Gio Gonzalez' No-Hitter

#14 Phightin's upset #3 Nats in 4 games

Game #1  Phillies 5 Nationals 3

Nationals Park

Nola vs Scherzer

Baseball is known by its long season and the Phillies and Nationals started out on the journey by opening the season with a 14-inning marathon.  The Nationals took off like a hare in the bottom of the first inning scoring three times against Nola on a Daniel Murphy shot to right centerfield.   The lead would hold up as both starters shut down the offenses for the next 4 innings.  In the top of the 6^th the tortoise, in the form of the Phillies offense, caught back up to the tiring Nats with 3 runs of their own off of Scherzer on a walk, two singles, a double and a sacrifice fly. For the next 7 innings, no team could push anyone over the plate as both teams went to the pen many times with both team narrowly escaping scoring threats multiple times between the 9^th and 14^th innings.  Using their 11^th pitcher of the day (good thing we had 40 man rosters), in the top of the 14^th Joe Blanton yielded the game winner in the form of a two run shot by Rhys Hoskins to put this one on ice for the Phils.

Game #2  Nationals 7 Phillies 0  (Near Perfect Game for Gio Conzalez)

Nationals Park

Hellickson vs Gonzalez

The story of game 2….Gio Gonzalez comes within 1 walk of a perfect game and the Nationals offense finds it swagger.  Gonzalez was untouchable on this day and except for a walk to Phillies catcher Rupp in the top of the 3rd inning no other Phillies reached base.  (Note: This is my second no-hitter in DKS!).  The national scored all the runs they would need on Michael Taylors RBI double in the bottom of the inning as Trea Turner scored all the way from first, narrowly beating the throw home by Phillies leftfielder Hoskins. Over the next two innings the Nationals would get to Hellickson for 5 more runs before adding another in the 7^th.  A tired Gonzalez struggled a bit in the 9^th, but held the Phillies in check for the no-hitter, giving the Nationals pen a breather after the 14 inning game the night before.

Game #3  Phillies 4 Nationals 2

Citizens Bank Park

Strasburg vs Eickoff

With the series tied at 1 each another nail biter was on tap for the Philly Phans.  The nationals broke out with a 2-1 lead after three.  IN the middle three innings, the pitching on both sides shut the offenses down and heading into the bottom of the 8^th the game was still 2-1 Nationals.  A tiring Strasburg was pulled by Manager Nixon in the 7^th as Matt Albers continued the pitching dominance in the 7^th.  In the 8^th  Madson came in to get the first out before yielding 2 singles.  Manager Nixon went to the pen again calling on lefty Sammy Solis…demonstrating the wisdom of the move for all, firstbaseman Tommy Joseph slammed a Solis pitch deep down the left filed line for a  three one homer and all the runs the Phils would need to put this one on ice and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game #4  Phillies 6 Nationals 2

Citizens Bank Park

Roark vs Velasquez

Wishing to wrap up the series without needing to go back to the nation’s capital, the Phillies wasted no time getting to Nationals starter Tanner Roark.  Hitting 4 homeruns on the day, the Nationals were never in this one as their noted pitching was slammed by the Phillie sluggers.  In the meantime, the Phils pitching could do no wrong.  The Nationals  wouldn’t get a hit of their own until the 5^th (by then tailing 5-0) and would only score their two runs on Michael Taylors second home run of the series in the top of the 6^th before they were shut out the rest of the way. For the most part this was a great and exciting series.  Most of the games were close and competitive all the way.  Dave, in his rookie KOD season, managed the Phils masterfully and kept the Nationals off balance for all but the one game Gonzalez pitched.  Phillie pitchers would made noted Nationals artillery
Bryce Harper (.063), and Michael Taylor (.167) look like popguns throughout.

Good luck to Dave and the Phils in the next round!

--submitted by Mark Nixon--

#5 Twins sweep #12 O's

I can’t thank Chris enough for making things so easy to get these games scheduled and then played.

