 8th Greene a PH 2 run double ties the game at 3. Greene a 2 out RBI double in the 10th. Munoz (1-0) gets the win and Jaz (0-1) the loss
GAME 4: ECR 3-5-1 WES 1-3-1
In the 1st after a Correa error Ramirez plates a run with a single. Riley tiues it in the 6th with a solo shot and in the 8th Vaughn a SF and Springer a RBI single. Maton (1-1) gets the win and Nardi (0-1) the loss.
GAME 5: ECR 11-15-0 WES 10-19-0 (11 Innings)
A big game for Sosa. In the 2nd Sosa singles in a run and Varsho blasts a 3 run HR, 4-0. Vaughn singles in a run in the home half. In the 3rd Riley launches a GRAND SLAM and a 5-4. Candelario a SF in the 4th, 6-4. Varsho a RBI single in the 6th. Polanco doubles in a run in the bottom half, 7-5. In the 7th McCormick a RBI GO and Sosa adds a 2 run single and a 8-7 lead. Vaughn reclaims the lead in the home half with a 2 run double. Diaz ties it in the 8th with a solo HR, 9-9. In the 11th Sosa a 2 out RBI single for a 10-9 lead. In the bottom half Riley ties the game with a single and Greene walks it off with a single. Maton (2-1) gets the win and Kelly (0-2) the loss.
Antelope vs Mad Town
Antelope hosts Mad Town for their first home series of the season.
Game 1 – Good pitching matchup in the opener with Gallen facing Wacha. Cats get 2 in the first and a solo shot from J. Naylor in the 4th to win it 3-0. Wacha with complete game 1 hit shutout.
HR - ARC - J. Naylor (2)
WP – Wacha 2-0 LP – Gallen 0-2
Game 2 – Kirby faces Kremer in game 2 and Antelope leads 4-1 after three. Zephyrs get 3 in the fourth and hold on to win 6-5. J. Naylor injured for 5 days.
HR - MTZ - B. Lowe (2) ARC - Perdomo (2) Raleigh (3)
WP – Kirby 1-1 LP – Kremer 1-1 S – Abreu (2)
Game 3 – Eflin and one of the new Antelope additions in Woo for game three. Cats get 3 in the and that is enough as Woo goes 8 plus giving up 1 unearned run in the 9th. Mayza comes on to get the save as the Cats take it 3-1. Suarez injured for the day.
HR - ARC - J. Martinez (3)
WP – Woo 1-0 LP – Eflin 1-1 S - Mayza (1)
Game 4 – Two lefties in game 4 with Heaney against another new River Cat, B. Williamson. Antelope is up 5-4 after seven, but Zephyrs tie it in the 9th as Mayza walks Bellinger and Franco doubles him home. Mayza strands Franco at 2nd and Cats can't score in bottom half. No score in 10th for Mad Town. In bottom of 10, Straw reaches on an infield hit with 2 outs, steals second, B. Naylor awarded 1st on catcher interference and E. Suarez drives in Straw with a gapper to LC for a wild 6-5 Antelope win. Machado injured for six games.
HR - MTZ - Casas (1) ARC - J. Martinez (4)
WP – Diaz 1-0 LP – Vasquez 0-1
Game 5 – Taillon and Medina in the finale and it is all Mad Town after 6 1/2. Antelope gets 2 back on a Raleigh big fly in the 7th to make 5-2. Bottom of 9th, Edman walks, but next two batters retired. Semien doubles in Edman, Perdomo scores Semien with a single to left, and J.Martinez crushes one to left for another 6-5 walk off win for Antelope.
HR - MTZ - Franco (1) ARC - Raleigh (4), J. Martinez (5)
WP – Kimbrel 1-1 LP – Abreu 0-1
Antelope with all the luck on their side as they take the series 4 games to 1. J. Martinez with 3 HRs and 9 RBI for the series. Mad Town returns home to face Arizona and Antelope travels to take on the Rebels of Gulf Breeze.
Stamford vs Chappaqua
Stamford opens 2024 season against Chappaqua Comets.
Game 1
Jays 5-8-0
Comets 1-2-00
WP S McClanahan 2-0 LPS Gray 0-2
Comets open scoring in the 1st as Judge doubles and is driven home by Diaz. Jays counter in bottom of the 1st on a Kirilofff three run homer. Jays adds two more in the 8th on a Reynolds double. McClanahan pitches 8 innings of 2 hit ball fanning 11.
Game 2
Jays 7-10-1
Comets 2-5-0
WP C Bassitt 2-0 LP B Ober 0-1
Comets again score first on a Chisolm single in the 2nd. Jays score a run in the 2nd and in the 3rd, Kirilofff belts another 3-run homer. Jays add two more in the 5th on a Friedl homer. Comets score one on a Reynolds error. Comets reliever Holmes hits Knizner 8th and an argument ensues and both players are thrown out. Jays however lose Knizner for 14 days; their second catcher lost to injury in the early going. Bassitt goes 7 innings for the win.
Game 3
Comets 3-5-1
Jays 2-4-2
WP K Gibson 2-0 LP J Montgomery 1-11
Comets use the bat of Judge to propel them to a win. Judge belts solo homer in the 6th and drives in two more in the 7th on a double. Kirilofff continues hot hitting with solo homer. Nimmo drives in Jays other run on a sac fly. Gibson goes 6.1 innings for the win. Comets also steal 4 bases.
Game 4
Jays 5-13-0
Comets 1-5-1
WP M Clevinger 2-0 LP M Stroman 1-1
Jays get big games from Stott 3 hits and 3 RBIs and Reynolds 3 hits including a homer. Clevinger goes 6 innings fanning 6 for the win. Three Jays relievers shut downs Comets over last three innings each fanning 2. Castro hits solo homer for Comets only run.
