Archive | July, 2013

2013 EWL Playoff Matchups Set

22 Jul

hardball

After 10+ weeks and 20 games, the 2013 EWL regular season has come to a close. Questionable Outfit, a team full of rookies who started the season 0-2, got into a groove midseason and finished 13-7. Their regular season dominance of Cookies & Cream, who also finished 13-7, earned them the tiebreaker and, in their first season as a franchise, the 2013 pennant. As the #1 seed, they will face the Ham Slams, who struggled throughout the season, but started to show signs of improvement toward the end of the regular season. Cookies & Cream will face #3 seed Eastbound & Dahn, who were at times dominant and other times dormant. The first round best-of-five series start this week.

(1) Questionable Outfit (13-7) vs. (4) Ham Slams (6-14)

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hamslams

Pitching Probables
Game 1: Ham Slams (Charlie) @ Questionable Outfit (Bob)
Game 2: Ham Slams (Josh) @ Questionable Outfit (Mike)
Game 3: Questionable Outfit @ Ham Slams
Game 4: Questionable Outfit @ Ham Slams (if necessary)
Game 5: Ham Slams @ Questionable Outfit (if necessary)

(2) Cookies & Cream (13-7) vs. (3) Eastbound & Dahn (8-12)

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cookies

Pitching Probables
Game 1: Eastbound & Dahn (Mark) @ Cookies & Cream (Guthrie)
Game 2: Eastbound & Dahn (Helal) @ Cookies & Cream (Dinger)
Game 3: Cookies & Cream @ Eastbound & Dahn
Game 4: Cookies & Cream @ Eastbound & Dahn (if necessary)
Game 5: Eastbound & Dahn @ Cookies & Cream (if necessary)

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Ham Slams Hang On to Top Eastbound & Dahn 8-6

22 Jul
Josh went 4-for-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI to lead the Ham Slams to an 8-6 win

Josh went 4-for-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI to lead the Ham Slams to an 8-6 win

The Ham Slams hammered Helal in one of their best offensive showings of the season, and then barely held off a late Eastbound & Dahn rally to pick up an 8-6 win.

Helal, who had pitched a complete game shutout in his last start against Ham Slams, got off to a disastrous start in this outing. Kyle led off the game with a deep solo homer to right field, making the score 1-0. Steve then followed with a solo shot of his own, extending the lead to 2-0. The next batter, Josh, crushed a monster solo bomb to left-center, and the back-to-back-to-back homers put the Ham Slams ahead 3-0. Helal finally regained control, retiring Charlie and Kyle to end the inning.

Things got worse for Helal in the top of the first, when Charlie struck him out to start the game for the first out of the inning. Mark, however, followed with a solo bomb to deep right-center, cutting the score to 3-1. Eastbound & Dahn couldn’t rally though, as Charlie retired Trevar to end the inning.

The top of the second went better for Helal, as he retired Steve to start the inning. Josh singled, but was stranded at first when Charlie grounded out to the mound for the second out.

Charlie struck out Jason to start the bottom of the second, but got into some trouble with one out. Helal doubled, and the next batter, Mark, ripped a two-run homer to right, his second of the game. The home run tied the game at 3-3. Charlie then retired Trevar for the second out, ending the inning.

Mark watches one of his two homers sail over the right field wall

Mark watches one of his two homers sail over the right field wall

The Ham Slams bounced right back in the top of the third. Kyle led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game, putting the Slams ahead 4-3. Steve followed with a triple, and scored when Josh grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. Helal struck out Charlie for the second out of the inning, but the Hams had regained a two-run lead. Charlie then breezed through the bottom of the third, retiring the side in order.

Up two, the Ham Slams got back to work in the top of the fourth. Kyle singled, and moved to second when Steve followed with a single. The next batter, Josh, hit a three-run homer through the tree in left, putting the Ham Slams ahead 8-3. Helal retired the next two batters to end the inning, but the deficit was now five runs.

Charlie had reached his innings limit for the week, so the Ham Slams turned to their bullpen, placing Josh on the mound. He pitched a perfect frame in the bottom of the fourth, maintaining the Ham Slams lead.

