Amazing April - Elite Eight

It's starting to all come down to a fantastic conclusion, as the Amazing April Tournament is down to the Elite Eight, in which by the end of the post, you will know who's going to the Final Four.

		Game #57 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#15	2007	Colorado Rockies	2	5	0
#13	1993	Philadelphia Phillies	3	7	0	F
	WP	Greene (1-0)					Next:	Will play winner of
	LP	Herges (0-1)						1946 Red Sox (#6) @
	SV	Mit.Williams (2)						1904 Giants (#1) in
								Final Four.
	HR	Eisenreich (PHI) - 1

The Battle of Cinderella's, the only two teams left with a ranking #10 or lower, the 2007 Colorado Rockies are coming off their upset of the #3 1937 New York Yankees, in a 3-1 victory; while the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies finished off the lowest ranked team 2012 Detroit Tigers (#16). The Phillies are the last of the three Phillies teams invited to the tournament, as their 2008 & 1977 counterparts were knocked off. The 93' Phils did some payback for the 77' team, by getting the 2012 Tigers. The other Philadelphia team besides the 3 Phillies teams that was also invited to the tournament was the 1931 Philadelphia Athletics (#5 seed) -- who were knocked out of the first-round by the 1914 Boston Braves (#12).

The 1993 Phillies would draw first blood with a two-run HR by Jim Eisenreich during the bottom of the 4th off of Rockies' starter Aaron Cook who has been relatively quiet this tournament. Tommy Greene was cruising for the Phillies until the 6th inning when he allowed his first walk of the game to Kaz Matsui, two outs later, he would plunk Matt Holliday with a pitch, putting two men on for Todd Helton to hit a key two-run double to tie the game up.

The big play of the game would go down in the bottom of the 8th. The Phillies' Kevin Stocker would hit a lead-off single (his second single of the game), good enough for Lenny Dykstra to connect on his second double off the game, scoring in the go-ahead run off of Colorado reliever Matt Herges.

Mitch Williams closes the game out for his second save of the tournament, one Cinderella goes home, the other moves on.

		Game #58 / Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#3	1998	New York Yankees	4	6	0
#1	1942	St. Louis Cardinals	5	10	1	F
	WP	Beazley (3-0) / CG (2)					Next:	Will play winner of
	LP	D.Wells (1-1)						2001 Mariners (#2) @
								1927 Yankees (#1) in
	HR	Jeter (NYY) - 2 (3)						Final Four.
		O'Neill (NYY) - 1

The 1998 New York Yankees would travel down to St. Louis to play the 1942 St. Louis Cardinals, who came off of miraculous walk-off double by Enos Slaughter against the 1917 Chicago White Sox. The Cardinals have had a good rest, while some may say the Yankees, coming off a victory against the 1976 Los Angeles Dodgers -- may not being as battle-tested as the 42' Cards.

The game was a good one & close as predicted, Slaughter (the hero from the other night) hits a two-run HR off of David Wells. Derek Jeter would answer back with a solo HR in the top of the 4th, Jorge Posada would even up the game at 2-2 with a solo HR during the top of the 5th against Cardinals' starter Johnny Beazley. Jeter would lead off the top of the 6th, with his second HR of the game, a solo shot (his 3rd HR of the tournament) for the Yankees to take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 6th.

The bottom of the 6th is where the gears would change for good, with two outs, following a lead-off single by Stan Musial & two forces that would keep getting the lead runner -- Ray Sanders smacked a RBI double to tie the game, Jimmy Brown would hit the go-ahead run in Sanders to take a 4-3 lead. With two balls by Wells in the count to the Cardinals' pitcher Beazley, Beazley would help his own cause by hitting a RBI triple into the right field corner, to cushion lead to two runs, with 5-3 lead.

Paul O'Neill would add a solo HR during the top of the 8th, but the Yankees would not get any closer, and the 1942 Cardinals move on to the Final Four.

NOTE: The 1942 St.Louis Cardinals won in Kenneth Heard's 1942 Season Replay, check out the 1942 World Series Results in his replay finale, can the Cards win the inaugural Amazing April Tournament? We'll have to wait and see.

