Hi, all. Above is the team owner, Nick, with mangled cards and pouting dog. The second photo shows the remains of the usable Shin Soo Chew card and the now-lost Adam Lind.

THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK...

Spencer and I met up yesterday to play our second and final PTP series. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, what happened is truly unforgettable. As Spencer went out to smoke and I went to grab my dice, one of his overgrown black labs (specifically, Maddy) decided to have a snack….ON MY F#@%ing CARDS! As we reprimanded the dog and forced her to give up her “treats,” she coughed up the remains of Shin Soo Choo’s card and some of Adam Lind’s numbers vs LH. Choo (now spelled Shin Soo "Chew") was salvageable with some tape and some squinting, but Adam Lind and his 35 HRs are gone.

So…Spencer was left remorseful, Maddy was left pouting and I just wanted to play PTP, as I intended to do, minutes earlier. So…Spencer agreed to bench a starter and I had Lyle Overbay fill in (somewhat admirably, actually) for Lind. I am going to email the PTP Guy and see if he can email me or copy me another Lind card. If he can’t do that, I am not sure what my options are, but I guess it’s a lesson learned.

Wow…how’s that for a bizarre play? Anyway…on with the actual baseball…

GAME ONE

Jason Kubel homered and drove in three runs, helping Nick win game one, 4-1. The starter, Scott Baker, cruised through a scoreless five+ innings before being drilled in the arm by a Scott Podsednik line drive. Nick’s solid bullpen helped secure the win, though, as Alfredo Aceves earned a hold and Michael Wuertz the save. Leadoff hitter Denard Span was all over the bases, stroking three hits and adding two steals and a run. Spencer’s lone run came on a Cesar Izturis base shot.

Nick 4, Spencer 1

WP – Baker LP – Blackburn SV – Wuertz

GAME TWO

Touchdown Tommy Hunter blanked Spencer through eight scoreless innings, while yielding just three hits. Mark Texiera burned his former team with a three-run home run in the top of the fifth. On the day, Texiera had two doubles, a HR and three RBI. Darren O-Day Erry-Day closed the door, securing the shutout, in the scoreless ninth. Spencer’s ice-cold offense spoiled a solid effort by starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who pitched a complete game (yielding just three earned runs).

Nick 4, Spencer 0

WP – Hunter LP – Sabathia

GAME THREE

Pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. sac-bunted home Rajai Davis in the bottom of the eighth inning to help secure the win and avoid the home-sweep against Nick. An angry, half-eaten Shin Soo “Chew” bombed a three-run homer in the top of the eighth, just before being bested by Spencer’s crafty sac-bunt. Desperate to score runs, Spencer jostled his lineup around. It may have worked out. Evan Longoria embraced his leadoff role, hitting three singles, walking once, scoring a run and stealing a bag. Franklin Gutierrez hit a solo-homer for Spencer, while Nick Swisher and Pods each had two hits.

Spencer 4, Nick 3

WP – Phil Hughes LP – Frank Francisco SV – Papelbon

SERIES...Nick 2, Spencer 1

(Pictures of the damaged cards, to be posted soon...stay tuned)

Bergy, Garza, Halladay - Dealin'. Nick - Reelin'.

Worth the 1st Round Draft Pick?  You bet.

Nick and I tangled for some early morning pre-Gravy Bowl PTP last Saturday.  This was our second matchup of this AL season (that series update has not been posted yet, but Nick won the first series 2-1, on the road with the strength of his bats).  This time around though, the bats would not be the story. 

Game 1:  'Brittle Brad' Bergesen @ Tommy Hunter
The first run of the game came on a Godzilla solo-shot in the top of the 4th, giving my squad a 1-0 lead. 2 more runs were brought across in the top of the 5th, on a Kurt (Not Asian) Suzuki RBI double, immediately followed by a Jason Bartlett RBI single.  Torto up, 3-naught.  Nick fought back in the bottom of the same frame, getting a run the hard way by advancing the 'Korean Delight', Shin Soo-Choo all the way around to home after a leadoff single thru a series of well placed ground ball outs and a Asdrubal Cabrera single, to close the gap to 3-1.  Nick was quick with the hook on Hunter, and yanked him after just 4+ innings of work. My squad added one more unearned run with 2-outs in the 6th, when Marco Scutaro made a wild throw to let Mike Lowell on base.  Ryan Sweeny then drove Old Man Lowell across home on a triple into the gap.  Bergesen was dealing all game, uncharacteristically striking out 7 in 8 innings, while only yielding 5 hits. Matt Thornton came in to close the 9th.

