Mantle Leads 53' Yankees Squad to Victory.

(Game #16's)

                                      R   H   E
1998 Yankees               3    4    0
1953 Yankees               8   10   1    F

98' Yankees (11-5) / 53' Yankees (10-6)

WP- Sain (4-0)
LP- O.Hernandez (2-1)

Mickey Mantle and the 1953 New York Yankees are officially off-and-running now, after a so-so start to the season -- handing the 1998 Yankees their third straight loss (who didn't suffer back-to-back losses all season until facing the 53' squad). Mantle hits two more HR's (#3 & #4), as Yogi Berra smacked #6 & Joe Collins hit #4 for the season, all while Johnny Sain is now undefeated (4-0) as the #4 starting pitcher of the rotation with a 1.85 ERA through 24 1/3 innings. Paul O'Neill & Scott Brosius hit HR's for Joe Torre's Yankees.

                                R   H   E
1986 Mets               0    8    0
1906 Cubs                2    8    1    F

New York (5-11) / Chicago (11-5)

WP- Reulbach (3-0)/ CG (2)/ SHO (2)
LP- S.Fernandez (0-2)

Ed Reulbach was in total control as he pitched a three-hit shutout of the Magic Mets of 1986. Reulbach added to his winning cause with a sac fly in the fourth inning.

                               R   H   E
1944 Browns          4   11   1
1999 Rangers        6   12   2    F

St. Louis (6-10) / Texas (9-7)

WP- M.Morgan (1-0)
LP- Jakucki (1-2)
SV- Wettleland (4)

The Browns surrendered a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the 6th. Juan Gonzalez went 3-for-4 (RBI), Todd Zeile (the night-before's hero) went 2-for-4 with a double & 2 RBI, and Luis Alicea getting a rare start, went 2-for-2, HR, 2B & sac fly for 3 RBI while batting ninth. John Wettleland comes in for a two-inning save, as relievers Jeff Zimmerman & Tim Crabtree get a much needed rest for the night.

                              R   H    E
1929 Cubs             5    6    0
1971 Pirates          2    6    3    F

Chicago (11-5) / Pittsburgh (7-9)

WP- Blake (3-1)
LP- Lu.Walker (1-2)
SV- Carlson (4)

The Pirates couldn't touch Cubs' starting pitcher Sheriff Blake until the 7th inning, while the team was sloppy on the playing field. Riggs Stephenson was the Cubs' other star-of-the-day, with a 2-for-3 hitting performance with 4 RBI. Hack Wilson also contributed with an RBI triple, while Kiki Cuyler went 2-for-4, with 3 runs. 

                             R   H   E
1983 Orioles        0    3    1
1917 White Sox   3    6    0    F

Baltimore (6-10) / Chicago (10-6)

WP- Danforth (3-1)
LP- Flanagan (0-1)
SV- Re.Russell (2)

The White Sox did all their scoring in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run single by "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Dave Danforth pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball, as the White Sox win their 7th game out of eight.

                         R   H   E
1981 Expos      1    4    1
1940 Reds        3    6    1   F

Montreal (7-9) / Cincinnati (7-9)

WP-J.Turner (1-2)
LP- E.Sosa (0-1)
SV- Beggs (4)

The Reds finish off the sweep of Montreal, as Morrie Arnovich had two RBI, including a RBI triple during a clutch 7th inning for the Reds.

2012 World Series Replay - Game 4

The Detroit Tigers escaped a near collapse, as Austin Jackson smacked a walk-off HR to keep the Tigers alive, now they need to try to even the series to avoid the dreaded 3-1 series deficit. It will be Matt Cain of the Giants on the hill facing off against Max Scherzer.

GAME 4

at Comerica Park / Detroit

STARTING LINEUPS

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Fielding 2 (39)

1. Angel Pagan - CF

.357 AVG, 5/14, 1 HR, 1 RBI

2. Marco Scutaro - 2B

.214 AVG, 3/14, 0 HR, 0 RBI

3. Pablo Sandoval - 3B

.214 AVG, 3/14, 0 HR, 2 RBI

4. Buster Posey - C

.250 AVG, 3/12, 0 HR, 1 RBI

5. Hunter Pence - RF

.182 AVG, 2/11, 0 HR, 0 RBI

6. Brandon Belt - 1B

.250 AVG, 3/12, 0 HR, 1 RBI

7. Gregor Blanco - LF

.000 AVG, 0/9, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Ryan Theriot - DH

.000 AVG, 0/2, 0 HR, 0 RBI

9. Brandon Crawford - SS

.182 AVG, 2/11, 0 HR, 2 RBI

DETROIT TIGERS - Fielding 2 (40)

1. Austin Jackson - CF

.077 AVG, 1/13, 1 HR, 1 RBI

2. Quintin Berry - LF

.333 AVG, 1/3, 0 HR, 0 RBI

3. Miguel Cabrera - 3B

.308 AVG, 4/13, 1 HR, 2 RBI

4. Prince Fielder - 1B

.300 AVG, 3/10, 0 HR, 1 RBI

5. Delmon Young - DH

.167 AVG, 2/12, 1 HR, 2 RBI

6. Andy Dirks - RF

.286 AVG, 4/14, 0 HR, 1 RBI

7. Jhonny Peralta - SS

.167 AVG, 2/12, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Gerald Laird - C

.286 AVG, 2/7, 0 HR, 0 RBI

9. Omar Infante - 2B

.071 AVG, 1/14, 0 HR, 1 RBI

STARTING PITCHERS

• Matt Cain (SF): 16-5, 2.79 ERA, 193 K & 51 BB in 219 IP (APBA: B-YZ).
• Max Scherzer (DET): 16-7, 3.74 ERA, 231 K & 60 BB in 187 IP (APBA: B-XY).

Top of the 1st

Giants center-fielder Angel Pagan doesn't waste anytime hitting a leadoff double. Marco Scutaro hits a deep fly out to right, to advance the runner to third. Pablo Sandoval, who only has 3 hits, but has come up big when the Giants needed him, hits a deep fly to left center, and this score Pagan. Giants 1, Tigers 0

Top of the 2nd

Brandon Belt hits a one-out triple, but the Giants would squander the opportunity, as Scherzer strikes out Blanco and gets Theriot to fly out for the final out.