		Game #59 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#2	2001	Seattle Mariners	5	9	1
#1	1927	New York Yankees	7	12	2	F/11
	WP	Shocker (1-0)					Next:	1942 Cardinals (#1) @
	LP	Rhodes (1-1)						1927 Yankees (#1) in
								the Final Four.
	HR	Lazzeri (NYY) - 1

The 2001 Seattle Mariners are a team that can fight throughout a ball game with their loaded lineup & bullpen that can get them back into games. The key for the 1927 New York Yankees would have to take advantage of Seattle's starting pitching, which is good, but not great (no APBA 'A' starters), and they do just that as Tony Lazzeri hit a two-run HR off of Jaime Moyer during the bottom of the second -- taking a 2-1 lead.

Edgar Martinez responsible for the Mariners' first run with a sacrifice RBI in the first, would tie it up 2-2 in the top of the third. 

Joe Dugan's two-run triple during the bottom of the 6th & Babe Ruth's RBI double during the 7th, turns out to be crucial for the Yankees. Mike Cameron would hit a bases loaded, base-clearing double to tie the game up at the top of the 9th off of Wilcy Moore (relieving for Herb Pennock).

The game would go to extras, setting up a fantastic finish. During the bottom of the 11th, Mariners with Arthur Rhodes on the mound would allow a one-out pinch-hit walk to Ray Morehart. Earle Combs steps up with two hits already, Rhodes comes with the pitch, this one is hit... it's going, going, and Stan Javier in left can only watch this one sail over the left field wall -- YANKEES WIN!! The team is all out around the plate to greet Combs, while the Mariners exit the field with their heads down. 

		Game #60 / Aaron Bracket	R	H	E
#6	1946	Boston Red Sox	0	2	0
#1	1904	New York Giants	2	5	0	F
	WP	McGinnity (2-0) / CG (2)					Next:	1993 Phillies (#13) @
		SHO (1)						1904 Giants (#1) in
	LP	Hughson (1-1)						the Final Four.

The 1946 Boston Red Sox have been a somewhat surprise in this tournament, they have had no luck during the Crazy 48's League, sporting a 8-15 record through their first 23 games (Last place, but only 4 games out of first in the Musial Division). They edged the 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1), edged the 1969 New York Mets (3-2), and then defeated the 1969 Baltimore Orioles (who defeated the 1984 Detroit Tigers), 5-1.

The 1904 New York Giants on the other hand have cruised for the most part as the #1 seed, outscoring their opponents 26-7, including a 14-1 shellacking of the 1986 New York Mets at the Polo Grounds, a place where the Mets franchise started out at. The Giants have done it all on only two arms, Christy Mathewson & Joe McGinnity -- the rest of the pitching staff has kept that bench warm. 

McGinnity would go the distance in this one in dominating fashion, blanking the top of the order -- Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Rudy York & Bobby Doerr for a combined 0-for-14 (Williams reached on a walk). The only two Red Sox to collect hits are Johnny Pesky & pinch-hitter Leon Culberson.

The Giants did not do much better, collecting five total hits, two by Billy Gilbert, including a sacrifice fly by Gilbert in the 7th that tacked on the 2nd run of the game, the first run came just an at-bat earlier with the RBI single by Art Devlin. But it was all good enough for the Giants to advance to the Final Four, with excellent pitching by McGinnity's two-hit shutout.

The Final Four (ranked from worst to first by Pythagorean winning pct) is now the...

• 1993 Philadelphia Phillies (#13)
• 1904 New York Giants (#1)
• 1942 St. Louis Cardinals (#1)
• 1927 New York Yankees (#1)

BoS's WEEK 7 Award Winners

AMERICAN LEAGUE
"Big Week for Trumbo"

The American League was packed with offense this week, which probably led to the close competition with the pitching, with no real player standing out of that bunch. South Shore's offense was clicking as always with Joe Mauer usually in the middle of it, but he was not the best Imp player for the week -- that would be Shin-Soo Choo, who had a big week of .435 AVG (10-for-23), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 runs & a steal. Yet, it was not good enough to win the weekly honors of the A.L. Player of the Week.

