The Unbelievable Albert Pujols

Tournament Standings and Leaders can be found here: http://home.comcast.net/~etoppsfan/2008TO/index.html

In a 4 game series between Boston and Sussex, Albert Pujols had one of the greatest 4 games runs ever. In the 4 game series Pujols went 13 for 19 with 4 doubles, 7 homers and 9 rbi's.

Pujols in Game 1: 2-4, 2 HR's
Game 2: 3-4, 2B, HR
Game 3: 4-6, 2B, 2 HR's
Game 4: 4-5, 2 2B's, 2 HR's

Another highlight of the series was 24th round pick Felix Hernandez improving his record to 6-0.

Game 1

First baseman Albert Pujols cracked 2 homeruns at Nationals Park where the Boston Challengers beat the Sussex Skylanders 3 to 1. Jake Peavy(3-2) delivered a fine performance for Boston. He surrendered 4 hits and 4 walks in 6 and 2/3 innings. Peavy whiffed an impressive total of 7 Sussex batters improving his ERA from 3.82 to 3.38. Brian Fuentes earned the save with a perfect ninth, his 2nd save. Roy Halladay(0-1) was charged with the loss. He gave up 6 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings.

Game 2

First baseman Albert Pujols went yard as the Boston Challengers won in dramatic fashion over the Sussex Skylanders by a score of 3 to 2 at Nationals Park. Boston had the winning rally in the bottom of the 9th inning scoring 2 runs using 2 hits. Aubrey Huff started the inning off right when he doubled. Shin-Soo Choo stepped into the batter's box and he drew a walk. Asdrubal Cabrera then laid down a sacrifice bunt. Jack Wilson followed and he doubled resulting in an exciting win for Boston and a raucous post-game celebration by the home town fans. Boston finished with 8 hits in the victory. The win went to Leo Nunez(1-0) who allowed no runs in 1 inning. Manny Delcarmen(0-1) ended up with the loss in relief. He allowed 1 run and 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning. 'Now that is what I call fun! I just love baseball, especially games like this, of course,' Larry Bellar offered. 'Everyone at the stadium had a great time - did you see the fans go wild there at the end?!'


Game 3

Albert Pujols ripped 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI at Progressive Field where the Boston Challengers beat the Sussex Skylanders in 11 innings 7 to 6. The score was tied at 5 after nine. Boston ended up winning it in the 11th inning. Jack Wilson reached on an error. Brian Giles followed and he laced a base-hit. Two outs later Victor Martinez came to the plate and drew a walk. Pujols was up next and he ripped a base-knock. Boston had 11 hits for the night while Sussex had 8. Grant Balfour(1-0) was the winner allowing 1 run in 1 inning. Balfour was helped out by Brian Fuentes who recorded his 3rd save. Roy Corcoran(0-1) was given the loss in relief.

Game 4

First baseman Albert Pujols ripped 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI as the Boston Challengers outscored the Sussex Skylanders 11 to 3. Pujols was unconscious all day. The Sussex fans hated to see him approaching the batter's box as he just kept delivering base hits! He doubled in the 1st inning, doubled in the 3rd inning, cleared the fences for a two-run home run in the 4th inning and smashed a solo-shot out of the park (his 13th of the season) in the 9th inning. Boston dominated offensively as they scored in 6 different innings. Felix Hernandez(6-0) got credit for the victory, pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 runs. Josh Beckett(0-1) was the losing pitcher. He was knocked around, surrendering 7 runs in 3 innings. 'I was in my hotel room the other night, working on my swing and made some adjustments,' Pujols said. 'I'm always working on it. If they are getting you out certain ways, you've got to make changes.'

Vero Beach Splits 4th Straight Series

VERO BEACH AT MUSIC CITY
Snowbirds....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  1 0 0  -  1  6  0
Twang........... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 2    -  2  6  0
Win:Lincecum(1-0) Loss:Saito(0-1) Save:Howell(1st)
Homeruns- J.Hamilton(5th), M.Cabrera(1st)
 
37,808 fans were treated to a fine game at SAFECO Field as only one run
separated the combatants at game's end.  The Music City Twang won by the
slimmest of margins, 2 to 1.
 
Music City had the game winning rally in the 8th inning with 2 runs using 2
hits.  After two outs Brian McCann began the rally when he tripled.  Miguel
Cabrera came next and he lifted one out of the park for a two run home run
(his 1st of the season).  The teams had been locked in a scoreless duel until
the 7th inning.  
 
The win was credited to Tim Lincecum(1-0) who went 8 innings allowing 1 run.
Lincecum was helped out by J.P. Howell who recorded his 1st save.  Takashi
Saito(0-1) was the loser in relief.  
 
 
VERO BEACH AT MUSIC CITY
Snowbirds....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  6  0
Twang........... 0 1 0  1 5 0  0 1    -  8 10  0
Win:Sabathia(1-0) Loss:Zambrano(1-3)
Homeruns- J.Dye(1st)
 
C.C. Sabathia whiffed 11 batters and Jermaine Dye jacked one out of the
ballyard as the Music City Twang defeated the Vero Beach Snowbirds by the
score of 8 to 0 at SAFECO Field.
 
