Tournament of Champions: Promotion, Relegation, and Forced Relocation

[StLee 19]

2015 Preseason Previews and Transactions (Feb-Mar)

 

 

Transactions (AL-focused) in February and March: 

 

Brooklyn Deals Avery to New Orleans for Kennedy: The Avengers have reached a deal with New Orleans, sending 25-year-old left fielder Xavier Avery and 20-year-old shortstop Andrés Díaz to the Gators in exchange for 39-year-old second baseman Adam Kennedy. Reports had been hinting at a deal in recent days, but weren't confirmed until this afternoon.

 

In 178 games, Kennedy is a lifetime .281 hitter. He has knocked in 66 runs, scored 69 times, hit 16 home runs, walked 41 times and has an on-base percentage of .336.

 

Flyers, Energy Agree to Swap: Done deal! The Charlotte Flyers have agreed to send 37-year-old right fielder Larry Bigbie and 20-year-old third baseman Kiminobu Aoki to the Pittsburgh Energy for 37-year-old right fielder John Rodriguez. The trade, rumored for days, was completed in the wee hours this morning.

 

Looking at his all-time stats, Bigbie has a career .294 average with 90 hits, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 12 home runs and 36 RBIs to date. He has scored 47 runs, walked 33 times and stolen 1 bases.

 

In 496 career games Rodriguez is hitting at a .302 pace with 465 hits with 96 doubles, 1 triple and 36 homers while scoring 194 runs and racking up 191 RBIs. He logged 170 walks and owns a .379 on-base percentage.

 

Orlando Ships Valencia to Miami: The Orlando Rockets have parted ways with 30-year-old third baseman Danny Valencia and 19-year-old left fielder Michael McGowan in a trade with the Miami Towers for 30-year-old center fielder Alejandro de Aza and $580,000 in cash. The Rockets general manager confirmed the deal in an announcement this morning.

 

In his career Valencia is hitting .268 with 426 hits, 28 home runs, 171 runs scored and 157 RBIs.

 

Dallas, San Francisco Deal Made: Earlier today, officials from the Dallas Tycoons and the San Francisco Gold announced that they had finalized negotiations on a trade between the two teams. The deal will send 31-year-old third baseman Bento Podest to San Francisco in exchange for 26-year-old closer Eduardo Sanchez and 20-year-old shortstop Tokuma Watanabe.

 

In 168 games Podest has a career .286 batting average and a .316 on-base percentage. He has hit 4 home runs with 69 RBIs and 95 runs scored.

 

Cleveland Sluggers, Sting Agree to Trade: In a move that has left many fans wondering, the Cleveland Sluggers have traded 31-year-old right fielder Clete Thomas and 19-year-old right fielder Mark Gates to the Kansas City Sting. In return, the Sluggers receive 30-year-old third baseman Chase Headley.

[StLee 19]

2015 Season - April Standings and Transactions

 

With all of the excitement of preseason and postseason tournaments, the regular season seems so anticlimactic! I just hustled through the first month of the season with my eye on a few things that interest me. I won't report on all those things because, well, this dynasty is about the tourneys, yo! 

 

Standings

 

ADBL

 

OL

 

GL

 

BL

 

AL

 

AL April Trades

 

AL Injuries - as of May 1

[StLee 19]

2015 Season - May Standings and Transactions

 

There have been a number of interesting developments throughout the league. I'll comment on the standings of each league below their posted standings. Also, I added a "Miscellaneous" section for a few interesting tidbits around the league. 

 

Standings

 

ADBL

 

Every team but Jacksonville has gained ground on El Paso, which looked like it would run away with the division in the first five weeks of the season. 

 

Note: Teams play five games per week (approx. 20 games per month), so the season drags out a little more for this league. 

 

OL

 

The Albert Pujols surprise signing in Louisville has really turned things around for the 'Breds. He is contending for a Triple Crown and making a difference in Louisville's first place run. Assuming he stays healthy, the Thoroughbreds should be contending for the title. 

 

Mexico City, the newest team in the CBA, most certainly benefited from a change in ownership. Owner Javier Mendoza (no relation to the professional boxer) has spent smartly in his first season as an owner, picking up a lot of cost-efficient free agents who have helped to contribute. 

 

One of the surprising sections of the standings is the basement. While Boston owner Ray Moore seems to just use his team to make a boatload of money--the team salary is just over $5 million dollars in a large market--and has no real interest in competing, the Bronx Bombers are not in that same situation. In fact, the Bombers expected to compete for the OL championship and move up to the GL for next season, but bad luck has been their downfall. We'll see if they can move up in the standings as the season moves on and approaches its halfway point. 

 

GL

 

While Philadelphia was expected to be a competitor for the GL crown after finishing fourth last season and failing to advance to the BL in the postseason, not many expected 2014 survivor Portland to be anywhere near first place. Instead, the Pioneers are trailblazing their way towards a potential pennant in 2015. 

 

Surprising to no one are the financially-strapped Bears and Thunderbirds sitting in last place. Due to financial problems resulting from rising salaries in 2013 and 2014, they had to reduce payroll, hoping to start making a run again in either 2016 or 2017. Both are expected to be among the three teams relegated in 2015, so expect to see both of them stay at the bottom of the standings all season.  

 

BL

 

Denver made stars last year, and they are still paying off so much so that the Peaks may run away with the BL just like they did in the GL in 2014. Nashville and New Mexico are right on their heels. The Suns' GM last season put the team in excellent financial position despite leaving to take a job in the commissioner's office. Nashville can be considered the ultimate AL/BL borderline team. The Country doesn't have the budget to compete consistently for the AL title, but they seem to get enough talent to always have a chance to get promoted right after they move down into the BL. 

 

With New Orleans in the mix as having an outside shot at the BL pennant, it appears that the 2015 BL race is down to four teams. Teams like Chicago, Washington, Utah, and Austin are definite second-level teams in the league. 

 

At the bottom of the BL, Oakland and San Francisco may have seen their Bay Area mediocrity finally blow up. Both teams have struggled to move much of anywhere, with the Gold never leaving the BL, but both teams could be looking at their GL opponents in 2016 if they can't find a way to turn things around. 

 

AL

 

Injuries have been detrimental for the Towers, having lost key starters for periods throughout the season. I have a note about them in the "Miscellaneous" section below. They are definitely among the surprises of 2015. 

 

San Diego keeps on keeping on. Though Virginia Beach is right there with the Slammers, San Diego has established itself as a dominant force in the league. Only a string of injuries could change that status. 

 

Los Angeles is the team hurt most by mediocrity. Because of rising salaries based on hanging around the AL so long, the Actors were limited in free agent signings and may have to sell off a few high-end players to have a chance to compete both on the field and with payroll in 2016. 

 

AL May Trades

 

AL Injuries - as of June 1

 

Miscellaneous

 

Miami (AL) is cash-strapped with a number of its players' contracts coming up at the end of the season. Because of those financial problems and because they are not in the running for the AL title this season (injuries, mostly), the Towers are looking to retool their rosters with young, cheap prospects. That could mean a number of players with expiring contracts could be looking at new teams by July, including SP Matt Harrison ($13.5M), SP Madison Bumgarner ($6.5M) CF Andrew McCutchen ($11.5M), RF Mike Trout ($3.6M with a large arbitration number), and 1B Ben Broussard ($4.88M). The Towers are most certainly not in an envious position financially, and maybe expected to cash in with a championship this season.  

 

 

 

A few rising stars in lower leagues to keep an eye on (sorry--simulated ahead a bit so I need to delete stats since they would not be accurate to June 1): 

ADBL: 

3B Chris Burt, Edmonton - The former CFLer for the Edmonton Eskimos, Burt has made his three-year transition to baseball, being signed by the Freeze this season. He has had good all-around stats, currently leading his team in homers and RBI, along with playing solid defense at the hot corner. 

SP Luke French, Sacramento - Not exactly a spring chicken, but the 29-year-old hurler for the Mountain Lions has been keeping his team in contention. He is tied for the team lead in wins and leads his team in ERA. 

