Week 18, 08/17/08 Double Headers (makeups from week 3)
Red Sox 9 Cardinals 7 and Red Sox 2 Cardinals 1
Rookie Eric Cormier collected a save in Game 1 and a complete game victory in Game 2 as the Ashland
Red Sox swept the Hudson Cardinals to grab a share of first place in the American League.
The Red Sox (11-7) finish the regular season tied with the Worcester White Sox (11-7) and
the Framingham Orioles (10-6). For the playoff seedings, the Orioles will be awarded first
place, proving the old adage that less is more. The Red Sox -- with a better division record
-- win the tiebreaker over the White Sox for second place.
The Cardinals (11-5) finish in second place in the National League. They will face the Maynard
Dodgers in the first round.
Game 1
Red Sox 9
Cardinals 7
Momentum exchanged hands several times in Game 1 until Eric Cormier came on in the sixth inning
and promptly struck out the final five batters to end all excitement.
Cormier inherited a base runner and an 8-7 lead, stranding the former and maintaining the
latter. The ex-Red Sox farmhand from Milford looked nasty for the second week in a row --
deploying a hard fastball, salient curve, and occasional forkball to baffle the Hudson five.
Previously Sox starter Steve Saraceno had pitched a tad better than seven Cardinal runs
(four unearned) might indicate. Four errors and some missed chances from the left side of the
infield helped turn a 2-1 Sox lead into a 4-2 deficit in the 5th, and to reduce an 8-4 Sox
lead to 8-7 in the sixth.
"A good pitcher is like a riverboat gambler," said Saraceno somewhat obscurely afterwards. "He
works with the cards he's dealt. I almost got out of that jam in the fifth -- I threw perhaps my
best pitch of the year, a two-strike cutter that painted the outside corner on Tom Langmeyer. But
glory be, he went with it and doubled down the line. Sometimes you just get trumped, that's all."
Trumping Cards starter Langmeyer in the fifth were the seven aces of the Ashland order:
leftfielder Paul Murphy, rightfielder Brian Farrell, centerfielder John Badaracco (RBI double),
catcher Brent McKenzie, third baseman Mike Donfrancesco (key triple), first baseman Steve Triveri
(2-for-2 in the game), and shortstop Mike Auren (double, 2-for-2). Their flurry gave the Sox an
8-4 lead which, with Cormier's help, they never relinquished.
In the second inning Ashland's Steve Southard collected his first hit since returning from
offseason open-heart surgery -- a typical line drive that plated two and gave the Sox their
early lead.
Leading the Hudson attack were Jeremy Ames (2-for-3), Wade Krejdovsky (2-for-3, big triple in the
6th), and Langmeyer (double on the cutter).
Game 2
Red Sox 2
Cardinals 1
Eric Cormier took front stage again in Game 2. Not only did the righthander shut down the Cards
with a complete game 6-hitter -- he contributed his second-game winning RBI in two weeks.
"In the minors they always used a DH for him," said Sox manager Saraceno. "So these last few
weeks have been Eric's first at-bats since high school. Maybe I should take a fifteen year rest."
The nightcap turned out to be one of those surprising MetroWest League pitching duels -- rare
as a mowed field in August. Cards starter Anothony Lamonica nearly matched Cormier strikeout
for strikeout (10 to 9). No runs scored until the third, when Sox rightfielder Chris Cronin
singled and moved to third on a two-out single to right by second baseman Bobby Modica. Saraceno,
running for Modica, deliberately strolled off first base, looking to get hung up. Lamonica balked.
Cronin crossed for the first run.
Ashland played small ball again in the fifth. With two out Steve Southard (2-for-3 on the day)
singled. Centerfielder Paul Murphy pinch ran, promptly stealing second. Then Cormier helped his
cause with a broken-backed liner to center, plating the speedy Murphy.
Carefully nursing that two-run lead into the seventh, Cormier tired slightly. The tall righthander
had already pitched two innings in Game 1 for the save. Now working his ninth inning of the
day, he allowed a leadoff single to number eleven batter Brian Rodriguez. Then with one out Matt
Finnegan singled to left. The ball briefly eluded the charging Brian Farrell, and when his throw to
second got away, Finnegan broke for second. First baseman Steve Triveri gunned him down easily.
But one Cardinal run had scored. Two out now, third baseman Matt Sandock kept hopes alive with a
walk. Then Wade Krejdovsky (3-for-6 on the day) singled.