Steve flew out to the mound for the first out of the inning in the top of the fifth, but Josh followed with a one-out triple. The Ham Slams couldn’t add to their lead, however, as Helal struck out Charlie to end the inning, stranding the runner at third.

Eastbound & Dahn rallied in the bottom of the fifth, pulling closer to the Ham Slams. Jason led off the inning with a single, and Helal followed with a monster home run to deep center, making the score 8-5. After Mark flew out for the first out of the inning, Trevar hit a triple off the fence. The next batter, Jason, singled, scoring Trevar from third and cutting the deficit to 8-6. But the rally would end there, as Helal flew out to left for the second out, stranding the runner on first.

Trevar tripled and scored as Eastbound & Dahn rallied in the bottom of the fifth

Trevar tripled and scored as Eastbound & Dahn rallied in the bottom of the fifth

Helal retired the side consecutively in the top of the sixth, and Eastbound would need two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. Mark led off the game with a single, and moved from first to third when Trevar followed with a single. The tying run was on first, and Jason came to the plate with no outs. He hit a ground ball to center, fielded by Steve for the first out. Steve then pegged Trevar, trying to advance to second, for the second out, ending the game and giving the Ham Slams an 8-6 win.

The win moved the Ham Slams to 6-13 on the year, while the loss dropped Eastbound & Dahn to 8-12. They will head into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.

W: Charlie (4-8)
L: Helal (4-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Charlie pitched three innings for the Ham Slams, picking up the win. He 3 runs on 3 hits while striking out 2. Josh also pitched three innings for the Slams, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits.
– Helal took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn. He surrendered 8 runs on 10 hits and struck out 2 batters.
– Josh led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a single, a triple, 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Steve and Kyle also each had 3 hits for the Ham Slams.
– Mark led Eastbound & Dahn offensive, going 3-for-5 with a single, 2 homers, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

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Cookies & Cream Edge Questionable Outfit 4-3 in Nail Biter

22 Jul
After a rough first inning, Guthrie got into a groove and let Cookies & Cream to a 4-3 win

After a rough first inning, Guthrie got into a groove and let Cookies & Cream to a 4-3 win

In a game that went back and forth, Questionable Outfit went up early, lost their lead, and narrowly missed tying the game late in a 4-3 loss to Cookies & Cream.

Guthrie made his second consecutive start for Coookies & Cream, and it looked like things would get dicey early. Tom led off the game with a single, and moved to second when Reilly grounded out for the first out of the inning. The next batter, Reilly Jr. launched a two-run homer into left-center, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 2-0. Guthrie then retired Tom to end the inning, avoiding further damage.

Reilly Jr. made his first career pitching appearance, starting on the mound for Questionable Outfit. He retired Dinger for the first out of the inning, and after Guthrie doubled with one out, Joey grounded out to the mound for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner.

Guthrie pitched a perfect frame in the top of the second, and it looked as if Cookies & Cream would rally in the bottom of the second. Morrison led off the inning with a single, and moved to second when Dinger singled. Guthrie flew out to the mound for the first out of the inning, but Joey followed with a single, loading the bases for Morrison with one out. He had been on a tear coming into this at-bat, but Reilly Jr. buckled down and got him to fly out to left for the second out of the inning, stranding all three runners on base.

Guthrie cruised in the top of the third, retiring the side in order. Cookies & Cream finally got on the board in the bottom of the third when Dinger led off the inning with a low-flying liner that topped the left field wall. His solo shot cut the score to 2-1. Guthrie followed with a triple, and the next batter, Joey, hit a deep fly to left. Guthrie tagged and scored on the play, tying the game at 2-2. Morrison then hit a one-out single, but Reilly Jr. retired Dinger for the second out of the inning, maintaining the tie.

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after Dinger's third inning homer put them on the board

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after Dinger’s third inning homer put them on the board

Reilly Jr. grounded out for the first out in the top of the fourth, and after Tom singled, Guthrie retired Reilly to end the inning. Cookies & Cream got back to work in the bottom of the fourth. Reilly Jr. retired Guthrie for the first out, but the next batter, Joey, hit a solo blast to left, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 3-2. Morrison then came to the plate and crushed a solo shot, and the back-to-back homers gave Cookies & Cream a two-run lead at 4-2. Dinger followed with a single, and moved to third when Guthrie hit a one-out double. It looked as if Cookies would blow the game open, but Reilly Jr. retired the next batter, Joey, stranding two runners in scoring position and keeping the deficit at only two runs.