 

OL: 

SS Andrelton Simmons, Tampa - He has already hit career marks in home runs and RBI not even halfway through the season. He's also fourth in WAR in the OL. 

SP Michael Pineda, Vancouver - He isn't coming out of left field, but Pineda has been truly dominant in his fifth CBA season. He is already close to matching his career high in wins, leading all of the OL, and he has only lost once this season. 

 

GL: 

2B D.J. LeMahieu, Las Vegas - Leads the league in batting average and hits. 

SP Patrick Corbin, Honolulu - Tied for the lead in wins and fifth in ERA.

[StLee 19]

2015 Season - June Standings and Transactions

 

There have been a few interesting developments throughout the season. The most surprising of all those is that long-time successful teams like Miami and Los Angeles seem to be plotting for the future, while teams like Brooklyn, Virginia Beach, and Dallas are attempting to make a 2015 championship push, something where future salaries will eventually have to be addressed. 

 

Standings

 

ADBL

 

Columbus and El Paso have been trading first place throughout the month. The Mammoths can be considered a bit of a surprise team based on their talent--Sacramento should be the team battling the Miners--and part of that success is thanks to the veteran help of 1B Mike Carp. 

 

Though the independent American Developmental Baseball League will have limited budgets in the future, they were given subsidies for veteran signings in Year One, helping to populate the league and offer fans excitement for their teams. In future years, though there may be some veteran subsidies, the league would like to work as a true developmental league, so some "star" power that we're seeing this season will not be as prevalent. 

 

OL

 

Pujols is still tearing the league apart for the Thoroughbreds, and the Vancouver pitching staff gives them a legitimate reason to believe they can move up to the Gamma League in 2016. Mexico City doesn't have some of the same star power as those teams, but they have been the best all-around team in the league, and the Scorpions could benefit from other teams' injuries. 

 

GL

 

Philadelphia and Portland still lead in what can be considered to be an eight-team race, with the bottom four teams falling further behind in the standings. 

 

Baltimore's Chris Davis is a Triple Crown contender, currently fourth in the GL in batting average, while first in homers and RBI. Las Vegas' Jered Weaver and Orlando's Kyle Kendrick still hold a sub-2.00 ERA to help their two teams stay in contention. 

 

BL

 

New Mexico just fell out of first place to end the month, but the Suns have been getting considerable production from their top two starters and star 3B Miguel Cabrera and RF Wil Myers. Yovani Gallardo and Gomes Oulman are tied for the lead league with 11 wins apiece. Cabrera and Myers are 1-2 in the RBI leaderboard with 66 and 65, respectively. 

 

AL

 

Right now the division race looks to be a five-team race, but do not count out the rising Avengers and last year's Diamond Trophy-winning Cyclones. 

 

On the flip side, the bottom five teams will be battling it out to see which three of those go to the Beta League in 2016. 

 

AL June Trades

 

Miami has gone fully into rebuilding mode, letting its high-priced free agents go to another team. According to team officials, the cost of re-signing those players would be too costly and their best chance at success in the future was to try to find some top prospects for future seasons. 

 

The huge loss, of course, was having to get rid of Mike Trout. Considered to be a top player in all of baseball, having to ride it out with Trout, McCutchenm and two top pitchers in Madison Bumgarner and Matt Harrison was just not financially feasible in the long run. 

 

Because of the trades, Miami has had to shuffle its line up a lot. Chris Carter has made a seamless change from the full-time left fielder to first base to replace the loss of Broussard. The Towers have also called up top prospect Leon Landry to be the new full-time center fielder, but he has struggled in his first month, batting .169 with a homer and six RBI. Landry did have a five-hit day, but in all fairness it was in an 18-inning affair where he also was out four times in the same game. 

 

For Brooklyn, the acquisition of Trout has already benefited its porous offense. With one of the best starting pitching staffs in the CBA, the Avengers could be a contending team if it could improve its offensive output. Putting Trout in the middle of the lineup to help Alberto Lopez drive in runs will be beneficial. Also, Trout's addition can immediately help a team whose best hitter is only batting in the .280 range. 

 

AL Injuries - as of July 1

[StLee 19]

2015 July Standings (ADBL, OL, GL, and BL)

 

Sorry! I've been away for a while, getting a few things in order before my vacation ends. Couple that with a national holiday (Lunar New Year), and I just didn't give much time to playing OOTP lately. 

 

 

ADBL

Standings

 

With just the completion of a series and then one full series left, the ADBL is mostly seeded heading into the complete playoffs. Jacksonville appears to be the only team without a shot of competing for promotion, while El Paso and Columbus seem to be the most balanced teams as far as production is going. 

 

Miners' 3B Britt Rush seems to have a stranglehold on the offensive MVP award. The former Northwest Independent League star got his start in the Champions Baseball Association based on his independent league performances. After breaking in to the CBA with the Washington Presidents in 2010 (.299/.383/.430) where he finished second on the team in hits and won the Gamma League Defensive Award at 3B. Unfortunately, things started to fade for him in 2011 after he was traded to the New Mexico Suns in the Alpha League. There he struggled to find his bat (.252/.331/.316). He found some success again in 2013 (.280/.332/.386) with the Virginia Beach Neptunes organization. Unfortunately, he was traded away in 2014 after struggling again and was not signed by a team in the CBA for the 2015 season. With his success in the ADBL, though, he should see time in the CBA next season, with or without an El Paso promotion. 

 

OL

Standings

 

Louisville is running away with the league now, which almost seem inevitable with a healthy Alberrt Pujols dominating the league. Despite his short retirement, Pujols has busted back into the CBA, and looks to be on his way to a Triple Crown. His .360 average leads by .027 over Indianapolis' Darwin Barney. His 38 home runs are 11 better than Mexico City's Matt Dominguez and Oklahoma City's Morgan Ensberg. And his 104 RBI are 16 better than Ensberg. In fact, Pujols' 308 total bases have already set the league season record with 19 regular season games to play. 

 

In other news, the Scorpions and Seattle, which was heavily successful in the Spring Bowl Tournament, are in a tight battle for the right to play for the Bronze Cup. The team that loses out will be considered the favorite in the Omega Cup, though they do not get the guaranteed promotion in 2016. At the bottom of the league, Cleveland is all but mathematically eliminated from the postseason. The Bronx Bombers are also in serious danger of missing out on the postseason in 2015. 

 

GL

Standings

 

Philadelphia and Portland continue to have a P-P match for the pennant. Orlando and Houston, along with outside contenders in Honolulu, Las Vegas, and Baltimore are all contending for the third playoff spot. Toronto looks to be the hands-on favorite to be stuck in the elimination game of the postseason Gamma Cup. Buffalo or San Antonio should join the Thunderbirds there. 

 

BL

Standings

 

Denver and New Mexico seem to be the surest things in joining the Alpha League in 2016. Both the Peaks and Suns are tied for first place with New Orleans the only other team still contending for the pennant. After the Gators, the hot Nashville Country and cold Chicago Brats seem to have the inside track towards the chance to win the Gold Cup. At the bottom of the standings, Oakland and San Francisco have struggled mightily this season in the Bay Area. The two rival cities seem sure to continue their on-field rivalry in 2016 in the Gamma League. 

 

One interesting statistical race to watch as we come down the stretch in the BL is the home run race. Currently three players--Ike Davis (New Orleans), Prince Fielder (New Mexico), and Javier Ortiz (Chicago)--are tied at 28 homers apiece. However, the Gators' Carlos Quentin and Austin's Miguel Ontiveros are close behind with 27 and 26 dingers, respectively.

[StLee 19]

2015 July Standings and Transactions (AL)

 

I've been stuck on August 1 for damn-near a month in real time. Anyway, I finally have a few minutes while waiting on a document I submitted to be reviewed and returned. So now I'll post what happened in the world of the Alpha League in July. 

 

Standings

 

Remember how Virginia Beach was on top of the AL on July 1? Well, a 11-18 July dropped the Neptunes from the top of the standings all the way down to 5th. Now the boys in blue must find a way in their final 19 games to catch up with one of the top four, or they will not be playing for the Diamond Trophy. 

