Monday, April 24, 2017

Phills get swept, while Halos split for this week's "Daly Double"

The schedule makers do me a favor 2 weeks in a row with lining up both my teams to face both of Jim's teams.  Unfortunately my team did me no favors with the 77 Phillies laying an egg, getting swept by Jim's 62 Dodgers.  The first game of the series featured a slugfest despite a Drysdale/Koufax matchup.  The 13-10 final score had Jim and I questioning the latest update.  But as the series played out it became apparent the latest release was not the issue, it was the Phillies pitching and the hot Dodger bats.

After being swept 4 straight with my "strong" Phillies team, I was expecting a complete 8 game blanking after 4 games with my struggling 77 Angels.  But my Halos came out strong with wins in the first 2 against Jim's 56 Indians before Cleveland took both ends of a doubleheader to earn the series split.  We were looking even better with Nolan Ryan limiting the Indians to 1 hit over the 1st 5 innings in the early game of the series closing twin bill.  The Angels clung to a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the 6th when the Indians tied it up.  But it wasn't until the bottom of the 8th when the Angels luck would run out.  Ryan tried to work his way through some wildness in the 8th but a Preston Ward pinch hit 2 run HR gave the Indians a lead they would not lose.  Despite 13 Ks over 7 2/3 innings, Ryan took the loss to drop to 0-6 on the season.  The crazy thing for Ryan was when he was finally pulled after his 165th pitch was ball 4 to Chico Carrasquel he was still 3 pitches under his 168 adjusted EPC and was still feeling "strong".  

Pete

Sunday, April 23, 2017

69 Mets v 62 Giants

69 METS v 62 GIANTS

METS AND GIANTS SPLIT THE FOUR GAME SERIES

Game 1

SFG 15 NYM 11

An absolutely crazy game. Giants take 3-1 lead after one as Willie Mays
hits a solo HR (9) and Willie McCovey a 2 run dinger (2). Trailing 3-2 in
the 7th, the Mets explode sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring 7
runs. Cleon Jones doubled in two to put the Mets ahead 4-3. A bases loaded,
bases clearing, 3 RBI triple by Jerry Grote was the highlight of the inning.

The Mets led 10-4 going to the 9th and then the roof, and the bullpen,
collapsed. First Cal Koonce, then Nolan Ryan nad Tug McGraw could not stop
the onslaught as the Jints sent 15 men to the plate, scored 11 runs on 9
hits, 2 walks and an eror. The big blows were a 3 run HR (10) by Mays and a
2 run HR by Felipe Alou (7).

Gaylord Perry, the 5th of 6 Giants pitchers, got the win (1-0). Stu Miller
finished up. McGraw blew the save (3) and took the loss (2-2). Starters Jack
Sanford and Tom Seaver each pitched well but were not around for the insane
finish.

Game 2

NYM 3 SFG 2

The Giants scored 2 runs in the first off Don Cardwell and took that lead to
the 9th as Juan Marichal was cruising with a shutout. In the bottom of the
9th, Boswell led off with a single and took second when Cleon Jones walked.
Art Shamsky then hit a little nubber back to Marichal who booted it, loading
the bases with none out. Ed Kranepool then singled to the opposite filed
driving in two and tying the game! Wayne Garrett hit a grounder to first but
it was flubbed by Cepeda as the error allowed the winning run to score.

Marichal (3-1) took the tough loss. McGraw (3-2) got the win this time with
1 shutout inning, in relief of starter Don Cardwell who pitched well.

Game 3 1G DH

NYN 7 SFG 6

Another day and another crazy finish for the Miracle Mets. A great pitchers
duel between Gary Gentry and Billy Pierce as the game is tied 1-1 going to
the 8th inning. Willie Mays' 11th HR of the year was the Giants only run. In
the 8th, Cepeda (10) and Felipe Alou (8) hit solo dingers off Gentry to put
the Giants head 3-1 going to the 9th.

Tommie Agee led off against Pierce and bunted for a single. Then Bobby Pfeil
grounded one through the hole for another single. Two on and none out. Out
went Pierce and in came Giants relief ace Stu Miller. Cleon Jones greeted
Miller with a single to left to load the bases with none out. Shamsky then
drew a walk forcing in a run and making it 3-2 Giants. Ken Boswell followed
with a single to right driving in two runs and putting the Mets ahead 4-3!
Wayne Garrett then doubled in two more. Six runs in the inning and the Mets
were now ahead 7-3!

Nolan Ryan came on to pitch the bottom of the 9th and pitched a scoreless
frame as Ron Taylor (1-0) got the win in relief of Gentry. Miller blew the
save (3) and took the loss (2-2).

Game 4 2G DH

SFG 6 NYM 3

In the nighcap, it was the Giants turn to come from behind. Trailing 3-1 in
the 7th, and with Jerry Koosman cruising along, the Giants rallied. Willie
Mays got things started with a solo HR (12) to make it 3-2. Jose Pagan's RBI
single tied the game and then PH Matty Alou hit a sac fly to right to put
the Giants ahead 4-3. SF added two insurance runs in the 8th against Mets
reliever Ron Taylor. The Mets loaded the bases with nobody out in the 9th
but Stu Miller relieved Jim Duffalo and shut the door getting PH Rod Gaspar
to hit into a 123 DP to end the game. Don Larsen (1-0) got the win in
relief. Koosman took the loss (2-2).

69 Mets drop to 10-15, last in the NL Federal Division. 62 Giants are 12-13,
third in the NL Continental Division and still in the race.

Next up: Rematch time. The 69 Mets will host the 69 Cubs at Shea (Mets lost
2 of 3 earlier this season at Wrigley). 62 Giants travel to LA to play the
62 Dodgers (Giants swept LA at Candlestick earlier this season.