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Series XXVII Featured Matchup: Detroit Wolverines @ Miami Cuban Giants

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On February 24, 2023

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

Game 1: Gene Conley @ Roenis Elias

Detroit scored first after loading the bases in the 2nd, but only managed a single tally on an RBI groundout by Robby Thompson. Will Clark tied it in the bottom of the frame with his 18th homerun of the season.

Roenis Elias has been on a hot streak, and it continued here, as he settled down, allowing 3 hits while striking out 8 over 6 innings. Detroit’s Gene Conley has matched him frame for frame, allowing only 1 run on 2 hits in the same stretch.

In the bottom of the 6th, things took an unlikely turn: Martín Dihigo, he of the .170 average, launched a pitch from Conley nearly 450 feet into leftfield for his first homerun and a 2-1 lead for Miami. Gary Sheffield tripled home a run to make it 3-1, ending Conley’s day in favor of Mickey Lolich.

With 2 outs in the 7th, Elias gave up a solo shot to Al Kaline–the first of his WBL career. That brought in Chris Resop, who closed it out preserving the one run lead for Miami.

Alan Ashby led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, and Paul Molitor came on to run. Two outs later, and Dihigo was up again, this time against Detroit’s reliever Kevin Hart. With the lead, the Cuban Giants kept Dihigo in the game for his glove. He delivered a much more typical response, grounding out weakly to second to end the inning.

It all worked out: Resop and Ed Bauta passed the baton to Aroldis Chapman, who shut the door in the 9th.

DET 2 (Conley 10-3) @ MCG 3 (Elias 5-3; Chapman 19 Sv; Resop 1 H; Bauta 11 H)
HRs: DET – Kaline (1); MCG – Clark (18), Dihigo (1).
Box Score

Game 2: Si Johnson @ Rube Waddell

Detroit comes into the game with a bit of an infield crisis: Sparky Adams is carrying a knock, and both Bob Bailey and George Davis are showing signs of wear and tear. Since they all back each other up at 3B and SS, two of the three are going to forced into action: today, it’s Davis and Bailey.

Will Clark‘s 19th homerun of the year put Miami up 3-0 in the bottom of the first. And that was it through 5 innings. Si Johnson had settled down after Clark’s blast, and Miami’s starter, Rube Waddell had yet to give up a hit.

Geoff Jenkins broke up the no-no with a single to lead off the 6th for Detroit, and singles from Bailey and Hank Greenberg put the Wolverines on the board.

In the bottom of the frame, Johnson issued a walk to load the bases, bringing in Mickey Lolich, who promptly forced in a run with a walk to Carlos Morán, increasing Miami’s lead to 4-1.

Waddell got one out on the 7th, but a hit from Davis and a walk to Robby Thompson turned the game over the Cuban Giants’ bullpen. Phenomenal Smith whiffed Jenkins, but immediately grabbed his left shoulder, and had to leave the game.

José Méndez replaced Smith, and shut down Detroit. He gave up a hit in the 9th, giving way to Ed Bauta, who completed the victory, giving Miami a surprising 2-0 lead in the series.

DET 1 (Johnson 4-7) @ MCG 4 (Waddell 4-6; Bauta 1 Sv; Smith 4 H; Méndez 2 H)
HRs: Det – none; MCG – Clark (19).
Box Score

Game 3: Hal Newhouser @ Eustaquio Pedroso

The matchup certainly favors the Wolverines to get back into the series, with Hal Newhouser and his sub-3.00 ERA going against Eustaquio Pedroso, who is in real danger of losing his rotation spot.

And, you know, just because … Pedroso gets through the top of the first without damage, and Newhouser walks Pete Runnels, Minnie Miñoso, and Gary Sheffield to start the bottom of the frame. But José Canseco whiffed and Ryan Braun grounded into a double play, so we stay scoreless.

Geoff Jenkins took Pedroso deep for a 1-0 Detroit lead in the second, but Sheffield sent a Newhouser pitch in the 3rd deep into the night, putting Miami up 2-1.

Martín Dihigo was forced out of the game with a back injury in the 6th after a hard slide into second and Paul Molitor, who replaced him, scored on a single by Runnels. Miami loaded the bases again, but again Canseco and Braun failed to deliver, so we headed to the 6th with the Cuban Giants ahead, 3-1.

That was it for Pedroso, who had pitched gamely in one of his better outings of the year. His reliever, Braden Looper, gave up a leadoff double to Chili Davis, but escaped with only 1 run scoring, making it a 1 run game at 3-2.