 

San Diego keeps doing what they do best: winning. The Slammers creamed their opponents for a 20-9 record in the month, including their current streak of eight straight and 10 of their last 11. They look like the team every other team is going to chase right up until the end of the season. 

 

At the bottom of the standings, Los Angeles has already clinched themselves a spot in the Honors Cup tournament, meaning they are 75% likely (actually more, but let's give them even odds in the tournament for now) to be relegated in 2016. Kansas City needs a miracle of events to happen starting now, or they are likely to clinch the 11th seed. 

 

Trades

 

The trading deadline was pretty quiet, with the exception of the John Danks for Ryan Zimmerman (with other players involved) Miami-Honolulu trade. 

 

Injuries

 

Not that they are a contender to win it all this season, but the Towers' may see the rest of their season and banner chances slip away if Andrew McCutchen is injured beyond just being banged up. Their front office is mum as they await official word on his condition. 

 

Stat Leaders

 

Stat leaders as of August 1 because, well, why not? 

[StLee 19]

2015 Final Standings

 

Time flies when you're damn busy! 

 

Anyway, I filled out my NCAA Tournament brackets for my office pool today, and it made me want to get back to some tourney action. So, instead of what I should be doing this afternoon (work), I am typing up a dynasty report and simming my multiple CBA tournaments. 

 

Final Standings

 

ADBL

 

 

OL

 

 

Pennant

 

A franchise's fortunes can change if they sign the right guy in the right situation. The Thoroughbreds seemed to do just that when they inked Albert Pujols to a contract following his two-year sit in. Pujols returned the favor of being signed by winning the Triple Crown, especially appropriate for the team he plays on. Also, a quadruple array of double-digit winners in Louisville's starting rotation helped lead the team to a two-game pull over second place Seattle. 

 

GL

 

 

Pennant

 

Philadelphia and winning has not been synonymous terms. Like Louisville in the Omega League, the Liberty pulled off their first ever banner in the Champions Baseball Association by edging out Portland by a game. Now they will also be moving into unfamiliar territory in 2016 when they move up to the Beta League for the first time. Before that, the 2015 team's success came through a steady balance of scoring runs and not giving up many. Yeow-whye Cheung blasted his way to 40 home runs (2nd in GL) and 108 RBI (1st in GL) to lead the offensive push. Ricky Nolasco provided a solid performance from the pitching rotation, winning 15 games and finishing with a 2.94 ERA. 

 

BL

 

 

Pennant

 

Denver went from pennant winners of the Gamma League last season to winners of the Beta League this season. They built up a really rock-solid ball club that is tough to beat every game, which should make them highly competitive in the Alpha League next season, should they become one of the three teams from the Beta League to advance. Though the Peaks' offense is middle of the pack in the BL, their pitching rotation dominated opponents all season. Four starters finished with at least 11 wins, including ace Francisco Liriano (12-3, 2.53 ERA). The pitching matchups for Denver gives them an advantage in the BL and could lead them far in the Tournament of Champions. 

 

AL

 

 

Pennant

 

San Diego may not have won it all last season, but the Slammers have pushed themselves into the first-ever back-to-back pennants in the Alpha League. With Yasiel Puig's big bat (.344, 25 HR, 83 RBI) and the four-headed monster of Jose Fernandez (12-7, 1.97 ERA), Cole Hamels (15-7, 2.79), Tyler Chatwood (14-4, 2.83), and Hyun-jin Ryu (17-4, 3.18) on the mound, San Diego has been among the most consistent winning franchises. 

[StLee 19]

2015 ADBL Playoffs - August 12

 

The first season of the ADBL playoffs featured all six teams making it to the postseason. For the ADBL playoffs, the winner is guaranteed to move up to the Omega League in 2015 with an open budget. They can choose to re-sign any of their players and have a competitive budget in free agency. 

 

The first round consisted of a play-in game where the #3 vs #6 seed and the #4 vs #5 seed played a single game to determine who would move into the semifinal round. 

 

The #3 vs #6 match up was Edmonton hosting Jacksonville. The #4 vs #5 match up was Sacramento hosting Iowa. 

 

August 12, 2015 games

 

#6 Jacksonville Captains 2 at #3 Edmonton Freeze 1 - Jacksonville wins 1-0

WP - Jerome Williams, LP - Josh Edgin, S - Michael Kohn

Game MVP - SP Jerome Williams, Jacksonville, 8 IP, 8 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Notes: The Captains scored runs in the tops of the eighth and ninth innings to rally ahead of the Freeze....1B Chris Marrero hit a solo home run in the ninth inning off Edmonton reliever Edgin for the game-winning run....Freeze SP Brett Cecil allowed just one earned run on four hits with a walk and six strikeouts in eight innings. 

 

 

#5 Iowa Dusters 2 at #4 Sacramento Mountain Lions 4 - Sacramento wins  1-0

WP - Luke French, LP - Jake Arrieta, S - Aaron Crow

Game MVP - SP Luke French, Sacramento, 8 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K

Notes: Mountain Lions' SS Tyler Greene's two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the winning hit....Iowa SS Josh Rodriguez had three hits in the game, including two doubles, but had to leave the game on his final at bat when he came up lame after rounding second following his ninth-inning double....Only one of the four runs Arrieta allowed was earned, thanks to Dusters' errors in both the first and fifth innings.

[StLee 19]

2015 ADBL Playoffs - Semifinals

 

August 14 games

 

#4 Sacramento Mountain Lions 2 at #1 El Paso Miners 6 - El Paso leads 1-0

WP - Zack Grienke, LP - Nick Neugebauer

Game MVP - 3B Britt Rush, El Paso - 3/4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

Notes: Rush hit a solo shot in the sixth inning and a three-run shot in the seventh for his RBI. His first home run tied the game, 2-2....Grienke allowed two earned runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in eight innings....Mountain Lions' CF Corey Hart had to leave the game in the second inning after being hit on the hand with a Grienke pitch. Cord Phelps came in to replace him....Sacramento's lone scoring play came on 2B Blake Davis' two-run home run right after the Hart injury. 

 

#6 Jacksonville Captains 5 at #2 Columbus Mammoths 3 - Jacksonville leads 1-0

WP - Sean Gallagher, LP - Vin Mazzaro, S - Michael Kohn

Game MVP - RF Tyler Colvin, Jacksonville - 2/4, HR, R, 3 RBI

Notes: Colvin's three-run home run in the first inning set an early pace for the Captains, allowing them to earn a lead they would never relinquish. Colvin was the only Jacksonville hitter with multiple hits...All eight of the Mammoths' hits were singles....The Captains added extra-base hits from C Kyle Phillips (RBI double in 4th), DH Cole Gillespie (double in 8th), and 1B Chris Marrero (triple in 2nd)....Gallagher earned the victory despite not pitching a great game. In 5.1 innings, he allowed three earned runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts....Columbus SP Mazzaro had an even worse game, though. He gave up five earned runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts in just three innings. Three relievers replaced him to allow just four hits and strike out seven in the final six innings. Ken MacFadden struck out four of those batters in three innings pitched.

[StLee 19]

2015 ADBL Playoffs - Semifinals

 

August 15 games

 

#4 Sacramento 5 at #1 El Paso 1 - Series tied 1-1

WP - Barry Enright, LP - Howard Cantrell

Game MVP - SP Barry Enright, Sacramento, 8.2 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 8 K

Notes: Enright tried for the complete game but ran out of gas on 115 pitches with two outs in the ninth. Bryan Shaw came on in relief to get the final out....2B Jorge Cantu's solo home run in the fifth inning marked the only damage the Miners could do against Enright....Sacramento 3B Brandon Laird hit two doubles and drove in three runs on a 3 for 4 night in the eight spot. He and 1B Daric Barton were the only two players in the game to get at least two hits....Laird's doubles were the Mountain Lions' only extra-base hits.  