Bottom of the 2nd

Matt Cain walks the leadoff hitter in the inning in Prince Fielder, in which Delmon Young follows that up with a loud out to left center. Andy Dirks smacks a double over first into the right field corner, Fielder entertains the idea of scoring, but stays at third. Runners on 2nd & 3rd, and Cain walks Jhonny Peralta -- loading the bases, with one out. Stepping in is Gerald Laird, playing for the achy Alex Avila; Avila finds his pitch and sends the ball into the gap in between Blanco & Pagan, Fielder scores easily, Dirks will slide in as he is safe. Omar Infante hits a deep grounder, and the Giants will only be able to get the out at first, as Peralta scores. Austin Jackson ends up getting the final out. Tigers 3, Giants 1

Top of the 4th

Max Scherzer suddenly has some control issues, as he walks the first two batters in Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey. Hunter Pence grounds out and moves the runners to 2nd & 3rd. Stepping in is Brandon Belt, who came into the game with four hits, and had a triple in the 2nd inning in this one; Belt grounds out, but it was good enough to advance the runners as Sandoval scores. Scherzer once again strikes out Gregor Blanco (still looking for his first hit in the World Series). Tigers 3, Giants 2

Top of the 5th

Ryan Theriot loops a single to left to kick off the 5th, and then steals on Laird's arm -- and he's safe. Man on second, Brandon Crawford grounds out -- Theriot holds up. Up to the plate is Angel Pagan, who is having a heck of a series (.400 AVG, 6-for-15 with a solo HR). Scherzer delivers and Pagan laces a single to right, and Theriot scores easily. Giants 3, Tigers 3

Top of the 6th

Looking like a quick inning, with two outs -- Scherzer would walk Hunter Pence, plunk Brandon Belt with a pitch by accident, and end up loading the bases by walking, the struggling Gregor Blanco. The Tigers' pitching coach Jeff Jones comes to the mound, as the Tigers infield comes up as well. Everyone returns to their places, as Scherzer faces Ryan Theriot, who just had a single, steal & run last inning -- he ends up flying out to end the threat.

The 7th Inning

Both teams were quiet during the 7th Inning, as Scherzer pitched through 7 innings, allowing 4 hits & 3 ER's while striking out four Giants & walking four.

Top of the 8th

The Detroit Tigers go to the bullpen and send out Octavio Dotel with a 3-3 tie. The first batter he faces, Pablo Sandoval smacks a double into right center, but the Giants were unable to score Sandoval as Posey, Pence & Belt went down 1-2-3 after that.

Bottom of the 8th

The San Francisco Giants decide to stick with Matt Cain, who has not allowed a hit or run since the 2nd inning, he has retired 16 of the last 17 Detroit batters he's faced. Gerald Laird flies out for the first out, Cain walks Omar Infante. Austin Jackson steps up to the plate and takes advantage of a mistake pitch left in the zone by Cain, that ball lands into the stands in right-center -- Jackson delivers again! Giants manager Bruce Bochy will signal to the bullpen, that is it for Cain. Quintin Berry would single off reliever George Kontos, as Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are not able to score any more runs for Detroit. 

Tigers 5, Giants 3

Top of the 9th

The moment of truth for Tiger fans, as manager Jim Leyland lays his trust in the unpredictable, shaky Jose Valverde. He will face off against the bottom of the Giants' lineup in Gregor Blanco, Ryan Theriot, and Brandon Crawford. Valverde strikes out Blanco, as Blanco gets the dreaded "Hat Trick" (3 K's in a game), Ryan Theriot ends up grounding out to first, for the second out. Down to the final out, so far-- so good for "Papa Grande", as Giants manager Bruce Bochy goes to the bench and has Joaquin Arias coming off the bench to pinch-hit for Crawford, he'll sacrifice some glove for hopefully a little love (as in a base hit, at least) -- Valverde delivers, it's grounded to Miguel Cabrera, Cabrera throws it to first, and that's the ballgame! The Tigers win, and the series is now tied up 2-2.

FINAL SCORE                                          R      H     E

SAN FRANCISCO             3    5    0

DETROIT                           5    4    0    F

WP - Dotel / LP - Cain / SV - Valverde

POST-GAME:

• Austin Jackson (DET): 2 hits, 2 HR's this series (both game-winning HR's)
• Gerald Laird (DET): 1-for-3, two-run double.
• Andy Dirks (DET): 1-for-3, double & run.
• Quintin Berry (DET): 1-for-3, BB.
• Angel Pagan (SF): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, run
• Pablo Sandoval (SF): 1-for-2, double, run & sac fly.
• Jose Valverde (DET): 1-2-3 9th Inning Save.

GAME 5 - STARTING PITCHERS

A return of the Game 1 starters, in which both pitchers (Verlander & Zito) pitched really well, until Angel Pagan tattooed Verlander with a solo HR in the 8th inning.

• Justin Verlander (DET): 0-1, 1.13 ERA, 5 K's & 4 BB's (2 H) in 8 IP.
• Barry Zito (SF): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8 K's & 5 BB's in 8 IP during Game 1.

Playing Your 45's

A few months back on the APBA Baseball Facebook Group Page, the discussion came up on how many teams that have fielding grades 1 (that had over 45 fielding points).

Here is a list of teams that have a Fielding 1 (45 & above):

1931 PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS (Fielding 1 / 47)

C - Mickey Cochrane (9)

1B - Jimmie Foxx (5)

2B - Max Bishop (9)

SS - Joe Boley (8)

3B - Jimmy Dykes (6)

OF - Al Simmons (3)

OF - Mule Haas (3)

OF - Bing Miller (2)

SP - Rube Walberg (2)

1953 BROOKLYN DODGERS (Fielding 1 / 45)

C - Roy Campanella (9)

1B - Gil Hodges (5)

2B - Jim Gilliam (7)

SS - Pee Wee Reese (9)

3B - Billy Cox (6)

OF - Carl Furillo (3)

OF - Duke Snider (3)

OF - Jackie Robinson (1)

RP - They have relievers with a fielding (2), which gives them 45 points -- no starting pitchers with (2) & none of the other outfielders have a fielding (2), if so Robinson could move to second to give the Dodgers a starting lineup with a 45.

1984 DETROIT TIGERS (Fielding 1 / 45)

C - Lance Parrish (9)

1B - Dave Bergman (4)

2B - Lou Whitaker (9)

SS - Alan Trammell (9)

3B - Tom Brookens (5)

OF - Larry Herndon (2)

OF - Chet Lemon (3)

OF - Kirk Gibson (2)

SP - Jack Morris (2)

1985 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (Fielding 1 / 45)

C - Ernie Whitt (8)

1B - Willie Upshaw (4)

2B - Damaso Garcia (9)

SS - Tony Fernandez (9)

3B - Garth Iorg (5)

OF - George Bell (2)

OF - Lloyd Mosebay (3)

OF - Jesse Barfield (3)

SP - Dave Stieb (2)

2001 SEATTLE MARINERS (Fielding 1 / 46)

C - Dan Wilson (9)

1B - John Olerud (5)

2B - Bret Boone (8)

SS - Carlos Guillen (9)

3B - David Bell (5)

OF - Mark McLemore (2)

OF - Mike Cameron (3)

OF - Ichiro Suzuki (3)

SP - Freddy Garcia (2)

I also like to note that besides the Mariners winning 116 games, they also had a bullpen of...

