Braves World Series Champs

The Atlanta Braves won their first Millennium Championship by sweeping the Marlins in four games. A recap of the series:

ATL 5, FLA 4 (17) - A dramatic start to the series as Chipper Jones drove in Grady Sizemore in the bottom of the 17th for the win.

ATL 13, FLA 0 - John Lackey (3-0 in the postseason) fired a three hit shutout with 10 K's as the Braves grab a 2-0 series lead.

ATL 8, FLA 2 - Chipper Jones hi his 6th homer of the postseason and Kelvim Escobar hurled seven strong innings as the Braves pushed the Marlins to the brink of elimination.

ATL 5, FLA 3 - Chipper Jones had three more hits and the Atlanta bullpen pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as Atlanta wins their first championship.

2008 Draft Lottery Info

We will be conducting our draft lottery on Wednesday, August 17th and Thursday, August 18th.....

The “Pennsylvania Daily Number Evening” lottery (http://www.palottery.state.pa.us/) on subsequent nights (7PM EST) will be used to decide who gets the #1 and #2 picks in the first round only. If the second pick yields the same result as the first night, then a third night’s lottery drawing will be used. The remaining 10 teams will draft in reverse order of record. So, the team with the poorest record can do no worst than pick third in the first round.


2008 Lottery Drawing Chances:

000 to 249 – Washington (43-119)

250 to 449 – Cleveland (46-116)

450 to 604 – Houston (53-109)

605 to 724 – Chicago (61-101, 4-2 vs. Boston in tie-breaker)

725 to 814 – Boston (61-101)

815 to 879 – San Francisco (70-92)

880 to 924 – New York (71-91)

925 to 954 – Toronto (76-86)

955 to 974 – Philadelphia (79-83)

975 to 986 – St. Louis (84-78)

987 to 994 – Oakland (92-70)

995 to 999 – Kansas City (93-70)

(Click here for a history of previous lottery numbers selected.)

Florida Joins Atlanta in World Series

Miami (AP) - The Florida Marlins eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 3 in their semi-final series. Both AJ Burnett (game #6 starter) and Jake Peavy (game #7 starter) turned in clutch performances as the Marlins beat the Dodgers by scores of 5-1 and 5-0 respectively in the final two games. Florida now meets Atlanta for the 2007 Millennium League Championship.

Atlanta, the #1 seed with 107 wins in the regular season, has made one World Series appearance - losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 1 in 2004.

Florida, the #2 seed with 105 wins in the regular season, has also made one World Series appearance - losing to the Kansas City Royals 4 games to 3 in 2005.

Should be an exciting series!

Braves Advance to Series

Atlanta (AP) - Chipper Jones walked in the bottom of the ninth driving home the winning run as Atlanta defeated Pittsburgh in a six game series. A Recap of the games:

ATL 5, PIT 3 - Smoltz improves to 3-0 in the postseason; Posada drives in two with a pair of doubles

ATL 8, PIT 2 - Homers by Sizemore, Posada, Chipper and Holliday pave the way

ATL 6, PIT 4 - Chipper drives in four runs with a homer, double and single

PIT 4, ATL 2 (10) - Buccos stave off elimination as Morneau hits walk off homer

PIT 4, ATL 3 - After Corpas blows a two-run lead in the top of the 9th, Alex Gordon hits a homer in the bottom of the 9th for their second straight walk-off victory

ATL 5, PIT 4 - Two hits and three walks in the bottom of the 9th enable Atlanta to rally with two runs for the closing victory

Dodgers Roar Back to Eliminate D-Backs

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a 3-0 deficit to eliminate Arizona in a seven game series. A recap of the games:

Game 1: Arizona 3 - LA 1. Arizona scored all 3 of it's runs in the first inning off Verlander. Sheilds and 3 relievers made it stand.

Game 2: Arizona 5 - LA 2. Arizona took an early 3-0 lead again, but after LA cut it to a 1 run lead, Rafael Furcal hit a pinch hit 2-run homerun in the 8th to give the D-Backs a few insurance runs.

