If you remember, yesterday's game saw KevinM's 2009 St. Louis team put some serious wood to AndrewH's 1909 Chicago NL team! The boys in red move into the championship game with a victory score of 7-2.
The question on everyone's mind tonight: Who will join KevinM for the Tribe-O-Matic giveaway championship game? And then, the next question: which version of Strat-O-Matic will the tournament winner choose - the board game or the computer version?
Remember, you can scroll to the bottom of this post for the final score and other stats.
Well, without further delay, let's get into tonight's semi-final game:
A big welcome to you!
Today Los Angeles(AL) will be playing Chicago
I hope your ready for some baseball!
Defensively, the Pale Hose have Dougherty in left...
Altizer will patrol center...
And Cole will play in right
Around the horn, it'll be Purtell at third
at shortstop, Parent...
At the keystone sack, Atz...
Over at first base, there's Isbell
Behind the plate Owens
and on the mound, Bill Burns
And now the Ump says "PLAYBALL!"
and we're ready to go...
Figgins rips a whistling liner down the line
Bingo! Purtell spears it!
A shot right at the Chicago third baseman
Piece of cake!
One out
Due up next is Erick Aybar
Settling in at the plate is Aybar
Aybar tells the umpire he's ready
Burns winds and delivers
There's a high pop fly to the outfield
Patsy Dougherty moves to his left
He makes the catch
Wait, he bobbles it!
Dougherty grabs it with his bare hand for the out
Two gone for Los Angeles(AL)
Bobby Abreu steps in against Burns
Left-hander against left-hander
We're in the top of the 1st
Owens flashes the sign...
Burns shakes it off, he wants another...
Now he's happy
With a 3-1 count
Burns kicks and fires
Abreu swings...
Hits the fastball on the ground...
Down the line at first...
Isbell trying to backhand it...
Can't get a glove on it
It's into right field for a hit
Abreu slowly moves away from the base
Another throw...
Burns' five throws over have been effective
Abreu has a small lead now
He must be getting tired from diving back in!
Here comes Torii Hunter
No, he is returning to the Los Angeles(AL) dugout
He apparently noted a problem with his bat
Now he has a new one
Before getting ready
Hunter checks out the defensive alignment
Burns wastes no time
He has the sign from Owens
There's a duck snort in front of Patsy Dougherty
He dives, but he traps it
Wait, the second base umpire
overrules the call
He calls the batter out
That's three outs here in the top of the first
At the end of one half inning,
for Los Angeles(AL)
No runs, one hit, no errors and one man left on base
Chicago is coming to bat
Los Angeles(AL) has taken the field
here in the bottom of the first...
Here's the way they look, defensively
In the outfield from left to right
Rivera in left...
Hunter in center...
And Abreu in right
The infield, third to first
Figgins will play the hot corner
Aybar is at short
Over at second, Kendrick
and at first base Morales
Kazmir gets the nod as starter
Behind the dish is Napoli
Chicago second baseman, Jake
Atz, will lead off
Napoli flashes the sign...
Kazmir waves it off...
Now he's happy
Long fly to center
Hunter has a long run...
He's there and hauls it in
Atz is retired on a fairly deep fly
Chicago with one away
Kazmir steps off the mound as
he waits for Dave Altizer to come to the plate
Altizer is up now for Chicago
Dave waits...
He steps out as Kazmir takes too long
Now he's back in the box
Here's the 2-2 pitch
Fastball, STRIKE THREE!
Altizer was frozen on that fastball by Kazmir
High and on the outside corner
He was looking for an off-speed pitch
That's two away
Aybar comes over from his shortstop
position to say a few words to Kazmir
Patsy Dougherty will be next up...
Patsy Dougherty is entering the batter's box
Billy Sullivan has his big
bopper, Freddy Parent,
waiting in the on-deck circle
Dougherty has hit 1 home run this year
Scott Kazmir steps off the mound toward second
Gives the resin bag a toss
Now he toes the rubber...