Torto wins 4-1
WP - B.Bergesen
LP- T.Hunter
S - M.Thornton
HR - H.Matsui
SB - J.Bartlett 2

Game 2:  Matt Garza @ James Shields
Solid pitching (or poor hitting) continued in Game 2.  I jumped out to a early 3-run lead, on 5 straight singles from the 3 thru 7 hitters.  Garza was pitching a gem until the 6th when he gave up a 3-run shot to Jason Kubel.  All knotted up 3-3 in the 8th, Jason Bartlett hit a solo jack to break the tie.  More drama in the bottom of the 8th, when Denard Span led off with a single, and then proceeded to break up a double play on an Adam Lind groundball, slamming into Bartlett and injuring him for 3 games. Garza then walked Texeiera and officially 'tired', came out of the game. David Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrdsma came in for the final inning and 2/3rds, retiring the final five batters, striking out 3 of them.

Torto wins 4-3
WP - Garza
LP - F.Francisco
S - D.Aardsma
HR - J.Kubel, J.Bartlett

Game 3:  Roy 'Doc' Halladay @ Jake Peavy
Lights out pitching in this one.  Halladay fresh off a complete game shutout vs. Keither, was ready to pitch another one.  Peavy didn't give an inch either, though, with a 0-0 tie going into the top of the 7th.  The tie was broken NL-style, with Orlando Cabrera (filling in for the injured Bartlett) successfully bunting over men on 2nd and 3rd.  The Light Hitting Gerry Laird then uncharacteristically hit a 2-out RBI single to score another run.  Two runs would be all that was needed for Halladay to get the win.  Peavy also went the distance in the loss.

Torto wins 2-0
WP - R.Halladay
LP - J.Peavy

Torto sweeps the series 3-0. 

It was nice to see my team do what I actually drafted it to do - win with good pitching and defense.  And even nicer to pull myself back into relevance with the sweep, putting my record at 10 - 11, and pushing Nick behind me in the standings.  Were Keith not able to completely dominate me this season, I might actually be looking at an over-500 record. 

***Record alert*** - Roy Halladay has now pitched 18 straight scoreless innings, and in his 5 starts this season, 4 have been complete games, and 3 of those shutouts.  Ridiculously impressive.  Now I've surely jinxed him for a 5-run 1st inning his next start.

Torto and I "diced-it-up" at the lobby of the Crown Plaza - Milwaukee for an A.L. series last Thursday night. My forever hoovering around .500 team went into the night a game under even and left at, you got it, .500. I beat Torto 2-1. So, through 24 games, I am 12-12. Yawn.


*** Game 1 ***
Spot starter, Alfredo Aceves, put the "ace" in "Aceves" in game one, earning his third victory of the year. Aceves, generally a long reliever, scattered six hits and an earned run through six solid innings. Torto received even worse news after the game when a MRI revealed that fragile starter Eric Bedard's arm actually came disconnected, turned blue and black and fell, lifeless, to the ground through just 2 and 2/3 innings. Bedard is out for the season.
Nick's offense helped Aceves' cause by scoring six runs through the first four innings. Aki Iwamura had two hits and two rbis, while Mike Napoli also had a mutli-hit performance. No-names like Marco Scutaro, Asdrubal Cabrera and Gabe Kapler added rbis. Torto's lone run came in the bottom of the sixth on a Robinson Cano single that scored Jason Bartlett.

WP - Aceves LP - Bedard
Nick wins 6-1

*** Game 2 ***
With Team Torto's Eric Bedard now having only one arm, it could be argued that he could have done a Jim Abbott impression and pitched a better game two than the two-armed Brad Bergesen. Nick's team relentlessly racked up 15 runs (eight of them on Bergey), in a 15-2 route of the downtrodden Tort, despite not hitting a HR.
Mark Texiera has been looking very comfortable in his new uni, going 2x4 with two doubles and 4 rbis. Since joining the Mariners, Tex has driven in 14 runs. Asdrubal notched three hits and three rbis, while Nappy had another multi-hit performance.
Scott Baker earned a complete game win, yielding just two runs.