 

#6 Jacksonville 1 at #2 Columbus 3 - Series tied 1-1

WP - Terry Calhoun, LP - Dave Thompson, S - Preston Claiborne

Game MVP - SP Terry Calhoun, Columbus, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 BB, 9 K

Notes: Columbus scored three runs in the seventh on just one hit. None of the runs scored on that hit. Captains' SP Thompson walked 2B Terry Gibson to lead off the inning. LF Eric Young, Jr., then singled. Thompson then walked 1B Mike Carp and CF Jarrod Dyson to score Gibson and tie the game, 1-1. DH Joey Terdoslavich followed with another walk to give the Mammoths the lead. RF Jason Repko then hit a sacrifice fly for the 3-1 count....Thompson finished by allowing three earned runs on two hits with six walks and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

[StLee 19]

2015 ADBL Playoffs - Semifinals

 

August 16 games

 

#4 Sacramento 7 at #1 El Paso 6 - Sacramento wins 2-1

WP - Burke Badenhop, LP - Nathan Adcock, S - Aaron Crow

Game MVP - 2B Jorge Cantu, El Paso, 2/4, HR (GS), R, 4 RBI

Series MVP - 3B Britt Rush, El Paso, 6/10, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB

Notes: Miners' SS Reid Brignac's error in the ninth (his second of the day) allowed Sacramento 1B Daric Barton to score the game-winning run in the top of the ninth....Cantu's grand slam in the sixth inning tied the game, 6-6....Mountain Lions' CF Corey Hart, who was the batter that drove in the winning run on Brignac's error, finished with a game-high three hits in five at bats with a double, a run, and an RBI....Sacramento SS Tyler Greene finished 2 for 4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two runs batted in....DH Greg Halman and RF Matt Carpenter each had two hits for Sacramento. Carpenter also had a double in his two hits....CF Andrew Hood and 3B Britt Rush each had two hits for El Paso. Hood doubled once....Neither of the starting pitchers factored into the decision....Sacramento SP Luke French allowed two earned runs on five hits with a strikeout in 4 2/3 innings....Miners' SP Zach McAllister gave yo four earned runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three inings....RP Brooks Raley gave up the grand slam to Cantu one inning after pitching the Mountain Lions out of a jam.

 

#6 Jacksonville 1 at #2 Columbus 2 - Columbus wins 2-1

WP - Scott Elbert, LP - Jerome Williams, S - Vic Black

Game MVP - SP Sean O'Sullivan, Columbus, 7 IP, 7 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K

Series MVP - SP Terry Calhoun, Columbus, 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 BB, 9 K

Notes: Jacksonville SP Williams went the whole way. In eight innings, he allowed two earned runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts....The Mammoths scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. SS Chase d'Arnaud hit a two-out triple, followed by an RBI single by 2B Terry Gibson....Columbus DH Joey Terdoslavich was the only player on his team with multiple hits. He finished 2 for 3 in the game with a double....Captain's LF Cameron Maybin and 2B Sean Rodriguez each had two hits, also. Both of Maybin's hits were doubles, and he scored the Captains' only run on an O'Sullivan wild pitch in the third inning.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 18

 

August 18 games

 

ADBL Championship Series

 

#4 Sacramento Lions 6 at #2 Columbus Mammoths 7 - Columbus leads 1-0

WP - Kevin Chapman, LP - Jay Buente, S - Preston Claiborne

Game MVP - RF Matt Carpenter, Sacramento, 2/3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

Notes: The Mountain Lions had a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but saw that lead become a deficit by the sixth inning....Columbus SS Chase D'Arnaud drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning of a sacrifice fly to score DH Jason Repko. Repko singled to lead off the inning, advanced on a wild pitch, followed by Josh Vitters walking, and a ground out to be in scoring position....Carpenter's two-run blast in the top of the eighth tied the score, 6-6....Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision....Mammoths' SP Vin Mazzaro allowed four runs, one earned, on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts in seven innings. All four runs he allowed came in the first inning....Sacramento SP Nick Neugebauer allowed five earned runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in 5.1 innings....Repko was the Mammoths' best hitter, going 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored (including the game-winner), and two RBI....Mountain Lions' 3B Brandon Laird drove in two runs.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 19

 

ADBL Championship Series

 

#4 Sacramento 2 at #2 Columbus 8 - Columbus leads 2-0

WP - Terry Calhoun, LP - Barry Enright

Game MVP - LF Eric Young, Jr., Columbus, 4/5, 2 R, RBI

Notes: The Mammoths had 15 hits in the game, including four players with multiple hits. Young led with four, followed by DH Joey Terdoslavich with three hits (a double and two singles)....Columbus SS Chase d'Arnaud and Sacramento RF Matt Carpenter each homered in the game....Carpenter drove in the Mountain Lions' only two runs....Calhoun allowed two earned runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in six innings....Enright pitched only 4 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits with five walks and two strikeouts....Mammoths' 1B Mike Carp reached base four times, twice thanks to walks. He singled in 2 of his other 3 at bats.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 21

 

ADBL - Championship Series

#2 Columbus 5 at #4 Sacramento 2 - Columbus wins 3-0

WP - Sean O'Sullivan, LP - Luke French, S - Preston Claiborne

Game MVP - SP Sean O'Sullivan, Columbus, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 5 BB, 4 K

Series MVP – LF Eric Young, Jr., Columbus, 9/15, 2 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB

Notes: Columbus becomes the first champion of the ADBL. Their victory guarantees them a spot in the Omega League in 2016 with a higher budget....The Mammoths scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead they needed to win the championship. All three of their extra-base hits (two doubles and a home run) came in the inning....For the second straight game, Mammoths' LF Eric Young, Jr., took over on offense. He finished 3 for 5 with a double, run, and RBI....Columbus ninth-hole hitter, catcher Drew Butera, led off the ninth inning with a solo home run. He finished 2 for 4 with a run and two RBI....Mountain Lions' 3B Brandon Laird had two of the team's five hits, including a solo home run in the second inning....Sacramento SP French allowed four earned runs on 10 hits with a walk and four strikeouts in seven innings. 

 

OL - Omega Cup - First Round

* Note: The Omega Cup is a straight playoff of eight teams. Each round features a three-game series with the first to win two games taking the series. The Omega Cup winner earns promotion to the Gamma League in 2016. 

 

#7 St. Louis Lions 2 at #10 Oklahoma City Bandits 10 - OKC leads 1-0

Game MVP - 1B Jeremy Giambi, Oklahoma City, 2/4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

 

#8 Tampa Sharks 1 at #5 Vancouver Mounties 11 - Vancouver leads 1-0

Game MVP - CF Justin Maxwell, Vancouver, 2/2, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Play-in Game

* Note: The Gamma Cup changed from the playoff style of before to a double elimination tournament. Nine teams are in. The first game is a play-in game between the bottom two seeds. After that, every round features a three-game series. Winners of the first round move to the winners' bracket where they compete for the Gamma Cup. Losers of the first round move to the losers' bracket where they compete not to get relegated to the Omega League. 

 

** Note: I already set up the tournament and simmed ahead. This format will definitely change in the 2016 season. 

 

#12 Toronto Thunderbirds 3 at #11 Buffalo Bears 2 - Toronto wins 1-0

WP - Yu Darvish, LP - Josh Spence, S - Manuel Corpas

Game MVP - SP Scott Kazmir, Buffalo, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 15 K

Notes: Despite not getting a decision and his team losing in the game, Bears' pitcher Kazmir set a Gamma League playoff record for strikeouts in a game with 15. In all, 75% of his outs were strikeouts. 

 

AL - Honors Cup

* Note: The bottom four teams in the Alpha League compete for the Honors Cup this season. All games are in three-game series. The Honors Cup winner remains in the AL for the 2016 season, while the other three teams are relegated to the Beta League in 2016. 

 

#12 Los Angeles Actors 3 at #9 Miami Towers 2 - Los Angeles leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Zach Wheeler, Los Angeles, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 22

 

OL - Omega Cup - First Round

 

#9 Boston Hawks 5 at #4 Pittsburgh Energy 4 - Boston leads 1-0

Game MVP: LF Elijah Dukes, Pittsburgh, 2/3, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Note: Pittsburgh must WIN the Omega Cup, or they will be force relocated to one of the waiting cities. They are now in elimination mode. 

