Tournament of Champions: Promotion, Relegation, and Forced Relocation

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - July - New Mexico Suns

 

Things are getting better, and going into the last stretch of August, the Suns have a good shot of making a playoff spot and getting promoted to the AL for the 2015 season. First things first. Catch Brooklyn and Oakland! 

 

Oh, and San Francisco made midseason uniform changes. Apparently saved files do not hold on to the old data like I thought they did. Otherwise, I would have moved/deleted files later. Well, I like their new uniforms better anyway.

 

New Mexico July Schedule

 

 

New Mexico Team Page

 

 

New Mexico Transactions

 

Saturday, July 26th, 2014        

          Placed MR Michael Kirkman on the reserve roster.        

        Placed MR Gomes Oulman on the active roster.        

            Activated MR Gomes Oulman from the disabled list.         

 

          Thursday, July 24th, 2014        

            Placed 3B Ethan Riley on the reserve roster.        

            Placed MR Michael Kirkman on the active roster.     

    

     Saturday, July 19th, 2014        

          Placed MR Eric Shields on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to 07/18/2014.      

            Placed 3B Ethan Riley on the active roster.        

                                                                                                

 

 Saturday, July 12th, 2014        

            Transferred SP Li-ben Chen to the 60-day DL.        

            Traded 37-year-old reliever Mike MacDougal and 18-year-old third baseman Takuro Sugawara to the Honolulu Tropics, getting 30-year-old starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez and 39-year-old reliever Eric Shields in return.        

          Placed MR Gomes Oulman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to 07/11/2014.      

            Placed MR Eric Shields on the active roster.         

 

       Wednesday, July 9th, 2014      

            Placed SP Li-ben Chen on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to 07/07/2014.        

 

          Tuesday, July 8th, 2014        

            Traded 29-year-old starting pitcher John Danks, 28-year-old reliever Jair Jurrjens and 25-year-old starting pitcher Dwayne Pettipher to the Detroit Wolverines, getting 19-year-old starting pitcher Matt Hawkins, 26-year-old center fielder A. J. Pollock and 27-year-old reliever Nick Vincent in return. (Necessary move. We couldn't keep Danks after this season, so we had to get something for him, along with freeing up some significant salary for free agent acquisitions.)

 

      Placed SP Matt Hawkins on the reserve roster.        

            Placed CF A. J. Pollock on the active roster.    

          Placed CF Ramón Ybarra on the reserve roster.        

      Placed MR Nick Vincent on the active roster.         

 

          Monday, July 7th, 2014        

            Placed CF Brandon Kirkpatrick on the reserve roster.        

        Placed RF Daniel Ortmeier on the active roster.      

          Activated RF Daniel Ortmeier from the disabled list.      

                                       

 

            Saturday, July 5th, 2014        

            Signed international amateur SP Djoka Kontic out of Bulgaria to a minor league contract with a $930,000 signing bonus.        

 

Thursday, July 3rd, 2014        

            Signed free agent C Paco Rivera to a 1-year contract worth a total of $550,000.        

            Placed C Audry Perez on the reserve roster.        

            Placed C Paco Rivera on the active roster.        

            Placed CF Jake Marisnick on the reserve roster.        

            Placed LF Christian Yelich on the active roster.        

            Activated LF Christian Yelich from the disabled list.      

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - OL Final Standings

 

Standings

 

 

Pennant Winners

 

 

A definite step above most of the Omega League, the Buzzards had fallen hard in recent years from their original perch in the Beta League. However, San Antonio used both offense and defense to set themselves apart from the rest of the league. Led offensively by the dynamic hitting of catcher Carlos Santana (.299, 33 HR, 84 RBI) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (.305, 21 HR, 65 RBI), the Buzzards finished as the second rated offense. Not to be outdone, the 1-2 punch of Clayton Kershaw (13-6, 2.70 ERA) and Brian Matusz (13-6, 2.39 ERA) led San Antonio to the best pitching staff in the league. 

 

Tie Breakers

 

Louisville was the 10th seed due to a 10-2 head-to-head advantage over Boston. 

 

What Ifs

 

Had Atlanta won their final game or had Orlando lost, the Blazers would have won the season tie breaker over the Rockets for the right to play for the Bronze Trophy and gain automatic promotion in 2015 to the Gamma League. Instead, Atlanta now has to battle seven other teams for three spots into the Gamma League in the last year of mass promotion. 

 

Boston may have changed its team nickname from the Nighthawks to the Hawks, but they found little daylight on the 2014 season. Finishing in a tie for tenth place with Louisville, the Hawks were unfortunate to finish tied with the team they struggled most against. Still, had the Hawks not lost a late-season game against Edmonton (1-0 final), Boston would be fighting for a promotion chance. Instead, the Hawks, along with Indianapolis, must sit out the 2014 postseason. Hopefully ace C.C. Sabathia doesn't smash up some $%#@ this time. 

 

Tournaments

 

Bronze Trophy

Orlando vs San Antonio

 

Omega Cup First Round

Louisville vs Atlanta

Las Vegas vs Edmonton

Vancouver vs Baltimore

Oklahoma City vs Pittsburgh

 

Special Notes

 

Edmonton and Baltimore are fighting for survival. If either team fails to gain promotion to the Gamma League, they will be forced to relocate. The Freeze and Bullets must win at least two series in the Omega Cup tournament to be promoted to the Gamma League. Good luck, fans in Alberta and Maryland!

