GAME DAY 14

OAKEYLAND 9, BROOKLYN 8 (10 innings)
WP: Justin Speier (1-0, 4.76)
LP: Francisco Rodriguez (0-1, 1.93)
SV: Fultz (1)

Orlando Cabrera’s one-out RBI single in the top of the tenth snapped an 8-8 tie and unlikely closing candidate Aaron Fultz, the fifth reliever of the game for Oakeyland, held on in the bottom of the tenth to help the visiting Ballers edge host Brooklyn, which had rallied furiously for six late runs to force extra innings off Ballers pitching in the first place, scoring four times in the ninth. Jim Thome homered twice in the game for Oakeyland.

DARWIN 1, POTTSYLVANIA 0
WP: John Smoltz (2-0, 0.71)
LP: Gil Meche (0-3, 3.38)
SV: Gregg (2)

Khalil Greene drove in the game’s only run with a two-out run-scoring single in the sixth, and John Smoltz and Kevin Gregg combined on a two-hitter as the Finches won for the eighth time in their last ten games. Josh Hamilton, who has started three of Darwin’s last four games, has yet to get a base hit and is 0-for-11 overall as the club’s new left fielder.

BLACK MESA 7, CASSELTON 3
WP: Todd Wellemeyer (1-2, 6.46)
LP: Dave Bush (1-2, 6.38)

Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek both homered, and unsung former reliever Todd Wellemeyer worked seven strong innings as the Anomalies (8-7 overall) improved to 6-3 on the road. The Horned Toads got a two-run home run from Freddie Sanchez, nice offense, but he remains a bit of a stretch as a shortstop for any club that hopes to win a pennant. Insiders suspect that the Creepers, who have depth at short, may soon deal in earnest with Casselton.

LEXINGTON 4, YUMA 3
WP: Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.37)
LP: Jake Peavy (1-3, 3.09)
SV: Street (4)

Every club will play its divisional rival twenty times in 2008, so this first meeting may not mean much—but let it be said that, at least for one day, that of the Brothers Melkonian it is Rebellious Ronald who had the bragging rights over his Firebird brother Chris—who can only brag about a world title to defend. An error by Ryan Zimmerman was followed an out later by a three-run homer by James Loney to account for most of Lexington’s runs, and despite two runs in the eighth, Yuma falls to 7-9, overall.