Newhouser didn’t finish the 6th, but Justin Verlander escaped without giving up a run. Looper, on the other hand, gave up a double to Robby Thompson and a single to Bob Bailey to lead off the 7th. Looper was relieved by Chris Resop who gave up a single to Ty Cobb to tie the game at 3. An RBI double from Hank Greenberg and a sacrifice fly by Davis put the Wolverines up, 5-3.

Cobb took Aroldis Chapman deep in the top of the 9th, giving Mike Henneman the ball with a 3-run lead, 6-3. Which seemed plenty for the WBL’s save leader, but Canseco and Robin Yount each hit solo homeruns, closing it to 6-5. Alan Ashby‘s soft line was speared by Thompson, though, to end the game.

Cobb ended the day with 4 hits, 2 runs, and 2 RBI’s, raising his league-leading average to .351.

After the game, Dihigo was placed on the DL, with Tony Taylor being recalled.

DET 6 (Verlander 8-3; Henneman 28 Sv; Napier 6 H) @ MCG 5 (Looper 1-1; Resop 1 BSv)
HRs: DET – Jenkins (9), Cobb (16); MCG – Sheffield (6), Canseco (26), Yount (9).
Box Score

Game 4: Johnny Marcum @ Camilo Pascual

Before the game, Miami continued to get bad news from their medical staff as Phenomenal Smith–excellent in his early time with the Cuban Giants–will miss about a year with an elbow injury. That prompted the recall of Ricky Nolasco from AAA.

The pitching matchup of the series finale was the best of the four games, with Johnny Marcum (10-2, 3.38) taking on Camilo Pascual, Miami’s most consistent starter all season.

Detroit pushed across a run in the opening inning on a wild pitch, but Miami tied it up in the bottom of the second with Alan Ashby‘s 7th homerun of the year. The Wolverines regained the lead on a deep sacrifice fly from Hank Greenberg, scoring George Davis. But again Miami would reply in the next inning, tying the game on a triple from José Cardenal, scoring Will Clark. Cardenal would score on a single from Robin Yount, giving the Cuban Giants their first lead of the day, 3-2.

Each team would score a run on a sacrifice fly in the 5th, making it 4-3 in favor of Miami.

Marcum was the first starter to be chased from the game, giving way to Matt Anderson in the bottom of the 6th, but Anderson was able to close the door with runners on base, keeping the score 4-3.

José Méndez relieved Pascual in the top of the 8th and retired Cobb, Greenberg, and Oscar Gamble–no mean feat. Chili Davis led off the 9th against Méndez with a single, but Detroit was unable to bring him around, and Miami emerged with the victory and the very surprising series win.

DET 3 (Marcum 10-3) @ MCG 4 (Pascual 7-10; Méndez 1 Sv)
HRs: DET – none; MCG – Ashby (7).
Box Score

Series XXVII Preview: Detroit Wolverines @ Miami Cuban Giants

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On February 21, 2023

In Featured Series, Series Previews

Two teams going in two different directions: Detroit (who we saw in Series XXI and Series IV) and Miami (Series XXII and Series XI).

The Wolverines lead the Bill James Division by 1.5 games, and sit 14 games above .500, tied with Portland for the second best record in the WBL (behind Baltimore). Miami, on the other hand, is tied with Memphis for the worst record in the league, languishing at 22 games under .500.

#Detroit Wolverines

They’re just a solid team. Not best in the league at anything, but top 5 in almost everything, just lacking a bit of team speed. OF Ty Cobb not only leads the team, but the entire league, in batting at .351, and his OPS of .965 leads the Wolverines. But 1B Hank Greenberg is an equally important cog in their machine, slashing 306/372/586 and leading Detroit in RBIs (74). Greenberg is tied with OF Oscar Gamble for the team lead in HRs with 21, but Cobb (15), 3B Bob Bailey (16) and OF Chili Davis (17) are also all in double digits. SS George Davis at .694 is the only regular with an OPS under .700. Like I said, solid.

The rotation is led by Johnny Marcum, 10-2 with a 3.38 ERA, followed by two hurlers who did not start the year in their current roles: Hal Newhouser (7-3, 2.91) has been brilliant since his recall and Gene Conley (10-2, 3.27) was just too good to leave in the bullpen. Mike Henneman leads the WBL in saves with 27, and John Hiller has been quite effective getting the ball to him.

Solid.

#Miami Cuban Giants

José Canseco has been brilliant: leading the team in all 3 slash categories at 289/358/530 for an OPS just shy of .900 and a team-high 25 homeruns and 61 RBIs.