Morrison who went 3-for-5, connects on a solo shot in the fourth

Morrison who went 3-for-5, connects on a solo shot in the fourth

Guthrie retired Reilly Jr. for the first out of the inning, and Tom followed with a single. The next batter, Reilly, doubled off the wall, scoring Tom from first, cutting the score to 4-3. With one out and a runner on second, Reilly Jr. grounded out to left for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner.

Reilly's RBI double in the top of the fifth cut Questionable Outfit's deficit to a single run

Reilly’s RBI double in the top of the fifth cut Questionable Outfit’s deficit to a single run

Cookies & Cream were unable to add to their one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Reilly Jr. retired the side in order.

With the score 4-3, Cookies & Cream turned to their bullpen, bringing their closer Morrison in to lock down the save. Tom led off the top of the sixth with a double, putting the tying run on second. The next batter, Reilly grounded out to left, but advanced Tom to third on the play. With one out and the tying run only a base away, Reilly Jr. hit a sharply hit ball to left, but Cookies & Cream were able to field it for the second out, ending the game and giving them a 4-3 win.

Morrison came out of the bullpen to preserve the lead and earned his second save of the season

Morrison came out of the bullpen to preserve the lead and earned his second save of the season

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 12-7 on the season, while Questionable Outfit sat a half game above them in the standings at 13-7.

W: Guthrie (7-2)
L: Reilly Jr. (0-1)
S: Morrison (2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched 5 innings in the winning effort for Cookies & Cream, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits. Morrison pitched 1 inning for the save, allowing no runs on 1 hit.
– Reilly Jr. was saddled with the loss for Questionable Outfit, giving up 4 runs on 11 hits in 5 innings pitched.
– Morrison led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 3-for-5 with 2 singles, a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.
– Dinger and Guthrie each contributed 3 hits for Cookies & Cream.
– Tom led Questionable Outfit at the plate, going 4-for-6 with 3 singles, a double, and 2 runs scored.

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Morrison Goes 7-for-7 as Cookies & Cream Stomp Eastbound & Dahn 14-8

22 Jul
Morrison went a perfect 7-for-7 with 4 singles, 3 homers, 6 runs scored, and 7 RBI in a monster performance

Morrison went a perfect 7-for-7 with 4 singles, 3 homers, 6 runs scored, and 7 RBI in a monster performance

In the midst of a chase for the batting title, Morrison went an unreal 7-for-7 to lead Cookies & Cream as they lit up Eastbound & Dahn for 14 runs in a 14-8 win.

Mark started on the mound for Eastbound & Dahn, who could still potentially clinch the #2 seed heading into the game. He started hot, retiring Dinger and Guthrie in order in the top of the first.

Staff ace Guthrie started for Cookies & Cream. He retired Mark for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Jason, making his EWL debut, crushed a solo homer to deep right-center field to put Eastbound & Dahn ahead 1-0. Guthrie then retired Trevar to end the inning.

Jason, making his EWL debut, went deep in his first two at-bats

Jason, making his EWL debut, went deep in his first two at-bats

Cookies & Cream bounced back in the top of the second. Joey led off the inning with a single, and Morrison followed with a two-run blast to left field, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 2-1. Mark then retired Dinger, and after giving up a one-out single to Guthrie, retired Joey to end the inning, stranding a runner.