"At that point I thought about taking Cormier out," said Sox manager Saraceno. "Of course I
wasn't crazy enough to actually say anything."
Cormier induced Ray Sullivan to ground to short and the long sunny day of perfect baseball
weather was over.
Sox offensive stars for the doubleheader included shortstop Michael Auren (3-for-4, two doubles),
Farrell (2-for-4), Southard (2-for-3), and Triveri (2-for-4). The Cards attack was led by Jeremy
Ames (3-for-4) and Krejdovsky (3-for-6).
White Sox 12 Braves 11 and Braves 6 White Sox 3
The Braves and White Sox split a doubleheader on Sunday. The White Sox took the opener 12-11
while the Braves bounced back with a 6-3 win in the nightcap.
In game 1, the Braves, who had built a nice lead with some timely hitting and baserunning,
absolutely let down Braves starter Rich Moran who pitched a great game. Braves outfielders
time and time again had trouble with the wind and sun and made Moran get extra outs most innings.
After the floodgates opened and the Braves went down 12-7 in the last inning, the Braves showed
fire and plated 4 runs and had the winning runs on base before Sox starter Matt Mckeon got the
final out. Moran was completely let down by his defense. Raul Matos of the Braves delivered a
key hit in the last inning to mount the almost comeback.
The Braves bounced back in game 2 with a solid 6-3 win and played much better defense. Jim
Callaghan earned his 6th win of the year with 7 innings of 3 run ball with no walks. Callaghan
also delivered the big hit with a 2 run gap shot when the game was tied at 3. McKeon was the
ironman for the day for the Sox as he went the distance in the nightcap as well pitching very
well. Dale Bickford and Mike Pietiella were on base all day for the 3-4-5 combo of Callaghan,
Mike Ensley and John Fantasia who all garnered multiple RBI's in the doubleheader.
Phillies 8 Orioles 3 and Phillies 7 Orioles 2
No recaps available.
Tigers 6 Dodgers 5 and Dodgers 4 Tigers 0
No recaps available.
Cubs 5 Indians 2 and Cubs 8 Indians 5
No recaps available.
Mariners 6 Brewers 3 and Mariners 5 Brewers 2
No recaps available.
Week 17, 08/10/08
Red Sox 4 Phillies 3
Ninth inning, two outs, two strikes. Tying run at third, lead run at second.
Phillies manager Rick Huckins at the plate. Red Sox manager Steve Saraceno on the mound.
Earlier in the game Huckins had lined a fastball back through the box. Now catcher Brent McKenzie deliberates. He calls for a third straight curveball.
Huckins nails it. Saraceno flinches. The ball's in his glove.
Sox win.
The game had started comfortably for Ashland (after beating Framingham 3-2 in the morning half of the doubleheader). Four batters into the order, third baseman Mike Donfrancesco homered over the Ashland fence in left-center to put the Sox up 2-0.
But then Phillies' starter Huckins settled in. Medway took advantage of Ashland fielding miscues to score single runs in the third and fourth, tying the game at 2-2. It stayed that way till the last of the seventh, when a two-out single by Sox centerfielder John Badaracco plated two.
Saraceno carried the 4-2 lead into the ninth. But another error by the Sox infield opened the door again. With one out, Walter Romig doubled to make it 4-3 with runners on second and third. Saraceno induced the next batter Paul Watson to ground to short, runners holding -- thus setting the stage for the managerial summit.
"It was fine drama," said Saraceno afterwards. "One of those strikes I got on Rick came after he called 'time' but the home plate umpire (Jules Osyf) declined to grant it. That's like a free pitch in that situation. Luckily I got it over."
Assisting Badaracco and Donfrancesco in the Red Sox cause were first baseman Steve Triveri (2-for-4, two walks in the doubleheader), shortstop Michael Auren (two doubles), and Carl Hakansson (2-for-4 on the day).
Lefthanded slugger Walter Briller (2-for-3, double) and Romig (2-for-3, double) led the Medway attack.
The Phils turned a triple play in the second inning. Their centerfielder snagged a Saraceno blooper and proceeded to double off two baserunners.
"Some players never hit into a triple play their whole careers," Saraceno said afterwards. "I feel honored."
Red Sox 3 Orioles 2
No recap available.
White Sox 7 Tigers 1
No recap available.