Beyond that … Gary Sheffield has shown some signs of life lately, and Will Clark is second on the team in both HR (17) and RBI (56). 2B Pete Runnels has done well since being picked up from Memphis, And … hey, have I mentioned José Canseco?

There are some other storylines here: how long can Martín Dihigo‘s defense–stunning as it is–preserve a roster spot for the eighteen year old who is slashing 169/210/208? Will Minnie Miñoso–the key acquisition over the all-star break for the Cuban Giants–get a chance to prove himself?

Camilo Pascual leads the staff in victories with 6, but also in losses with 10. Several pitchers have shown flashes of promise–Roenis Elías, Phenomenal Smith, José Méndez–but none have lasted. Closer Aroldis Chapman (18 saves and a 2.32 ERA) has been excellent, as has Ed Bauta (10 holds, 2.12 ERA).

And there’s always Canseco …

Projected Starters

Detroit listed first.

Gene Conley (10-2, 3.27) @ Roenis Elías (4-3, 4.97)
Si Johnson (4-6, 4.85) @ Rube Waddell (3-6, 4.20)
Hal Newhouser (7-3, 2.91) @ Eustaquio Pedroso (6-5, 5.73)
Johnny Marcum (10-2, 3.38) @ Camilo Pascual (6-10, 4.06)

Prediction

3-1 Detroit. It would be fun if Miami made it a series.

Series XXVI Best Games

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On February 10, 2023

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

In Series XXVI, we’re going to look at a game that allowed some individual storylines to play out and then two series that featured a couple of great contests each.

Portland Sea Dogs @ New York Black Yankees, Game 2

The game itself isn’t so interesting: Portland exploded for 8 runs in the top of the 5th inning, blowing it open en route to an 11-5 victory. But some of the details may have some impact on the rest of the season:

  • Portland’s Hal Griggs, recalled for the start, was battered, giving up all 5 runs in 3 innings of work and seeing his MLB ERA balloon over 10. The challenge is that injuries are beginning to take their toll on the Sea Dogs’ staff, and with Pascual Pérez injured later in the game, maybe Griggs sticks around? Atlee Hammaker‘s scoreless 3 plus innings of relief put him in a position to get a look as a spot starter from here on out.
  • Kent Hrbek had 2 hits and drove in 3, and tied New York’s Babe Ruth for the WBL homerun lead with 30. Could Ruth be surpassed?
  • Rogers Hornsby has, despite hitting for good power, struggled since being acquired from Kansas City. But he’s turning it around, scoring twice and driving in 2 in this game, and edging his numbers up. New York’s Tommy Herr is in a similar position, but his 3-for-4 performance here is also part of a resurgence, having found some footing with his new team.
  • New York’s bullpen just continues to struggle, but today actually had some decent innings, especially 2 hitless frames from Goose Gossage.

POR 11 (Hammaker 2-1) @ NYY 5 (Hoyt 8-5)
HRs: POR – Murcer (16), Hrbek (30), Hornsby (6); NYY – none.
Box Score

Baltimore Black Sox @ Detroit Wolverines, Games 1 and 3

This series was a matchup of league heavyweights and 2 of the games lived up to the billing.

In the series opener, Mike Mussina was dominant for Baltimore … until he wasn’t, and then the Black Sox’ bullpen just collapsed, with Joe Beggs, Bob Miller, and Don Bessent combining to give up 5 runs in 1.1 innings, with Miller forced onto the DL with injury (a move that effectively ends the closer-by-committee for a while).

Detroit’s pitching wasn’t much better, but Si Johnson held it together for 5 plus, and Mike Henneman is quite a weapon in the bullpen, as the WBL leader in saves picked up his 26th of the season.

Detroit hit four homeruns in the game, with Bob Bailey‘s 3 run shot in the bottom of the 8th off Bessent being the deciding moment.

BAL 6 (Miller 3-2; Bessent 3 B Sv; Beggs 5 H) @ DET 8 (Lolich 1-1; Henneman 26 Sv)
HRs: BAL – Jacobson (6), Machado (3); DET – Greenberg (20), Jenkins (8), C. Davis (17), B. Bailey (16).
Box Score

Hal Newhouser would dominate in the 2nd game, leading Detroit to a 6-1 win. The most important note from that contest was Ned Garvin‘s injury, which turned out to be disastrous, sidelining the Brock Rutherford Award favorite for close to a year. But we’re here to talk about Game 3, which pitted each team’s current ace against each other–Baltimore’s Dennis Martínez and Detroit’s Johnny Marcum.