Game 5
Comets 12-14-1
Jays 4-10-0
WP R Suarez 1-0 LP B Miller 0-1
Comets takes finale of the series as they break open game scoring 5 tuns in the 6th. Comets pound Jays pitching for 14 hits. Judge homers and drives in 2, while Chapman drives in 3 and Chisholm also drives in 3 and belts homer. Starter Suarez is in command as he 5 hits Jays over 7 innings fanning 8.
Next Comets travel to Tidewater and the Jays goes on the road to Cowtown.
Freeport vs Gulf Breeze
Division Rivals face off as Freeport hosts Gulf Breeze.
G1
G 4 9 1
F 6 10 0
W- Eovaldi (1-1)
L- Paxton (1-1)
S- Alzolay (2)
HR- G- Heyward (2)
F- Soler (1)
G2
G 5 11 1
F 0 4 1
W- L. Castillo (1-1)
L- Elder (0-1)
S- B. Wilson (1)
HR- G- Jeffers (1), Escobar (1)
G3
G 4 7 0
F 7 11 1
W- Bryce Miller (2-0)
L- Gomber (0-2)
S- Alzolay (3)
HR - G- Jeffers (2)
F- Cron (2)
G4
G 3 6 0
F 5 7 2
W- Hicks (2-1)
L- B. Wilson (0-1)
S- Alzolay (4)
HR- G- Mountcastle 2 (2)
G5
G 9 11 1
F 7 11 1
W- J. Jackson (1-0)
L- Rey. Lopez (0-2)
S- S. Miller (1)
HR- G- Mountcastle (3), Canha (1)
F- Vierling (1)
Freeport wins three of five.
Jonesboro vs Arizona
The Arizona Dust Devils visited Joneboro for the Crackers home opener. Indicators point to a long Cracker season as the Devils take 3 of 5
Game 1-Arizona wins 4-3. Neris(1-1) is the winner and Graterol(2) gets the save. Romano(1-1) absorbs the loss. Raley(4), Giminez(1) homer for Arizona, Mullins(1) for the Crackers.
Game 2-Crackers snap back for a 4-2 win. Miley(1-0) is the winner with Romano(1) picks up the save. Bibee(1-1) takes the loss. Olson(1) goes deep for Devils, Abrams(1) for the Crackers.
Game 3- Crackers win 6-4. Neris(1-2) takes the loss, Stratton(1-0) is the winner and Romano picks up save #2. Schwarber(1) homers for the Devils
Game 4-Crackers lose 4-3. Abbott(1-0) is the winner and Graterol(3) gets the save. Betts(2), Olson(2) homer for the visitors. Mullins(2) goes deep for the home team.
Game 5-Another close game as the Crackers lose 6-4. Rasmussen(1-0) is the winner, Graterol(4) gets another save. Bielak(1-1) is the loser. Betts(3) and Giminez(2) homer for the Crackers. Abrams(2) goes yard for the Crackers.
Next up the Dust Devils head to Mad Town and the Crackers host Louisiana.
Northwest vs Shenandoah
The annual six game set kicked off the home season for the Northwest
Indians, and they didn't disappoint, taking 5 of 6.
4/9 - NW 5 SH 3. Liberatore vs. Smyly. Game one of a two for Tuesday
matinee double header. Mostly solo shots accounted for all of the runs
in this contest, setting a tone for the entire series. Andrus, Muncy,
and Sabol for Shenandoah, the latter a pinch hit shot. Lindor, Grichuk,
and Guerrero a 2-run HR.
4/9 - NW 5 SH 0. Blanco vs. Gore. M. Gore tossed a CG SHO allowing only
4 hits. Lindor was 3 for 4 with 3 runs and a solo homer.
4/10 NW 4 SH 2. Wheeler vs. Steele. Solo homers for the Shenandoah
runs, Ford and Sheets. Wheeler allowed 3 solo shots, Endy Rodriguez,
Tovar, and Lindor. Northwest knocked out 14 hits total, stranding 9.
4/11 NW 6 SH 4. Valdez vs. Strider. Shenandoah hit back-to-back homers
in the 2nd and 9th innings to make this one memorable, but again, solo
homers. Torres, Velazquez, and Lindor homered for Northwest.
4/12 NW 16 SH 8. Weaver vs. Alcantara. This was home run derby folks.
13-5 after only 3 innings. Weaver never made it to the 2nd inning.
Alcantara wasn't much better, allowing 11 hits and 5 dingers in 7
innings pitched. Northwest had 22 hits and 6 homers, Lindor with his 5th
game in a row. Shenandoah had 11 hits and 5 homers. Dingers derby by
Muncy, Wisdom 2, Morel, Sabol for the Pandas. Lindor, Guerrero 2, Hays,
Grichuk 2 for the Indians.
4/13 - SH 5 NW 0. Liberatore vs. Skubal. Muncy's 2-run homer was all
Liberatore needed in tossing 7 innings of 3-hit shutout baseball. The
Tribe hitters were limited to but 4 harmless singles.
So Shenandoah avoids the sweep and heads off to Westchester next for a
series with the Wombats while Northwest will host Tulsa.
Coney Island vs Mokena
Weird results! Mokena wins big, Cyclones win small, Cyclones manage more wins......