Indians 13 Mariners 7
No recap available.
Dodgers 8 Brewers 3
No recap available.
Cubs 9 Phillies 1
No recap available.
Cardinals 10 Braves 7
No recap available.
Week 16, 08/03/08
White Sox 8 Red Sox 2
The Worcester White Sox solidified their hold on second place in the American League with a solid
thumping of the Ashland Red Sox, 8-2, at the Main South field in Wormtown.
Matt Mckeon went the distance for the pale hose. After allowing solo runs in the third and fourth,
Mckeon shut down Ashland the rest of the way. The cool righthander allowed seven free passes in
addition to seven hits, but never really appeared in trouble. He stranded nine baserunners in all.
Shortstop Lou DeCataldo (3-for-3, double), rightfielder Mike Luby (solo HR in 8th), and leftfielder
Brian Spanos (1-for-3, double) led the Worcester attack.
"Luby hit that dinger off a slow forkball nearly in the dirt," said Ashland's Steve Saraceno, who
threw the pitch. "I put it where I wanted. But Luby did too -- about 35 feet over the right field fence."
Saraceno (6-5) took the loss for the Red Sox. Though touched for eight runs, the veteran junkman
was perhaps more sinned against than sinning, as five Worcester tallies scored on miscues. The Ashland
offense has now scored a combined total of four runs in four of Saraceno's losses.
Centerfielder John Badaracco (2-for-3) led the Ashland effort. Second baseman Carl Hakansson (1-for-2,
walk) and Steve Linda (2 walks) also chimed in.
Orioles 16 Indians 1
No recap available.
Mariners 6 Tigers 3
No recap available.
Cubs 7 Brewers 5
No recap available.
Phillies 8 Braves 5
No recap available.
Dodgers 4 Cardinals 3
No recap available.
Week 15, 07/27/08
Brewers 7 White Sox 6
The Wayland Brewers scored four runs, all with two outs, in the bottom of the 9th to upset the
White Sox. Mike Maclean powered the Brewers offense with a double in the second inning and a
bomb to dead center that earned him the game winning RBI in the final frame.
Bill Hoover was all about strikes, pitching an efficient eight innings and also helped his cause
by contributing a double. Defensively, the Brewers played solid ball, led by Tom Lortie at
third and Tom Angenetti in right.
The White Sox pitcher Kevin Ryan pitched a valliant game, holding Wayland to just three runs
prior to the last inning.
Dodgers 3 Red Sox 1
Righthander Randy Fesh stranded eleven Red Sox runners -- including three in the ninth inning -- to
lead the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory at the Field of Dreams in Maynard.
Fesh allowed just 4 hits. But he found himself in trouble all day due to 7 free passes.
Two of those freebies came in the ninth. With the Dodgers up 3-1, Ashland's John Badaracco led off
with a single. Dodger centerfielder Dave Christian robbed Brent McKenzie of a blooper, nearly
doubling Badaracco at first. Fesh re-directed a hard shot from Mike Donfrancesco for the second
out. But then he walked Steve Triveri and beaned Steve Saraceno to load the bases.
Acclimated by now to the agony of men on base, Fesh induced Steve Halzel to line softly to first for
the game-ender.
The Dodgers offensive attack featured first baseman Vladislav Zilberman (2-for-3, double, triple),
leftfielder Matt Vidal (2-for-3, fine running catch), and Ben Campbell (double, on base all three times).
"Zilberman gave me trouble all day," said Sox starter Saraceno. "In the eighth we decided to
unintentionally intentionally walk him to fill the bases. Little did I know the next batter, Fesh, had
entered the game hitting .538..."
Saraceno survived a rainmaker fly ball to end that threat. But by then the damage had been done. Two
earlier Sox miscues led to two of the three Dodger runs. Saraceno (now 6-4) suffered his third complete
game loss this year in which the Sox scored one run or less.
Ashland had to scramble to man the ramparts with three big guns missing from the lineup. First baseman
Triveri (1-for-2, two walks, fine defense at first) and leftfielder Chris Cronin (1-for-2, walk) fired
their best shots. But in the end the volley fell short.
