Sunday, September 18, 2016

Tweeners 5, Killer Bees 2

Tweeners take 5 of 7 at home vs. Killer Bees.
 
4/22 – Tweeners 4, Bees 2.  Third baseman Nolan Arenado cracked a homer and had 2 RBI as the NORM TWEENERS
defeated the PHILIP Killer Bees 4 to 2 at The Hoover Dome.

PHILIP found themselves trailing quickly as the NORM bats came through in the
first inning when they tallied 2 runs on 2 hits.  The crucial at-bat was
provided by Arenado who made the home-town crowd a happy bunch when he
blasted a two-run home run.  Adam Lind also homered for the home team. The pitchers took over after the 4th inning as
neither team was able to score again. 

Felix Hernandez(14-5) went 6 innings allowing 2 runs for the victory. Fernando
Rodriguez got the save, his 5th.  Julio Teheran(0-1) was the loser.  He
allowed 4 runs and 8 hits in 8 innings.

4/23 – Bees 8, Tweeners 5.  Neil Walker touched them all and had 2 RBI as the PHILIP Killer Bees bested
the NORM TWEENERS in 10 innings 8 to 5 at The Hoover Dome.

The Tweeners staged a dramatic 2-out rally in the 9th to tie the game.  PHILIP won the hard
fought contest in the 10th inning.  Billy Burns started the inning off right
when he drew a walk.  Freddie Freeman came next and he drew a walk.  After an
out was recorded, Yangervis Solarte then drew a walk to load the bases.
Gregory Polanco was up next and he laced a base-hit scoring two teammates.
Walker stepped into the box and hit a sacrifice fly scoring the final run of
the inning.  PHILIP banged out 8 hits on the night. 

The win was credited to Liam Hendriks(1-0) who went 1 and 1/3 innings allowing
no runs. The loss was charged to Dalier Hinojosa(3-1) in relief.
4/24 – Tweeners 3, Bees 2.  Jose Iglesias had 2 base hits at The Hoover Dome where the NORM TWEENERS beat
the PHILIP Killer Bees by the score of 3 to 2. All 3 Tweener runs scored in the 5th inning on 2-out hits by Iglesias and Lind.
 
Shelby Miller(6-6) delivered a fine performance for NORM.  He went 6 innings
and surrended up 4 hits and 3 walks.  Miller racked up 8 strikeouts.  For the
game NORM out-hit PHILIP 8 to 5.  
 
Sean Gilmartin earned his 1st save. Ubaldo Jimenez(0-1) took the loss.  He
pitched 8 innings and surrendered 8 hits and 1 walk.
 
4/25 – Tweeners 3, Bees 2.  One run was the difference at The Hoover Dome as the NORM TWEENERS defeated
the PHILIP Killer Bees 3 to 2.
 
The NORM offense was carried by home runs from Adam Lind and George Springer.
PHILIP threatened in the 9th but NORM was able to put down the rally.
 
Robbie Ray(6-4) got credit for the victory, pitching 6 innings and allowing no
runs. Ray got help from Carson Smith who earned his 17th save.  Jordan
Zimmermann(0-1) was hit with the loss.  He gave up just 3 runs and 4 hits in
8 innings.
 
7/15 – Tweeners 5, Bees 1.  Stephen Vogt smashed 3 homeruns and had 4 RBI as the NORM TWEENERS bested the
PHILIP Killer Bees 5 to 1 at The Hoover Dome.
 
Vogt had a big day at the plate.  He cracked a solo homerun in the 2nd inning,
smashed a two-run homer in the 6th inning and smashed a solo-shot out of the
park in the 8th inning.  NORM out-hit PHILIP for the game, 7 hits to 4.
 
The victory went to Sonny Gray(10-8) who went 7 innings, allowing 1 run. Jered
Weaver(0-1) was the losing pitcher.  He served up 4 gopher balls in 7 and 2/3
innings.  
 
'Actually, I didn't feel that comfortable at the plate today' Vogt said after
the game.  'Despite that, I'm happy with the results!
 
7/16 – Bees 6, Tweeners 4. In a tight game it was the PHILIP Killer Bees 6, the NORM TWEENERS 4 in 14
innings at The Hoover Dome.
 
The score was knotted at 4 after nine innings. NORM squandered multiple scoring opportunities in extra innings. PHILIP was victorious in the
14th inning.  Robinson Chirinos opened up the inning nicely when he drew a
walk.  Jimmy Rollins stepped into the batter's box and he doubled.  Kyle
Schwarber then was hit by a pitch.  Billy Burns was next to the plate, but
was promptly struck out.  Freddie Freeman stepped into the box and banged out
a single plating a run.  Jhonny Peralta contributed to the rally and reached
on an error scoring the final run of the inning.  Despite losing, NORM
out-hit PHILIP 13 to 10.  
 
