THE METS ARE NOT DEAD. Winners of four straight...

(After finally getting away from the negative influences of Jose Reyes (above),
David Wright above has found it much easier to "breath" on the new look Mets.)

GAME ONE:
Nick's new-look lineup didn't take long to gel, as the Mets hit three homers and scored 10 runs. Prince Fielder, Omar Infante (overall, 3x5 on the day) and baseball jaw David Wright each went yard. Andre Ethier added three RBI on three hits. Roy Oswalt, coming into the game winless, finally got a win. Oswalt tossed a complete-game, 2 run, six-hitter. Always a gamer, Troy Tulowitski hit two solo homers and went 3x4 in the loss.
NICK 10, CARLO 2

GAME TWO:
Game two was nip-tuck until the bottom of the eighth, when David Wright handsomely launched a 400 foot grand slam off the hapless Edward Mujica. The Heisman added a base-clearing double off Carlo's bewildered reliever. Kyle McClellen fell into his first win of the year. Andre Ethier, suddenly red-hot, smashed a two-run homer. Carlo's bullpen collapse, ruined an otherwise strong outing for Ryan Dempster, who tossed 6 strong innings. Tulo launched another HR, his third of the series, in the loss. Aubrey Huff added two rbis
NICK 9, CARLO 5

GAME THREE:
The quintessential teammate and citizen, Vicente Padilla, hurled 6 strong innings, striking out 8 enroute to his second win of the year. More importantly, the team-first Padilla secured a sweep for the once-struggling Mets. Strassy Mollasey earned a hold, laser-beaming two scoreless innings, before turning things over to Luke Gregerson (who notched his fourth save of the young season). Andre Ethier added another HR in the win, while Omar Infante had another multi-hit game. Carlo's lone run came on a Fukudome double that scored Adrew "Mc-clutch-en."
NICK 5, CARLO 1

NICK SWEEPS SERIES, 3-0!

My team's new lineup really got everyone in the offense kick-started. Omar Infante scored 6 runs and was 8 for 14. Andre Ethier hit 2 HRS and drove in 8 RBI, while "The Heisman" Chris Heisey went 6 of 12 in the series.

Marlins get back on track by sweeping up Dodger Stadium

Billy celebrates the 3-game sweep with a sexy rendezvous in the basement storage area of Dodger Stadium

Eager to get back on track after losing 4 of their last 6 to Fish and Mario, my Marlins busted out of their batting slump in a big way.  After hitting just 2 HRs in the last 6 games, I had a feeling my boys were due.  And were they ever, much to Goldy's dismay.

Game 1: J.Cueto @ L.Hernandez
Weird start to game one, as Utley was tossed from the game after arguing a called 3rd strike in the top of the first.  After that, things got ugly early, as Livan 'didn't have his good stuff, giving up 3 in the 2nd, 1 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th, and 6 in the 5th. **record alert - most ERs given up in a game, 14 in 5 IP**  Not much else to say other than my guys were hitting the ball all over the place, and out of Dodger Stadium.  Ben picked up 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th on a 3-run Jayson Werth HR, but by then it was already 15-3.  Cueto went the distance, despite being tired the last entire inning.  The Marlins bashed 5 HRs in this one (two off the fat deep drive zone of one Ted Lily) - Heyward, Zimmerman, A-Gone, Stanton, and Cueto. Yup Cueto, add another pitcher to our HR archives.  He hit a deep drive down the left field line (with F-power), and had just enough distance to get the rare 'robbed' option to come up.  The left fielder couldn't pull back in, and Cueto circled the bases.
Torto wins 16-3
**pitcher Johnny Cueto hits HR down LF line with 'F' power**

Game 2: J.Garland @ J.Sanchez
The bats settled down a bit for this game, but the Marlins got out to an early lead and never looked back.  A-Gone hit a 2-run jack in the top of the first, but the Dodgers cut that lead in half on a Dick Weeks triple and Jayson Werth RBI-single.  Zimmerman hit a solo shot in the 4th to bring the score to 3-1.  Then in the 6th, with Utley on 2nd and 2-outs, the skipper decided to put A-Gone on the empty base, and take his chances with Big Mike Stanton.  Stanton made him pay with a 3-run blast, boosting the lead to 6-1.  The Dodgers grabbed 2 runs back in the 8th, but it was too little too late, as Mike Adams slammed the door in the 9th.
Torto wins 6-3