"A big thunderstorm passed through Maynard at dawn," said Sox manager Saraceno afterwards, to a bored
audience of squirrels. "The first two fields we looked at were underwater. Then by chance I found this
field at the end of a dirt road out in the woods. It seemed strangely untouched by the elements. So we
played the ballgame -- as if shut off from the world -- and at the end of the game I saw Shoeless Joe
Jackson come running in from centerfield. Some said it was just John Badaracco, having taken off his
cleats. Hah! What do they know? Idiots!"
Saraceno was last seen playing catch with his father.
Cubs 7 Mariners 0
No recap available.
Indians 9 Braves 5
No recap available.
Orioles at Cardinals
Game was rained out.
Yankees at Phillies
Game was rained out.
Week 14, 07/20/08 Double Headers
Red Sox 6 Indians 1 and Red Sox 4 Indians 0
The Ashland Red Sox swept the Marlboro Indians 6-1 and 4-0 at Marlboro in two crisply played
contests that belied the day's heat and humidity.
Game 1: Red Sox 6 Indians 1
"I've never seen a better-played defensive game in my ten years in this league," said Sox
starting pitcher Steve Saraceno after his 6-1 win in the opener.
Gems from third baseman Mike Donfrancesco, shortstop Mike Auren, leftfielder Brian Farrell,
centerfielder John Badaracco, rightfielder Chris Cronin, second baseman Carl Hakansson, and
catcher Brent McKenzie limited the Marlboro offense to just one run despite eight hits over
the first four innings.
Badaracco gunned out a runner at home to end the first. McKenzie cut down two would-be base-stealers.
In the fourth, ignoring a balky hamstring, McKenzie backed up an overthrow at first to complete a
6-4-2-4 double play. The temperature at the time was 91 degrees.
After that play, Saraceno retired the final nine Indians in order to end it. The slowballing
righthander neatly defined the term, "contact pitcher" -- walking zero and striking out zero for
his fifth victory of the year.
Offensive stars for the Sox included Badaracco (3-for-3) and McKenzie (2-for-3). Indians Manager
Jerry Guerra (2-for-2, perfect bunt) and Mike Giordano (2-for-2) led the Marlboro attack.
Game 1: Red Sox 4 Indians 0
Saraceno remained on the mound for Game Two. The 53-year-old righthander fared even better this
time against a strong Marlboro lineup, scattering seven hits for the 4-0 shutout. It was his
85th pitching victory in the MetroWest League.
"I even got a K this time," Saraceno said, "for which I am very proud."
Indians starter Jack Buchanan also turned in a fine performance. After allowing three runs in the
first, Buchanan's deliberate soft-tosses ("even slower than Sara!") shut down one of the league's
most terrifying offenses.
Typical of the Sox day was centerfielder John Badaracco's spectacular shoestring catch of a twisting
drive by Jim Rooney in the fourth. After knocking the wind out of himself, Badaracco jumped up and
doubled the retreating Jerry Guerra at first.
Offensively McKenzie (4-for-5 on the day), Donfrancesco (2-for-4), and Brian Farrell continued their
hot hitting. Farrell's .533 batting average entering the doubleheader actually dropped a few points,
despite a 3-for-6 performance.
Marlboro's Steve Courtwright (2-for-2) and Guerra (3-for-5 on the day) led the Indian attack.
"Here's what I especially liked," said Ashland manager Saraceno after the doubleheader. "In the last
inning of the second game, I saw our rightfielder Steve Linda hustling to back up an infield play at
first. It was about two thousand degrees at the time, we had played two games, and this was Steve's
first inning in the field. That's what I call baseball."
Orioles Tigers
Split their double header.
Mariners 8 White Sox 4 and White Sox 13 Mariners 0
No recaps available.
Dodgers 19 Phillies 0 and Dodgers 10 Phillies 1
No recaps available.
Cubs 16 Braves 1 and Cubs 13 Braves 3
No recaps available.
Cardinals Brewers
No scores reported.
Week 13, 07/13/08
Red Sox 13 Mariners 6
Rightfielder Brian Farrell's three-run homer powered the Ashland Red Sox to a 13-6 comeback victory
over the Holliston Mariners on a sunny, breezy Sunday in Ashland.
Farrell's fifth-inning laser-blast struck twenty feet up the lightpole in leftfield. The homer put the
Sox ahead 7-6 after trailing 6-0 in the second inning. Indeed, Ashland scored thirteen unanswered points
after spotting Holliston their early touchdown.
Farrell, who also tripled in the third, is now hitting .533 with an unheard of 1.067 slugging percentage.
