Phightin's and Cards battle it out in week #1

The Fightin’ Phillies took a hard fought series two games to one in the initial series for both teams.

Game one featured a pitching duel between Robin Roberts and Ray Sadecki.  The game was scoreless going into the 8th when Del Ennis hit a solo shot for the game’s only run.  Roberts went the distance for the Phillies.  Roberts went the distance yielding only four hits and Sadecki in his eight innings of work yielded only three.

Game two was tied at 2 – 2 going into the bottom of the eighth when the Cardinals erupted for three runs off Phillie reliever Ken Heintzelman.  Bill White lead off the bottom of the eighth with a double and Ken Boyer tripled in the tie-breaking run.  After a ground out plated Boyer and a walk to Musial, Taussig doubled to give the Cardinals their third run of the inning.  Larry Jackson went the first seven and two-thirds for the Cardinals and left with a 2 – 1 lead, but Bob Miller gave up a double to Richie Ashburn with two on to tie the game a two all.  Miller was the beneficiary of the three run Cardinal outburst in the bottom of the inning and picked up the win.  Lindy McDaniel came in and shut out the Phillies to pick up the save.

Game three was another tight game which featured Curt Simmons versus Curt Simmons won by the Phillies 4 – 3.  The Phillies jumped to an early 1 – 0 lead when leadoff hitter Eddie Waitkus (who was the inspiration for Roy Hobbs in The Natural as he was shot by a woman in a Chicago hotel) doubled and Ashburn followed with a single.  A sacrifice fly from Ennis gave the Phillies an early 1 – 0 lead.The Phillies extended their lead in the third when Granny Hamner doubled in Waitkus and Ashburn, but the Cardinals came back with two runs in their half of the frame on a clutch two-out single from Julian Javier. The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth on an error by pitcher Curt Simmons allowed Ken Boyer who had doubled to score.The Phillies tallied the winning run in the sixth on a Sacrifice Fly off the bat of Willie “Puddin’ Head” Jones driving in Stan Lopata who had lead off the frame with a double.Andy Hansen then shutout the Cards with one hit over the final three innings to give the Phillies a series win.

--Submitted by Jim Clouser--

88 Boston sweeps 89 Toronto

GAME 1 in Boston

89 Toronto (John Cerutti) vs 88 Boston (Roger Clemens)
Boston wins 3-2

WP: Roger Clemens (2-0) 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 9 K
LP: John Cerutti (0-1) 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 K
SV: Lee Smith (1) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K

HR: Dwight Evans (1)
GAME MVP: Dwight Evans (BOS) 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR


Roger Clemens was dominant in his 2nd outing of the season and his first back in the Unites States.  Clemens held the Toronto bats down long enough for Dwight Evans and the offense to put 3 runs on the board.  Clemens seemed to tire a little in the 8th but Lee Smith came in and closed it out for his first save of the season.

GAME 2 in Boston
89 Toronto (Mike Flanagan) vs 88 Boston (Bruce Hurst)
Boston wins 11-2

WP: Bruce Hurst (1-0) 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 6 K
LP: Mike Flanagan (0-1) 5.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 0 K
SV: none

HR: George Bell (1), Jim Rice (1)

GAME MVP: Wade Boggs (BOS) 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B

The Red Sox offense made this one an easy win for starter Bruce Hurst.  Wade Boggs, Larry Parrish (2-5, 2 RBI) and Marty Barrett (2-4, 2 R) all had multi-hits games for Boston.  Fred McGriff led the Blue Jay offense with 3 hits while Junior Felix, George Bell and Kelly Gruber each added 2 hits.

