MADTOWN 21, BLACK MESA 5 (1st game of DH)
WP: Hideki Kuroda (12-4, 3.79)
LP: Ted Lilly (3-6, 4.63)
MADTOWN 13, BLACK MESA 2 (2nd game of DH)
WP: Jeff Niemann (11-8, 4.05)
LP: Wandy Rodriguez (6-9, 4.77)
Black Mesa--On the road somewhere in the American Southwest, the visiting Murlocs scored 34 runs in a doubleheader at the expense of the gasping Anomalies, who have lost nine of their last ten in a death spiral into the league's cellar, all triggered by the overwork of a thin bullpen. In the process, Murlocs starter Hideki Kuroda became the first 12-game winner this year in BARB. (If you had him in the pool, please buy a lottery ticket, now!)
How did it happen that a club like the Anomalies could be so ruthlessly abused? In succession, the likes of Carlos Villanueva, Michael Wuertz, Luis Perdomo and Scott Linebrink were repeatedly punished, such that a man who had two HR in the opener (Adam Dunn) was summoned in mop-up duty. And why not? The visiting Murlocs put on a clinic on how to drive the long ball against the hapless Anomalies: 3B Scott Rolen drove in six runs in the opener with three, count 'em, THREE boundary belts. RF Hunter Pence added a pair in the opener (#17 and #18), then added #19 for good measure in the nightcap, also reaching base six times via the walk.
Even speedy leadoff man Michael Bourn got into the act, hitting an inside-the-parker to trigger the route in a 21-5 opening game and later adding a line-drive that just cleared the wall in left! Two taters for Michael Bourn? Are you kidding me?
Nope, 'fraid not, just reporting what happened. Slugging, a longtime Black Mesa tradition, was in evident for the home team as well: Dunn, as mentioned, hit a pair out in the opener. Miguel Cabrera and Rafael Ibanez went deep in the nightcap. But it simply wasn't enough for a club whose staff ERA has soared to 5.17. The pen was once a strength with Takashi Saito setting up Jonathan Papelbon, but injuries to both have exposed the rest of the corps to heavier work loads....and, pretty much to a man, they've been dreadful.
In other BARB action:
BROOKLYN 6, LOS ANGELES 0
WP: Justin Masterson (6-4, 4.66)
LP: Edwin Jackson (5-9, 3.90)
Chase Utley returned to the lineup and contributed immediately, starting two DP's and scoring twice as spot starter Justin Masterson took advantage of Los Angeles's Lance Berkman-less lineup, combining with J.J. Putz on a five-hit shutout. It was the third straight win for the Moabs (59-46), and moved them back within two games of East-leading Worcester.
POTTSYLVANIA 4, OAKLAND 3
WP: Chris Carpenter (11-7, 3.22)
LP: Edinson Volquez (1-1, 3.77)
SV: Broxton (22)
Carlos Pena drove in four runs with a pair of circuit shots, and Chris Carpenter overcame some control problems (111 pitches in just six innings) to help the Creepers (51-50) move back above .500 for the first time in nearly a month after losing the Central lead to Casselton around the middle of the season. Despite the recent surge, the defending division champs are three games behind Arizona for second place and a distant eight-plus games from the Horned Toads . . . .
CASSELTON 2, FROSTBITE FALLS 1
WP: Dennis O'Day (4-1, 2.72)
LP: Felix Hernandez (10-7, 3.59)
. . . .who, despite some bullpen problems of late, essentially stole a late-inning win from visiting Frostbite Falls! "King Felix" took a shutout into the ninth having thrown only 91 pitches, but after Derek Lee walked, hot-hitting OF Carlos Gonzalez (or, 'Cargo') showed the hype was for real by belting a two-run shot, a two-out, game-winning, walkoff HR! With the win, Frostbite Falls dropped back into third place in the competitive East, while the Toads snapped a four-game losing streak fueled by poor bullpen performance.
WORCESTER 2, ARIZONA 1
WP: Philip Hughes (6-1, 2.65)
LP: Tommy Hanson (4-7, 4.11)
SV: Rivera (24)
Delmon Young broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with an RBI single, and Tommy Hanson took another tough-luck loss in the absence of run support, as Worcester maintained their slim lead in the East by becoming the first club to win 61 games. Philip Hughes was superb, allowing just four hits in eight-plus innings before needing a little help from the great Mariano Rivera.