The award of A.L. Player of the Week goes to the Bronx Bombers' Mark Trumbo, who got used to circling the bases this week. Trumbo batted .346 (9-for-26), 4 HR, 8 RBI, while scoring 6 times.

The pitching was wide-open, James Shields for the Bombers settled down after giving up 4 ER's in the first two innings of his game, and then went on to pitch 8 scoreless innings into extras, to earn the victory, while pitching 14 K's & allowing 5 hits and 5 walks. Another pitcher who had a good week was Edwin Jackson of the Boston Bravos, even though he was more on the bad luck side-of-things, earning a loss & no decision; Jackson's week on the other hand was 13.2 innings, with only 3 ER's allowed, while earning 17 K's & 5 walks.

It was a tough call, but this week the A.L. Pitcher of the Week award goes to the smooth, Andy Pettitte of the South Shore Fighting Imps. Pettitte got called up, and pitched 15 innings, allowing 12 hits & 4 ER's (1.98 ERA for the week), with 16 K's & 5 BB's -- earning his first win this week as well.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• OF- Shin-Soo Choo (S.S.) - .435 (10-for-23), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 runs & SB.
• OF-B.J. Upton (CAR) - .333 (7-for-21), Grand Slam, 6 RBI, 4 runs.
• OF-Matt Holliday (S.S.) - .381 (8-for-21), 2 HR, 5 RBI & 5 runs.
• OF-David Wright (S.S.) - .368 (7-for-19), 4 RBI, 3 runs & SB.
• SP-Wandy Rodriguez (BUF) - W, 8.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 10 K/3 BB.
• SP-Johnny Cueto (BOS) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, no runs, 6 K/2 BB.
• SP-Edwin Jackson (BOS) - 13.2 IP, L, 15 H, 3 ER (1.98 ERA), 17 K & 3 BB.
• C-Joe Mauer (S.S.) - .429 (6-for-14), 3 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP-Zack Greinke (WAS) - Heating up (6 consecutive wins), W, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K & 3 BB -- He has now improved to 6-2, 4.05 ERA.
• C-Ryan Doumit (CAR) - .438 (7-for-16), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 runs.
• SP-R.A. Dickey (BOS) - W, 8 IP, 3 H, no runs, 9 K/2 BB -- improved to 3-4, 2.94 ERA.
• SP-Jordan Zimmermann (BUF) - Has been on bad-luck side of things all season, his current 1-5 record does not reflect his 2.73 ERA. Zimmerman recorded another loss this week with a complete game, allowing only 3 hits & a run, while striking out 9 (walking two).
• 3B-Miguel Cabrera (BUF) - .500 (11-for-22), 2 RBI.
• OF-David Murphy (BRX) - Had a 5-hit performance in Game 1, batted .435 (10-for-23), with HR, 3 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Jered Weaver (CAR) - W, 8.1 IP, 3 H, no runs, 6 K/3 BB.
• SP-Adam Wainwright (BRX) - ND, 10 IP, 5 H, ER, 10 K/2 BB.
• SP-Kris Medlen (CHI) - 9 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K's.
• SP-Drew Smyly (CHI) - W, 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 13 K's & 2 BB.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
"Shut Down Man"

Two pitchers each had really solid weeks during Week 7, unfortunately, we can only pick one pitcher. First, we'll start with the runner-up to the award in Hiroki Kuroda of the Urbana Locomotives. Kuroda was not the only Urbana pitcher to have a great week (no surprise there!), but he had the best week -- earning two wins, one of them a complete game shut-out (improving to 7-2, with a 2.88 ERA), while striking out 11 batters, walking 5. He only allowed 11 hits & one earned run, during the stretch -- it's almost hard to imagine some one having a better week.

But it's true, Bartolo Colon of the Portland Microbrewers had the best week, earning him the N.L. Pitcher of the Week Award. Colon pitched two shut-outs during the week! Improving his record to 5-2, with a 1.67 ERA -- he only allowed 8 hits & 2 walks, for a week WHIP of .556 in his 18 innings.