He's ready to go
Kazmir's windup... the delivery
A high fastball...
Dougherty swings late...
He hits a routine pop just left of Kendrick
Howie is under it...
And takes it in for the easy out
Dougherty was looking for the breaking ball
Three up, three down for Chicago
Los Angeles(AL) will send Rivera,
Kendry Morales, and Mike Napoli to face
Bill Burns this inning
Looking to Dino Ebel for a sign
Rivera awaits the delivery
Into the windup... here's the pitch
Rivera laces a hit into the outfield
Patsy Dougherty picks it up
Fires it to the infield
Rivera holds with a single
Now batting will be the first
baseman, Kendry Morales
Kendry looks at the sign from the coach at third
Dino Ebel flashes a series of them...
Now Morales taps the bat on home plate
And Bill studies the sign from Owens...
Now he's got it
High fastball, up near eye level...
Morales chops at it...
Lines a shot to the right side...
And by Isbell for a hit...
Rivera was running with the pitch...
And makes it easily to third
Next up is Mike Napoli, the Los Angeles(AL) catcher
On-deck is Howie Kendrick...
He'll be followed by Scott Kazmir
Burns steps off the rubber...
Adjusts his cap...
Now he's ready
Base hit to left for Napoli
Rivera scores
Third base coach Dino Ebel doesn't want to gamble
Nothing ventured, nothing gained...
Morales will stay at second
Howie Kendrick steps into the box
Kendrick looks very intent...
He stares down at Burns...
Cocks his bat
Time is called by the umpire!
Burns is a little upset
He's been called for a balk!
Howie Kendrick steps into the box
Kendrick wiggles the bat above his head
Bill peers in for the sign...
Shakes off the first one...
Likes the second one
Dribbler to second
Morales is coming home
Taken by Atz
Over to first
In time!
Score It: 4-3
One away in the top of the
2nd for Los Angeles(AL)
Kazmir is up near the batter's box
He is going through his obligatory ritual
Finally, he steps in
Runner on 3rd, 1 man out
Burns shakes off two signs
Now he's ready
Curve, a beauty...
Strike three looking!
Now at the plate will be Figgins
third baseman for Los Angeles(AL) today
Figgins is 0 for 1 today
Chone lined out last time around
Now set, Figgins waits for the pitch
Figgins swings and lifts one toward left
Dougherty drifts over slowly...
He is under it now...
And makes the easy catch...
That retires the side... but not before
2 runs cross the plate for Los Angeles(AL)
After 1 and a half innings, Los
Angeles(AL) ahead 2 to 0
Parent saunters to the plate
He does some stretching...
Knocks the dirt from his spikes...
Now he steps into the batter's box
Scott gets the sign from Napoli
Ground ball through the middle
Aybar ranges behind second
Nice pick up...
Twists and fires it
OUT!
One down for Chicago
Willis Cole is in the on-deck circle
ready to make his way to
the plate for Chicago
Cole gets set at the plate
Cole is batting .236 with
no HR's this year
Kazmir ready quickly, looks
in for the sign
There's a shallow fly in
front of Bobby Abreu
He dives, but he traps it
Wait, the second base umpire
overrules the call
He calls the batter out
Two down
Scott Kazmir retires
the first two batters in a row
With two out
Batting for Chicago now is Purtell
Kazmir is happy with the sign
Kazmir is into his windup
Here's the pitch
Purtell rips the curve to left-center...
Rivera racing back to the wall...
He reaches for the drive...
It's over his head!
Purtell will lope into
second with a double
Frank Isbell will get a
crack at Kazmir next
Frank Owens would be up next...
But only if Isbell can reach safely
Kazmir likes the sign
Base hit to center for Isbell
The 3rd base coach gives
the green light...
The throw is coming home...
Purtell scores!
Taking his lead is Isbell
Did he get back?...
Yes says the umpire
That was close
At the plate now for Chicago is Owens
We'll see how they pitch to Owens
Frank steadies his bat
And waits patiently for Kazmir's pitch
Owens sits on the change up
He lofts a fly ball towards Rivera
Rivera gliding under it...
