Game 31

Austin Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
With the Roughnecks fading fast, the Bums looked to take another step towards the Taylor Cup and be tied for first. But Elijah Dukes came up big early with another lead off home run. The one run lead didn't last. With 2 doubles, and 2 singles, the Bums scored 3 in one inning. With their backs against the wall, doubles by Rolls and Dukes tied up the game 3-3. With a missed opportunity in the 5th, the 4-5-6 hitters came up for Virginia. A single, double, and a walk set up a situation for Bubba Crosby. He hit a shot off of Sanchez for a walk off home run.

Batters
AUS
Dukes 3-3 HR, 2 2B, 1R, 3RBI
Greene 0-2 BB, K
Baldelli 0-2 BB, K
Casey 1-3 2B, K
Spivey 1-3 1B
Munson 1-3 1B, 1R
Rolls 1-2 2B, 1R
Valent 0-2
LeCroy 0-2

VIR
Everett 2-3 2B, 1B, 1RBI
Hall 2-3 2B, 1B, 1RBI
Byrnes 0-3
Mientkiewicz 1-2 1B, BB, 1R
Blalock 1-3 2B, 1R
Bigbie 0-2 BB, K, 1R
Crosby 2-3 HR, 2B, 2R, 3RBI
Greenberg 1-1 1B, BB, 1R, 1RBI
Holliman 0-2

Pitchers
AUS
Pappelbon- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 0 Ks, 3 ER, 3 BB
Sanchez- 1/3 IP, 15 ERA, 1 Ks, 3 ER, 0 BB L

VIR
Looper- 5 IP, 3 ERA, 3 Ks, 3 ER, 2 BB W

Player of the Game- Bubba Crosby

Game 30

Austin Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
Coming off the longest CBL game in history, both teams were hungry for a win. The last CBL game was a no hitter, and we almost had one again. Mulder got the first 12 batters out. He had a perfect game going into the 5th when Sean Casey hit a triple. The Virginia offense was explosive, Adam Everett hit a lead off home run, then loaded the bases, which one run scored making it 2-0. The next 3 innings, 1 run was scored in each. Hall hit a homer, then the bases were loaded again, and a walk. Finally to cap it, Toby Hall hit his second home run of the night.

Batters
AUS
Dukes 0-2 K
Greene 0-2
Baldelli 0-2 K
Casey 1-2 3B
Spivey 0-2
Munson 0-2 K
Rolls 0-2
Valent 0-2
LeCroy 0-2

VIR
Everett 1-3 HR, 1R, 1RBI
Hall 2-2 2HR, BB, 3R, 2RBI
Byrnes 0-3
Mientkiewicz 1-3 1B, 2K
Blalock 2-3 2 1B, 1R
Bigbie 1-1 1B, BB
Crosby 1-2 1B
Young 0-2
Holliman 0-2 K, BB

Pitchers
AUS
Bradley- 4 IP, 6.25 ERA, 3 Ks, 0 ER, 3 BB L

VIR
Mulder- 5 IP, 0 ERA, 3 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB W

Player of the Game- Mark Mulder



Omaha Uniforms - Portland Uniforms

Notes
A match up between 2 aces, with Dontrelle Willis and Mark Prior going mano y mano. 0 runs over 4 innings, but each team had their chances. singles all over. the first 9 hits were singles. Then in the top of the 5th, Brian Buscher hits a solo homer off of Willis. The Trappers couldn't give up, they needed a win. Jeremy Brown drew a walk, putting a runner on first for Sean Burroughs. The season 1 MVP got a nice putch that he drove into right field for the 2-1 walk off win.

Batters
OMA
Mathews Jr. 2-3 1B, 2B, K
Vidro 0-3
Valentin 1-3 1B, K
Monroe 0-3
Hermida 0-2 K
Atkins 2-2 2 1B
Ensberg 0-1 BB
Bo. Crosby 0-2
Buscher 1-2 HR, 1R, 1RBI

POR
Dye 1-3 2B
Burroughs 2-3 1R, 2RBI
Encarnacion 1-2 1B
Pena 0-2
Sexson 1-2 1B
Giles 0-2
Berroa 0-2
Horwitz 1-2 1B
Brown 0-1 BB

