Gint-A-Cuffs II is almost here! I have NO idea what that means. I do have an idea, though. I think it means a chance to win free cards by earning points. How do you earn points? I have no idea. Once you earn points, how do you tell someone? I have no idea. Will I be participating this year? I am hoping so. Then, of course, there are the other questions that run through one's mind... "Namely, how do I find the Count? Once I do, how do I find you again? Once I find you again, how do I escape?"
Want more info about the contest? Check it out HERE!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
KevinM and ThaneR stake their claims
The winner of the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Classics vs Currents tournament, KevinM, chose the computer game as his prize! ThaneR was glad to receive the board game, saying "that's probably what he would have chosen if he had won, so it worked out!"
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to KevinM and his 2009 St. Louis team!
And a HUGE thank you to everyone that played and came along to watch! The drawing for the other computer version will happen later this week.
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to KevinM and his 2009 St. Louis team!
And a HUGE thank you to everyone that played and came along to watch! The drawing for the other computer version will happen later this week.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
2010 Tribe-O-Matic Championship Game!
Hello, and welcome to a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon at the Tribecards Tribe-O-Matic Championship game! I'm here on a very sunny day at the park where the Classics vs Currents tournament has come down to the 2009 St. Louis team of KevinM's and the 1909 Chicago AL team of ThaneR! The winner of today's matchup gets to choose either the Strat-O-Matic board game *or* the computerized version of the baseball game. Our runner-up gets the remaining game, so either way, both managers will walk away a winner. Of course, only ONE can be crowned the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Classics vs Currents Champion!
Now, let's join the action on the field for today's CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!
Welcome everyone to South Side Park
The players are on the field and we're almost ready to go
As Skip Schumaker prepares to face Smith, let's check out the Chicago defense
At first base is Isbell
Purtell is down at the hot corner
Atz and Parent
are at second and short, respectively
From left to right... Dougherty,
Altizer and White
and now Owens is just
settling in behind the plate
High and away
Ball four
Rasmus fouls off the bunt attempt
The count goes to 1 and 2, we'll have to see if they keep the bunt play on
Schumaker slowly moves away from the base
Smith holds the runner
Next up is Colby Rasmus, the St. Louis center fielder
On-deck is Albert Pujols...
He'll be followed by Matt Holliday
Smith eyes Rasmus intently
Swung on and missed by Rasmus,
he's down on strikes
One away in the top of the 1st for St. Louis
Pujols scuffs up the lines in the box
Now he is ready
Albert looks at the sign from the coach at third
Jose Oquendo flashes a series of them...
Now Pujols taps the bat on home plate
Pujols cocks his bat
Strike three swinging!
And a quick peg to first by Owens
Schumaker dives back in...
SAFE!
The first base ump says Schumaker made it back
Two down
Owens asks for a new ball
He calls time and trots out to the mound
A conference going on between Owens and Smith
The left fielder, Matt
Holliday, is up next
Watching Smith, Holliday wiggles the bat
He's ready for the pitch
Time is called...
Don't know what for...
Now we appear ready
Base hit to left for Holliday
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Schumaker will stay at second
Walking up to the plate now is Ludwick
Yadier Molina waits on deck
Ludwick wiggles the bat above his head
Ludwick waits
It's a duck snort headed towards the outfield
Isbell "hauls buggy" after it...
He dives...
Got it!
Most infielders could not have made that play!
That's three outs here in the top of the first
At the end of one half inning, for St. Louis
No runs, one hit, no errors and 2 men left on base
Chicago is coming to bat
St. Louis 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
Holliday in left...
Rasmus in center...
And Ludwick in right
The infield, third to first
Thurston will play the hot corner
The keystone combination has Ryan at short and Schumaker at second
Over at first base is Pujols
Wainwright gets the nod as starter
Behind the platter is Molina
Chicago first baseman, Frank Isbell, will lead off
Molina flashes the sign...
Wainwright shakes it off,
he wants another...
Now he's happy
It's a BULLET, hit towards second
Schumaker makes a nice play on it
Score It: 4
One down for Chicago
Freddy Parent is still in the on-deck circle and Patsy Dougherty is looking
for a bat in the dugout
Parent, Chicago's shortstop, is coming to the plate
He is finished with his pre-bat warmup
Patsy Dougherty waits on deck
Right-hander Wainwright eyes the righty Parent
And Parent will sit down...
strike three called
Two up, two down
Patsy Dougherty plants his left foot
The lefthanded left fielder for Chicago appears set
Dougherty has hit 1 home run this year
Wainwright is asking for a new ball...
The ump throws him a new one...
Wainwright looks in...
Now he's ready
There's a fly ball to Colby Rasmus
Rasmus circles under it...
This one would end the inning...
He makes the play
Adam Wainwright holds the Pale Hose scoreless in the first
St. Louis will send Molina,
Joe Thurston, and Brendan Ryan to face
Frank Smith this inning
Molina is batting .293 with
6 HR's this year
Smith gets the sign, it's one he likes
Smith winds and delivers
There's a shallow flyball struck by Molina
Patsy Dougherty runs in,
calls for the ball
He makes the catch
Molina is out
That is the first out here
in the top of the second
What a beautiful day for baseball!
Plenty of room for you if you're in the neighborhood
Can't beat fun at the ol' ballpark
Joe Thurston is the next batter
this sunny afternoon
Smith tosses the resin bag aside
He steps on the rubber...
Thurston hits a fly ball to left
Patsy Dougherty camps under it
He's got it
Two down
Frank Smith retires the first two batters in order
St. Louis sends the shortstop,
Brendan Ryan, up to the plate
Frank peers in for the sign...
Shakes off the first one...
Likes the second one
Grounded towards first
Isbell grabs it
IT'S A RACE TO THE BAG
SAFE!
Wainwright moseys up to the plate
Skip Schumaker is heading
for the on-deck circle
2 down, Wainwright behind
in the count, 0-2
There's a fly ball into straight-away left
Dougherty one hands it...
Wainwright is retired...
and so is St. Louis
That's all for St. Louis
After 1 and a half innings in
Chicago this afternoon,
We're scoreless
The Pale Hose will get their licks here in the bottom of the 2nd
Dave Altizer, Billy Purtell, and Doc White are scheduled to face St. Louis
righthander Adam Wainwright
Here's Altizer stepping in...
Altizer swinging from the left side of the plate against the righty Wainwright
Altizer waits on Wainwright
There's a high pop in front of the plate
Looks like the ball is drifting foul
Molina calls for it and makes the play
As the ump signals a foul ball
Wainwright gets the first out in the inning
Planting his right foot
Purtell is set in the box...
The infield shifts slightly to the left for the right hand hitting Purtell
Right-hander Wainwright prepares for the pitch to the right-handed swinging Purtell
And now the pitch...
Swung on and hit sharply to third
Thurston plays it on one bounce
Over to Pujols...
Out of there!
That's two away
Doc White will get a crack at Wainwright next
Jake Atz would be up next...
But only if White can reach safely
Wainwright looks down at Molina for the sign
Now he's ready...
Routine grounder to third
Thurston scoops it up
Over to first for the out
Three up, three down for the Pale Hose
Chicago has no runs, no hits and no errors
While St. Louis has no runs, 2 hits and no errors
Schumaker is walking to the plate
Now he steps into the batter's box
Smith toes the rubber again
He gets his sign from Owens
With a 1-1 count... here's the pitch
Schumaker hits a routine grounder to Parent
He scoops it up, and throws to first
SAFE, the throw pulled Isbell off the bag
Charge Parent with the error
Colby Rasmus is up next to face Smith
A tough situation to bunt as Chicago has the corners playing way in
Rasmus tells the umpire he's ready
It's a scorching liner to the second baseman
OUT!
Atz didn't have to move!
Schumaker stays put
One down for St. Louis
Albert Pujols is in the on-deck circle
ready to make his way to the plate for St. Louis
Now at the plate will be Pujols, first baseman for St. Louis today
Pujols gets set
He's 0 for 1 so far
The bat is cocked
A slider by Smith
Pujols gets good wood on it...
Altizer back-pedals quickly...
Up with his glove...
Out!
Matt Holliday is up next
St. Louis' left fielder finds 1 on with 2 outs
Holliday digs in on the right side of the plate facing the righty Smith
Holliday is waiting
His bat is wiggling slightly
Schumaker is dancing off first
Smith's pitch is a rising fastball
Holliday tries to hold up
Ball four
Owens points down to first
He did not go around
Facing Smith now is Ludwick
Yadier Molina heads to the on deck circle
Joe Thurston waits in the hole
Ludwick steps out of the batter's box to get the sign
Ryan is 0 for 1 today
Smith has the sign from Owens
Lazy fly ball to center
Altizer doesn't have to move
He's got it
Score It: 8
So that's it for St. Louis
They fail to score against Smith
In the top of the 3rd for St. Louis
No runs, no hits, one error
and 2 men left on base
Jake Atz up first for Chicago
He is a threat to steal if he gets on
Wainwright steps on the rubber...