WP - Baker LP - Bergesen
Nick wins 15-2

*** Game 3 ***
Torto had enough of the beatings in game one and two and gave one back in game three. In a one-run game through five innings, Torto broke things way open in the six-run sixth against the usually reliable Denys Baez (2 IP, 7 ER). Tort tacked on a couple more for the fans, ultimately winning 11-5. Matt Garza cruised to the win, going 8 1/3 and striking out seven.
Torto's 1-4 hitters scoreed eight of the runs and drove in all 11 runs. Matsui had two hits and four rbis, Maglio had two hits and three rbis, Cano had three hits and three rbis. Jason Bartlett had a fantasy manager's dream with three hits, four runs, three sbs and a rbi.

WP - Garza LP - Baez
Torto 11, Nick 5

Nick wins series 2-1 on the road.

Rocky Mountain Rebullition - Torto Takes 2009 NL World Series in 5

The 2009 NL World Series saw Fish and his #1 seed juggernaut squad versus my #3 seed band of plucky upstarts.  As some of you may have heard at the Tort Fort - Team Torto pulled out the Series, 4 games to 1, and is your new NL champ.  Some scoffed at my pick of Pablo Sandoval with the #7 overall pick or the 4th round drafting of Miguel Tejada and his iffy defense.  Nobody's questioning it now.

 Here are the details:

Game 1:  J.Vasquez @ C.Carpenter

The World Series opener started out as a pitchers duel, and ended as a rout.  Fish got on the board quickly by scoring his quietly efficient leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn, on a Ryan Braun sac fly in the bottom of the first.  My squad countered with a Jayson Werth solo shot in the top of the 2^nd.  Fish then got a one-out triple from jack-of-all-tradesman, Omar Infante, but could not plate him, as Rafael Furcal laid down a terrible bunt that got him caught at the plate. Not to be denied anther run, Fish came back with Mr. Bourn again, getting him aboard with a lead off single in the bottom of the 3^rd, stealing 2^nd before being singled home by Luis Castillo.  With Fish leading 2-1, all bats then went quiet until the top of the 7^th.  When Pedro Feliz cranked a ball into the seats at MinuteMaid Park for a 3-run shot, giving us the 4-2 lead.  And as Javy Vasquez continued to cruise, Carpenter’s 8^th inning replacement, Jeremy Affeldt got shelled.  After letting 2 of the first 3 batters on base, Affeldt gave up an RBI-double to the Panda, followed by a Jayson Werth 3-run blast, making it an 8-2 game.  Javy went retired 6 of the next 7 batters faced (3Ks) in the final 2 frames.  My 3 home run rolls were the difference in Game 1.

Torto wins 8-2

WP – J.Vasquez (CG, 2ER, 7H, 4 BB, 9K)

LP – C.Carpenter (7IP, 4ER, 6H, 0 BB, 6K

POTG – Jayson Werth (2-4 with 2 HR and 4RBI)

Game 2: C.Billingsley @ T.Hanson

Eager to capitalize on my Game 1 victory, my squad start hot out of the gates in Game 2, with a top of the first 2-run Toddfather Helton home run. This was followed up by Angel Pagan leadoff double in the top of the 2^nd, scored with one out by a Pedro Feliz double, and then followed in the top of the 3^rd by a Toddfather RBI-single, pushing the lead to 4-0 Torto.  Fish struck back in the bottom of the 3^rd, getting 3 runs back on an RBI single from Bourn and a 2-out, 2-RBI double by Brad Hawpe.  I finally managed to sneak out of the inning by intentionally walking Ryan Braun to get to Nick Johnson, who proceeded to strike out (and probably break a rib).  Top of the fifth, and the HR train got rolling again , with back-to-back solo jacks for the Panda and Werth.  Now down 3-6, Fish did his best to HR-roll his way back into the game, getting a solo shot from Brauny in the 6^th, followed by another Braun HR (2-run) in the 7^th, tying it up, and knocking Thunder Thigh Billingsley out of the game.  Both team’s relievers locked it down for the next several innings, taking it into extras.  The 6-6 tie was snapped in the top of the 11^th, with Carlos Lee facing Trevor Hoffman. A Lee pinch hit a single, followed by a base-clearing triple by ‘The Ol Skippy Schu’maker.  With 2-outs, the ‘Clutch’ Kung Fu Panda slapped a single to bring in Schumaker from 3^rd to add 1 insurance run.  5^th starter turned reliever, Rich Harden, who had pitched the 10^th, was just getting warmed up and closed out the 11^th on Fish to get the win, and deny a save opportunity. 

