2015 World Series: Toronto Blue Jays vs Los Angeles Dodgers

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NLCS GAME 5 - "Zack Attack" - Dodgrs 4, Pirates 1 (10 inn)

GAME 5
Greinke vs Cole
Dodgers 4, Pirates 1 (10 inn)

Both teams came into the pivotal game 5 knowing their missions.  Pittsburgh needed a win to send the series back to LA for game 6.  LA needed a win to close out the series and head home and rest up before the World Series.  Both teams went with their aces and both were magnificent.  Cole fanned six, walked none and left the game after seven with the score tied 1-1.  The fact that it was tied 1-1 after 7 innings was amazing considering the fact that both pitchers gave up solo runs in the first and both were actually on the ropes to give up more.  Both bent, but neither broke, and the story from the second through the 9th inning was all about goose eggs.  While Cole departed after 112 pitches in 7 innings, Greineke went 9 and threw 138.  Usually when you go 9, and give up 1, you expect a win, but runs (to this point) were as rare as bipartisan agreements in Washington.  As the game headed to extra innings the tension in PNC park began to mount.  Buc reliever Bastardo began the inning by walking Grandal, who was promptly forced at second by Pederson's grounder.  Pinch hitter Ruggiano singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd.  Keke Hernandez was summoned to pinch hit for Carl Crawford, so the Dodgers could have the advantage in the righty/lefty matchup as the Bucs just brought in Tony Watson.  Hernandez, who when healthy, delivered in the clutch all year.  With the runners in motion he lined a 2 run double into the gap.  Howie Kendrick followed with an RBI double of his own.  When the dust cleared the Dodgers found themselves up 4-1 with closer Kenley Jansen on the mound.  Jansen faced the minimum three batters to close the door on the Bucs and advance the Dodgers to the fall classic.  Greinke, who thought he threw 9 innings in vain, wound up getting the much deserved win.  His final stat line read 9 innings pitched, 3 hits and 1 earned run allowed, while fanning 6 and walking 3.
Dodgers win series 4-1

NLCS GAME 4 - "Sad Francisco" - Pirates 6, Dodgers 3

GAME 4
Wood vs Liriano
Pirates 6, Dodgers 3

With their season on the line the Bucs handed the ball to Francisco Liriano, who was magnificent under pressure.  Liriano went 7 and gave up just one run (in the 7th), while fanning 8 along the way.  LA's Wood was fodder.  Andrew McCutchen had his first 2 hit game of the post season.  The slumping centerfielder is hitting just .148 in the post season.  The Bucs need him to remain hot in order to turn this series around.  Francisco Cervelli and Neil Walker each had 2 RBI days.  Lost in the mix was 21 year old rookie Corey Seager's 4 fof 4 day for the losing Dodgers.  Melancon, who pitched a perfect 9th, recorded his second save of the post season.  Pittsburgh gets a much needed win and staves off the first of four elimination chances.
Dodgers lead series 3-1

NLCS GAME 3 - "Bucs-shot" - Dodgers 6, Pirates 4

GAME 3 - PNC Ballpark
Anderson vs Burnett
Dodgers 6, Pirates 4

The series moved east to Pittsburgh and the Bucs needed a huge performance from retiring hurler A.J. Burnett to prevent the Bucs from going down three zip in the series.  Burnett retirement was hastend as the Dodgers and his manager's quick hook chased him after 3 sub par innings (7 hits / 4 runs).  Luckily for the Bucs Dodger starter Brett Anderson was equally poor.  Fortunately for Anderson his manager had a 2-0 series lead and had the luxury of letting the lefty "work it out".  Anderson righted the ship and delivered 3 shut out innings before leaving a tied game (4-4) for a pinch hitter in the top of the 7th.  Anderson's PH, Yasiel Puig, singled with one out then scored as Carl Crawford triple him home.  Howie Kendrick's warning track fly scored Crawford and gave LA a two run lead with 3 innings to go.  Over those next 3 innings the LA pen would allow just one hit.  Yimi Garcia (7th) and Hatcher (8th) did their job and handed the ball to closer Kenley Jansen, who notched his first post season save with a perfect 9th inning.
Dodgers lead series 3-0

NLCS GAME 2 - "Clayton's Place" - Dodgers 2, Pirates 0

GAME 2
Happ vs Kershaw
Dodgers 2, Pirates 0

In the pre-game show on TBS color man Ron Darling said, "There comes a time for Clayton Kershaw to be Clayton Kershaw, and why not now".  Well tonight was now.  Kershaw looked like his mid season dominant Cy Young self.  The 3 time NL Cy Young award winner tossed a nifty 4 hit shutout performance, fanning a dozen Pirates and walking just one.  With the Dodger bats making very little noise (2 solo runs), Kershaw's dominant performance was a requirement.  LA broke a scoreless deadlock with an A-Gone RBI double in the 5th and added an insurance run when Carl Crawford scored on a DP ball.
Dodgers lead series 2-0

NLCS GAME 1 - "Ruggiano Awakening" - Dodgers 6, Pirates 5 (10 inn)