On the hitting side of things, the offense was relatively quiet in the National League. The award this week went to a guy who's had nothing but a quiet season up to this point, but is hopefully starting to heat up for the Holland Hitchhikers. This week's award for N.L. Player of the Week goes to Bryce Harper. Harper batted .368 (7-for-19), with 2 HR's, 6 RBI, while scoring 3 runs. His current batting average this season is only .198!

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-David Price (URB) - W, 9 IP, 3 H, ER, 10 K, 1 BB -- improves to 7-1, 2.33 ERA.
• SP-Clayton Kershaw (KING) - W, 9 IP, one-hit shutout, 8 K & 4 BB.
• SP-Colby Lewis (URB) - L, 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER/run, 8 K/2 BB (4-1 with a 1.42 ERA this season).
• 3B-Todd Frazier (POR) - .294 (5-for-17), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 runs.
• OF-Jon Jay (HAN) - .364 (8-for-22), 2 RBI, 2 runs, SB.
• SP-Bronson Arroyo (SEA) - W/L, 14 IP, 10 H, 1 ER/2 R, 11 K & 2 BB's (0.64 ERA for the week).
• SP-Hiroki Kuroda (URB) - 2 W, 17 IP, CG (SHO), 11 H, ER with 11 K's & 5 BB's.
• C-Carlos Ruiz (URB) - .700 (7-for-10), HR, 4 RBI & 2 runs.
• SP-Cliff Lee (POR) - ND, 9 IP, 3 H, ER, with 10 K's, no walks.
• IF-Pedro Ciriaco (T.C.) - .400 (6-for-15), HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs & 3 steals.
• OF-Jon Jay (HAN) - .364 (8-for-22), 2 RBI, 2 runs, SB.
• SP-Matt Moore (HOL) - W, 8 IP, 2 H, ER, 6 K & 5 BB.
• SP-Joe Kelly (HAN) - W/L, 16 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 12 K & 6 BB's -- improves to 4-3, 3.96 ERA.
• SP-David Phelps (KING) - ND, 8.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 8 K's & BB.

Amazing April - Sweet Sixteen

Strawberry watches one of his 2 HR's leave the yard.

The Sweet Sixteen kicked off with two walk-offs & had no games go to extras, most of the games were pretty close, one team got crushed, and Cinderella shakes things up, in which we will definitely see a team in the Final Four with a ranking lower than #10 seed!

		Game #49 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#16	2012	Detroit Tigers	4	9	1
#13	1993	Philadelphia Phillies	5	8	2	F
	WP	D.West (2-0)					Next:	Plays winner of
	LP	Villarreal (0-1)						2007 Rockies (#15) @
								1937 Yankees (#3)
	HR	A.Jackson (DET) - 1 (2)
		Pratt (PHI) - 1
		Kruk (PHI) - 1

The Tigers had a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the 6th, while the Phillies started making strides to get back into this one -- beginning with John Kruk's RBI double in the 6th, Todd Pratt hits a pinch-hit two-run HR in bottom of 7th to tie the game, and Kruk strikes back with solo HR in bottom of 8th to take lead 4-3. Tigers tie it back up in top of 9th with a pinch-hit RBI double by Alex Avila. The Tigers bring in reliever Brayan Villarreal for the 9th in a tied game, gets the first two guys out, gives up a single to Mariano Duncan, then walks pinch-hitter Wes Chamberlain (who had that big 2 HR game in the opening round of the tournament), runners on first & second for Kevin Stocker, who laces a single to center to drive in the Duncan for the winning walk-off run!