GAME 3 in Toronto
88 Boston (Oil Can Boyd) vs 89 Toronto (Todd Stottlemyre)
Boston wins 11-0

WP: Oil Can Boys (1-0) 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K
LP: Todd Stottlemyre (0-1) 6.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 K
SV: none

HR: Mike Greenwell (1)
GAME MVP: Oil Can Boyd (BOS) 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K, WIN

The Boston offense continued battering the Blue Jay pitchers.  They started early with 4 runs in the 1st highlighted by a grand slam by Mike Greenwell.  The Red Sox pitching did not need much help with Oil Can Boyd throwing 7 shut out innings followed by Tom Bolton closing the last 2 out to preserve the shutout. Wade Boggs and Ellis Burks each joined Greenwell with multi-RBI games.

GAME 4 in Toronto
88 Boston (Wes Gardner) vs 89 Toronto (Dave Stieb)
Boston wins 7-4 in 17 innings

WP: Mike Boddicker (1-0) 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K
LP: Frank Wills (0-1) 1 H, 4 H, 3 R, 0 K
SV: none

HR: none

GAME MVP: Ellis Burks (BOS) 2-8, R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3 SB

A game that saw 35 runners left on base over 17 innings finally was won by Boston thanks to a big 2 RI double by Ellis Burks to drive in Marty Barrett and Wade Boggs.  Both bullpens worked in and out of trouble for most of the extra frames but it was Mike Boddicker that proved to be the star of the night.  The Sox regular starter found himself getting the call from the pen with Boston's bullpen tired from picking up starter Wes Gardner after just 4 innings.  Boddicker went 6 no hit innings to pick up the win and seal the series sweep for Boston.  Jim Rice (4-8, 2 RBI) and Dwight Evans (2-7, 2 RBI) provided the offense along side Burks.  George Bell had 3 doubles in a losing effort for the Jays.

Jays & Brew Crew split a pair in Mexico

Aug 10 – TOR 5, MIL 4   Dave Steib vs Moose Haas - Foro Sol Stadium, MEX

The Blue Jays built a 4-1 lead and led 5-2 in the 8^th but the Brewers were able to plate two runs against reliever Duane Ward.  Tom Henke came in the 9^th and got the last 2 outs for the save.  Fred McGriff had 2 doubles and Junior Felix knocked in 2 runs.  Dave Stieb allowed only 3 hits for 7 innings for the win.

Aug 11 – MIL 1, TOR 0  Mike Caldwell vs Jimmy Key

A solid pitching duel saw Mike Caldwell finish with a 3 hit shutout.   the top of the 8^th, Buck Martinez hit a leadoff double and Charlie Moore pinch ran for him.  Paul Molitor singled and Moore beat the throw home. Cecil Cooper singled one out later, but the Brewers manager chose not to send Molitor.  Everyone was shaking their head when Cooper was thrown out stealing with Stormin’ Gorman Thomas at bat.  Thomas grounded out on the next pitch.

Thanks to Robert for being flexible in getting these games in.  They were some close exciting games.

John/MIL80

Bombers/Pale Hose Split series as traded players get revenge on ex-mates

GAME 1 - Yokohama Std, Japan
Hunter vs Kravec
Yankees 5, White Sox 4

Free Agent signee Jim Catfish Hunter paid huge dividend by tossing 8 1/3 innings and giving up just 3 earned runs.  Catfish headed into the 9th with a 2 run lead, but ran out of gas thanks to an error by SS Chicken Stanley that would have been out number 3.  A series of walks and an RBI single by Chet Lemon spelled Hunter's end and Sparky Lyle's entrance.  Lyle enticed Lamaar Johnson to ground out to Nettles at 3rd to end the game and secure victory.  Walt "No Neck" Williams burned his old teammates by going 3 for 5 and scoring a run.  Chisox pen men Howard/Hoffman/Trout combined for almost 3 innings of scoreless relief to give the offense a chance to strike.