Game 3: C.Billingsley @ M.Pelfrey
Another weird start to this one, as Werth got plunked by Billingsley in the bottom of the first and got into it with John Thole.  Benches cleared and both Werth and Thole got ejected.  The Dodgers then jumped on C-Bill, grabbing a 4-0 lead off a solo shot in the 3rd by Dick Weeks, and a base-clearling double in the 3rd by young Chris Young. This would chase Billingsley from the game.  The Marlins cut the lead in half on a junk RBI slow roller in front of the catcher that out 'ranged' him, followed by a sac fly by Jason Heyward.  The top of the 8th rolled around, and Nick Masset walked Ryan Zimmerman.  A-Gone proceeded to lift a deep drive out of the stadium to tie the game 4-4.  Not to be outdone, Mike Stanton proceeded to bash the ball into the seats as well (no deep drive needed for that one).  Lead 5-4, Torto.  Ben was now thoroughly disgusted with my ridiculous rolls all game (rightly so).  The Dodgers made some noise in the 8th after lefty specialist Madison Bumgarner handled the first two lefty bats in front of him, only to give up a single to Melvin Mora.  Nearly leaving Bumgarner in to face lefty basher, Gaby Sanchez, Torto ran out to the mound and handed the ball to Sergio Romo, who proceeded to get Sanchez to ground out, and then sat the 1-2-3 hitters down in the 9th.
Torto wins 5-4
Torto wins series 3-0 

This was one of those series, where it seemed like every other roll I made came up with a red-1.  Tough one for Goldy to sit through, but he soldiered on. 

**Fun with Stats - the Marlin Midpoint**
-Jayson Heyward has walked 26 times already this season, only 10 shy of the all-time record of 36, set by Fish's Barry Bonds.  He also has a 0.455 OBP, while only batting 0.267

-Mike Stanton is batting only 0.211 in 71 AB, but has belted 8 HRs, including 3 time in back-to-back sequences with A-Gone.

-Chase Utley has been picked off 4 times this season, and stole only 1 base

-As a team, only 5 errors committed

Mario treats Torto to drinks at the Iron Horse... ...and a pair of losses.

Swanky atmosphere, antique motorcyles, and Crown and Coke were a winning combo for Mar

Last weekend, Mar and I met up for dinner, drinks, and PTP.  The evening started out well enough for me, with a great dinner at Pitch's.  We then proceeded over to the Iron Horse Hotel bar to grab some cocktails and roll some dice.  We were surprisingly undisturbed, despite the hoppin' crowd.  And with my 1-2-3 going in a home series, I liked my chances to come out winning 2 of 3.  But that's why we play the games...

Game 1: J.Santana @ C.Billingsley
A pitchers' duel in this one, both Johan and C-Bill were dealling in this one.  My guy gave up only 3 over 9, and ordinarily that would be easy enough for my battery of sluggers to overcome, but it was not to be.  Mario got RBI hits from Carlos Ruiz, Justin Upton, and Martin Prado, while I could only muster a pair of runs. 
Mario wins 3-2

Game 2: C.Zambrano @ R.A.Dickey
Negative from the get go about starting Big Z, Mario's negativity got to the big guy, and he gave up 5 runs in the second, the majority of which came on a bases loaded 2-out triple from Dexter Fowler.  Torto added runs in the 5th and 7th, but Mario patiently chipped away, scoring 4 by the 8th (including a Casey McGehee HR), and making the score 7-4.  Dickey didn't have his sharpest outing, but didn't need it to get his 4th win. Things got a little dicey in the ninth, but Sergio Romo finally settled in for his 6th save.
Torto wins 7-4

Game 3: J.Chacin @ W.Rodriguez
Another pitchers' duel in game 3.  Wandy pitched a gem into the bottom ninth, with the only run given up a solo shot to Casey McGehee.  Torto climbed out of the 1-0 deficit in the 7th, on a Chase Utley 2-RBI single.  With a 2-1 lead, going into the ninth, the game was mine to lose.  Wandy got himself officially 'tired' on a lead off walk, so in came Romo again to save the day.  Not this time.  Mario ripped off 4 straight hits, then another walk, to plate 5 runs, making it 6-2.  Torto picked up a meaningless run in the bottom of the ninth, but still lost the series on the Romo blown save.
Mario wins 6-3
Mario wins series 2-1

Tough to lose the series that way, but Mar earned it.  He kept my big bats at bay, and my clutchy-ness came up empty.  Mar's team might not have the bats to score big most games, but his pitching (Zambrano excluded of course) is solid enough to surprise some.

