Bay Area vs. New York

Game 1:
Scott Belcher for Bay Area vs. Pedro Lewis for New York. In the first inning, Bay Area gets a 2 out rally going and capitalizes with a 2 run double by Otto Tingley. It turns out, that would be the only runs of the game as Bay Area wins game 1 2-0. Belcher goes 6.1-5-0-0-1-6 for the win, and Pedro Lewis goes 7-7-2-2-3-6 in the loss. In the bottom of the 9th, New York threatened with runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs. They pinch hit Leon Wolf for the pitcher, but he grounded out to Ernie Perkins to end the game.

Game 2:
Ryan McCloud vs. Suzuke Mazdahonda. In the top of the 3rd, Bay Area loads the bases for Ryan Harris with 1 out. New York gets the grounder to short, but Brett Solo can only get the out at first as Bay Area takes the lead. Jack Collins then follows with a 2 run double to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, New York gets 1 run back on a Ricky Buckley ground out. In the 6th, New York cuts the lead to 1 with a Brett Solo 2 out double that scores Keith Lee. The score remains at 3-2 in the 9th when New York brings in Jaret Benser. Benser strikes out the side in the top of the 9th to keep it close. New York needs a rally in the 9th to avoid going down 2 games to nothing. Bay Area brings in Ernie Perkins to close the game. Heres the inning:

Chad White: single
Tim Griffin: hit and run single, White to 3rd.
Justin Lewis: RBI single to left, game is tied, runners to 1st and 2nd.
PH Leon Wolf: Fly out to right, runners stay put.
Ricky Buckley: Strikes out swinging
Jason Foster: RBI single to right center to win the game.

New York wins the game 4-3, and ties the series at 1 game apiece.

Philadelphia vs. Denver

Game 1:
Both teams go with their new aces (in their first year with the team), Lee Oswalt vs. Steven Hyde. Denver plays a flawless game and gets 1 run in each of the 2nd through 5th innings, highlighted by homeruns by Kyle Broslofski, Joey Renseller, and Stan Marsh to take a 6-0 lead. Hyde dominates, throwing 8 shutout innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. In the 9th inning, Jon Davis (filling in for usual Philly catcher Matt Bulger who was tired) hits a 2 run homer to allow Philadelphia to avoid the shutout. Final score, Denver 6 Philadelphia 2.

Game 2:
Charlie Zito vs. Bill Neumann. Philadelphia takes an early 3-0 lead on a 2 out 3 run homer by shortstop Jerry Ruiz. In the bottom of the 5th, Jason Hopper leads off with a double followed by a Keith Cerrano walk. Jack Hollis then brings them home with a double to make it 3-2. In the bottom of the 6th, Denver rallies again. Gaedel singles and steals second base. Butters then takes one for the team to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Joey Renseller then singles to centerfield to tie the game at 3. Stan Marsh is then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ron Vineyard. Vineyard doubles home 2 runs to give Denver the 5-3 lead. After a Jason Hopper strikeout, Keith Cerrano singled home 2 more runs to give Denver the 7-3 lead. Philadelphia never threatened again and that was the final score. Denver now leads the series 2 games to nothing as the venue shifts to Philadelphia.

Game 164 Bay Area at Hawaii

This is the first "Game 164" in APBA history.

Bay Area is rested for this game, by virtue of winning the season series against both Hollywood and Hawaii. It will be a matchup of left handed pitchers with Bay Area's Bryan Curtis facing Hawaii's Wayne Gardella. Hawaii is still without Jake Cisco and Yoda Skywalker for this game. In addition, Charlie Howard has nothing left and will only be available for pinch hitting duty.

In the bottom of the first, Hawaii gets a runner on 2nd with 2 outs for their star 3B Kana Wake. Wake is then hit by a pitch in the back of the head and is knocked out. He has to leave the game and will certainly be out at least a few days. After a walk to Gabe Kotter loads the bases, Hawaii pinch hits for their 2B with Elvis Myers. Elvis is not the #1 option, but since all of Hawaii's best options are left-handed, Myers is really the only choice. Myers swings for the fences, but misses the ball and strikes out, stranding the bases loaded.

The game remains scoreless until the top of the 4th. Fred Lewis doubles and then scores on Ryan Harris' single. After a Jack Collins walk, Bill Herrera doubles down the right field line to make it 2-0. Jeff Stephens is then intentionally walked to setup the force at any base. Otto Tingley hits the sacrifice fly to left to make it 3-0.