The Astro fans filed out of MinuteMaid park in stunned silence, seeing their team go down 0-2 at home.  Meanwhile the Rockies quietly packed their things and headed back home to Coors Field in the dead of night.

Torto wins 8-6 in 11 innings

WP – R.Harden

LP – T.Hoffman

POTG – S.Schumaker (2-6 with GW RBI triple)

Game 3: R.Oswalt @ R.Dempster

Another early pitchers duel that got away from both teams late.  I jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the strength of a 2-run blast by the Panda in the bottom of the first.  Fish hit back in the 5^th with a lead-off single by Furcal, sacrificed over by Oswalt. Furcal was then driven home by a Bourn RBI-single.  I stole that run back in the bottom of the 6^th on a 2-out RBI single from Angel Pagan, making it 3-1 Torto.  Fish had a big 7^th inning to take the lead though, with RBI hits from Castillo (RBI single) and Braun (2-RBI double).  With the game now 4-3 Fish, I mustered 2 runs in the 8^th, this time with a 2-out inning extending single from Jayson Werth, followed by an RBI triple for Pagan.  Pagan was then scored on a Randy Winn ‘CLUTCH’ single off Brian Wilson, to steal the lead, and make it 5-4 Torto.  Fish, starting to become visably weary of his bullpen blowing leads, counterpunched with a 2-out Ryan Braun solo home run off Huston Street to tie the game.  Fish brought in Trevor Hoffman for the 9^th, but after retiring Skippy Schu, he gave up a single to the ageless Miguel Tejada, followed by a Toddfather single.  With runners on 1^st and 2^nd, and 1out, Pablo Sandoval grounded out into a fielder choice (great hustle by the Panda), leaving runners on the corner for Jayson Werth – who walked off the game by doubling in Tejada.  The Rockies fans celebrated long into the crisp, cool, Colorado night that evening, feeling that a World Series was almost in hand.

Torto wins 6-5

WP – H.Street

LP – T.Hoffman

POTG – Jayson Werth (3-5 with 2 2Bs and GW RBI)

Game 4: C.Zambrano @ H.Kuroda

With the Big Z on the mound for Game 4, the Rockies fans were looking for another dominant performance to end the series, much like the one displayed in the first round to close out the series vs. Spencer.  It was not to be.  Big Z lasted only 4 innings,  after giving up 5 runs on a 2- RBI double by Brad Hawpe, and and RBI doubles from Castillo, and the now healthy Derrick Lee.  However, my squad’s bats were not to be denied a chance to keep us in the game.  Tejada scored Skippy Schu on an hard-hit grounder that was booted by Furcal in the 1^st.  Tejada slapped an RBI single in the 2^nd to score Randy Winn. And in the 4^th, RBI doubles by Pedro Feliz and Schumaker had the game all knotted up 5 – 5 in the 5^th.  Fish broke that tie, on a 2-out solo shot from Furcal.  My squad hit back with a Miguel Tejada RBI single in the 6^th, making it 6 – 6.  Top of the 7^th,  and Brad Hawpe jacked a solo homer into the Colorado night to take the lead again, 7-6.  The Torto counter punch in the bottom of the 8^th was 2 RBI singles by Schumaker and Helton, to take back the lead 8 – 7.  Fish was now thoroughly fed up with this back and forth nonsense came with his biggest bats in the top of the 9^th.  With closer Ryan Franklin in, Fish got lead off single by Brauny, that was followed by a 2-run blast by Derrick Lee to take the lead.  Brad Hawpe, then decided to make sure this game wouldn’t be stolen in the bottom of the 9^th, and immediately followed with another home run, his 2^nd of the game.  Nonetheless, my squad nearly came back to tie, urged on by the home crowd.  In the bottom of the 9^th, Fish’s bullpen was running low and Jason Marquis was being used, as all closers were unavailable.  A 1-out double by Randy Win, was followed by a Pedro Feliz out.  With 2 outs, pinch hitter Carlos Lee was inserted into the game, and delivered an RBI single, before Schumaker got the final out.