APD Set - Tort Fort confirmed March 11/12

Paws and Torto say "Come to this APD, it'll be Grrrrrrreat!

Its official - the Tort Fort is open for use the weekend of March 11th.

Let's plan on a Friday afternoon/evening arrival, as many games as we can cram in that night, then broomball Saturday AM (ice permitting), and afternoon games as folks see fit.  I'll leave it to the commish to develop our schedule.

Of course, Big Ten Tourney games will be mixed in throughout.

Gaming Alert!!

Hey friends:

Just a general heads-up that I intend to head over to Mario's Sunday morning to roll some dice. Anybody interested, give one of us a holla ASAP so we can get the morning scheduled...

Dodgers vs. Mets - The Black Bean and Garlic Tostito Series

East Troy was the location as the Ben Goldsworthy led Dodgers took on the Nick Ewoldt led Mets in a battle of two dudes rolling 10-sided die and looking at cards and charts to see what happens. Nick was the gracious host for this series and provided a bowl of Black Bean and Garlic Tostitos which could be call "the shit". Those things were good and should be the staple of any PTP matches in the future. Cans of Supper Club beer were also appreciated. In other news, Nick started 3 righty starters, meaning the Dodgers have now faced 12 righty starters in 12 games. On to the games where the Dodgers were the home team:

Game 1 - Padilla @ Pelfrey - A tight game that featured a solid pitching duel. Ben grabbed an early lead with a Hunter Pence Underpants home run in the bottom of the 4th but Nick immediately answered with an Omar Infante solo shot in the 5th to tie the game. A big moment occurred in the bottom of the 5th. Stevie Drew led off and reached base on an out of place Logan Morrison error. Chase Headley followed that up with a roll that had a red 1 a blue 2 and the white was leaning against the side but was almost completely on the 8. Not really paying much attention, Ben tapped the box the wrong way and the 8 became a 4 and opposed to a two run bomb, Chase hit a single and Nick got out of the inning without giving up a run. Going into the bottom of the 9th, the game was tied at 2. Brian McCann reached on a walk and Drew followed that up with an Outfield Range. The ball got over Eithier's head in right and the fleet footed McCann came around to score the winning run. Ben wins 3-2.

Game 2 - Kennedy (possibly Jewish?) @ Hudson - Another good pitchers battle. Dick Weeks continued his torrid hitting with a 3-4 performance including a solo shot to get the scoring started in the 1st. Votto also hit a solo shot in the 8th to give Ben a 4-0 lead going into the 9th. Tim Hudson was rolling with the shutout, but gave up a lead off single followed by a 2-run shot from Prince. Hudson recorded an out but then gave up a single and was lifted for K-Rod. Nick brought the lead run to the plate but K-Rod struck out Soriano to get the save. In the Dodgers 6th win of the year Hudson picked up the first win by a starting pitcher. Ben wins 4-2.

Game 2 - Bailey @ Hamels - Nick jumped out to an early lead against Hamels and Ben was never able to mount a serious threat against 4 Met pitchers. David Wright hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd to get the scoring started. The highlight of this game was Strasburg pitching 3 strong innings including 5 straight strike outs. Nick wins 4-1.

APD Alert??

Boys:

Any interest in getting an APD on the calender in the next few weeks? At the risk of being too bold, I'll start the chatter by throwing out a few possbilities that work for me...let's see if we can get some momentum. Maybe we can secure the Tort Fort or the Mario Mancave??

Sunday, Feb 27
Saturday, March 12
Sunday, March 13

If there's no love for an APD, consider my dice ready to roll on these dates if anyone wants to play....

Let's Play Two.....

