Keith vs Fish: Speed vs Speed

Keith and I also shook some dice while enjoying premium Busch Light in Spring Green. Pitching dominated the series.

Game 1 - Washburn vs King Felix
Both pitchers had their good stuff, with Washburn facing the minimum through 6 innings. In the top of the 6th, Keith got on the board with run scoring double from Morales. A run was scored in the bottom of the 7th when Ellsbury lead off the inning with a base shot, stole second, and scored on a double from Kinsler. In the bottom of the 8th, the new and improved power hitting Ichiro Suzuki hit a go ahead two run home run. Hernandez closed out the complete game, with an impressive stat line of 9 innings, 5 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 6 strike outs.

Fish Wins 3 -1
Winning Pitcher - Hernandez
Losing Pitcher - Washburn
Home Runs - Ichiro

Game 2 Niemann vs Feldman
Slow start by both team until the bottom of the 3rd, when Abreu led the game off with a double, Niemann then walked the bases loaded (walking Figgons and Aybar), and Ichiro hit a two run base hit, plating two runners. Keith scored in the top of the 5th Crawford base shot/ stolen base combo, scoring on a Nick Markakis single. An insurance run was scored in the 8th on a Paul Konerko sacrifice fly - and Joe Nathan came in and closed the door in the 9th.

Fish Wins 3-1
Winning Pitcher - Feldman
Losing Pitcher - Neimann
Save - Nathan

Game 3 - Gaudin vs Buehrle
A wild one in Game 3 - Polanco scored AJ Pierenski on a two out triple. In the bottom of the second, the first ever steal of home was accomplished by none other than Jorge Posada. However, in doing so, injured himself for 8 games as well as injuring AJ Pierenski for 2 games as well. In the bottom of the 3rd, Paul Konerko hit a solo home run to make the lead 3-1. However, Keith came back in the top of the 8th, scoring 2 runs on Josh Hamilton 2-run homer, tying the game and sending it into extra's. Keith took the lead on singles from Youklis, Morales, and Wetters in the top of the 10th. The score was again tied in the top of the 10th on a solo home run from Bobby Abreu. Keith would take the lead for good with a solo home run from Youklis in the top of the 12th.

Keith Wins 5-4
Winning Pitcher - Camp
Losing Pitcher - Jenks
Home Runs - Konerko, Hamilton, Abreu, Youklis

Series MVP - Ichiro
Ichiro's line - 6 for 13, 5 RBI's, 1 home run

Fish vs Nick - Spring Green PTP

Games got played while we were celebrating the last days of Keith's life - I mean continued marital bliss. The first series Nick and I locked horns, and Chone Figgons showed why he is a legitimite MVP canidate:

Game 1 - Peavy at Burnett

In the battle of hard throwing righties, both offenses got started early. Nick took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a Span base shot, stealing second, and was plated Adam Lind. My team rallied quickly in the bottom of the first with base shots by Figgons and Aybar, both scoring on a Ichiro all scoring double. In the bottom of the second, Hebrew National Hot Dogs Ian Kinsler hit a two run bomb over the Green Monster, making the score 4-1. Peavy, "not having his good stuff," surrendered three more runs in the bottom of the 4th, with Abreu scoring on a Figgon base hit, and Ichiro hitting another two run double. My guyz were not done with Peavy yet, as 4 more runs were scored in the bottom of the 5th, with usual suspects like Abreu, Posada, Kinsler and Figgons all scoring, mostly on a two out, two run triple from Erick Aybar. AJ Burnett didn't need all the support that he got, as he went the complete game - stat line as follows: 9 inning, 7 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 10 strike outs.

Fish wins 12-1

Winning Pitcher - Burnett

Losing Pitcher - Peavy

Home Runs: Kinsler, Posada

Game 2 - Duensing vs Baker

Brian Duensing had a spot start with Hernandez out for two more games, and he had a rough 1st and 2nd inning. 3 base hits in the top of the 1st, with Izturis scoring on a Choo base hit started things for Nick's squad. Izturis had a run scoring double in the top of the second to make the score 2-0 bad guys. In the bottom of the second, Kinsler and Figgons were on base when Erick Aybar scored both of them. The bottom of the 6th featured an Ichiro double and was score on an A-Rod single, which made the score 3-2 Fish. Nick tied the game in the top of the 8th Cabrera scored on an Izturis base hit; key point in the game, the third base coach sent Swisher home on the play as well and was gunned down by Bobby "I must" Abreu, proving costly for Nick's squadran. The game went into extra's and was put to rest when Ichiro had a base hit in the bottom of the 11th, then promptly stole second, and was scored on a double by Curtis Granderson.