Both were excellent through 4, but Martínez lost the game in the 5th to the most unlikely of foes: Detroit’s light hitting utility infielder, Sparky Adams, took him deep for his first longball of the year, giving the Wolverines a 3-2 lead. Each team would add one more, but again it was Henneman closing the door, despite surrendering a run on an RBI double from Bobby Wallace.

A nice, taut game.

BAL 3 (Martínez 10-7) @ DET 4 (Marcum 10-2; Henneman 27 Sv; Hiller 11 H)
HRs: BAL – none; DET – Adams (1).
Box Score

FWIW, Baltimore did win the final game to avoid the sweep.

Miami Cuban Giants @ Houston Colt 45’s, Games 1 and 4

These teams split the series, but the more interesting games were the 2 victories by the Cuban Giants.

The story of game 1, at least early on, was missed opportunities. Miami’s 2-way OF/P Eustaquio Pedroso, gave up 9 baserunners in the first 4 innings, but the Colt 45’s managed only 1 run. Pedroso was tagged with a 3-run HR from Tony Gwynn in the 5th, but the score should have been much worse than 4-0.

Meanwhile, Houston’s Stephen Strasburg was magnificent, twirling a 3 hit shutout through 7. In the 8th, Robin Yount led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Alan Ashby, chasing Strasburg from the game with a still comfortable 4-1 lead.

You can tell what’s coming.

Houston’s closer, Billy Wagner came in and gave up a game-tying 3-run moon shot to José Canseco. Miami’s bullpen was excellent, with José Méndez, Ed Bauta, and Aroldis Chapman combining for 5.2 innings of 1-hit relief. Chapman was already gassed, so after he retired a batter, the Cuban Giants turned to Braden Looper as we headed to the 12th.

In the top of the frame, Houston’s Scott Erickson could not get the final out, giving up a walk and 2 hits, the last being a 2-run single from Chris Hoiles to give Miami a 2 run lead. Looper gave up 4 hits in the bottom of the 12th, all singles, but escaped with the victory when José Cardenal gunned down George Brett at the plate to end the game.

Houston ended the game with 13 runners left on base, to Miami’s 4. Offensive efficiency matters.

Thrilling.

MCG 6 (Looper 1-0) @ HOU 5 (Gregerson 0-1; Hoffman 6 H; Wagner 6 B Sv) [12 Innings]
HRS: MCG – Canseco (25); HOU – Gwynn (6).
Box Score

The series finale was somewhat similar. Here, though, both starters had excellent outings, with Miami’s Ramón Martinez and Houston’s Toad Ramsey essentially matching efforts, each surrendering only 2 runs.

When Jim Wynn took Braden Looper deep in the 8th for a 3-2 lead for Houston, the script seemed written: Mark Melancon has been a victory vulture all year, with a 9-2 record out of the bullpen. Again, though, Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner were unable to hold it–this time with more dire consequences, as both pitchers left with injuries (Wagner will only miss a few days, Hoffman is looking at a trip to the DL).

The late innings were highly tactical: Miami tied it because Carlos Morán, pinch hitting for Pete Runnels, scored from 1st on a José Canseco double.

Brad Lidge, who started the year as Houston’s closer and was just recently recalled from AAA, matched Miami’s Phenomenal Smith with great relief efforts (Lidge pitched 2 perfect frames, Smith allowed a single hit in 3.1 innings), but Houston turned to Dock Ellis, highly mediocre all year, in the 12th.

It didn’t work well: Gary Sheffield doubled and, after Ellis was able to get 2 outs, Alan Ashby singled him home for the lead. Alejandro Oms pinch ran for Ashby, and scored on a single from Ryan Braun for a 5-3 lead for the Cuban Giants.

Aroldis Chapman shut the door, cementing the series split for Miami.

Hoffman’s injury opened the door for Tug McGraw to be recalled from AAA for Houston.

MCG 5 (Smith 1-1; Chapman 18 Sv) @ HOU 3 (Ellis 0-5; Hoffman 1 B Sv)
HRs: MCG – Yount (8); HOU – Wynn (14)
Box Score

TWIWBL 31.4: Series XXIV Notes – Marvin Miller Division

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On January 23, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

The Black Barons just keep on doing their thing since the All-Star break. against Cleveland, 3 hits from Adrián González and a key homerun from Eddie Mathews sparked a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. Bruce Chen got the win and Juan Rincón picked up his 15th save in the 6-5 victory.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Ralph Branca was recalled from AAA to start in Brooklyn’s doubleheader with Dick Redding being sent down, most likely just for the one day. Indeed, after giving up 5 runs in 4 innings, Branca was immediately sent back down to AAA. Jermaine Dye was waived, and Nap Rucker and Michael Brantley joined the big leagues.