Looks in for the sign
Adam is ready to zip it homeward
Here it comes
Fastball...
Atz jumps all over it...
It's juiced to deep left
There goes Holliday after it
Racing hard...
He dives...
And he's got it!!!
Beautiful play by Matt Holliday!
One up, one down for Chicago
Nobody on base, one away
Owens steps into the batter's box
Owens grips the bat handle
Owens is set for the pitch
Sinking fastball...
Owens swings...
Raps a hard ground ball
right at Thurston...
He snares it easily, throws to first...
Out by a step
Two down
Wainwright retires the first two Chicago batters
Next up is Frank Smith, the Chicago pitcher...
If he gets on, Frank Isbell would bat next
Home plate is covered with dirt
The ump cleans it off
Wainwright studies his sign
Smith is gone on strikes
Left with the bat still in the cocked position
And that retires the side
Here's Yadier Molina leading off
Joe Thurston is on deck
And Brendan Ryan is in the hole
Molina can't seem to get settled at the plate
Waiting for the pitch is Molina
Strike on the inside corner at the knees
Strike three looking
Molina looks at the plate,
then back at Rip Egan,
slowly turns and walks back to the dugout
He didn't like that one
With one down, up next is Joe Thurston
To be followed by Brendan Ryan
And the batter is Joe Thurston
Brendan Ryan is on-deck
Smith is ready quickly
It's a routine fly into right
White ranges over and reaches up
He grabs it for the out
Two gone for St. Louis
Brendan Ryan coming up
It's a tie game in the top of the 4th
Ryan awaits the pitch
Slow ground ball
Purtell is charging it
HE DROPS IT!
That's an error
That's error number 2 of
the game for Chicago
Two outs, with a man at first
Wainwright is the next batter
Smith steps off the rubber...
Adjusts his cap...
Now he's ready
Base hit to center for Wainwright
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Ryan will stay at second
Skip Schumaker, the second baseman,
strides to the plate
Schumaker steps out...
Takes a few more practice swings...
Now he's ready
The umpire says let's go
Bounding ball to second
Atz comes up with it
Over to first
In time!
Score It: 4-3
That ends the inning for St. Louis
Chicago has no runs, no hits and 2 errors
While St. Louis has no runs, 3 hits and no errors
They have now stranded 7 baserunners
The first baseman Isbell will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Freddy Parent
And then Patsy Dougherty
Wainwright looks down at Molina for the sign...
Shakes him off once... twice
Now he has the pitch he wants
Wainwright is into his wind-up
And the pay-off pitch
A hot shot on the ground to Ryan
He's got it cleanly on one hop...
Over to first and Isbell is out
One out, nobody on base
Freddy Parent is the batter
Parent is set in the batter's box
He's staring intently out at Wainwright
He's waiting for the pitch
Over the outside corner
Parent hits the curve right to second...
Schumaker takes it on the second hop
Fires to 1st...
Parent is out by a couple of steps
Two up, two down for the Pale Hose
Now here's Dougherty
Wainwright likes the sign
The windup, the pitch
Dougherty hits a three hopper
towards Skip Schumaker
Schumaker scoops it and fires it to first for the out
That's all for the Pale Hose
After 4 innings in Chicago this afternoon,
Scoreless game
Colby Rasmus, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday are due up
Right-hander Smith eyes the lefty Rasmus
Fastball, STRIKE THREE!
Rasmus was frozen on that fastball by Smith
High and on the outside corner
He was looking for an off-speed pitch
One gone for St. Louis
Dougherty asks for time from third base umpire, Billy Evans
The batboy runs out with a pair of sunglasses for the leftfielder
Bright day...may be some balls lost in the sun this afternoon
Pujols gets set at the plate
Albert steps out of the batter's
box to get the sign
Pujols is 0 for 2 today
He flied out last time up
Pujols gets set for the pitch
Windup by Smith
And the pitch
Inside
That's ball four
Pujols studies Smith intently...
Now he's walking away from the base
Smith steps off the rubber
Looks Pujols back to the bag
Holliday is up now for St. Louis
Smith adjusts his cap...
Now he's set
Base hit to left for Holliday
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Pujols will stay at second
Ludwick leaves the on-deck circle...
He's going back to get a new bat...
Now he jogs to the plate
1st and 2nd, one man down
Smith steps on the rubber
Curve, up high...
Ludwick rips it to left...
Smith hung that breaking ball
However, Ryan got under it just a bit
Dougherty started back on it
Now he's coming in...
He's under it and makes the easy catch
"Can of Corn"
Yadier Molina coming up
Scoreless ballgame, top of the 5th
Molina looks into the dugout
Now he steps back in...
0 for 2 on the day for Yadier
He's ready
He rips a grounder to short
Parent grabs it
His throw to first
GOT HIM!
Score It: 6-3
We're halfway through here
at South Side Park
After 4 and a half innings No score
We'll be right back...
Are you looking for something a little out of the ordinary? Want to check out something that will make you think? Want to just have some fun while getting your latest card-collecting "fix?" Well, head over to "A Pack To Be Named Later" after the game! They aree busting open at least one pack of every kind of card every made - or at least they're going to have fun trying!
The Pale Hose will send
Altizer, Billy Purtell, and Doc White up
to the plate this inning
Altizer is 0 for 1 today
Dave fouled out last time around
Altizer waiting on the delivery
It's a smash over second
Schumaker leaps
Just over his outstretched glove
Altizer makes a wide turn at first
He will hold at first
The ball comes in quickly
Altizer glares menancingly
out at Wainwright
Altizer is one of the best base
stealers in the league
Quite an intimidator
Wainwright looks the runner back
He's off to the races!
Molina takes the pitch... fires...
Not in time
Altizer is in there with a stolen base
WAIT, Altizer steps off the bag
Schumaker tags him out!!
Strange baserunning!!
Pale Hose' third baseman Purtell
is up next
Purtell is 0 for 1 today
He is currently batting .258
Holliday, Rasmus and Ludwick
are playing him deep
Purtell gets ready for Wainwright's pitch
His bat is cocked
Wainwright misses low on that one
Purtell draws the walk
Number 1 today by Wainwright
Doc White makes his way to home plate
We'll see how they pitch to White
Wainwright squeezes the resin bag...
Peers in
The Whiff!
Wainwright punches White out!
And there's two away
Purtell inches away from the base
Did he get him?...
No says the umpire
That was close
Stepping in the batter's box, Atz
Purtell at first, two away
Atz has hit no home runs this year
And Adam studies the sign from Molina...
Now he's got it
Fastball, a dandy...
Steee Rike THREE swinging!
Jake looked like Casey on that pitch
Went for the HIGH CHEESE!
That's all for the Pale Hose
No runs, one hit, no errors and
one man left on base...
After five complete...
We're scoreless
Thurston saunters to the plate
He does some stretching...
Knocks the dirt from his spikes...
Now he steps into the batter's box
Smith rubs down the ball...
Now he's asking for a new one
After he rubs this one down
He looks in for the sign
High foul pop
Behind home plate
Owens is back
Near the screen
And it pops out of his mitt!
Thurston will get another swing.
Score It: E2
Thurston departs the on-deck circle
He makes his way quickly to the plate
Smith is rubbing the ball up
Now the umpire wants to take a look
No problems found...
Now Smith gets the sign from Owens
Lifted down the right field line
Coming hard is Atz
But Isbell waves him away
and makes the grab
One gone for St. Louis in
the top of the 6th
Nobody on, one away for St. Louis
Up now is Ryan
Ryan looks down toward
the third base coach
Now set, Ryan waits for the pitch
Sinking fastball...
Ryan goes down after it...
And slaps a hard grounder
right at Purtell...
He scoops it up, over to first...
And Ryan is out by a step
Making his way up is Wainwright
Smith is still mowing them down
He brought his "A" game to South
Side Park this afternoon
Smith kicks, delivers
Wainwright slaps a hard
grounder past short
Dougherty is over to pick it up
He tosses it back to second
Wainwright will hold with a clean single
Slowly coming up is Schumaker
for St. Louis
He is finally in the batter's box
No score
Schumaker has hit 4 home runs this year
Smith has the sign from Owens
Schumaker sits on the change up
He lofts a fly ball towards Dougherty
Dougherty gliding under it...