 

#10 Indianapolis Express 2 at #3 Mexico City Scorpions 3 - Mexico City leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Nathan Eovaldi, Mexico City, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 7 K

 

#8 Tampa 0 at #5 Vancouver 4 - Vancouver wins 2-0

Game MVP: SP Rodney Foster, Vancouver, 9 IP, CG, SO, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K

 

#7 St. Louis 3 at #6 Oklahoma City 5 - OKC wins 2-0

Game MVP: 3B Morgan Ensberg, Oklahoma City, 2/2, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

 

OL - Bronze Trophy - Championship Series

 

#2 Seattle Ports 5 at #1 Louisville Thoroughbreds 8 - Louisville leads 1-0

WP - Brad Hand, LP - Josh Beckett

Game MVP - C Peter Auty, Mexico City, 3/5, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

Notes: The anticipated run of 1B Albert Pujols got off to a good start for the 'Breds. Though he was not the game's MVP, he did finish 2 for 4 with a double, two runs, and an RBI....Five Louisville batters had at least two hits, while Seattle spread out its six hits....The Ports' RF Norichika Aoki hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to make the final score more respectable....Five of Seattle's six hits went for extra bases....Hand's stat line: 8 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K....Beckett was chased early. He finished by allowing six runs, five earned, on nine hits with five strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Four relievers finished the game for the Ports. 

 

GL - Gamma Cup - First Round

 

#8 Atlanta Blazers 1 at #7 Baltimore Snappers 6 - Baltimore leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Habrao Caraa, Baltimore, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K

 

#10 San Antonio Buzzards 3 at #5 Las Vegas Dealers 2 - San Antonio leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Joe Kelly, San Antonio, 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K

 

GL - Silver Trophy - First Round

 

#3 Orlando Rockets 3 at #2 Portland Pioneers 2 - Orlando leads 1-0

WP - Kyle Kendrick, LP - Nick Tepesch, S - Sean Doolittle

Game MVP - SP Kyle Kendrick, Orlando, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K

Notes: The Rockets scored all three runs in the third inning....All 11 Orlando hits were singles....Pioneers' SS Trevor Plouffe hit a solo home run in the seventh. 

 

BL - Beta Cup - First Round

* Note: The Beta Cup is trying out a unique triple elimination tournament. All teams meet for single games with the last team standing winning the Beta Cup. There is no play for promotion this season. However, the first two teams to lose three games (going 0-3 in the tournament) will be relegated to the Gamma League in 2016. 

 

#10 San Francisco Gold 6 at #7 Austin Savage 10 - SF (0-1), Aus (1-0)

Game MVP: CF Drew Stubbs, Austin, 3/5, 3B, 2 R, 4 RBI

 

#12 Oakland Gorillas 8 at #5 Chicago Brats 3 - Oak (1-0), Chi (0-1)

Game MVP: 1B Manuel Vela, Oakland, 4/5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI

 

#11 Detroit Wolverines 3 at #6 Washington Presidents 5 - Det (0-1), Wash (1-0)

Game MVP: CF David DeJesus, Washington, 3/4, 2B, 3 R

 

#9 Memphis Hound Dogs 5 at #8 Utah Mustangs 8 - Mem (0-1), Utah (1-0)

Game MVP: C Rob Brantly, Utah, 2/4, HR, R, 4 RBI

 

BL - Gold Trophy - First Round

* Note: First round winners are automatically promoted to the Alpha League in 2016. The first round losers must then meet in a series to determine which of the two will be promoted. 

 

#3 New Orleans Gators 8 at #2 New Mexico Suns 1 - New Orleans leads 1-0

WP - Greg T. Smith, LP - Gomes Oulman

Game MVP - SP Greg T. Smith, New Orleans, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Notes: Gators' SS Troy Tulowitzki led the team offensively, going 2 for 5 with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in....New Mexico's lone run came on C Evan Gattis' fifth-inning homer....New Orleans CF Natsu Okada was the only other player with two hits, going 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored. He also walked once. 

 

#4 Nashville Country 8 at #1 Denver Peaks 1 - Nashville leads 1-0

WP - Juan Nicasio, LP - Danny Duffy

Game MVP - SP Juan Nicasio, Nashville, 9 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 8 K

Notes: Nicasio threw 118 pitches in his complete game victory....Nashville 1B Ben Broussard, formerly of the Miami Tropics, paced the offense. He went 2 for 4 with a first-inning three-run home run, two runs scored, four runs batted in, and a walk....The Peaks' sole run came on 3B Aramis Ramirez's eighth-inning bomb. 

 

AL - Honors Cup - First Round

 

#11 Kansas City Sting 0 at #10 Charlotte Flyers 1 - Charlotte leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Kevin Slowey, Charlotte, 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 10 K

 

#12 Los Angeles 7 at #9 Miami 1 - Los Angeles wins 2-0

Game MVP: SP Carlos Carrasco, Los Angeles, 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K

 

AL - Alpha Cup - First Round

* Note: The Alpha Cup tournament consists of four teams, seeded fifth through eights. The first round is a three-game series, followed by a five-game series for the rights to earn the cup and the banner. 

 

#7 Cincinnati Cyclones 2 at #6 Virginia Beach Neptunes 5 - VB leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Joham Cari, Virginia Beach, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

 

#8 Minneapolis Blizzard 3 at #5 Brooklyn Avengers 5 - Brooklyn leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Christian Friedrich, Brooklyn, 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 BB, 5 K

 

AL - Diamond Trophy - First Round

 

#3 Dallas Tycoons 1 at #2 Phoenix Firebirds 2 - Phoenix leads 1-0

WP - Vance Worley, LP - Jake Peavy, S - Rex Brothers

Game MVP - SP Vance Worley, Phoenix, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Notes: Losing pitcher, Tycoons' SP Peavy, allowed just two runs, one earned, on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts in seven innings....What proved to be the winning run came on a mishandled ball by Dallas CF Chris B. Young on a RF Caleb Gindl single. That allowed slow-running C Alex Avila to score from second when he would have had to stop at third base on the hard hit ball up the middle....Three of the Tycoons' six hits came in the top of the first, allowing 3B Edwin Encarnacion to drive in SS Harvey Shipman....The Firebirds' first run in the fifth inning came on LF Nolan Reimold's lead off triple, followed by 3B Valentyn Grave's sacrifice fly. 

 

#4 Montreal Saints 3 at #1 San Diego Slammers 4 - San Diego leads 1-0

WP - Justin Masterson, LP - Eric O'Flaherty

Game MVP - C/1B Jos Donaldson, San Diego, 2/4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI

Notes: San Diego won the game in the bottom of the ninth off CF Jose Marquez's two-out, walk-off single to score LF Miguel Veldhoven....The Slammers' SP Cole Hamels did not factor into the decision, but he had a decent game. In seven innings, he allowed two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts....San Diego used Hyun-jin Ryu in relief, indicating that he will not be a starting pitcher in the post season....Tycoons' SP Derek Holland finished by allowing three earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings....San Diego 1B Bob Adams and Dallas CF Jose Tabata each hit solo home runs in the game....Tycoons' 1B Jorge Rodriguez led the team in hits, going 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in.

 

CBA Players of the Day

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 23 - Part 1

 

It's taking me a lot of time to type out these daily reports when I don't have much time right now. So, I got through the OL and GL games for the day. The BL and AL games will come in the next post. 

 

August 23 games

 

OL - Omega Cup - First Round

 

#9 Boston 4 at #4 Pittsburgh 1 - Boston wins 2-0

Game MVP: SP Charlie A Morton, Boston, 8 IP, 7 H, ER, 7 K

Note: Pittsburgh is eliminated and will be forced to relocate to one of the waiting cities. 