Beals Becker tied the WBL record with 5 hits (all singles) in a 6-3 win over Indianapolis. Roy White had 3 hits and 4 RBIs in the game, but not all the news was good for the Royal Giants, as Ray Dandridge headed back to the DL after spraining his knee in the first inning. Davey Lopes was waived and Todd Walker promoted to the big leagues.

Both Dye and Lopes cleared waivers, rejoining the franchise with AAA Queens. Tommy Hansen has earned a shot at the #5 spot in the Royal Giants’ rotation.

#Miami Cuban Giants

José Canseco almost brought the Cuban Giants back single-handedly, hitting a pinch-hit homerun in the 7th and another in the 9th to give him 5 RBI’s on the day. It wasn’t quite enough, as Miami fell to Baltimore, 6-5.

The Cuban Giants did salvage the final game of the series, as Roenis Elías, Phenomenal Smith, Ed Bauta, and Aroldis Chapman combined on a 5-hit shoutout. Gary Sheffield went deep and Miami won, 2-0, with Elías improving to 4-3 on the year and Chapman picking up his 15th save.

Prize acquisition Minnie Miñoso came off the DL, and was sent to AAA on a short rehab assignment before being recalled to the big league club, along with infielder Alexei Ramírez. Sandy Amorós moved to AAA, along with struggling slugger Jim Thome with more moves expected as Paul Molitor and Carlos Morán return from the DL this week.

On the mound, Steve Brown–hammered in his WBL stay–moved to AAA, along with once-WBL-darling Marcelino López. Ramón Martínez was brought back from a rehab assignment, nudging José Méndez out of the rotation with his return. Braden Looper will be brought up once space is cleared on the 40-man roster.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Joe Mauer will be out a couple weeks, but the Sea Dogs have a stellar replacement as Pudge Rodríguez takes over slashing 347/364/533. Cliff W. Lee, one of the best young catchers in the minor leagues, was recalled for a taste of the show.

Somehow, against all odds, Greg Litton still has a roster spot: playing 6 positions, no matter how badly you hit, has its benefits. But his offensive woes do continue to lessen his projected playing time.

Series XXIII: Best Games

By

On December 7, 2022

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

For Series XXIII, we’re going to look at 3 series, each of which had 2 compelling games to visit more closely.

#Baltimore Black Sox @ Brooklyn Royal Giants, Games 1 and 3

The opening game of the series between Baltimore and Brooklyn was a bit of a surprise as the pitching matchup–Dennis Martínez and Don Drysedale–hinted at a pitcher’s duel. Instead, it was a see-saw affair, with the Black Sox taking an early lead, and then surrendering 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th. The key hit was Germany Smith‘s 2nd homerun of the year which, along with another run the following inning, gave the Royal Giants a 7-4 lead. Baltimore came back with a run in the 7th and 4 more in the 8th behind Larry Gardner‘s second homerun of the day en route to a 9-7 victory. Gardner finished with 3 hits and 5 RBIs for the Black Sox, whose bullpen delivered 5 innings of 1-hit relief.

BAL 9 (Palmer 7-7; Bessent 12 Sv; Beggs 3 H) @ BRK 7 (Dreifort 0-2, 1 B Sv; Hanson 4 H)
HRs: BAL – Gardner 2 (8), Robinson (19); BRK – Smith (2), Snider (20).
Box Score

The 3rd game of the series went to extra innings, but we should start with the great starts put in by Baltimore’s Mike Mussina (4 IP, 1 run) and Brooklyn’s Sandy Koufax (5 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits). Both of their days were cut short by a long rain delay, turning the game over to a pair of already thin bullpens. They got by–at the end of the 6th, the game was tied at 2, and it stayed that way into the 11th.

In the top of the frame, Baltimore’s Baby Doll Jacobson put down a great bunt to score Brian Roberts from 3B, and later came around on a single from Bobby Wallace to give the Black Sox a 4-2 lead.

The Royal Giants wouldn’t go down without a fight, however: Ron Cey doubled home Jackie Robinson to cut the lead to 1 run, and a 2-out single from Dickie Thon loaded the bases … but Don Bessent got the Royal Giants’ John Briggs to popout to 3B to end the game.

BAL 4 (Miller 3-1; Bessent 13 Sv) @ BRK 3 (Hanson 0-1; Gagne 5 B Sv)
HRs: BRK – Thon (4)
Box Score

#Miami Cuban Giants @ New York Gothams, Games 2 and 3

Miami‘s pitching–and especially their bullpen–has been pretty woeful all year, so when the Gothams scored 4 in the bottom of the 2nd to take a 4-3 lead, you could be excused for thinking the game was over. But the Cuban Giants fought back behind 2 homeruns from José Canseco and effective innings from Ed Bauta and Aroldis Chapman, not to mention a key OF kill from Alejandro Oms, who gunned down Willie Mays trying to score in the bottom of the 8th.