Appears to lose sight of it
Has it again...
And makes the catch in medium left
That'll do it for St. Louis
So we're still tied
After 5 and a half innings
Chicago has no runs, one hit and 3 errors
While St. Louis has no runs,
5 hits and no errors
Frank Owens to lead it off for Chicago
He's ready for the delivery
Wainwright is into his windup
Here's the pitch
Swung on and chopped down
the third base line
Thurston stabs at it
He's got it!
Over to first...
GOT HIM!
What a nice play by Joe Thurston
One out
Due up next is Frank Smith
Frank Smith up
The score is tied
Smith goes through his routine
of settling in
Wainwright shakes off two signs
Now he's ready
Curve in the dirt... and Smith holds up
Looked like he went around from here
But the plate umpire says no
Molina asks the first base ump's opinion
He says Smith went around
Strike three, swinging
Two down in the 6th
Time for a station break
This is the Strat-O-Matic Broadcast System
your 4 Sports Network...
OK, we're back and ready to go...
Isbell walks to the plate
Frank is set for the pitch
Isbell swings and misses
STRIKE THREE!
Wainwright strikes out Frank Isbell
1-2-3, nothing across...
Let's move along and get started
here in the top of the 7th
The game is everything that
the score indicates
Colby Rasmus will lead
it off for St. Louis
Tie score
Rasmus is waiting
His bat is wiggling slightly
Ball four is the call
Smith can't believe the call
And barks at the home plate umpire
The ump points out at Smith
Rasmus takes first base
Now up in the St. Louis seventh
will be Albert Pujols
Pujols is batting .327 with
47 homers this year
Smith is on the first-base
side of the rubber...
Base hit to center for Pujols
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Rasmus will stay at second
Matt Holliday will try his
luck against Smith
It's a very difficult background to hit
against here at South Side Park right now
There is shade at home plate
But, bright sun on the mound
Holliday is at .313 on the season
Smith wastes no time
He takes the first sign
Holliday is way out in
front of a change-up
Strike Three
Number 5 today for Smith
One down...
Ryan Ludwick is due up next
Let's see what happens now
Ludwick digs in at the plate
Ready now for Smith to come set
Ludwick is trying to get
comfortable in the box
Digging that back foot in
Ludwick readies himself for the pitch
Hit in the air to left
Camped under it is Dougherty
And he has it
Two down
Molina departs the on-deck circle
He makes his way slowly to the plate
He's not known for his speed anyway!
Molina is 0 for 3 today,
with 1 strike outs
Smith's is working on a shutout
here at South Side Park this afternoon
He is throwing as hard now
as when the game started
Base hit to left for Molina
Jose Oquendo is giving the green light...
The throw is coming home...
Aggressive baserunning by St. Louis...
Not cut-off...
Rasmus scores!
Trailing runners advance.
Settling in at the plate is Thurston
Smith ready quickly, looks in for the sign
Hanging curveball...
Thurston times it, swings...
There's a high drive...
Crunched deep towards right center...
Altizer doesn't have a chance
Home Run for Thurston
That was way over the wall
Next up is Brendan Ryan, the
St. Louis shortstop
Time is called...
Ryan has asked the ump to clean the plate
We'll be ready in a second...
OK, now we are ready again
Ryan is poised and ready for the pitch
Sharp breaking curveball...
Ryan reaches for it...
Hits a two bouncer right to Parent...
Grabs it easily...
Fires a bullet to Isbell at first!
Ryan is out easily
That retires the side
The Red Birds score 4 runs in the inning
After 6 and a half innings,
St. Louis on top 4 to 0
It's time for the 7th inning stretch!
Lets play our trivia game while the crowd enjoys 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame'
What pitcher hurling for the Washington
Senators gave up Babe Ruth's
60th homer in 1927?
While you think on that, why not head over to the concession stand for a juicy dog and a refreshing ice-cold beverage! Want something more? Try our seafood platter or Surf-N-Turf special found at many of the stands around the park. And, for the "experienced" crowd, why not grab an ice-cold brew? And, yes, we've also got Peanuts and CrackerJack available at kiosks all around the park. So, get up, stretch your legs and grab a bit to eat before settling in for the rest of this great championship game!
Today's trivia answer is:
Tom Zachary
The shortstop Parent will start things off for the Pale Hose
Parent is 0 for 2 today
Freddy grounded out last time up
Parent waits for the delivery
And the righthander starts
to work on Parent
Here comes the pitch
It's STRIKE THREE
Slow breaking pitch catches Parent looking
And that's 7 for Wainwright today
One gone in the bottom of the 7th
Up next will be Patsy Dougherty
He is saying a few words to Rip Egan
One away, nobody on base
Dougherty stands ready at the plate
Dougherty is 0 for 2 today
Wainwright steps off the rubber...
Adjusts his cap...
Now he slides his foot back into position
He's ready
Good slider, inside part of the plate
Dougherty gets the bat on it...
Slams a sharp grounder to the right side
Schumaker grabs it...
Throws to first...
OUT!
Two up, two down for Chicago
Wainwright is moving along
with the efficiency
of a well oiled machine
Altizer finishes his practice swings
Now he strides to the batter's box
Molina flashes the sign...
Wainwright waves it off...
Now he's happy
Hanging curveball...
Altizer times it, swings...
There's a high drive...
Crunched deep towards right center...
Rasmus doesn't have a chance
Home Run for Altizer
That was way over the wall
Billy Purtell will face Wainwright
Righty against righty
Purtell is set
Wainwright's into his windup... the pitch
Swung on and hit on the nose to right
Ludwick picks it up on one bounce
Flips it to second...
Purtell is on with a sharply hit single
He hit a curve ball...
and he was just waiting on it
Purtell watches Wainwright move...
He's moving away from the bag
Purtell takes his lead...
Throw to first... SAFE!
Another throw... easily back
Purtell extends his lead
Wainwright comes home with a slider
White takes it...
Purtell is off on the pitch
Molina fires down...
Purtell slides into second...
And he's SAFE!
That was a big gamble
with the Pale Hose behind like this
The Pale Hose trail St. Louis by 3
Doc White steps into the box
White awaits the delivery
Ball four is the call
Wainwright can't believe the call
He barks at the home plate umpire
The ump points out at Wainwright
White takes first base
Wainwright's pitched a good game so far
A little trouble now
Jake Atz is up next
He'll be hitting with 2 men on board
Atz a righty in the batter's box
facing the righthanded Wainwright
Atz cocks his bat
The runners stretch out to their leads
Lazy fly ball to center
Rasmus settles under it
It's an easy out
Score It: 8
That is the third out for Chicago here
in the last of the seventh
The attendance has just been
announced at 11857
Rick Ankiel is swinging a bat
He'll come up to hit for Adam Wainwright
Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, and
Colby Rasmus are due up
Smith steps on the rubber...
Looks in for the sign
Smith leans back and fires
A wave and a miss!
Strike Three!
Ankiel is down on strikes
Number 6 here today for Smith
Walking up to the plate now is Schumaker
Colby Rasmus waits on deck
Schumaker is batting .303
with 4 HR's this year
Smith wastes no time
He has the sign from Owens
Smith is into his windup
Here's the pitch
High hard fastball, swung on...
It's a grounder hammered at second...
Atz is there...
IT'S INTO RIGHT!!...
It took a HIGH hop right over him!
That's a single for Schumaker
Rasmus, the center fielder, moves
into the batter's box
St. Louis on top 4 to 1
Rasmus is set in the batter's box
He's staring intently out at Smith
He's waiting for the pitch
A slider by Smith
Rasmus gets good wood on it...
Dougherty back-pedals quickly...
Up with his glove...
Out!
Two down
Owens heads out to the mound . . .
They want to talk strategy.
They might be discussing walking Pujols.
Now the ump comes out to break it up . . .
And we're ready to go . . .
They are going to put Pujols on
Owens holds out his glove
That's ball four
Holliday now at the plate
Ryan Ludwick waits on deck
Holliday has been poison for Chicago today
He is 2 for 3 on the afternoon
The big righty shakes off the sign...
Now Frank shakes off another one...
Smith moves pianos in the off season
Low and inside... ball four
Holliday gets a free ticket to first
That loads them up for Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick, the right fielder,
strides to the plate
Smith steps on the rubber
It's popped in front of the plate
Looks like the ball is drifting foul
Purtell calls for it
And makes the play
The ump signals a foul ball
So that ends the threat
in the top of the 8th
The bases were left full
St. Louis was unable to score a run
Tony LaRussa will be bringing
in a relief pitcher
Kyle McClellan has been called
from the bullpen
A few warm up tosses and
we'll be set to go
The catcher Owens
will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Frank Smith
And then Frank Isbell
McClellan has the sign from Molina
Owens rips a whistling liner down the line
Bingo! Thurston spears it!