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - GL Final Standings

 

Standings

 

 

Pennant Winners

 

 

Denver cruised to win the pennant with a 12-game edge over second place Washington. Francisco Liriano lit up opposing batters, posting a 13-3 record with a league-leading 1.83 ERA.  Danny Duffy was the wins leader (16-5, 2.38 ERA) for the Gamma League's top pitching staff. Craig Kimbrel was a shutdown closer, posting 40 saves on the season. On offense, the Peaks were led by middle of the lineup power from 1B Ruben Aguilera (.258, 28 HR, 83 RBI) and catcher Kidlat Escobal (.282, 22 HR, 79 RBI) and lots of speed on the base paths, including 40 steals from CF Ezequiel Carrera. 

 

Tie Breakers

 

The Chicago Brats won the season series over Honolulu, seven games to five, giving them fifth place and a better match up over the Tropics in the first round of the Gamma Cup. 

 

What Ifs

 

Utah finished a game behind Washington, meaning they were out of the battle for the Silver Cup and without an automatic promotion to the Beta League. Part of the reason they missed out was because of an early August match up against the Presidents, where Washington took two of three, helping to seal the second place finish. Now, the Mustangs have to battle with Philadelphia, Chicago, and Honolulu for two promotion spots in the Gamma Cup. 

 

Tournaments

 

Silver Trophy

Washington vs Denver

 

Gamma Cup First Round

Honolulu vs Utah

Chicago vs Philadelphia

 

Gamma Survivors Cup First Round

Cleveland vs St. Louis

Bronx vs Portland

Seattle - Bye

Tampa - Bye

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - BL Final Standings

 

August, or New Mexico's Collapse

 

New Mexico – August Schedule

 

 

A brutal slate to start the month with Oakland and Minneapolis. Both teams dominated the Suns throughout the season, and, while New Mexico was in contention for a playoff spot going into August, losing those two series made that dream impossible. The next goal was to hold on for the right to play in the Beta Cup tournament. However, the Suns could never find their stroke, going 5-14 in the month and dropping into 8th place. Now the battle for survival is on. On the bright side, the Suns have home-field advantage through the Beta Survivors Cup tournament, but any bad two-game stretch means a trip to the Gamma League in 2015. 

 

New Mexico – Team Page

 

 

 

Standings

 

 

Tie Breakers

 

Montreal and Minneapolis shared the division crown. However, the Saints won the season series, seven games to five. There can be only one; therefore, …

 

Pennant Winner

 

 

Montreal is one of those teams that sneaks its way into a league pennant. With only the sixth best offense and the third best pitching staff, the Saints barely edged teams when they won and got blown out a few too many times. However, they have earned their spot into the Alpha League in 2015 and get to challenge for a plethora of other banners in the meantime. 

 

What Ifs

 

The biggest “what if” belongs to the Blizzard, who entered the final day of the season a game in first place. All Minneapolis had to do in the final game was to beat Charlotte or hope for a Montreal loss. Instead, the Blizzard fell to Flyers, 10-3, and the Saints edged Buffalo, 5-3. 

 

Tournaments

 

Gold Trophy

 

First Round

 

Brooklyn vs Minneapolis

Montreal – Bye

 

Beta Cup

 

First Round

 

Charlotte vs Oakland

Memphis vs San Francisco

 

Beta Survivors Cup

 

First Round

 

Toronto vs Buffalo

 

Semifinals

 

Toronto-Buffalo winner vs New Mexico

Houston vs Milwaukee

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - AL Final Standings

 

Standings

 

 

Pennant Winner

 

 

Four pitchers, four 10+ game winners. The San Diego Slammers used pitching instead of their namesake offense to help themselves to their first pennant. Led by Jose Fernandez (14-5, 2.22 ERA), Hyun-jin Ryu (13-6, 3.24 ERA), Jake Peavy (14-6, 3.72 ERA; 7-3, 3.48 ERA with San Diego), and Brett Anderson (11-7, 4.00 ERA), the Slammers have a pitching staff that can beat anybody any day. 

 

Tournaments

 

Diamond Trophy

 

First Round

 

Miami vs San Diego

Phoenix vs Cincinnati

 

Alpha Cup

 

Dallas vs Virginia Beach

 

Honors Cup

 

First Round

 

New Orleans vs Kansas City

Austin vs Los Angeles

Nashville, Detroit - Bye

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 22

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Louisville 6 at Atlanta 3 - Louisville leads 1-0

Vancouver 2 at Baltimore 3, 11 innings - Baltimore leads 1-0

 

Bronze Trophy

Orlando 12 at San Antonio 5 - Orlando leads 1-0

WP - Kyle Kendrick, LP - Clayton Kershaw

MVP - 2B Bryan Perez, Orlando

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup

Cleveland 2 at St. Louis 0 - Cleveland leads 1-0

Bronx 1 at Portland 2 - Portland leads 1-0

 

Silver Trophy

Washington 5 at Denver 0 - Washington leads 1-0

WP - Justin Verlander, LP - Danny Duffy

MVP - SP Justin Verlander, Washington

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Toronto 3 at Buffalo 4 - Buffalo leads 1-0

 

Gold Trophy

Brooklyn 3 at Minneapolis 2 - Brooklyn leads 1-0

WP - Bill Bray, LP - Matt Belisle, S - Amawal Hadda

MVP - SP Alex Cobb, Minneapolis

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

New Orleans 7 at Kansas City 5 - New Orleans leads 1-0

Austin 3 at Los Angeles 7, 11 innings - Los Angeles leads 1-0

 