Game 1 – BAL 1 MIN 2

Game 1 of the set matched up Dylan Bundy and Ervin Santana.  They did not disappoint.  Trey Mancini got the Orioles started with a solo home run in the 3rd inning.  Dylan Bundy was effective shutting out the Twins through six.  Unfortunately, he went out to the mound for the 7th inning.  After a walk and a couple of singles, Bundy got touched up for a sacrifice fly.  Mychal Givens was summoned from the bullpen to keep the score tied with just one out……and he delivered a strike out!  Only it got past the catcher and Jorge Polanco scampered (a word only used in sports) home for the go ahead run.  The Twins got good work from their bullpen to lock down the final two innings, with Kintzler earning a save.  This was a tightly contested, well-pitched game which seemed to foreshadow a close series. 

Game 2 - BAL 2 MIN 3

Looking to even up the series, Baltimore got out of the gates fast, scoring 2-out runs in each of the first 2 innings.  Adams Jones drove home Seth Smith with a single to get the scoring started.  Mark Trumbo hit a solo HR in the 2nd.  The Twins picked up a run in the 4th with a 2-out run of their own.  Byron Buxton doubled home Eddie Rosario.  Kevin Gausman pitched well for the Orioles but was lifted in the 6th inning, having thrown 95 pitches.  For the Twins, Jose Berrios was effective after those early hiccups, striking out 9 in 6.1 innings.  The Orioles took their one-run lead all the way to the 9th inning where they saw the Twins get to their bullpen.  Four singles plated two runs to give the Twins the home victory.  Buxton drove in the tying run, while Dozier singled home the winner.    Eddie Rosario was the standout offensive performer for the victorious Twins, going 3 for 4 and scoring 2 runs.

Game 3 - MIN 7 BAL 5

The series shifted to Baltimore as the Orioles, and started Wade Miley, hoped to push the series to a fourth game.  The Twins countered with Kyle Gibson.  The Orioles looked up to the challenge, getting 2 runs in the first.  They added solo runs in the 3rd and 4th to build a 4-0 lead.  The Twins bounced back with 3 runs in the 6th inning, sending 8 men to the plate.  This put the ball in the hands of the shaky Orioles bullpen to get nine outs and hold onto the 1-run lead.   Danny Santana (don’t the Twins always have a Santana?) drove in 2 runs in the 7th and Orioles never caught up.  The Twins tacked on solo home runs in the 8th by Polanco and in the 9th by Miguel Sano.  The Twins advance to take on the Red Sox in the AL half of the bracket.  Polanco was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs in game 3, giving him a .625 batting average for the three-game series.

--Report by Steve Roman--

Seattle (#9) Defeats LAA (#8) in 4

Game 1: Paxton vs Ramirez

Seattle drew first blood as Mike Zunino hit a home run in the top of the first. Neither team got much offense after that until Mike Trout hit a solo blast to tie the game in the bottom of the 4^th (spoiler alert: Mr Trout will be heard from again). In the top of the 6^th, the Mariners strung together three straight singles to ultimately plate 2 runs, giving them a 3-1 lead that held up until the bottom of the 9^th. With Mariners’ closer Edwin Diaz on the mound, Mike Trout hit his 2^nd home run of the game to make it 3-2 before Diaz struck out Eric Young Jr. to ice the win.

Game 2: E. Ramirez vs Bridwell

Mariners got on the board early in this game as well, as a Mitch Haniger solo home run as well as two singles and a walk in the top of the second gave Seattle a 3-0 lead. This lead wasn’t threatened until the bottom of the 5^th when Angels’ Kole Calhoun and Caleb Cowart both singled to start the inning. Seattle brought in reliever Nick Vincent to quench the fire, and the score remained 3-0 until the bottom of the 9^th. The first four Mariners reached base in the 9^th, requiring Edwin Diaz to make another appearance. With the bases loaded, Diaz induced Martin Maldonado into a double play and the Mariners held on to win 3-1.