GAME 1 - Dodgers Stadium
Cole vs Geinke
Dodgers 6, Pirates 5

Most expected a tight pitcher's duel.  Instead fans were treated to an interesting chess match between managers.  LA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, but the Bucs answered right back with 3 runs of their own.  Opening night jitters seemed to affect each team's defacto ace.  A-gone's 2 run shot in capped off a 3 run Dodger 5th that put the home team up 5-3.  Neil Walker's 2 out 2 run blas in the 7th tied it and took away Greinke's chances to be the winner.  An error by thirdbaseman Justin Turner prolonged the inning, which led to Walker's 2 out blas, which followed consecutive k's of Polanco and Harrison.  Neither team scored during the 8th and 9th innings and the game headed toward extras.  A Pedro Alvarez blast to dead center off of Yimi Garcia died in Joc Pederson's glove on the warning track.  Garcia fanned Stewart to end the inning.  Joakim Soria, who pitched a scoreless 9th inning took the mound once again for the tenth and recorded 2 quic outs before serving up a double to pinch hitter Jimmy Rollins.  An intentional pass was given to pinch hitter Keke Hernandez, in order to face the low average hitting Pederson.  LA went with another pinch hitter after the Bucs removed Soria and replaced him with lefty Tony Watson.  Justin Ruggiano, a righty, was brought in.  Ruggiano and Watson had a tough 6 pitch at bat before the former slammed a two bagger off the wall to score J-Roll and give the Dodgers the first game.  In relief Garcia upped his post season record to 3-0.
Dodgers lead series 1-0.

ALCS GAME 6 - "Tulo, Tu-high and Tu-Far" - Blue Jays 6, Astros 4

GAME 6 - Rogers Center
McCullers vs Dickey
Blue Jays 6, Astros 4

Down 4-2 the Stros were 6 outs away from elimination.  Former Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey confounded the Stros with his knuckler for 7.  Latroy Hawkins came on in relief and served up an RBI double to Coby Rasumus and an RBI single to Evan Gattis to tie the game and breathe new life into Houston's chances.  The Jays came right back with the dagger in the bottom of the inning when Tulo slammed a 2 run shot to put the Jays back up for good and deliver the boys from the Great White North to the fall classic.
Blue Jays win series 4-2

ALCS GAME 5 - "Stro-man" - Blue Jays 7, Astros 2

GAME 5
Stroman vs Keuchel
Blue Jays 7, Astros 2
Wunderkind Marcus Stroman came up huge once again in the post season going 7 strong shutout innings.  After 104 pitches by Stroman it was time for the Jays pen to hold down the fort.  Houston nicked Lowe for 2 runs in the 8th, but couldn't get closer  Ben "Midnight Ride" Revere was a perfect 3 for 3 on the day, while scoring 2 runs.
Blue Jays lead series 3-2

ALCS GAME 4 - "Wrong Price" - Astros 4, Blue Jays 3

GAME 4
Price vs Fiers
Astros 4, Blue Jays 3
Once again "rent a ace" David Price came up tiny in the post season.  Price gave up 4 (3 earned) in the rare 8 inning complete game.  Price fanned 14, but just couldn't seem to best his opposing number Fiers, who was less flashy (5k's), but still managed to get the job done.  Chris Carter (2-3) hit a big blast off Price and Jose Altuve (3-4) was constantly on base.
Series tied 2-2

ALCS GAME 3 - "Revere-Wear" - Blue Jays 11, Astros 3

GAME 3 - The Juice Box
Sanchez vs McHugh
Blue Jays 11, Astros 3

Five top of the 9th inning runs by the Jays beat back a Houston comeback and put the game in the bag.  Ben Revere (3-6) continued his hot hitting (.440 post season avg) as the Jays banged out 17 hits.  Every Jay, except Joey Bats, had an RBI.  All 9 Jay hitters hada  hit.  A.Sanchez threw a scoreless 6 innings to notch the win.
Blue Jays lead series 2-1

ALCS GAME 2 - "Chris-mass-ive" - Blue Jays 7, Astros 5

GAME 2
McCullers vs Estrada
Blue Jays 7, Astros 5
Both teams exchanged 4 spots in the first inning then settled in to play classic playoff baseball.  Toronto needed the win to gain the split and not go down 0-2 before hitting the road.  Chris Colabello's (4-4) perfect day of the plate was just the tonic that the Jays needed.  Colabello knocked in 5 runs with 3 coming off his two long balls.
Series tied 1-1

ALCS Game 1 - "Dallas K's Jays" - Astros 4, Blue Jays 1

GAME 1 - Rogers Center
Keuchel vs Dickey
Astros 4, Blue Jays 1

Dallas Keuchel fanned 10 in 6.1 innings of work and the 'Stros pen took care of the rest.  Top of the order guys, Altuve (3-4) and Springer (2-4) accounted for 5 of Houston's 7 hits.
Astros take a 1-0 series lead.