Hey dudes. Carlo and I got together Sunday and ripped off six games while our Mrs. Got massages (likely by dudes who look like Dan Uggla). Here’s the short and skinny…

Game 1: Kershaw @ Kuroda

We started the day off with a wild and crazy game. Carlo built himself a commanding 6-1 lead in the top of the 8th based largely on the strength of Tulo and Kelly Johnson. Things unraveled for him in the bottom of the 8th, however, thanks to a 3 run inning coming off 4 doubles (Carlo has some holes in the outfield ya’ll). I set the noose firmly around my neck Brooks Hadley-style when McCutcheon showed some rare power, leading the top of the 9th off with a homerun for Carlo and extending his lead to 7-4. I managed to rally in the bottom of the 9th though, thanks to a leadoff double by Garrett Jones, homerun by Han-Ram, and a two-out double by Holliday, and triple (on a bizarre, no less) by Drew Stubbs. The game went to the bottom of the 11th before Hanley knocked his second homerun in a row to send the fans home happy.

On a side note, Carlo’s catcher Ramon Hernandez was hit by a pitch in the 8th and injured for 15 games, leaving him with some problems behind the plate for a few series.

Keith wins 8-7 (11)

Game 2: Arroyo @ Sanchez

Keith took a 3-1 lead into the top of the 7th before Carlo blew the hell up, highlighted by 3 RBI’s by Neil “Sky” Walker and two by the veteran Kelly Johnson.

Carlo wins 9-3

Game 3: Dempster @ Westbrook

Tulo led off the game with a HR before Keith rallied back in the 5th on a 2-run single by Holliday and a 3-run bomb-ski by Adam Dunn-ski. Car grabbed two of those runs back the following inning on a Tulo’s 2nd HR of the game, leaving Keith nursing a 5-3 lead going into the 9th. Poor bullpen management (and one too many Hinterland Luna Stouts) delayed Brian Wilson’s entry into the game, and Carlo resiliently clawed back with a 3-run 9th to shock the San Diego faithful and steal a 6-5 win.

Carlo wins 6-5

Carlo Wins Series 2-1

Game 1: Halladay @ Nolasco

Neither pitcher would last long in this one. Han-Ram and Corey Hart homered in the top of the 1st for Keith, and Halladay was chased after 4 in a game that saw 3 homeruns, 2 triples and 6 doubles. When the dust cleared, Corey Hart had collected 5 RBI’s and the Big Donkey had 4.

Keith wins 13-8

Game 2: Jimenez @ Lincecum
Now here was a pitching matchup. Ubaldo helped his own cause by sacrificing Yadier in the top of the 2nd, and a Big Panda HR matched a Johnson RBI single following a Tulo leadoff triple and a Neil Walker RBI. Freddy “Mole Face” Sanchez knocked in the game-winning RBI in the top of the 9th and Jimenez pitched the complete game.

Keith wins 3-2

Game 3: Kuroda @ Kershaw

Keith smelled a sweep heading into Game 3 of the second series, but the big lefty was having none of it. Car’s southpaw pitched a complete game shutout, getting plenty of offensive support as Carlo ended the day with a no-doubter and a series salvaging butt-whoopin.

Carlo wins 7-0

Keith Wins Series 2-1

Dan Uggla – The Most Timely Hitter in all of PTP - Bad Taste in T-Shirts

Torto at Fish

Game 1
W. Rodriguez at M Latos

Fish jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Carlos Beltran hit a single with the base loaded, scoring Dan Uggla, however Al Pujols was nailed at the plate for the 3rd out (put out by Jason Heyword). From there the bats would be held quiet until the bottom of the 8th when Nyger Morgan singled, Chipper Jones walked, and Colby Rasmus scored Morgan on a base hit; Hanigan then loaded the bases with a walk, and Danny Uggla blew open the doors with a base hit scoring two runs. Sean Marshall surrendered a two run home run to Zimmerman in the top of the 9th, and Billy Wagner came on for a one out save. Fish wins 4-2.
Winning Pitcher – Latos
Losing Pitcher – Rodriguez
Save – Wagner
HR’s – Zimmerman