Guthrie retired the side in order in the bottom of the second, maintaining the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the third, Cookies & Cream put together their finest inning of offense in the 2013 season. Morrison led off the inning with a single, and moved to second when Dinger followed with a single. With runners on first and second, Guthrie singled, scoring Morrison to extend the lead to 3-1. Joey then followed with yet another single, scoring a run, making the score 4-1. Morrison followed with even another single, and one run scored for a 5-1 lead. Dinger came to the plate and hit the sixth consecutive single for Cookies & Cream, scoring another run to make the score 6-1. Mark then retired Guthrie, who grounded out for the first out, but a run scored on the play, pushing the score to 7-1. With a man on and one out, Joey launched a double into the tree, scoring another runner to make the score 8-1. With one out and Joey on second, Morrison came to the plate and crushed a two-run homer, his third hit of the inning, making the score 10-1. Mark then retired Dinger for the second out of the inning, but the 8-run inning gave Cookies & Cream a substantial lead.

Joey had 5 RBI and pitched 3 innings of relief

Joey had 5 RBI and pitched 3 innings of relief

Eastbound & Dahn got to work chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the third. Jason led off the inning with a solo blast to right, his second home run in two career EWL at-bats, making the score 10-2. Trevar followed with a double, and moved to third when Helal grounded out for the first out of the inning. Mark followed with a one-out double, scoring Trevar and cutting the score to 10-3. Jason then hit a single, scoring Mark to make the score 10-4. The rally ended there, as Guthrie retired Trevar to end the inning.

Eastbound & Dahn celebrate at the plate after Jason's second homer of the game

Eastbound & Dahn celebrate at the plate after Jason’s second homer of the game

Cookies & Cream couldn’t string together more hits in the top of the fourth, as Mark retired Guthrie and Joey in order for a perfect frame.

Eastbound continued to crawl back into the game in the bottom of the fourth. With a big lead, Cookies & Cream turned to their bullpen, replacing Guthrie with Joey on the mound. Helal led off the inning with a triple, and after Mark flew out to right for the first out of the inning, Jason crushed a two-run blast, his third of the game, to cut the deficit to 10-6. Joey then retired Trevar to end the inning, but the lead had been reduced to four runs.

Cookies & Cream pulled further ahead in the top of the fifth, starting with Morrison and Dinger who each singled to lead off the inning. With two men on, Guthrie singled, but Morrison was caught in between bases on the play for the first out of the inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Joey singled off the wall, scoring a run to make the score 11-6. Morrison then followed with a single, scoring another run to extend the lead to 12-6. Dinger hit the sixth consecutive single for Cookies & Cream, scoring a run to make the lead 13-6. Mark then retired Guthrie to end the inning.

Dinger had 4 singles, scored 3 runs, and 2 RBI

Dinger had 4 singles, scored 3 runs, and 2 RBI

Joey retired Helal for the first out in the bottom of the fifth, but Mark followed with a solo shot to right, making the score 13-7. Jason, who had been a red hot 4-for-4 to start his career, was fanned by Joey for the second out of the inning.

Mark went 3-for-6 with a single, a double, and 3 RBI in the loss

Mark went 3-for-6 with a single, a double, and 3 RBI in the loss

Mark retired Joey to start the top of the sixth, but Morrison would get one more hit. With one out, he crushed a solo shot, his third homer of the game, to make the score 14-7. Dinger then grounded out for the second out of the inning.

Down seven runs, Eastbound needed a big rally in the bottom of the sixth. Trevar led off the inning with a single and moved to second when Helal grounded out to right for the first out. The next batter, Mark, singled, scoring Trevar from second to cut the score to 14-8. Jason followed with a single, but Mark was caught in between bases on the play for the second out, ending the game and giving Cookies & Cream a 14-8 win.

The victory moved Cookies & Cream to 11-7 on the season, and the loss dropped Eastbound & Dahn to 8-11.

W: Guthrie (6-2)
L: Mark (2-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched 3 innings for Cookies & Cream to get the win, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. Joey also pitched 3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits with one strikeout.
– Mark took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, giving up 14 runs on 18 hits in 6 innings.
– Morrison led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going a perfect 7-for-7 with 4 singles, 3 homers, 6 runs scored, and 7 RBI.
– Joey and Dinger also had 4 hits a piece for Cookies & Cream.
– Jason, in his EWL debut, led Eastbound & Dahn offensively. He went 5-for-6 with 2 singles, 3 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Cookies & Cream hit 6 consecutive singles twice in the game, in the third and fifth innings.