MCG 10 (Elias 3-3; Chapman 14 Sv; Brown 1 H; Bauta 9 H) @ NYG 7 (Marichal 7-6)
HRs: MCG – Canseco 2 (21); NYG – Adcock (3), Kerins (3), Higgins (7)
Box Score

José Méndez turned in one of his better performances of the year for Miami in game 3: 5 innings, 2 earned runs. A quality start. And nobody was talking about it, as New York’s Christy Mathewson won his 10th game of the year with a masterful 1-hit complete game shutout, striking out 7 and walking only one. Indeed, it was one of the best starts in the WBL all season, and Mark Loretta‘s 2 hits and 3 RBIs were more than enough for the Gothams.

MCG 0 (Méndez 2-4) @ NYG 3 (Mathewson 10-6)
HRs: n/a.
Box Score

#Houston Colt 45s @ Chicago American Giants, Games 2 & 4

Finally, we have two games from the Houston Colt 45s visit to Chicago. Game 2 was a pitcher’s duel between Houston’s Bones Ely and Chicago’s Mark Buehrle. Ely was better, allowing 1 run in over 7 innings of 3-hit ball, but Buehrle was quite good, allowing only an unearned run on an error by Dick Allen over 6 innings of work.

Chicago would score its first run in the bottom of the 8th on a wild pitch by Andrew Chafin, and win the game on a walkoff homerun from Allen, atoning for his earlier miscue. Mid-season acquisition Hoyt Wilhelm got the win with 3innings of 1-hit relief.

HOU 1 (Melancon 8-2; Chafin 2 B Sv) @ CAG 2 (Wilhelm 2-0)
HRs: CAG – Allen (15).
Box Score

The series finale was a fun one.

Houston jumped out to a 6-0 lead behind homeruns from Jimmy Wynn and Jeff Bagwell, but also left nine batters on base through the first 4 innings, which is actually hard to do. But with Roger Clemens giving his best work since joining the Colt 45’s, it seemed OK. Clemens reached 100 pitches after 6 innings of work, and left with leading, 6-3.

But Chicago rocked Luke Gregerson and Scott Erickson, torching Houston’s relievers for 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead, 8-6. Recently recalled Andrés Galarraga sent a moon shot into the RF stands in the top of the 8th to swing the lead back to Houston, 9-8, and with Houston’s closer, Billy Wagner, taking the mound in the bottom of the 9th, all looked safe.

But Carlton Fisk reached on an error by SS Carlos Correa and José Abreu walked, setting the stage for a double from Magglio Ordóñez to tie the game and a single from Eddie Collins (who finished the day with 3 hits and 5 RBIs) to win it.

HOU 9 (Wagner 0-2, 4 B Sv; Gregerson 2 H; Melancon 8 H; Erickson 1 B Sv) @ CAG 10 (Newcombe 1-2, 1 B Sv)
HRs: HOU – Wynn (13), Bagwell (10), Galarraga (2).
Box Score

TWIWBL 22.4: Series XVIII Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By

On February 4, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

OF Al Schweitzer will miss about a month with a strained groin. Ginger Beaumont–who couldn’t hit .200 in an earlier stint with the big league club, but has been slashing 423/516/654 at AAA–was recalled.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Don Drysedale rebounded from a rough start to turn in over 8 strong innings in earning his fifth win of the season in an 7-2 win over Memphis. Duke Farrell had 3 hits and 3 RBIs including his 3rd homerun of the year.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Sandy Consuegra was sent to AAA as, with Tommy Bridges out for a few days, the Cuban Giants needed another starter. Dontrelle Willis was recalled to the big leagues.

Pete Runnels went 4-for-4, continuing his great start with his new team, and Robin Yount scored three times, helping Miami to a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Ottawa. The big blow was a grand slam from José Canseco in the 8th inning, giving Ed Bauta his first win on the season. Aroldis Chapman picked up his 12th save of the year.

#Portland Sea Dogs

With Dizzy Trout out for 2 weeks, the Sea Dogs recalled Bob Porterfield from AAA.

Series XI Preview: New York Black Yankees @ Miami Cuban Giants

By

On July 27, 2021

In Featured Series, Series Previews

The Cuban Giants and the Black Yankees were the only two remaining teams that hadn’t been previewed. And somehow they played each other in Series XI!