Appears to lose sight of it
Has it again...
And makes the catch in medium left
Chicago is out of here in
the bottom of the 2nd
This game is coming to you from
South Side Park in Chicago
After 2 innings
Los Angeles(AL) has 2 runs,
4 hits and no errors
While Chicago has one run,
2 hits and no errors
Los Angeles(AL) will send Aybar,
Bobby Abreu, and Torii Hunter to face
Bill Burns this inning
Aybar waits
Sinking fastball...
Aybar swings...
Raps a hard ground ball
right at Purtell...
He snares it easily, throws to first...
Out by a step
So one up and one gone
One away, nobody on base
Abreu stands ready at the plate
The outfield's shaded towards right
With Abreu at the plate
Burns looks down at Owens for the sign
Now he's ready...
Abreu hits a screamer at Bill Burns
Burns picks it up and fires to first
The throw pulls Isbell off the bag
Isbell swipes with the glove
Abreu is out!
Nice play by Isbell
Los Angeles(AL) leads 2 to 1
with two away this inning
Burns looks down at Hunter as he steps in
Torii is ready to go
Burns wastes no time
He has the sign from Owens
The fans want the "K"
Bill winds and comes in
with the 0-2 pitch
Hunter is gone on strikes
Left with the bat still in
the cocked position
1-2-3, nothing across...
Burns is walking to the plate
Now he steps into the batter's box
The outfield shades towards left for Burns
Burns is set for the 1-2 pitch
Curveball in the dirt
Swung on and missed...Strike three
Napoli fumbles it,
but quickly recovers to tag Burns
That's one away
Atz saunters to the plate...
He stretches out a little...
Taps the dirt from his spikes...
Now he steps into the batter's box
Atz looks into the dugout
Now he steps back in...
0 for 1 on the day for Jake
Atz waits on Kazmir
Here's the pitch
Slow ground ball
Aybar is charging it
He fires it to first
He's OUT
Two down
Two away, nobody on
Altizer comes to the plate for Chicago
Altizer is set in the batter's box
He's staring intently out at Kazmir
He's waiting for the pitch
It's a routine fly into right
Abreu ranges over and reaches up
This should wrap-up the inning...
It's in the bank
That does it in the bottom of the 3rd
Now a brief message from our hosts
This is the Strat-O-Matic Broadcast System
We are pleased you joined
us for today's ballgame
Now back to baseball where
After 3 innings, Los Angeles(AL)
leads 2 to 1
The Los Angeles(AL) left fielder, Rivera,
will lead off
He'll be followed by Kendry Morales
And then Mike Napoli
Juan has 1 of Halos' 4 hits
The Pale Hose' pitching has been tough
Juan is eagerly awaiting Burns' pitch
Sinking fastball...
Rivera swings over the top of it...
Hammers a hard grounder right at Parent...
He scoops it up, throws to first...
Out by a step
Walking up to the plate now is Morales
Mike Napoli waits on deck
Burns tosses the resin bag aside
He steps on the rubber...
Changeup down low...
Morales makes contact and
hits one out to center
Dave Altizer is drifting over...
Now he's under it...
Easy out for Burns
Two down
Bill Burns retires
the first two batters in order
Napoli, Los Angeles(AL)'s catcher,
is coming to the plate
He is finished with his pre-bat warmup
Howie Kendrick waits on deck
Burns steps on the rubber
The Pale Hose' hurler winds and delivers
Mike Napoli swings
It's a line drive...
Sizzles past Parent into left...
Base hit for Napoli...
Dougherty is over to cut it off...
Now he tosses it in to the infield
Napoli is on with a sharp single
With a runner at first and two outs
Kendrick walks to the plate
Kendrick is batting .291 with
10 homers this year
Burns studies his sign
Big slow curve...