Pitchers
OMA
Prior- 5 IP, 2 ERA, 0 Ks, 2 ER, 1 BB L

POR
Willis- 5 IP, 1 ERA, 4 Ks, 1 ER, 1 BB W

Player of the Game- Sean Burroughs

Game 29

Austin Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
The longest game in CBL history was recently played between Austin and Orlando. That game was 7 innings. This one takes the cake! 8 innings of great pitching. On top of that, Austin needed a win badly. Both pitchers rolled, 6 innings, 0 runs, and combined 9 hits. Zambrano and Nieve were pulled in the 6th for Bradford and Winsdor. Bradford loaded the bases in the 7th, then striking out Eric Byrnes. Elijah Dukes got the winning run, in the form of a solo homer off of Windsor. Then, Bradford loaded the bases AGAIN, then got Michael Holliman to get out, for the big win

Batters
AUS
Dukes 1-4 HR, K, 1R, 1RBI
Greene 1-4 2B, 2K
Baldelli 0-2 BB
Casey 0-3
Spivey 0-3 2K
Munson 1-3 1B, K
Rolls 1-3 1B
Valent 0-3
LeCroy 0-3

VIR
Everett 3-4 3 1B
Hall 1-3 1B, BB
Byrnes 1-4 2B, K
Mientkiewicz 2-4 2 1B, K
Blalock 2-5 2 1B, K
Bigbie 0-4
Crosby 0-4 K
Young 1-3 1B, BB
Holliman 0-4

Pitchers
AUS
Zambrano- 6 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB
Bradford- 2 IP, 0 ERA, 2 Ks, 0 ER, 2 BB W

VIR
Nieve- 6 IP, 0 ERA, 3 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB
Windsor- 2 IP, 2.5 ERA, 3 Ks, 1 ER, 0 BB L

Player of the Game- Adam Everett



Omaha Uniforms - Portland Uniforms

Notes
So you thought that the 8 inning game was crazy, I have one better. A no hitter. In Brandon Backe had an ERA over 8, struggling, and up against a hot Portland offense. The Cyclones were eliminated in their last loss, but they fought hard to troll Portland. It started with a bang, Gary Mathews Jr led off with a home run. In the 3rd, the Clones broke it open. Mathews hit another home run, Vidro was tripled in by Monroe, then Hermida hit a 2 run homer for a 5-0 lead. Meanwhile, Backe was throwing hard. only batter to reach base was a walk in the second batter of the game. He faced 10 batters in 3 innings. Mathews hit another home run off of Burgos for a 6-0 lead. Then Backe had 6 more outs, 1-2-3, striking out Pena in the 4th. Sexson, out. Giles, out. Then Angel Berroa comes up. On a 1-2 count, history was made. Strike 3, and the Cyclones mob Backe on the mound infront of a bitter Portland crowd.

Batters
OMA
Mathews Jr. 3-3 3HR, 3R, 3R
Vidro 1-3 1B, 1R
Valentin 0-3
Monroe 1-3 EB, K, 1R, 1RBI
Hermida 1-3 HR, 1R, 2RBI
Atkins 1-3 1B, K
Ensberg 1-2 1B, BB
Bo. Crosby 1-3 1B
Ellison 0-2

POR
Dye 0-2 K
Burroughs 0-1 BB
Encarnacion 0-2
Pena 0-2 K
Sexson 0-2
Giles 0-2
Berroa 0-2 K
Simon 0-1
Brown 0-1

Pitchers
OMA
Backe- 5 IP, 0 ERA, 3 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB W NO HITTER

POR
Tadano- 3 IP, 8.33 ERA, 2 Ks, 5 ER, 1 BB L
Burgos- 2 IP, 2.5 ERA, 0 Ks, 1 ER, 0 BB

Player of the Game- Gary Mathews Jr, Brandon Backe

Game 28

Austin Uniforms - Virginia Uniforms

Notes
Huge series that will most likely decide the wild card team in Season 2. Virginia and Austin were tied with this game next. Ausin had Ponson on the mound, up against Eric Milton, with Ponson having the upper hand. In the 2nd, Elijah Dukes hit a double scoring in Munson. Then, in the 3rd, 2 doubles and 2 singles accounted for 3 runs. Austin was up 4-0, looking good. Sidney Ponson had a no hitter entering the 3rd. But, after that, the game changed. First batter of the 3rd, Greenberg hit a solo shot for the first run for Virginia. After Holliman got out, 4 batters reached, and Bigbie tripled in Mientkiewicz for a 5 run inning. Virginia had a chance to extend the lead, and Byrnes provided it with a single. Spooneybarger came in for the save, and a huge W for the Bums