New York Black Yankees

The Black Yankees lead the Effa Manley Division by 3 games with a record of 25-17. That’s pretty good, but a few weeks ago, they looked poised to run away from the league, but they have gone 7-13 in their last 20 games.

But don’t be fooled: they are still the best offensive team in the league, and still have the best starters ERA. The offense is, of course, led by the best player in the league right now, Babe Ruth (357/451/732 with 15 homeruns). But it’s not like the Babe is doing it alone. Lou Gehrig is at 358/462/692 and Albert Belle at 337/395/615.

The challenge for the Black Yankees on offense is finding playing time for Belle, Mickey Mantle (297/411/434), and Eric Davis (296/337/537) in the OF and both Gehrig and Don Mattingly (309/359/525) at 1B. With the DH, 5 of those 6 can play each game, but only Ruth (along with SS Derek Jeter at 291/339/395 have played at least 40 games).

Their only real issue is at 2B, where starter Willie Randolph is struggling mightily at 179/312/265. His (and Jeter’s) backup, Craig Counsell, is doing even worse.

Ron Guidry leads the starting pitchers at 4-3 with a 3.41 ERA and a league-leading WHIP. Red Ruffing sits at 4-0, 3.74. If the Black Yankees have an Achilles’ heel, it could be the bullpen. Sparky Lyle has been solid as the closer, with 4 saves and a 3.60 ERA, and David Robertson has been excellent, with a 2.08 ERA in 13 appearances. But Goose Gossage and Dellin Betances have both struggled at times.

Miami Cuban Giants

Simply, Miami needs to improve. The Cuban Giants sit at 18-24, 9 games back in the Marvin Miller Division.

The two Jose’s–Canseco and Cardenal–have been the best performers for Miami, with Canseco slashing 313/383/497 and Cardenal 323/351/465. Will Clark leads the team with 9 HRs and 30 RBIs.

The Cuban giants have already made some moves with hopes of changing it up: John Munyan, Paul Molitor, and Tony Gonzalez have been sent to AAA Orlando, replaced at the big league level by Gary Sheffield, Alan Ashby, and Alexei Ramirez.

Jim Thome is hitting 429/478/905 over his last 8 games … which has only brought his season numbers up to 186/293/372. Which is pretty amazing.

The pitching has been a bit better, and has some interesting possibilities. Camilo Pascual leads the way at 4-1 with a league-leading 2.26 ERA. Tommy Bridges missed a start, but is still 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA and Rube Waddell has pitched far better than his 2-3 record, with a 3.19 ERA.

Aroldis Chapman has been a bit of an adventure in the bullpen, allowing 11 hits and 11 walks in 11.2 innings … and somehow maintaining a 0.00 ERA so far, with 9 saves. But getting to Chapman has been hard, with only Ed Bauta (0-1, 3.32 ERA with 5 holds) being dependable to date.

#Series Matchups

New York pitcher first: Red Ruffing (4-0, 3.74) @ Tommy Bridges (3-0, 2.87); Dave Righetti (2-3, 5.18) @ Camilo Pascual (4-1, 2.26); Waite Hoyt (3-1, 4.17) @ Rube Waddell (2-3, 3.19); Ron Guidry (4-3, 3.41) @ Don Newcombe (0-4, 5.79).

Clearly, the Ruffing v. Bridges matchup is intriguing, and you could even see the matchups favoring Miami for the first 3 games.

TWIWBL 6.4: Series V Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By

On May 26, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

John Clarkson fell to 1-2 with a miserable outing against the Cleveland Spiders, giving up 7 earned runs in under 3 IP and sending his ERA to 12.74. Jim Whitney was ineffective in relief, and Dick Rudolph‘s 2.2 scoreless IP may have been enough to slide him into the rotation. With only three rotation spots settled, look for those three, Greg Maddux, and Sam Streeter to get opportunities starting for Birmingham.

OF Al Schweitzer, who had a solid start to the season slashing 267/389/422 will be out over a month with a hamstring strain, with Curtis Granderson being promoted to Birmingham to take his roster spot.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Jackie Robinson‘s first HR of the year was a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 7th against Indianapolis, providing the winning margin in a 3-1 victory for the Royal Giants.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Rube Waddell, Eustaquio Pedroso, Ed Bauta, and Aroldis Chapman combined for a 6-hit shutout of the Baltimore Black Sox, with Waddell moving to 1-1 on the year with the 4-0 Cuban Giants victory.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Gil Hodges became the first player in the WBL to swat 3 HRs in a single game, sending 3 balls out of the park against Philadelphia‘s Pete Alexander in a 7-4 win for the Sea Dogs.