Game 2
J Cueto at T Wood

Torto scored in the top of the 1st when a fielder’s choice got Fowler on base, then was scored by a Ryan Zimmerman double. In the bottom of the 3rd, Travis Wood had a leadoff double and was scored by Ryan Hanigan to tie the game. In the top of the 5th, four straight batters would get on base: Cueto (FC), Utley (double), Fowler (single and an RBI) and Zimmerman (single and an RBI). The lead was cut to 3-2 in the bottom of the 5th when Hanigan doubled and was scored on a base hit by Uggla. The bottom of the 6th was Torto’s undoing; with the left hander Baumgardner in the ball game, he proceeded to give up back to back doubles (Edmonds and Reyes), and was pulled before retiring a batter. Nyjer Morgan would squeeze in Reyes to take the lead. Marmol would come on to close out the game for a save. Fish wins 4-3.
Winning Pitcher – Franklin
Losing Pitcher – Baumgardner
Save – Marmol


Game 3
J Garland at C Silva

Pitching would again be at a premium in this game. With the usual early exit by Silva in the second (he had to go eat lard and Keith’s coleslaw in the clubhouse) the game was turned over to Peralta. Mike Stanton would make Peralta pay in the top of the 4th, with a two run home run. On the next batter, Peralta’s arm stiffened up on him and was put on the shelf for 10 games. Dan Uggla would come back in the bottom of the frame to hit a solo home run. He would hit another solo home run in the bottom of the 6th to tie the score. The score would remain tied until the top of the 9th when Thole walked and Castillo tripled off of Billy Wagner to take the lead. Bliele came on for the save in the 9th. Torto wins 3-2.

Winning Pitcher – Romo
Losing Pitcher – Wagner
Save – Bliele
HR’s – Stanton, Uggla (2)
Injuries – Peralta 10 games

Dan Uggla Stole Paynter's Shirt!

Looking for a reliever not named Frazor

Keith's Bad Day

And it continued......

Game 1

Silva at Washburn

Keith jumped out to kick lead scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI double from JOHN JAY JOHN JAY and scored with a single from Matt Holliday. With this rough inning from Silva, that would be it for his day. The top of the 3rd would be another story however; it started with three consecutive single by Morgan, Hanigan and Pujols, with additional singles by Chipper Jones and Jimmy Edmonds. 4 runs would score in the frame. Fish added another run in the top of the 7th with a double from Hanigan and an RBI single from Pujols. Keith quickly tied the game in the bottom of the 8th with a base clearing double by the Big Panda. However, playing inspired because he was jeered like McNabb when drafted, hit the go ahead solo jack in the top of the 9th. Ryan Madson finished the game for a save. Fish wins 6-5.
Winning Pitcher: Peralta
Losing Pitcher: Rhodes
Save: Madson
Home Runs: Uggla

Game 2
De la Rosa at Halladay

With a matchup of two of the pitchers in the game, it was going to be a difficult task for both offenses. Keith again struck quickly in the bottom of the 1st with 5 singles from Crawford, Holliday, Paulino, Sanchez and Tejada, scoring two runs. Cory Hart hit a solo jack in the bottom of the 2nd to give Keith a 3-0 lead. Dan Uggla would again come up clutch, hit a 3-run home run in the top of the 3rd to tie the game. Fish would take the lead for good in the top of the 8th with consecutive singles from Rasmus and Uggla, and a base clearing double from Edmonds. A couple more insurance runs were scored by Fish in the top of the 9th. Fish wins 7-3.

Winning Pitcher: Marmol
Losing Pitcher: Halladay
Save: Franklin

Game 3

Cain at Jimenez

This was truly a pitching classic. Fish grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd on a Chipper Jones solo home run. Jimenez helped his own cause in the bottom of the frame with a leadoff double, and was scored by Holliday. The lead would be secure until the top of the 6th, when Jim Edmonds doubled and scored on a Montero base hit. Marmol would come on to finish the game for his second save. Fish wins 3-1
Winning Pitcher: Cain
Losing Pitcher: Jimenez
Save: Marmol

Stats Update:
J. Reyes .417 24 AB
Chipper Jones .391 23 AB
R Hanigan .368 19 AB
N Morgan .350 20 AB4
Uggla 2 home runs 8 RBI’s
M Cain 2 wins
C Marmol 2 wins, 2 saves

Bringing Order and Balance Back to PTP - Darth Vader Style

Thank God for PTP!