The win went to George Kontos(1-0) who allowed no runs in 4 innings. Sean
Gilmartin(4-1) took the loss in relief.  He allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in 1 and
2/3 innings.
 
7/17 – Tweeners 5, Bees 2.  Stephen Vogt hit a homerun and had 4 RBI as the NORM TWEENERS beat the PHILIP
Killer Bees by a score of 5 to 2.
 
NORM jumped on top to stay in the bottom of the 3rd inning when they scored 2
runs on 3 hits.  That scoring would be all that was needed.  NORM rapped out
8 hits for the afternoon.  
 
The win went to Robbie Ray(7-4) who allowed 2 runs in 6 and 1/3 innings. Ray
got help from Fernando Rodriguez who earned his 6th save.  The losing pitcher
was Jordan Zimmermann(0-2).

Extra Reserve Contest Update

With two weeks left in the regular season, the battle for the extra reserve pick is down to two teams: the DVs and the Rhinos.

The DVs have held the lead for most of the second half of the season, and are currently ahead of the Rhinos by 8, 1009 to 1001. The Sidewinders are in third place with 991.

The two contending teams have six different picks, which means there could be a significant swing down the stretch. If you're keeping score at home...

In the category of counting wins, the DVs have the Tigers, Astros, and Nationals. The Rhinos counter with the Indians, Rangers, and Mets.

On the side of counting losses, the DVs have the Rays, Phillies, and Padres. The Rhinos have the Orioles, Braves, and Rockies.

I'll try to update the standings page every day from here on out.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Inmates 4, Killer Bees 1

All games via CM at the Baptist Bowl.

Bees 3 – Inmates 2: Wood and Blanton combine on a three-hitter in what was to be the nadir of Bee success in the series. Peralta tatered in the 2nd, and the Bees never trailed.

Inmates 6 – Bees 2: Cargo hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the 5th, and the Beakless Chicken Gang added a three-spot in the 8th to dispose of the Bees.

Inmates 12 – Bees 6: With a 4-1 lead heading into the top of the 4th, Salazar decided he needed to pitch BP. De Aza, Walker, and Rollins all hit homers in the inning for the Bees (Rollins had already homered in the 3rd), sending Salazar to an early shower. The Inmates put on their hitting shoes and, lead by a pair of JMart taters, ended up tattooing the Bee pitching staff for the win.

Inmates 13 – Bees 0: Quintana pitched a CG shutout, Rizzo homered twice, and Castro (!) hit his second grand slam of the year as the Bees were totally exterminated. Teheran failed to get an out in the 1st before HAL removed him from the game after allowing four runs. It was all downhill for the Buzzing Blunderers after that.

Inmates 6 – Bees 2: A two-run Valbuena homer in the 4th put the Inmates in front for good. ‘Nuff said.

The HEAD INMATE

Thursday, September 15, 2016

A quick look at where we are at this moment...