Fish wins 10-9

WP – J.Marquis

LP – R.Franklin

POTG – B.Hawpe (4-5 with 2 HRs, 4 RBI, and a triple short of the cycle)

Game 5: C.Carpenter @ J.Vasquez

High drama again in this one, and my Rockies were desperate to deliver the knockout blow in front of their home fans.  Both aces battled in this one, going deep into the game.  No runs until the 6^th, when Fish got a 2-out single from Castillo, followed by a Ryan Braun 3-bagger, and then an RBI single from D-Lee to take a 2 – zip lead.  Fish picked up another run in the top of the 8^th, on a D-Lee solo homer, going up 3 – 0 going into the bottom of the 8^th.  Carpenter finally began to tire, giving up a single to the Panda, followed by an RBI double from Mr. Werth.  The rally was killed though, when Werth tried to score from 2^nd on a 2-out single by Randy Winn, getting gunned down at the plate by Bourn and so Fish still led 3-1 going into the final frame.  After Vasquez went into the 9^th, and kept the deficit at 2.  For the bottom of the 9^th, Fish again trusted in Trevor, only to be let down again.  After Hoffman got Feliz and a pinch-hitting Sheffield out to start, he then walked Schumaker.  With 2 down, and Tejada up at the plate, Hoffman gave up a moonball with the homer standing up (instead of going to deep drive) due to the Clutch/Jam cancel.  With the score now 3-3, the game continued scoreless into the bottom of the 13^th, (with Vasquez going 10 full innings) until Brian Wilson walked Randy Winn with 1 out.  Winn proceeded to swipe 2^nd, (only the 2^nd base stolen all series by either team), and then was advanced over on Brian Wilson’s throwing error on a Feliz dribbler back to the mound.  With runners on 1^st and 3^rd with 1-out, and with Juan Pierre chomping at the bit to get into the game for at least 1 at bat, I inserted Pierre as a pinch hitter.  Fish pulled the infield in, correctly anticipating the bunt, but the A-bunter laid down a perfect tap and scored a sprinting Randy Winn to walk off the game, and the series.  The Rockies fans rushed the field in the win, and partied long into the cool autumn alpine night, with only modest property damage done in the immediate vicinity of Coors Field.

Torto wins 4-3 in 13 innings

WP – R.Harden

LP – B.Wilson

BS – T.Hoffman

POTG – Juan Pierre (0-0 with walk off sacrifice hit and GW RBI)

Wow. It was exciting just recapping all that.  Every single game was really hard fought, except maybe Game 1, and each game had late inning drama.  In the end, the big difference maker in determing the winner of these games was timely home runs and defense.  I had the edge in both these parameters, as evidenced by my 8 HRs and committed only one error all series.  It was great playing with you Fish, especially since we were both very astute with using the jam/clutch/off/on/h&r, etc.  I don’t feel anything was missed with regard to all the various situations we put each other in.  Fish - if your play could be translated into song, it would be Bob Seeger's "Still the Same", and you play the way you always do, really smart/well.  Trevor Hoffman just seemed to be a choker for you.  Still, it was nice to come out on top with all the close games I’ve lost to you in the recent past. Great series, and I look forward to our next regular season series in the AL.

World Series MVP – Jayson Werth (10-26, 0.385 BA, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI)

Honorable Mention – Javy Vasquez (2 starts, 19 IP, 5 ER, 20 Ks)

Christening the Tort Fort

Hi Friends. Thanks again Torto for hosting us at the fort over the weekend, and for all the beer and delicious chili. I enjoyed passing liquor around the campfire and claiming the 2nd-most comfortable bed in the house. With all the games that went down I'm not sure I have the appetite to recap each one, but for standings purposes I will report that I lost 2 of 3 to Spencer and 2 of 3 to Matt in AL action. I dropped from 11-7 to 13-11.