Day 1
Game 1 - Nelson vs. Kikuchi
Nelson in the classic "starter" role gets lifted in the 2nd after 4 batters - he had 2 ks and gave up but 1 hit. But he was up 1-0 when after a Wendle rbi double in the top half of the 2nd. Cisnero comes in for Nelson and specializes in hitting bats and over the next 1.1 innings, he faces 10, gives up hits, a walk and 3 run! We like Cisnero!! But gets pulled with 2 outs in the 3rd. Law comes on and we get him for 1 run in the 4th and another in the 5th including a Call (1) solo homer. But the solo homer in the 5th came after Walker unloaded for a 2 run homer (1) in the top half. So after 5, the Cyclones are clinging to a 5-3 lead. It becomes 5-4 in the 8th on a Harper solo homer (2) - but Ferguson comes on for a 5 out save to take game 1 of the Double Header.
MOK 4- 8-2 LP Cisnero (2-1)
CIC 5-12-0 WP Kikuchi (2-0) S Ferguson (2)
Game 2 - Bradish vs. Silseth
Silseth up for the double header wishes he weren't. He goes 6, fans 5 but then there is that bad stuff. 10 hits, 6 walks, 2 homers and 8 runs!! He pitched the 1st two innings well and was up 2-0 after 2 on a Tellez homer (2). But then the 3rd happened - and SIX (6) Roozys cross the plate. 4 of them on a Stallings (1) grand slam!! Which followed a 2 run shot by Tatis (1). 2 more runs in the 4th and that was all the scoring as the pitchers took over control on both sides. But 8-2 is a big convincing win for Mokena and after day 1 and the double header split, the teams are still locked in a 1st place tie! (yeah, yeah, it's only week 2 - but it might be all we have.....)
MOK 8-12-0 WP Bradish (1-0)
CIC 2- 3-0 LP Silseth (0-1)
Day 2, Game 3 - E. Rodriguez vs F. Cruz
Hospital wagon was in use today!
3rd inning Ketel Marte is HBP - and gone for the rest of the series! Arcia in to PR and he scores when Solano rips one into the corner. 1-0 Cyclones! Then the part time starter Fernando Cruz takes over. He scatters 3 hits and 4 walks and combines that with 14 Ks and 2 DPs to blank the Roozys for the surprise win. Surprise win because the Cyclones only manager 4 hits off Rodriguez and Kahnle. And Rodriguez hits a 2nd batter - Rizzo - and he goes down for 3 weeks and a day (22 days)! Ouch.Concussion protocul.
MOK 0-3-0 LP Rodriguez (0-1)
CIC 1-4-1 WP Cruz (1-0)
Day 3, Game 4 - Dunning vs. Manoah
Dramatic PH turns the tide in this one. Manoah starts out strong and is up 2-1 after 4. But then the Roozys find some life in the 5th plating 3 runs for a 4-2 lead. Cyclones cut it to 4-3 in the bottom half and it stays that way until the 7th. Top half, Manoah had been doing well but allows the 1st two batters to reach base. Ferguson in for Cyclones, gets 1, then loads the bases. Pham in to PH - GRAND SLAM! (1) and suddenly a close game is 8-3 Roozys. Cyclones manage 1 in the bottom half but Roozys quiet the Coney bats and win it big, 8-4!
The bad news for Mokena - Caballero crashes into a wall and will miss 3 weeks and a day!
MOK 8-11-2 WP Dunning (1-1)
CIC 4- 7-2 LP Manoah (1-1)
Day 4, Game 5 - Berrios vs, Whitlock
Back to a 1 run game! Whitlock was staked to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd and looked on his way to his 2nd big win but in the 6th a bit of control and WP allows Miller to score the tying run. Game stays deadlocked at 1 until the bottom of the 9th when Ian Happ strokes a short fly to RF that scores slow poke Miguel Rojas with the winning run! Game feature 9 walks (4 for MOK, 5 for CIC) and 18 Ks - 7 Roozys batters and 11 Cyclones bit the dust.
MOK 1-3-0 LP Fairbanks (1-1)
CIC 2-7-0 WP Thornton (2-0)
Day 5, Game 6 - Hendricks vs. Kikuchi
Should be a high scoring Roozys game but through 5 it was 0-0. And Ian Happ batting a whopping .079 gets tossed after a close play where he's called out. Frustration mounting after his slooooow start.
Top of the 6th and Kikuchi suddenly losses his control. A few walks and the Roozys grab a 2-0 lead! So, with the 2-0 lead, Hendricks' day is done according to Foreman and Law comes into pitch the bottom of the 6th. He struggles, gives up 2 walks, 2 hits and 3 runs. Kahnle in for 7th and Devers (1) takes him yard for his 1st dinger of the year and a 4-2 Cyclone lead. Chapman in for the 8th, 3 walks - yup, he loads them up and then we get a Wendle error, 2 runs driven in by Fortes and a SF. Rather messy 8th for Mokena. So instead of them winning the big run scoring finale, the Cyclones take it. But they almost blew it in the 9th as some weaker pitchers had some issues before Peralta comes in with 2 outs and the bases loaded and gets the final out (and a cheap save).
MOK 2-4-1 LP Law (1-1) BS (2)
CIC 7-7-2 WP Kikuchi (3-0) S Peralta (4)
Is the NL West going to be a mystery again??
Cyclones grab 4 of 6, and suffer big injury hits. And pitchers are working over their heads. But hey, it's still just mid-April!
Greensboro vs Durham
April 9 - The much improved Lucky Strikes, Greensboro's neighbor to the east, arrive in town for the Hoppers' Opening Day twin-bill (is it just me, or does it seem to you all that last season ended a few days ago?). Durham opens with Bieber, against Shohei. The Hoppers take the opener, 6-1, as Shohei wins his 2nd of the young season.
In the nightcap, it's Blackburn facing Verlander. It's a much closer contest, but the Hoppers hang on for the 3-2 win, thanks to 2 Shohei homers (he now has 3 on the young season).
April 10 - Colin Rea opposes Martin Perez. Another close one, as the Hoppers come from behind to take it, 8-6. Walker and Arenado each hit their 2nd, and Contreras blasts his 2nd and 3rd.