Game 3: Arizona 5 - LA 2. Curt Schilling pitched a complete game. Jack Cust drove in two runs.

Game 4: LA 2 - Arizona 1. In a rematch of game 1 starters, Justin Verlander outdueled James Shields. Ryan Ludwick hit a homer in the 8th inning that proved to be the decisive run.

Game 5: LA 3 - Arizona 1. In another tight pitching contest, Mark Buehrle defeated Jered Weaver. Ryan Ludwick was again the difference maker as his two-run shot in the bottom of the 7th secured the win.

Game 6: LA 1 - Arizona 0. Ben Sheets pitched 8 2/3 innings of shutout ball and Chase Utley drove in the only run of the game as Los Angeles evened up the series.

Game 7: LA 10 - Arizona 8. In a wild shootout after a pitcher dominated series, the Dodgers rallied from a late 8-6 deficit to overtake Arizona. Huston Street provided two innings of shutout relief to pick up the win.

Buccos Eliminate Twins in 7 Games

The Pittsburgh Pirates eliminated the Minnesota Twins in seven games in an exciting series. The final two games - played in Minnesota -were both won by Pittsburgh in exciting one run games. A recap of the games:

PITT 4, MIN 1 - Shawn Marcum pitches 7+ innings of 3-hit ball

MINN 9, PITT 6 - Matsui hits a pair of homers

PITT 6, MINN 4 - Dustin Pedroia doubles in the game winning runs in the bottom of the 7th

MINN 8, PITT 3 - Johan Santana piches seven strong innings for the win; Ortiz hits his second homer of the series

MINN 3, PITT 2 - Jack Wilson doubles home the winning run in the top of the 7th to take a 3-2 series lead

PITT 2, MINN 1 - Shawn Marcum pitches eight strong innings as the Buccos squeeze out a win

PITT 3, MINN 2 - Brad lidge closes out the ninth with his fourth save of the series

Braves Roll - Sweep Mariners in Four Games

#1 Seed Atlanta cruised through the first round of the playoffs by sweeping the Seattle Mariners in four games. The Braves shut down the high powered Seattle offense with their starting duo of Smoltz (2-0 1.15 ERA in the series), Lackey and Escobar. Ryan Braun, Seattle's #1 draft pick last season, struggled mightily by going 0 for 14 in the series.

Marlins Close Out Angels

Strong pitching allowed the Marlins to win Game 6 and oust defending champion Anaheim with a 3-1 victory. The Angels took a 1-0 lead after two batters as Maicer Izturis delivered an RBI single. But AJ Burnett and the Marlins bullpen allowed only four hits thereafter. Luis Castillo tied the game with an RBI single in the 2nd, then a bases-loaded DP delivered the go-ahead run in the 3rd. Adam Dunn's sac fly, his 12th RBI of the series, added an insurance run in the 5th.

Click here for the box scores.....

Dunn Powers Marlins to 3-2 Series Lead

Florida wins 2 of 3 on the West Coast and will take a 3-2 series lead back to Miami. The Marlins rallied to win Game 3 against Anaheim co-closer Joe Nathan, then won a super-ugly Game 4 before the Angels bounced back to stay alive.

GAME 3

Marlins 9, Angels 5 (Anaheim took a 5-2 lead when Troy Glaus' HR sparked a 3-run 4th. But Mike Lowell hit a 2-run shot for the Marlins in the top of the 6th, then the Angels squandered a 1st and 3rd, no-out chance in the home half. Florida won it with five in the 8th. Adam Dunn's 3-run blast off Nathan was the big blow)

GAME 4

Marlins 21, Angels 9 (Florida slugged eight homers, including two each by Dunn and Victor Martinez. Chuck James was the sacrificial lamb for Anaheim as he yielded 14 runs and 20 hits in 6 innings)

GAME 5

Angels 2, Marlins 1 (Anaheim pitching, led by starter Matt Chico and closer Takashi Saito, shut down the thundering Florida bats after Hunter Pence homered in the 1st. The Angels scored their only runs in the 3rd on an RBI single by Bobby Abreu and an RBI double by Alfonso Soriano)

Halos & Fish Split First Two Games

Teams split the first two games of the series in Florida before heading to the West Coast.

