Saturday, December 31, 2011
Yankees win 2 of 3 at Baltimore in the final weekend
'Stros take 2 of 3 from LA to clinch #3 seed
10/2/1981 - Dodger Stadium
Sutton vs Valenzuela

Don Sutton, the master tactician, dueled it out with Fernando-mania for 7 1/2 scoreless innings before Rick Monday delivered a 3 run pinch hit homer. Dave Stewart would get the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Bobby Castillo would get the save, his second of the season. Sutton was the hard luck loser in his return to his former home, Dodger Stadium
10/3/1981
J.Niekro vs Reuss
Astros 4, Dodgers 3

Art Howe would hit a big double and score a run, then follow that up with a solo blast, his 2nd of the season. Joe Niekro gave up just 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings for the win and Dave Smith, who walked four, still found a way to gut out his 6th save of the season. LA looked like they were going to tie it up in the bottom of the 9th, but pinch hitter Rick Monday was gunned down by Cesar Cedeno at the plate while attempting to tag up on a short fly ball by Dusty Baker. Steve Garvey fanned with runners on the corners and the Dodgers down by 1 to end the game.
10/4/1981
Knepper vs Sutcliffe
Winner take all for the #3 seed in the rubber match of the series. Bob Knepper was brilliant, because he had to be, and 5 Dodger pitchers matched him pitch for pitch. Pedro Guerrero's 2 out double in the bottom of the first would be LA's lone run of the game. Craig Reynolds' solo shot in the 5th tied the game at 1 all. His second homer, in the 7th gave Knepper and the Astros a 2-1 lead. Joe Sambito came on to lock the game down in the 9th and sent the Dodgers down 1-2-3 to give the Astros the series win and the #3 seed against Pittsburgh.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Oakland sweeps KC to put the pressure on the Angels for AL West crown
A's 4, Royals 2
Langford vs Leonard

10/3/1981
A's 9, Royals 4
Norris vs Gale

It was a rocky road at first for Oakland's Mike Norris. After allowing two two run homers in back to back innings, first to Amos Otis, then to Willie Aikens, Norris posted bagels the rest of the way. Oakland's roller coaster offense got itself back in gear with a 6 run outburst in the 6th 4th inning. Shooty Babbit's bases clearing triple followed RBI singles by Rob Picciolo and Rickey Henderson. Tony Armas' sac fly to center closed out the scoring in the 4th. Dwayne Murphy's 3 run blast in the 8th handed Norris the game with a neat little bow on it. Gale took the loss and saw his record drop to 4-3, while Norris got the win to finish the year at 8-1 (3.24). Many feel that Norris' impressive season will get him mention for the AL Cy Young award.
10/4/1981
A's 6, Royals 5 (15 inn)
Keough vs Gura


Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Playoff Tiers - How they shape up entering week #17
Remember...every team makes the playoffs. It just depends on what tier you make. Here are the breakdowns for each of the three tiers:
Tier A: All 4 division winners + 2 wild card teams
Tier B: The next 4 ranked teams (by %)
Tier C: The next 4 (6 in AL) ranked teams by %.
The top tier is locked up in the NL. Baltimore and Detroit still have a shot to crack the top tier in the AL.
Good luck to all.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
KOD13 - TOR @ NYY
Yankees sweep double header from Jays
10/1 - Yankee Stadium
Yankees 7, Blue Jays 0
Righetti vs Berenguer
Dave Righetti throws a 3 hit shutout at the Blue Jays, improving his season ERA to 1.38. The Yankees scored 4 in the 5th on 2 walks and 4 singles off Juan Berenguer. Oscar Gamble's 3 run homer in the 7th capped the scoring. MVP: Righetti 9IP, 3H, 0R, 3W, 2K
10/1 - Yankee Stadium
Yankees 3, Brewers 1
May vs Bomback
The Yanks put up 2 runs in the 3rd on a bases loaded single by Reggie Jackson. The Jays get one back after a triple by Rick Bosetti and an RBI single by Danny Ainge. Dave Winfield's solo homer in the 5th was the last run to cross the plate in this game. MVP: Rudy May 9IP, 6H, 1R, 1W, 5K
New York will travel to Baltimore to finish the season, and Toronto will fly across the country to finish in Seattle.
KOD 13 - NYY @ CLE
Yankees take both games in Cleveland
9/28 - Cleveland Stadium
Yankees 7, Indians 5
Guidry vs Brennan
Ron Guidry goes 6 strong innings despite not having his best stuff and runs his record to 6-0. Bucky Dent doubles 3 times and knocks in 3 runs to lead the offense. The Indians score 3 in the 9th, but Rich Gossage gets the last out for his 14th save. MVP: Bucky Dent 3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI
9/29 - Cleveland Stadium
Yankees 10, Indians 4
Nelson vs Denny
The Yankees build an 8-0 lead off of John Denny, and hold on for the 10-4 win. Reggie Jackson and Rick Cerone each homer in the game. Miguel Dilone smacks 3 hits, including a triple, and knocks in 2 runs. MVP: Reggie Jackson 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
New York heads home to host the Blue Jays for a double header, while Cleveland will host the Red Sox for a weekend series.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Jays and A's split a pair in Oakland

Jim Clancy (1-5) vs Brian Kingman (5-2)
A's 7, Blue Jay 5
Of the 5 "young gun" starters in the Oakland A's rotation, Brian Kingman is the least heralded. This is not surprising since Oakland's #5 guy lost 20 games last season and doesn't normally go deep into games. One thing Kingman can rely on is that Oakland's enigmatic offense will come to life every time Kingman is on the hill. Oakland scored 7 runs for Kingman. Wayne Gross, who is hitting a robust .165 hit a 3 run shot in the bottom of the first to put the A's up 5-2. Gross, who either hits homers or hits the pine, hit a monster blast off of the embattled Clancy, who's record fell to 1-5 after giving up 6 runs in 5 innings. Rickey Henderson stole his league leading 27th base in Oakland's magical first.
9/30
Jackson Todd (2-6) vs Steve McCatty (4-6)
Blue Jays 6, A's 1

Jackson Todd was more like Sweeney Todd as he sliced through the A's lineup until Mitchell Page hit a meaningless solo homer in the bottom of the 8th. Todd protected a 1 run lead that Toronto gained with a finely executed squeeze play in the first by catcher Ernie Whitt to score Lloyd Moseby who led the game off with a double. The top of the 6th saw McCatty give up 3 runs. Damasco Garcia knocked in 2 with an RBI single. Otto Velez followed suit. Dane Iorg was well on his way to doing the same, but the A's lucked out when Rickey Henderson threw out Garcia at the plate for the 2nd out of the inning. Toronto added 2 more in the 9th on a solo shot by Moseby and an RBI single by Garcia. McCatty once again found a way to show the world just how the staff's ace acts when he's either overused or under skilled. For his punishment McCatty was left on the hill to go the distance, while throwing 135 pitches. Both Moseby and Garcia hd 3 hit days, with Garcia knocking in 3 as well.
Bucs take 2 of 3 from Cubbies with 2 shutouts
Kravec (1-6) vs Rhoden (3-4)
Since the Pirates clinched the NL East long ago this series was about staying healthy and seeing who is going to make the post season roster. Rick Rhoden, who had been mediocre picked the right time to shine by tossing a complete game 4 hit shutout. Rhoden fanned 5 and walked none in an outing that just might convince manager Gotay to put him in the post season rotation. The Bucs got both of their runs in back to back innings (4th & 5th). Bill Madlock's lead off homer in the 4th, his 7th on the season, broke a 0-0 tie. His RBI double the following inning scored Omar Moreno. Chicago never had a runner advance past 2nd.
9/28 - 2nd Game of DH