April 11 - Durham ace Musgrove faces Max. It looks bad for the home team against Musgrove till they finally get to Durham's relievers, plating 6 in the bottom of the 8th, and taking this one handily, 11-3. Contreras (#4) and Arenado (#3) homer for Greensboro, and Reyes and Sewinski each hit their first for Durham.
April 12 - Brito and Miles M. in this one. Durham takes it, 5-2, as Greensboro leaves the potential tying runs in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth. Torkelson hits his 2nd, as Brito wins his debut.
April 13 - In the finale it's Colin Rea against J.P. France. J.P. goes the route, tossing a 4-hit, 5-zip beauty to even his '24 record at 1 apiece. Contreras hits his 5th, as the Hoppers take 5 of the 6 contests.
Next up for Durham is a home series with Tampa, and next up for Greensboro are the Roozys.
Week ending April 7
Westchester vs Jonesboro
sorry for the delay, on Disney Cruise with kids and grandkids, so games had to be relocated from Wombat Field in Rye, NY to Mickey's Stadium at Castaway Cay. Such are the hardships of life! Speaking of hardships, looks like another long season for the Wombats. Decent pitching and no hitting. ERA for the series was 3.30, but only scored 9 runs.
Game 1: jonesboro 3, Westchester 1, 10 inn
Springs pitches well on opening day and Wombats have 1-0 lead after 8. Kelly and Ginkel (our new closerk ;-( blow it in the 9th and 10th,
W-Santos (1-0); L-Ginkel (0-1)
Game 2: Jonesboro 4, Westchester 3
Wombats lead early 2-0 and Burnes looks strong, but caves in the 8th giving up three run homer to Joc Pederson Diaz homers in the 9th to get one back, but that's it.
W-Romano (1-0); L-Burnes (0-1)
Game 3: Westchester 5, Jonesboro 2
Wombat bats finally wake up. Homers by Varsho and Paredes give them two runs on the 4th and 3 in the 7th and Jonesboro never is in the game
(W-Morton (1-0); L-Lelly (0-1)
Game 4: Jonesboro 4, Westchester 0
Williams, Stratton and Irving shut out the Wombats on two hits.
W-Williams (1-0); L-Olson (0-1)
Game 5: Jonesboro 3, Westchester 0
This time Bialek et al shut out the Wombats on 4 hits. homers by Bauer and Pederson do the damage
W-Bialek, (1-0), L-Canning (0-1)
so a good start for jonesboro and not so good for Wombats. Next Jonesboro opens at home against Arizona and Westchester travels to East Coast.
Mokena vs San Diego
Played the games while watching the White Sox/Braves Games. Looks to be a little cool there with rain on the way and lots of hoodies and blankets in the crowd. A few masks on some players too!!
Our games went the way I expected the Armadillos to go this season.
Game one
well pitched game between starters Kershaw and Bradish. Coyotes took it 2-1 with a homerun from Wendle and a single from Monasterios. Garcia homerun for the Armadillos.
Game Two
Extra innings game taken by Wiley in the 10th on an error by the San Diego pitcher Curry. Another homerun for Garcia and one by rookie Julien. 6-5 Wiley.
Game Three
a two run shot by another rookie, Doyle, powers the Armadillos to the win 3-1.
Game Four and five
The Coyotes come back and take both games 4 and 5 from San Diego
Wiley takes the series 4 games to 1.
Gonna be a LOOOOONNNNGGG season for the Armadillos!
Mad Town vs Northwest
Game 1
Velazquez's homer in the 2nd broke up a Gallen no-hit bid. 1 run was all Steele needed as he went the distance shutting out the home team.
NWI 2-0
Game 2
In a home run fest, Duvall,Jung and Heim got the best of Machado and Lowe. Strider went 6.1 allowing 1 hit (HR Lowe) and was pulled. Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, bases loaded with Machado at bat. Swing and a miss and that's all
NWI 5-2
Game 3
A Berti Grand Slam in the 7th broke the tie and the bullpen allowed only 1 base runner the last 10 at bats
MTZ 6-1
Game 4
The bullpen again allowed only 1 base runner the last 3 innings and held
MTZ 3-2
Game 5
The Zephyrs raced to a 4-0 advantage behind Bogaerts' blast. The Indians kept coming and a 3 run 9th clinched it. Velazquez was 3 of 5, 2 runs scored, 5 rbis and 2 HR
NWI 8-5
Indians take the series 3-2 and head home to await the Pandas.
Mad Town takes to the road at Antelope
Tulsa vs Freeport
Tulsa opens the season at home with a 3-2 series win over Freeport. It was a very competitive series with all games close and low scoring except for game four which was a back and forth slugfest where of the both teams bats were hot.
Game 1: Tulsa 4 – Freeport 2
Game 2: Freeport 3 – Tulsa 2 (12 innings)
Game 3: Freeport 1 – Tulsa 0
Game 4: Tulsa 12 – Freeport 9
Game 5: Tulsa 6 – Freeport 5
Arizona vs East Coast
The Arizona Dust Devils played host to the East Coast Rockies to open the season. The series was a six-gamer, with the doubleheader on day 4 of their visit.
Gm #1
Lopez vs. Walker. For the first time since the current regime took over the franchise, Arizona hosted the opening series. Taijuan Walker got the opening day nod and pitched a gem. He went 6 shutout innings allowing 2 hits and a walk along with 7 strikeouts. Neris and Graterol finished up, with a Springer (1) 2-out ninth inning blast the only run the Rockies would score as the Dust Devils took the opener 2-1. Arizona scored their two runs in the 5th on singles and stolen bases by Gimenez and Carroll and a Mookie 2-out RBI single plating Carroll with the game-winner. East Coast could not capitalize on the 3 Arizona errors, 2 by Gunnar Henderson.