In the bottom of the 4th, Hawaii gets 1 run back on a sacrifice fly of their own. In the top of the 6th, Bay Area gets a runner on 2nd base with one out when Bill Herrera singles to center. Ryan Harris trys to score and is gunned at the plate by Eddie Cedeno to keep the score 3-1. In the top of the 8th, back to back to back singles by Jay Hendricks, Jason Davenport, and Fred Lewis extend the Bay Area lead to 4-1.

In the bottom of the 8th, Eddie Cedeno works a walk to try to start a rally. Unfortunately, he is then picked off first base. To make matters worse, he argues the call and is ejected from the game. In the top of the 9th, Troy Lewis shuts down Hollywood to keep the lead at 4-1 going into the bottom of the 9th.

Bay Area brings in their closer, Ernie Perkins to preserve the win. Lewis Solo Jr. then pinch hits lefty Freddie Justis for Derek Stanley to lead off the inning and Justis delivers a solo homerun to cut the lead to 4-2. Rick Cooney then pinch hits and grounds out to shortstop. Gabe Kotter then flies out to centerfield. Down to their last out, Hawaii pinch hits Tomas Gonzalez who works a walk. Looking to create something, and with a limited bench and weak hitters due up, Lewis Solo Jr. decides to pinch hit with his best power option - starting pitcher Cory Schaeffer. Schaeffer batted .237 with a .425 slugging percentage and 4 homeruns in 80 at bats on the season. Schaeffer then pops out to third to end the regular season.

Bay Area wins 4-2 and advance to the playoffs for the first time in team history. They win the West division and will play the two-time defending league champion New York Cobra in the first round.

Game 163 Hollywood at Hawaii

Winner will host Bay Area for the West Division Title and a first round playoff matchup against New York.

Both teams have exhausted their pitching staff just to get to this point, and neither team has a starting pitcher who was part of their regular season rotation available. Hawaii elects to go with their bullpen for the entire game, and trades for former long-time closer Axel Manto (who has not pitched all year) to help their depth. Meanwhile, Hollywood goes with journeyman spot starter Mike Dascenzo, who is a 7-rated pitcher who has been in the minors all year long. In addition, Hawaii is playing the game without their best players, Jake Cisco and Yoda Skywalker who collided a few games earlier and are still injured. Their 3rd best player, Charlie Howard is worn out and should not be playing. However, he fools his manager and will be playing left field and batting 3rd. To replace Yoda Skywalker at 2nd base, Lewis Solo Jr. elects to go with a series of defenders at the position, with each one yielding to a pinch-hitter when their turn to bat comes up.

In the first, Manto allows a leadoff single to Elvis Dixon and is then removed from the game. Hawaii brings in non-prospect Scott Calvert to pitch. Calvert gets 2 outs with runners on 2nd and 3rd when Hawaii elects to intentionally walk the left-handed Joseph Greble to get the platoon advantage. With the bases loaded, Dave Cronin works a walk to give Hollywood the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Dascenzo does not fare any better, allowing a leadoff walk to Cedeno, and then a run-scoring single to right-field by Jose Isales. Howard then hits a double to make it 2-1. Hollywood then goes to their bullpen, bringing in former starter Jose Burrito.

In the 2nd inning, Yoda Moreno leads off with a double, Burrito bunts him to 3rd, and playing small ball, Elvis Dixon grounds out to tie the game at 2. In the bottom of the 2nd, pinch hitter Rick Cooney gets a 1 out double and scores on a sacrifice fly after Eddie Cedeno singled him to 3rd. After a stolen base, Charlie Howard picks up his 2nd RBI of the game with a single to make it 4-2.

For the next 3 innings, both teams fail to score. In the top of the 6th, Hollywood loads the bases with one out. They pinch hit with Ed Klutts who faces Hawaii's lefty Greg Duncan. Klutts flys out to centerfield and Hollywood holds the runner at 3rd. Elvis Dixon then strikes out and leaves the bases loaded.

The score stays at 4-2 heading into the 9th. Hawaii brings in their great closer, jawa Troy Lewis. Andy Stewart pops up to the catcher in foul ground for the first out. Favre then strikes out lookiing for out #2. Fellow jawa Miguel Tejawa then works a walk against Lewis to keep Hollywood alive. Then Joseph Greble, representing the tying run grounds out to first to end the game, and end Hollywoods season. Lewis picks up is 40th save of the season.

Hawaii survives (literally) and wins the game 4-2. They will host Bay Area tomorrow.

Election Update

TIPP: Obama 45.8%, McCain 42.3%, Not Sure 11.9%...