 

#10 Indianapolis 3 at #3 Mexico City 5 - Mexico City wins 2-0

Game MVP: SP Antoine Rigaudeau, Mexico City, 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 9 K

 

OL - Championship Series

 

#2 Seattle 10 at #1 Louisville 0 – Series tied 1-1

WP – Luis Silva, LP – Jonathan Pettibone

Game MVP – SP Luis Silva, Seattle, 7.1 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K

Notes: The Ports had six players with multiple hits, led by LF Knile Davis’ three hits. 2B S Gennett had the most productive day offensively, going 2 for 5 with a double, home run, run, and two RBI….Pettibone was rocked by Seattle. In 4.1 innings, he allowed seven earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts….In addition to Gennett’s home run, Seattle CF D Jennings went deep in the second inning for what turned out to be the game-winning run.

 

GL - Gamma Cup - First Round

 

#8 Atlanta 8 at #7 Baltimore 1 – Series tied 1-1

Game MVP: SP Paul Maholm, Atlanta, 7.1 IP, 3 H, 7 K

 

#9 Milwaukee Beers 0 at #6 Houston Bulls 8 – Houston leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP Matt Moore, Houston, 8.2 IP, 6 H, 11 K; 2/4, 2 RBI

 

#10 San Antonio 0 at #5 Las Vegas 1 – Series tied 1-1

Game MVP: SP Jered Weaver, Las Vegas, 7 IP, 5 H, BB, 8 K

 

#12 Toronto 3 at #4 Honolulu Tropics 6 – Honolulu leads 1-0

Game MVP: SP John Danks, Honolulu, 8 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 6 K

 

GL - Silver Trophy - First Round

 

#3 Orlando 8 at #2 Portland 6 - Orlando leads 2-0

WP - Kyle McPherson, LP – Ricardo Martinez, S - Sean Doolittle

Game MVP – 1B Ryan Shealy, Orlando, 2/3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB

Notes: The Rockets overcame a 6-2 deficit in the seventh inning to win the game. They scored four runs in the eighth inning to take their first lead of the game, 7-6….All five Pioneers’ relievers gave up at least one run….Orlando SP Roberto Gonzales allowed four earned runs on five hits in just one inning of work….Portland scored four runs in the first and two more in the third for all of its runs….Pioneers SP Jose Villa pitched a decent game although he went deep in counts too often. In the game, he allowed two earned runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in five innings….Rockets’ 3B Pedro Alvarez and his eighth-inning replacement, Jason McDonald, both went deep. McDonald scored two runs despite batting only one time. He was placed in as Alvarez’s pinch runner at third base when Alvarez came up lame on an apparent ankle injury while trying to move from first to third base on RF Allen Craig’s eighth-inning single. McDonald scored on the next play on 2B Marcus Giles’ RBI single.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 23 - Part 2

 

BL - Beta Cup – Day 2

* Note: The Beta Cup is trying out a unique triple elimination tournament. All teams meet for single games with the last team standing winning the Beta Cup. There is no play for promotion this season. However, the first two teams to lose three games (going 0-3 in the tournament) will be relegated to the Gamma League in 2016. 

 

#7 Austin 4 at #6 Washington 6 - Aus (1-1), Wash (2-0)

Game MVP: 2B Alberto Callaspo, Washington, 2/3, 2B, 2 RBI

 

#9 Memphis 6 at #5 Chicago 8 – Mem (0-2), Chi (1-1)

Game MVP: C Alberto Vasquez, Memphis, 2/3, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

 

#11 Detroit 3 at #10 San Francisco 4 - Det (0-2), SF (1-1)

Game MVP: CF Chris Ayloffe, San Francisco, 2/3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

 

#12 Oakland 1 at #8 Utah 5 – Oak (1-1), Utah (2-0)

Game MVP: SP Jose Quintana, Utah, 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 9 K

 

BL - Gold Trophy - First Round

 

#3 New Orleans 2 at #2 New Mexico 4 – Series tied 1-1

WP – Yovani Gallardo, LP – Jon Lester, S – Nick Vincent

Game MVP - SP Yovani Gallardo, New Mexico, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 6 K

Notes: Gators' SP Lester allowed four runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings. He had to leave the game after the sixth inning with wrist stiffness….Suns’ SS Tyler Magee had the best day offensively. He went 2 for 4 with a double, home run, run, and RBI….Three other New Mexico batters also had two hits. 3B Miguel Cabrera singled twice and drove in a game-high two runs….New Orleans 2B Robinson Cano was best on the team in hitting, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run. 

 

#4 Nashville 1 at #1 Denver 8 – Series tied 1-1

WP – Jeremy Hefner, LP – Carlos Robles

Game MVP - SP Jeremy Hefner, Denver, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 8 K

Notes: The two teams flipped their scores from yesterday’s game….3B Aramis Ramirez led the Peaks in hitting, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, two runs, and two runs batted in….No Country player had an extra-base hit. 1B Ben Broussard was 2 for 4 with an RBI. He knocked in SS Miguel Depardieu, who was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Only two other players had a hit….Nashville SP Robles allowed six runs, five earned, on four hits with five walks and six strikeouts in 5.1 innings. 

 

AL - Honors Cup - First Round

 

#11 Kansas City 11 at #10 Charlotte 5 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - 2B Chang Hsueh, Kansas City, 5/5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB

 

AL - Alpha Cup - First Round

 

#7 Cincinnati 0 at #6 Virginia Beach 3 - Virginia Beach wins 2-0

Game MVP - SP Guido Marchena, Virginia Beach, 8.2 IP, H, BB, 7 K

Notes: Cincinnati SP Frederico Olsen broke up Marchena's perfect game with two outs in the top of the sixth.

 

#8 Minneapolis 5 at #5 Brooklyn 8 - Brooklyn wins 2-0

Game MVP - CF Seth Smith, Brooklyn, 2/4, 2 R, 2 RBI

Notes: Smith substituted for Mike Trout after Trout was injured running the bases on a base hit.  

 

AL - Diamond Trophy - First Round

 

#3 Dallas 7 at #2 Phoenix 8 - Phoenix leads 2-0

WP - Jeremy Bonderman, LP - Johnny Cueto

Game MVP - CF Caleb Gindl, Phoenix, 2/4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

Notes: The Firebirds scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to win and take a two-game advantage over the Tycoons. Leading 7-3, Dallas sent reliever Chris Sale in to try to end the game. C Alex Avila and CF Axel Darke led off with back-to-back singles. Game MVP Gindl then hit a three-run bomb to make it a 7-6 game. Cueto then came on in relief. 1B David Ortiz then hit a double to put the tying run in scoring position. LF Nolan Reimold followed with a triple to tie the game, 7-7, with the winning run at third and no outs. 3B Valentyn Grave then singled in Ortiz to end the game....Grave was 2 for 4 with a home run. He finished with a run scored and three runs batted in....Reimold led the Firebirds in hits with three, including his ninth inning RBI triple. He finished by scoring two runs and knocking in two....Dallas CF Chris B. Young led the Tycoons offensively by going 2 for 4 with a home run, three runs scored, two RBI,  a walk, and a stolen base. 

 

#4 Montreal 1 at #1 San Diego 2 - San Diego leads 2-0

WP - Taylor Tankersley, LP - Eric O'Flaherty

Game MVP - SP Ricky Romero, Montreal, 6 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K

Notes: Romero suffered fatigue issues, causing him to leave the game early despite his outstanding pitching performance. His team was up 1-0 at the time he left....The Slammers' only two extra-base hits led to the game-winning runs. 2B Dustin Pedroia hit a solo home run in the eighth to tie the game. 3B Jed Lowrie then hit the walkoff double in the ninth to score C Josh Donaldson, who had reached on a SS Jorge Rodriguez throwing error on the previous play....Lowrie led San Diego offensively with three hits in four at bats, along with the walkoff double....Slammers' SP Jose Fernandez allowed just one earned run on seven hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. He left the game trailing 1-0.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 24

 

OL - Omega Cup - Semifinals

 

#6 Oklahoma City 2 at #5 Vancouver 3 - Vancouver leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Michael Pineda, Vancouver, 8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Quarterfinals

 

#9 Milwaukee 3 at #6 Houston 2 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - SP Rodrigo Hernandez, Milwaukee, 6.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 12 K

 

#7 Baltimore 1 at #8 Atlanta 5 - Atlanta wins 2-1

Game MVP - SP Thomas Morbey, Atlanta, 6.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K