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Questionable Outfit Storm Past Ham Slams 8-2 to Clinch 2013 EWL Pennant

22 Jul
Tom went 6-for-8 in an 8-2 Questionable Outfit win

Tom went 6-for-8 in an 8-2 Questionable Outfit win

With an 8-2 win over the Ham Slams in week 10, Questionable Outfit clinched the 2013 EWL Pennant and the #1 seed in the playoffs.

With two of their key contributors, Bob and Mike, out for the week, Questionable Outfit picked up Reilly Jr. as a free agent and sent Reilly to the mound for only his second start of the season. After retiring Kyle to start the game, he gave up a one-out single to Steve. But Reilly retired the next batter, Josh to end the top of the first.

Charlie started for the Ham Slams, and he had some difficulties early and throughout the game. Tom led off the game with a double and moved to third when Reilly followed with a single. With no outs and runners on the corners, Reilly Jr. hit a deep fly ball to center field, and Tom scored on the sacrifice fly to make the score 1-0. Tom then singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. Reilly hit a one-out double, scoring a run and making the score 2-0. Charlie then retired Reilly Jr. for the second out, ending the inning and stranding two runners on base.

Charlie led off the top of the second with a single. After Kyle flew out for the first out, Steve singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. But Reilly escaped the jam, retiring Josh for the second out, stranding both runners and maintaining the two run lead.

Charlie pitched a perfect frame in the bottom of the second, including striking out Reilly for the second out of the inning.

Reilly matched Charlie in the top of the third, retiring the side in order. Questionable Outfit got back to work in the bottom of the third. Reilly Jr. led off the inning with a single, and Tom followed with another single to put runners on first and second. Reilly then grounded out to left, advancing the runners to second and third. With one out, Reilly Jr. singled, scoring both runners to push the Questionable Outfit lead to 4-0. Charlie then retired Tom for the second out of the inning.

Down 4-0, the Ham Slams got on the board in the top of the fourth when Steve led off the inning with a solo shot, making the score 4-1. Reilly avoided further damage, retiring the next two Ham Slams batters to end the inning.

Steve connects on a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning

Steve connects on a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning

Questionable Outfit would make up the lost run immediately. Reilly singled to lead off the inning, and moved to second when Reilly Jr. grounded out for the first out. Tom came to the plate and crushed a two-run bomb to deep left field, and the score was 6-1. Reilly grounded out for the second out of the inning, and the Questionable Outfit lead was at five runs.

Kyle led off the top of the fifth with a solo homer to deep right field, cutting the deficit to four runs at 6-2. Steve grounded out for the first out, and Josh followed with a one-out single. But the Ham Slams couldn’t rally, as Reilly retired Charlie to end the inning.

Reilly Jr. led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and moved to second when Tom followed with a single. Reilly grounded out for the first out of the inning, but pushed the runners to second and third. With one out, Reilly Jr. doubled off the wall, plating both runners and making the score 8-1. Tom followed with a one-out double, putting runners on second and third, but Charlie retired Reilly to end the inning, stranding two runners.

Questionable Outfit's newest addition, Reilly Jr., went 4-for-7 with 5 RBI in his debut

Questionable Outfit’s newest addition, Reilly Jr., went 4-for-7 with 5 RBI in his debut

Reilly retired Kyle to start the top of the sixth, and Steve followed with a one-out single. But the Ham Slams couldn’t come-from-behind, as Reilly retired Josh to end the inning, giving Questionable Outfit an 8-1 win and the 2013 EWL regular season pennant.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 13-6 on the season, while the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 5-13 for the year.

W: Reilly (1-0)
L: Charlie (3-8)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Reilly pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, scattering 7 hits while allowing only 2 runs in 6 innings pitched.
– Charlie took the loss for the Ham Slams. He allowed 8 runs on 13 hits while striking out one in 5 innings.
– Tom led Questionable Outfit at the plate, going 6-for-8 with 3 singles, 2 doubles, a home run, 4 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Reilly Jr. went 4-for-7 in his EWL debut with 3 singles, a double, a sac fly, 2 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Steve led the Ham Slams offensively, going 4-for-5 with 3 singles, a home run, a run scored, and one RBI.

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