Diamond Trophy

Phoenix 6 at Cincinnati 7, 13 innings - Cincinnati leads 1-0

WP - Hideki Okajima, LP - Scott Feldman

MVP - C/3B Pablo Sandoval, Cincinnati

 

Miami 3 at San Diego 4 - San Diego leads 1-0

WP - Jake Peavy, LP - Luis Atilano, S - Brandon Cumpton

MVP - SP Jake Peavy, San Diego

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 23

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Oklahoma City 1 at Pittsburgh 2 - Pittsburgh leads 1-0

Louisville 4 at Atlanta 7 - Tied 1-1

Las Vegas 6 at Edmonton 8 - Edmonton leads 1-0

Vancouver 6 at Baltimore 2 - Tied 1-1

 

Bronze Trophy

Orlando 5 at San Antonio 2 - Orlando leads 2-0

WP - Wei-Yin Chin, LP - Joe Kelly, S- Sean Doolittle

MVP - SP We-Yin Chin, Orlando

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup

Cleveland 3 at St. Louis 4 - Tied 1-1

Bronx 3 at Portland 8 - Portland wins 2-0

 

Gamma Cup

Honolulu 1 at Utah 3 - Utah leads 1-0

Chicago 4 at Philadelphia 3, 11 innings - Chicago leads 1-0

 

Silver Trophy

Washington 2 at Denver 3 - Tied 1-1

WP - Esteban Romero, LP - John Gast, S - Craig Kimbrel

MVP – SP Juan Freyre, Washington

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Toronto 15 at Buffalo 10, 14 innings - Tied 1-1

 

Beta Cup

Charlotte 2 at Oakland 1 - Charlotte leads 1-0

Memphis 6 at San Francisco 7 - San Francisco leads 1-0

 

Gold Trophy

Brooklyn 2 at Minneapolis 6 - Tied 1-1

WP - Joe Kennedy, LP - Stephen Strasburg

MVP - 1B Mark Teixeira, Minneapolis

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

New Orleans 3 at Kansas City 5 - Tied 1-1

Austin 1 at Los Angeles 7 - Los Angeles wins 2-0

 

Alpha Cup

Dallas 3 at Virginia Beach 2, 10 innings - Dallas leads 1-0

 

Diamond Trophy

Miami 3 at San Diego 2 - Tied 1-1

WP - Madison Bumgarner, LP - Jose Fernandez, S- Andy Sisco

MVP - SP Madison Bumgarner, Miami

 

Phoenix 5 at Cincinnati 6 - Cincinnati leads 2-0

WP - Leon Stops, LP - Robbie Weinhardt

MVP - 1B Brett Wallace, Phoenix

SS Troy Tulowitzki, Cincinnati, walk-off 2-RBI double in 9th

[StLee 19]

2014 - Postseason - August 24

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Oklahoma City 4 at Pittsburgh 5 - Pittsburgh wins 2-0

Las Vegas 6 at Edmonton 2 - Tied 1-1

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Cup

Chicago 9 at Philadelphia 4 - Chicago wins 2-0

Honolulu 8 at Utah 5 - Tied 1-1

 

Beta League

 

Beta Cup

Charlotte 4 at Oakland 3, 11 innings - Charlotte wins 2-0

Memphis 6 at San Francisco 9 - San Francisco wins 2-0

 

Alpha League

 

Alpha Cup

Dallas 1 at Virginia Beach 4 - Tied 1-1

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 25

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Atlanta 5 at Louisville 4, 13 innings - Atlanta wins 2-1

Baltimore 6 at Vancouver 3 - Baltimore wins 2-1

 

Bronze Trophy

San Antonio 10 at Orlando 7 - Orlando leads 2-1

WP - Javy Guerra, LP - Yordano Ventura

MVP - C Carlos Santana, San Antonio

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup

St. Louis 3 at Cleveland 0 - St. Louis wins 2-1

 

Silver Trophy

Denver 0 at Washington 5 - Washington leads 2-1

WP - Ietsuna Murakami, LP - Francisco Liriano

MVP – SP Ietsuna Murakami, Washington

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Buffalo 3 at Toronto 8 - Toronto wins 2-1

 

Gold Trophy

Minneapolis 0 at Brooklyn 5 - Brooklyn leads 2-1

WP - Francisco Mata, LP - Roberto Hernandez, S - Bill Bray

MVP - SP Francisco Mata

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Kansas City 6 at New Orleans 5 - Kansas City wins 2-1

 

Diamond Trophy

San Diego 3 at Miami 8 - Miami leads 2-1

WP - Matt Harrison, LP - Hyun-jin Ryu

MVP - LF Chris Carter, Miami

 

Cincinnati 10 at Phoenix 3 - Cincinnati wins 3-0

WP - Cole Hamels, LP - Foppe Spitsbaard

MVP - 1B Justin Morneau, Cincinnati

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 26

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Edmonton 1 at Las Vegas 8 - Las Vegas wins 2-1

Note: Edmonton will be forced to relocate in 2015

 

Bronze Trophy

San Antonio 4 at Orlando 3 - Tied 2-2

WP - Clayton Kershaw, LP - Roberto Gonzales, S - Josh Lindblom

MVP - SP Clayton Kershaw, San Antonio

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: First Round Recap

#9 St. Louis defeated #12 Cleveland, 2 games to 1

#10 Portland defeated #11 Bronx, 2 games to 0

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: Semifinals

Portland 3 at #7 Seattle 2 - Portland leads 1-0

 