Fish wins 4-3

Winning Pitcher - Wood

Loosing Pitcher - Wertz

Home Runs - None

Game 3 - Hunter vs Floyd

Nick's offense was again quick to get on the scoreboard, with thee consecutive singles from Span, Overbay and Choo. The run was quickly answered in the bottom of the 1st when Figgons lead off the game with a single and was scored on a Erick Aybar double. Nick literaly walked all over Floyd in the top of the 5th, when Floyd walked four consecutive batters and scored 3 runs in the frame. Olivo hit a two run job in the bottom of the 5th for the home team, however there was no more offense to speak of from my team. Gabe Kapler had a West Bend insurance run in the top of the 9th hitting a double to left.

Nick Wins 5-3

Winning Pitcher - Aceves

Losing Pitcher - Floyd

Home Runs - Olivo

Series MVP - Figgons

Figgons line - 6 for 13, 5 runs scored

Carlo Sweeps Matt; Faces Fish in the NLDS

GAME ONE:
Joe Blanton worked eight scoreless innings, striking out ten, before K-Rod shut the door on Matty in game one. Cole Hamels pitched a beauty, until he ran out of gas in the eighth inning. After Hamels departure, Carlo's team rattled off two runs against veteran lefty Arthur Rhodes. Josh Willingham and and Carlos Gonzalez each drove in a run on back-to-back singles.

FINAL: Carlo 2, Matt 0

GAME TWO:
Martin Prado hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 11th inning to win game two. Prado, fresh off a multi-hit game one, reached base four times in game two and was, generally speaking, a pain in Matt's arse the whole series. Mark DeRosa launched a two-run homer in the third inning, allowing starter Dan Haren to cruise with a lead until Garrett Jones put one in the stands, tying the game in the ninth inning. K-Rod picked up the win, working the 10th and the 11th inning. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley each hit solo homers for Matt.

FINAL: Carlo 4, Matt 3 (in 11 innings)

GAME THREE:
With his back against the wall, Matt and his team came out swinging in game three. After Matt Kemp singled, Prince Fielder bombed a two-run homer, giving Matt and starter Ted Lilly an early two-run lead. This lead would dissipate, however, as Josh Willingham hit a run-scoring double in the first and a two-run homer in the third inning. Carlos Gonzalez added a two-run triple in the 8th. Josh Johnson went eight strong innings, earning the win for Carlo. Princey was the MVP for Matt, collecting three hits in the loss.

FINAL: Carlo 6, Matt 3

CARLO SWEEPS MATT...MAKES PLAYOFFS FOR FIRST TIME IN TEAM'S HISTORY...

Karate Kid Part VI: Spencer @ Matty (Jacobs Field)

Game 1 Nick Blackburn @ Jon Lester

This series had everything: Extra innings, late game heroics, dominant pitching, 10 hit-by-pitches, a huge injury, a suspension and a bizarre featuring the picture above. Here's what happened....
After taking an offensive dump vs Nick, Spencer's team looked to take out his frustrations on Nick's older, wiser and better softball hitting older brother and he came out rolling to start the game.

Top of the 1st: Raji Davis singled, he scored when #2 hitter, Average Mexi Juan Rivera, went Yardo Marx...... 2-0 Spencer

**2nd Inning: In response to Juan Rivera admiring his HR from home plate, Jon Lester decided to plunk Frank Gutierrez, and the benches cleared!!! While in the scuffle, Frank Gutierrez nailed Jon Lester with a spiked cresent kick to the chest. Gutierrez was suspended for an additional 3 games (1 left) and Jon Lester (pussy) will just miss his next start. Scotty Podz relpaced Gutz in the lineup.

Nick Blackburn retaliated in the bottom of the 2nd by plunking Gordan Bacon, then allowed just five baserunners until the 7th inning...
Bottom of 7: Vic Martinez sigled to lead off. Blackburn walked Carlos Pena and Gordan Bacon to load the bases. Elvis Andrus' SAC made it....2-1 Spencer

Bottom of 8: A Brett Gardner leadoff single was followed by Ben Zobrist looking smug, so new pitcher Phil Hughes plunked him. Nelson Cruz RBI single made it... 2-2 TIE

Top of 10: A Big Tex single led to a J.D. "Dr" Drew 2-run jack off Andrew Bailey Spencer leads 4-2

Bottom of 10: Matty answered right back as Billy Butler drove in a pair with a single off of Darren Oliver.....TIED 4-4

Top of 13: JD Drew led off with a single and scored the winning run, as Hall-of-Famer Pudge Rodriguez smacked a triple off of Craig Breslow. SPENCER WINS 5-4 in 13 innings.

W-Darren Oliver 3.1IP, 2h, w, k, er
L - Craig Breslow 1.0IP, 2h, er


GAME 2: C.G. Sabathia (get it CG?) @ Ryan Rowland-Smith

Before the game, CC Sabathia told the media he wants to pitch every inning he starts this inning. Manager Spencer Rockwell responded, " Fine with me."