Stats Update

I updated my stats this evening. Here's what I've got through 18 games:

BA
K. Morales .342 (38 AB's)
M. Weiters .314 (35 AB's)

RBI's
Youkilis 22
V. Guerrero 10
Polanco 10

HR
Youkilis 4

SB
Crawford 11

Pitching

Beckett 3-0, 2.09 ERA, 32 K's, 4 BB's (30.1 innings)
Lackey 2-0, 4.13 ERA, 25 K's, 5 BB's (25 innings)
J. Frasor 3-0, 3.38 ERA, 4 K's, 5 BB's, 1 save (8 innings)
M. Rivera 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 K's, 4 BB's, 5 saves (6 innings)

Torto, note Spencer's last post - he's actually 10-5, not 13-5. That right there's the most important stat of all.

Spencer @ Butler: Bring your brooms

Game 1 -- James “The” Sheilds @ Kevin “Dead”Millwood

Ahhh, a classic rivalry resume last Saturday morning as Spencer hosted Butler for only his second series of the year. It was “Pooch Day” at the ballpark and three black lab puppies, Leela, Maddie, and Sheamus were excited to see some dice rolled. Sadly, before the game we were informed that Knuckles did not secure a ticket to the game and missed the festivities.
Things started off quick for Spencer in the top of the 1st, as The Swami Raji Davis singled, stole 2nd, was SAC’d to 3rd, then scored on America’s Next Top Model Winner: Evan Longoria SAC Fly. With two outs, Big Tex walked, the scored on a J.D. Drew RBI single. 2-0 Spencer.
Spencer went nuclear in the Top of the 4th off Kevin Deadwood. J.D. Drew led off with a double, Big Papi doubled, Kelly Shoppachaholic singled, Ceasar Izturis singled, The Swami RBI-ground out (1 out), Aaron Hill singled, Eva Longoria doubled, Big Tex walked, Ave Mexican Juan Rivera doubled. Seven runs were scored at the end of the outburst. Butler would get two runs back in the bottom of the 4th on Torii Hunter’s 2-RBI single. Spencer leads 9-2 after 4 innings. Butler added 1 run in the 5th and 6th innings. Spencer leads 9-4 after six innings. Spencer answered back in the 8th as, Aaron Hill donged a 2-run shot to make it 11-4 Spencer. Butler however, would not take my dice rolling insults or puppy distractions lying down. Enter Flamethrower Daniel Bard from the bullpen……
Average Joe Mauer smacked a Grand Salami w/ smoked provolone and pepper rings. Next batter Miguel Cabrera smacked a solo shot. Next batter Torii Hunter smacked a solo shot. BACK-TO-BACK-TO BACK JACKS FOR BUTLER!!!! Spencer now leads 11-10 after 8 innings. Spencer added a AAA insurance run in the 9th as Jon Papelbon closed the door. SPENCER WINS 12-10 in a slugfest


W – Shields 6.0, 9h, 4er, 5w, 2k, 1hr

L – Tony Pena 3.1, 4h, 3er, 2k, hr

S – Papelbon 1.2, 2w, 3k




GAME 2 “Slick” Rick Porcello @ “Brewers Announcer” Brian Anderson

Game 1 was a slugfest so of course Game 2 was a pitchers duel. Quick Synopsis:
Spencer scored three runs on a an Aaron Hill RBI-single in the 1st, Cesar Isturis RBI-double in the 2nd, and a Juan Rivera Solo HR in the 7th. Slick Rick Porcello made quick work of Butler’s squad as he was due to perform songs from his platinum album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick Porcello later in the night at the Apollo Theatre. Porcello scattered six hits and gave up one run on a Pedroia RBI-double. Spencer wins 3-1.


W - Porcello CG, 6h, er, 3w, 3k
L – Anderson 6.1, 9h, 2er, 3k, hr



Game 3 Nick Blackburn pitching in the dead of night @ Jered Coyle Weaver

…we move to extra innings as the game was tied at 2-2 after 9 innings. In the Top of the 11th, I-Rod lead off with a walk, Izturis singled amd the Swami walked to load the bases. Franklin Gutierrez, batting .197 on the year, smacked the game winning single. Papelbon gets another save. SPENCER WINS 4-2. SPENCER SWEEPS SERIES 3-0.