		Game #50 / Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#4	1917	Chicago White Sox	5	9	0
#1	1942	St. Louis Cardinals	6	9	1	F
	WP	Beazley (2-0)					Next:	Plays winner of
	LP	Re.Russell (2-1)						1976 Dodgers (#15) @
								1998 Yankees (#3)

The Cardinals were up 5-0 entering the 6th, and the White Sox who have been playing the role of the comeback kids all tournament, came back once again. Pinch-hitter Eddie Murphy smacks a two-run double in the 6th. In the 7th, Eddie Collins added a RBI single, while Buck Weaver drove him in with a double, trimming the lead to 5-4. Top of the 9th, the lead-off man Nemo Leibold is walked, Buck Weaver hits a single (moves Leibold to third), Weaver than stole second -- "Shoeless" Joe Jackson tied the game up with a sacrifice fly. The bottom of the 9th, Reb Russell (in at relief for Chicago) walks Terry Moore with one-out, Enos Slaughter then steps up for the finishing blow, an RBI walk-off double! The White Sox' reliever Russell had all three of the White Sox' decisions in the tournament.

		Game #51 / Aaron Bracket	R	H	E
#5	1986	New York Mets	1	2	2
#1	1904	New York Giants	14	16	1	F
	WP	Mathewson (2-0) / CG (2)					Next:	Plays winner of
	LP	Gooden (1-1)						1946 Red Sox (#6) @
								1969 Orioles (#2)
	HR	B.Gilbert (NYG) - 1

The game was over basically before it started, the Giants scored 5 first inning runs, which included a two-run triple by Art Devlin & a three-run HR by Billy Gilbert. The Giants would collect 4 triples throughout the game, Mike Donlin & Sam Mertes flirted with cycles, as Donlin scored 4 runs, while Mertes collected 4 RBI. Lenny Dykstra (double & RBI triple) had both of the Mets' two hits, as the Mets were shut down by Christy Mathewson (Mathewson surprisingly gave up 6 walks). Dwight Gooden only lasted two innings, giving up 6 hits, 6 ER's (7 runs), with only 1 K.

		Game #52 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#11	1971	Oakland Athletics	1	5	1
#2	2001	Seattle Mariners	3	3	1	F
	WP	Sasaki (1-0)					Next:	Plays winner of
	LP	Blue (1-1) / CG (2)						1914 Braves (#12) @
								1927 Yankees (#1)
	HR	M.Cameron (SEA) - 1 (2)

Mike Cameron's two-run HR in the bottom of the 7th, saved the day for the Mariners, whose lineup was quiet & flirting with disaster. The M's pitching also allowed 6 walks, in which the Athletics were not capable of executing.

		Game #53 / Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#15	1976	Los Angeles Dodgers	5	7	0
#3	1998	New York Yankees	8	10	0	F
	WP	Cone (2-0)					Next:	1998 Yankees (#3) @
	LP	Sutton (0-1)						1942 Cardinals (#1)
	SV	M.Rivera (2)						in the Elite 8
	HR	Strawberry (NYY) - 2 (2)

Darryl Strawberry set the tone early after the Dodgers' brief 2-0 lead, with his two-run HR to tie, and a three-run HR to take a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the 4th. Derek Jeter had two singles & two steals, while Paul O'Neill also added two hits, plus 2 RBI. David Cone pitched 8 solid innings, allowing only 4 hits & 2 runs, while collecting 7 strikeouts. Mariano Rivera came in for the save, after Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez made things a bit interesting in the ninth.

		Game #54 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#15	2007	Colorado Rockies	3	7	0
#3	1937	New York Yankees	1	3	0	F
	WP	Francis (1-0)					Next:	2007 Rockies (#15) @
	LP	L.Gomez (1-1)						1993 Phillies (#13)
								in the Elite 8
	HR	Taveras (COR) - 1

Cinderella is still trying to make it to the ball, as the Rockies continue pulling off upsets, this one against a giant in the 1937 Yankees. The Yankees' bats were cold, while Willy Taveras kicked the game off with a lead-off HR; Taveras is not known for his pop, he only had 2 HR's in 372 AB's in 2007, while he only had 8 career HR's in 2,412 career at-bats! Kaz Matsui keeps hitting for Colorado, with a RBI double & single -- while "Triple H" (Holliday, Helton & Hawpe) were all quiet, yet those three drawn 5 walks. The Yankees' only run came off a bases loaded walk to Lou Gehrig with one out, Joe DiMaggio then grounded into a inning-ending (and rally-ending) double-play. Failed to mention above, Manny Corpas collects 2nd Save.