RP - Jose Panigua      C*-YW

RP - Norm Charlton      B*-XYZ

RP - Ryan Franklin      B*-YZ

RP - Jeff Nelson      A*-KYW

RP - Arthur Rhodes      A&C*-KYZ

RP - Kazuhiro Sasaki      B*-XYZ

While their entire rotation is all B starters, while Joel Pineiro (B-Y) pitched in only 75 innings, so he could either be used as a spot starter or reliever. While the lineup's OPS (a DH in Edgar Martinez) is one of the best you will find, and there is a few good bench options as well.

NOTABLE TEAMS THAT FALL SHORT OF 45:

Where is the 1976 Dodgers with that great infield? Try 42, The 1906 Cubs with Tinkers-Evers-Chance? 42 again. The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords fell one point short of 45, if they just had another (3) in their outfield to go with Cool Papa Bell & Jimmy Crutchfield, or a pitcher with a grading above 1 for that matter.

Well this is all I have for now, I'm sure there is more, if you do know more... feel free on replying, would love to hear from ya!

Crazy 48's Standings

LEAGUE STANDINGS
STARS I   (Ruth Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1935 Crawfords	14	1	0.933	0	Won 11	32
1929 Cubs	11	4	0.733	3	Lost 1	22
1931 Athletics	8	7	0.533	6	Lost 1	11
1927 Yankees	8	7	0.533	6	Won 5	10
1912 Giants	8	7	0.533	6	Won 1	3
1934 Cardinals	8	7	0.533	6	Won 4	-5
STARS II   (Musial Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1937 Yankees	7	8	0.467	0	Lost 1	2
1942 Cardinals	7	8	0.467	0	Lost 1	-6
1944 Browns	6	9	0.400	1	Lost 1	-8
1940 Reds	6	9	0.400	1	Won 3	-10
1937 Giants	5	10	0.333	2	Lost 3	-11
1946 Red Sox	4	11	0.267	3	Lost 4	-14
STARS III  (Clemente Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1975 Reds	9	6	0.600	0	Lost 1	15
1969 Orioles	7	8	0.467	2	Lost 3	-7
1971 Pirates	7	8	0.467	2	Won 1	-7
1968 Tigers	6	9	0.400	3	Won 1	-16
1971 Giants	5	10	0.333	4	Lost 3	-14
1962 Dodgers	4	11	0.267	5	Lost 4	-18
STARS IV   (Bobby Cox Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
2001 Mariners	11	4	0.733	0	Won 1	22
1998 Braves	9	6	0.600	2	Won 1	6
1985 Blue Jays	8	7	0.533	3	Won 3	11
1999 Rangers	8	7	0.533	3	Won 1	-12
1981 Expos	7	8	0.467	4	Lost 3	3
1993 Phillies	7	8	0.467	4	Won 3	0
STRIPES I   (Mathewson Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1912 Red Sox	11	4	0.733	0	Won 3	10
1906 Cubs	10	5	0.667	1	Lost 1	18
1904 Giants	10	5	0.667	1	Lost 3	17
1917 White Sox	9	6	0.600	2	Lost 1	21
1914 Braves	9	6	0.600	2	Won 3	3
1925 Senators	5	10	0.333	6	Won 1	-27
STRIPES II   (Robinson Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1953 Yankees	9	6	0.600	0	Won 2	13
1953 Dodgers	8	7	0.533	1	Lost 1	20
1971 Athletics	6	9	0.400	3	Won 4	-11
1969 Mets	6	9	0.400	3	Won 1	-19
1954 Indians	5	10	0.333	4	Lost 2	-15
1960 Pirates	4	11	0.267	5	Lost 10	-20
STRIPES III   (Ripken Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1984 Tigers	10	5	0.667	0	Won 3	28
1977 Phillies	10	5	0.667	0	Lost 3	9
1976 Dodgers	7	8	0.467	3	Lost 1	-2
1980 Royals	6	9	0.400	4	Lost 3	-14
1983 Orioles	6	9	0.400	4	Won 1	-26
1986 Mets	5	10	0.333	5	Won 1	-16
STRIPES IV    (Jeter Division)	W	L	PCT	GB	Streak	Rdiff
1998 Yankees	11	4	0.733	0	Lost 2	26
1993 Giants	9	6	0.600	2	Won 6	18
1995 Indians	7	8	0.467	4	Won 2	-8
1998 Padres	7	8	0.467	4	Lost 1	-8
2007 Red Sox	6	9	0.400	5	Won 1	-8
2002 Athletics	4	11	0.267	7	Lost 4	-11

Belle Belts #10, in a Battle between Tribes.

(Game #15's)

                                  R   H   E
1995 Indians             4    8    3
1954 Indians             1    5    1   F

95' Indians (7-8) / 54' Indians (5-10)

WP- K.Hill (2-2)
LP- M.Garcia (1-2)

Albert Belle's two-run HR (his league leading 10th HR) & Paul Sorrento's solo HR was the difference, as the 54' Indians' offensive struggles continue. The 1954 Indians are batting only .149 through 15 games.





                                 R   H   E
1971 Athletics         4    5    2
2002 Athletics         2    4    3     F

71' Athletics (6-9) / 2002 Athletics (4-11)

WP- C.Dobson (1-2)
LP- Mulder (0-1)
SV- Fingers (1)

Rick Monday went 2-for-4, a HR & triple with 2 RBI, while Reggie Jackson hit his 5th HR of the season, as the 71' squad outpaced the 2002 A's.

                                R   H   E
1985 Blue Jays       7    9    0
1946 Red Sox         4    11  1     F

Toronto (8-7) / Boston (4-11)

WP- Lamp (2-1)
LP- Dreisewerd (0-1)

The Jays scored 5 late runs in the last three innings against the Red Sox' shaky bullpen, to steal the game from Boston. Lloyd Moseby hit a two-run HR during the 8th off of Clyde Dreisewerd. Rudy York had a two-run blast, for his team-leading 2nd HR of the season.

                               R   H   E
1969 Mets              3    7   0 
1998 Padres           0    2    2    F

New York (6-9) / San Diego (7-8)

WP- Gentry (2-1)
LP- J.Hamilton (1-3)
SV- McGraw (3)

Gary Gentry was in cruise-control, allowing only two hits during eight scoreless innings (plus 7 strikeouts), while Donn Clendenon hit a solo HR for his 2nd HR of the season.

