SABATHIA WINS 18TH TO KEEP FIREBIRDS CLOSE

SABATHIA WINS 18TH TO KEEP FIREBIRDS CLOSE

Yuma---Needing a win to avoid falling further behind West-leading Lexington, the Yuma Firebirds (82-65) got a gem from their ace, C.C. Sabathia, who twirled a four-hit shutout en route to his BARB-leading eighteenth win of the year. In the process, Sabathia lowered his ERA to 2.59, pulling into a tie with Rebels hurler Rich Harden for the BARB lead in that category.

With the win, regardless of what happens the rest of the way for Yuma, Sabathia essentially nailed down this year’s Cy Young:

Wins: leads BARB with 18, three more than the runner-up (Scott Kazmir)

Innings pitched: leads BARB with 219, ten more than the runner-up (Gil Meche)

Shutouts: leads BARB with 6, three more than runner-up (Danny Haren)

Of course, C.C. also had help: OF Nick Markakis put Yuma on the board with a solo homer in the fourth, his 19th shot of the season, then added an RBI single as part of a four-run fifth against A.J. Burnett (13-8, 3.64) and the Firebirds went on to win rather handily, 5-0, to hold off the visiting Luchadores attempt to clinch the Central. Las Vegas (75-72) has lost four straight, but with just five games left and a two-and-a-half game lead over Oakeyland, can probably---probably---coast to the end.

Meanwhile, Yuma definitely needed the heroics from Sabathia and Markakis: they picked up a half-game on idle Lexington, and they stayed within striking distance (2.5 GB) of the wild card race seemingly dominated by Eastern contenders.

In other BARB action:

DARWIN 5, FROSTBITE FALLS 3

WP: Gil Meche (14-12, 2.88)
LP: Ben Sheets (9-11, 4.03)
SV: Putz (19)

Ben Sheets allowed a leadoff home run to Chone Figgins, then matched Gil Meche pitch-for-pitch for five innings before running out of gas, and Figgins (playing left for the ailing Milton Bradley) added an RBI single as part of a four-run sixth to send the host Finches (88-58) to their sixth straight win. Darwin can clinch a playoff spot with two more wins, and they will own the East outright by splitting their final six games.

BROOKLYN 4, WORCESTER 0

WP: Rafael Betancourt (9-4, 2.62)
LP: Scott Olsen (1-5, 6.27)
SV: Rodriguez (30)

Veteran Ken Griffey snapped a scoreless pitcher’s duel with a solo home run (#26) in the eighth, and Francisco Rodriguez notched his BARB-leading 30th save as the recently-eliminated Moabs played spoiler against sibling rival Worcester. With the loss, Worcester (84-62) remained in a tie with Frostbite Falls for the lead in the wild card race. ITEM: in the event of a tie at the end of the season, Worcester would win the tie-breaker based on their solid record (16-8) vs. the Squirrels, whereas if Frostbite Falls tied Darwin, they would beat out the Finches, whom they have handled (12-6) in the regular season to this point.

Stay tuned!