A shot right at the St.
Louis third baseman
Piece of cake!
So one up and one gone
Frank Smith will face McClellan
Righty against righty
Molina flashes the sign...
McClellan shakes it off,
he wants another...
Now he's happy
Fastball, busted in on the hands
Smith manages to get a piece of it
Bouncing it over the mound
Ryan cuts it off in front of the bag
Rifles a throw to Pujols...
And Smith is called out on a close play
Two out, nobody on
St. Louis ahead 4 to 1
The speedy, contact hitter Frank Isbell
is up next
Frank is completely bald
Isbell steps out of the batter's
box to get the sign
Frank is 0 for 3 today
Isbell concentrates
He holds the bat down on the end
Isbell waves half-heartedly at a fastball
Strike Three!
Frank didn't look very good on that pitch
2 strike outs today!
And that is 1 for McClellan
The Pale Hose are retired
It's 4-1 as we come to the 9th
Yadier Molina stops at the on deck circle
Puts a little more "Black" under his eyes
It's very sunny here today
Now he steps in
Molina waits for the pitch
Routine grounder to third
Purtell scoops it up
Over to first for the out
St. Louis with one away
Smith steps off the mound as
he waits for Joe Thurston to
come to the plate
So that brings up Joe Thurston
the St. Louis third baseman
Smith likes the sign
Here's the windup... and the pitch
Another hook for strike three!
Thurston just stood there looking
Two gone for St. Louis
Ryan gets set at the plate
Frank Smith steps off the
mound toward second
Gives the resin bag a toss
Now he toes the rubber...
He's ready to go
Ryan swings and hits one down the line
It'll be in there for extra bases
White plays it off the wall on a hop
Ryan is heading for second
White turns and fires
Ryan slides head first...
and beats the throw
A whistling two-bagger for Brendan Ryan
Tony LaRussa will send up a pinch
hitter for Kyle McClellan
Yes, Julio Lugo steps out of the dugout
He will be up there against Smith
And now they're going to put Lugo on
Owens is up and holding out his glove
There's ball 3...
and now ball 4
Skip Schumaker is waiting on deck
Skip Schumaker will get
a crack at Smith next
Colby Rasmus would be up next...
But only if Schumaker can reach safely
Schumaker is at .303 on the season
Smith studies his sign
The HIGH CHEESE.........
STRIKE THREE SWINGING!
That retires the side...
Schumaker fails to come
through in the clutch
For St. Louis, No runs, one hit, no
errors and 2 men left on base
Tony LaRussa will be bringing
in a relief pitcher
Ryan Franklin has been called
from the bullpen
A few warm up tosses and
we'll be set to go
Freddy Parent will start the bottom
of the 9th for Chicago
Chicago needs some runs
Now, St. Louis leads 4 to 1
Franklin looks down at Molina for the sign
Shakes him off once... twice...
Now he has the pitch he wants
Here is the 2-2 pitch
Hit deep to left
It falls in, Parent has a Double
Now play resumes with Parent on 2nd
He takes his lead
And Schumaker TAGS HIM OUT!
He never gave up the ball!!
And Parent is a victim
of the hidden ball trick!
Dougherty is up now for Chicago
Dougherty swinging from the left side
of the plate against the righty Franklin
Dougherty tells the umpire he's ready
Here's the windup... and the pitch
Dougherty pounds a grounder toward
Schumaker at second
Skip moves in front of it...
Whoops... a bad bounce
But Schumaker stayed with it
Over to first and Dougherty is retired
Nice play by the St. Louis second baseman
That's two away
Altizer is ready to face Franklin
Franklin looks down at Molina for the sign
Now he's ready
Franklin's into his windup... the pitch
Altizer slaps a hard grounder past second
Ludwick is over to pick it up
He tosses it back to second
Altizer will hold with a clean single
With a runner at first and two outs
Purtell walks to the plate
Altizer will be running if it's hit
Ryan looks for the sign he wants...
Shakes off the first one
But he likes the next
Bounced towards the hole
Fielded nicely by Ryan
THE LONG THROW . . .
HE GOT HIM!!!
Score It: 6-3
And that will do it for Chicago
St. Louis wins 4 to 1
Wainwright gets credit for the win
Franklin notches the save
Smith takes the loss
The hitting star for St. Louis
was Joe Thurston
He was 1 for 5 with a homerun
He also knocked in 3 runs
And that wraps things up
So long from Chicago.
Well, HOLY SMOKES, FOLKS!! The 2009 St. Louis team takes the game on a Grand Slam!! The 1909 Chi boys just couldn't fight back, though they gave it a great effort!
So, KEVINM, your team just won the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Championship! Which version of the game would you like!?
For those interested, here are the Boxscores, Player Actions and Scorecards!
Here is how things went down (Seeding in parenthesis):
Round: 5
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (6) 1909 CHA 1 games to 0
Round: 4
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (18) 2009 LAA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (2) 1909 CHN 1 games to 0
Round: 3
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (19) 1909 PHA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (7) 1909 CIN 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (22) 2009 MNA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (30) 2009 DEA 1 games to 0
Round: 2
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (16) 1909 SLN 1 games to 0
(19) 1909 PHA Defeats (12) 2009 NYN 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (10) 1909 NYA 1 games to 0
(22) 2009 MNA Defeats (9) 1909 DEA 1 games to 0
(7) 1909 CIN Defeats (25) 2009 CHN 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (29) 2009 TBA 1 games to 0
(30) 2009 DEA Defeats (5) 2009 NYA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (32) 2009 ATN 1 games to 0
Round: 1
(16) 1909 SLN Defeats (17) 2009 PHN 1 games to 0
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (15) 1909 PIN 1 games to 0
(19) 1909 PHA Defeats (14) 2009 BAA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (13) 2009 SFN 1 games to 0
(12) 2009 NYN Defeats (21) 2009 LAN 1 games to 0
(22) 2009 MNA Defeats (11) 1909 NYN 1 games to 0
(10) 1909 NYA Defeats (23) BYE 0 games to 0
(9) 1909 DEA Defeats (24) 2009 CON 1 games to 0
(25) 2009 CHN Defeats (8) 2009 FLN 1 games to 0
(7) 1909 CIN Defeats (26) 1909 BON 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (27) 2009 CLA 1 games to 0
(5) 2009 NYA Defeats (28) 1909 BOA 1 games to 0
(29) 2009 TBA Defeats (4) 2009 TEA 1 games to 0
(30) 2009 DEA Defeats (3) 1909 SLA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (31) BYE 0 games to 0
(32) 2009 ATN Defeats (1) 2009 BOA 1 games to 0
STANDINGS
TEAM WINS LOSSES WINPCT
(20) 2009 SLN 5 0 1.000
(6) 1909 CHA 4 1 .800
(18) 2009 LAA 3 1 .750
(2) 1909 CHN 2 1 .667
(19) 1909 PHA 2 1 .667
(7) 1909 CIN 2 1 .667
(22) 2009 MNA 2 1 .667
(30) 2009 DEA 2 1 .667
(9) 1909 DEA 1 1 .500
(12) 2009 NYN 1 1 .500
(16) 1909 SLN 1 1 .500
(25) 2009 CHN 1 1 .500
(29) 2009 TBA 1 1 .500
(5) 2009 NYA 1 1 .500
(32) 2009 ATN 1 1 .500
(4) 2009 TEA 0 1 .000
(17) 2009 PHN 0 1 .000
(8) 2009 FLN 0 1 .000
(1) 2009 BOA 0 1 .000
(10) 1909 NYA 0 1 .000
(21) 2009 LAN 0 1 .000
(11) 1909 NYN 0 1 .000
(23) BYE 0 0 .000
(24) 2009 CON 0 1 .000
(3) 1909 SLA 0 1 .000
(26) 1909 BON 0 1 .000
(27) 2009 CLA 0 1 .000
(28) 1909 BOA 0 1 .000
(13) 2009 SFN 0 1 .000
(14) 2009 BAA 0 1 .000
(31) BYE 0 0 .000
(15) 1909 PIN 0 1 .000
So, KEVINM, your team just won the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Championship! Which version of the game would you like!?
Thanks to EVERYONE that signed up to play in the tournament! Remember, *ALL* participants will be entered into a consolation drawing for a computer version of the game! I'll have those results in a near-future post.