Gamma Cup

Utah 9 at Honolulu 2 - Utah wins 2-1

 

Silver Trophy

Denver 6 at Washington 5 - Tied 2-2

WP - Danny Salazar, LP - Al Alburquerque, S - Craig Kimbrel

MVP – LF Benny Watson, Denver

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup: First Round Recap

#12 Toronto defeated #11 Buffalo, 2 games to 1

 

Beta Survivors Cup: Semifinals

#10 Houston 8 at #9 Milwaukee 2 - Houston leads 1-0

 

Beta Cup: First Round Recap

#7 Charlotte defeated #4 Oakland, 2 games to 0

#5 San Francisco defeated #6 Memphis, 2 games to 0

 

Beta Cup: Finals

Charlotte 10 at San Francisco 2 - Charlotte leads 1-0

 

Gold Trophy

Minneapolis 2 at Brooklyn 3 - Brooklyn wins 3-1

WP - Carlos Cuevas, LP - Alex Cobb, S - Amawal Hadda

MVP - C Jason Castro, Brooklyn

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup: First Round Recap

#9 Kansas City defeated #12 New Orleans, 2 games to 1

#10 Los Angeles defeated #11 Austin, 2 games to 0

 

Honors Cup: Semifinals

Los Angeles 5 at #7 Nashville 4 - Los Angeles leads 1-0

 

Alpha Cup

Virginia Beach 2 at Dallas 4 - Dallas leads 2-1

 

Diamond Trophy

San Diego 9 at Miami 8, 10 innings - Tied 2-2

WP - Brandon Cumpton, LP - Yusmeiro Petit

MVP - LF Jose Marquez, San Diego

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 27

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup: First Round Recap

#3 Atlanta defeated #10 Louisville, 2 games to 1

#9 Las Vegas defeated #4 Edmonton, 2 games to 1

#5 Baltimore defeated #8 Vancouver, 2 games to 1

#6 Pittsburgh defeated #7 Oklahoma City, 2 games to 0

 

Omega Cup: Semifinals

Pittsburgh 2 at Baltimore 4 - Baltimore leads 1-0

 

Bronze Trophy

San Antonio 10 at Orlando 3 - San Antonio leads 3-2

WP - Joe Kelly, LP - Kyle Kendrick

MVP - C Carlos Santana, San Antonio

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup

St. Louis 1 at #8 Tampa 5 - Tampa leads 1-0

Portland 3 at Seattle 0 - Portland wins 2-0

 

Silver Trophy

Denver 1 at Washington 2 - Washington leads 3-2

WP - Juan Freyre, LP - Esteban Romero, S - Alexander Torres

MVP – SP Juan Freyre, Washington

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Houston 1 at Milwaukee 4 - Tied 1-1

Toronto 4 at #8 New Mexico 5, 10 innings - New Mexico leads 1-0

WP - John Axford, LP - Jose Raya

MVP - SP Anibal Sanchez, New Mexico

10th inning - Evan Gattis hit an RBI triple to knock in Daniel Ortmeier following a leadoff single.

 

Beta Cup

Charlotte 5 at San Francisco 0 - Charlotte wins 2-0

Note: Charlotte advances to Alpha League in 2015

 

 

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Kansas City 3 at #8 Detroit 1 - Kansas City leads 1-0

Los Angeles 2 at Nashville 6 - Tied 1-1

 

Alpha Cup

Virginia Beach 4 at Dallas 9 - Dallas wins 3-1

 

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 28

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Las Vegas 2 at Atlanta 1 - Las Vegas leads 1-0

Pittsburgh 2 at Baltimore 5 - Baltimore wins 2-0

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup

St. Louis 0 at Tampa 6 - Tampa wins 2-0

 

Gamma Cup: Recap

#3 Utah defeated #6 Honolulu, 2 games to 1

#5 Chicago defeated #4 Philadelphia, 2 games to 0

 

Gamma Cup: Final

Chicago 0 at Utah 11 - Utah leads 1-0

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Toronto 0 at New Mexico 8 - New Mexico wins 2-0

WP - Matt Harvey, LP - Juan Ferreira

MVP - CF A.J. Pollock

Pollock hit a two-RBI triple and a three-run home run to pace the Suns offense. Despite the collapse towards the end of the regular season, it was good to see us dominate the Thunderbirds in two games. Now we move on to meet the winner of the Houston-Milwaukee series in the Survivors Cup final.

 

Gold Trophy: Recap

#3 Brooklyn defeated #2 Minneapolis, 3 games to 1

 

Gold Trophy: Final

Brooklyn 13 at Montreal 3 - Brooklyn leads 1-0

WP - Stephen Strasburg, LP - Matt Cain

MVP - 1B Alberto Vasquez, Brooklyn (Two 3-run homers, 7 RBI!!!)