                            R   H   E
1968 Tigers         3    5    2
1931 Athletics     2    4    0    F

Detroit (6-9) / Philadelphia (8-7)

WP- E.Wilson (1-1)
LP- Walberg (2-2)
SV- Hiller (2)

Dick McAuliffe who is having a big season leading off for the Tigers, hit his 4th HR (a two-run HR in the 3rd off of Rube Walberg) & Willie Horton hit HR #6 for the season. Mule Haas was the offense for the A's, with a two-run double.

                             R   H   E
1980 Royals         2    8    0
1914 Braves         4    8    1    F

Kansas City (6-9) / Boston (9-5)

WP- L.Tyler (2-2)
LP- Splittorff (1-2)
SV- Strand (3)

Rabbit Maranville hit a solo HR for the Boston Braves, as Butch Schmidt, Red Smith & Leslie Mann each added two hits. Lefty Tyler kept the Royals' lineup in check, keeping them scoreless through the first seven innings. Darrell Porter would break through for the Royals only runs with a two-run HR in the 8th.

Giants Survive Reds, Senators Rally over L.A.

(Game #15's)

Bluege, Senators Sneak Past Dodgers, 3-2!

                                 R   H   E
1976 Dodgers          2    7    0
1925 Senators         3    8    2    F

Los Angeles (7-8) / Washington (5-10)

WP- Ruether (1-3)
LP- Rhoden (1-1)
SV- Marberry (5)

Even though the score & box score don't show it, the Dodgers were well on their way to a fifth straight victory, the tone and lead was the Dodgers, until the bottom of the eighth. Deacon Scott hit a leadoff double, which LaSorda decided to go with Rick Rhoden out of the bullpen. With a man on third, and one out -- Sam Rice hit an RBI single & stole second, LaSorda had Rhoden intentionally walk Goose Goslin with two outs. Ossie Bluege would hit the go-ahead two-run double to score in Sam Rice & Goose Goslin.

Doug Rau was pitching a good game for the Dodgers (7 innings, 1 ER) while Ron Cey was responsible for the Dodgers' two runs with his two-run HR -- for Cey that is his 4th HR & 12th RBI.

Giants Survive Rose, Red Machine, 7-5!

                              R   H   E
1975 Reds             5    4    0
1912 Giants           7    9    1     F

Cincinnati (9-6) / New York (8-7)

WP- Tesreau (3-1)
LP- Norman (1-2)
SV- Wiltse (2)

The Giants were in complete control until walking four Reds in the ninth, and allowing the Reds to get into a game-tying situation, as the Reds scored five runs; Ken Griffey was the tying-run at the plate, with Rose on second -- Hooks Wiltse came in for 1/3 inning save to get Griffey to ground out to Buck Herzog.

Dutch Wilson (the Giant's backup catcher) went 2-for-4 with a HR & 4 RBI, while the Reds' Pete Rose who has been red-hot the last 10 games, had half (two) of Cincy's hits, including his 3-run double in the ninth.

                                       R   H   E
2007 Red Sox                5    9    0
1953 Dodgers                1    5    1    F

Boston (6-9) / Brooklyn (8-7)

WP- Wakefield (1-1)
LP- Loes (1-2)

Manny Ramirez's Grand Slam in the 3rd Inning was the difference in this one, while Jim Gilliam was the majority of the Dodgers' offense -- 3-for-4, HR, 2 doubles. Tim Wakefield's knuckleball had the Dodgers' sluggers guessing in five innings of work (allowing one run).

                                  R   H   E
1960 Pirates              1    6    0
1993 Giants               2    6    0    F

Pittsburgh (4-11) / San Francisco (9-6)

WP- Burba (1-1)
LP- Face (0-2)
SV- Beck (3)

Robby Thompson hit his 4th HR of the season, as Dave Martinez also added a solo HR (his first).

                                  R   H   E
1977 Phillies             2    5    0
1912 Red Sox           5    9    1

Philadelphia (10-5) / Boston (11-4)

The Phillies lost their third straight, while their division rival 1984 Tigers have won three straight, resulting in a first place tie on top of their division (Stripes III/Ripken Division); while the Red Sox have now won three in a row, and have passed the 1906 Cubs (10-5) & 1904 Giants (10-5) to sit alone on top of the Stripes I / Mathewson Division.

Jake Stahl was the star for the Red Sox, after a couple days off, he came out fresh -- going 3-for-4, 2 doubles, with 2 runs scored.

                                R   H   E
2001 Mariners        9    8    0
1942 Cardinals        4    8    2    F

Seattle (11-4) / St. Louis (7-8)

WP- Sele (1-1)
LP- Gumbert (2-1)

Aaron Sele kept the Cardinals' bats in check, and handed his bullpen a 5-2 lead -- Sele would get charged the third run. The Mariners' bullpen would only allow one run the remaining four innings, as the M's bullpen have a ERA of 0.64 in 54 innings of work! Dan Wilson hit a solo HR for Seattle, with two hits each for Ichiro and John Olerud. The Cards' Stan Musial gone 2-for-4 with a double & triple, 2 runs.

98' Braves Ambush 37' Yanks, 12-3

(Game #15's)

                                   R   H   E
1998 Braves           12  17   2
1937 Yankees         3    9     2    F 

Atlanta (9-6) / New York (7-8)

WP- Neagle (1-0)
LP- Hadley (1-2)

The Atlanta Braves jumped all over the Yankees early scoring their 12 runs in the first four innings (including a 8-run 3rd inning). The Braves had four HR's (Tucker's 2nd, Javy Lopez's 2nd, Andruw Jones' 4th & Galarraga's 4th); Andres Galarraga went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI, while Andruw Jones went a perfect 4-for-4, 3 RBI & BB. The victory broke a four-game skid for Atlanta.

Lou Gehrig went 2-for-4 with a double & solo HR for the Yankees.

                                     R   H   E
1981 Expos                  1    4    2
1940 Reds                   5    9    1    F

Montreal (7-8) / Cincinnati (6-9)

WP- Ju.Thompson (1-0)
LP- Sanderson (2-1)

The Cincinnati Reds got things rolling quickly by scoring four runs in the first inning, including Ernie Lombardi's two-run homer. The Reds have kept the Expos quiet, they'll be eying a sweep in the fourth game of the series.

                                    R   H   E
1969 Orioles               3    5    1
1927 Yankees            11   9    2     F

Baltimore (7-8) / New York (8-7)

WP- Shocker (1-2)
LP- J.Palmer (2-1)

Babe Ruth did what's natural for him, going 2-for-4 with a Grand Slam and triple, 5 RBI & 3 runs. In an odd statistic, both Yankees' backup catchers Benny Bengough & Johnny Grabowski hit triples during the game -- catchers are not known for their speed.