Before we get into today's game, I'd like to thank Jay and the folks over at http://www.strat-o-matic.com/ for asking me to host a "contest" (or contests) in order to giveaway some of their product! This tournament would have never happened without them! The image above represents the board game, and the image below is a screenshot from the computer version:
Now, let's join the action on the field for today's CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!
Welcome everyone to South Side Park
The players are on the field and we're almost ready to go
As Skip Schumaker prepares to face Smith, let's check out the Chicago defense
At first base is Isbell
Purtell is down at the hot corner
Atz and Parent
are at second and short, respectively
From left to right... Dougherty,
Altizer and White
and now Owens is just
settling in behind the plate
High and away
Ball four
Rasmus fouls off the bunt attempt
The count goes to 1 and 2, we'll have to see if they keep the bunt play on
Schumaker slowly moves away from the base
Smith holds the runner
Next up is Colby Rasmus, the St. Louis center fielder
On-deck is Albert Pujols...
He'll be followed by Matt Holliday
Smith eyes Rasmus intently
Swung on and missed by Rasmus,
he's down on strikes
One away in the top of the 1st for St. Louis
Pujols scuffs up the lines in the box
Now he is ready
Albert looks at the sign from the coach at third
Jose Oquendo flashes a series of them...
Now Pujols taps the bat on home plate
Pujols cocks his bat
Strike three swinging!
And a quick peg to first by Owens
Schumaker dives back in...
SAFE!
The first base ump says Schumaker made it back
Two down
Owens asks for a new ball
He calls time and trots out to the mound
A conference going on between Owens and Smith
The left fielder, Matt
Holliday, is up next
Watching Smith, Holliday wiggles the bat
He's ready for the pitch
Time is called...
Don't know what for...
Now we appear ready
Base hit to left for Holliday
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Schumaker will stay at second
Walking up to the plate now is Ludwick
Yadier Molina waits on deck
Ludwick wiggles the bat above his head
Ludwick waits
It's a duck snort headed towards the outfield
Isbell "hauls buggy" after it...
He dives...
Got it!
Most infielders could not have made that play!
That's three outs here in the top of the first
At the end of one half inning, for St. Louis
No runs, one hit, no errors and 2 men left on base
Chicago is coming to bat
St. Louis 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
Holliday in left...
Rasmus in center...
And Ludwick in right
The infield, third to first
Thurston will play the hot corner
The keystone combination has Ryan at short and Schumaker at second
Over at first base is Pujols
Wainwright gets the nod as starter
Behind the platter is Molina
Chicago first baseman, Frank Isbell, will lead off
Molina flashes the sign...
Wainwright shakes it off,
he wants another...
Now he's happy
It's a BULLET, hit towards second
Schumaker makes a nice play on it
Score It: 4
One down for Chicago
Freddy Parent is still in the on-deck circle and Patsy Dougherty is looking
for a bat in the dugout
Parent, Chicago's shortstop, is coming to the plate
He is finished with his pre-bat warmup
Patsy Dougherty waits on deck
Right-hander Wainwright eyes the righty Parent
And Parent will sit down...
strike three called
Two up, two down
Patsy Dougherty plants his left foot
The lefthanded left fielder for Chicago appears set
Dougherty has hit 1 home run this year
Wainwright is asking for a new ball...
The ump throws him a new one...
Wainwright looks in...
Now he's ready
There's a fly ball to Colby Rasmus
Rasmus circles under it...
This one would end the inning...
He makes the play
Adam Wainwright holds the Pale Hose scoreless in the first
St. Louis will send Molina,
Joe Thurston, and Brendan Ryan to face
Frank Smith this inning
Molina is batting .293 with
6 HR's this year
Smith gets the sign, it's one he likes
Smith winds and delivers
There's a shallow flyball struck by Molina
Patsy Dougherty runs in,
calls for the ball
He makes the catch
Molina is out
That is the first out here
in the top of the second
What a beautiful day for baseball!
Plenty of room for you if you're in the neighborhood
Can't beat fun at the ol' ballpark
Joe Thurston is the next batter
this sunny afternoon
Smith tosses the resin bag aside
He steps on the rubber...
Thurston hits a fly ball to left
Patsy Dougherty camps under it
He's got it
Two down
Frank Smith retires the first two batters in order
St. Louis sends the shortstop,
Brendan Ryan, up to the plate
Frank peers in for the sign...
Shakes off the first one...
Likes the second one
Grounded towards first
Isbell grabs it
IT'S A RACE TO THE BAG
SAFE!
Wainwright moseys up to the plate
Skip Schumaker is heading
for the on-deck circle
2 down, Wainwright behind
in the count, 0-2
There's a fly ball into straight-away left
Dougherty one hands it...
Wainwright is retired...
and so is St. Louis
That's all for St. Louis
After 1 and a half innings in
Chicago this afternoon,
We're scoreless
The Pale Hose will get their licks here in the bottom of the 2nd
Dave Altizer, Billy Purtell, and Doc White are scheduled to face St. Louis
righthander Adam Wainwright
Here's Altizer stepping in...
Altizer swinging from the left side of the plate against the righty Wainwright
Altizer waits on Wainwright
There's a high pop in front of the plate
Looks like the ball is drifting foul
Molina calls for it and makes the play
As the ump signals a foul ball
Wainwright gets the first out in the inning
Planting his right foot
Purtell is set in the box...
The infield shifts slightly to the left for the right hand hitting Purtell
Right-hander Wainwright prepares for the pitch to the right-handed swinging Purtell
And now the pitch...
Swung on and hit sharply to third
Thurston plays it on one bounce
Over to Pujols...
Out of there!
That's two away
Doc White will get a crack at Wainwright next
Jake Atz would be up next...
But only if White can reach safely
Wainwright looks down at Molina for the sign
Now he's ready...
Routine grounder to third
Thurston scoops it up
Over to first for the out
Three up, three down for the Pale Hose
Chicago has no runs, no hits and no errors
While St. Louis has no runs, 2 hits and no errors
Schumaker is walking to the plate
Now he steps into the batter's box
Smith toes the rubber again
He gets his sign from Owens
With a 1-1 count... here's the pitch
Schumaker hits a routine grounder to Parent
He scoops it up, and throws to first
SAFE, the throw pulled Isbell off the bag
Charge Parent with the error
Colby Rasmus is up next to face Smith
A tough situation to bunt as Chicago has the corners playing way in
Rasmus tells the umpire he's ready
It's a scorching liner to the second baseman
OUT!
Atz didn't have to move!
Schumaker stays put
One down for St. Louis
Albert Pujols is in the on-deck circle
ready to make his way to the plate for St. Louis
Now at the plate will be Pujols, first baseman for St. Louis today
Pujols gets set
He's 0 for 1 so far
The bat is cocked
A slider by Smith
Pujols gets good wood on it...
Altizer back-pedals quickly...
Up with his glove...
Out!
Matt Holliday is up next
St. Louis' left fielder finds 1 on with 2 outs
Holliday digs in on the right side of the plate facing the righty Smith
Holliday is waiting
His bat is wiggling slightly
Schumaker is dancing off first
Smith's pitch is a rising fastball
Holliday tries to hold up
Ball four
Owens points down to first
He did not go around
Facing Smith now is Ludwick
Yadier Molina heads to the on deck circle
Joe Thurston waits in the hole
Ludwick steps out of the batter's box to get the sign
Ryan is 0 for 1 today
Smith has the sign from Owens
Lazy fly ball to center
Altizer doesn't have to move
He's got it
Score It: 8
So that's it for St. Louis
They fail to score against Smith
In the top of the 3rd for St. Louis
No runs, no hits, one error
and 2 men left on base
Jake Atz up first for Chicago
He is a threat to steal if he gets on
Wainwright steps on the rubber...
Looks in for the sign
Adam is ready to zip it homeward
Here it comes
Fastball...
Atz jumps all over it...
It's juiced to deep left
There goes Holliday after it
Racing hard...
He dives...
And he's got it!!!
Beautiful play by Matt Holliday!
One up, one down for Chicago
Nobody on base, one away
Owens steps into the batter's box
Owens grips the bat handle
Owens is set for the pitch
Sinking fastball...
Owens swings...
Raps a hard ground ball
right at Thurston...
He snares it easily, throws to first...
Out by a step
Two down
Wainwright retires the first two Chicago batters
Next up is Frank Smith, the Chicago pitcher...