It was a close series.

Butler beats Nick in two of three at home

Butler and I hooked up on Sunday for a three-gamer, before the Packers dissected the hapless Buffalo Bills. The highlight of my day was clearly watching the Packers, as my ptp team's struggles continue.

GAME ONE
John Danks pitched eight solid innings (four hits, six k's, one earned run), before the Mexicutioner closed the door. Butler's team got at Cy Young contender Zack Greinke in the first inning, as Joe Mauer hit a two run double and was later plated on a Torii Hunter triple. Greinke now falls to 1-2. Nick's lone run came in the first on a Mike Nappy double. Butler stretched his lead in the eighth thanks to a Dustin Pedroia triple.
Butler 3, Nick 1
WP - Danks LP - Greinke SV - Soria

GAME TWO
Tied 5-5 in the 9th, Jason Kubel hit a bomb to give Nick's team the lead, 6-5. Asdrubal Cabrerrrrr then added two more insurance runs on a base-clearing double, before closer Mike Wuertz collected his fourth save of the year. Butler jumped on the struggling Jake Peavy, scoring four runs in the first three innings, before Nick took the lead back on a Nick Swisher base-clearing single. In the loss, Mauer had three hits, two runs and a RBI and Nolan Reimold added two hits and two rbis.
Nick 8, Butler 5
WP - O'Day LP - Carrasco SV - Wuertz

GAME THREE
Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Michael Young hit a lead-off triple. A batter later, Nolan "Keith hates me" Reimold hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to win the game for the home team Royals, 3-2. Believe it or not, Young's triple was the second of the game for the hustling handsome hitter. Jason Kubel hit a solo homer and Lyle Overbay drove in the only other run for Nick's "squadron." Mike Wuertz blew his first save of the year.
Bulter 3, Nick 2
WP - Robertson LP - Wuertz

Butler wins 2 of 3...

Keith @ Nick: NL Baseball in the AL

Nick and I hooked up this past weekend for a three-game showdown. Here’s what transpired…

Game One: Lackey @ Baker

A surprisingly well-pitched game gave this one the feel of a National League game. Nick got things started in the bottom of the 3rd with a Mike “Who’s Got the Nappiest Balls of All?” Napoli solo jobber, followed up by a Choo RBI double. Youks cut the lead in half in the top of the 4th, answering Napoli with a leadoff solo jack. Things stayed quiet until the top of the 8th, when a Adam Jones leadoff double chased Baker from the game. Nick called in Darren “All Day, Errry Day” O’Day, who apparently earned his nickname by blowing games all day, every day. A Crawford triple, Youks single and Kendry Morales bomb before the inning ended gave Keith the 5-2 lead, and the win.

Keith Wins 5-2
W – J. Frazor
L – O’Day
S – M. Rivera

Game Two: Beckett @ Hunter

Nick once again grabbed an early lead courtesy of a Kubel RBI double driving in Choo in the bottom of the first. The lead would not last long, however, as RBIs by Polanco and Vladdy in the 3rd and provided Keith with a 2-1 lead. A big 6th inning for Keith, highlighted by a Matt Wieters three run home run, gave Keith some breathing room and a 6-1 lead. Nick would mount a comeback with a Cabrera RBI triple in the 7th and a two run bombski by Jason Kubel in the bottom of the 9th. Not enough though to overcome Beckett’s performance, who struck out eight in 8 strong innings.

Keith Wins 6-4
W – Beckett
L – Hunter
S – J. Bulger

Game Three: Washburn @ Pavano

Nick, getting a bit frustrated with his pitching at this point, pulled Pavano after only facing four batters – during which he managed to give up two runs on Markakis and Youkilis RBI’s. The strategy worked, as Aceves, Francisco and Wertz combined to hold Keith scoreless the rest of the game. A two run homer by Izturiz in the 3rd, a sac fly by Scutaro in the fourth, an RBI double by Adam Lind in the 7th and another RBI double by Cabrera in the 8th would allow Nick to eliminate any possibility of being on the wrong end of a sweep.

Nick Wins 5-2
W – Aceves
L – Washburn
S – Wertz

Keith wins series 2-1.