Game 1

Lackey at King Felix

Welcome to the 2009 PTP AL Championship. Game 1 featured an excellent pitching match-up, Felix Hernandez vs. John Lackey. Game 1 got out to a quick start for Fish with an Eric Aybar single, stolen base, and an RBI single from Ichiro. The inning continued with an uncharacteristic error by Placido Polonco, which plated another run. Keith answers in the top of inning 2 with a double from Morales and an RBI single from Josh Hamilton. It was apparent the Hamilton was on “the good stuff” this evening , as he had a solo home run in the 4th and the 6th, for a game high 3 RBI’s. However, with a 4-3 lead, Keith trusted Jason Frazor to get him to his closer, a choice that would haunt him all series long. In the bottom of the 8th, with back to back deep drive rolls, post season heroes Bobby Abreu and Jorge Posada hit back to back jacks to take the lead. Felix would stay in for a complete game win. Fish wins 5-4.
Winning Pitcher: Hernandez
Losing Pitcher: Frazor
Home Runs: Hamilton (2), Abreu, Posada

Game 2

Beckett at Floyd (a collect call for Mr. Floyd)

Game 2 was all about Keith. He scored a run in the top of the 1st with a Carl Crawford leadoff single, plated by Kendry Morales. I came back with 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st with a leadoff triple from Chone Figgons, base hit by Aybar, and RBI single from Ichiro. Then, the flood gates opened in the top of the 3rd inning: it started with a leadoff home run by Crawford, followed up by consecutive base hits by Markakis, Youkilis, and Morales, which was cleaned up with a 3-run home run by the big headed Polanco, the inning would plate 5 runs. Beckett cruised through 7 and 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and 11 strike outs. Keith wins 7-3.
Winning Pitcher: Beckett
Losing Pitcher: Floyd
Home Runs: Crawford, Polanco

Game 3

FELDMAN at NIEMANN

A match-up of two of the most average pitchers baffled the bats on both Keith and Fish’s squads. Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the 6th when Keith broke through with a run by Morales, plated by Weiters. The game was tied in the top of the 7th with a leadoff single from A-Rod and a triple from Granderson, Keith would gun down Granderson on a play at the plate later that inning. With the score tied in the top of the 8th, Chone Figgons led the inning off with a solo home run to take the lead. An insurance run was added when Granderson walked, stole a base and was plated by Posada. Nathan came on for a shaky save, giving up a run in the bottom of the ninth. Fish wins 3-2.
Winning Pitcher: Fuentes
Losing Pitcher: Frazor
Save: Nathan
Home Runs: Figgons

Game 4

Burnett at Gaudin

This game was all Fish from the outset. Erick Aybar tripled in the top of the 1st, then scored by A-Rod; later in the inning Bobby “I must” Abreu drove in A-Rod for a quick 2 run lead. In the bottom of the third, Yukes tripled in Carl Crawford to bring the game to 2-1. The game got out of hand in the top of the 4th with consecutive doubles by Konerko and Posada, walk by Figgons, and a base clearing double by Aybar. Later, the unlikely of sorts, Clifford Pennington, hit a two run home run, to bring the game to 6-4. Two insurance runs were added in the top of the ninth with a walk by Aybar, triple by Ichiro, and single by A-Rod. Carl Crawford added a solo home run in the bottom of the 9th. Fish wins 8-4.
Winning Pitcher: Burnett
Losing Pitcher: Gaudin
Home Runs: Crawford

Game 5

Felix at Lackey

An exceptional pitching match was apparent in this game. There was no scoring into the 7th inning; the virgin scoring column was broke through with a solo home run by Jorge Posada. Bobby Abreu hit a solo home run against his favorite pitcher Frazor in the top of the 8th. That was more than enough for King Felix, who pitched a shutout and was named the Championship MVP with two complete game wins.
Winning Pitcher: Hernandez
Losing Pitcher: Lackey
Home Runs: Posada, Abreu

Fish Wins the Series 4 Games to 1

Not your mommy's Carpenter!! Spencer @ Nick

Game 1 Chris Carpenter @ Hank (Homer) Bailey

This game between heated rivals was over in the 2nd inning, as Spencer scored five runs on RBIs from Ryan Braun, Ryan Howard and Chris Carpenter's RBI double. Carpenter would drive in another run in the 6th inning, oh...and he pitched a 2-hit, complete game shutout. Spencer wins 6-0.