And it's in there, strike three
That's it for Los Angeles(AL)
Here at South Side Park, After
3 and a half innings,
Los Angeles(AL) has 2 runs,
5 hits and no errors
While Chicago has one run,
2 hits and no errors
Los Angeles(AL) has left 3 on base
Chicago has stranded 1
Dougherty saunters to the plate...
He stretches out a little
Then kicks the dirt from his spikes...
Now he steps into the batter's box
Dougherty is 0 for 1 today
Patsy popped out last time up
Kazmir adjusts his belt...
Looks in for the sign from Napoli
Dougherty hits a fly ball to left
Juan Rivera camps under it
He's got it
The weather doesn't look promising
We can see lightning in the distance
The sky looks very menacing to the west
We will have to be lucky
to finish here today
Parent finishes his practice swings
Now he strides to the batter's box
Freddy is set for the pitch
Grounded towards the bag
Figgins grabs it
Over to first
In time!
Score It: 5-3
Two up, two down here in
the bottom of the 4th
Cole walks to the plate
Cole concentrates
He holds the bat down on the end
Cole pulls one into left field
Hooking away from Rivera
Juan is there
He's got it for the out
That's all for the Pale Hose
in the 4th inning
No runs, no hits and no errors...
We go to the 5th...
Los Angeles(AL) leads 2 to 1
Kazmir up now to lead off
Left-hander Bill Burns prepares
for the pitch
to the left-handed swinging Kazmir
The windup, and the 3-1 pitch
It's a high fly into center
Altizer ranges to his right
Reaches up, and takes it for the easy out
One up, one down for Los Angeles(AL)
Los Angeles(AL) sends the third baseman,
Chone Figgins, up to the plate
Chone is ready for the delivery
Ball four... Bill Burns walks him
Chicago will have to watch Figgins
Speed on the bases
Los Angeles(AL) would like to add to their
slim 1 run margin
Aybar is the batter
Figgins' the runner on first
He's doing a little jig off first
to rattle the pitcher
Chicago is set up for two
Burns is asking for a new ball...
The ump throws him a new one...
Burns looks in...
Now he's ready
Los Angeles(AL) tries the hit and run!
A low change-up by Burns...
Aybar chases it...
Manages a slow bouncer to Parent...
He takes it, tosses it to Atz...
Getting the force on Figgins
The relay back to first...
Not in time...
Aybar beats the throw by a step
Aybar extends his lead towards second
Aybar held closely by Burns
Abreu, the right fielder, moves
into the batter's box
Los Angeles(AL) on top 2 to 1
Abreu is set for the pitch
Fastball, a dandy...
Steee Rike THREE swinging!
Bobby looked like Casey on that pitch
Went for the HIGH CHEESE!
We head to the bottom of the 5th
here in Chicago
Still 2-1, Los Angeles(AL)
Billy Purtell, Frank Isbell,
and Frank Owens are the scheduled hitters
It's the bottom of the 5th...
Halos lead the Pale Hose, 2-1
Kazmir adjusts his belt...
Looks in for the sign from Napoli
Purtell slaps a hard grounder past short
Rivera is over to pick it up
He tosses it back to second
Purtell will hold with a clean single
Purtell a few feet off the bag at first
And...
He's safe on the pickoff attempt
Isbell fouls off the bunt attempt
The count goes to 1 and 2, we'll have
to see if they keep the bunt play on
Isbell squares to lay one down
The pitch is high and tight
Isbell somehow gets the bunt down
Figgins picks it up
Fires to first in time for the out
What a bunt by Isbell!
Credit him with a sacrifice
One away, one on
As Owens walks from the on deck circle
Owens is 0 for 1 today
Kazmir looks down at Napoli for the sign
Now he's ready
It's a fly ball to center
Hunter is on his horse
Running with the crack of the bat
And he tracks it down nicely!
Purtell holds second
Two down
Napoli asks for a new ball
He calls time and trots out to the mound
A conference going on between
Napoli and Kazmir
Next up is Bill Burns
Purtell is the runner on second
He represents the tying run
Burns digs in from the right side
of the plate against the southpaw Kazmir
Burns waits patiently
Too high...