Cubs 7, Pirates 3
Bird (3-0) vs Perez (4-3)
Pascual Perez' audition for a post season roster spot did not go all that well. After being staked to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first Perez and his defense handed the game right back to the Cubbies. Mike Tyson's 3 run homer in the 5th put the Cubs up 3-2. Chicago chipped away for more runs off of Perez and the Pirate pen. Doug Bird ran out of gas in the 9th, so Dick Tidrow cam on board to put out the fire and notch the final out and his 5th save.
9/29
Pirates 4, Cubs 0
Caudill (1-3) vs Jones (3-3)

Sunday, December 18, 2011
Cards take 2 of 3 from 1st place Bucs
California strengthens their lead in AL West
Garvin (L) Frost(W)
Both pitchers strong through the first 3 innings. With one out Ford rocked Garvin with a solo homerun, the onslaught started as the Angels went on to score 4 in that inning. Starter Dave Frost remained strong and was the Game MVP.
Stieb (L) Forsch (W)
Game MVP Ken Forsch was unstoppable going the distance allowing only 3 hits and 1 run.
Leal (W) Zahn (L)
Game MVP Luis Leal pitched a strong game but the Angels threatened in the 9th. With 1 run scored and 2 on base and only 1 out Jackson was called upon to get the save.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Expos sweep Bucs...move over .500 for first time all season
Expos 7, Pirates 0
Rick Rhoden (2-4) vs Steve Rogers (5-2)
hitters advantage with 2-1 count
Rogers offers
Thompson swings..
line drive to 1st base
and Cromartie hauls it in
to second...out, to first... got him!
Triple Play!
9/24
Expos 13, Pirates 2
Odell Jones (2-3) vs Bill Gullickson (5-4)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A's sweep Jays in 3 straight north of the border
A's 5, Blue Jays 3
Matt Keough (4-3) vs Luis Leal (2-2)

9/22 - 2nd Game of DH
A's 1, Blue Jays 0
Rick Langford (5-3) vs Dave Steib (4-5)
Each team trotted out their respective aces for the second game of this twi-night double

9/23
A's 17, Blue Jays 2
Brian Kingman (4-2), vs Jackson Todd (1-6)