If he gets on, Frank Isbell would bat next
Home plate is covered with dirt
The ump cleans it off
Wainwright studies his sign
Smith is gone on strikes
Left with the bat still in the cocked position
And that retires the side
Here's Yadier Molina leading off
Joe Thurston is on deck
And Brendan Ryan is in the hole
Molina can't seem to get settled at the plate
Waiting for the pitch is Molina
Strike on the inside corner at the knees
Strike three looking
Molina looks at the plate,
then back at Rip Egan,
slowly turns and walks back to the dugout
He didn't like that one
With one down, up next is Joe Thurston
To be followed by Brendan Ryan
And the batter is Joe Thurston
Brendan Ryan is on-deck
Smith is ready quickly
It's a routine fly into right
White ranges over and reaches up
He grabs it for the out
Two gone for St. Louis
Brendan Ryan coming up
It's a tie game in the top of the 4th
Ryan awaits the pitch
Slow ground ball
Purtell is charging it
HE DROPS IT!
That's an error
That's error number 2 of
the game for Chicago
Two outs, with a man at first
Wainwright is the next batter
Smith steps off the rubber...
Adjusts his cap...
Now he's ready
Base hit to center for Wainwright
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Ryan will stay at second
Skip Schumaker, the second baseman,
strides to the plate
Schumaker steps out...
Takes a few more practice swings...
Now he's ready
The umpire says let's go
Bounding ball to second
Atz comes up with it
Over to first
In time!
Score It: 4-3
That ends the inning for St. Louis
Chicago has no runs, no hits and 2 errors
While St. Louis has no runs, 3 hits and no errors
They have now stranded 7 baserunners
The first baseman Isbell will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Freddy Parent
And then Patsy Dougherty
Wainwright looks down at Molina for the sign...
Shakes him off once... twice
Now he has the pitch he wants
Wainwright is into his wind-up
And the pay-off pitch
A hot shot on the ground to Ryan
He's got it cleanly on one hop...
Over to first and Isbell is out
One out, nobody on base
Freddy Parent is the batter
Parent is set in the batter's box
He's staring intently out at Wainwright
He's waiting for the pitch
Over the outside corner
Parent hits the curve right to second...
Schumaker takes it on the second hop
Fires to 1st...
Parent is out by a couple of steps
Two up, two down for the Pale Hose
Now here's Dougherty
Wainwright likes the sign
The windup, the pitch
Dougherty hits a three hopper
towards Skip Schumaker
Schumaker scoops it and fires it to first for the out
That's all for the Pale Hose
After 4 innings in Chicago this afternoon,
Scoreless game
Colby Rasmus, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday are due up
Right-hander Smith eyes the lefty Rasmus
Fastball, STRIKE THREE!
Rasmus was frozen on that fastball by Smith
High and on the outside corner
He was looking for an off-speed pitch
One gone for St. Louis
Dougherty asks for time from third base umpire, Billy Evans
The batboy runs out with a pair of sunglasses for the leftfielder
Bright day...may be some balls lost in the sun this afternoon
Pujols gets set at the plate
Albert steps out of the batter's
box to get the sign
Pujols is 0 for 2 today
He flied out last time up
Pujols gets set for the pitch
Windup by Smith
And the pitch
Inside
That's ball four
Pujols studies Smith intently...
Now he's walking away from the base
Smith steps off the rubber
Looks Pujols back to the bag
Holliday is up now for St. Louis
Smith adjusts his cap...
Now he's set
Base hit to left for Holliday
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Pujols will stay at second
Ludwick leaves the on-deck circle...
He's going back to get a new bat...
Now he jogs to the plate
1st and 2nd, one man down
Smith steps on the rubber
Curve, up high...
Ludwick rips it to left...
Smith hung that breaking ball
However, Ryan got under it just a bit
Dougherty started back on it
Now he's coming in...
He's under it and makes the easy catch
"Can of Corn"
Yadier Molina coming up
Scoreless ballgame, top of the 5th
Molina looks into the dugout
Now he steps back in...
0 for 2 on the day for Yadier
He's ready
He rips a grounder to short
Parent grabs it
His throw to first
GOT HIM!
Score It: 6-3
We're halfway through here
at South Side Park
After 4 and a half innings No score
We'll be right back...
Are you looking for something a little out of the ordinary? Want to check out something that will make you think? Want to just have some fun while getting your latest card-collecting "fix?" Well, head over to "A Pack To Be Named Later" after the game! They aree busting open at least one pack of every kind of card every made - or at least they're going to have fun trying!
The Pale Hose will send
Altizer, Billy Purtell, and Doc White up
to the plate this inning
Altizer is 0 for 1 today
Dave fouled out last time around
Altizer waiting on the delivery
It's a smash over second
Schumaker leaps
Just over his outstretched glove
Altizer makes a wide turn at first
He will hold at first
The ball comes in quickly
Altizer glares menancingly
out at Wainwright
Altizer is one of the best base
stealers in the league
Quite an intimidator
Wainwright looks the runner back
He's off to the races!
Molina takes the pitch... fires...
Not in time
Altizer is in there with a stolen base
WAIT, Altizer steps off the bag
Schumaker tags him out!!
Strange baserunning!!
Pale Hose' third baseman Purtell
is up next
Purtell is 0 for 1 today
He is currently batting .258
Holliday, Rasmus and Ludwick
are playing him deep
Purtell gets ready for Wainwright's pitch
His bat is cocked
Wainwright misses low on that one
Purtell draws the walk
Number 1 today by Wainwright
Doc White makes his way to home plate
We'll see how they pitch to White
Wainwright squeezes the resin bag...
Peers in
The Whiff!
Wainwright punches White out!
And there's two away
Purtell inches away from the base
Did he get him?...
No says the umpire
That was close
Stepping in the batter's box, Atz
Purtell at first, two away
Atz has hit no home runs this year
And Adam studies the sign from Molina...
Now he's got it
Fastball, a dandy...
Steee Rike THREE swinging!
Jake looked like Casey on that pitch
Went for the HIGH CHEESE!
That's all for the Pale Hose
No runs, one hit, no errors and
one man left on base...
After five complete...
We're scoreless
Thurston saunters to the plate
He does some stretching...
Knocks the dirt from his spikes...
Now he steps into the batter's box
Smith rubs down the ball...
Now he's asking for a new one
After he rubs this one down
He looks in for the sign
High foul pop
Behind home plate
Owens is back
Near the screen
And it pops out of his mitt!
Thurston will get another swing.
Score It: E2
Thurston departs the on-deck circle
He makes his way quickly to the plate
Smith is rubbing the ball up
Now the umpire wants to take a look
No problems found...
Now Smith gets the sign from Owens
Lifted down the right field line
Coming hard is Atz
But Isbell waves him away
and makes the grab
One gone for St. Louis in
the top of the 6th
Nobody on, one away for St. Louis
Up now is Ryan
Ryan looks down toward
the third base coach
Now set, Ryan waits for the pitch
Sinking fastball...
Ryan goes down after it...
And slaps a hard grounder
right at Purtell...
He scoops it up, over to first...
And Ryan is out by a step
Making his way up is Wainwright
Smith is still mowing them down
He brought his "A" game to South
Side Park this afternoon
Smith kicks, delivers
Wainwright slaps a hard
grounder past short
Dougherty is over to pick it up
He tosses it back to second
Wainwright will hold with a clean single
Slowly coming up is Schumaker
for St. Louis
He is finally in the batter's box
No score
Schumaker has hit 4 home runs this year
Smith has the sign from Owens
Schumaker sits on the change up
He lofts a fly ball towards Dougherty
Dougherty gliding under it...
Appears to lose sight of it
Has it again...
And makes the catch in medium left
That'll do it for St. Louis
So we're still tied
After 5 and a half innings
Chicago has no runs, one hit and 3 errors
While St. Louis has no runs,
5 hits and no errors
Frank Owens to lead it off for Chicago
He's ready for the delivery
Wainwright is into his windup
Here's the pitch
Swung on and chopped down
the third base line
Thurston stabs at it
He's got it!
Over to first...
GOT HIM!
What a nice play by Joe Thurston
One out
Due up next is Frank Smith
Frank Smith up
The score is tied
Smith goes through his routine
of settling in
Wainwright shakes off two signs
Now he's ready
Curve in the dirt... and Smith holds up
Looked like he went around from here
But the plate umpire says no
Molina asks the first base ump's opinion
He says Smith went around
Strike three, swinging
Two down in the 6th
Time for a station break
This is the Strat-O-Matic Broadcast System
your 4 Sports Network...
OK, we're back and ready to go...
Isbell walks to the plate
Frank is set for the pitch
Isbell swings and misses
STRIKE THREE!
Wainwright strikes out Frank Isbell
1-2-3, nothing across...