NLDS - LA beats the Matz in 4

GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
deGrom vs Kershaw
Dodgers 5, Mets 4 (10 inn)

Both teams got identical 7IP/4ER lines out of their respective aces.  Neither ace factored in the decision.  Both were victims of the long ball.  The difference maker was the 3 scoreless innings of relief by Yimi Garcia.  LA won on a walk off PH homer by Jimmy Rollins in the bottom of the 10, off of Hansel Robles.  Losing via walkoff hurts.  It hurts even more when it's served up by your arch rival and former Philly J-Roll.
Dodgers lead series 1-0

GAME 2
Syndergaard vs Greinke
Dodgers 7, Mets 1

Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke was all that he was advertised.  The man with the flowing blonde locks fanned 10, while walking one in 7+ innings of work.  The Dodgers scored 6 runs in the middle innings to make Greinke's day in the office seem more like a walk in the park.  LA hit 3 more long balls inclding solo shot by Greinke.
Dodgers lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Citi Field
Anderson vs Harvey
Mets 4, Dodgers 0

Matt Harvey (7IP / 9K's) and the Met pen combined to shutout the Dodgers and stave off elimination.  LA would get just 3 hits on the day while NY would ride the hot bat of Yoenis Cespedes (2-4, 3RBI), who hit two long blast deep into the Flushing night.  Travis d'Arnaud chipped in with 2 hits of his own and an RBI.  Harvey threw 100 pitches and Scott Boras was nowhere to be found.  Baseball like it oughta be !
Dodgers lead series 2-1

GAME 4
Kershaw vs Matz
Dodgers 17, Mets 5

LA scored early and often off of Long Island native, and life long Met fan Steven Matz.  Still New York was leading 4-3, until the top of the 6th when LA posted two touchdowns.  Matz, Colon and Niese combined as victims in an inning where LA sent 18 ment to the plate.  The inning started with a walk to Yasiel Puig and a 2 run shot by A.J. Ellis.  Pinch hitter Chase Utley, who was booed loudly for at least 5 straight minutes, had a double and a homer in the inning.  A-gone also added a homer.  Lost in the shuffle was the fact that Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw was once again small in a big spot.  When your team scores 17 runs no one notices that you gave up 10 hits and 4 runs in 4.1 innings of work.  LA expects big things from the 3 time Cy Young award winner in the NLCS or their season will be over.
Dodgers win series 3-1

NLDS - "Neil and Pray" - Bucs sweep Cards

GAME 1 - Busch Stad
Burnett vs Lackey
Pirates 8, Cardinals 1

The Wild Card Pirates came in hot and stayed hot scoring at least one run in all but 2 innings.  A.J. gave them a quality start 6/1 line and Neil Walker (4-5, 4RBI) carried the offense.  Walker hit 3 long balls and reached base all 5 times that he went to the plate (3 HR's, 1B and E).
Pirates lead series 1-0

GAME 2
Liriano vs Lynn
Pirates 6, Cardinals 3 (11 inn)

Kolten Wong's 1 out RBI double in the bottom of the 9th of of Melancon sent the game to extra innings.  The Redbirds needed this win to gain a split or face an 0-2 deficit after two home games.  Tension mounted until the top of the 11th when all the air was sucked out of Busch thanks to the Bucs scoring 4 big runs via small ball.  A hit batsman (Walker), a walk (McCutchen) were followed by 4 singles in 5 AB's.  The Cards scored a run in the bottom of the inning, but it was not enough to avoid the loss.  Pedro Alvarez (3-5) wielded the big stick for the Bucs.  Pittsburgh's 4-5-6 hitters went a combined 7-15 with 5 runs knocked in.
Pirates lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - PNC Park
Wacha vs Happ
Pirates 3, Cardinals 2

The 100+ win Redbirds were now one game away from being swept by their divisional rivals from Steeltown.  With the score 1-1 after an inning and a half the Bucs scored two runs to take a 3-1 lead off of Michael Wacha.  Gregory Polanco (2-4) smashed a huge solo shot.  The game turned into a nail biting crawl until the 8th inning when Jayson Heyward singled home Grichuk with 2 outs to make it a one run game.  Normally clutch, but currently injured, Yaddie Molina popped up weakly to Cervelli to end the threat.  The Cards went weakly in the 9th as J.A. Happ (6 IP / 1 R) got the win and Melancon, who blew the game 2 save, posted the save to clinch the Bucs spot in the LCS.
Pirates win series 3-0

ALDS - Almost Perfect, Marco as Jays sweep Rangers

GAME 1 - Rogers Ctr
Gallardo vs Price
Toronto 2, Texas 0

David Price dominated the game with 8 shutout innings of 3 hit ball.  Solo runs on a wild pitch and sac fly in the 2nd and 4th innings were all Price needed.  Osuna pitched a scoreless 9th for the save.
Blue Jays lead series 1-0
GAME 2
Hamels vs Stroman
Toronto 9, Texas 1

They Jays had their hitting shoes on early and posted a 6-1 lead after 3 innings and never looked back.  Marcus Stroman (8IP / 2H / 1R) was brilliant on the hill less a Josh Hamilton solo shot.  All 9 Jay runs were scored by a different player.  To my recollection that's the first time I've ever seen 9 starters score 1 one each.  Ben Revere and Colabello each had three hits.
Blue Jays lead series 2-0

GAME 3
Estrada vs Perez
Toronto 3, Texas 0

Toronto scored 3 runs in the top of the 3rd and that's all they would need as Marco Estrada came within one out of throwing a series clinching perfect game.  With 2 out in the bottom of the 9th Delino DeShields singled cleanly to center to break up the perfecto.  Choo follwed by flying out to center to end the game and the series.  The Rangers weren't able to avoid a sweep, but they did avoid being no hit.
Blue Jays win series 3-0

ALDS - Astros Go-Go in 5 over KC

In a back and forth series, it came down to a game 5 in Kansas City. But unlike real life, Collin McHugh and his Astros would get the better of Johnny Cueto and Kansas City. Cueto has some tough numbers from his partial season with KC so it was a tall task to expect him to win again after coming up big in game 2. The series included a classic extra inning battle in game 4 that was won in 12 innings by Houston on a Carlos Gomez home run.