That'll be ball four
Burns will get a free pass to first base
The bat boy brings out Bill's jacket
Force now at any base except home
Atz leaves the on-deck circle...
He's going back to get a new bat...
Now he jogs to the plate
Atz is 0 for 2 today
Kazmir has the sign from Napoli
Atz lines it
Over the first baseman's head...
Base hit!
1 run will score...
Purtell crosses the plate
with the tying run!
It's all tied up now at 2
Atz inches away slowly...
He's studying Kazmir carefully
Slider, taken by Altizer
Atz is on his way!
He couldn't resist
After getting a very nice lead
Napoli has the pitch
And here's the overhand throw...
The break for second...
The strong throw...
On the money and Atz is out!
Torii Hunter steps into the box
He's ready
Curveball, inside corner, low...
Swung on...
And lined to left for a base hit
No chance to get that one
Juan Rivera is coming up to bat
Juan is a throwback
Juan shortens his swing and
just tries to make contact
Left-hander Bill Burns prepares
for the pitch
to the right-handed swinging Rivera
Fastball down low...
Rivera swings and hits one out to left
Patsy Dougherty is drifting over...
Now he's under it...
Easy out for Burns
Hunter trots back to first
With one down, up next is Kendry Morales
To be followed by Mike Napoli
Morales comes to the plate
One out, Hunter at first
Morales is 1 for 2 today, with no walks
Burns rubs down the ball...
Now he's asking for a new one
After he rubs this one down
He looks in for the sign
Morales hits a screamer at Freddy Parent
Parent picks it up and fires to second
Out there...
And the throw to first
A tailor made double play
That does it for Los Angeles(AL)
in the top of the 6th
The center fielder Altizer
will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Patsy Dougherty
And then Freddy Parent
Kazmir eyes Altizer intently
Drilled on the ground to short
Taken by Aybar
His throw to first
GOT HIM!
Score It: 6-3
And there's one away
Making his way up is Dougherty
He should get a good one to knock
The count 3 and 1
Patsy gets the bat back...
Kazmir goes into his windup
Kicks his right leg high...
Fastball... down and away...
Kazmir just misses the corner... ball four
That's 2 walks given up by Kazmir today
Dougherty takes his lead
Inside slider... Parent ducks down...
And there goes Dougherty!
The throw from Napoli...
Good slide...
Dougherty is in there!
Freddy Parent steps into the box
The bat is cocked
Base hit to center for Parent
The 3rd base coach gives
the green light...
The throw is coming home...
Aggressive baserunning by Chicago...
Not cut-off...
Dougherty is out at home!
Trailing runner advances.
Up now is Cole
The Pale Hose have Parent on second
Waiting for the pitch is Cole
Cole reaches out and pokes it
on the ground to center
Base hit for Cole
Chicago takes the lead
Chicago on top 3 to 2
Cole comes through in the clutch!
There is going to be a change in pitchers
Scott Kazmir will hit the showers
Kevin Jepsen will be coming on in relief
We are in the bottom of the 6th
here at South Side Park
Chicago leads 3 to 2
Cole takes a three step lead
Cole scurries back quickly...
He just avoids the tag!
He should have dove back
Almost got caught
Up next for the Pale Hose
The hometown third baseman, Billy Purtell
Jepsen has the sign from Napoli
LINE DRIVE
Kendrick grabs it for the out
Score It: 4
After 6 innings today,
the Pale Hose lead by 1
Napoli is making his way to home plate
He's digging out his "spot"
in the batter's box
He's taking several practice swings
Bending from side to side
Finally, he's ready
Napoli steps out of the batter's
box to get the sign
Mike is 2 for 2 today
After getting set, Napoli
waits on the pitch
Swung on and hit sharply to second
Atz plays it on one bounce
Over to Isbell...
Out of there!