Batters
AUS
Dukes 2-3 2 2B, 1 RBI
Greene 1-3 1B
Baldelli 1-3 1B, K, 1R
Casey 0-3 K
Spivey 1-3 1B, 1R
Munson 1-2 2B, BB, K, 2R, 2RBI
Rolls 2-2 2B, 1B, 2RBI
Wilson 0-2
LeCroy 0-2

VIR
Everett 2-3 1B, 2B, 1R
Hall 1-3 1B, 1R
Byrnes 2-3 2B, 1B, 1R, 2RBI
Mientkiewicz 1-3 3B, K, 1R, 2RBI
Blalock 0-1 BB
Bigbie 1-2 3B, RBI
Crosby 0-2
Young 1-2 HR, 1R, 1RBI
Holliman 1-2 1R

Pitchers
AUS
Ponson- 4 IP, 7.5 ERA, 1 Ks, 6 ER, 1 BB L

VIR
Milton- 4 IP, 5 ERA, 1 Ks, 4 ER, 1 BB W
Spooneybarger- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 1 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

Player of the Game- Eric Byrnes



Omaha Uniforms - Portland Uniforms

Notes
This was the game Portland needed. A big hitting performance. As the game went on, they just got better. Encarnacion tripled in Burroughs. Then, Simon hit a 3 run homer off of Perez for a 3-0 advantage. Omaha came back though, with a Valentin double that scored Ellison. Then Porland broke the game open. Giles tripled in 2 runs, then scored himself on a Berroa single. They didn't stop there, up 6-1 Burroughs hits a needed Homer, then Giles triples in 2 again, in his huge game. A 9-1 final helps the team a lot.

Batters
OMA
Mathews Jr. 1-3 1B
Vidro 0-3 K
Valentin 2-3 2B 1B
Monroe 0-2 BB
Hermida 1-2 2B
Atkins 0-2
Ensberg 0-2 K
Bo. Crosby 0-2
Ellison 2-2 2 1B

POR
Dye 0-3
Burroughs 2-3 HR, 1B, 2R, 1RBI
Encarnacion 2-2 3B, 2B, 2R, 1RBI
Pena 1-2 1B, BB, 2R
Sexson 0-3 K
Giles 3-3 2 3B, 2B, 2R, 4RBI
Berroa 1-3 2B, K, 1RBI
Simon 1-3 HR, 1R, 2RBI
Brown 0-0 2BB

Pitchers
OMA
Perez- 3 IP, 10 ERA, 2 Ks, 6 ER, 3 BB L
Reitsma- 1 IP, 15 ERA, 1 Ks, 3 ER, 1 BB

POR
Ainsworth- 4 IP, 1.25 ERA, 2 Ks, 1 ER, 12 BB W
Gagne- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

Player of the Game- Damien Rolls

News!

Commissioner Taylor here.

So there is just 20 games left total in the season. It is a dogfight between 4 teams for 2 positions. You can check out the playoff chances here.

Other league announcements, there will be a new award. The 10th man award for the best non starter.

In real life, I have Exams this week and next, but next week I have Monday and Friday off. I can probably do some games Wednesday, maybe Tuesday and Thursday. I want to try and get this season done by February.

I got 10 votes on the latest poll. Could you guys comment? You can do an anonymous comment if you don't want to sign up.

Game 27

Virginia Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
A sweep in Omaha would help the Bums a lot in the long run. They had the chance to be tied with the M's, but instead are 1 game back. It started nice, Adam Everett hit a lead off home run. DH Jason Ellison doubled in Jeremy Hermida, to tie it up at 1 in the 2nd. The tie didn't last long as Eric Byrnes doubled in Everett. The Clones answered back fast with a walk, and two doubles bye Valentin, and Monroe. Both starters stymied the offenses, but the Cyclones got off one more, for the 7th win on the year.