YUMA 3, DARWIN 2
WP: Brian Matusz (2-2, 5.30)
LP: Zack Grienke (7-8, 2.87)
SV: Thornton (5)
Rookie Brian Matusz pitched brilliantly, outdueling Darwin ace RHP Zack Grienke despite allowing an early home run to a red-hot Josh Hamilton. Ryan Braun made a sliding catch with two down and the bases loaded to pick up his teammates in the fourth, and after that Matusz was simply dealing, pitching into the eighth.
HANDICAPPING THE STRETCH RUN
As it so happens, Yuma's win was not enough to keep them in front out West, due to the fact that the Murlocs (due to a pair of recent doubleheaders) have played five games more than the Firebirds. Yuma will become the last BARB team to reach 100 games played tomorrow, and with the loop at or past the 100-game mark (and, essentially, with two-thirds of the season in the books), a few (obvious) remarks:
Four teams have been out of the race for weeks now. Alphabetically: Black Mesa, Los Angeles, Oakland, St. Francis. Sorry, guys. Enjoy your 2011 draft picks.
One club that's on the bubble in the Central is trying to win, the other isn't.
The defending division champions (Pottsylvania) have clawed their way back to .500, and with 1B Carlos Pena back in the lineup, a pair of aces (Chris Carpenter, Cliff Lee) and some hitters on the rebound, could still be tough in a short series....if they can get in. The Creepers are also no doubt looking forward to adding minor-league phenom Aroldis Chapman to their bullpen.
The second-place Arizona Thunder, on the other hand, telegraphed their intention to play for next year a few weeks back when they dealt Yovani Gallardo and a bunch of veteran hitters to the Brooklyn Moabs. That they are still only three-and-a-half games out of the wild card race is a bit of a head-scratcher. There can be no doubt, however, that the club's veterans have been very critical of GM Ronald Melkonian.
The race in the West is much tighter than might have been forecasted.
The West produced two playoff clubs last year, but Darwin's offense collapsed in the final month due to injuries and inconsistency. That they are still in the mix is a credit to the revived bats of David Ortiz and Josh Hamilton from the left side of the plate. GM Kyle Kaufman has resisted making any moves to improve the club's offense, and has yet to promote OF Austin Jackson or made any final decision on what to do with the ineffective (and expensive) Scott Kazmir.
Meanwhile, Madtown GM 'Chops' Braga has made more noise on the trade market than any other GM, and has clearly built a club with some offensive firepower, bench strength and depth on the pitching staff. The Murlocs received a blow when they lost Mariano Rivera in this year's draft, but outside of that the rest of their moves have been well-received in the clubhouse, on the field, and (it is believed) have earned him the respect of some other GM's.
Yuma is built to win in the post-season, with spectacular starting pitching. They know a thing or two about staying close, then turning it on in the final months. They have arguably underachieved so far this year, with team MVP Denard Span well off his production of last season and the two Ryans (Braun and Zimmerman) inconsistent. But GM Chris Melkonian has been patient for the most part. His biggest move: a rather public parting of the ways with closer Francisco Cordero, who was released.
The club without depth in the East has managed to avoid any major injuries, while the BARB club with the greatest organizational depth has been severely tested.
Worcester's lineup, top-to-bottom, is the league's most explosive. Their starting pitching has been solid. Their bullpen, while not the league's best, has been effective with Heath Bell and others setting up Mariano Rivera. They even got an unexpected boost from minor-league free agents Delmon Young and Ty Wigginton. But this club simply can't afford to lose any of their regulars for any stretch. GM Matt Caskey has been rewarded with another contender, but just like last season he has to be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Meanwhile, the built-for-the-grind Brooklyn Moabs have pretty much gone 'all in'. At various times, they've lost 1B Ryan Howard (still out), 2B Chase Utley (just back), SS Troy Tulowitzki (due back soon), 3B Ian Stewart, LF Jacoby Ellsbury (more than once), CF Mike Cameron (out for the year) and now, ace closer Francisco Rodriguez. GM Eric Caskey dealt a major package of future talent to rent Manny Ramirez, John Buck and Vernon Wells while his regular bats were going down like flies. The big gun, Yovani Gallardo, gives him a rotation that can match up with any club in the post-season...if he can get there.
Meanwhile, the Flying Squirrels continue to lurk in the bushes. Winners of more world champs than any other BARB organization, they do not have the great bullpen depth of the past. They have a very tradeable piece in 2B Rickie Weeks to spare for another arm if needed, and of course they have some pretty decent minor-leaguers as well. GM Andrew Haynes, being only a few games out, has been patient...but the stretch drive is upon him. Will he make a move, or stand pat?
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