Game 3: F. Hernandez vs Shoemaker

Angels plated 2 runs in the top of the first, as Trout hit his third homer of the series. No more scoring until the fourth, when Albert Pujols hit a two run blast to put the Angels up 4-0. Zunino got the Mariners within two with a homer in the bottom of the inning, but the Angels would go on to score two runs in each of the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th to put the game out of reach. Pujols contributed his second homer of the game in the 7^th as part of the barrage, as the Mariners went on to win 10-4.

Game 4: Leake vs Skaggs

In a well-pitched game, runs were once again hard to come by. Andrellton Simmons drove home Camerin Maybin in the op of the 3^rd, but Seattle’s Kyle Seager hit a two run shot in the bottom of the 4^th to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. The lead didn’t hold up for long, as the Angels tied the game in the top  of the 5^th. Game remained knotted at 2-2 until the bottom of the 8^th, when Mitch Haniger hit a sac fly to plate Tyler Motter with the go ahead run for the Mariners. Trusty closer Edwin Diaz again trotted in from the bullpen. Kole Calhoun singled and after an error advanced to 2^nd base with no outs. Ben Revere grounded out, but Calhoun advanced to 3^rd on the play. With only one out and the tying run 90 feet away, tension was high. However, Cliff Pennington and Justin Upton both grounded out and the Mariners won the game and the series.

--submitted by Bill Schneider--

#11 Padres Sweep #6 Brewers in 3 games

Miller Field
GAME 1
Chachin vs Anderson
Padres 7, Brewers 1 (11 inn)

Chachin and Anderson were both locked in an opening round pitcher's duel.  Unfortunately this is 2017 and not 1967, where pitchers kept going till they falter.  Both gents punched the clock and their shift was completed after 6 innings.  Then it became a battle of the bullpen, which the Brewcrew wound up losing.  In the 8th J.Barnes gave up a lead off triple to Spangenberger, who scored on a 3-6-3 DP off of Solarte's bat.  The game remained deadlocked until the top of the 11th when the Friars unleashed a 6 run barrage on a trio of ineffective relievers named:  C.Torres, Knebel (didn't even register an out), and Feliz.  If you were watching from home and you were a Brewer fan you could have shut your TV off when Dusty Coleman hit a grand slam off supposed closer Knebel.  SD added two more insurance runs to put the game totally out of reach, which made the final score look like a blowout and not a nail biter.
Padres lead series 1-0

GAME 2

Richard vs Nelson
Padres 8, Brewers 6

San Diego once again triumphs over the Brewcrew in a game that saw the lead change hands 5 times.  After scoring 2 in the top of the 8th to extend their lead to 7-3 the Friars thought this game was all but in the bag.  Someone forgot to tell reliever Maton that it was "fait accompli".  Maton gave up a one out 3 run blast to Aguilar to make it a one run game after 8.  With little margin for error the Friars got a much coveted insurance run off the bat of one Wil Myers in the form of a 355 foot blast.  Hand came on to get the save in the 9th, but not before pinch hitter Hernan Perez hit a blast that settled into Pirela's glove just before the left field wall.
Padres lead series 2-0

Petco Park
GAME 3
Davies vs Lamet
Padres 5, Brewers 2 (10 inn)