Of his 16 hits so far this year, only 6 have been singles.
"That's the first home run I've ever seen hit at this field," Ashland manager Steve Saraceno said
afterwards. "Keep in mind, I've been around this game since the Cotton Gin League merged with the
Tobackey Association in 1873, and never have I seen a batter more consistently swat for power than
Farrell has this year. One of our players found the home run ball afterwards. He told me it was
moaning in pain."
Holliston started the game by picking up where Millis left off two weeks ago in their 13-4 shellacking
of starter Steve Saraceno. But after surrendering six runs on eight hits over the first two innings,
Saraceno (now 4-3) blanked the Mariners over the final seven. In fact, the snowcapped righthander
collected a season high ten strikeouts on the day.
Complementing Farrell's heroics were two doubles by leftfielder Paul Murphy, playing in his first
game of the year. Also making his 2008 debut was Steve Southard, who underwent open heart surgery
in the offseason. Southard calmly knocked a sacrifice fly in his first at-bat.
Holliston actually outhit Ashland 12-9. Offensive stars for the Mariners included pitcher Tom
McCabe (2-for-3, triple), Ed Wright (2-for-2), and John Moore (1-for-1).
Orioles 6 White Sox 1
No recap available.
Indians 12 Tigers 9
No recap available.
Cardinals 12 Cubs 4
No recap available.
Braves 12 Dodgers 5
The Braves won an important National League tilt with a strong 12-5 win over the Dodgers at beautiful
Memorial Park in Millis. The Dodgers started Rodney German on the mound and the Braves countered with
Jim Callaghan. The Dodgers put a quick 2 spot on the board in the first on some clutch hitting by Vlad
Zilberman and Randy Fesh and built up an early lead in the early innings. The Braves fought back to
keep it close with some clutch hitting by John Fantasia, Callaghan and Chip Chiodo. Randy Fesh came
in to replace German on the mound for the Dodgers and threw well in long relief. The Dodgers got
all of their 5 runs in the first 5 innings, but Callaghan got stronger as the game went on as he put
up zeroes over the final 4. Meanwhile, the Braves opened up their offense with big hits from Raul
Matos, Chiodo, Mike Ensley and Dale Bickford. Matos also made a key play in stabbing a potential
double on the dead run. Callaghan upped his record to 5-2 on the season. For the Dodgers,
Zilberman, Fesh, German, Nate McLeod and Dave Christian led the way.
Phillies 17 Brewers 2
No recap available.
Week 11, 06/29/08
Braves 13 Red Sox 4
The Braves and Red Sox hooked up on a humid day at Millis. The Braves prevailed 13-4 in a game
that was a lot closer than the score indicated. The game featured a pitching matchup of MSBL veteran
hurlers. The Braves started Jim Callaghan, the Sox starter was ironman Steve Saraceno.
Callaghan went the first six innings giving up 2 runs to the Sox. He scattered quite a few walks
and hits as his command was shaky, but he and the defense toughened up when necessary. SS Mike
Pietiela made the play of the year for the Braves diving in the hole for a line shot which saved
the Braves 2 runs. The Braves slowly built a modest lead thanks to a 3 hit game by Dale Bickford
and big triples by Callaghan, TJ May and John Fantasia. Marc Sanfacon had a great day at the plate
as did Pietiela. The offense was well distributed. Saraceno battled tough into the late innings
before the Braves erupted to break the game open. Simms Hise came on in the 7th for the Braves and
despite a shaky 8th, pitched very well in earning his second save backing up Callaghan's 4th win.
The performance of the day truly was by Sox leadoff man Brian Farrell. Farrell went 4-4 including 3
bombs over or between Braves outfielders.
Cubs 7 Orioles 3
No recap available.
Cardinals 4 White Sox 2
No recap available.
Phillies 4 Indians 2
No recap available.
Dodgers 11 Mariners 1
No recap available.
Tigers Brewers
No score reported.
Week 10, 06/22/08 Double Headers
Orioles 7 Mariners 0 and Orioles 6 Mariners 1
No recaps available, however Tony Gentilcore of the Orioles pitched a no hitter in game 1.
Red Sox 6 Tigers 1 and Red Sox 18 Tigers 6
No recaps available.
White Sox 9 Indians 2 and Indians 7 White Sox 5
No recaps available.