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Kansas City 9 at Detroit 4 - Kansas City wins 2-0

 

Diamond Trophy

Miami 4 at San Diego 3 - Miami wins 3-2

WP - Madison Bumgarner, LP - Jose Fernandez, S - Andy Sisco

MVP - Madison Bumgarner

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 29

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup

Las Vegas 5 at Atlanta 4 - Las Vegas wins 2-0

 

Bronze Trophy

Orlando 1 at San Antonio 3, 11 innings - San Antonio wins 4-2

WP - Javy Guerra, LP - Rich Daniel

MVP - SP Wei-Yin Chen, Orlando

Note: Pakistani-born Firdaus Jahangiri, pinch hitting in a game he was resting, hit a two-run home run in the 11th to clinch the series for San Antonio, 

 

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Cup

Chicago 6 at Utah 2 - Tied 1-1

 

Silver Trophy

Washington 3 at Denver 1, 16 innings - Washington wins 4-2

WP - John Gast, LP - Tom Milone, S - Alexander Torres

MVP – SP Ietsuna Murakami, Washington

Note: Pinch hitter, second baseman Delwyn Young, who was released from Denver and subsequently signed by Washington earlier in the season, got revenge on his old team by hitting a two-run homer, only his fifth on the season, in the top of the 16th. 

 

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

Milwaukee 2 at Houston 1 - Milwaukee wins 2-1

 

Gold Trophy

Brooklyn 5 at Montreal 9 - Tied 1-1

WP - J.J. Hoover, LP - Michael Stutes

MVP - 2B Ian Kinsler, Montreal 

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Nashville 5 at Los Angeles 6 - Los Angeles wins 2-1

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 30

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: Semifinals Recap

#10 Portland defeated #7 Seattle, 2 games to 0

#8 Tampa defeated #9 St. Louis, 2 games to 0

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: Finals

Portland 4 at Tampa 2 - Portland leads 1-0

 

Alpha League

 

Diamond Trophy: Semifinals Recap

#4 Miami defeated #1 San Diego, 3 games to 2

#2 Cincinnati defeated #3 Phoenix, 3 games to 0

 

Diamond Trophy: Finals

 

 

Miami 4 at Cincinnati 6 - Cincinnati leads 1-0

WP - Leon Stops, LP - Yusmeiro Petit, S - Andrew Russell

MVP - 1B Justin Morneau, Cincinnati

 

Morneau's Blast Propels Cyclones Past Miami

 

Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, Cincinnati looked to be all but done in Game One of the Diamond Trophy Series. However, a five-run rally, punctuated with Justin Morneau's go-ahead three-run home run, gave the Cyclones a 6-4 victory. 

 

Brad Hawpe led off the inning pinch hitting for starter Cole Hamels. Hawpe was then walked by Towers reliever Joakim Soria. After leadoff hitter Josh Rutledge flew out and Miami made a pitching change, Nick Markakis doubled in Hawpe to make the score 4-2 with just one out. 

 

Yusmeiro Petit then came in for the Towers to try to quell the flood. He immediately gave up a blooper single to Pablo Sandoval to give the Cyclones runners at first and third. Troy Tulowitzki followed with an RBI single to cut the Miami lead to 4-3 and move the tying run to scoring position. 

 

Manny Machado then flew out to deep right field, moving Sandoval to third with two outs. Morneau then came up with the chance to at least tie the game. On a 2-2 count, he connected on a hanging curve, knocking the ball 433 feet to left center field and the 6-4 edge. 

 

Miami starter Matt Harrison pitched a good game before going out in the eighth. In seven innings, he allowed just one earned run on six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. 

 

The Cyclones' Hamels was not as effective in the game. In 7 2/3 innings, he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and nine strikeouts. 

 

Three of the Towers' four runs came via home run. Left fielder Chris Carter hit a solo shot in the fifth, and third baseman Antonio Rivera hit a two-run blast in the sixth that pushed the lead to 3-0 at the time. 

 

Cincinnati's first run came in the seventh when right fielder Damian Martin hit a two-out RBI single to score Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki finished 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. The Cyclones only had three extra-base hits in the game, with two of those coming in the eighth.

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - August 31

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup: Promotion Round

Pittsburgh 3 at Atlanta 0 - Pittsburgh leads 1-0

 

Omega Cup: Finals

Las Vegas 2 at Baltimore 5 - Baltimore leads 1-0

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: Finals

Portland 3 at Tampa 6 - Tied 1-1

 

Gamma Cup: Finals

Utah 9 at Chicago 1 - Utah wins 2-1

 

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup: Finals

Milwaukee 5 at New Mexico 2 - Milwaukee leads 1-0

WP - Rodrigo Hernandez, LP - Anibal Sanche, S - Bobby Jenks

MVP - SP Rodrigo Hernandez, Milwaukee

Notes: The Beers jumped all over us in the first inning, topped off by Eric Hosmer's two-run home run. Hernandez dominated our line up, which should be better against him, holding us to just two runs on four hits. Wil Myers homered for one of our runs, and Evan Gattis followed up Miguel Cabrera's double with an RBI double. Must play better in the next two games, or we're off to the Gamma League. 

 

In my next stint as a GM, I'm letting the managers manage. Man, I suck at it! 

 

Gold Trophy

Montreal 0 at Brooklyn 1 - Brooklyn leads 2-1

WP - Carlos Cuevas, LP - Matt Cain, S - Amawal Hadda

MVP - SP Carlos Cuevas, Brooklyn

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup: Finals

Kansas City 7 at Los Angeles 4 - Kansas City leads 1-0

Note: Kansas City as the higher seed elected to play game one in Los Angeles. The next two games (if necessary) will be played in Kansas City after a day's rest. 