With one out in the bottom of the 5th Margot blasted a 2 run shot off of Davies to give the Padres a 3-0 lead.  The brooms were out in full force as the hometown fans and the US Marines on loan from Camp Pendleton were cheering louder than a B-52 on takeoff.  The Brewcrew, with their backs up against the wall, decided to fight back by scoring solo runs in the 6th and 8th to make it a 1 run game.  After Padre reliever Buchter got Pina to ground to 3rd and Braun to fly weakly to left the crowd rose to their feet to celebrate their impending sweep.  With the count 2-2 on Perez everyone was looking for the final punch out to close out the series in grand fashion.  Instead Perez launched one deep into the night to tie the game at 3 all.  The silence was now deafening.  The home team failed to score in the bottom of the 9th, despite the fact that they had runners on 1st and 2nd.  Milwaukee thought they had a rally going when Neil Walker worked out a leadoff walk, but Thames grounded into a tailor made 3-6-3 DP to quell that possible rally.  Solarte led off the bottom of the 10th with a double off the RF wall.  Torres, the loser in game 1, was brought on to pitch to catcher Sanchez, who botched a bunt and Solarte was tagged out at 3rd.  Renfroe lined out to 3rd for the second out and the Brewers had reason to believe they were headed to the 11th.  Cory Spangenberg stepped to the plate with reasons of his own.  On a 1-0 pitch from Torres Spangenberg got just enough wood on the ball to drop it 324 feet down the right field line for a walk off series clinching homer.
Padres win series 3-0

Special congrats to Joey, who knew his Friars were much better than an 29th pick overall.  He wanted this team even before we drafted and he kept checking in with me to see if anyone picked them.  This dude had a sixth sense about them!  3 great games that could have gone either way, but the Padres had the mojo and that's important in sport.  I felt bad that I could only get my friend Brett Phillips' son (appropriately named Brett) into just 1 game in the series.  I expect to see "Maverick" play a lot for Milwaukee in 2018 where he can show off his canon for an arm in the OF.

Mets (#12) sweep three games against Colorado (#5)

Game 1  Coors Field

Mets 13 Rockies 9

A typical Coors Field game as the teams combine for 22 runs, 31 hits and 5 HRs. Rockies took a 3-0 lead in the second on a Lucroy HR against Mets ace Jacob DeGrom. Mets came right back with a huge 6 run inning in the third against Jon Gray. New York sent 9 men to the plate in the frame and had 4 hits and 2 walks. Cespedes drove in 2 with a single and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a 3 run HR to break a 3-3 tie. Mets added to the lead with 2 more in the 4^th and 1 in the 5^th and led 9-4 after 5 as DeGrom settled down. He left after 6 innings, giving up 5 runs and 10 hits while striking out 8 as he got the victory.

Mets led 13-5 going to the 9^th when the Rockies scored four off Tyler Pill, including a 2 run HR by Nolan Arenado.

Jose Reyes was 3-5 in the leadoff slot for the Mets plus a walk. Bruce had a HR and 3 RBIs. De Grom helped his own cause going 3-3. For the Rockies, leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon was 4-5 and Lucroy was 3-4 with 4 RBIs.

Game 2  Coors Field

Mets 10 Rockies 8

Another wild game in Colorado as the Mets win the pivotal match with a come from behind

win.  Yoenis Cespedes hit a 2 run HR off Kyle Freeland in the first inning to put the Mets ahead 2-0. Freeland was sensational after that, holding the Mets without an additional run through 6 until tiring in the 7^th. Meanwhile, Colorado stormed back with 2 in the first to tie it and then went ahead with one in the third and two in the third -as Trevor Story homered to break the tie and then had an RBI single.

In the 7^th, the Mets finally got to Freeland as Jay Bruce hit a solo HR and Cabrera singled in a run to make it 6-4 as Freeland was replaced by McGee.

The Rockies took a 7-4 lead into the 9^th and then the roof caved in on them. After Pat Neshek pitched a scoreless 8^th, manager Falzone brought in Greg Holland to close it out. Holland did not have it today. Michael Conforto led off with a HR to make it 7-5. Then pinch hitter Aoki singled. After a walk to Cabrera, Walker lined out but Holand then walked Duda to load the bass for Cespedes. The Mets slugger nearly hit it out as Desmond caught it in deep left with Aoki tagging up and scoring to make it 7-6. Now 2 out and runners on 1^st and 2d. Wilmer Flores hits a grounder back to the mound but Holland misplays it and the bases are loaded again – this time for Jay Bruce. Bruce hit it deep to right and RF Tapia got there in time but could not hold on to the ball. The error allowed two runs to score and the Mets took the lead 8-7. Brandon Nimmo then pinch hit a double driving in two more to make it 10-7.