WIN - Carpenter CG, 2H, 2BB, 10K

LOSS - Bailey 3.0, 6H, 5ER, 2BB, 7K

** Spencer lost Andres Torres for the next game and lost Jimmy Rollins for 6 more games as Rollins collided with Nick's pitcher Santiago Casilla at 1st base. Casilla was injured for the series.

Game 2 Brett Meyers' Wife Beater Inc. @ Roy "I own a dumptruck" Oswalt

Spencer took an early 2-1 lead on Brandon Phillips' 2-RBI double in the 2nd. Nick would take the lead in the 4th as Andrea Ethier drove home Prince and Dave Wright-Nevicosi drove home Ethier.

Spencer would take the lead for good thanks to a pinch-hit RBI double by Dee Lee. Tim Stauffer scattered two hits over the final three innings to pick up his 2nd 3-inning save of 2011. Spencer wins 5-3.

W - Brett Meyers (2-0) 6.0, 6h, 3er, bb, 4k

L - Oswalt 7.0, 13h, 5r, 4er, 2w, 7k

Save - Tim Stauffer (2) 3.0, 2h, k

Game 3 "Oscar" Jaime Garcia @ Tom Hanson

Spencer once again jumped out to an early lead as Jay Bruce socked his 3rd HR of the year and a Alfonso Soriano error led to Humberto Quintero driving in Scott Rolen. Nick would answer back hard in the 3rd inning as RBI's from Carlos Gonzalez, Erik Hinske, Dave Wright, and Sarlin Castro made it 5-2 Nick.

Humberto Quintero's solo HR in the 4th made it 5-3 Nick. Geovany Toko and Hinske scored runs in the 5th and 7th innings to make it 7-3 Nick after 7 innings. Spencer would score three runs in the 8th innning off Nick's gay lover, Steve Strasburg, to make it close, but Luke Gregerson closed that door. NICK WINS 7-6. SPENCER TAKES SERIES 2-1.

W - Hanson 6.2, 4h, 3er, bb, 7k, 2hr

L - Garcia 3.0, 6h, 5er, bb, 2k

S - Gregerson 1.0ip

**TORTO**** stat updates

jay bruce - 9-22 (.409) 2HR 7RBI

ryan braun 2HR

andres torres 2SB

scott rolen 8-24 (.333)

josh johnson 19K

heath bell 3SV

2011 Astros boast leagues largest "cocks" and horsecocks.

pitchers

1. josh johnson
2. chris carpenter
3. brett myers
4. jaime garcia
5. derek lowe

bullpen

1. heath bell
2. tim stauffer
3. takashi saito
4. hisanori takahashi
5. jon venters
6. barry zito

lineup

c- ivan rodriguez, humberto quintero

1b - ryan howard, derek lee

2b - brandon phillips, ryan theriot

ss - jimmy rollins, ryan theriot

3b - scott rolen, juan uribe

lf - ryan braun, pat burrell

cf - andres torres, jose tabata

rf - jay bruce, pat burrell

In Dickey We Trust - Marlins Sweep the Dodgers Out of Town



Robert Alan Dickey is 3 and 0 this season, with a 0.75 ERA. And his hair was perfect.

Thursday night, plucky league newcomer Goldy, hosted my squad of fighting Marlins at his abode for a mid-week PTP roll-up.  After taking 2 or 3 from Keither, Mr. Goldsworthy was feeling pretty solid about his squad.  By the end of the evening, he was ready to toss me out into a snow bank.  And rightly so, for the rolls were coming up Torto all evening, and every jam/on/off/clutch, etc seemed to go my way.

Game 1:  J.Sanchez @ J.Garland
Things got ugly in this game, as my squad had the eye for pitches out of the strikezone, with Sanchez issuing 8 walks in 3 IP, along with a Ryan Zimmerman 2-run bomb.  With Sanchez out, the walks still kept coming, with a combo of J.A.Happ, O'Flaherty, and Ramon Ramirez issuing another 9 free passes in total.  17 walks in only 8 innings.  Obviously this was the root of Ben's problems, and it led to 9 runs.  Dexter Fowler and Adrian Gonzalez alone each walked 4 times.  With this lead Garland got the win. 
Torto wins 9-4.