Pete

HOU

NLWC - "No K-Marte": Bucs 6, Cubs 5

Cole vs Arrieta
Pirates 6, Cubs 5

The pre-game hype had a classic matchup between dominant aces.  Instead we got a game where both starters were mediocre at best.  Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta gave up 4 in 6.2 IP's, while Gerrit Cole (5 ER / 4 IP) couldn't even get through the 5th.  With the score 4-1 Bucs Cole gave up 4 hits to start the 5th, with the 4th knock (2 run double) by Anthony Rizzo tied the game.  Cole was replaced, but the damage had been done with the Cubbies sporting a 5-4 lead.  For the next 2 1/2 innings neither team scored.  Heading into the home half of the 8th the Bucs were running out of outs, but a clutch 2 out RBI single by pinch hitter Chris Stewart tied the game at five apiece.  In the bottom of the 9th Polanco reached first on a seeing eyed single up the middle.  Harrison singled sharply through the 3-4 hole to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen coming to bat.  Chicago didn't want "Cutch" to beat them, so they pitched around him.  That led to a walk that loaded the bases for Starling Marte.  With the bases loaded and nobody out in a tie game the Cubs needed a strikeout and went to Fernando Rodney who ran the count full to Marte.  The payoff pitch was low and so were the collective shoulders of Cubs fans across the nation as Polanco walked home for the game winner on a "walk off walk" by Marte.

Houston's Gattis Made

The Astros power and solid starting pitching was the reason they were in the AL Wild Card play in game. In game 163, it was more of the same as the Astros went into Yankee Stadium and eliminated the Yankees 6-1. AL Cy Young favorite, Dallas Keuchel, was dominant going 7 innings, allowing just a Greg Bird 5th inning home run. Offensively, Houston got homers from Chris Carter and Evan Gattis off Yankee starter Masahiro Tanaka. Jason Castro added a bomb off Yankee closer Andrew Miller in the 9th inning to add an exclamation point to the victory. Carlos Correa and George Springer each chipped in with 2 hits and an RBI as part of the 10 hit Houston attack.

Houston will look to continue its fairy-tale run against the AL Central champion Kansas City Royals in the next round. Thanks to Randy for getting this game in quickly.

Pete
HOU

Wild Card Round - HOU@NYY / CHC@PIT

2015 MLB Playoffs...

Sadly we weren't able to play the MLB Projection disk game by game / day by day.  That project required way to much file maintenance for each participant and the commish.  To move on, we will play the 2015 Playoff teams Tournament, which has become an annual KOD tradition since 2011.  We will play each round after it has been completed, so we can use "as played" lineups (where applicable).

We still have 2 teams that haven't been claimed:  NY Yankees & STL Cardinals.

E-mail me if you are interested in managing one of these teams.  The league website, will be used as the tournament website, so everyone can follow along.

All games are h2h and online.

Cubbies Kris-Kross Friars with rookie phenom’s bat.

Game 1    Chicago  11   San Diego  2
Highly touted 3B, Kris Bryant makes his well anticipated debut in the majors and doesn't disappoint hitting 2 HR as the Cubbies pound out 16 hits to maul the Padres 11-2.

Game 2   Chicago 8   San Diego  5
Trailing by a run in the 6th inning, Bryant unloads his third HR of the series to tie the game and added one more for good measure giving him consecutive multiple HR games to start his career.  Mike Rizzo hit his 4th HR of the year as Chicago had 14 hits in game 2.

Game 3    Chicago 3   San Diego  1
Jon Lester was the star of game 3 as he goes 8 innings of one run ball and Rondon closes the game out for his 4th save.  With the sweep the Cubs have a 7 game winning streak to raise their record to 8-3.

--submitted by Erik Nelson--

“The Price is Right”–Tigers take 2 of 3 from Pale Hose

Game 1 Detroit wins 2-1

            Miguel Cabrera with both rbi's for Detroit.

           Samardzija and David Price both with 10 strikeouts

 

Game 2 Detroit wins 7-3

            All 9 Tigers batters with at least one hit.

 

Game 3 Chicago wins 2-1

             Avasil Garcia doubled in winning run in the top of the 9th.

--submitted by Dom Guarino--

Sox and O’s split in a wild series

April 17 @ Fenway Park

Ubaldo Jimenez vs Joe Kelly

 

Baltimore wins 4-3

WP: Jason Garcia (1-0)

LP: Anthony Varvaro (0-1)

SV: Zach Britton (4)

HR: Jonathan Schoop (3), Adam Jones (2), Ryan Hanigan (1), Allen Craig (1)

Game MVP: Jonathan Schoop (1-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R)

 