Inmates 6, Mavs 4

INMATES 6 – MAVS 4
An odd series featuring lumbering oaf softball, clutch lousy fielding, and really bad pitching. Both teams homered in every game with the Inmates totaling 28 to the Mavs’ 17. Cargo torched the Mav pitching staff for ten (!!) homers in the ten games. Errors contributed directly to two of the Inmate wins, while the Mavs scored over 15% of their total runs because of Inmate blunders. Jeff Manship allowed more homers in an inning (two) than he’d allowed the entire previous MLB season; Matt Thornton allowed the same number of homers in an inning (two) as he’d allowed the previous MLB season.
Mavs 6 – Inmates 1 (Baptist Bowl): Only a Cargo solo tater in the 6th prevented a shutout. Gallardo and Company held the Punchless Chicken Gang to five hits, and were in total control from the get-go.
Inmates 10 – Mavs 9 (12 innings – Baptist Bowl): Both teams pulled on their softball jerseys and started the power barrage with four jacks each. A two-run tater off of Grimm, the Inmates’ eighth pitcher of the day, put the good guys down by a pair in the 12th. Correa to the rescue! After Suarez led off the last of the inning striking out, Cespedes hit a routine grounder to short for what should have been the second out. Alas! and Alack! Correa’s hooks touched the ball allowing Cespedes to be on base when Rizzo hit a 600-ft homer to tie the game. The wheels totally fell off of Strickland’s pitching card at this point, as he allowed a double, intentional walk, and another double to ice the game for the Mutant Barnyard Fowl.
Mavs 5 – Inmates 2 (Baptist Bowl): Taking a cue from Correa, Segura’s kick in the 6th allowed the Mavs to score four unearned runs. The LDMF were incapable of catching up.
Inmates 15 – Mavs 4 (Rastadome): UUUGGGLLLYYY game. Cargo hit a two-run HR in the 1st, a three-run jack in the 3rd, and a solo-shot in the 6th; the Inmates scored eight in the 3rd, with Martinez and Ramos adding two-run taters to go along with Cargo’s; and Pineda pitched a complete-game victory. Correa kicked another grounder, and the Mavs were humiliated, embarrassed, and generally suffered a buttock-pummeling.
Inmates 5 – Mavs 1 (Rastadome): Cargo followed his three-homer game with two more, and the Mavs looked as if they were suffering shell-shock.
Inmates 6 – Mavs 3 (Baptist Bowl): Despondency started to take hold of the Mav dugout. A three-run lead evaporated, with the final coffin nail being a JMart three-run HR in the 7th that gave the Beakless Chicken’s Minions the victory.
Inmates 4 – Mavs 3 (Baptist Bowl): Nursing a 3-2 lead in the 6th, the Inmates played small-ball for the first and only time of the series. Escobar-Jones-Ramos-Valbuena singled in succession with two outs to score a pair of runs and ensure the Inmate win.
Mavs 8 – Inmates 2 (Rastadome): The Revenge of the Mavs. Back in the friendly incense-filled confines of home, Mav bats awoke and blasted McHugh and friends for an easy win.
Inmates 6 – Mavs 5 (Rastadome): Inmates love Correa! With a seemingly safe 5-2 lead and a fully-stocked bullpen, the Mavs looked to win their second straight over a faltering Inmate team. But wait – Altuve led off the Inmate 9th with a grounder to short. Correa to the rescue again, as he kicked the ball into left field for the error. Suarez, pinch-hitting for Cargo after Britton was brought in to pitch to the Mav nemesis, hit the first pitch over the leftfield wall and into the cesspool behind the men’s barkless tree. Still, the Mavs led 5-4. Not to worry; Cespedes singled and Rizzo followed with a two-run shot to Mars. Britton was led away in a catatonic state muttering something unintelligible, AJ Ramos stumbled through the last of the 9th for a save, and the Mavs started to actually look forward to fighting the I-35 traffic for their return trip to the metroplex.
Mavs 6 – Inmates 4 (Rastadome): What goes around comes around. Holding a 3-2 lead into the 7th, Manship comes on to pitch for the seemingly easy hold and another Inmate win. Nope. Despite having allowed only one HR in 2015, two Mavs teed off and blasted round-trippers in what was to become a four-run inning to lead the Mavs to a series-ending win.
The HEAD INMATE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Tweeners 4, Drillers 1

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Wahoos 9, DVs 5

Some numbers from the Wahoos 9-5 victory over the DiamondVision recently.

*In the 14 games the Wahoos never scored less than 4 runs and the DVs scored at least 10 runs on three occasions.

*Wahoos scored 104 runs in the 14 games (7.43 per game) and the DVs scored 83 (5.93).

*There were 68 homers in the series - 37 by the Wahoos and 31 by the DVs. Despite the friendly BP numbers at the Reservation more homers were hit at Viagra Park (35 compared to 33).

*Of the 68 homers in the series, 8 were hit by DVs slugger Albert Pujols. He finished with 19 RBI but hit only .268 in the series.

*The DVs committed a mere 3 errors in the series that led to 3 unearned runs. The Wahoos committed a whopping 10 errors (4 from Justin Verlander) and also allowed 3 unearned runs.

*Joe Ross pitched in 8 games and threw 5.1 innings and is the only pitcher in the entire series to allow fewer than 2 runs (he allowed zero).

*Jake Arrieta allowed 5 homers.

*Bartolo Colon took one for the team over and over. He allowed 17 runs in 17.1 innings (11 games).

*Stephen Strasburg allowed 40 hits, 26 runs and 10 homers in 19.2 innings.

Monday, September 05, 2016

Demerit Update

It looks like the Tweeners and Bees came up short this month. The season update for demerits is:

Bees 5
Wahoos 2
Rhinos 2
Warpigs 1
Tweeners 1

September games need to get you to the 140-games mark. Deadline is Sunday, October 2nd.

And to refresh your memory (copy/pasted from the constitution)...