                                    R   H   E
1993 Phillies               11  16   0
1937 Giants                10  14   1    F

Philadelphia (7-8) / New York (5-10)

WP- T.Greene (3-1)
LP- Schumacher (1-3)
SV- Mit.Williams (3)

The game for the most part wasn't anything close. The Giants first jumped off to a 3-0 lead after two innings, while the Phillies turned around and scored 10 runs the next four innings. The Tigers entered the bottom of the 8th with an 11-4 lead, during the next two innings the Giants would add eight hits -- plus Mitch Williams was one mistake away from blowing the save after giving up a two-run HR to Johnny McCarthy.

Damon Hollins joined three other record holders for two triples in one game, while Kevin Stocker also joined record-holders for four runs in a single ballgame; Stocker also went 3-for-5, 2 doubles & 3 RBI.

The Phillies are looking forward to a possible sweep of the New York Giants, next game.

                                   R   H   E
1984 Tigers                4    6    1
1904 Giants                2    6    0     F

Detroit (10-5) / New York (10-5)

WP- W.Hernandez (1-0)
LP- Mathewson (2-2)

The Detroit Tigers join quite a few teams in this grouping of games, that is eyeing a sweep now, after their tough 4-2 victory. Tom Brookens had an early RBI triple in a rare start, Dan McGann helped get the Giants back into a tie with his two RBI. The Giants pitched Red Ames four innings in relief, and decided to use Christy Mathewson as a one-inning relief option in which he surrendered a two-run homer to Barbaro Garbey (brought in as a defensive replacement for Darrell Evans).

Milt Wilcox had his best start of the season, as he allowed only 1 ER in 6 innings of work, while Dummy Taylor of the Giants, pitched 7 innings, allowing 4 hits & 2 ER's, while striking out seven Tigers.

                                   R   H   E
1935 Crawfords         7   11   1
1971 Giants               5    8    2     F

Pittsburgh (14-1) / San Francisco (5-10)

WP- Ro.Davis (3-0)
LP- Cumberland (2-1)
SV- Paige (3)

Josh Gibson who had the only cycle in league history, fell a HR short of another -- going 3-for-4, with 2 RBI. Roosevelt Davis, a surprise so far, had a shorter outing this time out (5 innings).
                           

2012 World Series Replay - Game 3

The Detroit Tigers lost a heart-breaker, surrendering a 5-1 lead at the 7th Inning stretch, to watch Pablo Sandoval - "The Kung Fu Panda" deliver a fatal walk-off blow (in the form of a single) during bottom of the 13th. Can the Tigers bounce back, now that they are in Motown? or will the Giants position themselves one step closer to another World Championship? We'll have to see.

GAME 3

at Comerica Park / Detroit

STARTING LINEUPS

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Fielding 2 (40)

1. Angel Pagan - CF

.300 AVG, 3/10, 1 HR, 1 RBI

2. Marco Scutaro - 2B

.300 AVG, 3/10, 0 HR, 0 RBI

3. Pablo Sandoval - 3B

.100 AVG, 1/10, 0 HR, 1 RBI

4. Buster Posey - C

.222 AVG, 2/9, 0 HR, 0 RBI

5. Hunter Pence - RF

.143 AVG, 1/7, 0 HR, 0 RBI

6. Brandon Belt - 1B

.125 AVG, 1/8, 0 HR, 1 RBI

7. Gregor Blanco - LF

.000 AVG, 0/5, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Hector Sanchez - DH

1.000 AVG, 1/1, 0 HR, 2 RBI

9. Brandon Crawford - SS

.250 AVG, 2/8, 0 HR, 2 RBI

DETROIT TIGERS - Fielding 2 (40)

1. Austin Jackson - CF

.000 AVG, 0/8, 0 HR, 0 RBI

2. Quintin Berry - LF

1 Plate Appearance, BB

3. Miguel Cabrera - 3B

.200 AVG, 2/10, 1 HR, 1 RBI

4. Prince Fielder - 1B

.167 AVG, 1/6, 0 HR, 0 RBI

5. Delmon Young - DH

.222 AVG, 2/9, 1 HR, 2 RBI

6. Andy Dirks - RF

.300 AVG, 3/10, 0 HR, 1 RBI

7. Jhonny Peralta - SS

.000 AVG, 0/8, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Alex Avila - C

.000 AVG, 0/2, 0 HR, 0 RBI

9. Omar Infante - 2B

.000 AVG, 0/10, 0 HR, 0 RBI

STARTING PITCHERS

• Ryan Vogelsong (SF): 14-9, 3.37 ERA, 158 K & 62 BB in 180 IP (APBA: B-Y).
• Anibal Sanchez (DET): 9-13, 3.86 ERA, 167 K & 48 BB in 196 IP (APBA: C-YZ).

Bottom of the 1st

Quintin Berry is plunked by a Ryan Vogelsong fastball. Miguel Cabrera steps up next with one out, and smacks a double over first base to deep right field, driving in Berry to take the lead. Tigers 1, Giants 0

Bottom of the 2nd
Andy Dirks leads off the inning with a single, Peralta and Avila would ground out to move the runner over to third. Infante, hitless in 10 at-bats, laces a ball into the left-field corner in which it takes a sharp hit off the wall and has Blanco chasing the ball down; Dirks scores easily as Infante slides into third with a triple, Austin Jackson flies out (final out), fails to get Infante in. Jackson is now 0-for-10 at this point. Tigers 2, Giants 0

Top of the 6th
Anibal Sanchez was on cruise control, retiring 12 consecutive Giant hitters, going back to the late top of the second, until Angel Pagan's one-out single. Scutaro would follow by flying out, bringing up Game 2's hero in Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval, with two strikes, delivers and RBI double, cutting the lead in half. Buster Posey steps up to plate, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland gives Avila the sign to have Sanchez put him on first with an intentional walk, he would rather face Hunter Pence (.222 in 9 AB's) -- and who could blame him, Posey won the N.L. Batting Title, while Pence batted .253 for the season. The strategy paid off as, Pence flown out to right. Tigers 2, Giants 1

Bottom of the 6th
Prince Fielder leads off the inning by hitting a single into right, while Delmon Young gets hit by a pitch. Giants' manager Bruce Bochy begins to pace in the visitors' dugout. Andy Dirks 4-for-12 thus far, ends up flying out. Jhonny Peralta loads up the bases with a single. Bochy visits the mound as Jeremy Affeldt and Jose Mijares warm up in the bullpen, it appears that Bochy is going to try to let Ryan Vogelsong finish this inning, interesting...with one out. Vogelsong would settle down and strike out both Alex Avila and Omar Infante. The Tigers, once again leaves men on base, which has come back to hurt them at crucial moments in this series. The score remains the same... Tigers 2, Giants 1

Top of the 7th
Jim Leyland decides that Anibal Sanchez did what was asked of him, keeping the Tigers in the game, with six innings of work, 3 hits, 1 ER & 1 walk allowed while striking out five -- making a change for reliever Octavio Dotel. Dotel pitched one inning during Game 2, allowing no hits & runs with 1 K & 1 BB.