GAME 1
Angels 6, Marlins 3 (Nick Markakis' 2-run double sparks a 3-run Anaheim 4th. Jake Peavy fans 10 in defeat)

Angels.......... 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 1 - 6 11 1
Marlins......... 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 - 3 9 0

T.Saito WIN(1-0), J.Peavy LOSS(0-1)
HOME RUNS- D.Lee(1st)

GAME 2

Marlins 4, Angels (A.J. Burnett and the Florida bullpen combine on a 2-hitter. Derrek Lee hits his second HR of the series)

Angels.......... 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 2 0
Marlins......... 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 x - 4 8 0

N.Lowry LOSS(0-1), A.Burnett WIN(1-0), H.Bell SAVE(1st)
HOME RUNS- D.Lee(2nd)

Seattle Qualifies For #8 Seed

Kansas City traveled to Seattle for the second elimination game. Game #163 for Kansas City and #164 for Seattle. Brian Bannister started for Kansas City while Roy Oswalt took the mound for Seattle in the deciding game. Seattle Manager John Ferraro was saving Oswalt for the first game of the playoffs but was forced to treat this as the first game of the playoffs after losing to Anaheim in the first elimination game. Kansas City jumped on Oswalt early by scoring 3 runs in the first on 5 hits. After 4 innings, KC held a 3-0 lead and was out hitting Seattle 7 to 2. Bannister then tired in the 5th inning after allowing 3 hits and 2 walks but Seattle only scored once by grounded into a double play and leaving the bases loaded. Seattle tied the game in the 7th by adding 2, including a solo home run by Yadier Molina off Rudy Seanez. Kansas City then fell apart in the 8th inning with Casey Janssen on the mound. With 1 run in and men on first and second, Janssen threw a wild pitch to advance the runners. Molina then hit a single that scored both runners when Hanley Ramirez threw the cut off throw wildly. With a 6-3 going into the 9th, 2 men on and the tying run at the plate, Hanley Ramirez struck out looking for the third time on a Francisco Rodriguez 98mph fastball to end the game and the season for Kansas City. Ramirez, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft was able to manage two hit when he actually swung the bat. The star of the game was Jose Reyes who was 3 for 5 with a stolen base, 2 runs and stellar defense. Russ Springer improved to 7-1 with the win. He struck out 4 in 1 2/3 IP. Seattle moves on to face top seed Atlanta in the playoffs. It is a surprise match up for the Mariners as they didn't expect to make the playoffs. They traded two strong 2010 pitchers in John Maine and Kelvim Escobar to Atlanta for some players to assist in the future. But Ryan Braun fell to the Mariners at #4 in the draft and they acquired Albert Pujols to provide protection for Alex Rodriguez. As a result, the Mariners had three players with 40+ homeruns to make up for the weakened pitching staff.

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2007 Kansas City Royals At 2007 Seattle Mariners          9/19/2007








 








  Royals             AB  R  H RBI AVG     Mariners           AB  R  H RBI AVG








  R.Willits LF        4  1  1  0 .319     J.Reyes SS          5  2  3  0 .255  








  C.Granderson CF     4  1  3  1 .311     S.Green RF          4  0  3  2 .323  








  M.Ordonez RF        5  0  1  0 .383     A.Pujols 1B         4  0  0  0 .351  








  H.Ramirez SS        5  1  2  1 .334     A.Rodriguez 3B      2  1  0  0 .290  








  A.Gonzalez 1B       4  0  2  0 .288     R.Braun DH          3  0  1  0 .348  








  P.Burrell DH        4  0  1  1 .239     G.Jenkins LF        1  0  0  0 .228  








  J.Mauer C           3  0  0  0 .280   A-K.Millar PH,LF      2  1  1  1 .257  








  H.Blalock 3B        4  0  0  0 .228     B.Phillips 2B       2  1  0  0 .264  








  A.Ojeda 2B          4  0  1  0 .259     M.Cameron CF        4  0  0  0 .232  








                                          Y.Molina C          4  1  2  2 .229  








                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      








         Totals      37  3 11  3                 Totals      31  6 10  5








 