W Walker (1-0)
L Lopez (0-1)
S Graterol (1)
Gm #2
Peralta vs. Nola. It took 10 innings, but the home team sent their fans home with a win as Mookie (1) walked it off with his bleacher reacher following a Ramirez walk for the 6-4 final. Candelario (2) hit two home runs accounting for three of the Rockies’ runs. Correa singled in the other run. First-round pick Luke Raley (1) got the DDs within one with his 2-out 2R shot in the 6th. After a Sanchez walk, PR Walls stole second and scored on a Ramirez 2-out double the next inning to tie things up. The Arizona pen didn’t allow a run in their 5 innings of work.
W J. Jimenez (1-0)
L Maton (0-1)
Gm #3
Cease vs. Sandoval. Three straight singles to open the bottom half of the first inning along with a PB and another 2-out RBI, this on a single by Raley, accounted for the Dust Devils; first 3 runs. A Carroll (1) 3-run shot doubled their total the next inning. BTB home runs by Alvarez (1) and Candelario (3) (who is this guy?) got two back in the 3rd and a Contreras (1) solo shot and a Carlson double drove in their last two runs. A Larnach (1) long ball closed out the scoring as the Arizona pen threw another 4 innings of no-run ball. ARZ 7-4. Betts was injured by slamming into the wall on a catch in the 4th inning. Robert was the very next batter and was HBP. He too was injured. Both are out one day, which happens to be a DH, which actually means two games!!!! Argh, from the both of us!!!
W Sandoval (1-0)
L Cease (0-1)
S Duran (1)
Gm #4 (Gm 1 of DH)
E. Perez vs. Bibee. Alvarez singled in Greene to open the scoring in the first inning. Three errors by the Rockies and a walk allowed the Dust Devils to take the lead 2-1, in the bottom half. The game turned into a laugher. Raley (2) followed a Henderson single to open the 4th with a long ball. After two outs, a common theme throughout the series, three straight walks by Perez and an Olson single plated two and the other runner scored on yet another East Coast error! Schwarber doubled him in for his first RBI of the season and an 8-1 DD lead. Gimenez doubled in Raley to account for the final run in the 9-1 gift-wrapped victory. The Arizona pen threw another 4 shutout innings.
W Bibee (1-0)
L E. Perez (0-1)
Gm #5 (Gm 2 of DH)
Lucchesi vs. Abbott. Candelario (4) followed a Springer double with yet another dinger in the first. Carroll doubled in a run in the third. Two walks, an error, and a Correa single plated two in the 4th. Polanco doubled in Candelario in the fifth for a 5-1 advantage. The home team ties it up in the 6th. Olson rips a 2R triple followed by a Sanchez (1) big fly! The tie is short-lived, as a walk, double, walk, double, single and a Greene 2R triple soared the Rockies to an eventual 12-6 blowout victory and put an end to their season-opening 4-game skid. Polanco (1) and Riley (1) hit solos to close out the ECR scoring. Foley was tagged for 5 ER and Beck another 2 as the DD pen didn’t fare too well in this game. The hopes of an undefeated season are up in smoke! HA!
W Lucchesi (1-0)
L Foley (0-1)
Gm #6
Cease vs. Walker. Both starting pitchers are working on short rest as they ramp up after spring training. After two outs, an Olson double and three straight singles produced the first two runs of the game. Polanco(2) tied it and Gunnar misfired to allow the go-ahead run in the 3rd. Raley (3) put the Dust Devils ahead with his 2R shot in the 4th. Alvarez (2) tied it in the 5th. Polanco drove in the go-ahead run with a double for his third RBI of the game. A Contreras (2) solo and a Springer single drove in Robert with some insurance runs. Arizona could only muster one more run as they fell, 7-5.
W Cease (1-1)
L Neris (0-1)
S Clase (1)
Next up, Arizona heads to Jonesboro and the East Coast Rockies will host fellow division foe Westchester.
Coney Island vs Tampa
1 game short of the getting to the World Series last year - it was a big surprise. Don't expect anything like that this year, but do expect a fun season as the Cyclones begin a rebuild - and it should be an interesting player management as well. But still expect to produce runs (not sure we can prevent too many).
Fans are excited even if the prognostications are slim. Here comes Tampa!
Game 1 - Cole vs Kikuchi
Starting the season against Cole - with Blake Snell in the wings for the next game - oh boy. Yet, the home team scores first when Alex Call knocks a SF in the 2nd. But the Stingrays get it right back in the 3rd on a Brennan rbi double (1 of his 2 hits in the game). In the bottom half a leadoff walk to Happ results in another Cyclone run when Devers doubles him home. Then Cole buckles down, fans 7, 6 hits total no more runs. However, Kikuchi gives up no more runs scattering 7 hits in 7 innings and fanning 9. Then Ferguson, Thornton and Peralta close it off for a surprising 2-1 opening day win!!
TAM 1-8-0 LP Cole (0-1)
CIC 2-6-0 WP Kikuchi (1-0) S Peralta (1)
Game 2 - Snell vs. Mahle
Moniak (1) hits a 1 out solo homer for Tampa in the 1st but a Devers rbi double in the bottom half ties it up. Then Verdugo (3 singles in the game) and Moniak drives in runs in the 3rd for a 3-1 Tampa lead. Cyclones cut it to 3-2 in the 6th only to see Tampa regain the 2 run lead when Castellanos drives in a run in the 7th. Bottom of the 8th, Goriano comes in to replace Snell and he has some control issues walking Laureano with the bases loaded for 1 and then power hitter Miguel Rojas slugs a grand slam (1) and the Cyclones flip the score and take a 7-4 lead into the 9th! Pete Alsonso leads off with a solo homer (1) off Thorton so Peralta is called on again and he gets 3 straight outs to preserve the shocking win, 7-5.