Addison Reed came on to close it out in the bottom of the 9^th and while he gave up a solo HR to Mark Reynolds, he was otherwise perfect as the Mets had an error-aided comeback win. Holland took the loss giving up 6 runs in the fateful 9^th, four of them unearned.

The teams combined for 30 hits in this one, 19 by Colorado. Cabrera had 3 for the Mets. For the Rockies, Lucroy was 4-5 and LeMahieu 3-4. Lucroy is hitting .778 through two games.

Game 3  Citi Field

Mets 2 Rockies 0

The scene shifts to Citi Field and the hitting barrage ends. Seth Lugo and three Mets relievers combine for a 6 hit shutout, as Lugo goes 7 1/3 and Reed pitches a perfect 9^th for his second save in as many days. Tyler Chatwood was the hard luck loser. After he pitched three perfect innings, Jose Reyes got things started in the fourth with a bunt single. Reyes then stole second, on a pitch out no less and came in to score on a Neil Walker single. In the 5^th, Cabrera led off with a double and then took third on a wild pitch by Chatwood who then threw a second wild pitch allowing Cabrera to score. The two runs were all the Mets got and all they needed as the Rockies went down to defeat quietly.

--submitted by Alan Raylesberg--

Cubs (#2) out last determined San Francisco (#15) 3 games to 1

Game 1        Cubs 4 Giants 3

Madison Bumgarner vs Jake Arrieta

Close game thru out as Cubs added single runs in the 2^nd & 4^th innings to stake a 2-0 lead however

The Giants put up 3 runs to take the lead Cubs tie it in 7^th and a Kris Bryant SF in the bottom of the 9^th gave the home team a win. Edwards got the Win Kontos  took the loss

Game 2        Giants 6 Cubs 1

Jeff Smardjia pitched 7 inning strong innings allowing only 4 hits while striking out 10 in a overpowering performance. Hunter Pence went 3 for 4 Jose Quintana took the loss 5 IP 8 H 2 ER 1 BB 4 K

Game 3        Cubs 3 Giants 2

Cubs scored 3 in the 1^st on 3 walks and 2 singles and made it hold up the entire nine innings as they ^st to post 6 IP 6 H 3 ER 4 W 3 K and took the loss,  Posey and Panik each collected 2 hits

eked Out a 3 -2 win. Kyle Hendricks went 6 2/3 scattering 3 hits and allowing 2 earned runs 2 walks and 7 K’s to get the win.  Cueto settled down after a wild 1

Game 4         Cubs 10 Giants 6

In the biggest offensive game of the series the Cubs took the lead for good in the after SF had put up 5 runs in the bottom of the to take a 6-4 lead however a 2 run HR by Almora tied it in the 6^th and Wilson Contreras knocked in 3 with a 2 run double  in the 7^th and  solo HR in the ninth, which proved to be the difference.  Almora, Rizzo & Willson Contreras had 3 hits a piece for the Cubs and Brandon Belt had 2 RBI’s for SF.

Many thanks to Larry Reeves for his time and hosting of this series

--submitted by Pat Mitchell--

Second Upset...Jays (11) over Rays (6) in 4

Game 1
Toronto at Tampa Bay
Stroman vs Archer

Carrera leads off with a walk to start the game. Donaldson doubles scoring Carrera. This was the only run in the game. Marcus Stroman goes 7 innings for the win and was named MVP , Loup goes 1 1/3 innings to hold the lead strikes out Morrison in the 9th and then hands the ball over to Osuna. Longoria singles but Osuna causes Souza and Beckham to ground out for the save.
Toronto 1 Tampa Bay 0 - Toronto leads the series 1-0.