 

Diamond Trophy

 

 

Miami 4 at Cincinnati 17 - Cincinnati leads 2-0

WP - Frederico Olsen, LP - Luis Atilano

MVP - 1B Justin Morneau - 5 for 5, 2B, 2 HR, 4 R, 6 RBI, BB

Notes: 

No story for this one. Besides Morneau, other Cyclones went off: 

Nick Markarkis 3 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI

Troy Tulowitzki 2 for 5, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI

Pablo Sandoval 3 for 6, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Nolan Arenado 4 for 6, 3 R

 

This Cincinnati lineup is scary.

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - September 1

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup: Promotion Round

Pittsburgh 1 at Atlanta 2 - Tied 1-1

 

Omega Cup: Finals

Las Vegas 3 at Baltimore 4 - Baltimore wins 2-0

 

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup: Finals

Milwaukee 0 at New Mexico 4 - Tied 1-1

WP - Gomes Oulman, LP - Ramon Troncoso, S - John Axford

MVPs - 3B Miguel Cabrera (2 for 4, HR, R, 2 RBI) and C Evan Gattis (2 for 3, HR, R, 2 RBI)

Notes: On a rain-soaked New Mexican desert night, both starters--Milwaukee's Clay Bucholz and the Suns' Matt Harvey--were forced to exit in the second inning. In a battle of relievers, New Mexico won out, shutting out the Beers. Cabrera (4th inning) and Gattis (7th inning) each hit two-run home runs to lead the Suns to victory....Milwaukee CF Jay Bruce suffered a serious injury, a torn labrum, in the game. 

 

Gold Trophy

Montreal 6 at Brooklyn 7 - Brooklyn leads 3-1

WP - Bill Bray, LP - Dana Eveland

MVP - SS Jed Lowrie, Brooklyn - 3 for 5, 2B, 3 RBI, Walkoff single in 9th

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Los Angeles 9 at Kansas City 4 - Tied 1-1

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - September 2

 

Gamma League

 

Gamma Survivors Cup: Finals

Tampa 4 at Portland 5 - Portland wins 2-1

Notes: Joey Votto's RBI walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th scored pinch hitter L.J. Hoes to keep Portland in the Gamma League and send the Sharks back to the Omega League where they had spent most of their time as a franchise. 

 

 

Beta League

 

Gold Trophy

Montreal 2 at Brooklyn 7 - Brooklyn wins 4-1

WP - Francisco Mata, LP - Will Smith

MVP - LF Carlos Lopez, Brooklyn, 2 for 3, HR, R, 3 RBI

Series MVP - SS Jed Lowrie, Brooklyn, 9 for 20 (.450), 2 HR, 7 RBI

 

 

Alpha League

 

Honors Cup

Los Angeles 3 at Kansas City 12 - Kansas City wins 2-1

 

 

Diamond Trophy

 

 

Cincinnati 2 at Miami 3 - Cincinnati leads 2-1

WP - Madison Bumgarner, LP - Daisuke Matsuzaka, S - Andy Sisco

MVP - SP Madison Bumgarner, Miami, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 12 K

 

Bumgarner got his third win of the post season by holding the Cyclones scoreless through seven innings before giving way to the Towers bullpen. Third baseman Antonio Rivera's two-run home run in the bottom of the first help to give Miami a small lead before the Cyclones' late-game rally.

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - September 3

 

 

Omega League

 

Omega Cup: Promotion Series

Atlanta 6 at Pittsburgh 4 - Atlanta wins 2-1

Atlanta is promoted to the Gamma League. 

 

Beta League

 

Beta Survivors Cup

New Mexico 4 at Milwaukee 1 - New Mexico wins 2-1

WP - Travis Wood, LP - Tadakuni Nakanishi, S - John Axford

MVP - SP Travis Wood, New Mexico, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 6 K

Notes: SS Tyler Magee led the way with a solo home run and 3 RBI to spur the offense, getting just enough thanks to Wood's sound pitching. This marks the second consecutive Beta Survivors Cup for the Suns. They'll have to show improvement next season. 

 

 

Alpha League

 

Diamond Trophy

 

 

Cincinnati 2 at Miami 0 - Cincinnati leads 3-1

WP - Cole Hamels, LP - Matt Harrison, S - Andrew Russell

MVP - SP Cole Hamels, Cincinnati, 8 IP, 3 H, 12 K

 

It was a definitive pitcher's duel as Cincinnati's Hamels outslugged Miami's Harrison for the victory.

[StLee 19]

2014 Season - Postseason - September 4

 

Alpha League

 

Diamond Series

 

 

Cincinnati 1 at Miami 0 - Cincinnati wins 4-1

WP - Frederico Olsen, LP - Luis Atilano, S - Andrew Russell

MVP - SP Frederico Olsen, Cincinnati, 7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K

Series MVP - SP Frederico Olsen, Cincinnati, 2-0, 1.46 ERA, 12.1 IP, 12 H, 5 BB, 13 K

Notes: Both starting pitchers dominated the opposition. Cincinnati's lone run came in the second inning when Marcell Ozuna hit an RBI ground out to score Pablo Sandoval from third...,Miami finished the series with 20 straight scoreless innings. Their last run came in the 6th inning of Game Three when they scored the go-ahead run on their way to a 3-2 victory....The Cyclones' win marks their second Diamond Trophy in three seasons. Two seasons ago, Cincinnati also defeated the Towers in the Diamond Trophy finals. 