 

#5 Las Vegas 5 at #10 San Antonio 7 - San Antonio wins 2-1

Game MVP - SS Freddy Sanchez, San Antonio, 3/3, 2 R, BB

 

#12 Toronto 3 at # 4 Honolulu 6 - Honolulu wins 2-0

Game MVP - 1B Adam LaRoche, Honolulu, 2/4, HR, 2 R, RBI

 

BL - Beta Cup - Day 3

 

#5 Chicago 3 at #7 Austin 0 - Chicago (2-1), Austin (1-2)

Game MVP - SP Paco Chandelier, Chicago, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K

 

#10 San Francisco 2 at #12 Oakland 1 - SF (2-1), Oak (1-2)

Game MVP - SP Cole De Vries, San Francisco, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 5 K

 

AL - Honors Cup - First Round

 

#10 Charlotte 2 at #11 Kansas City 3 - Kansas City wins 2-1

Game MVP - SP Drew Pomeranz, Kansas City, 8 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 25 - Part 1

 

OL - Omega Cup - Semifinals

 

#9 Boston 4 at #3 Mexico City 10 - Mexico City leads 1-0

Game MVP - LF Adao Eiras, Mexico City, 3/3, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB

 

#6 Oklahoma City at #5 Vancouver - Vancouver wins 2-0

Game MVP - SP Kevin Gausman, Vancouver, 8 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 8 K

 

OL - Bronze Trophy

 

#1 Louisville 3 at #2 Seattle 6 - Seattle leads 2-1

WP - Scott Diamond, LP - Grant Dies-Willis, S - Andrew Bailey

Game MVP - SP Scott Diamond, Seattle, 8 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K

Notes: The Ports' runs came on three-run blasts by 2B Scooter Gennett in the third inning and RF Norichika Aoki in the fourth.Their home runs were the only extra-base hits in the game by either team....Gennett was one of three Seattle players with two hits. Vancouver also had three players with two hits apiece....The Mounties' LF Travis Snider had perhaps the most successful offensive day for the team, going 2 for 4 with a run and RBI. 

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Quarterfinals

 

#6 Houston 5 at #9 Milwaukee 9 - Milwaukee wins 2-1

Game MVP - 1B Ryan Howard, Houston, 4/5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

 

GL - Silver Trophy - First Round

 

#2 Portland 5 at #3 Orlando 0 - Orlando leads 2-1

WP - Mat Latos, LP - Hisashi Iwakuma

Game MVP - SP Mat Latos, Portland, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K

Notes: Pioneers' 2B Sergio Ordonez's two-run homer in the top of the first proved to be the winning hit. Ordonez finished with two hits in three at bats with a home run, run scored, two runs batted in, and a walk....1B Joey Votto also had two hits for Portland. He had a double and two runs scored....The Rockets five runs were singles spread out throughout the game. They were only able to get one runner in scoring position. That happened in the second inning.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 25 - Part 2

 

BL - Beta Cup - Day 4

 

#8 Utah 0 at #6 Washington 1 - Utah (2-1), Washington (3-0)

Game MVP - SP Hiang-ta Fei, Washington, 8 IP, 3 H, 5 BB, 5 K

 

#11 Detroit 1 at #7 Austin 9 - Detroit (0-3, relegated), Austin (2-2)

Game MVP - SP Geraldo Montoya, Austin, 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K

 

#9 Memphis 1 at #12 Oakland 3 - Memphis (0-3, relegated), Oakland (2-2)

 

BL - Gold Trophy - First Round

 

#2 New Mexico 5 at #3 New Orleans 6 - New Orleans leads 2-1

WP - Lyndon Williams, LP - Travis Wood, S - Luis Avilan

Game MVP - 1B Ike Davis, New Orleans, 1/2, GS, R, 4 RBI, 2 BB

Notes: Davis' third-inning grand slam put the Gators up 6-1 at the time....All five Suns' runs came off four home runs on winning pitcher Williams, including 3B Miguel Cabrera's two-run home run in the fourth inning....New Mexico LF Christian Yelich and New Orleans CF Natsu Okada were the only players with multiple hits in the game. 

 

#1 Denver 1 at #4 Nashville 2 - Nashville leads 2-1

WP - Luis Salas, LP - Francisco Liriano, S - Alex Wood

Game MVP - SP Luis Salas, Nashville, 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Notes: Country LF Reed Johnson's two-run single in the third inning proved to be the winning hit....Johnson had two of Nashville's four hits, including a double....Peaks' CF Ezequiel Carrera one-upped Johnson by hitting three of his team's five hits, including a double....Liriano allowed two earned runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 25 - Part 3

 

AL - Alpha Cup - Finals

 

#6 Virginia Beach 3 at #5 Brooklyn 9 - Brooklyn leads 1-0

WP - Stephen Strasburg, LP - Armando Moreno

Game MVP - SP Stephen Strasburg, Brooklyn, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 8 K

Notes: None of the Neptunes' three runs were earned thanks to Brooklyn errors in the third and ninth innings....Three Avengers had three hits in the team's 17-hit ball game. 2B Martin Prado was 3 for 5 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. 1B Alberto Vasquez was 3 for 5 with two RBI. C Edoardo Luttazi was 3 for 4 with three runs scored....Brooklyn RF Justin Upton homered in the sixth inning. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI....LF Carl Crawford led Virginia Beach in hits with two....2B Willy Aybar finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI. 

 

AL - Diamond Trophy - First Round

 

#1 San Diego 6 at #4 Montreal 4 - San Diego wins 3-0

WP - Tyler Chatwood, LP - Will Smith, S - Brandon Cumpton

Game MVP - 2B Dustin Pedroia, San Diego, 4/5, R, RBI

Notes: C Josh DOnaldson's fifth-inning, three-run home run gave the Slammers the game-winning hit, putting them up 5-3 at the time....Saints' CF Jose Tabata led the team offensively, finishing 3 for 4 with a double, run, and two runs batted in. He hit a two-out, two-run double in the third....San Diego SP Chatwood allowed three runs, two earned, on nine hits with two strikeouts in eight innings....Montreal's Smith allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings....Slammers' SS Jose Reyes' two-run home run in the fourth inning put San Diego on the board for the first time. It cut the Montreal led to 3-2 at the time. 

 

#2 Phoenix 4 at #3 Dallas 2, 10 innings - Phoenix wins 3-0

WP - Rex Brothers, LP - Chris Sale

Game MVP - CF Axel Darke, Phoenix, 2/4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

Notes: The premier star of the CBA, Darke hit the game-tying home run in the top of the eighth and the series-clinching two-run blast in the 10th inning to give the Firebirds the victory....Phoenix SS Starlin Castro also had two hits on the day, both leading to runs. In the third, he doubled and scored on RF Caleb Gindl's two-out RBI single. He also singled in the 10th, followed by Darke's homer....Tycoons' LF Anastasio Nava and SS Harvey Shipman each had two hits....Dallas C Gerd van de Brekel homered in the fourth inning....Despite the Tycoons' loss, it was not because of SP Ivan Nova. In 7.1 innings, he allowed one earned run on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts. He did not allow either of Darke's two home runs. Those runs were credited to relievers Johnny Cueto and Sale....Phoenix SP Josh Outman allowed two earned runs on six hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in six innings. Relievers Yoervis Medina and Brothers pitched the final four innings, allowing a combined one hit and striking out five Tycoons....Shipman was injured in the 10th inning while running to first on his single. He is expected back for the Tournament of Champions.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 26 - Part 1

 

OL - Omega Cup - Semifinals

 

#9 Boston 9 at #3 Mexico City 2 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - SS Jonathan Villas, Boston, 2/5, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB

Notes: Scorpions' RF Urbano Peixeiro was injured while throwing the ball....Mexico City 2B Anthony Rendon and Boston SP Peter Catron were ejected in the third inning for igniting a bench-clearing brawl....Scorpions' CF Austin Jackson was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a strike call. 