Cardinals 2 Phillies 1 and Cardinals 14 Phillies 2
No recaps available.
Cubs 10 Dodgers 4 and Cubs 13 Dodgers 1
No recaps available.
Braves and Brewers
No scores reported.
Week 9, 06/15/08
Indians 17 Brewers 8
Jim Rooney rapped a triple, double, and single, and Markian Stecyk and Hugh Cornwell added three
hits each as the Marlborough Indians downed the Wayland Brewers, 17-8, in a Father's Day slugfest.
Mike Richards improved to 2-0 for the Indians, who stand 4-3 and alone in third place in the
American League. Richards allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings of work. The former
Marlborough High star gave up eight hits, struck out four and walked three. Randy Pina earned
the Indians' first save of the season with three innings to close it out.
James Potter paced the Brewers with four hits, including two monstrous triples at spacious Bauks
Field. Bill Hoover and Brian Waldman also had multiple hits for the Brew Crew (2-5).
Marlborough scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings to take a 9-0 lead. Wayland
refused to yield, however, closing the gap to 10-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
That's when the Tribe blew it open with six runs.
The Indians had 21 hits in the game. Mike Giordano (two RBIs), Randy Pina (three RBI), Mike Togneri,
Jerry Guerra (double, two RBIs), and Jack Buchanan (two RBIs) also had two hits for Marlborough.
White Sox 4 Cubs 2
No recap available.
Dodgers Orioles
Rained out.
Cardinals Tigers
Rained out.
Phillies Red Sox
Rained out.
Braves Mariners
Rained out.
Week 8, 06/08/08 Double Headers
Cardinals 10 Indians 2 and Indians 1 Cardinals 0 Game 1: Cardinals 10 Indians 2
Tom Langmeyer limited the Indians to two runs, and the Hudson Cardinals pounded out 13 hits in a
10-2 win over the Marlborough Indians in Game One of a doubleheader at steamy Sauta Field.
Hudson shortstop Roberto Valentin reached base in all four of his plate appearances with a monster
double, two singles and a walk. Matt Sandock also had three hits and leadoff hitter Jeremy Ames
reached three times via the base on balls as the Cardinals improved to 5-0.
The game was still close into the bottom of the sixth, with the Cards holding a 5-2 lead by virtue
of a four-run first and a single run in the third. The Indians scored in the top of the first on a
sacrifice fly by Tom Pare that plated Mike Giordano (double) and added a second run with consecutive
singles by Hugh Cornwell, Steve Courtwright, Randy Pina (RBI) and Markian Stecyk in the fifth.
In the bottom of the sixth, tiring Indians starter Eric Holmes walked Howie Simon and gave up a
single to Brian Rodriguez. With one out, Rick Rice and Pat Pisano rapped RBI singles past the
drawn-in infield, setting off the five-run rally that put the game in hand.
Langmeyer went the distance, scattering seven hits, walking none and striking out one. Christian
Gonzalez had two hits for the Indians, who fell to 2-3 heading into Game Two vs. the Cardinals.
Game 2: Indians 1, Cardinals 0
In a classic pitchers duel, Jack Buchanan, Jr., hurled five and one-third innings of scoreless ball
and reliever Craig Macauley notched the win when the Marlborough Indians pushed across the game’s
only run in the final frame.
Mike Togneri worked a walk leading off the Indians’ half of the seventh. Pinch-runner Mike Giordano
stole second and advanced to third on Christian Gonzalez’s bunt single. Indians’ rookie Eric Holmes
then lofted a fly ball to mid-right-centerfield, which was enough to get Giordano home with the
game-winner.
The result ruined an outstanding performance from Cards’ fireballer Anthony Lamonica, who allowed
only three hits in six and one-third innings. Lamonica struck out 10, but walked six and hit two
batters.
Buchanan, to whom the descriptor “crafty southpaw” will be forever attached, was even more
impressive. He allowed a leadoff walk in the first, a leadoff double to Rick Rice in the third, and
a two-out single to Sandock in the fourth. On each occasion, he retired the inning’s other batters
without incident. Buchanan, who struck out one, forced the Cards to put the ball in play and allowed
his defense to do its job, and this game it did.
The Cards threatened in the sixth when Rice walked and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Brian
Rodriguez, with Buchanan making a fine play to nip the runner. At that point, the 95-plus-degree
heat did what the Cards’ batters couldn’t – it knocked Buchanan out of the game. Macauley came in
with little warmup and coaxed a ground out and recorded a punchout to preserve the scoreless tie.