Let's move along and get started
here in the top of the 7th
The game is everything that
the score indicates
Colby Rasmus will lead
it off for St. Louis
Tie score
Rasmus is waiting
His bat is wiggling slightly
Ball four is the call
Smith can't believe the call
And barks at the home plate umpire
The ump points out at Smith
Rasmus takes first base
Now up in the St. Louis seventh
will be Albert Pujols
Pujols is batting .327 with
47 homers this year
Smith is on the first-base
side of the rubber...
Base hit to center for Pujols
Jose Oquendo puts up the stop sign...
Rasmus will stay at second
Matt Holliday will try his
luck against Smith
It's a very difficult background to hit
against here at South Side Park right now
There is shade at home plate
But, bright sun on the mound
Holliday is at .313 on the season
Smith wastes no time
He takes the first sign
Holliday is way out in
front of a change-up
Strike Three
Number 5 today for Smith
One down...
Ryan Ludwick is due up next
Let's see what happens now
Ludwick digs in at the plate
Ready now for Smith to come set
Ludwick is trying to get
comfortable in the box
Digging that back foot in
Ludwick readies himself for the pitch
Hit in the air to left
Camped under it is Dougherty
And he has it
Two down
Molina departs the on-deck circle
He makes his way slowly to the plate
He's not known for his speed anyway!
Molina is 0 for 3 today,
with 1 strike outs
Smith's is working on a shutout
here at South Side Park this afternoon
He is throwing as hard now
as when the game started
Base hit to left for Molina
Jose Oquendo is giving the green light...
The throw is coming home...
Aggressive baserunning by St. Louis...
Not cut-off...
Rasmus scores!
Trailing runners advance.
Settling in at the plate is Thurston
Smith ready quickly, looks in for the sign
Hanging curveball...
Thurston times it, swings...
There's a high drive...
Crunched deep towards right center...
Altizer doesn't have a chance
Home Run for Thurston
That was way over the wall
Next up is Brendan Ryan, the
St. Louis shortstop
Time is called...
Ryan has asked the ump to clean the plate
We'll be ready in a second...
OK, now we are ready again
Ryan is poised and ready for the pitch
Sharp breaking curveball...
Ryan reaches for it...
Hits a two bouncer right to Parent...
Grabs it easily...
Fires a bullet to Isbell at first!
Ryan is out easily
That retires the side
The Red Birds score 4 runs in the inning
After 6 and a half innings,
St. Louis on top 4 to 0
It's time for the 7th inning stretch!
Lets play our trivia game while the crowd enjoys 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame'
What pitcher hurling for the Washington
Senators gave up Babe Ruth's
60th homer in 1927?
While you think on that, why not head over to the concession stand for a juicy dog and a refreshing ice-cold beverage! Want something more? Try our seafood platter or Surf-N-Turf special found at many of the stands around the park. And, for the "experienced" crowd, why not grab an ice-cold brew? And, yes, we've also got Peanuts and CrackerJack available at kiosks all around the park. So, get up, stretch your legs and grab a bit to eat before settling in for the rest of this great championship game!
Today's trivia answer is:
Tom Zachary
The shortstop Parent will start things off for the Pale Hose
Parent is 0 for 2 today
Freddy grounded out last time up
Parent waits for the delivery
And the righthander starts
to work on Parent
Here comes the pitch
It's STRIKE THREE
Slow breaking pitch catches Parent looking
And that's 7 for Wainwright today
One gone in the bottom of the 7th
Up next will be Patsy Dougherty
He is saying a few words to Rip Egan
One away, nobody on base
Dougherty stands ready at the plate
Dougherty is 0 for 2 today
Wainwright steps off the rubber...
Adjusts his cap...
Now he slides his foot back into position
He's ready
Good slider, inside part of the plate
Dougherty gets the bat on it...
Slams a sharp grounder to the right side
Schumaker grabs it...
Throws to first...
OUT!
Two up, two down for Chicago
Wainwright is moving along
with the efficiency
of a well oiled machine
Altizer finishes his practice swings
Now he strides to the batter's box
Molina flashes the sign...
Wainwright waves it off...
Now he's happy
Hanging curveball...
Altizer times it, swings...
There's a high drive...
Crunched deep towards right center...
Rasmus doesn't have a chance
Home Run for Altizer
That was way over the wall
Billy Purtell will face Wainwright
Righty against righty
Purtell is set
Wainwright's into his windup... the pitch
Swung on and hit on the nose to right
Ludwick picks it up on one bounce
Flips it to second...
Purtell is on with a sharply hit single
He hit a curve ball...
and he was just waiting on it
Purtell watches Wainwright move...
He's moving away from the bag
Purtell takes his lead...
Throw to first... SAFE!
Another throw... easily back
Purtell extends his lead
Wainwright comes home with a slider
White takes it...
Purtell is off on the pitch
Molina fires down...
Purtell slides into second...
And he's SAFE!
That was a big gamble
with the Pale Hose behind like this
The Pale Hose trail St. Louis by 3
Doc White steps into the box
White awaits the delivery
Ball four is the call
Wainwright can't believe the call
He barks at the home plate umpire
The ump points out at Wainwright
White takes first base
Wainwright's pitched a good game so far
A little trouble now
Jake Atz is up next
He'll be hitting with 2 men on board
Atz a righty in the batter's box
facing the righthanded Wainwright
Atz cocks his bat
The runners stretch out to their leads
Lazy fly ball to center
Rasmus settles under it
It's an easy out
Score It: 8
That is the third out for Chicago here
in the last of the seventh
The attendance has just been
announced at 11857
Rick Ankiel is swinging a bat
He'll come up to hit for Adam Wainwright
Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, and
Colby Rasmus are due up
Smith steps on the rubber...
Looks in for the sign
Smith leans back and fires
A wave and a miss!
Strike Three!
Ankiel is down on strikes
Number 6 here today for Smith
Walking up to the plate now is Schumaker
Colby Rasmus waits on deck
Schumaker is batting .303
with 4 HR's this year
Smith wastes no time
He has the sign from Owens
Smith is into his windup
Here's the pitch
High hard fastball, swung on...
It's a grounder hammered at second...
Atz is there...
IT'S INTO RIGHT!!...
It took a HIGH hop right over him!
That's a single for Schumaker
Rasmus, the center fielder, moves
into the batter's box
St. Louis on top 4 to 1
Rasmus is set in the batter's box
He's staring intently out at Smith
He's waiting for the pitch
A slider by Smith
Rasmus gets good wood on it...
Dougherty back-pedals quickly...
Up with his glove...
Out!
Two down
Owens heads out to the mound . . .
They want to talk strategy.
They might be discussing walking Pujols.
Now the ump comes out to break it up . . .
And we're ready to go . . .
They are going to put Pujols on
Owens holds out his glove
That's ball four
Holliday now at the plate
Ryan Ludwick waits on deck
Holliday has been poison for Chicago today
He is 2 for 3 on the afternoon
The big righty shakes off the sign...
Now Frank shakes off another one...
Smith moves pianos in the off season
Low and inside... ball four
Holliday gets a free ticket to first
That loads them up for Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick, the right fielder,
strides to the plate
Smith steps on the rubber
It's popped in front of the plate
Looks like the ball is drifting foul
Purtell calls for it
And makes the play
The ump signals a foul ball
So that ends the threat
in the top of the 8th
The bases were left full
St. Louis was unable to score a run
Tony LaRussa will be bringing
in a relief pitcher
Kyle McClellan has been called
from the bullpen
A few warm up tosses and
we'll be set to go
The catcher Owens
will lead off for the Pale Hose
He'll be followed by Frank Smith
And then Frank Isbell
McClellan has the sign from Molina
Owens rips a whistling liner down the line
Bingo! Thurston spears it!
A shot right at the St.
Louis third baseman
Piece of cake!
So one up and one gone
Frank Smith will face McClellan
Righty against righty
Molina flashes the sign...
McClellan shakes it off,
he wants another...
Now he's happy
Fastball, busted in on the hands
Smith manages to get a piece of it
Bouncing it over the mound
Ryan cuts it off in front of the bag
Rifles a throw to Pujols...
And Smith is called out on a close play
Two out, nobody on
St. Louis ahead 4 to 1
The speedy, contact hitter Frank Isbell
is up next
Frank is completely bald
Isbell steps out of the batter's
box to get the sign
Frank is 0 for 3 today
Isbell concentrates
He holds the bat down on the end
Isbell waves half-heartedly at a fastball
Strike Three!
Frank didn't look very good on that pitch
2 strike outs today!
And that is 1 for McClellan
The Pale Hose are retired
It's 4-1 as we come to the 9th
Yadier Molina stops at the on deck circle
Puts a little more "Black" under his eyes
It's very sunny here today
Now he steps in
Molina waits for the pitch
Routine grounder to third
Purtell scoops it up
Over to first for the out
St. Louis with one away
Smith steps off the mound as
he waits for Joe Thurston to
come to the plate
So that brings up Joe Thurston
the St. Louis third baseman
Smith likes the sign
Here's the windup... and the pitch
Another hook for strike three!