 

OL - Bronze Trophy

 

#1 Louisville 1 at #2 Seattle 5 - Seattle leads 3-1

WP - Josh Beckett, LP - Brad Hand, S - Andrew Bailey

Game MVP - SP Josh Beckett, Seattle, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 10 K

Notes: Ports SS Mike Morse hit solo home runs in the first and eighth innings. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI....1B Tony Diaz led Seattle in hits with three. He was 3 for 4 with two RBI....Eight different players singled for the Thoroughbreds....Louisville's only run came in the ninth inning on RF Bernardo Perez's sacrifice fly....Thoroughbreds' SP Hand allowed three earned runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings. 

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Relegation Round

 

#12 Toronto 1 at #7 Baltimore 4 - Baltimore leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Habrao Caraa, Baltimore, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K

 

#6 Houston 1 at #5 Las Vegas 2 - Las Vegas leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Brian Matusz, Las Vegas, 7.2 IP, 5 H, BB, 3 K

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Semifinals

 

#8 Atlanta 3 at #4 Honolulu 4 - Honolulu leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Tyler Cloyd, Honolulu, 7.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 10 K

 

#10 San Antonio 6 at #9 Milwaukee 7- Milwaukee leads 1-0

Game MVP - 1B Anthony Rizzo, San Antonio, 3/5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

 

GL - Silver Trophy - First Round

 

#2 Portland 1, #3 Orlando 6 - Orlando wins 3-1

WP - Kyle Kendrick, LP - Nick Tepesch

Game MVP - SP Kyle Kendrick, Orlando, 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 11 K

Series MVP - SP Kyle Kendrick, Orlando, 2-0, 15 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, BB, 19 K

Notes: The Rockets now move on to play the pennant-winning Philadelphia Liberty in the finals series....Kendrick and reliever Kyle McPherson held the Pioneers to three hits. One of those three hits was 1B Joey Votto's solo home run in the sixth inning....Portland C Dusty Ryan had the other two hits, both singles....The Rockets were led offensively by C Orlando Arce, who went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in....2B Allen Craig and 1B Bernardo Deleon also homered for Orlando....Five Rocket's hitters had two hits. LF Michael Brantley doubled twice to be the only player with multiple extra-base hits....Six of Orlando's 11 hits were extra-base hits.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 26 - Part 2

 

BL - Beta Cup - Day 5

 

#12 Oakland 8 at #7 Austin 0 - Oakland (3-2), Austin (2-3, eliminated)

Game MVP - SP John Ely, Oakland, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K

 

#10 San Francisco 2 at #5 Chicago 6 - San Francisco (2-2), Chicago (3-1)

Game MVP - RF Guillermo Sosa, Chicago, 3/4, HR, R, RBI

 

BL - Gold Trophy

 

#2 New Mexico 13 at #3 New Orleans 0 - Series tied 2-2

WP - Matt Harvey, LP - Greg T. Smith

Game MVP - SP Matt Harvey, New Mexico, 8 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Notes: Five Suns players had at least two hits....Smith was rocked for eight earned runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout in two full innings....New Mexico scored 11 of its 13 runs in the first three innings....All three of the Gators' hits were singles....New Mexico RF Wil Myers was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, four RBI, and a walk....Suns' LF Christian Yelich and SS Tyler Magee had three hits each. Yelich tripled and Magee doubled twice....Myers, CF A.J. Pollock, and 3B Miguel Cabrera all homered for the Suns. 

 

#1 Denver 6 at #4 Nashville 3 - Series tied 2-2

WP - Danny Duffy, LP - Juan Nicasio, S - Danny Salazar

Game MVP - SP Danny Duffy, Denver, 6.2 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 8 K

Notes: Peaks' RF Victor Ledesma led the team in run production, going 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI....Three other Denver players also had three hits....Country SP Nicasio allowed six runs, four earned, on nine hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings. 

 

AL - Honors Cup - Finals

 

#12 Los Angeles 5 at #11 Kansas City 1, 10 innings - Los Angeles leads 1-0

Game MVP - SP Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles, 7 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K

 

AL - Alpha Cup - Finals

 

# 6 Virginia Beach 2 at #5 Brooklyn 8 - Brooklyn leads 2-0

WP - Christian Friedrich, LP - Joham Cari

Game MVP - SP Christian Friedrich, Brooklyn, 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 10 K

Notes: The Avengers just need one more victory to claim the Cup....Neptunes' SP Caro allowed six earned runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 2.1 innings....Brooklyn 3B Lonnie Chisenhall and C Edoardo Luttazi both homered. Lutazzi led the team in RBI with three....Virginia Beach LF Carl Crawford led the team with two hits....Neptunes' C Devin Mesoraco homered in the 4th inning to drive in their only two runs.

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 27 - Part 1

 

OL - Omega Cup - Semifinals

 

#3 Mexico City 6 at #9 Boston 1 - Mexico City wins 2-1

Game MVP - SP Antoine Rigaudeau, Mexico City, 7 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 11 K

 

OL - Bronze Trophy

 

#1 Louisville 1 at #2 Seattle 7 - Seattle wins 4-1

WP - Luis Silva, LP - Jonathan Pettibone

Game MVP - SS Mike Morse, Seattle, 3/5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

Series MVP - SS Mike Morse, Seattle, 10/22 (.455), 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 R, 8 RBI

Notes: The Ports have clinched the 2015 Bronze Trophy! This marks their first banner in the Champions Baseball Association....Seattle SP Silva allowed just one earned run on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched....Louisville SP Pettibone was rocked for five earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings....Thoroughbreds' 1B Albert Pujols had the team's only extra-base hit, a third-inning double that preceded LF Travis Snider's RBI sacrifice fly....Morse, along with 2B Scooter Gennett and 1B Brett Wallace each had three hits. Gennett doubled twice, finishing 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Wallace doubled once, finishing 3 for 4 with a run scored....Despite finishing the series with two wins and a 0.66 ERA, Silva was edged out for the series MVP by his hot-hitting teammate Morse.   

 

[StLee 19]

2015 Postseason - August 27 - Part 2

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Relegation Round

 

#12 Toronto 4 at #7 Baltimore 5 - Baltimore wins 2-0

Game MVP - 3B Jorge Loyola, Baltimore, 2/4, HR, R, 5 RBI

 

#6 Houston 2 at #5 Las Vegas 1 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - SP Jered Weaver, Las Vegas, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 12 K

 

GL - Gamma Cup - Semifinals

 

#10 San Antonio 4 at #9 Milwaukee 3 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - SP Clayton Kershaw, San Antonio, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K, 2/3, R

 

#8 Atlanta 11 at #4 Honolulu 0 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - SP Paul Maholm, Atlanta, 8.2 IP, 4 H, 4 K

 

BL - Beta Cup - Day 6

 

#5 Chicago 4 at #8 Utah 5 - Chicago (3-2), Utah (3-1)

Game MVP - CF Brett Gardner, Utah, 2/4, R, 3 RBI

 

#12 Oakland 1 at #10 San Francisco 0 - Oakland (4-2), San Francisco (2-3, eliminated)

Game MVP - SP Tim Lincecum, Oakland, 7 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K

 

AL - Honors Cup - Finals

 

#12 Los Angeles 9 at #11 Kansas City 13 - Series tied 1-1

Game MVP - LF Robbie Grossman, Kansas City, 4/5, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

 

AL - Diamond Series - Game One

 

# 2 Phoenix 1 at #1 San Diego 3 - San Diego leads 1-0

WP - Jose Fernandez, LP - Vance Worley, S - Brandon Cumpton

Game MVP - SP Jose Fernandez, San Diego, 7.1 IP, 6 H, ER, 5 K

Notes: None of San Diego's runs were earned....Firebirds' SP Worley allowed two unearned runs on six hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in six innings....With two outs in the bottom of the fifth and runners at second and third, the Slammers' 2B Dustin Pedroia reached on a Worley error, scoring 1B Bob Adams. RF Yasiel Puig then singled in SS Jose B. Reyes to give San Diego a 2-1 lead....Puig finished the game 2 for 4 with an RBI. Reyes was the only other Slammer with two hits, going 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored....Phoenix LF Nolan Reimold led the team in hitting, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.