FRIARS OFF THE SCHNEID, BUT FOR HOW LONG?

September 30: Scott Hatfield’s charges finally won after enduring a four-game losing streak and falling out of first place. Could they keep it up October 2? Or would the Moabs gain back the ground in the wild card? What about the Rebels?

Many questions to be answered, and they will become clear in time. But, ironically, after being pushed back from his originally scheduled start because of concerns about his viability in helping the team win, Brett Myers had a good (though short) start.

Myers, in line to start the second game of the series, was pushed back to #4 when St. Francis couldn’t distance themselves from Philadelphia. But despite the snub the veteran stepped up and pitched four innings of four-hit, two-run ball before his extra-cautious manager turned it to the bullpen to begin the fifth with the team leading, 3-2.

In all, six pitchers came on in relief for the Friars. Joaquin Benoit, Rafael Betancourt and Scott Downs each threw a scoreless frame. Heath Bell began the eighth and retired four batters before allowing a pinch-hit single to Jimmy Rollins in the ninth. Even with a four-run lead, Bell was pulled for Jason Motte, who gave up a first-pitch single to Ben Zobrist.

With the game now a save situation (potential tying run on deck), St. Francis went to the bullpen again, this time for… BRONSON ARROYO???

The erstwhile starter had been pitching out of the ‘pen since Hatfield swung deals for more starting and other pitchers got healthy. And righty was to face a left-handed batter with pop, Chase Utley. Can you go against the percentages any more than that?

But “the percentages” don’t dictate everything that happens. Here’s how Arroyo’s one pitch of the night came over the radio:

“Utley staring out, salivating on the possibility of a pitch to drive. Arroyo’s been gopher-ball prone. Arroyo comes set…looks the runners back…and throws. A SMASH by Utley, but it’s RIGHT to Kelly Johnson at second! He flips to Ramirez…back to first…double play! The Friars take their first game in their last five and inch closer to the Rebels!”

In the other dugout, Jon Lester was pontificating on what could have been. After winning the first three games of the series, the perennial powerhouse was in position to tie for the wild card by finishing out the sweep. But Lester, in his worst game in a while, allowed five runs in five-plus innings, giving up seven hits and walking four. Felix Pie showed rare clutch ability, driving in St. Francis’ first run with a second-inning double and launching a two-run homer to knock Lester out of the game in the sixth.

St. Francis moved to within a half-game of Philadelphia in the Central, but that would just be for a few hours as the Rebels continued to bash Sin City. Cliff Lee struck out nine in 7.1 innings for his 19^th win, and Alex Rodriguez (two-run shot), Andre Ethier (solo) and Adam Jones (grand slam) all homered in support.

FRIARS’ JOY SHORT-LIVED

St. Francis came to the ballpark the next day with a brighter outlook for a new month. But after a few minutes they realized what the buzz was about in the ballpark above and streets around them. It was V-Day.

Justin Verlander was going to pitch.

Verlander was having an up-and-down season, entering the game just 6-9 with an ERA above 4.50. But he easily outdueled Ricky Nolasco. Verlander pitched eight innings, struck out seven, allowed three hits and didn’t walk a batter. His only blemishes were an Alexei Ramirez home run in the third inning and Paul Konerko sacrifice fly in the sixth. Brooklyn didn’t homer, but Adrian Beltre stood out with three RBI on two hits.

Things got worse for the Friars later in the day. Powered by third-inning long-balls from Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Aviles, Philadelphia finished their sweep of Sin City with a 3-0 victory.

So after the dust settled on October 1, Philadelphia led the Central by two games over St. Francis with six to play for both teams. The Friars lead Brooklyn (four games remaining) by two, Central California (three left) by 2.5 and New England (three left) by 3.5 in the wild card. Everyone else has been mathematically eliminated.

In other BARB news:

Yuma needs two wins in their final three games to be just the second BARB team to win 100 in a season. The 2003 Delta V’s won 103 games. The Firebirds have sown up the top seed for the 2011 playoffs.