A-Pinch Hit For Jenkins In 6th Inning








 








Royals.......... 3 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  3 11  2








Mariners........ 0 0 0  0 0 1  2 3    -  6 10  0








 








Royals (93-70)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA








B.Bannister               5 2/3   5   1   1   1   2   0   3.14








R.Seanez HOLD(4th)        1       2   2   2   0   2   1   4.32








M.Wise BS(3rd)            0       1   0   0   0   0   0   6.54








C.Janssen LOSS(4-2)       1 1/3   2   3   2   3   0   0   4.09








Totals                    8      10   6   5   4   4   1








 








Mariners (94-70)         IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA








R.Oswalt                  6 1/3   9   3   3   2   4   0   3.00








R.Springer WIN(7-1)       1 2/3   1   0   0   0   4   0   2.84








F.Rodriguez SAVE(33rd)    1       1   0   0   1   2   0   4.03








Totals                    9      11   3   3   3  10   0








 








ATTENDANCE- 18,502 DATE- Thursday, September 19th 2007 TIME- Day WEATHER- Good








UMPIRES- Scott Packard, Jeff Nelson, Derryl Cousins, Alfonzo Marquez








T- 2:57








LEFT ON BASE- Royals:10  Mariners: 7








DOUBLE PLAYS- Royals: 3  Mariners: 1








ERRORS- H.Ramirez, A.Gonzalez








DOUBLES- C.Granderson-2(35th), S.Green-2(29th)








HOME RUNS- Y.Molina(2nd)








STOLEN BASES- J.Reyes(76th)








WALKS- R.Willits, C.Granderson, J.Mauer, A.Rodriguez, R.Braun, G.Jenkins,








       B.Phillips








HIT BY PITCH- A.Rodriguez, B.Phillips








STRIKE OUTS- R.Willits-2, C.Granderson, M.Ordonez, H.Ramirez-3, P.Burrell-2,








             J.Mauer, R.Braun, B.Phillips, M.Cameron-2








GIDP- H.Blalock, S.Green, A.Pujols








WILD PITCHES- C.Janssen








2-out RBI- Y.Molina-2, S.Green








WEB GEMS- Bot 8th: Joe Mauer blocked the plate, saving a run!








 








At Camden Yards the Seattle Mariners were finally were able to get back on the








winner's track and outscored the Kansas City Royals 6 to 3.








 








Seattle won the game with a rally in the 8th inning with 3 runs on 2 hits.








Alex Rodriguez led off and keyed the rally when he drew a walk.  Ryan Braun








stepped up to the plate and he drew a walk.  Casey Janssen then unleashed a








wild pitch.  Kevin Millar followed next and he stroked a single.  Brandon








Phillips came up to bat and drew a walk to load the bases.  After an out was








recorded, Yadier Molina came to the plate and delivered a one-base hit, and








an error was also committed.  Seattle rapped out 10 hits for the afternoon.








 








Russ Springer(7-1) went 1 and 2/3 innings allowing no runs for the victory.








Francisco Rodriguez recorded the save, his 33rd.  Janssen(4-2) was charged








with the loss in relief.  








 

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

Angels Secure 7th Seed

Reigning champion Anaheim at Seattle..... Winner clinches the #7 seed in the playoffs while the loser hosts Kansas City for the right to clinch a playoff birth. Kason Gabbard took the mound for the Angels while Roger Clemens had the start for the Mariners. Gabbard struggled a little early allowing 1 run in the first inning and loaded the bases in the 2nd but pitched out of it. Gabbard had his manager worried and Blaise took him out after recording 10 outs and the score tied 1-1. After Gabbard came out, the Angels bats heated up. They scored 3 in the 5th, 2 in the 6th, 3 more in the 7th and another in the 8th to take a 10-1 lead. The Mariners bullpen could not stop the mutiny as all five pitchers allowed a run. Final score: Anahiem 10 Seattle 3. Roger Clemens took the loss to fall to 8-4 while Oscar Villareal earned the win even though he allowed 3 hits in 2/3 IP.