Brandon Belt starts the inning off with a double off Dotel. Dotel answers back by striking out Gregor Blanco. Hector Sanchez ties the ballgame with an RBI single, for Sanchez that's his 3rd RBI of the series in four at-bats. Sanchez tries to steal second and gets thrown out, not sure if someone missed a sign, or got the ol' hit & run, but it ended up killing any potential for more runs as Brandon Crawford grounds out on the next play. Tigers 2, Giants 2

Bottom of the 7th
The Giants' go to the bullpen and bring out veteran Jeremy Affeldt. Affeldt has one scoreless inning of work in the World Series (Game 2), in which he had 1 K & 2 walks. Austin Jackson steps up to the plate, in which he responds by grounding out, Jackson can't seem to purchase a hit right now. Quintin Berry follows up with a double, in an attempt to get something rolling here for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera leaves the on-deck circle and walks toward the plate, Giants' manager Bruce Bochy signals to the catcher, he wants nothing to do with him; intentional walk to Cabrera. Bochy is playing for the double-play, and rather take his chances against Prince Fielder. He will also go to the mound & signal towards the bullpen, he will go with Jose Mijares to face Fielder.

Fielder steps up to the plate, and Mijares delivers two balls. Mijares sets, and Berry is off and running for third, Posey throws towards third... Cabrera is off to second... Berry is safe! There will be no throw to second; double steal -- successfully executed.

Runners on second & third, one out, tied 2-2. Fielder finds his pitch and smacks it to right, Berry comes in and scores, Hunter Pence guns it to home, as Cabrera rounds third, Cabrera is coming in and he's... out! The Tigers got a tad greedy & aggressive, great throw by Pence to avoid being down by two runs. Mijares would get Delmon Young to strike out, to finish the inning. Tigers 3, Giants 2

Top of the 8th
The Detroit Tigers bring in their premier setup man in Joaquin Benoit, it will be interesting to see what Leyland chooses to do if Benoit can keep this lead for the closer. The obviously question, who will end up getting the call in the ninth? Leyland will likely avoid Phil Coke, possibly due to the 2 1/3 innings of work the other night, maybe a mental break as well, as Coke finished Game 2 with the loss, to put the nail into the Tigers' Game 2 meltdown. Dotel has already pitched, Brandon Villarreal also will likely be avoided, since he was the one that blew a 5-1, non-save situation, ninth-inning lead. So it appears it may be the rocky Jose Valverde, who is warming up with Drew Smyly, as Villarreal & Coke are stretching. First Benoit must protect the lead.

Angel Pagan leads off the inning with a single, but he was hurt the sudden momentum by being thrown out trying to steal second by Alex Avila. Marco Scutaro flies out to make that two outs. Stepping up, Pablo Sandoval, and he laces a single to keep the Giants alive in the 8th. Leyland decides to let Benoit pitch to Posey, Posey was intentionally walked during the 6th inning. Posey strikes with an RBI double over first, this will drive in Sandoval, tied game and now with the go-ahead run on 2nd as Hunter Pence steps up to the plate; Pence helped prevent a run earlier in the 7th inning that has already paid dividends. Benoit gets Pence to fly out to end the threat, but the damage is already done. Tigers 3, Giants 3

Bottom of the 8th
The Giants stick with Mijares, and the Tigers go down 1-2-3. Gerald Laird flied out for the third out, as he will replace Avila behind the plate; Laird had two hits during Detroit's Game 2 loss.

Top of the 9th
The Tigers stick with Benoit in a tied-game situation. Brandon Belt starts the inning off with a single, but the Giants go down three straight (including strikeouts to Blanco & Sanchez).

Bottom of the 9th
Jose Mijares still on the mound for San Francisco, with Omar Infante stepping up to the plate. Infante had a RBI triple during the bottom of the second, he would end up grounding out. Bringing up the struggling Austin Jackson (0-for-12), who has not been setting the table for the heart of the lineup. He swings at the first pitch, and this one is going out of here in a hurry to the stands in right at Comerica, it's gone! Game over, the Tigers survive and will try to even it up tomorrow night!

FINAL SCORE                              R     H     E
SAN FRANCISCO            3    9   0
DETROIT                          4   10  1    F
WP- Benoit / LP- Mijares

POST-GAME:

• Miguel Cabrera (DET): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, Intentional walk & SB.
• Austin Jackson (DET): Walk-off solo HR, despite 1-for-13 during series.
• Quintin Berry (DET): 1-for-3, 2B, SB & 2 runs.
• Prince Fielder (DET): 2-for-4, RBI.
• Anibal Sanchez (DET): 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 K & 1 BB.
• Pablo Sandoval (SF): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, run
• Buster Posey (SF): 1-for-3, RBI double, Intentional walk.
• Angel Pagan (SF): 2-for-4.
• Brandon Belt (SF): 2-for-4, 2B.
• Ryan Vogelsong (SF): 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER & 3 K's.

GAME 4 - STARTING PITCHERS

• Matt Cain (SF): 16-5, 2.79 ERA, 193 K & 51 BB in 219 IP (APBA: B-YZ).
• Max Scherzer (DET): 16-7, 3.74 ERA, 231 K & 60 BB in 187 IP (APBA: B-XY).

Zeile Delivers Walk-off in 13th, Rangers Win.

(Game #15's)

Todd Zeile: The Man of many uniforms.

                                R   H   E
1944 Browns          3    8    1
1999 Rangers         5   10   2    F / 13 Inn

St. Louis (6-9) / Texas (8-7)

WP- Crabtree (2-0)
LP- Hollingsworth (0-1)

The Browns had a 3-0 lead, but the Rangers kept inching closer and closer -- tied it, forced it to extra innings, as Todd Zeile delivers a walk-off two-run HR to win the ballgame at Arlington. Pudge Rodriguez' bat woke up a bit, as he got three hits in his first three at-bats (6 AB's for the day), including a solo HR; Lee Stevens added his 4th HR, as he is the third Ranger to reach 4 HR's (Palmerio has 8, Gonzalez has 4).

Rangers reliever Jeff Zimmerman has pitched 16 2/3 innings without giving up a run, allowing only 8 hits while striking out 12 batters.

                                R   H   E
1998 Yankees          0    2    0
1953 Yankees          5    9    0     F

98' Yankees (11-4) / 53' Yankees (9-6)

WP- Lopat (1-0)/ CG (1)/ SHO (1)
LP- Pettitte (2-1)

The first time the 98' Yankees lost two games-in-a-row, as Mickey Mantle (of the 53' Yankees) went 2-for-3, with a three-run blast.