'Spos take sweep Phils in quick 2 game set
Montreal 3, Phillies 1
Larry Christenson (3-5) vs Scott Sanderson (5-2)
9/22
Montreal 9, Phillies 3
Nino Espinosa (0-5) vs Charlie Lea (2-4)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011
KOD 13 - NYY @ BOS
Yankees sweep 3 from Red Sox at Fenway
9/18 - Fenway Park
Yankees 11, Red Sox 8
Guidry vs Tanana
Wild game that saw the Red Sox chase Guidry by scoring 8 runs in 5 innings for an 8-3 lead. Yankees put up 3 in the 6th on a 3-run homer by Mumphrey, and 2 in the 8th to tie the game at 8. In the top of the 9th Bob Watson clears the bases with a 2-out triple off Bruce Hurst. Goose gets the last 3 outs for his 11th save. MVP: Jerry Mumphrey 2-5, HR, 5 RBI
9/19 - Fenway Park
Yankees 4, Brewers 1
Righetti vs Ojeda
Bobby Ojeda was very wild walking 6 in 2 innings and allowed 3 runs. Rags goes 7 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 11 for his 4th win. Goose gets the last 5 outs for his 12th save. MVP: Rich Gossage 1 2/3, 0R, 1W, 1K, Save
9/20 - Fenway Park
Yankees 12, Red Sox 9
Tom Underwood vs Eckersley
Boston puts up 5 runs in the first off Underwood highlighted by Gary Allenson's Grand Slam. The Red Sox get 3 more in the 5th on Dave Stapleton's 3 run homer to chase Underwood. The Yanks crawl back to tie the game at 10 in the 9th on a single by Reggie Jackson. In the 11th, Bobby Murcer doubles in 2 runs for the lead, and Gossage saves his 3rd in a row. Willie Randolph goes 4-6 to raise his average above the Mendoza line. MVP: Graig Nettles 2-3, 2 HR, 2RBI, 3W
New York heads home to host the Indians, and Boston awaits the Brewers arrival.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Redbirds take 2 of 3 from Amazin's @ Shea
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Witt Loses out on no hitter bid - Blue Jays take 2 of 3 from California
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Chisox take 2 of 3 from A's @ Comiskey
Marquee match-up between Britt Burns and Rick Langford with a 2-2 tie till A's score 4 in 8th to pull away. Costly error, wild pitch in frame..A's with only 4 hits in the win. Langford 6 hits, 0 walks, 4 K's for the impressive win. 6-2 A's
game 2:
Norris vs Trout yet another good match-up. Sox blowout A's 13-0.
Sox get 6 in unusual 3rd inning getting runs on bases loaded walk and balk.
Just 2 hits for Oakland. Fisk 1st homer of year.
game 3:
The best pitching match-up yet featuring Steve McCatty against Dennis Lamp.
When A's got 2 in 5th to break 1-1 tie it looked like with McCatty on mound Oakland would win the series. However the Sox came up with a another big inning based on miscues.
With bases-loaded and A's still holding on to 3-2 lead Jim Morrison hit a shot to pitcher McCatty which he bobbled to let Sox tie game at 3. Tony Bernazard followed with a 2 run single to make it 5-3. Harold Baines hit his first homer of year a few batters later, a 3 run shot sealing the game. 8-4 WSox
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Nolan Ryan throws no-hitter in 2 games sweep of the Padres
Houston got HR's from Alan Ashby and Ceasar Cedeno to lead Houston to a 9-4 win over San Diego. Don Sutton got the win to go 5-1 on the season. Frank LaCorte finished the last 2 innings giving up just one walk. San Diego starter Tim Lollar homered in the loss to drop to 2-4. Alan Wiggins had 2 hits and scored twice for San Diego.
Game 2
Nolan Ryan was at the top of his game (+) throwing a no hitter improving his record to 4-1 on the season. Ryan struck-out 10 including 5 in a row from 7th to 9th and walked none. San Diego also grounded out 14 times. San Diego's only base runner reached on a lead-off error in the 5th by 3B Art Howe. Mura took lose dropping to 1-3. Jose Cruz hit a 2 run homer giving Ryan all the runs he would need.
--submitted by Mark Angle--
Saturday, November 19, 2011
KOD 13 - NYY @ MIL
Yankees bring their bats and win 2 of 3 at Milwaukee
9/14 - County Stadium
Yankees 11, Brewers 5
May vs Caldwell
The wind was blowing out to right and the Yanks clobbered 5 home runs and score 9 runs off Mike Caldwell. Rudy may goes 7 innings and runs his record to 4-2. MVP: Willie Randolph 2-4, HR, 2 RBI
9/15 - County Stadium
Yankees 10, Brewers 4
John vs Vuckovich
Yankees keep killing the ball as Reggie Jackson and Graig Nettles each hit 3-run homers in the first. Pete Vuckovich takes his first loss after giving up 9 runs over 5 innings. Tommy John allows 4 runs over 8 innings for his second win. Stormin' Gorman Thomas hits 2 homers. MVP: Reggie Jackson 2-5, HR, 3RBI
9/16 - County Stadium
Brewers 5, Yankees 4
Haas vs Nelson
Moose Haas allows 2 runs over 7 innings to run his record to 5-2. Yankees score 2 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th and Rollie Fingers gets Reggie to fly out with the bases loaded. Jerry Mumphrey collects 4 hits including his 2nd homer in the loss to raise his season average to .346. MVP: Mark Brouhard 2-4, 3B, 2RBI
New York goes into Boston for the weekend, while Milwaukee heads to Baltimore.