Sabathia(1-0) came through with a virtuoso performance against the Vero Beach
hitters.  He didn't allow much, just 6 hits and no walks in 9 innings.  Music
City rapped out 10 hits for the night.  
 
The loss was charged to Carlos Zambrano(1-3).  Sabathia was pleased with his
performance.  He noted, 'I had good zip on my pitches.  Just as important, my
location was right on.  The fans really got into the game too - that always
helps me.  Now, if I can only do that again in my next outing.'
 
MUSIC CITY AT VERO BEACH
Twang........... 0 0 0  1 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  5  0
Snowbirds....... 4 0 1  0 1 0  0 0    -  6  9  0
Win:Kuroda(2-2) Loss:Cain(0-1) Save:Kuo(1st)
Homeruns- H.Ramirez(2nd), C.Pena(1st), M.Ramirez-2(6th), R.Ankiel(4th)
 
Manny Ramirez cracked 2 homeruns at US Cellular Field where the Vero Beach
Snowbirds beat the Music City Twang by the score of 6 to 1.
 
Hiroki Kuroda(2-2) pitched well for Vero Beach in their victory.  He was
reached for 4 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings.  For the game Vero Beach out-hit
Music City 9 to 5.  
 
Hong-Chih Kuo gained credit for his 1st save.  Matt Cain(0-1) was charged with
the loss.  He was touched for 5 homeruns in his 7 innings of work.  
 
'We really needed this win' said David Gandy.  'That first drink of water at
the end of a drought sure does taste good!'
 
MUSIC CITY AT VERO BEACH
Twang........... 0 1 0  0 1 0  0 1 0  -  3  5  0
Snowbirds....... 0 0 1  2 0 0  3 0    -  6  8  1
Win:Danks(4-0) Loss:Volquez(0-1) Save:Papelbon(3rd)
Homeruns- M.Derosa(1st), K.Shoppach-2(4th), C.Pena(2nd), J.Hamilton(6th),
           R.Ankiel(5th)
 
Kelly Shoppach rocketed 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI and John Danks had a strong
outing at US Cellular Field as the Vero Beach Snowbirds beat the Music City
Twang 6 to 3.
 
The home town fans were very appreciative of the fine hitting performance
provided by Shoppach.  He ripped a solo home run in the 3rd inning and
cleared the fences for a two-run home run (his 4th of the season) in the 7th
inning.  Vero Beach had 8 hits for the night while Music City had 5.
 
Danks(4-0) went 7 innings allowing 2 runs for the win. Danks got help from
Jonathan Papelbon who earned his 3rd save.  Edinson Volquez(0-1) was charged
with the loss.  He served up 3 gopher balls in 6 and 1/3 innings.  
 

Well Hung vs. Vero Beach

Well Hung and Vero Beach split the series at 2 each. Danks took a nohitter into the 7th in game 4 for the Snowbirds.

WELL HUNG AT VERO BEACH
Jury............ 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 8 0
Snowbirds....... 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 - 7 7 0
Win:Sheets(1-1) Loss:Duchscherer(0-2)
Homeruns- J.Hamilton(2nd), C.Davis(1st), R.Ankiel(2nd), K.Shoppach(2nd)

The Vero Beach Snowbirds easily topped the Well Hung Jury; the final score was
7 to 2.

Vero Beach jumped on top of Well Hung in the bottom of the 4th inning when
they scored 2 runs on 3 hits. Vero Beach finished with 7 hits in the
victory.

The win was credited to Ben Sheets(1-1) who went 6 and 2/3 innings allowing 1
run. Justin Duchscherer(0-2) was the loser. He served up 3 gopher balls in 6
innings.


WELL HUNG AT VERO BEACH
Jury............ 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 - 6 8 0
Snowbirds....... 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 - 3 9 2
Win:Olsen(1-1) Loss:Zambrano(0-2)
Homeruns- E.Dukes(3rd), P.Fielder(1st), R.Doumit(1st), R.Winn(1st)

Elijah Dukes went yard and had 3 RBI at US Cellular Field where the Well Hung
Jury beat the Vero Beach Snowbirds 6 to 3.

Well Hung wasted no time and took the lead in the first inning scoring a
single run. Well Hung managed 8 hits in their victory.

Scott Olsen(1-1) got the win allowing 2 runs in 7 innings. Carlos
Zambrano(0-2) was the losing pitcher. He gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in 7
innings.


VERO BEACH AT WELL HUNG
Snowbirds....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 6 2
Jury............ 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 - 4 4 0
Win:Lowe(1-0) Loss:Kuroda(1-1) Save:Rivera(1st)
Homeruns- C.Jones(1st)

At PNC Park, the Well Hung fans witnessed a great pitcher's duel. Derek
Lowe(1-0) finally bested his Vero Beach opposite, Hiroki Kuroda(1-1), by the
score of 4 to 0.

Lowe was in control of the game from the outset. He gave up just 6 hits and
no walks in 8 innings seeing his ERA drop from 7.50 to 3.21. Well Hung had
just 4 hits for the afternoon.