One gone for Los Angeles(AL)
And it brings up Howie Kendrick
On deck is Kevin Jepsen
Chone Figgins in the hole
The umpire says let's go
It's a routine fly into center
Altizer ranges over and reaches up
He grabs it for the out
Two gone for Los Angeles(AL)
Time is running out for them
Mike Scioscia will send up a pinch hitter
Maicer Izturis steps out of the dugout!
He will be up there against Burns
Izturis is ready to face Burns
Izturis cocks his bat
With a 3-1 count... here's the pitch
Big bender, low and inside...
Swung on...
Line single to Altizer in center...
Picking it up in a hurry is Altizer...
Izturis takes a wide turn...
But stays at first base
as the throw comes in
Planting his right foot
Figgins is set in the box...
The infield shifts slightly to the left
for the right hand hitting Figgins
Figgins swinging from the right side
of the plate against the lefty Burns
Figgins awaits the delivery
The ball is low and outside
Did he go around?
The umpire says no
Ball four
For Figgins, that's 2 walks today
Los Angeles(AL) shortstop,
Erick Aybar, is up next
Erick will be facing the left-handed Burns
from the right side of the plate
The switch hitting shortstop is 0 for 3
Aybar hit into a force play
his last time at bat
Aybar gets set for the pitch
Pounded on the ground to short
Taken by Parent
Over to Isbell
Got him!
Score It: 6-3
That's three outs, side retired
It's time for the 7th inning stretch!
Lets play our trivia game while the crowd enjoys 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame'
In 2006, name the first pitcher to win 15 or more games in 19 consecutive seasons?
Before we get to tonight's trivia answer, don't forget to stop by the souvenir stands throughout the park. You'll want to grab a few things for the kids before heading home after the game. For your convenience, the souvenir shops are open for an hour after each game.
Okay, tonight's trivia answer is:
Greg Maddux (15-14) of the Cubs and Dodgers
Mike Scioscia will be bringing
in a relief pitcher
Shane Loux has been called
from the bullpen
A few warm up tosses and
we'll be set to go
Leading off for the Pale Hose
is the first baseman Isbell
He'll be followed by Frank Owens
And then Bill Burns
Isbell is batting .224 with
no HR's this year
Loux has the sign he wants
Grounded down the line
Morales to Loux covering first
Score It: 3-1
Frank Owens, the catcher,
strides to the plate
Frank is 0 for 2 today
Now he steps out a moment
to adjust his belt
He's back in the batter's box now
Loux looks down at Napoli for the sign...
Shakes him off once... twice
Now he has the pitch he wants
Breaking ball...
It darts down and out
as Owens swings way over it
He was fooled completely
Napoli loses it momentarily,
but now finds the handle and tags
Frank as he was heading for the dugout
And there's two away
While Jake Atz heads for
the on deck circle
Bill Burns makes his way to the plate
Burns waits for the pitch
His bat is coiled
Burns gets wood on the hard slider
It's a bouncer hit past the mound...
And PAST Aybar into the outfield...
Base hit for Burns
Burns moves away from first
Curveball from Loux...
There he goes for second!
Up and firing is Napoli...
It's high...
The catch...
The tag...
STOLEN BASE!
Jake Atz steps into the box
Loux squeezes the resin bag...
Peers in
In the dirt
That's ball four
Dave Altizer is up next
The Pale Hose' center fielder
finds 2 on with 2 outs
Right-hander Loux prepares for the pitch
to the left-handed swinging Altizer
STRIKE THREE!
He swung on a ball that was in the dirt
Altizer was overanxious up there
That was almost a wild pitch
That is the third out for Chicago here
in the last of the seventh
The attendance has just been announced at 12500*
Abreu leading off
Los Angeles(AL) would like to
get some runners on base
Abreu goes through his routine
of settling in
The umpire says let's go
Abreu is ready
Over the outside corner
Abreu hits the curve right to third...
Purtell takes it on the second hop
Fires to 1st...
Abreu is out by a couple of steps
One down for Los Angeles(AL)
Torii Hunter is still in
the on-deck circle
and Juan Rivera is looking
for a bat in the dugout
Hunter now at the plate
Juan Rivera waits on deck
Time is called...