The Red Sox got a  very good start by Joe Kelly (6IP, 6 h, 0 ER, 7 K) but Anthony Varvaro and the Red Sox bullpen quickly threw it away against the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles.  Staked to a 2-1 lead thanks to a 2nd inning RYan Hanigan HR, Varvaro entered to start the 7th inning with Kelly at 112 pitches.  A leadoff single by Evereth Cabrera and a HR by Schoop quickly erased that lead and put the O's out in front 3-2.  Varvaro was then replaced by Craig Breslow who got through the 7th but when Breslow gave way to Alexei Ogando in the 8th, the O's bats struck again.  Adam Jones drove his 2nd HR of the year to lead off the 8th and give the O's a 4-2 cushion.  That run would prove huge as Allen Craig hit a pinch hit solo HR off Baltimore closer Britton in the 9th.  Britton was able to settle down though and close it out by retiring Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz with the tying run, Mookie Betts, at first.  The Baltimore bullpen was HUGE in this game.  Starter Jimenez (4IP, 7 H, 2 R, 9 K)was pulled after 4 due to a high pitch count, but Jason Garcia, Darren O'Day and Tommie Hunter gave up just 2 hits over the next 4 innings to get the game to closer Britton leading 4-2.

 

 

 

April 18 @ Fenway Park

Chris Tillman vs Clay Buchholz

Boston wins 4-2

WP: Clay Buccholz (1-1)

LP: Chril Tillman (1-2)

SV: Koji Uehara (1)

HR: none

MVP: Koji Uehara (1.2 IP, 0 H, 4 K, SV)

 

 

Boston once again staked its starter (Buchholz 7IP, 8 H, 2 R, 7 K), to an early lead thanks to a 3 run 3rd inning highlighted by a 2 run double off the Green Monster by Hanley Ramirez.  In the 5th Inning, the Orioles made it a 1 run game, but Boston responded in the bottom of that same inning with an insurance run when Xander Boagaerts singled home Ramirez.  Unlike the previous night, the Sox bullpen was up to the task if holding on to the slim lead it was given.  Although it got off to a rocky start when Junichi Tazawa was ejected 2 batters into his appearance.  Tazawa struck out lead off batter Steve Pearce to begin the 8th but then was tossed by the home plate umpire sfter arguing a tight full count pitch to Chris Davis.  Boston rolled the dice by turning to closer Koji Uehara to get the last 5 outs of the game.  Koji was up to the task with an impressive 39 pitch outing, retiring 5 of the 6 batters he faced.  Evereth Cabrera was the only better to put the ball in play with a weak grounder to 2nd to end the game and even the series.

 

 

 

April 19 @ Fenway Park

Miguel Gonzalez vs Rick Porcello

Baltimore wins 7-5

WP: Darren O'Day (1-0)

LP: Alexei Ogando (0-2)

SV: Zach Britton (5)

HR; none

MVP: Chris Davis (2-5, 2 2B, 2 Rbi, 1 R)

 

 

Both teams had been pretty much kept in check offensively in the first 2 games of the series, but they combined for 27 hits in this back and forth matchup.  Baltimore jumped out to another early lead with 2 in the 1st and another in the 3rd thanks to extra base RBI hits by Chris Davis and Adam Jones.  The Sox fought back to take the lead with 4 runs in the 4th.  Boston put 3 doubles (Betts,Ramirez and Bogaerts) together off of starter Miguel Gonzalez.  Unfortuantely the lead was short lived for Boston, as Baltimore ties it up in the 5th when Davis hit his 2nd RBI double of the game to score Jimmy Paredes.  RBI hits by David Ortiz in the bottom of the 5th and Evereth Cabrera in the top of the 6th had the game ties once again at 5 as both starters hit the showers without a chance to claim a victory.  FOr the 2nd time in the series, the O's bullpen got the best of their counterparts by blanking the Sox bats over the last 2 1/3 innings. Alexei Ogando once again struggled to retire Oriole hitters.  In the 8th, Ogando gave up a single to Travis Snider and then a triple to Manny Machado to give Baltimore a 1 run lead.  Machado would score on a Sac Fly by Ryan Flaherty to make it a 7-5 game.  That was more than enough for Zach Britton as he closed out the win for his 5th save of the season.  Mookie Betts (4-5, 2 R)) and Xander Boagaerts (3-4, 2 RBI) had big games in a losing cause for Boston.  Baltimore was led by Evereth Cabrera (3-5, 1 RBI) and 4 batters (Paredes,Jones,Davis and Snider) with 2 hits apiece.

 

 

 

April 20 @ Fenway Park

Wei-Yen Chin vs Justin Masterson

Boston wins 11-3

WP: Justin Masterson (1-2)

LP: Hei-Yen Chen (2-1)

SV: none

HR: Mike Napoli (1)

MVP: Dustin Pedroia (2-5, 3 Rbi, 2 R, 2 2B)

 

Boston was able to work a split in this series with the first blowout of the 4 game set.  Red Sox hitters jumped all over starter Chen with 2 runs in the 1st and 5 in the 2nd.   Once again doubles were a key part of the Boston attack.  Betts, Hanigan, and Pedroia, twice, each had key doubles to drive in key runs early for Boston.  Justin Masterson was able to pitch well enough to keep the O's from mounting a comeback.  Masterson went into the 8th inning allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 4 batters.  The Boston offensive attack did not slow down as they continued to pound Oriole pitching for a total of 14 hits and 11 runs led by a 3 for 3 day by Hanley Ramirez.  Betts, Pedroia, Napoli and Hanigan all added multi hit games as well.  Ryan Flaherty had 3 hits with 2 of those being doubles in a losing effort for the O's.