 

[StLee 19]

2014 Champions Bowl and First Round Previews

 

2014 Tournament of Champions Bowl

 

The 2014 Champions Bowl brackets have been set. In the first round, the Omega League pennant winner, the San Antonio Buzzards, will take on the Gamma League pennant winner, the Denver Peaks. In the other matchup, Gamma League runner up and Silver Trophy winners, the Washington Presidents, will face off with the Gold Trophy-winning Brooklyn Avengers. 

 

Both first round match ups look to be intriguing. Here are a few notables about the first round, as well as the tournament. 

 

First, the complete tournament brackets for the ultimate prize in the Champions Bowl Association: 

 

 

Also, the Phoenix Firebirds have revealed their new logo and uniforms for the Champions Bowl tournament.

 

 

Washington (78-54 GL) at Brooklyn (73-59 BL)

 

Washington key players: 

LF Matt Kemp, .295, 29 HR, 69 RBI

3B Juan Francisco, .272, 31 HR, 101 RBI

SS Stephen Drew, .313, 12 HR, 52 RBI

SP Justin Verlander, 14-7, 2.57 ERA

SP Ietsuna Murakami, 13-8, 3.36 ERA

 

Brooklyn key players: 

1B Alberto Vasquez, .270, 33 HR, 85 RBI - Emerging star

3B Lonnie Chisenhall, .282, 21 HR, 76 RBI

SP Stephen Strasburg, 8-9, 3.28 ERA

SP Carlos Cuevas, 12-6, 2.26 ERA

CL Amawal Hadda, 29 SV, 3.35 ERA

 

San Antonio Buzzards (80-52 OL) at Denver Peaks (90-42 GL)

 

San Antonio key players: 

1B Anthony Rizzo, .305, 21 HR, 65 RBI

C Carlos Santana, .299, 33 HR, 84 RBI

SP Clayton Kershaw, 13-6, 2.70 ERA

SP Brian Matusz, 13-6, 2.39 ERA

CL Javy Guerra, 37 SV, 2.48 ERA

 

Denver key players: 

1B Ruben Aguilera, .258, 28 HR, 83 RBI

C Kidlat Escobal, .282, 22 HR, 79 RBI

SP Francisco Liriano, 13-3, 1.85 ERA

SP Danny Duffy, 16-5, 2.38 ERA

CL Craig Kimbrel, 40 SV, 1.18 ERA

[StLee 19]

2014 Champions Bowl - First Round

 

September 6, 2014, Games

 

 

Washington 2 at Brooklyn 4 - Brooklyn leads 1-0

WP - Stephen Strasburg, LP - Ietsuna Murakami, S - Amawal Hadda

MVP - Stephen Strasburg

Notes: Strasburg pitched eight strong innings, surrendering only two earned runs on seven hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts.... Washington's Murakami did not fare as well, allowing four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts in just four innings of work....The Presidents' CF Geraldo Parra injured his finger in the bottom of the first on a diving play. He will be out the rest of the series....Avengers' 3B Lonnie Chisenhall drove in all four runs in the game. He hit a two-RBI single in the first and a two-RBI home run in the third. LF Carlos Lopez added three hits, including two doubles, and scored twice.,,,Catcher Jesus Montero had the best success for Washington at the plate, going 3 for 4. 

 

 

San Antonio 0 at Denver 1 - Denver leads 1-0

WP - Francisco Liriano, LP - Clayton Kershaw, S - Craig Kimbrel

MVP - SP Francisco Liriana, Denver

Notes: This was one true pitcher's duel. Liriano came out on top, allowing just one hit in 7 2/3 innings. He also walked five batters and struck out 11....Kershaw got the loss, but he also pitched well. In seven innings, he allowed only four hits and one unearned run....The Peaks scored their run when San Antonio SS Freddy Sanchez booted a routine ground ball with two outs in the fifth, allowing Denver SS Jhonny Peralta to score from second....Peaks' closer Kimbrel has not allowed a run in four postseason appearances.

[StLee 19]

2014 Champions Bowl - First Round

 

September 7, 2014, Games

 

 

Washington 1 at Brooklyn 2, 12 innings - Brooklyn leads 2-0

WP - Amawal Hadda, LP - Jonny Venters

MVP - SP Carlos Cuevas, Brooklyn

Notes: Cuevas did not stand out anymore than the Presidents' Justin Verlander, but he still got the game's MVP award thanks to impressive pitching coupled with the Avengers' win. Cuevas gave up one earned run on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings....Verlander pitched eight innings for Washington, allowing just one earned run on fie hits with a walk and four strikeouts....Pinch hitter Edoardo Luttazi hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th for the game-winning hit....Brooklyn third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall went deep in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1. Presidents' left fielder Matt Kemp drove in their only run on an RBI single in the sixth. 

 

 

 

San Antonio 3 at Denver 1 - Tied 1-1

WP - Joe Kelly, LP - Danny Salazar, S - Javy Guerra

MVP - SP Danny Duffy, Denver

Notes: Each starting pitcher was virtually equal, but Duffy got the nod for MVP based on his offense. Duffy finished with one earned run allowed on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts in seven innings. He also went 1 for 2 at the plate, scoring the Peaks' lone run following a triple, the Peaks' only extra-base hit in the game.... Kelly gave up three hits, one earned run, and three walks, as well as striking out four in seven innings....San Antonio's Firdaus Jahangiri came on as a pinch hitter in the sixth for center fielder Carlos Gomez, and he immediately made an impact, tying the game on a solo home run.... Shin-Soo Choo also went deep for the Buzzards on a solo shot in the ninth.