Top of the 1st: Scotty Podz scored on an Evan Longoria single...1-0 SPencer
Bottom of 2: Brett Gardner's RBI double scored Gordan Bacon, who also doubled....2-1 Spencer

Top 5: Things broke open here as Eva Longoria plated two with a double, then scored on a Benny Hill RBI single....Spencer leads 4-1

Bottom of 7: Bill Butler led off with a walk and scored on Gordan Bacon's 2nd double...Spencer leads 4-2.

CC Sabathia, is getting his wish as he pitched his 3rd CG in 3 starts. SPENCER WINS 4-2

W-Sabathia CG, 6h, 2er, 4w, 11K
L - Rowland-Smith 6IP, 7h, 4r, 3er, 2w, 3k


Game 3: Edwin Jackson @ Scott Kazmir

DURING THIS GAME, A BIZARRE FEATURING TEAM MORALE LED TO SPENCER RECIEVING A CLUTCH RATING FOR ALL HIS PLAYERS FOR THE NEXT 6 HOME GAMES (2 HOME SERIES)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bottom of 2: Nelson Cruz hit a 2-run bomb, four batters later Kenji Johjima hit a 2-run sayonnara...4-0 Matty

Top of 3: Evan Longoria knocked in two on a double...4-2 Matty
Top of 7: Two HBP, a BB, and two RBI-singles from Scotty Pods and Evan Longoria made it......4-4 TIE

Things got ugly in Top of the 8th: kelly Shoppach led off with a solo bomb. Cesar Izturis hit a triple, Raji Davis hit a RBI-single, Scotty Pods singled, Longoria hit a bases clearing double, Tex de Grande with a RBI-single, Jerry Hairston walked.....9-4 Spencer

Tim Wakefield was fluttering and brilliant, as he replaced an ineffective Ed Jackson (3IP, 4er) to pick pick up the win. SPENCER WINS 9-4 SPENCER SWEEPS 3-

W- Wakefield 5.0IP, 3h, 3w, 2k
L- Mijares 2.0IP, 7h, 2w, 2 hbp, 7er
Evan Longoria 3-5, 2x2B, r, 5RBI

Very fun series featuring a total of 11 HBPs...

Keith @ Torto: The Role Players Step Up

Torto and I tangled for a series in West Bend last night. Delicious pizza, several beers and some quality baseball all went down. Here's the skinny....

Game One: Gaudin @ Verlander

The game started with a tone-setter; after Crawford singled in his first at-bat, the league leader was picked off trying to steal second. There would not be a steal the entire series (although Torto reciprocated by getting a pinch-runner picked off in Game 3). Verlander spent most of the game frusterating the Baltimore batters, holding them scoreless through five before Youks knocked in Crawford for Baltimore's first score. Meanwhile, Torto's Yankees were sporadically knocking in runs, thanks to RBI's from Robbie Cano in the 3rd, Ryan Sweeney in the 4th and a 2-run double by Jason Bartlett in the 6th. Still, despite the lead, the Yanks continued to leave ducks on the pond, leaving the game within reach at 4-1 heading into the top of the 7th. It was at this point Nick Markaris blasted a Grand Slam to give Baltimore the lead, with additional drama provided by his "clutch" rating neutralizing Verlander's "jam."

"That was the turning point in the series," Torto would later reflect.

Crawford and Markakis would add RBI's in the top of the 9th as Frasor and Rivera allowed Keith to gratefully escape with the win.

Keith wins 7-4
WP J. Frasor
LP J. Verlander
S M. Rivera (3)

Game Two: Lackey at Bedard

This game would prove to be a pitcher's duel, as Keith's ace faced the immensely talented and disturbingly frail Erik Bedard. Lackey would have his best performance of the season to date, scattering five hits over eight innings and registering 11 K's. Bedard and, later Lyon, would pitch well for Torto, giving up only 2 runs on Jack Wilson RBI's in the 2nd and the 4th, respectively. That would prove to be the difference in the game, however, as Mariano came in the finish Lackey's gem to earn his 4th save.

Keith wins 2-0
WP J. Lackey
LP E. Bedard
S M. Rivera (4)

Game Three: Beckett @ Bergeson

Whereas the offense in game two came from an extremely unlikely source - Jack Wilson - the offense in game three came from the large-headed Placido Polanco. Polanco knocked a two-run HR in the bottom of the third, and drove in Morales and Pennington in the bottom of the 4th with a two-out double. Beckett picked up where Lackey left off, limiting the impotent Yankees to eight hits over 7.1 and ringing up 9 K's. Ryan Raburn knocking in Maggs Ordonez in the bottom of the 9th was the only thing preventing Torto from being on the wrong end of a couple of shutouts to close out the series.

Keith wins 4-1
WP J. Beckett
LP B. Bergeson