 

 

Baltimore now stands at 8-5 after the series.  This is a 1 game improvement over the 7-6 record they held at the same point in real life.

Batting Leaders:

Adam Jones .400 AVG, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB

Manny Machado .286 AVG, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB

Travis Snider .311 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI

Pitching Leaders

Wei-Yen Chen 2-1, 3.79 ERA, 14 K, 19 IP

Darren O'Day 5 G, 6 IP, 11 K, 1.50 ERA

Kevin Gausman 3 G, 7.2 IP, 7 K, 1.17 ERA

Boston is now 5-8.  That is a 3 game decline over the 8-5 record they had in real life.

Batting Leaders

Dustin Pedroia .382, 2 HR, 10 RBI

Mookie Betts .319, 5 2B, 7 RBI, 3 SB

Pablo Sandoval .333, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Pitching Leaders

Wade Miley 2-0, 3.46 ERA, 13 IP, 6 H, .133 OPP BA

Joe Kelly 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 11 IP, 8 H, 11 K, .200 OPP BA

Clay Buchholz 1-1, 2.81 ERA, 16 IP, 14 H, 14 K

--submitted by Peter Daly--

Giants Starters are Giant Disaster as Rockies Take Series

With Matt Cain out, SF is having trouble finding good starters, as they drop to 3-7. The Rockies young starters -- all in their first or second years --- aren't great, but the team wins anyway as they move to 4-5.

Game One; SF 5, COL 4

W: Casilla (1-0)
L: Logan (0-1)
S: Machi (1)

SF jumps out to a 4-1 lead, getting run scoring triples in spacious AT&T Park from Nori Aoki and Angel Pagan. The Rox tie it at four in the eighth as Justin Morneau doubles off Santiago Casilla. But the Giants come right back off reliever Christian Friedrich with an RBI single from young 3B Matt Duffy in the bottom of the inning, and Jean Machi holds down the Rockies in the ninth.

Game Two: COL 13, SF 11
W: Friedrich (1-0)
L: Petit (0-1)
S: Oberg (1)

SF's Tim Hudson is battered for five runs and 12 hit in 4.1 innings, part of an eight run inning by Colorado in the fifth after the team is down 6-2. With Colorado's young Christian Bergman struggling early, Friedrich settles things down. But after he leaves, Brooks Brown allows four more Giants runs as they attempt to come back again. However, Rafael Betancourt pitches two scoreless innings to stop the scoring spree -- before the Rox Scott Oberg allows another run in the ninth to make it interesting -- as the Rockies win a slugfest. Carlos Gonzalez goes four for five with four RBIs to lead Colorado, with Gregor Blanco also going four for five with three RBIs and a homer for SF.

Game Three: COL 8, SF 4
W: Matzek (1-0)
L: Lincecum (0-1)

Tim Lincecum is battered for seven runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning, as Colorado comes out of the gate with a huge 7-0 lead in the first. The Rockies' Tyler Matzek struggles but pitches six innings for his first win. Nolan Arenado hits two doubles and drives in four to pace the Rockies, as the Giants can't score runs until late in the contest.

Brew Crew Flexes Braun vs Redbirds

  April 13  Brewers 8  Cardinals 4
The Brewers plated 6 runs in the final 2 innings to overcome a 4-2 deficit.  Ryan Braun went 3-5 with a homer and 3 rbis.  Neal Cotts picked up the win in relief while Randy Choate suffered the loss.

  April 15  Cardinals 6  Brewers 1
The Cardinals plated 5 runs off of Wily Peralta in the 5th inning to cruise to a 6-1 victory.  Lance Lynn went 5 scoreless with Kevin Siegrist picking up the win in relief.  Kolten Wong had 2 hits including a double.

  April 16  Brewers 11  Cardinals 4
The Brewers roughed up Cardinal pitchers John Lackey and Carlos Villanueva for 11 runs.  4 Brewers had 3 hits apiece.  Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, Gerardo Parra, and Scooter Gennett accounted for 12 of the 20 hits.  Gennett also had 4 rbis.  My Cardinals now are 4-4.
--submitted by Milo Miller--

'Stros/A's split...Altuve hits inside the park-er

Game 1: Kazmir (OAK) at Feldman (HOU)

Feldman goes 8 innings, the Astros explode for 15 runs with all starters getting at least two hits except for Chris Carter who went 0 for 5. Houston wins 15-1.

Game 2: Graveman (OAK) at Peacock (HOU)

This one went to extras as it took a Billy Butler ground out to bring in Gentry to give the A's a 3-2 victory.

Game 3: Pomeranz (OAK) at McHugh (HOU)

Houston had two homers, including an inside the parker by Jose Altuve in the 5th. But...the A's scored 11 with the help of Marcus Semien's 4 RBI's. Oakland wins 11-2.

Houston falls to 3-6. (Real life at this point they were 4-5, so they are only one game worse in this league).

Oakland improves to 5-5, which matches their real life record after 10 games.