Not Sure is gaining in the polls! He's the smartest man left on the planet. He knows that plants don't crave Brawndo, or it's electrolytes. Help him be our next president.

Not Sure/Camacho 2008.

Top Draft Prospects

Pitchers:

David Tyler is a 6'5 lefty with mid 90's heat and a devastating slider, the son of former #1 pick Alan Tyler. His 11Y rating will make him a top pick. Clay Buttholz (9X) has a good fastball and gets a lot of strikeouts with a great curveball. Odis Robinson (8Y) gets a lot of grounders with a power sinker. Ryan Justice is not as polished, but has a 98 MPH fastball and is the top high school arm (8WX). If you want more experience, try 34 year old Japanese reliever Takeo Miura (11XZ).

Hitters:

Conan's son Conn, 21, 6.2 RCG, features great power and a strong arm at 3rd base. Jesus Valdez, 22, 5.9 RCG, is a switch hitting catcher with patience, power, and good defense. Robert T. Bruce, 21, 5.0 RCG, needs to learn the strike zone but has power, speed, defense, and can throw from any outfield position. Prince Ferreira, 21, 4.2 RPG, is a shortstop, though he probably won't stick and will move to second or the outfield. He projects as a leadoff hitter.

Chad Richardson, 19, 3.3 RCG, is potentially a 5 tool shortstop. Jason Durazo, 22, 5.5 rpg, is a great all around hitter. He plays third but may need to move to first. Ryan Ponder, 22, 5.0 RCG, is a powerful, patient 1st baseman, and Casey Lebron, 22, 6.1 RCG, is a sweet swinging one in a draft full of strong hitters. Jesus Bautista, 22, 5.3 RCG, is a solid all-around shortstop, ready to step in and start at the big league level.

The Herman's top 3 picks:
1. LHP David Tyler
2. C Jesus Valdez
3. 3B Conn Barbarian

Detroit at Philadelphia

Game 163 with the victor winning the ML Wild Card:
Detroit sends lefty Charles Cooper against the veteran Roscoe Savage. The game is scoreless for the first 3 innings and then Roscoe Savage injures his wrist while striking out the opposing pitcher. Savage leaves the game and will miss the next 10 days. Philadelphia then uses Charlie Zito on short rest to relieve Savage. The game remains scoreless until the bottom of the 6th when Philadelphia scores 2 runs on a Domingo Chavez homerun. Chavez, the big free agent acquisition from Detroit, had been dormant all year long. This may not earn him his 18 million dollar contract, but its a good start. In the top of the 7th, Jermaine Moore cuts the lead in half with a solo homerun. In the bottom of the 7th, Philly plays small ball to get more runs. A hit and run makes it first and third with no one out. Moochie Henson then pinch hits just to make contact. He gets the run home on a ground out to third. With 2 outs, Rocky Balboni hits his league leading 60th double of the year to make it 4-1. After a scoreless 8th, Steve King comes in looking to preserve the 3 run lead and send Philadelphia to the playoffs for the 2nd straight year. King allows runners to get to first and third with 2 out, and then Arnoldo Jimenez singles home a run to keep Detroit alive. With the tying runs at first and third, Detroit pinch hits with Frank Blowers. Blowers grounds to third, Chavez fields the ball, and steps on third to end the game. Philadelphia clinches the wild card, and will travel to Denver to begin the first round of the playoffs.

Miami takes game 1

Miami defeated Mars 4-2 on the road to begin the Superior League playoffs. Damon Nkik gave the Stars a 2-0 with a double in the top of the first. They added another run as Matt McCoy scored on a Nkik double play ball in the 4th. Bill Greene pitched a solid game for the Stars, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits through 7 1/3. He gave up a 2 run homer to Steve Brouhard in the 4th as Mars pulled to within one run.

Vince Lewis blasted a solo homer off Paul Finch in the 6th to make it 4-2. Finch struck out 11 in an 8 inning loss. With one out in the 8th, Mars got 2 runners on to chase Greene. Miami brought Rafael Garcia to get Ben King, and Bob Belardi to retire Michael Garciajawa. Belardi then threw a perfect 9th to earn a 4 out save.

Miami is without 1B Clyde Frogg, battling a hamstring injury, for the first round. He will be eligible to play round 2 if Miami advances.

The Herman's Presidential Endorsement

Not Sure





ZOGBY WEDNESDAY: OBAMA 48.2%, MCCAIN 44.4%... NOT SURE 7.4%...

We at The Herman give our endorsement to the candidate currently in third place, Not Sure. We hope he continues to make up ground in the polls.