Hunter has asked the ump
to clean the plate
We'll be ready in a second...
OK, now we are ready again
Hunter waiting on the delivery
Fastball...
Hunter jumps all over it...
It's juiced to deep center
There goes Altizer after it
Racing hard...
He dives...
And he's got it!!!
Beautiful play by Dave Altizer!
Two up, two down
Juan Rivera will step in
to face Burns next
If he gets on, Kendry Morales will follow
Bill is ready
Sinking fastball...
Rivera swings...
Raps a hard ground ball
right at Parent...
He snares it easily, throws to first...
Out by a step
That ends the top of the 8th
for Los Angeles(AL)
Three batters up, three batters down
The left fielder Dougherty
will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Freddy Parent
And then Willis Cole
Dougherty is batting .285
with 1 HR this year
Loux adjusts his cap...
Now he's set
Line drive pulled over Morales'
head for a base hit
Dougherty glares menancingly out at Loux
Dougherty is one of the best base
stealers in the league
Quite an intimidator
Dougherty is off on the pitch!
Napoli pumps...
but no throw, he holds onto the ball
He is SAFE!
Freddy Parent steps into the box
Dougherty is on second, nobody out
Loux gets set...
His foot meets the pitching slab
He's got his sign
Swung on...
Broken bat ground ball to second
Picked up by Kendrick
Over to first...
Just in time to get Parent
Dougherty advances easily
One down for Chicago
Willis Cole is still in the on-deck circle
and Billy Purtell is looking
for a bat in the dugout
The Pale Hose have Dougherty on third
Cole steps in
Shane looks for the sign he wants...
Shakes off the first one
But he likes the next
Fastball in on the hands...
Cole hits a medium deep fly ball
Rivera lines up for his throw to the plate
Here's the catch, and here's the throw...
The slide...
A collision at the plate...
SAFE!!...
The ball trickles away from the catcher
Nobody looks hurt on the play
Two down
Purtell finishes his practice swings
Now he strides to the batter's box
Purtell swinging from the right side
facing the righty Loux
Loux looks down at Napoli for the sign
Now he's ready
Purtell swings...
Hits the fastball on the ground...
Down the line at first...
Morales trying to backhand it...
Can't get a glove on it
It's into right field for a hit
Coming to the plate is Isbell
Purtell's the runner on first
He's doing his best to unnerve Loux
Loux steps on the rubber...
Looks in for the sign
It's a rainbow shot toward right
Abreu reaches up
Makes the catch!
Didn't have to move an inch
That's it for Chicago
Here at South Side Park, After 8 innings,
Chicago has 4 runs, 9 hits and no errors
While Los Angeles(AL) has 2 runs,
7 hits and no errors
Chicago has left 4 on base
Los Angeles(AL) has stranded 6
The scheduled hitters are Kendry Morales,
Mike Napoli, and Howie Kendrick
It's the top of the 9th...
Pale Hose lead the Halos, 4-2
Burns looks down at Owens for the sign
Now he's ready...
Morales gets a good cut at it...
He lifts it high and deep toward left
Dougherty is heading back...
At the wall
And he makes the catch for the out!
Burns breathes a sigh of relief
That's one away
Slowly coming up is Napoli
for Los Angeles(AL)
He is finally in the batter's box
Chicago on top 4 to 2
Mike is 2 for 3 this spring afternoon
He grounded out in his last
plate appearance
Burns steps on the rubber
Napoli rips the curve to left-center...
Altizer racing back to the wall...
He reaches for the drive...
It's over his head!
Napoli will lope into second with a double
Howie Kendrick is up next
Los Angeles(AL)'s second baseman
finds 1 on with 1 out
Kendrick is taking his practice swings
Howie is 0 for 3 this afternoon
He flied out last time at bat
Kendrick waits for the pitch
Curve, down low...
Swung on and missed
Strike three right by Kendrick
Now that one had a nice wrinkle to it!