0-3 demerits: no consequence
4 demerits: you are limited to a max of 20 players at the March cut down.
5 demerits: you are limited to a max of 19 players
6 demerits: you are limited to a max of 18 players
7 demerits: you are limited to a max of 17 players
8 demerits: you are limited to a max of 16 players
9-14 demerits: you are limited to a max of 15 players
15 or more demerits: you are limited to a max of 14 players


Sunday, September 04, 2016

Transaction

The Warpigs traded Ian Kinsler to the Buckeyes for Taijuan Walker, Anthony DeScalfani, Daniel Norris, and Chris Carter.

Saturday, September 03, 2016

Tweeners 4, Drillers 1

Tweeners go 4-1 at Drillers

6/20 The SHAWN DRILLERS enjoyed a blow-out, pounding the NORM TWEENERS pitchers for
13 while Scott Kazmir(4-9), with relief help from Tommy Milone, allowed NORM
5 runs.
 
Kazmir contributed a pedestrian performance to earn the win.  He was reached
for 5 hits and 4 walks in 5 and 1/3 innings.  Overall SHAWN out-hit NORM 16
to 6.  
 
Milone preserved the game for Kazmir, recording his his 2nd save. Robbie
Ray(0-1) was hit with the loss.  He gave up 2 hits and 1 walk in 2/3 of an
inning.


6/21 Madison Bumgarner reeled off a total of 12 strikeouts as the NORM TWEENERS
bested the SHAWN DRILLERS 7 to 3 at Driller Park.
 
Bumgarner(1-0) was in control of the game from the outset.  He allowed just 6
hits and 3 walks in 8 and 2/3 innings.  NORM finished with 9 hits in the
victory.  
 
Andrew Chafin preserved the game for Bumgarner, recording his his 1st save.
Ian Kennedy(2-2) took the loss.  He served up 3 homeruns in his 5 and 2/3
innings.


9/1 Nelson Cruz rocketed 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI and Madison Bumgarner pitched a
complete game as the NORM TWEENERS defeated the dreadful SHAWN DRILLERS by
the score of 9 to 1 at Driller Park.
 
Cruz had a big day with his bat.  He bombed a two-run dinger in the 1st
inning, lifted one out of the park for a two run home run in the 3rd inning,
lined a single in the 5th inning and stroked a one-base hit in the 8th
inning.  NORM totaled 13 hits on the night.  
 
Bumgarner(2-0) allowed 1 run on the game. Scott Kazmir(4-10) was hit with the
loss.  He served up 3 homeruns in his 7 innings.


9/2 Felix Hernandez held SHAWN to 2 hits as the NORM TWEENERS defeated the SHAWN
DRILLERS by the score of 7 to 1 at Driller Park.
 
NORM took the lead for good in the 4th inning when they came up with 2 runs on
1 hit.  The biggest moment was provided by Nelson Cruz who silenced the
stadium when he doubled plating two runs.  NORM had only 6 hits for the game.
 
The victory went to Hernandez(1-0) who went the distance allowing 1 run. James
Shields(4-8) was tagged with the loss.  He surrendered 2 hits and 5 walks in
7 and 1/3 innings.


9/3  In a game at Driller Park the NORM TWEENERS got by the SHAWN DRILLERS by the
score of 5 to 2.
 
Robbie Ray(1-1) was solid in the win.  He was stingy on the mound, allowing
just 5 hits and 1 walk in 8 and 2/3 innings.  SHAWN was out-hit by NORM, 8
hits to 5.  
 
Carson Smith recorded his 1st save.  Ian Kennedy(2-3) was hit with the loss.
He pitched 5 and 2/3 innings and surrendered 7 hits and 3 walks.

Drillers 4, Rhinos 1

Drillers go 4-1 vs Rhinos?

4/7   In a close game it was the JOSE RHINOS 6, the pitiful SHAWN DRILLERS 4 at
Driller Park.
Carlos Gomez was a seemingly constant irritant to the hometown fans as he
provided much of the offense for the visitors.  He clubbed a two-run home run
in the 4th inning and doubled which was good for two runs in the 8th inning.
JOSE had just 6 hits for the afternoon.  
 
Andrew Heaney(1-1) went 5 and 1/3 innings allowing 3 runs for the victory.
Aaron Sanchez recorded the save, his 2nd.  James Shields(3-7) took the loss.
4/8 The SHAWN DRILLERS won by the slimmest of margins, 7 to 6.
 
SHAWN had the winning rally in the bottom of the 8th inning when they scored 4
runs on 2 hits.  JOSE made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to
push the needed runs across.  
 
The victory went to Casey Fien(2-0) who went 2 and 1/3 innings, allowing 1
run. Luke Gregerson earned the save, his 13th.  Kenley Jansen(0-1) was hit
with the loss in relief. 
4/9 The SHAWN DRILLERS had very little trouble at Driller Park downing the JOSE
RHINOS.  The score was 10 to 4.
 