		Game # 55 / Aaron Bracket	R	H	E
#6	1946	Boston Red Sox	5	7	1
#2	1969	Baltimore Orioles	1	1	1
	WP	Ferriss (2-0) / CG (2)					Next:	1946 Red Sox (#6) @
	LP	Cuellar (1-1)						1904 Giants (#1)
								in the Elite 8
	HR	Blair (BAL) - 1

Dave Ferriss goes the distance again, only allowing one hit (while walking 6) for the Red Sox. Blair broke up Ferriss' bid for a no-hitter in the bottom of the 6th with two outs. Johnny Pesky had two hits & 2 RBI.

		Game #56 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#12	1914	Boston Braves	3	6	2
#1	1927	New York Yankees	4	9	0	F
	WP	Hoyt (2-0) / CG (2)					Next:	2001 Mariners (#2) @
	LP	Rudolph (1-1) / CG (2)						1927 Yankees (#1)
								in the Elite 8
	HR	Ruth (NYY) - 1

The Braves jumped to a 3-0 first-inning lead on Red Smith's two-run triple, with Smith scoring on Joe Connolly's sacrifice fly. Yankees would tie it up in the bottom of the 3rd with Babe Ruth two-run blast. Joe Dugan would hit a double & then score on Mark Koenig's RBI single which ends up being the sticking run, as no one would score from the 5th inning on. Both pitchers went the distance, but it was the Yankees that came out on top.

Amazing April - Round 2 (Day 2)

Green played a big part in the Athletics advancing.

The Second & Final day of Round 2 -- the quest to reach the "Sweet Sixteen", for the Amazing April Tournament continues.

		Game #41 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#6	2007	Boston Red Sox	2	8	1
#3	1937	New York Yankees	5	9	0	F
	WP	Ruffing (1-0)					Next:	2007 Rockies (#15) @
	LP	Schilling (0-1)						1937 Yankees (#3)
	SV	Chandler (1)
	HR	Pedroia (BOS) - 1 (2)
		Selkirk (NYY) - 1 (2)

The Yankees jumped off to an early 4-1 lead & stayed ahead for 5-2 victory. All of the Yankees' position players each collected a hit, while Boston's Dustin Pedroia went 2-for-4 with a solo HR (his second HR of the tournament).

		Game #42 /Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#15	1976	Los Angeles Dodgers	3	10	0
#10	2002	Oakland Athletics	2	8	0	F/10
	WP	Hough (1-0)					Next:	1976 Dodgers (#15) @
	LP	Mulder (0-1)						1998 Yankees (#3)
	INJ	T.John (LAD) - 6 games
		(Remainder of Tournament)

LF-Reggie Smith delivered a go-ahead single in the top-of-the-tenth off of Mark Mulder (pitching in relief), scoring in Davey Lopes from second.

		Game #43 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#16	2012	Detroit Tigers	6	7	0
#8	1977	Philadelphia Phillies	1	3	1	F
	WP	Scherzer (1-0)					Next:	2012 Tigers (#16) @
	LP	Christenson (0-1)						1993 Phillies (#13)
	HR	Laird (DET) - 1
		A.Jackson (DET) - 1

The 1977 Phillies could not find an answer with their bats, being held to 3 hits by Max Scherzer. Two big HR's by Gerald Laird's two-run HR in top of 2nd & Austin Jackson's three-run HR in top of 4th.

		Game #44 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#14	2008	Tampa Bay Rays	1	3	0
#11	1971	Oakland Athletics	7	10	1	F
	WP	C.Hunter (1-0)					Next:	1971 Athletics (#11) @
	LP	Garza (0-1)						2001 Mariners (#2)
	HR	C.Pena (TB) - 1
		T.Davis (OAK) - 1
		R.Jackson (OAK) - 1

A big third inning for the Oakland Athletics, two solo HRs -- one by Tommy Davis, the other by Reggie Jackson, while Dick Green's two-run triple, made it 5 runs in that frame; Green goes 3-for-4. Catfish Hunter allows 3 hits, while striking out nine in 8 innings.