Thurston just stood there looking
Two gone for St. Louis
Ryan gets set at the plate
Frank Smith steps off the
mound toward second
Gives the resin bag a toss
Now he toes the rubber...
He's ready to go
Ryan swings and hits one down the line
It'll be in there for extra bases
White plays it off the wall on a hop
Ryan is heading for second
White turns and fires
Ryan slides head first...
and beats the throw
A whistling two-bagger for Brendan Ryan
Tony LaRussa will send up a pinch
hitter for Kyle McClellan
Yes, Julio Lugo steps out of the dugout
He will be up there against Smith
And now they're going to put Lugo on
Owens is up and holding out his glove
There's ball 3...
and now ball 4
Skip Schumaker is waiting on deck
Skip Schumaker will get
a crack at Smith next
Colby Rasmus would be up next...
But only if Schumaker can reach safely
Schumaker is at .303 on the season
Smith studies his sign
The HIGH CHEESE.........
STRIKE THREE SWINGING!
That retires the side...
Schumaker fails to come
through in the clutch
For St. Louis, No runs, one hit, no
errors and 2 men left on base
Tony LaRussa will be bringing
in a relief pitcher
Ryan Franklin has been called
from the bullpen
A few warm up tosses and
we'll be set to go
Freddy Parent will start the bottom
of the 9th for Chicago
Chicago needs some runs
Now, St. Louis leads 4 to 1
Franklin looks down at Molina for the sign
Shakes him off once... twice...
Now he has the pitch he wants
Here is the 2-2 pitch
Hit deep to left
It falls in, Parent has a Double
Now play resumes with Parent on 2nd
He takes his lead
And Schumaker TAGS HIM OUT!
He never gave up the ball!!
And Parent is a victim
of the hidden ball trick!
Dougherty is up now for Chicago
Dougherty swinging from the left side
of the plate against the righty Franklin
Dougherty tells the umpire he's ready
Here's the windup... and the pitch
Dougherty pounds a grounder toward
Schumaker at second
Skip moves in front of it...
Whoops... a bad bounce
But Schumaker stayed with it
Over to first and Dougherty is retired
Nice play by the St. Louis second baseman
That's two away
Altizer is ready to face Franklin
Franklin looks down at Molina for the sign
Now he's ready
Franklin's into his windup... the pitch
Altizer slaps a hard grounder past second
Ludwick is over to pick it up
He tosses it back to second
Altizer will hold with a clean single
With a runner at first and two outs
Purtell walks to the plate
Altizer will be running if it's hit
Ryan looks for the sign he wants...
Shakes off the first one
But he likes the next
Bounced towards the hole
Fielded nicely by Ryan
THE LONG THROW . . .
HE GOT HIM!!!
Score It: 6-3
And that will do it for Chicago
St. Louis wins 4 to 1
Wainwright gets credit for the win
Franklin notches the save
Smith takes the loss
The hitting star for St. Louis
was Joe Thurston
He was 1 for 5 with a homerun
He also knocked in 3 runs
And that wraps things up
So long from Chicago.
Well, HOLY SMOKES, FOLKS!! The 2009 St. Louis team takes the game on a Grand Slam!! The 1909 Chi boys just couldn't fight back, though they gave it a great effort!
So, KEVINM, your team just won the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Championship! Which version of the game would you like!?
For those interested, here are the Boxscores, Player Actions and Scorecards!
Here is how things went down (Seeding in parenthesis):
Round: 5
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (6) 1909 CHA 1 games to 0
Round: 4
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (18) 2009 LAA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (2) 1909 CHN 1 games to 0
Round: 3
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (19) 1909 PHA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (7) 1909 CIN 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (22) 2009 MNA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (30) 2009 DEA 1 games to 0
Round: 2
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (16) 1909 SLN 1 games to 0
(19) 1909 PHA Defeats (12) 2009 NYN 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (10) 1909 NYA 1 games to 0
(22) 2009 MNA Defeats (9) 1909 DEA 1 games to 0
(7) 1909 CIN Defeats (25) 2009 CHN 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (29) 2009 TBA 1 games to 0
(30) 2009 DEA Defeats (5) 2009 NYA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (32) 2009 ATN 1 games to 0
Round: 1
(16) 1909 SLN Defeats (17) 2009 PHN 1 games to 0
(18) 2009 LAA Defeats (15) 1909 PIN 1 games to 0
(19) 1909 PHA Defeats (14) 2009 BAA 1 games to 0
(20) 2009 SLN Defeats (13) 2009 SFN 1 games to 0
(12) 2009 NYN Defeats (21) 2009 LAN 1 games to 0
(22) 2009 MNA Defeats (11) 1909 NYN 1 games to 0
(10) 1909 NYA Defeats (23) BYE 0 games to 0
(9) 1909 DEA Defeats (24) 2009 CON 1 games to 0
(25) 2009 CHN Defeats (8) 2009 FLN 1 games to 0
(7) 1909 CIN Defeats (26) 1909 BON 1 games to 0
(6) 1909 CHA Defeats (27) 2009 CLA 1 games to 0
(5) 2009 NYA Defeats (28) 1909 BOA 1 games to 0
(29) 2009 TBA Defeats (4) 2009 TEA 1 games to 0
(30) 2009 DEA Defeats (3) 1909 SLA 1 games to 0
(2) 1909 CHN Defeats (31) BYE 0 games to 0
(32) 2009 ATN Defeats (1) 2009 BOA 1 games to 0
STANDINGS
TEAM WINS LOSSES WINPCT
(20) 2009 SLN 5 0 1.000
(6) 1909 CHA 4 1 .800
(18) 2009 LAA 3 1 .750
(2) 1909 CHN 2 1 .667
(19) 1909 PHA 2 1 .667
(7) 1909 CIN 2 1 .667
(22) 2009 MNA 2 1 .667
(30) 2009 DEA 2 1 .667
(9) 1909 DEA 1 1 .500
(12) 2009 NYN 1 1 .500
(16) 1909 SLN 1 1 .500
(25) 2009 CHN 1 1 .500
(29) 2009 TBA 1 1 .500
(5) 2009 NYA 1 1 .500
(32) 2009 ATN 1 1 .500
(4) 2009 TEA 0 1 .000
(17) 2009 PHN 0 1 .000
(8) 2009 FLN 0 1 .000
(1) 2009 BOA 0 1 .000
(10) 1909 NYA 0 1 .000
(21) 2009 LAN 0 1 .000
(11) 1909 NYN 0 1 .000
(23) BYE 0 0 .000
(24) 2009 CON 0 1 .000
(3) 1909 SLA 0 1 .000
(26) 1909 BON 0 1 .000
(27) 2009 CLA 0 1 .000
(28) 1909 BOA 0 1 .000
(13) 2009 SFN 0 1 .000
(14) 2009 BAA 0 1 .000
(31) BYE 0 0 .000
(15) 1909 PIN 0 1 .000
So, KEVINM, your team just won the 2010 Tribe-O-Matic Championship! Which version of the game would you like!?
Thanks to EVERYONE that signed up to play in the tournament! Remember, *ALL* participants will be entered into a consolation drawing for a computer version of the game! I'll have those results in a near-future post.
More than OneMorePack!
When I announced the opening of the Classics vs Currents tournament, I also shared that Eli over at OneMorePack had sent a slew of cards to me. Before we get to the Tribe-O-Matic Championship Game, I thought I'd take a moment to share with you the cards he sent to me!
The stack of cards started off with a 1986 Sportflics Jersey/Logo Duflex mini card! Awesomeness! As you can see, there are also some other cool cards in there. Several Thome's are spread throughout, plus a very cool Eddie Murray card!
More Thome, some Manny, and a slew of other Tribers keep things moving right along in the Tribecards department! What a great mix of players and cards here!
And, the great cards continue! MORE Thome and several cards I don't recall seeing are spread all over the stack of wonderful cards Eli sent to me!
It will be a while before I can return the favor, as I am still way too low on my non-collection cards and I've not been able to score a great deal on bulk cards lately. But, that'll change and then I'll be able to send some his way!
THANK YOU, Eli!! These will be a lot of fun entering into the Tribecards CardCollector Database!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Semi-Final sets up the Championship game!
Good evening, folks! What a great day for baseball! The weather service says things might get dicey for us, but that we should be able to finish the game before the storms roll into town. Let's hope so!
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
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 |
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