TAM 5-8-1 LP Soriano (0-1) BS (1) (4 walks in 1 inning pitch)
CIC 7-4-1 WP Young (1-0) S Peralta (2) recipients of 7 walks!
Game 3 - Detmers vs. Manoah
This game featured a batter hitting for the cycle, also featured the Stingrays outhitting the Cyclones again. And 5 runs in the 1st. Jake Burger launches a 3 run homer (1) in the 1st. Cyclones get back 2 - the 1st a direct result of a single, a dropped fly ball and then a wild pitch and then a SF. Game is tied in the 3rd on a Rengifo homer (1), his 2nd hit of the game.
Cyclones break the game open in the 5th when Call draws a bases loaded walk and then Rengifo triples driving in 3 for a 7-3 lead! But the game is not over - top of the 6th Kepler steps to the plate pinch hitting for Neto and singles in 2 runs to cut it to 7-5. Then the Cyclone bullpen comes to the rescue and shuts down the Stingrays for the final 3.2 innings. And Rengifo comes up again and doubles to complete the cycle (and the single in the 1st was an infield hit).
TAM 5-10-2 LP Detmers (0-1)
CIC 7- 8-0 WP Manoah (1-0) S Ferguson (1)
Game 4 - Rodriguez vs. Whitlock
Finally, the Cyclones outhit the Stingrays and get started in the 1st on a Marte (1) homer, 1-0. Then Verdugo ties the game with an rbi single in the 3rd. Then in the 5th, the Stingrays tag some shots off Whitlock. Espinal takes Laureano deep down the line in right, 1 down. Neto then hits one to the gap that Laureano races to catch up to an snares it in the webbing. Then Verdugo takes one to the wall, Laureano catches it, slams the wall and the ball pops out of his glove. Verdugo just kept running and scores for a 2-1 Tampa lead. But Whitlock maintains his poise giving up just 2 hits and those 2 runs (1 uneraned) and fanning 8 in 6.1 innings. But he does leave in the 7th with the bases loaded as his control vacated him. But Young and Jackson keep Tampa from scoring anymore. BUT - the Marte homer in the 1st was the only score the Cyclones could muster against Rodriguez, 6 hits,1 run, 7.1 innings. And the Speier finishes the game getting the 5 out save! Tampa wins, 2-1.
TAM 2-3-0 WP Rodriguez (1-0) S Speier (1)
CIC 1-6-1 LP Whitlock (0-1)
Game 5 - Urquidy vs. Harrison
WIBL debut for Harrison doesn't go as hoped. He lasts 5 innings and gives up 10 hits, 2 walks and SEVEN runs. Harold Castro has a big game - 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 rbis. His 1st single drives in the games 1st run in the 2nd, Tampa 1-0. Then the top of the 4th - things came unglued. A 1 out HBP on Burger starts things. But Kepler fans, 2 outs. BUT Castro muscles a double, Burger scores! Rosario doubles, 3-0. Brennan singles, Rosario scores, 4-0. Brennan goes to 2nd. Rutschman then hits the slow roller to CF to make it 5-0! Cyclone offense however comes to the rescue when Rizzo gets the IF single with runners at 2nd and 3rd, 5-1. Call then doubles off the wall, 5-2. Laureano singles up the middle, 5-3. Then he's picked off. And Rojas flies out - so 5-3 after 4, Tampa in control.
Alonso leads off the 5th with a homer (2), 6-3 Tampa. That's it until the 6th when Castro leads off with a single, Harrison's debut is mercifully over. Adam in and Rosario greets him with an rbi double and Tampa has a 7-3 lead!
Bottom of the 7th Wilson in to relieve Urquidy (6 ip, 4 hits, 3 run). Starts with a HBP on Laureano. Arcia in to PH for Rojas and after a SB, Arcia doubles scoring 1. Cyclones scores a 2nd run on a 2 out Marte triple but he is stranded at 3rd so after 7 it's 7-5 Tampa! Jameson and Thornton then blank Tampa in the 8th. Soto comes on for the bottom of the 8th. Devers opens with a single. 1 out, Call is beaned. Laureano then bounces into FC with Devers moving to 3rd. Arcia up, fists one to RF, Devers scores, Laureano goes to 3rd. Delay up - deep to CF, off the wall, Laureano scores, Arica is being waved in - he scores, Cyclones gain the lead 8-7! Soto leaves - too late.9th inning, Peralta in. Rutschman grounds out. Castellanos, whiff. Alonso ropes ones hard to RF, Laureano races to the line, dives, looks like a trap, he's holding it up, the umpires thumb goes up! Out, replay confirms, out, game, Cyclones win, 8-7 on big comeback!
TAM 7-12-0 LP Soto (0-1) BS (1) again they outhit the Cyclones
CIC 8- 9-0 WP Thornton (1-0) S Peralta (3)
Surprising opening series as Cyclones manufacture runs as bullpen fof Tampa fails to hold a few games. Next week we host Mokena for SIX (CIC all set). Tampa flips coasts and goes to San Diego.
Shenandoah vs Antelope
Shenandoah takes 3 of 5 from Antelope
Game One, Antelope 9, Shenandoah 4
Gerardo Perdomo has three hits and scored twice to lead the River Cats to the opening day win. Michael Wacha limited the Pandas to only four hits, but one was a three run shot by Patrick Widsom. Eight different Cats scored at least one run.