		Game # 45 / Aaron Bracket	R	H	E
#8	1985	Toronto Blue Jays	2	5	0
#1	1904	New York Giants	5	10	1	F
	WP	McGinnity (1-0)					Next:	1986 Mets (#5) @
	LP	D.Alexander (0-1)						1904 Giants (#1)
	HR	G.Bell (TOR) - 1

Joe McGinnity helped his own cause for the Giants by going 2-for-4 with an RBI, with help from C-Frank Bowerman (RBI double & RBI Sac Fly). John Dunn (pinch-hitter) gave the Giants extra breathing room with a clutch 8th Inning single, stole 2nd, and then scored off of a McGinnity single.

		Game #46 / Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#9	1906	Chicago White Sox	1	7	1
#1	1942	St. Louis Cardinals	3	3	2	F
	WP	Beazley (1-0) / CG (1)					Next:	1917 White Sox (#4) @
	LP	E.Walsh (0-1)						1942 Cardinals (#1)

Stan Musial's two-run triple in the bottom of the 6th ends up being the crucial moment, as White Sox lose.

		Game #47 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#9	1940	Detroit Tigers	2	4	2
#1	1927	New York Yankees	4	3	2	F
	WP	Pennock (1-0) / CG (1)					Next:	1914 Braves (#12) @
	LP	Rowe (0-1)						1927 Yankees (#1)
	HR	Gehrig (NYY) - 1

The 1927 Yankees go quiet after the first two innings, in which Lou Gehrig's three-run HR in the bottom of the first proves to be too much damage to the 1940 Tigers.

		Game #48 / Aaron Bracket	R	H	E
#14	1969	New York Mets	2	7	0
#6	1946	Boston Red Sox	3	5	0	F
	WP	Hughson (1-0)					Next:	1946 Red Sox (#6) @
	LP	Koosman (0-1)						1969 Orioles (#2)
	SV	M.Harris (1)
	HR	Boswell (NYM) - 1
		Clendenon (NYM) - 1 (2)
		York (BOS) - 1 (2)

All the runs in the game were responsible by the long ball -- but it was the Red Sox' two homer runs in the bottom of the third by Ted Williams' two-run HR & Rudy York's solo homer.

Amazing April - 2nd Round (Day 1)

Olerud comes up big for the M's in Game #34.

Day 1 of 2nd Round action for the Amazing April Tournament -- Let's see who advances to the "Sweet 16".

		Game #33 / Ruth Bracket	R	H	E
#15	2007	Colorado Rockies	3	8	0
#10	1987	Detroit Tigers	2	7	1	F
	WP	A.Cook (1-0)					Next:	Will play the winner of
	LP	D.Alexander (0-1)						2007 Red Sox @
								1937 Yankees
	HR	Holliday (COR) - 1
		Herndon (DET) - 1

The Rockies keep playing Cinderella as they knock off the 1987 Detroit Tigers. Matt Holliday's solo HR during the top of the 6th, broke a 1-1 tie. 

		Game #34 / Cobb Bracket	R	H	E
#10	2012	Washington Nationals	3	8	0
#2	2001	Seattle Mariners	4	12	0	F/11
	WP	A.Rhodes (1-0)					Next:	Will play the winner of
	LP	Stammen (0-1)						2008 Rays @
								1971 Athletics
	HR	Da.Bell (SEA) - 1
		M.Cameron (SEA) - 1
		Olerud (SEA) - 1

The Nationals had a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the 5th, when David Bell hit a two-run HR that gave the Mariners life. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, and the Mariners trailing 3-2, Mike Cameron hits a solo HR off of Tyler Clippard to tie it. Bottom of the 11th, Craig Stammen now on the mound, after pinch-runner Al Martin stole 2nd, John Olerud hits a walk-off HR over the center-field fence, as Safeco Field erupts!