                              R   H   E
1986 Mets              4    4    0
1906 Cubs              2    6    1     F

New York (5-10) / Chicago (10-5)

WP- Ojeda (3-1)
LP- Pfeister (1-1)

The two New York Mets franchises seem to have the 1906 Cubs' number, as the 69' Mets have already had a series split with the Cubbies (2-2) -- now the 86' Mets have a 2-1 series lead. Lenny Dykstra had half of the Mets' two hits, with 2 SB's, as the Cubs' Harry Steinfeldt hit a two-run HR.

                               R   H   E
1929 Cubs              2    4    0
1971 Pirates           8    9    2     F

Chicago (10-5) / Pittsburgh (7-8)

WP- Bo. Johnson (1-3)
LP- P.Malone (0-2)

The Pirates struck early with four runs in the bottom of the 2nd. All of the Bucs contributed except Willie Stargell, as Clemente went 2-for-4, RBI & Al Oliver who has been batting better of late, came in for a pinch-hit three-run HR.

                             R   H   E
1983 Orioles         2    5    0
1917 White Sox    0    8    0    F

Baltimore (6-9) / Chicago (9-6)

WP- Boddicker (1-2)
LP- L.Williams (1-2)
SV- Tp.Martinez (4)

The Orioles snapped the White Sox' 6 game winning-streak with two early runs, including a solo HR from Cal Ripken (Ripken's 2nd).

                             R   H   E
1962 Dodgers       3    7    1
1934 Cardinals     4   10   1    F

Los Angeles (4-11) / St. Louis (8-7)

WP- Carleton (1-3)
LP- Podres (0-1)

Joe Medwick led the charge for the Cards, going 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, double & run. The Dodgers' Frank Howard went 2-for-4 with a solo HR, as Tommy Davis' solo HR in the 8th, cut the lead to 4-3 -- but the Cards would hold on.

2012 World Series Replay - Game 2

AT& T Park of the San Francisco Giants.

     Doug Fister & the Detroit Tigers will try to even up the series, as they face off against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants. Both teams had only four hits combined, are we in for another pitcher's duel? or will the sleeping bats wake up at AT&T Park?

GAME 2

at AT&T Park / San Francisco

STARTING LINEUPS

2013 Izzy Originals - Buster Posey

DETROIT TIGERS - Fielding 2 (39)

1. Austin Jackson - CF

.000 AVG, 0/3 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 

2. Andy Dirks - RF

.250 AVG, 1/4 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

3. Miguel Cabrera - 3B

.250 AVG, 1/4 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

4. Prince Fielder - 1B

.000 AVG, 0/2 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

5. Delmon Young - LF

.000 AVG, 0/4 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

6. Omar Infante - 2B

.000 AVG, 0/4 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

7. Jhonny Peralta - SS

.000 AVG, 0/3 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Gerald Laird - C

.000 AVG, 0/1 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

9. Doug Fister - SP

Season: 10-10, 3.45 ERA, 137 K / 37 BB (161 IP)

APBA Grade: B-YZ

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Fielding 2 (40)

1. Angel Pagan - CF

.500 AVG, 2/4 AB, 1 HR, 1 RBI

2. Marco Scutaro - 2B

.000 AVG. 0/4 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

3. Pablo Sandoval - 3B

.000 AVG, 0/3 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

4. Buster Posey - C

.000 AVG, 0/3 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

5. Hunter Pence - RF

.000 AVG, 0/2 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

6. Brandon Belt - 1B

.000 AVG, 0/2 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

 (2 Fielding Errors)

7. Gregor Blanco - LF

.000 AVG, 0/3 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

8. Brandon Crawford - SS

.000 AVG, 0/2 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI

9. Madison Bumgarner - SP

Season: 16-11, 3.37 ERA, 191 K/49 BB (208 IP)

APBA Grade: B-XZ

Top of the 4th

The Tigers had three baserunners during the first three innings, while the Giants have had two -- at this point, it had the same feel of last game's start. Andy Dirks would lead off the inning and strike out (for Bumgarner's third K of the game), he would get Mr. Triple Crown Miguel Cabrera to ground out after that. Prince Fielder would go on to work the count and reach first on a walk (Bumgarner's second), giving Delmon Young a runner on first to work with. Young would send the ball into the bleachers in left field, to give the Tigers their first lead in the young series. Bumgarner would get Infante to fly out to end the inning. Tigers 2, Giants 0

Bottom of the 4th

After Fister got Marco Scutaro to fly out, Omar Infante bobbled the ball (for an E-4) to put Pablo Sandoval on first base, bringing up the dangerous bat of Buster Posey -- who would line a double over first into the right-field corner, Sandoval stops at third. Hunter Pence was swing away, but come up with nothing but air (Fister's fourth K). Runners on 2nd & 3rd, bringing up Brandon Belt, who hit into a double-play in the second. Belt gets his pitch, and advances Sandoval to score, as Posey advances to third. Fister gets Blanco to fly out to end the threat. Tigers 2, Giants 1

Top of the 6th
With one out, Miguel Cabrera hits a solo HR to right fieldPrince Fielder would follow up with a single, but the Tigers are not able to put more runs on the board. Tigers 3, Giants 1

Miguel (67' Topps Baseball style)

,

Top of the 7th
The Giants bring in George Kontos to pitch in relief for Madison Bumgarner (3 ER in 6 Innings), as he walks the lead-off man in Jhonny Peralta. Gerald Laird drives Peralta to second on the routine ground out. Jim Leyland elects to pinch-hit for pitcher Doug Fister, by going with Alex Avila. Kontos walks Avila, now placing runners on 1st & 2nd with one out -- Don Kelly comes in off the bench to pinch-run for Avila. Austin Jackson hits the ball towards Marco Scutaro, maybe Scutaro will go for two... no, he boots the grounder, the bases are loaded (an error on Scutaro). Andy Dirks steps up to the plate, who already had a single in the first inning, knocks a single into left-center, Peralta scores from third, Blanco throws the ball completely off track, allowing an extra run (Kelly) to score. Opening up a 5-1 lead for Detroit, with only one out -- Austin Jackson also advanced to third on the error by Gregor Blanco.

The Giants seen enough of George Kontos, and elect to go to the bullpen again, with Santiago Casilla coming to the mound to face Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera ends up hitting a fly out to shallow center, not far enough for Jackson to score; Fielder follows that at-bat by striking out. The damage could have been worse. Tigers 5, Giants 1

Top of the 9th
After Tim Lincecum came in and pitched 2/3 of an inning during the 8th, Bruce Bochy goes to his bullpen for his fifth pitcher of the night in Jeremy Affeldt. Affeldt would go on to walk the first two batters in Gerald Laird and pinch-hitter Quentin Berry, but the Tigers once again couldn't add any more runs.