[StLee 19]

2014 Champions Bowl - First Round

 

September 9 Games

 

 

Brooklyn 3 at Washington 4 - Brooklyn leads 2-1

WP - Jake Westbrook, LP - Amawal Hadda

MVP - SP Juan Freyre, Washington

Notes: 3B Juan Francisco's ninth-inning solo home run gave the Presidents the walkoff win to keep the series alive. Francisco finished 2 of 4 with the HR, a run, and two RBI....Freyre gave up just one earned run on five hits with four walks and ten strikeouts through seven innings before giving way to the bullpen. He did not have a decision in the game after the Avengers scored two unearned runs on 2B Delwyn Young's throwing error in the eighth inning....Brooklyn 2B Seth Smith was the beneficiary of the error, allowing him to get on base all four times he went to the plate, with his sole out coming on the error. Smith finished 3 of 4 with two RBI....Avengers' starting pitcher Francisco Mata left the game after five innings trailing 3-1, having given up three earned runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts....Brooklyn LF Carlos Lopez had to leave the game in the eighth due to a bruised knee he suffered after colliding with the Presidents' 1B Nick Johnson on an infield single. Xavier Henry came in to pinch run and eventually scored on the Young error. 

 

 

 

Denver 3 at San Antonio 1, 11 innings - Denver leads 2-1

WP - Craig Kimbrel, LP - Javy Guerra, S - Danny Salazar

Notes: With one out in the 11th, Denver OF Benny Watson singled, followed by a pinch-hit double by Fernando Martinez. Catcher Kidlat Escobal then hit a grounder to Buzzards' pitcher Guerra, who had Watson caught between third and home plate. However, Guerra threw the ball off target, bouncing off Carlos Santana's gear, when Watson broke for home, allowing Watson to score on the error for a 2-1 lead. RF Victor Ledesma then followed with an RBI sacrifice fly for the final 3-1 count....Starting pitchers Esteban Romero and Brian Matusz of Denver and San Antonio, respectively both pitched well despite the no-decisions. Romero allowed just one earned run on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in eight innings. In seven innings, Matusz allowed one earned run on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts....The Peaks' Watson and  San Antonio's 2B Carlos Guillen were the only players with multiple hits in the game. Guillen drove in the Buzzards' lone run on a solo home run in the eighth.

[StLee 19]

2014 Champions Bowl - First Round

 

September 10 games

 

 

Brooklyn 8 at Washington 2 - Brooklyn wins 3-1

WP - Stephen Strasburg, LP - Ietsuna Murakami

Game MVP - 2B Robinson Cano, Brooklyn - 2 for 5, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB

Series MVP - SP Stephen Strasburg, Brooklyn, 15 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 17 K

Notes: Cano hit a solo shot in the first and a grand slam in the second inning to pace the Avengers' offense....Brooklyn's Strasburg pitched well, allowing two earned runs on just two hits, both solo home runs, with two walks and six strikeouts in seven innings of action....Murakami was rocked by the Avengers, allowing six earned runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in just 1 2/3 innings....Presidents' Stephen Drew was ejected in the second inning after arguing a called strike three. Delwyn Young replaced him at shortstop and had one of the two President home runs. LF Matt Kemp added the other home run....Strasburg was named the Series MVP thanks to two wins in the series. 

 

 

 

Denver 3 at San Antonio 5 - Tied 2-2

WP - Clayton Kershaw, LP - Tim Stauffer, S - Javy Guerra

MVP - SP Clayton Kershaw, San Antonio - 8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K

Notes: San Antonio never trailed in the game, thanks in part to catcher Carlos Santana's two-RBI double in the first inning....The Buzzards used their hits efficiently, scoring five runs in the game despite only getting five hits....San Antonio 1B Anthony Rizzo left the game in the 6th inning after being hit in the knee with a pitch. He was expected to be ready to play in Game 5....The Peaks' 1B Ruben Aguilera and catch Kidlat Escobal each had three hits in the game. One of Aguilera's hits was a home run off Kershaw in the 6th inning, Denver's first run of the game. RF Victor Ledesma added two more hits....Peaks' SP Stauffer had control issues, allowing four earned runs despite only giving up two hits thanks to six walks and hitting Rizzo with a pitch.

[StLee 19]

Replacement Franchise Finalists

 

Seven cities were selected as finalists for the replacement franchise for the Edmonton Freeze. Below are the cities in alphabetical order with their chances (based on number of lottery balls): 

 

Anaheim, California - 17.6% (6 balls)

Columbus, Ohio - 11.8% (4 balls)

Des Moines, Iowa - 5.9% (2 balls)

El Paso, Texas - 17.6% (6 balls)

Mexico City, Mexico - 29.4% (10 balls - Extra chances because of international status)

Queens, NYC, New York - 11.8% (4 balls)

Sacramento, California - 5.9% (2 balls)

 

The lottery balls in total are 34, assigned at random. 

Distribution: 

Anaheim - 1, 10, 12, 17, 23, 31

Columbus - 3, 5, 18, 34

Des Moines - 6, 14

El Paso - 13, 20, 22, 29, 32, 33

Mexico City - 2, 4, 8, 11, 15, 16, 21, 26, 27, 30

Queens - 9, 19, 24, 28

Sacramento - 7, 25

 

And the winning number is: 

 

Congratulations to the 2015 replacement franchise, which will be located in Mexico City!!!