Lowe got relief help from Mariano Rivera who gained credit for his 1st save.
Kuroda was the loser. He pitched 7 innings and surrendered 3 hits and 3
walks.

VERO BEACH AT WELL HUNG
Snowbirds....... 0 7 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 12 14 0
Jury............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0
Win:Danks(2-0) Loss:Litsch(0-2)
Homeruns- M.Ramirez(3rd), J.Hamilton(3rd), A.Iwamura(1st)

John Danks carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning and Manny Ramirez had 4
hits and 3 RBI as the Vero Beach Snowbirds crushed the Well Hung Jury 12 to
0.

Ramirez had a good day at the plate. He doubled in the 2nd inning, doubled
plating a run in the 2nd inning, banged out a single in the 4th inning and
lifted one out of the park for a two run home run (his 3rd of the season) in
the 6th inning. Vero Beach had 14 hits overall, while Well Hung had 2.

Danks(2-0) allowed no runs in 7 and 1/3 innings, and picked up the victory.
The left-handed Danks had his no-hit bid broken up by Ronnie Belliard who
singled with nobody out in the 7th inning. Jesse Litsch(0-2) was the loser.
He was knocked around pretty good, giving up 9 runs in 2 innings.

Scores For Games Played Last Night

DATE VIS  R  H  E  HOME R  H  E INN  WIN                   LOSS
----- ------------  ------------ ---  --------------------  -------------------
 4/ 7 HAM  8 14  0  VER  3  8  1      R.Harden (2-0)        B.Sheets (0-1)
 4/ 8 HAM  6 12  0  VER  4  9  1      G.Geary (1-0)         C.Zambrano (0-1)
 4/ 9 VER  3 11  1  HAM  1  6  0      H.Kuroda (1-0)        T.Wakefield (1-1)
 4/10 VER  8 10  0  HAM  6 11  1      J.Danks (1-0)         S.Kazmir (0-1)

DATE VIS  R  H  E  HOME R  H  E INN  WIN                   LOSS
----- ------------  ------------ ---  --------------------  -------------------
  5/17 WEL  3  6  1  BOS  8 12  0      J.Peavy (1-1)         J.Duchschere (0-1)
 5/18 WEL  6  6  0  BOS  7 12  1      J.Guthrie (1-1)       S.Olsen (0-1)
 5/19 BOS  7 15  0  WEL 13 16  0      M.Rivera (1-0)        B.Fuentes (0-1)
 5/20 BOS  8 13  1  WEL  3  4  0      F.Hernandez (2-0)     J.Litsch (0-1)

My Team - Boston Challengers are 4-4 Through 8 games

click on a player to get his splits Boston Challengers (BOS) Batting
Name	BAVG	GM	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	HB	SH	SB	CS
A Pujols A Huff D Span N Markakis R Vazquez C Jackson A Cabrera S Choo M Mora J Wilson M Napoli B Giles V Martinez J Cust	.419 .400 .387 .364 .333 .333 .300 .273 .200 .192 .129 .125 .000 .000	8 8 8 8 7 3 8 7 3 8 8 7 2 5	31 25 31 33 27 3 10 22 5 26 31 8 1 5	6 6 1 9 4 1 2 6 1 2 3 1 0 0	13 10 12 12 9 1 3 6 1 5 4 1 0 0	3 1 1 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0	0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0	1 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0	4 13 1 3 3 0 4 0 0 2 8 0 1 0	6 2 1 4 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 0	3 2 1 7 5 0 3 6 0 1 11 2 0 1	0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0	0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Boston Challengers (BOS) Pitching
Name	ERA	W	L	PCT	G	GS	CG	SH	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
J Devine J Carlson L Nunez F Francisco F Hernandez J Arredondo J Peavy A Cook J Guthrie B Fuentes G Balfour	0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.80 3.18 4.38 6.55 7.45 13.50 16.20	0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0	0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0	.000 .000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 .500 .000 .500 .000 .000	4 6 4 4 2 3 2 2 2 5 5	0 0 0 0 2 0 2 2 2 0 0	0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	2.1 6.0 2.1 2.1 10.0 5.2 12.1 11.0 9.2 4.0 3.1	1 2 0 2 9 3 8 15 10 3 6	0 0 0 0 5 2 6 8 8 6 6	0 0 0 0 2 2 6 8 8 6 6	0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 3 0 1	2 1 2 2 6 1 3 4 6 4 4	5 7 3 3 4 4 9 6 6 3 4

Standings and Leaders

Click here for the leaders

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Hampton Wins First Series

Hampton was the first team to win a series this tournament and came very close to the $20 bonus that will be given to anybody that sweeps my team (Boston) in a 4 game series. After Hampton won the first game behind the shutout pitching of Rich Harden 3-0 they went on to win game 2 at home 7-4. Game 3 was a lot closer but Hampton came out on top 4-3 at Boston. In the finale Boston scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and that was enough as Boston avoids the sweep with a 7-2 win.

Here are box scores for games 2, 3 and 4. The Box Score for game 1 is posted in the previous post.

Game 2 Box Score
Game 3 Box Score
Game 4 Box Score

Game Update - The Series between New Jersey and Chatanooga is underway. The last report has the series tied 1 game each after 2 games.