Bottom of the 9th
The Detroit Tigers had Doug Fister go the first 6 Innings, as Octavio Dotel and Joaquin Benoit held down the 7th & 8th Innings. The Tigers' closing situation has been in serious crisis since Jose Valverde's meltdown in the ALCS against the New York Yankees; Valverde has not been great in closing situations, and is historically worse in non-closing situations, making him not an option. Leyland decides to go with Brayan Villarreal (Apba Grade: A-XYW).

Buster Posey laces a single to right, putting the lead-off man on first. Hunter Pence follows by drawing a bases on balls, than followed by a fielding error by the pitcher Villarreal (putting Brandon Belt on first). This is certainly not what Leyland wanted, bases loaded with no outs -- tying run stepping up to the plate in Ryan Theriot, who came in to replace Gregor Blanco (who is 0-for-5 in the series), he hits into a fielder's choice as Miguel Cabrera made his throw to Laird at home for the force. Brandon Crawford (.200 in 5 AB's), who got his first hit in the series during the third inning, steps up to the plate, smacks a two-run double into left-center scoring in two runs & advancing Theriot to third base -- runners on 2nd & 3rd, one out. Tigers 5, Giants 3

Bruce Bochy elects to go with a pinch-hitter in Hector Sanchez in place of the pitcher, which means that will be it for Jeremy Affeldt tonight, who settled down after his first two batters. Sanchez is Posey's backup catcher, batted .280 with 3 HR & 34 RBI in 218 at-bats this season. Sanchez loops a single over Prince Fielder's head, Dirks comes in to scoop the bounce off the field and throws the ball towards Laird, but it's too late as both Theriot & Crawford score and tied this one up. Tiger fans have got to be in total shock right now, entering this inning with a 5-1 lead, retiring 8 of the previous 10 batters -- than the Giants bats came out in full force, then again it didn't help that Villarreal was not on top of his game.

Leyland, will now go with Valverde, to at least get the Tigers out of the inning -- and he will have to face last night's hero in Angel Pagan. Pagan is hitless in four at-bats tonight -- Valverde ends up walking Pagan, placing runners at 1st & 2nd with only one out. Marco Scutaro already has two hits in the game, but flies out to left (no advancement by the base-runners); Valverde gets Snadoval to fly out as well to end the bleeding. Who ever thought Valverde would get the Tigers out of a jam? But that damage was done by Crawford & Sanchez on Villarreal, we are tied, and going to extras. Tigers 5, Giants 5

Top of the 10th
Bochy goes with Jose Mijares in the bullpen, Delmon Young of the Tigers hits a one-out double, and would eventually be advanced to third base on Omar Infante's ground out, but Jhonny Peralta comes up empty by striking out.

Bottom of the 10th
With Valverde still in the game, Peralta boots grounder (with two outs) for an error as Brandon Belt reaches first -- Valverde walks Theriot, but rebounds by striking out Brandon Crawford for the final out. Valverde, pitches 1 2/3 innings & does not allow a hit or run, despite two walks -- so for him, that's progress (my wife chimes in "a miracle").

The Giants' Mijares would pitch scoreless through the 10th & 11th, before going with journeyman reliever Javier Lopez to start the top of the 12th for San Fran.

Bottom of the 11th
Phil Coke comes in for Valverde, as Giants' manager Bochy decides to pinch-hit for pitcher Mijares, he brings in Brett Pill. The ball is hit to the side of the mound, Phil Coke picks it up and throws it over Fielder's head at first, Pill is on his way to second (OH! Visions of 2006 Joel Zumaya against Cards for Tiger fans) -- not good. Angel Pagan luckily for Detroit, grounds out, but advancing the winning run to third. Leyland elects for Coke to intentionally walk Marco Scutaro (who has two hits), who has been hitting more like DiMaggio during these playoffs -- so Leyland is hoping for the double-play, by taking their chances with Sandoval. Sandoval would strike out (big out), as the Tigers get Buster Posey to ground out for the final out -- ending the threat.

Bottom of the 13th
The Detroit Tigers decide to stick with Coke on the mound, Leyland usually doesn't like going three innings for a reliever, but Coke who has been a starting pitcher has the durability to go longer, plus Tigers are running out of options. Tigers have Luis Marte, but he has some control issues, and he would not be great for high-pressure situations.

The Giants go with a pinch-hitter for the pitcher's slot (Lopez) in Aubrey Huff. Huff's role has diminished the last two seasons after a career year in 2010, in which he helped lead the Giants to the first World Championship in San Francisco. Huff grounds out.

Angel Pagan gets up and singles to left-center, Marco Scutaro singles to right and moves Pagan to third. First and third, with one out -- coming off the heels of back-to-back singles, the first hits allowed by Coke up to this point, brings up the Pablo Sandoval once again. Sandoval is 0-for-9 this series, striking out four times. Coke delivers, the "Panda" finds his pitch, a looper over Peralta's head, Pagan will score easily -- GIANTS WIN! GIANTS WIN!

The Giants come back from a 5-1 deficit in the bottom of the ninth, to extend the game into extra innings; taking advantage of a bullpen in chaos, how will the Tigers rebound from this debacle? The good news is they head back to Detroit to the warm confines of Comerica Park, the bad news -- the Giants lead the series 2-0.

FINAL SCORE                                 R     H     E
DETROIT                           5   8   4
SAN FRANCISCO             6  12  2    F  /  13 Inn
WP - J.Lopez / LP-Coke

POST GAME:

• Pablo Sandoval (SF) - walk-off single (1-for-7), 1 run.
• Marco Scutaro (SF) - 3-for-6 (all singles), intentional walk.
• Buster Posey (SF) - 2-for-6, double.
• Madison Bumgarner (SF) - 6 IP, 6 hits & 3 ER's allowed, 6 K's.
• Brandon Crawford (SF)- 2-for-6, double, 2 RBI.
• Ryan Theriot (SF) - off the bench, reached bases all four times, 3 BB's & FC.
• Doug Fister (DET) - 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER & 5 K's.
• Delmon Young (DET) - 2-for-5, HR & 2B, BB & 2 RBI.
• Miguel Cabrera (DET) - 1-for-6, solo HR.
• Gerald Laird (DET) - 2-for-5, BB.
• Andy Dirks (DET) - 2-for-6, RBI.

GAME 3 - STARTING PITCHERS

• Ryan Vogelsong (SF): 14-9, 3.37 ERA, 158 K & 62 BB in 180 IP (APBA: B-Y).
• Anibal Sanchez (DET): 9-13, 3.86 ERA, 167 K & 48 BB in 196 IP (APBA: C-YZ).