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2007 Anaheim Angels At 2007 Seattle Mariners              9/18/2007


 


  Angels             AB  R  H RBI AVG     Mariners           AB  R  H RBI AVG


  R.Freel 2B          3  1  0  0 .284     J.Reyes SS          4  1  2  0 .252  


D-M.Scutaro 2B        0  0  0  0 .262     C.Ross RF           4  1  1  0 .366  


  B.Abreu RF          5  1  1  0 .279     A.Pujols 1B         3  0  2  2 .353  


E-S.Schumaker RF,CF   0  0  0  0 .331     R.Braun DH          5  0  3  0 .348  


  A.Soriano LF        5  2  3  3 .297     A.Rodriguez 3B      4  0  0  1 .291  


F-S.Taguchi LF        0  0  0  0 .429     M.Cameron CF        4  0  0  0 .233  


  M.Teixeira 1B       5  0  0  0 .302   G-S.Green PH          0  0  0  0 .319  


  M.Diaz DH           2  0  1  1 .310     B.Phillips 2B       4  1  1  0 .265  


C-C.Delgado PH        2  1  1  2 .222   H-G.Jenkins PH        1  0  0  0 .229  


  N.Markakis CF,RF    4  1  1  0 .283     K.Millar LF         4  0  2  0 .256  


  T.Glaus 3B          2  3  2  1 .279     Y.Molina C          3  0  0  0 .226  


  B.Molina C          2  0  0  0 .264   I-C.Quentin PH        1  0  0  0 .115  


A-S.Hatteberg PH      1  0  1  2 .299                                          


B-M.Redmond C         1  0  0  0 .275                                          


  J.Hardy SS          3  1  0  0 .244                                          


                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      


         Totals      35 10 10  9                 Totals      37  3 11  3


 


A-Pinch Hit For Molina In 6th Inning


B-Subbed Defensively (C ) For Hatteberg In 6th Inning


C-Pinch Hit For Diaz In 7th Inning


D-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Freel In 7th Inning


E-Subbed Defensively (RF) For Abreu In 8th Inning


F-Subbed Defensively (LF) For Soriano In 9th Inning


G-Pinch Hit For Cameron In 9th Inning


H-Pinch Hit For Phillips In 9th Inning


I-Pinch Hit For Molina In 9th Inning


 


Angels.......... 0 0 0  1 3 2  3 1 0  - 10 10  0


Mariners........ 1 0 0  0 0 0  0 2 0  -  3 11  0


 


Angels (94-69)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA


K.Gabbard                 3 1/3   3   1   1   4   2   0   4.83


O.Villarreal WIN(7-6)     0 2/3   3   0   0   0   0   0   5.20


J.Nathan HOLD(12th)       3       1   0   0   1   5   0   3.30


A.Fultz                   0 2/3   2   2   2   1   1   0   4.02


T.Saito                   1 1/3   2   0   0   1   2   0   1.02


Totals                    9      11   3   3   7  10   0


 


Mariners (93-70)         IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA


R.Clemens LOSS(8-4)       5 2/3   5   5   5   3   3   0   4.47


R.Springer                0 2/3   2   2   2   1   2   0   2.93


D.Borkowski               0 1/3   1   1   1   0   0   0   2.48


S.Dohmann                 0 1/3   1   1   1   0   0   1   4.05


B.Moehler                 2       1   1   1   0   1   1   4.08


Totals                    9      10  10  10   4   6   2


 