Game 2
Toronto at Tampa Bay
Estrada vs Cobb

Similar to game 1 but it occurs in the 3rd. Carrera walks but then steals 2nd and Donaldson singles to score him. Tampa replies as Romas singles, Hechavarria Singles with 1 out, Dickerson singles loading the bases. Morrison hits a sacrifice fly tying the game. In the 4th Tulowitzki doubles Hernandez walks, Goins sacrifice bunts advancing the runners to 2nd and 3rd. A single by Carrera puts the Blue Jays up 2-1. A solo home run by Beckham in the bottom of the 4th ties it at 2. Carrera leads the 7th off with a single. With 2 out Smoak singles, Pearce singles loading the bases, Tulowitzki gets his second double scoring 2 playing agressively they send Pearce home but is tagged out. Toronto up 4-2. Toronto goes to the bullpen to silence Tampa hitters allowing only 2 singles as Tepera gets the win on two innings of work, Campos held the lead and Osuna gets his 2nd save. Troy Tulowitzki is MVP was 4 for 4.
Toronto 4 Tampa Bay 2 - Toronto leads the series 2-0

Game 3
Tampa Bay at Toronto
Snell vs Happ

Toronto did everthing you shouldn't do in the 1st inning Errors by Martin, Donaldson and Travis allows 3 of the first 4 batters on base loading them up. A double by Dickerson gives Tampa a 2-0 lead. Toronto claws back. Donaldson doubles to start the 4th, Travis singles making the score 2-1. In the 5th Smoak homers tying it at 2. In the 6th Urena singles, Bautista walks and Martin singles scoring Urena making it 3-2 Toronto. Beckham leads off the 7th with a solo home run off of Dermody. A single to Ramos  who then scores on a Dickerson double. Tampa back up 4-3. In the 9th Souza cranks a solo home run off Barnes making it 5-3 Tampa. Travis leads off with a Double and advances to third with 1 out, scores on a Tulowitzki ground out. Colme strikes out Pearce for the save and Cishek gets the win. Dickerson is MVP going 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs. Tampa Bay wins 5-4. Toronto leads the series 2 games to 1.

Game 4

Tampa Bay at Toronto
Odorizzi vs Sanchez

A solo home run with two out by Longoria gives Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning. Jose' Bautista who missed games 2 and 3 with injury responds with his own lead off home run in the 5th. Tied after 5.  Three straight walks given by Odorizzi o lead off the 6th sends him to the showers. Hunter comes in to clean up the mess. It almost worked to a tee as the next three go down but Donaldson scores on a Tulowitzki sacrifice fly. Toronto up 2-1 after 7. In the top of the 9th Leone who has given up no hits in 2 1/3 innings gives up a solo home run to Morrison who ties it at 2. We go into extra innings. In the bottom if the 10th Goins leads off with a double to the wall down the first base line off of Colome.  Morales pops up. Pillar is intentionally walked. Jennings comes into pitch Travis singles up the middle and Goins moves to 3rd and Pillar to 2nd. Cishek comes into pitch and walks Donaldson scoring the winning run. Game MVP Jose Bautista, Winning pitcher Ramirez and Toronto wins the series 3 games to 1.

Joe called a great series but the bounces didn't go his way as Toronto pitchers came through in the clutch.
--submitted by Chiz--

Round 1 - #15 Detroit upsets #2 New York (AL) in 4

2017-18 Holiday Festival Round 1

AL #2 Seed – New York Yankees (91-71)

AL #15 Seed – Detroit Tigers (64-98)

GAME 1 @ Yankee Stadium

Michael Fulmer (10-12, 3.83 ERA) vs Luis Severino (14-6, 2.98 ERA)

Detroit wins 1-0 in 14 innings

WP – Warwick Saupold (1-0) – 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB

LP – Tyler Clippard (0-1) – 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB

SV- none

HR- Alex Avila (1)

MVP – Michael Fulmer (9.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K, No Decision)

Michael Fulmer (9.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K) and Luis Severino (6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 10 K) were both on their games to kick off the series.  Fulmer used the double play ball to get himself out of 4 innings and to keep his pitch count low enough to allow him to stick around until the 10th inning.  Severino allowed just 2 walks before exiting in the 7th without allowing a hit.  The Yankee bullpen put up 7 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts to keep the game tied heading to the 14th.  But Alex Avila (1-4, R, RBI, HR, 2 BB)) hit a lead off HR in the 14th off Luis Cessa and that run would stand up as the Tigers stole game 1 of the series.  The Yankees would hit into 6 double plays for the game and despite going 14 innings and not scoring the Yanks had just 2 men left on base for the game.   Warwick Saupold pitched the final inning and two-thirds without allowing a run or hit to pick up the win for Detroit.