		Game #35 / Wagner Bracket	R	H	E
#6	1940	Cincinnati Reds	0	2	0
#3	1998	New York Yankees	3	6	2	F
	WP	D.Wells (1-0)					Next:	Will play the winner of
	LP	Derringer (0-1)						1976 Dodgers @
	SV	M.Rivera (1)						2002 Athletics
	HR	Jeter (NYY) - 1

Derek Jeter goes 2-for-3, solo HR, single, steal & a sac fly for the Yankees, while David Wells delivers 8 strong innings of scoreless two-hit ball.

Game #36 / Aaron Bracket R H E #5 1986 New York Mets 6 8 1 #4 1975 Cincinnati Reds 4 5 2 F WP Ojeda (1-0) Next: Will play the winner of LP Nolan (0-1) 1985 Blue Jays @ SV Orosco (1) 1904 Giants HR Mo. Wilson (NYM) - 1 K.Hernandez (NYM) - 1 Strawberry (NYM) - 1 T.Perez (CIN) - 1 Keith Hernandez smacks a two-run homer in the third, to make it 3-0 Mets. Darryl Strawberry's three run HR during the top of the 8th comes in handy, as the Reds' Tony Perez hits bottom of 9th three-run homer -- but the Reds would come up short. Game #37 /Aaron Bracket R H E #7 1984 Detroit Tigers 3 6 1 #2 1969 Baltimore Orioles 4 6 0 F WP J.Palmer (1-0) Next: Will play the winner of LP Petry (0-1) 1969 Mets @ SV Watt (1) 1962 Dodgers HR Lemon (DET) - 1 Da.Evans (DET) - 1 B.Powell (BAL) - 1 E.Hendricks (BAL) - 1 The boys weren't blessed this time around as the 1984 Tigers, who got passed the 1983 Orioles in the first round, couldn't get pass the 1969 Orioles. Despite the Tigers getting off to a quick start on Jim Palmer with Chet Lemon's two-run HR in the first, it was Ellie Hendricks' three-run blast in the bottom of the 4th that would come up big for Baltimore. Game #38 / Ruth Bracket R H E #13 1993 Philadelphia Phillies 8 15 0 #5 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 7 12 1 F/10 WP D.West (1-0) Next: Will play the winner of LP Labine (0-1) 2012 Tigers @ SV Mit.Williams (1) 1977 Phillies HR Snider (BRK) - 1 (2) Despite blowing a late 6-3 lead in the bottom of the 8th, the Phillies score in the top of the 10th on a Pete Incaviglia triple, while Incaviglia scores on Mariano Duncan's sac fly. Duncan was too much for the Dodgers (batting 8th), going 4-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI & a run scored. Carl Furillo went 2-for-5 with 2 doubles & 2 RBI for Brooklyn. Game #39 / Cobb Bracket R H E #13 1998 San Diego Padres 1 7 2 #12 1914 Boston Braves 2 3 0 F WP B.James (1-0) / CG (1) Next: Will play the winner of SHO (1) 1940 Tigers @ LP Ashby (0-1) / CG (1) 1927 Yankees HR Joyner (SD) -1 Moran (BOS) - 1 The Padres held onto a 1-0 lead entering the bottom of the 6th, until Herb Moran broke up Andy Ashby's bid for a no-hitter with a solo HR (with one out) to right. Moran in real-life 1914, only had 1 HR in 549 AB's! Moran would reach base again on a single in the bottom of the 8th, steal second & would score on a error by Greg Vaughn dropping the ball in left. Game #40 / Wagner Bracket R H E #12 2006 Detroit Tigers 1 3 0 #4 1917 Chicago White Sox 2 11 0 F WP Re.Russell (1-0) Next: Will play the winner of LP T.Jones (0-1) 1906 White Sox @ 1942 Cardinals  HR M.Ordonez (DET) - 1 The late-inning magic continues for the "Black Sox", the 2006 Tigers had a 1-0 lead, despite only three hits. Todd Jones blown the save by walking Nemo Leibold, Eddie Collins would single (moving Leibold to third) & then steal second -- "Shoeless" Joe Jackson delivers walk-off hit center to win the ballgame.