ATTENDANCE- 18,039 DATE- Wednesday, September 18th 2007 TIME- Day WEATHER- Good


UMPIRES- Bill Welke, Fieldin Culbreth, Andrew Fletcher, Mike Winters


T- 3:26


LEFT ON BASE- Angels: 4  Mariners:15


DOUBLE PLAYS- Angels: 0  Mariners: 0


DOUBLES- B.Abreu(44th), A.Soriano-2(46th), C.Ross(14th), K.Millar(22nd)


TRIPLES- S.Hatteberg(4th)


HOME RUNS- C.Delgado(5th), T.Glaus(23rd)


STOLEN BASES- B.Phillips(38th)


CAUGHT STEALING- A.Soriano


SACRIFICE HITS- J.Reyes


SACRIFICE FLIES- M.Diaz


WALKS- R.Freel, T.Glaus-2, J.Hardy, C.Ross, A.Pujols-2, A.Rodriguez, S.Green,


       K.Millar, Y.Molina


HIT BY PITCH- M.Scutaro


STRIKE OUTS- R.Freel, B.Abreu, A.Soriano, M.Teixeira, B.Molina, J.Hardy,


             R.Braun-2, A.Rodriguez-3, M.Cameron-3, B.Phillips, K.Millar


WILD PITCHES- R.Clemens-2


2-out RBI- A.Soriano-2, S.Hatteberg-2, C.Delgado-2, A.Pujols-2


WEB GEMS- Top 4th: Kevin Millar robbed Matt Diaz of an extra base hit.


 


The Anaheim Angels cruised to a 10 to 3 victory over the ice-cold Seattle


Mariners at Camden Yards.


 


Oscar Villarreal(7-6) put in a pedestrian relief performance just good enough


for the victory.  He went 2/3 of an inning allowing 3 hits and no walks.


Anaheim managed 10 hits in their victory.  


 


Roger Clemens(8-4) was the loser.  He pitched 5 and 2/3 innings and


surrendered 5 hits and 3 walks.

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

2007 Playoff Seedings

Listed below are our seedings for the 2007 playoffs:

#1 - Atlanta (108-54) DIVISION WINNER
#2 - Florida (105-57) DIVISION WINNER
#3 - Arizona (102-60) DIVISION WINNER
#4 - Minnesota (101-61) DIVISION WINNER

#5 - Pittsburgh (95-67) WILD CARD
#6 - Los Angeles (94-68) WILD CARD

Amazingly, we had a three-way tie for the 7th and 8th playoff spots! This will require two single elimination games to be played (Tie-breakers were used to determine the seeding of the two games. All three teams had the same winning percentage of .500 against the two other teams, so runs scored differential was used):

(September 18) - GAME 1 (to determine #7 seed): Anaheim (+3 runs scored vs. SEA/KCA) at Seattle (+16 runs scored vs. ANA/KCA)

(September 19) - GAME 2 (to determine #8 seed): Kansas City (-19 runs scored vs. ANA/SEA) at GAME 1 loser

Olivo's Walk Off Sinks Buccos

July 26:
Pirates......... 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 - 7 9 0
Cardinals....... 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 - 8 14 1
M.Corpas LOSS(4-4), Y.Gallardo WIN(8-3)
HOME RUNS- A.Rios(10th), C.Guillen(18th), M.Olivo(6th), D.Young(8th)

The St. Louis Cardinals nipped the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings 8 to 7 at Bank One Ballpark in a hard fought contest.

Both teams had scored 7 runs after nine full innings. Finally, St. Louis pulled the game out in the 10th inning. After an out was recorded, Miguel Olivo cracked a solo homerun giving St. Louis the win much to the delight of the home town crowd. St. Louis had 14 hits for the game and Pittsburgh had 9.

Yovani Gallardo(8-3) got the win allowing no runs in 1 and 1/3 innings. Manny Corpas(4-4) was hit with the loss in relief. He gave up 1 run and 1 hit in 1 and 1/3 innings.