GAME 2

Wortham vs Medich
White Sox 8, Yankees 5

This game was just what the doctor ordered for the Pale Hose who banged out 8 runs on 15 hits and chased Doc Medich from the hill after 6 (8 runs).  Like Williams the day before, Rusty Torres victimized his ex-mates with 2 homers and 4 RBI.  Mike Squires (3-5) showed he has more than just a gold glove at 1st and Bannister (3-4) was ever the catalyst scoring 2 runs from the lead off spot.  Starting pitcher Rich Wortham gave up 3 in 6 1/3 as the Chisox and Bombers split their international series in Yokohama Japan

Royal Flush of Tribe in Puerto Rico

GAME 1 - Hiram Bithorn Std - Pueto Rico
McLish vs Saberhagen
Royals 5, Indians 4

KC chipped away at the Tribe's 4-1 lead to tie the score at 4-4 after 6.  In the bottom of the 8th Danny Tartabull led off with a walk and moved to third on a George Brett single.  After Bo Jackson struck out swinging the ever so clutch Frank White singled home Tartabull for what turned out to be the winning run.  White authored a perfect 4-4 day at the plate, which included 2 homers and 2 singles.  Saberhagen, who went 8.1 innings, got the win.  Jerry Gleaton, who got the final 2 outs got the save.  McLish took the loss.

GAME 2

Gubicza vs Grant
Royals 11, Indians 7

In a wild and wacky game that saw the lead change hands no fewer than 6 times, the Royals managed to survive for a quick 2 game international sweep.  The fans in Puerto Rico enjoyed every moment of the game.  No one received louder cheers than hometown boy Danny Tartabull, who was born in San Juan.  The game's big star was multi-sport athlete Bo Jackson (3-5, 3RBI), who knows how to hit homers (2).  Larry Doby (3-3) was perfect at the plate for the Tribe, who out hit the Royals 15-11.  Minnie Minos and Russ Nixon also had 3 hit days for Clev.

Opening Series - Played in Gocheok Dome South Korea

GAME 1: Boston wins 7-0

WP: Roger Clemens (1-0)

LP: Pedro Ramos (0-1)

SV: none

HR: Wade Boggs (1)

GM MVP: Roger Clemens (9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 10 K, WIN)

Roger Clemens is dominant from the start as the Twins bat were never able to figure out The Rocket. Wade Boggs hit a HR in the 1st inning and the Sox used a balanced attack with Boggs, Mike Greenwell and Dwight Evans all chipping in 2 hits.

 

 

GAME 2: Minnesota wins 6-2 in 15 innings

WP: Bill Pleis (1-0)

LP: Bob Stanley (0-1)

SV: Ted Sadowski (1)

HR: Earl Battey (1)

GM MVP: Camilo Pascual (8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 7 K)

The Red Sox scored 2 runs in the first inning but were shut down for the next 14 frames.  The Twins trailed for most of the game but tied the game in the 8th on an RBI single by CF Lenny Green (4-7 2 R, 1 RI).  Then the bullpens took over with both sides relief arms being near perfect from the 9th thru the 14th inning.   Wes Gardner kept the Sox in the game with 5 innings of 1 hit ball while the Twins leaned on 6 pitchers to navigate the extra innings.  Finally, the Twins broke through off Bob Stanley with 4 runs in the 15th.  Zoilo Versailles broke the tie with an RBI double and then Earl Battey followed with a 3 -run shot to give the Twins some breathing room.  Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew ties a MLB record for strikeouts by a batter in an extra-inning game with 6 K's in 7 AB's.  Almost as amazing as Killebrew's feat was the fact that despite batting in the middle of the Twins lineup, The Twins legendary bat never batted with a runner on base in any of his 7 at-bats.

--submitted by Peter Daly--

KOD24 - THEME: Mid season Managerial Changes

Burt Shotton & the man he replace Leo the Lip

KOD24 - Starting on 10/1/2016 features MLB teams from 1947-present that have had mid season managerial changes and finished with less than 90 wins.  We will have 22 franchises (12 AL / 10 NL) represented in this 24th installment of King of Diamonds Baseball.  The season will feature 40 games played h2h online with the AL starting a week earlier than the NL with 2 "international" games.  The 6 AL teams will head to exotic places like South Korea, Japan, Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico to play 2 games to kick off our season.  Should be a blast !