SHAWN scored 7 runs in the decisive bottom of the 5th inning when they had 8
base hits.  The key offensive moment was provided by Elvis Andrus who
elicited a roar from the hometown fans when he tripled plating two runs.
Overall SHAWN out-hit JOSE 15 to 9.  
 
Dallas Keuchel(4-7) was the winner allowing 3 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. Chris
Archer(3-3) took the loss.  He got hammered, allowing 14 hits and 3 walks in
5 innings. 
6/30 Melky Cabrera had 4 hits and 4 RBI and James Shields retired 13 batters on
strikeouts as the SHAWN DRILLERS defeated the JOSE RHINOS by the score of 10
to 4 at Driller Park.
 
Shields(4-7) gave SHAWN a solid outing.  He allowed 8 hits and 4 walks in 9
innings and was touched for 2 homeruns.  SHAWN finished with 16 hits in the
victory.  
 
Matt Wisler(0-2) ended up with the loss.  He gave up 10 runs in 6 innings of
work.
7/1 Buster Posey hit 2 doubles and had 2 RBI at Driller Park where the SHAWN
DRILLERS beat the JOSE RHINOS 7 to 3.
 
Tommy Milone(2-7) was dominant in relief.  He allowed just 2 hits and 2 walks
in 6 and 1/3 innings improving his ERA from 4.69 to 4.21.  Overall SHAWN
out-hit JOSE 11 to 7.  
 
Andrew Heaney(1-2) was hit with the loss.  He was unable to control the SHAWN
offense and allowed 11 hits and 4 walks in 8 innings.

Inmates 6, DVs 4

Inmates 6 – DVs 5 (DV Park by Viagra): Softball at it’s best. Bogaerts, Moss, and McCann tatered for the DVs; Cespedes, JMart, Jones and Valbuena hit rockets for the Inmates. Valbuena’s two-run blast in the 9th proved to be the game-winner as the Beakless Chicken Gang overcame a 5-3 deficit in the final inning.

Inmates 5 – DVs 1 (DV Park by Viagra): Three more Inmate homers offset two Pujols stolen bases (!). Ross picked up the win despite allowing twelve baserunners in six innings.

Inmates 10 – DVs 5 (DV Park by Viagra): The DVs got off to a fast start against Pineda with three in the 1st, but the Lumbering Oafs from Baptist Land pounded eighteen hits to take the win. Pineda took one for the staff and pitched a complete game victory.

Inmates 5 – DVs 4 (Baptist Bowl): Rizzo hit a three-run HR in the Inmate 8th to erase a 4-2 DV lead and give the Beakless Chicken Gang their fourth win in a row.

DVs 2 – Inmates 1 (Baptist Bowl): After several games of offensive fireworks the DVs win the old-fashioned way. In the 8th with the score tied 1-1, Fowler walked, was sacrificed to second by Marte, and singled home by Pujols for the game-winner. Castro homered for the good guys’ only tally.

Inmates 3 – DVs 1 (Baptist Bowl): Cargo hit a two-run shot and Suarez added a pinch-hit solo HR for all of the Inmate runs. The DVs managed twelve hits but only one run.

DVs 4 – Inmates 3 (DV Park by Viagra): A close game, well-managed by both sides. Time ran out for the Inmates, with DV secret weapon Niese earning the save.

Inmates 7 – DVs 6 (DV Park by Viagra): Four Inmate taters (Cargo, Rizzo, Jones, Valbuena) off of Hendricks were enough to hang on for the Inmates’ last victory of the day. Secret weapon Niese pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the DVs to keep the Inmates from running up the score.

DVs 4 – Inmates 1 (Baptist Bowl): Cashner pitched a CG gem, allowing only a solo-HR by Escobar in the 9th. Panik and Duval tatered for the bad guys.

DVs 11 – Inmates 5 (Baptist Bowl): Quintana allowed ten runs in the 2nd, effectively ending the game before it got started. Castillo and Pujols homered for the DVs; Drury hit a pinch tater for the Inmates in the 9th.

The HEAD INMATE

Another Deadline Approaching

By tomorrow (Sunday, September 4th), all teams should be at or past the 115-game mark.

Currently short of the mark:
Sidewinders 112
Drillers 112
Rhinos 110
GoofEyes 108
Tweeners 102
Bees 71

So get some games played today or tomorrow.

If anyone is waiting on game files, stats, or instructions from anybody, let me know.

Current demerit standings:
Bees 3
Wahoos 2
Rhinos 2
Warpigs 1