Gomes' Walk-Off Propels Toronto

July 26:
A's............. 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 - 4 10 0
Blue-Jays..... 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 - 5 7 0

J.Isringhaus L(0-1), J.Putz WIN(4-1)
HOME RUNS- A.Ramirez(15th), J.Gomes(1st), J.Guillen(9th)

Third baseman Miguel Cabrera had 3 base hits as the Toronto club won in dramatic fashion over the Oakland A's by a score of 5 to 4 at Minute Maid Field.

Toronto erupted with the game winning runs in the 9th inning scoring 2 runs. Ryan Howard led off the inning for Toronto when he drew a walk. Jonny Gomes stepped into the batter's box and he lifted one out of the park for a two run home run making Toronto the victors to the delight of the home town faithful. Toronto won despite being out-hit by Oakland 10 hits to 7.

The win was credited to J.J. Putz(4-1) who went 1 and 2/3 innings allowing no runs. Jason Isringhausen(0-1) was hit with the loss in relief.

'Now that is what I call fun! I just love baseball, especially games like this, of course,' Paul Rescigno offered. 'Everyone at the stadium had a great time - did you see the fans go wild there at the end?!'

Twins Rolling Along in Aaron Division

July 25:
Twins........... 0 0 0 2 0 3 1 1 2 - 9 13 0
Nationals....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 7 0

A.Harang WIN(11-8), M.Belisle LOSS(3-10)
HOME RUNS- H.Matsui-2(16th), C.Hart(18th)

Hideki Matsui smashed 2 homeruns and had 5 RBI as the Minnesota Twins defeated the floundering Washington Nationals 9 to 0 at Metrodome.

Matsui provided the offensive punch. He smashed a two-run homer in the 4th inning and rifled a three-run blast in the 6th inning. Minnesota out-hit Washington for the game, 13 hits to 7.

Aaron Harang(11-8) got the win allowing no runs in 7 innings. Matt Belisle(3-10) was hit with the loss. He pitched 5 innings giving up 7 hits and 2 walks.

Hall Hits Two Homers as Nats Beat Snakes in 11

July 19:
Nationals............ 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 5 1 0 2 - 11 17 1
Diamondbacks.... 1 0 3 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 1 - 10 14 1

F.Cordero WIN(2-1), E.Gagne LOSS(2-2)
HOME RUNS- M.Young(6th), B.Hall-2(13th), S.Victorino(7th), R.Furcal(1st), C.Pena(20th), J.Bautista(6th)

Center fielder Bill Hall rocketed 2 homeruns and scored 3 times at PNC Park as the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in 11 innings by the count of 11 to 10.

The score was knotted at 9 after nine innings. Washington won the hard fought contest in the 11th inning. Corey Patterson led off and started the attack as he slapped a single. Patterson took his lead and swiped second. Washington continued their aggressive style with another stolen base. Tadahito Iguchi followed next and he drew a walk. Washington got their 2nd stolen base of the inning. Todd Helton did his part to keep things going and smacked a single. Michael Young came next and he grounded into a doubleplay. Washington out-hit Arizona for the game, 17 hits to 14.

Francisco Cordero(2-1) allowed 1 run in 2 innings, and picked up the victory. Eric Gagne(2-2) suffered the loss in relief.

Felix Hernandez Improves to 10-4

July 18:
Dodgers......... 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 6 0
Braves.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 6 0

F.Hernandez WIN(10-4), K.Gregg SAVE(8th), J.Blanton LOSS(8-4)
HOME RUNS- G.Sheffield(18th), G.Sizemore(18th)

Felix Hernandez(10-4) and Joe Blanton(8-4) dueled it out with Hernandez and the Los Angeles Dodgers coming out on top of the Atlanta Braves by the score of 2 to 1.

Los Angeles started with a bang, jumping out to an early lead in their half of the first plating 2 runs on 2 hits. After an out was recorded, Orlando Cabrera began the Los Angeles spurt when he lined a base-hit. After another out, Gary Sheffield came up and he cleared the fences for a two-run home run. The early run support proved sufficient for Hernandez and Los Angeles. That was all the run support Hernandez required. Both teams ended up with 6 hitson the night.