Game Two, Antelope 18, Shenandoah 8
The River Cats hit five first innings homers off of Romel Blanco in route to an 11 run inning. The River Cats finished day with a total of eight homers, and had 51 total bases. Both Lourdes Gurriel and J.D. Martinez went deep twice. Starting catcher Austin Hedges was the most effective pitcher for the Pandas, with two shutout innings to close out the game.
Game Three, Shenandoah 5, Antelope 4
Patrick Wisdom broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo homer off of Cat reliever Craig Kimbrell to send the Pandas to their first victory. The Pandas scored all of the runs on the long ball, including a two run shot by Christian Morel.
Game Four, Shenandoah 10, Antelope 4
The Pandas bats game alive with a 13 hit attack that chase Cats starter Brandon Wiliamson after only 2/3 of an inning. The Pandas batted around in the first, scoring five runs and put Framber Valdez on easy street for his first win of the season. Max Muncy had the big blow in the first, a three run homer that forced Antelope to tax their bullpen to stay in the game.
Game Five, Shenandoah 7. Antelope 2
Luke Weaver allowed only three hits and one earned run on eight innings of work. Again the Pandas used a pair of long balls, from Eddie Rosario and Patrick Wisdom to give themselves another big inning, a five run third. The River Cats bats never came alive until Cal Raleigh hit a solo homer in the ninth.
Gulf Breeze vs Louisiana
The new look Cajuns came to Gulf Breeze to kick off the 2024 season and as usual outplayed their hosts in winning 3 of 5. But this Cajun squad had something other Cajuns haven't had- speed. They stole 14 bases and were not caught in the 5 games. Add in the usual 8 HR in 5 games, and the Breeze was lucky to stay relevant.
Gm 1: 6-2 GB Opening Day is always exciting and today was that day. Down 2-1 in the 6th, both Anderson and Escobar had rbi base knocks and the bullpen got it done. Paxton wins, Giolito doesn't. Every GB batter but the 9 hole had at least one base knock. Realmuto homered for Louisiana, Marsh & Heyward connected for the good guys.
Gm 2: 3-2 Lou Best game of the set. Lynn walked 7, and allowed 7 hits, but hung in with T.May and King (save 1) closing it out. The game was truly decided in the home 5th with the routing 9-2-6 DP to quell a Rebel rally. Moncada left the building for Lou.
Gm 3: 11-7 Lou Cajuns stole 7 bases on the day and the final score was closer than it should have been. Outman, Acuna, and Witt all homered for our guests and Marinaccio wound up the winner. It was 10-0 Lou before the Breeze plated 6 in the home 5th, but that would be as close as they'd come. Gomber with a solid outing- 4 IP with 8 ER.
Gm 4: 5-0 Lou 161-1 is still a possibility for the Cajuns as Woodruff tossed a sweet 2 hitter and Realmuto homered twice (3).
Gm 5: 5-1 GB Breeze responded with a solid DeSclafani outing and the bullpen pitched the final 3 2/3 without a baser runner allowed. Marsh had a pair of doubles in a 3 for 5 day, and Tom Murphy finished 3 for 3 with a walk. Wesneski was hit hard in the loss.
Next week, Gulf Breeze heads to Freeport while the Cajuns hear to Tulsa.
Chappaqua vs Greensboro
ITS OPENING DAY AND THE START OF ANOTHER GREAT WIBL SEASON AS THE NEW LOOK CHAPPAQUA COMETS HOST THE DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPION GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS
The Hoppers have won the NL East Division title TEN YEARS IN A ROW! The Comets, who last won the Division in 2012, are hoping that this is the year when the Hoppers finally come back to earth. After winning a record 132 games (!!) last season, what can Greensboro do for an encore? Well based on the results of the opening series, it looks like it will be another great year for the Hoppers – as the Comets (along with the Jays and Lucky Strikes) try their best to dethrone the reigning champs
Home Runs were flying out of the park throughout the series, as the Hoppers won the first two, the Comets the next two and the Hoppers the finale in a tense, exciting, TWELVE inning contest
GAME 1
Sonny Gray v Shohei Otahni
GRE 7 CHA 0
A classic matchup as the Comets new ace, Sonny Gray, goes up against the great Ohtani. Gray was acquired in a pre season trade when Chappaqua traded its #1 pick Cole Ragans and promising young OF Matt Wallner to Cowtown for Gary and 1B Nick Pratto.
With Gray anchoring the rotation, the Comets are hoping they can finally match up with the tremendous starting rotation of Alan Berger’s boys from Greensboro. Well it was not to be today.
In real life, in the regular season, Gray gave up only FOUR HRs --- Greensboro matched that total today in the first SIX INNINGS!
Mike Trout, Corey Seager, Wilson Contreras and Jordan Walker all took Gray deep as Greensboro got the easy win. Ohtani was, well Ohtani, as he pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 7. He also went 1-4 as the DH. Seager had 3 hits and the rookie sensation, Walker had two (including a double together with his HR). The only negative for the Hoppers was star CF Julio Rodriguez was HBP and will miss the rest of the series.
Miles Mikolas pitched three shutout innings for the save. Gray took the loss, as he allowed 12 hits and SEVEN RUNS in 7 innings.
GAME 2
Bailey Ober v Justin Verlander
GRE 4 CHA 2
Greensboro throws out another ace and gets another win as the veteran, Verlander, pitches 8 innings allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits, with 7 Ks.
No easy win for the Hoppers this time as they had to come from behind to pull it out.
GRE scored first when Walker (2-4) continued his hot start with an RBI single. Trailing 1-0, the Comets took their first lead of the season in the 4th when Willi Castro hit a 2 run bomb. The game remained 2-1 going to the 7th. In the 7th Ober got into trouble and Will Smith came on to get Nootbar (4-5) out. But then Jordan Walker singled to drive in a run and tie the game at 2-2.