Walter Johnson threw 8 strong innings to become the league’s first four game winner, leading the Sea Dogs over Philadelphia 4-1.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Wally Moon may have defined Moonshot, sending a pitch from Kansas City‘s Luke Hamlin 502 feet into the night, helping San Francisco eke out a 7-6 victory.

Capping a 3-for-4 day, Reggie Jackson tagged Kansas City’s Frank DiPino with his first earned runs of the year with a 2-out, 2-run HR, 9th inning HR to give the Sea Lions a 3-2 lead. Rick Langford debuted with three innings of scoreless relief for the victory, and Rod Beck pitched a perfect bottom of the 9th for his 6th save of the season.

Spring Training Preview: Miami

By

On June 20, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

  • The final 2 rotation slots are likely to be pulled from Don Newcombe, Ramon Martinez, and Livan Hernandez, but both Jose Mendez and Eustaquio Pedroso have outside shots as well.
    • Rube Waddell has been excellent, but neither Camilo Pascual nor Tommy Bridges as good as expected. As such, there are a lot of open slots. Pedroso has seized 1 of them with some great performances, and Mendez has an edge on the other, while Hernandez has been pretty awful.
      • Hernandez has pitched himself back to AAA, while the front of the rotation has solidifed as Waddell, Pedroso, Martinez, and Bridges.
      • That leaves Willis, Pascual, Newcombe, and Mendez competing for the final rotation spot.
  • In the bullpen, while Aroldis Chapman and Bill Landrum are solid, and Tony Fossas can succeed in a situational role, doubts exist about Dalier Hinojosa and Ed Bauta especially.
    • Unfortunately, Fossas, Bauta, and Sandy Consuegra have had a rough go of it. Miami has recalled Ryota Igarashi, Dontrelle Willis, and Alex Colome to help find some bullpen solutions to get to Chapman and Landrum.
      • Both Bauta and Hinjosa have solidified their roster spots, if not their exact roles, while Fossas has moved to AAA. Igarashi could join him, but deserves another couple of appearances.
  • 2B, 3B, and SS are all up for grabs: Cookie Rojas and Paul Molitor are neck-and-neck at 2B; Evan Longoria, Manny Machado, and Gary Sheffield at 3B; and Robin Yount and Chico Fernandez at SS.
    • Molitor is on the verge of playing himself out of the league behind Rojas (which would clearly open a role for Dihigo, but he hasn’t hit a lick either). But he’s doing better than Longoria, who is literally hitless so far, at the bottom of a muddled pile at 3B, led by the surprising Willie Kamm.
      • Molitor and Longoria were both sent to AAA to work it out, with Tito Fuentes getting a shot in major league camp.
    • Yount has taken control at SS, so there’s that, at least.
  • In the OF, the talents of Alejandro Oms and Martin Dihigo are undeniable, but there are questions about whether they are ready for the WBL.
    • The OF is still crowded, with Jose Cardenal, Ryan Braun, and Eddie Milner all arguing for playing time and Ozzie Canseco being sent to AAA.
      • Oms and Dihigo don’t have to hit much to earn a roster spot due to their versatility and glovework. Milner and Braun, however, are on the bubble.
      • Tony Gonzalez has forced himself into the conversation, and perhaps even into a starting role.
  • C is now an issue as well, as both John Munyan and Alan Ashby are performing on par with expected starter Charlie Bennett.
    • The trio continues to be indistinguishable–if that continues, Bennett will start due to his defense, and a coin flip will pick his backup.
    • At 1B, Joe Adcock and Yonder Alonso are pounding the ball, leaving Edwin Encarnacion‘s roster spot in doubt.
Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersRube Waddell
Eustaquio Pedroso		Ramon Martinez
Tommy Bridges		Jose Mendez
Camilo Pascual
Don Newcombe
Dontrelle Willis
Middle RelieversAlex Colome
Ed Bauta
Sandy Consuegra		Ryota Igarashi
SetupDalier Hinojosa
Bill Landrum
CloserAroldis Chapman
CCharlie Bennett
John Munyan
Alan Ashby
1BJoe Adcock
Yonder Alonso		Edwin Encarnacion
2BCookie RojasMartin DihigoTito Fuentes
3BWillie KammManny Machado
Gary Sheffield
SSRobin YountChico Fernandez
OFJose CansecoJose CardenalTony Gonzalez
Tommie Agee
Yasiel Puig
Sandy Amoros
Alejandro Oms		Ryan Braun
Eddie Milner

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