Rhinos 5, Nads 2

RHINOS go 5-2 at NADS   -       NADS SUCK!!!!

Game 1: Chris Archer reeled off a total of 11 strikeouts as the RHINOS defeated

the NADS 6 to 2 at The Ball Sack.

Game 2 : Right fielder Kole Calhoun blasted 2 homeruns and had 5 RBI 

as the NADS beat the J RHINOS by the count of 13 to 5.

Game 3: Noah Syndergaard struck out 11 batters at The Ball Sack as the RHINOS

beat the NADS by the count of 5 to 1.

Game 4: In a good matchup it was the JOSE RHINOS 6, the DAVE NADS 4 at The Ball

Sack.

Game 5: Gerrit Cole allowed just 2 hits and Carlos Gomez collected 2 extra-base hits

as the RHINOS defeated the NADS by the score of 6 to 1 at The Ball

Sack.

Game 6: Josh Collmenter(1-1) and Noah Syndergaard(2-3) treated the fans to a fine

pitching duel at The Ball Sack.  The E NADS eventually emerged as victors by the score of 2 to 1.

Game 7: Nick Markakis slammed a homerun and had 5 RBI and Andrew Heaney had an impressive outing at The Ball Sack as the RHINOS beat the NADS by

the count of 9 to 0.

Transaction

The Buckeyes traded Miguel Sano to the Killer Bees for Mark Trumbo.

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 9^th 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.

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 2^nd, and the Bees never trailed.

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

Inmates 12 – Bees 6: With a 4-1 lead heading into the top of the 4^th, 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 3^rd), 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 1^st 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 4^th put the Inmates in front for good. ‘Nuff said.

The HEAD INMATE

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 6^th 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 12^th. 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 6^th 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 1^st, a three-run jack in the 3^rd, and a solo-shot in the 6^th; the Inmates scored eight in the 3^rd, 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 7^th that gave the Beakless Chicken’s Minions the victory.

Inmates 4 – Mavs 3 (Baptist Bowl): Nursing a 3-2 lead in the 6^th, 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 9^th 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 9^th 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 7^th, 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

Tweeners 4, Drillers 1

Tweeners take 4 of 5 from the Dreadful Drillers at The Hooverdome, creating a flat-footed tie with the Snakes for the AWD division lead.  Should be an interesting showdown in early October.

5/8 – Tweeners 7, Drillers 2.  Nelson Cruz ripped 2 homeruns and scored 3 times at The Hoover Dome where the

NORM TWEENERS beat the SHAWN DRILLERS 7 to 2.

The NORM fans enjoyed the offense provided by Cruz.  He slapped a base-hit in

the 2nd inning, smashed a bases-empty 'big-fly' in the 4th inning and smashed

a solo-shot out of the park in the 6th inning.  NORM had 13 hits overall,

while SHAWN had 7. 

Madison Bumgarner(13-6) picked up the victory, allowing 2 runs in 5 and 2/3

innings. Colby Lewis(1-5) took the loss.  He served up 4 homeruns in his 5

and 1/3 innings.

5/9 – Tweeners 5, Drillers 2.  Second baseman Ben Zobrist had 2 base hits as the NORM TWEENERS outscored the

SHAWN DRILLERS 5 to 2.

Felix Hernandez(12-5) gave NORM a solid outing.  He was reached for 7 hits and

no walks in 6 and 2/3 innings.  Hernandez whiffed an impressive total of 7

SHAWN batters and served up 2 'big flies' to Posey and Donaldson for the Drillers only runs.  Andrew Chafin relieved and was

untouched by SHAWN as he recorded the save, his 10th.  

James Shields(1-4) was hit with the loss.  He allowed 3 runs and 4 hits in 6

innings.

5/10 – Drillers 4, Tweeners 3.  Melky Cabrera hit a homerun and had 2 RBI at The Hoover Dome as the SHAWN

DRILLERS won in dramatic fashion coming back to beat the NORM TWEENERS by the

count of 4 to 3.

SHAWN had the game winning rally in the 9th inning with 2 runs using 2 hits.

After an out was recorded, Jose Abreu opened up the rally as he drew a walk.

Cabrera stepped up next and he cleared the fences for a two-run home run.

SHAWN ended up with 8 hits for the game while NORM had 5.  

Josh Fields(1-0) went 3 innings allowing 1 run for the win. Luke Gregerson

gained credit for his 8th save.  Carson Smith(5-6) was the losing pitcher in

relief.  He pitched 1 inning and surrendered 2 hits and 1 walk.

'We just kept swinging the bats and didn't give up,' Cabrera said. 'To paraphrase Billy Joe Shaver, If you just keep trying good things can happen!'

8/1 – Tweeners 7, Drillers 4.  NORM had 3 runs cross the plate in the 3rd inning.  After an out was recorded,

Jose Iglesias got things rolling when he smacked a single.  Adam Lind got his

chance to keep things going, but he went down on strikes.  Nolan Arenado then

drew a walk.  Nelson Cruz followed and he rifled a three-run blast.  That

early run support was enough for Felix Hernandez(13-5) and NORM.  NORM and

SHAWN each finished the night with 10 hits.  

Andrew Chafin got the save, his 11th.  Colby Lewis(1-6) absorbed the loss.

NORM scored big getting 7 runs off him in 3 and 2/3 innings.

8/2 – Tweeners 7, Drillers 3.  Carson Smith went 3 and two third solid innings and Zack Cozart cracked a

homer and had 3 RBI as the NORM TWEENERS beat the SHAWN DRILLERS by a score

of 7 to 3.

SHAWN was unable to recover after NORM went ahead in the 7th inning plating 2

runs on 2 base hits.  Nelson Cruz led off the inning for NORM when he drew a

walk.  Stephen Vogt came to the plate and doubled.  After an out was

recorded, Ben Zobrist then reached on an error which scored a run.  Cozart

followed and he doubled scoring the final run of the inning.  Both teams

ended up with 7 hits on the night.  

The victory went to Smith(6-6) who went 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing no runs.

Ian Kennedy(1-3) was the loser.  He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in 6 and 1/3

innings.

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.

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

Transaction

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

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.