--submitted by Keith MacDonald--

Taylor Made for Nats

April 13 @ Fenway Park
Jordan Zimmerman vs Rick Porcello

Washington wins 3-1
WP: Zimmerman (2-0)
LP: Porcello (0-2)
SV: Storen (4)

HR: Taylor (5)
MVP: Jordan Zimmerman (Win, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 9 K)

Michael Taylor continued his hot start for the Nationals with a 3 run homer in the 5th of Porcello.  It was all the scoring Washington would get and all that they would need as Jordan Zimmerman held the Boston bats in check throughout.  Zimmerman took a shutout into the 9th, but a double by David Ortiz and an RBI single by Pablo Sandoval made it a 3-1 game and that was the end of the night for Zimmerman.  Drew Storen came in from the pen and hit Daniel Nava with a pitch to put bring the winning run to the plate with 1 out.  But he got Shane Victorino to ground into the 4-6-3 double play to end the game and save the win for Zimmerman.

 

April 14 @ Fenway Park
Stephen Strasburg vs Justin Masterson

Washington wins 5-3
WP : Strasburg (2-0)
LP: Masterson (0-2)
SV: Storen (5)

HR: Desmond (1)
MVP: Ian Desmond (1-3, 1 HR, 2 Rbi, 1 R, 1 BB)

Another strong start by a National starter as Strasburg goes 5.1 innings, allowing just 1 ER despite allowing 7 hits.  The Red Sox had a brief lead in the bottom of the 5th at 2-1 after scoring 2 off Strasburg thanks to some poor infield play by the Nationals.  But Washington came right back in the top of the 6th and put 3 on the board off starter Masterson.  The key hit in the inning being a 2 out 2 run homer by Ian Desmond.  Washington added an insurance run in the 7th to make it 5-2.  Boston would score a single run in the bottom of the 7th to close the gap to 2 runs.  Then they were able to load the bases off closer Drew Storen in the 9th with 2 outs but Storen settled down to get Pablo Sandoval on a fly ball to medium RF to end the game.

April 15 @ Fenway Park
Gio Gonzalez vs Wade Miley

Boston wins 9-6
WP: Miley (2-0)
LP: Gonzalez (0-2)

HR: Taylor (6), Haroper (3), Victorino (1)
MVP: Shane Victorino (3-4, 1 HR, 2 Rbi, 1 R)

The Red Sox needed a strong start from Wade Miley and he delivered by holding the Nationals to 3 hits and 2 runs over 7 strong innings.  The Sox bats finally put a few hits together and staked Miley to an early 4-0 lead after 2 innings thanks a Sac Fly by Allen Craig and RBI singles by Brock Holt and Mookie Betts.  Boston would extend the lead in the 6th with 4 more runs capped by a Shane Victorino 2 run shot off Gio Gonzalez.  Washington had no quit in them and pieced together a threat in the 9th.  With Robbie Ross JR staked to a 9-1 lead Boston felt little need to warm up the big guns in their bullpen for the 9th.  Four straight hits by Washington, highlighted by a Danny Espinosa 2 run double sent Koji Uehara and Alexei Ogando scrambling to warm up.  After a Ross wild pitch and a Michael Taylor ground out made the score 9-6, Ogando was summoned.  After a ground out for out number 2 of the inning, Ian Desmond smacked a double off the green monster.  With Uehara warmed and ready to go, Ogando was left in the game to face Jayson Werth.  It looked like a bad decision, as Werth drilled a ball to the triangle in center field, but Mookie Betts was up to the challenge and ran it down 407 feet from home plate to end the game.
--submitted by Peter Daly--

Indians Sweep Tigers to Up Win Streak to Six

Cleveland gets its bats and pitching arms working in this series, unlike real life. Zach McAllister

(1-0) gets the start for the home opener, and the lanky righty performs well in front of the sellout crowd and best Detroit's Alfredo Simon (0-1). Carlos Santana goes deep and Michael Brantley knocks in a pair with a single...
Game Two's marquee pitching matchup of David Price and Corey Kluber turns into a surprise slugfest, won 7-5 by Detroit despite two Yoenis Cespedes homers...
In Game three, Detroit's Ian Krol and Joba Chamberlain get lit up for three runs in the bottom of the seventh as the bottom of Cleveland's order (Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez) hit key RBI singles in the 4-2 Indians win for the sweep. Santana goes yard again for his third homer.

‘Stros own state bragging rights over Rangers

GAME 1 – Globe Life Park
McHugh vs Holland
Astros 4, Rangers 2

Houston doubled up Texas 4-2.  Jose Altuve (2-4) continued to wield a hot stick (.429).  Jed Lowrie (2-4) supported his All-Star 2B.

GAME 2
Hernandez vs Gallardo
Rangers 3, Astros 0

Yovani Gallardo (8IP / 0 ER) was completely dominant fanning 11 and not walking a batter.  Houston managed just 2 hits against him.  Leonys Martin Hit a solo blast and Adrian Beltre knocked in two in support of Gallardo.  Klein pitched the 9th and notched the save, his first of the season.

GAME 3
Keuchel vs Lewis
Astros 14, Rangers 3

A 7 run second inning chased Colby Lewis (1.2IP / 8R) from the hill.  The Rangers pen wasn't exactly stingy as the Stros put a hurting on the boys from Arlington.  George Springer paced an offense that posted as many points as the Texans usually score.  Springer (4-5) knocked in 5 runs, scored 2 and hit a big fly.  Every Astro starter reached base via the hit as Houston posted 14 runs on 17 hits.