GAME 2 @ Yankee Stadium

Justin Verlander (10-8, 3.82 ERA) vs CC Sabathia (14-5, 3.69 ERA)

Detroit wins 6-2

WP – Justin Verlander (1-0) – 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K

LP – CC Sabathia (0-1) – 6 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 5 K

SV- none

HR- Aaron Judge (1)

MVP – Justin Upton (3-4, R, RBI, 2 2B)

After 14 innings and only 1 run, both teams scored in the 1st inning of this one.  But it was the Tigers that built off the early momentum by adding 4 more runs in the 4th to the 2 they scored in the first.  The Yankees would score 1 in the 5th but would not be able to get any closer as the Tigers sent the Yankee faithful home with nothing to cheer for.  Justin Wilson (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K) was specatacular in relief of Verlander to nail down the game 2 win for the visitors.

GAME 3 @ Comerica Park

Matt Boyd (6-11, 5.27 ERA) vs Sonny Gray (4-7, 3.72 ERA)

NY Yankees win 8-2

WP – Sonny Gray (1-0) – 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K

LP – Matt Boyd (0-1) – 5 IP 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

SV- none

HR- Chris Carter (1), JD Martinez (1)

MVP – Chris Carter (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR)

The visitors continued their dominance in this series as the Yankees stayed alive in Detroit.  The middle of the Yankee order was the difference with Gary Sanchez (3-4, 2 RBI, 2B), Did Gregorius (2-5, RBI), and Starlin Castro (2-4, R, RBI, BB, 2B) pacing the offense.  Adam Warren (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K) recorded some big outs in the 6th and 7th to keep the Tigers from smelling a comeback and Luis Cessa recorded the final 6 outs to close it out.

GAME 4 @ Comerica Park

Jordan Zimmerman (8-13, 6.08 ERA) vs Masahiro Tanaka (13-12, 4.74 ERA))

Detroit wins 4-2 and wins series 3 games to 1

WP – Jordan Zimmerman (5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K

LP – Masahiro Tanaka (5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 7 K

SV- Shane Greene (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K)

HR- Greg Bird (1), Nick Castellanos (1)

MVP – Nick Castellanos (1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR)

With a chance to close out the series, the Tigers put a 3 spot up in the first inning thanks to a 2 run HR by Nick Castellanos.  Detroit handed the ball to Jordan Zimmerman for the game with the hope that the former top of the staff pitcher could give them 5 innings and give them a chance.  Zimmerman turned back the clock allowing just 1 run thru 5 strong innings and had reason to be upset when the ball was handed over to the bullpen in the 6th.   With a 4-1 lead in the 6th, Warwick Saupold allowed a long HR to Greg Bird that gave the Yanks a little life.  But Justin Wilson (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K) came in for 7 outs and Shane Greene closed the game and the series out with a 1-2-3 9th inning.  Jose Iglesias notched 3 hits, including 2 doubles and scored 2 runs for the lead off spot to spark the Tigers offense.

The Tigers were fortunate to get past a tough Yankees squad coached by Michael Hopcroft.  It is not often that a team that hits .190 over 4 games comes out victorious but with a staff ERA of 2.30 paired with some timely hits, the Tigers had the winning formula.

SERIES MVP – Justin Wilson – 2 Games, 5 Innings, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 1 Walk, 9 Strikeouts. 

--Submitted by Peter Daly--