Batters
VIR
Everett 2-3 HR, 2B, 2R, 1R
Hall 0-3
Byrnes 1-2 2B, 1RBI
Mientkiewicz 0-2
Blalock 1-2 1B, K
Bigbie 1-2 2B
Crosby 0-2 2K
Young 0-2
Holliman 0-2 K

OMA
Mathews Jr. 1-3 2B, K
Vidro 0-1 2BB, 1R
Valentin 1-2 2B, 1R
Monroe 1-2 2B, 2RBI
Hermida 1-2 1B
Atkins 0-2 K
Ensberg 0-2
Bo. Crosby 0-1 BB
Ellison 1-2 2B, 1RBI

Pitchers
VIR
Looper- 4 IP, 3.75 ERA, 2 Ks, 3 ER, 3 BB L

OMA
Gabbard- 5 IP, 2 ERA, 4 Ks, 2 ER, 0 BB W

Player of the Game- Kason Gabbard

Game 26

Orlando Uniforms - Austin Uniforms

Notes
Truly wild game in Ausitn. Jason Jennings' first start, which went into extras for the second strait game. Orlando jumped up early leading 4-0 after 2. Freeman and Grive hit solo homers in the first, then Robels hit a 2 run homer in the 2nd. Rolls hit a homer at the bottom of the 2nd, giving hope. Abernathy was doubled in making it 5-1. Then it got real. The Roughnecks batted around, and 5 runs were scored, marking the end of Jennings' night. Oscar Robels homered again in the 4th tying up the game. That tie went to the 6th, and the second batter homered. Guess who? Oscar. Robels. A man with 5 hits all year hit 3 home runs in one game. Abernathy doubled in a run for good measure.

Batters
ORL
Freeman 2-4 HR, 3B, K, 2R, 1RBI
Stewart 0-4 K
Abernathy 2-4 3B, 2B, 1R, 1RBI
Grieve 2-4 HR, 2B, 1R, 2RBI
Hillenbrand 0-2 2K
Crede 1-2 1B, BB, K
LaForest 1-3 1B, 1R
Francia 0-3 K
Robels 3-3 3HR, 3R, 4RBI

AUS
Dukes 1-4 1B, K
Greene 2-4 1B, 2B, 1R
Baldelli 0-4
Casey 2-3 1B, 2B, BB, 1R, 1RBI
Spivey 1-4 1B, K, 1R
Munson 1-3 2B, K, 1R, 1RBI
Rolls 1-3 HR, K
Wilson 1-2 HR, BB, 1R, 3RBI
LeCroy 2-3 2 1B

ORL
Jennings- 3 IP, 10 ERA, 4 Ks, 6 ER, 1 BB
Ryan- 2 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 1 BB
Bonser- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB W

AUS
Pappelbon- 3 IP, 8.33 ERA, 3 Ks, 5 ER, 2 BB
Yan- 2 IP, 2.5 ERA, 3 Ks, 1 ER, 0 BB
Bradford- 1 IP, 10 ERA, 0 Ks, 2 ER, 0 BB W

Player of the Game- Oscar Robels



Virginia Uniforms - Omaha Uniforms

Notes
A match up between 2 of the better pitchers name wise. Mark Mulder and Mark Prior both were big league aces in their time in the MLB, now they're big time aces in the CBL. Prior struggled early. The first 6 batters went as so. Single, double, out, single, single, then capped off with a Larry Bigbie grand slam. The Cyclones kept Prior in, well for one, no one would be an improvement, but because they know Prior can settle down and get outs. While Mulder had the game on lock, well, not counting the 2 run homer Atkins hit in the 2nd. Prior walked in a run in the 3rd, adding his 6th earned run in the game. He remained in for a complete game, while Anderson came in for the save and allowed the Bums to be a half game back.

Batters
VIR
Everett 0-2 1B, BB, 1R
Hall 2-3 2B, 1B, 1R
Byrnes 1-3 2B
Mientkiewicz 1-2 1B, K, 1R, 1RBI
Blalock 1-3 1B, 1R
Bigbie 1-3 HR, 1R, 4RBI
Crosby 1-3 1B
Young 1-2 2B, BB
Holliman 0-2 K

OMA
Mathews Jr. 1-2 2B, BB, K
Vidro 1-3 1B, K
Valentin 1-3 2B
Monroe 0-3
Hermida 2-3 2B, 3B, 1R
Atkins 1-3 HR, K, 1R, 2RBI
Ensberg 0-1 BB
Bo. Crosby 0-1 BB, K
Bucsher 0-2

Pitchers
VIR
Mulder- 4 IP, 2.5 ERA, 4 Ks, 2 ER, 3 BB W
Anderson- 1 IP, 0 ERA, 0 Ks, 0 ER, 0 BB SV

OMA
Prior- 5 IP, 6 ERA, 2 Ks, 6 ER, 3 BB L

Player of the Game- Mark Mulder