Nats “Replacements” sweep Amazin’s

OPENING DAY 4/6/2015
Nationals Park
Colon vs Scherzer

Max Scherzer's free agent signing in the off season looks like a brilliant maneuver based solely on his opening day performance (6.1 IP and 1 ER).  Scherzer fanned 8 in 6+ innings, but when he left the bullpen made things interesting.  With the game on the line and shaky closer Drew Storen on the mound David Wright hit a gap shot that rookie Michael Taylor had to lay out for to end the game.  Tyler Moore got the scoring started with a 2 run shot off Bart Colon in the bottom of the 2nd.  Taylor also contributed with the bat by lining a 2 run shot in the 7th, which turned out to be the Nats margin for victory.  Taylor's performance had fans saying "Denard Span, who ?".
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 5, Mets 3

4/8/2015
deGrom vs Zimmermann

A tight game between 2014 NL ROY Jacob deGrom and Justin Zimmerman until the 6th when the Met pen imploded and Carlos Torres gave up 3 runs, Buddy Carlyle gave up 2 and Gilmartin yielded 1.  The ever so hot Michael Taylor had himself another banner day (4 hits and 3 RBI's) and Tyler Moore (4-4) was perfect at the plate.  Zimm (6.1 IP / 1 ER) got the win.  Washington banged out 8 runs on 15 hits.  Who needs Span and Rendon when you have these super subs ?
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 8, Mets 2

4/9/205
Harvey vs Strasburg

Neither phenom had his "A" game today.  Harvey (4 IP / 4 ER) struggled with his control (3 walks / 3 k's) and couldn't get past the half way point.  After the Mets jumped out to a 1-0 lead Washington answered back with a pair of deuces in the first 2 innings to go up 4-1.  An RBI double by Ryan Zimmerman and a single by Ian Desmond got the ball rolling.  A two run single by Rendon's replacement, Yunel Escobar made it 4-1.  Replacement Dan Uggla, trying to resurrect his career, doubled home Zim in the 5th to make it 5-1.  New York made it interesting with solo runs in the 6th and 7th off of a wild pitch and a David Wright (4-5) RBI single.  Drew Storen came on for the save and got the Grandy-man to line out to Harper in right, but then gave up a single to Wright.  Duda hit a one hop bullet to Zimmerman, who turned a clean 3-6-3 DP to end the game and give the sweep to the Nats.  Strasburg (6.2 IP / 3 ER) fanned 7 and got the win.
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 5, Mets 3

Cards cap Cubbies as Lester gets shelled in debut

Cardinals take both games from the Cubbies.  New Chicago Ace (Jon Lester) gets smoked in the home opener 11-2.  Old Cardinal Ace Adam Wainright was brilliant in that game fanning 10 and giving up just 2 runs in seven and a third.  Jon Jay went 4-5 in the series finale as the Cards held on barely to win 5-4.

--submitted by Erik Nelson---

OPENING DAY - Phightin's take 2 of 3 from Bosox

 

OPENING DAY 4/6/2015
Citizens Bank Ballpark
Buchholz vs Hamels

A 2 hour plus rain delay in the 3rd inning ruined opening day for a near sellout crowd in South Philly.  Because of that delay both starters made early exits and never returned to action.  Boston's pen turned out to be stronger than Philly's pen.  J.Gomez gave up 4 runs in the top of the 6th and the Bosox never looked back.  The gritty Dustin Pedroia went 5 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs knocked in.  Key FA signee Pablo Sandoval (3-5) didn't disappoint.  Steven Wright, who gave up just 1 unearned run in 3 innings got the win.  Hamels took the loss, because he left the game with the Phils down 2-1.  On a side note the only 2 homers hit today were in a losing effort.  Sizemore hit one off Buchholz in the 2nd with no one on and Ruiz hit one off Ogando in the 8th with the same scenario.
FINAL SCORE:  Red Sox 7, Phillies 3

4/8/2015
Porcello vs Harang

A downright balmy night (67 degrees) in South Philly, very uncharacteristic for early April, yielded a fine pitcher's duel. Couple that with the cool 1:48 that it took to play the game and the fact that the Phightin's won...meant everyone went home happy.  Journeyman starter Aaron Harang (7 IP / o ER) was brilliant striking out 5 and not walking a single batter.  Diekman held Boston scoreless in the 8th and former Red Sox Jonathon Papelbon was perfect in the 9th to get the save.  All of the scoring occurred in the bottom of the 3rd when Chooch Ruiz hit a 2 run shot.  Boston outhit the Phightin's 6-4, but you win on runs not on hits.
FINAL SCORE:  Phillies 2, Red Sox 0

4/9/2015
Masterson vs Buchanan

Another unseasonably warm night in Philly (62 degrees) yielded another fine result for the home team.  The Phightin's jumped out to a 4-0 lead when Darin Ruf blasted a grand slam off of Masterson.  Boston nibbled their way back with 2 in the 3rd via a 2 run Panda blast and one in the 6th.  The Phightin's broke it open with 3 in the bottom of the 8th.  Grady Sizemore's pinch hit 2 run double was the key stroke.  Papelbon pitched the 9th in a non save situation because he was already up in the pen before the 3 spot was posted.  Philly takes the final 2 of this opening 3 game set.

FINAL SCORE:  Phillies 7, Red Sox 3

 

MANAGED BY:  Marvin Sik (PHI)