Game 2:  M.Pelfrey @ C.Billingsley
A 3-run shot from Dick Weeks in the top of the 2nd got Ben fired up again for a spell, but it was quickly quelled by a Adrian Gonzalez Grand Slam in the 5th, followed up immediately by a Mike Stanton solo HR. A-Gone struck again in the 6th with another homer, this time a 3-run shot.  A 2-run Joey Votto HR came in the 8th, but it was too little, too late.  The A-Gone show carried the game.
Torto wins 9-5

Game 3:  T.Hudson @ R.A.Dickey
With Ben's ace on the mound, the chances of avoiding the sweep seemed likely.  But my crafty knuckleballer, Robert Alan Dickey would have none of it.  Dominant in his first two starts, Dickey picked up right where he left off, scattering 3 hits and 3 walks over 7 innings.  Much to Goldy's dismay, Dickey excercised the 'OFF' early and often, saving himself those pesky leadoff baserunners.  Both pitchers dueled deep into the game, but the 0-0 tie was finally broken in the bottom of the 5th, when Dickey helped his own cause, slapping a 2-out RBI single to score Mike Stanton.  An insurance run was picked up in the 8th, on a Zimmerman RBI single.  Daniel Hudson picked up the hold, and Sergio Romo got the save (albeit rocky again).  
Torto wins 2-0

That sweep marks 6 straight wins for my squad.  Might be about time to come back down to reality.  Fish, when do you want to play?

LADLA Kick Off Inaugural Season With a Series Win

After taking this photo I am going to go out and throw down a sick windmill dunk against the Bucks!

Los Angeles - In the battle for Southern California PTP supremacy, the expansion Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles took two out of three games from the downtrodden San Diego Padres this weekend. The Dodgers (2-1) were thrilled to win their first series of PTP play. "I think we were really helped out by the Padres manager deciding to break open a bottle of wine in the middle of game 2." said rookie Dodgers skipper Ben Goldsworthy. "Plus, the pretzel M&Ms that Mario was serving up really motivated my team." Goldsworthy added. Padres (3-6) manager Keith VanLanduyt declined to comment following the series but was later seen dazed and confused in a local watering hole wearing a newly procured Bud Light hat.

Lets go to the game recaps:

Game 1 - Jimenez @ Hudson
This game was all Ubaldo all the time. A complete game 3 hitter was enough to spur the Padres on to victory. Matt Holliday hit a solo shot and added another RBI to pace the Padres offense. The Dodgers failed to take full advantage of 7 walks issued by Jimenez. The Dodgers looked to tie the game in the 8th after a long shot off the bat of Brian McCann initially looked like a game tying bomb, but was later revealed to be a long fly out thanks to "the jam".
Keith wins 4-2

Game 2 - Kuroda @ Hamels
Lot going on in Game 2 of this series. The Padres jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to back-to-back solo shots by Tejada and Davis. The Dodgers countered with a Dick Weeks grand slam in the bottom of the inning. Hamels gave one back after giving up a solo shot to Corey Fucking Hart and was so pissed about it, he decided to get ejected in the bottom of the third after arguing balls and strikes following a strike out. This all happened after Hart committed a 3 base error that allowed in two runs to cap off a 4 run inning. J.A. Happ replaced Hamels and did a good job of holding the Padres down. Fast Forward to the top of the 9th and with 2 outs, Adam Dunn comes to the plate as the tying run for the Padres but K-Rod manages to strike him out, preserving the Dodgers' first victory.
Ben wins 8-5

Game 3 - Farnsworth @ Hernandez
A real pitchers battle here. Farnsworth, with a spot start for the suspended Sanchez, is outstanding. The exact opposite of his real life self. 87 year old Livan Hernandez faced the minimum through 7 innings in his first start of the season. At one point the veteran Cuban, who may be Castro's father, retired 17 batters in a row, tying a SE Wisconsin PTP record. The only run of the game came on a Jason Werth solo shot in the bottom of the 8th. Keith got the first two runners on in the 9th but K-Rod was able to slam the door shut for his second save of the season.
Ben wins 1-0