Rookie Justin Topa took the mound for CHA in the 8th and retired the side in order. Topa, the #3 draft pick for CHA, is expected to be a key part of a rebuilt bullpen- but not today. Starting his second inning of relief, in the 9th, Lars Nootbar homered off Topa to break the tie, the solo shot making it 3-2. Then Ohtaini went deep to make it 4-2. Topa, who had given up only 4 HRs in real life all season, had just given up 2 in one inning!
Evan Phillips pitched a shutout 9th for GRE for the save. Ohtani was 3-5. 1B Seth Brown was 2-2 with 2 walks for CHA
GAME 3
Kyle Gibson v JP France
CHA 6 GRE 4
France was Greensboro’s #1 draft pick this season but his debut was not a good one. The Comets raked him for 7 hits and 5 runs in 4.2 IP and he left trailing 5-4. After the Comets scored one in the first, Greensboro took the lead in the second on a 2 run HR by Mike Trout against Gibson. Conor Joe tied it with a solo HR in the bottom of the frame. In the third, the Comets took the lead as Kim hit a solo HR and Matt Chapman doubled in a run.
GRE got 2 back in the 5th on a 2 run HR by Seager(2) to tie it at 4-4. CHA came right back and regained the lead in the bottom 5th on a solo HR by Josh Lowe, sending France to the showers. In the 6th, Joe tripled and Castro doubled to make it 6-4 Comets, the final score.
Gibson got the win, allowing 4 runs in 6 innings. Three relievers, Matt Moore, Clay Holmes and Yennier Cano each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Cano, the Comets second round pick in this year’s draft, got his first WIBL save.
The loss was costly to the Hoppers in more ways than one as Seager was HBP and is expected to miss two weeks. GRE’s offense is so deep however that even without Seager and Rodriguez it is still one of the most potent, if not most potent, offenses in WIBL.
GAME 4
Marcus Stroman v Max Scherzer
CHA 9 GRE 4
Greensboro’s parade of aces continue as Mad Max takes the mound. But this is not his day as the Comets knock him out in the second inning, after Max gave up 7 hits and 5 runs. Kim lead off with a HR (2) making it 1-0 after one. In the second, David Peralta (with Judge resting) singled in a run, the red hot Joe doubled in two and Gabriel Moreno singled in another. 5-0 CHA after 2. In the 4th, Moreno hit a 2 run HR to make it 7-0, the HR coming off the veteran Zack Greinke who will mainly pitch out of the pen this season.
Nolan Arenado and Salvador Perez hit solo HRs as the Hoppers tried to crawl back into the game. But whatever chances they had were ended in the 8th when lefty reliever Matt Moore struck out Ohtani with the bases loaded and two out.
Moreno, the second year catcher who is expected to have a breakout season, was 3-5 with 3 RBIs (single, double, HR). Willi Castro also had 3 hits.
Marcus Stroman went 7.1 IP to get the win, allowing only 5 hits and 2 runs with ELEVEN STRIKEOUTS and no walks.
GAME 5
Adrian Houser v Jose Quintana
GRE 8 CHA 7 12 innings
With the series tied, it was only fitting that the final game would be a close extra inning affair. What a game! In the third inning, Greensboro took the lead on a 2 run HR by Trout, his second of the series (3-7 on the day, .316 for the series). CHA tied it in the bottom of the frame when Kim walked with the bases loaded and Judge grounded into a bases loaded DP with a run scoring. In the 5th, GRE scored three to take a 5-2 lead but again the Comets came right back in the bottom of the 5th. Judge (1-6, .200) doubled to drive in two and Yainier Diaz (another up and coming second year catcher) singled in a run to tie the game at 5-5.
In the 7th, that sensational rookie, Jordan Walker did it again, singling in another run, his SIXTH RBI of the series! 6-5 GRE Greensboro took the one run lead into the 8th as Ian Hamilton, another 2023 draft pick, took the mound- following a brief rain delay. Diaz greeted him with a solo HR to tie it at 6-6. Then Garrett Cooper hit another solo HR and CHA had the lead 7-6 going to the 9th.
In the 9th, after lefty Will Smith retired Ohtani for the first out, rookie closer Yennier Cano came in to pitch. He walked Albies and then Contreras executed the hit and run perfectly singling to right putting runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. The next batter, Arenado singled and the game was tied at 7-7. Walker was then HBP to load the bases but Cano got Isiah Kiner-Falefa (in for the injured Seager) to ground into a DP.
The game went to extra innings as both bullpens took over. Clay Holmes started his second inning of relief for CHA in the 12th. Second year player Spencer Torkelson homered (only the second of his WIBL career) and the Hoppers led 8-7. Trevor MeGill set the Comets down in order in the bottom of the 12th and Greensboro had a come from behind win in a thriller – and took the series 3 games to 2.
Evan Phillips and Megill (the winning pitcher)combined for four shutout innings in relief, allowing only 1 hit, no walks and striking out 5. Holmes was the loser. Cano had his first career Blown Save.
Diaz and Cooper each went 3-5 for the Comets, with Cooper scoring 3 runs. For GRE, Albies was 4-6 with a double, an RBI, and 3 runs scored.
The rookie, Walker, was 2-5 and hit .381 for the series. Centerfielder Lars Nootbar was 1-4 with 3 walks and ended the series batting .444
Given Greensboro’s fire power, the Comets felt lucky to get 2 wins in the 5 games.
Next: The Comets travel to Stamford to play the Jays, who made the playoffs last season and should pose a threat to Greensboro’s dominance in 2023. Greensboro will host Durham in a six game series, that begins with a doubleheader.
Baseball is back!