Kevin Gregg earned the save, his 8th.

Royals Win Slugfest

July 14:
Royals.......... 5 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 - 15 17 2
Astros.......... 4 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 - 10 15 0

I.Snell WIN(9-7), M.Wise SAVE(1st), V.Padilla LOSS(1-9)
HOME RUNS- M.Ordonez(16th), P.Burrell(3rd), M.Alou-2(16th), J.Hermida(12th), W.Pena(9th)

Pat Burrell left the yard and had 5 RBI as the smoking-hot Kansas City Royals
defeated the hapless Houston Astros by the score of 15 to 10 at US CellularField.

Burrell enjoyed a big day at the plate. He slapped a single which plated a run in the 1st inning, slapped a one-base hit which brought home a run in the 3rd inning and rifled a three-run blast in the 8th inning. Kansas City lit up the scoreboard in the 1st inning which saw them plate 5 runs on 6 hits and the 8th inning which saw them score 6 runs on 5 hits. Houston was not lacking for run support as they scored in 5 separate innings, yet victory eluded them as they seemed to forget that pitching is also needed to win ballgames.

The victory was credited to Ian Snell(9-7) who went 6 innings, allowing 8 runs. Matt Wise preserved the game for Snell, recording his 1st. Vicente Padilla(1-9) was tagged with the loss.

Moises Alou smacked 2 homeruns and had 6 RBI but it wasn't enough for Houston.

Current Stats For 2007 Rookies

CLASS OF 2007:
_
  NAME               BAVG  GM  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB  SO HB SH DP  SB CS  E
 2-J.Hamilton,HON    .340  47 156  25  53 15  1 10  32  15  30  3  0  8   3  1  2
 3-J.Votto,SFN       ----   0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0
 4-R.Braun,SEA       .353 109 391  81 138 23  8 34  97  28 109  5  0  9  17  4  0
 6-J.Upton,BOA       .200   4  15   1   3  2  0  1   2   1   3  0  0  0   0  0  0
 9-A.Cabrera,PHN     ----   0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0
10-H.Pence,FLN       .326  78 340  63 111 21  6 16  55  25  72  0  0  5   6  0  2
12-J.Werth,OAA       .309  48 123  18  38  7  0  6  22  14  27  0  0  1   0  1  1
13-Y.Escobar,ARN     .303  52 175  28  53 14  1  7  34  13  30  2  0  2   1  1  4
15-G.Soto,LAN        .250   2   4   0   1  1  0  0   1   1   2  0  0  0   0  0  0
16-J.Ellsbury,CHA    ----   0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0
17-B.Butler,WAN      .266  47 169  14  45  6  3  3  20  18  30  0  0  2   0  0  7
20-K.Suzuki,BOA      .250  35  96  13  24  6  0  4   7  13  21  0  2  2   0  0  0
_
_
  NAME                ERA  W  L   PCT   G GS CG SH SV    IP   H   R  ER HR  BB  SO
 1-T.Lincecum,NYA    3.67  9  6  .600  19 19  3  1  0 125.0 100  53  51 13  54 120
 5-U.Jimenez,SLN     3.29  1  3  .250   7  7  0  0  0  38.1  38  20  14  4  15  32
 7-J.Danks,CLA       7.27  3 12  .200  23 23  1  1  0 109.0 139  97  88 30  53  80
 8-Y.Gallardo,SLN    2.61  7  3  .700  38  0  0  0  0  69.0  68  24  20  6  26  54
11-J.Jurrjens,KCA    ----  0  0  ----   0  0  0  0  0   0.0   0   0   0  0   0   0
14-J.Soria,TOA       1.38  0  0  ----  30  0  0  0  2  45.2  30   8   7  3  17  52
18-P.Hughes,BOA      6.39  1  3  .250  22  0  0  0  1  25.1  32  19  18  5  11  14
19-H.Okajima,MNA     2.74  3  1  .750  46  0  0  0 14  49.1  43  15  15  5  11  47