Two down
Owens asks for a new ball
He calls time and trots out to the mound
A conference going on between
Owens and Burns
Now batting for Los Angeles(AL)...
Gary Matthews Jr...
He'll pinch hit for Shane Loux
Matthews Jr with a .250
average on the season
That'll bring up Gary Matthews Jr
Chone Figgins will follow if
Matthews Jr gets aboard
Owens is rubbing his thumb
He hurt it two or three days ago
And it still bothers him...
Some of Burns' pitches really
cause him to wince
But he wants to play through it
Matthews Jr steps into the box
Stepping out, Matthews Jr
looks into the dugout
Steps back in
Two balls, two strikes, 2 down
Change up, on the inside corner...
Matthews Jr was looking for it...
He hammers the pitch...
It's a deep fly to left-center
It's into the alley...
That will score a run
Matthews Jr is in at second
standing with a double
All Altizer could do was keep him
from getting a triple
Chone Figgins will get a
crack at Burns next
Erick Aybar would be up next...
But only if Figgins can reach safely
Figgins is 0 for 2 today, with 2 walks
Owens flashes the sign to Burns
A slider by Burns
Figgins gets good wood on it...
Altizer back-pedals quickly...
Up with his glove...
Out!
And that will do it for Los Angeles(AL)
Chicago wins 4 to 3
Burns gets credit for the win
Kazmir takes the loss
The hitting star for Chicago
was Billy Purtell
He was 3 for 4
And that wraps things up
So long from Chicago.
*Note: I added the souvenir commercial and changed the attendance number. It had been reported at 1,250. While that might be historically accurate, I found it a tad low.
There it is, folks!
1909 Chicago (AL)(thaner) - 4 and 2009 Los Angeles (AL)(danr) - 3
The Tribe-O-Matic Championship game will be played Sunday afternoon between 2009 St. Louis (KevinM) and 1909 Chicago AL (ThaneR)! It all comes down to a true Classics vs Currents game right to the bitter end!
Who do *you* think is going to take it? Will the team of days gone by pull out the win, showing that the boys of summer from yesteryear are better than current players, or will today's players be able to slug it out and show the old-timers just how much the game has changed.
Of course, the fact that everything comes down to a team from 1909 and another from 2009 shows you that the game truly is America's pasttime - timeless through the ages.
Box scores, Player Activity, and Scorecards from tobight's game are here.
TOURNAMENT RECAP REPORT - TribeOMatic1
| BATTING AVERAGE | HOME RUNS | RUNS BATTED IN |
| J.Baker FLN 1.000 | M.Hollida SLN 2 | M.Hollida SLN 8 |
| M.Ramirez LAN 1.000 | J.Morneau MNA 2 | H.Steinfe CHN 6 |
| B.McCann ATN .778 | M.Prado ATN 2 | S.Schumak SLN 6 |
| D.Hoffman SLA .750 | OTHERS TIED W 1 | J.Thursto SLN 5 |
| K.Elberfe NYA .750 | J.Mauer MNA 5 | |
WINS | SAVES | ERA |
| MANY TIED WIT 1 | F.Rodney DEA 2 | MANY TIED WIT 0.00 |
| OTHERS TIED W 1 | ||
CUR HIT STREAK | STOLEN BASES | STRIKEOUTS |
| B.Purtell CHA 4 | P.Dougher CHA 7 | C.Sabathi NYA 12 |
| B.Abreu LAA 4 | F.Chance CHN 3 | R.Dempste CHN 11 |
| A.Pujols SLN 4 | J.Evers CHN 3 | G.Mullin DEA 10 |
| S.Schumak SLN 4 | M.Mitchel CIN 3 | J.Vazquez ATN 9 |
| OTHERS TIED W 3 | OTHERS TIED W 2 | OTHERS TIED W 8 |
Great contest!
ReplyDeleteWow, not gonna lie...I really thought GMJ was going to end it. But damn, he really came through, even if the rally did fall just short!
ReplyDelete