In the Cards’ seventh, Jeremy Ames singled leading off and stole second. After a strikeout, Matt
Sandock hit a blistering line drive, but it was right at Indians’ left fielder Jerry Guerra. Valentin
followed with a booming fly to the farthest reaches of the field, but Indians’ centerfielder Tom Pare
tracked it down to end the Cardinals’ final threat and set up the walk-off win.
Holmes and Buchanan had the other Indians’ hits as the Tribe evened their record to 3-3 and remained
in a tie for third place in the American League. The Cards, who suffered their first loss, are 5-1
with a one-game lead over the Cubs atop the National League.
Orioles 4 Braves 2 and Orioles 10 Braves 2
No recaps available.
White Sox 8 Dodgers 4 and White Sox 8 Dodgers 7
No recaps available.
Cubs 9 Tigers 1 and Cubs 8 Tigers 6
No recaps available.
Brewers 2 Red Sox 1 and Brewers 11 Red Sox 8
No recaps available.
Mariners 5 Phillies 2 and Phillies 6 Mariners 4
No recaps available.
Week 7, 06/01/08
Orioles 6 Red Sox 0
The Framingham Orioles shut out the two-time defending champion Ashland Red Sox 6-0 Sunday behind
the ten-strikeout, three-hit pitching of rookie Tony Gentilecore.
Gentilecore's sole brush with trouble came in the fifth inning after two Red Sox batters singled
with one out. A 6-4-3 double play -- Tom Galvani to Bob Galvani to Mark Hauglie -- ended the threat.
Steve Saraceno (2-1) took the loss for the Red Sox. The former Oriole stalwart worked out of a
jam or two before Gentilecore's seeing-eye single in the third gave the O's a commanding 4-0 lead.
"These guys used to be my friends," said Saraceno afterwards . "I am shocked, shocked that they
should treat me like this..."
Catcher Jeff Merzel and first-sacker Hauglie led the Framingham attack with perfect 3-for-3 days.
Third baseman Chris Currie, leftfielder Aubrey Doyle, and centerfielder Al Dayhoff all went 2-for-3.
Second baseman Bobby Galvani contributed a key double in the third.
The highlight of the Red Sox day came with leftfielder Brian Farrell's frozen rope triple in the
fourth. That was it.
The Orioles remain tied for first place in the American League with the 3-1 Worcester White Sox.
The Red Sox drop to 2-2.
Indians 18 Mariners 2
Markian Stecyk was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs, and Mike Richards and Randy Pina combined
to shut down the Holliston Mariners as the Marlborough Indians evened their record to 2-2.
Richards (1-0) allowed six hits and two unearned runs in five innings. He struck out five and
walked three. Pina yielded only a walk in two otherwise perfect innings to close out the win.
Jerry Guerra had three hits (two doubles, three RBIs), Hugh Cornwell bashed a pair of doubles and
Mike Togneri rapped two hits and drove home three runs. Mike Giordano and Richards also had two
hits for the Indians and Randy Pina drove in three runs with a long gap double and two walks.
Tom McCabe and Pete Daly led Holliston with two hits each. The Mariners are also 2-2 on the season
and tied for third place in the American League.
White Sox 14 Tigers 0
No recap available.
Dodgers 12 Brewers 7
No recap available.
Cubs 9 Phillies 4
No recap available.
Cardinals 4 Braves 2
No recap available.
Week 5, 05/18/08
Cardinals 9 Dodgers 4
The Cardinals and Dodgers squared off for the first time since the stinging defeat the Dodgers handed
the Cards in the first round of the 2007 play-offs. The Cards came out on top this time but not
without some obstacles, not least of which was finding a field for the nomad Cardinals. Many
thanks go out from the Cardinals to the White Sox and George Scobie for the use of their home field
at South High.
The first inning, with Dave Bacle on the mound, started a little rocky. The Dodgers struck for 4
runs on 3 hits, a BB, and a HBP. Dave avoided a major D.Bacle by settling in and setting the
Dodgers down queitly over the next 5 innings before giving way to Matt Sandock. Sandock went 3
innings only giving up one hit and two walks to get the win. While the moundmen did their thing
the Cards bats were held at bay until the bottom of the 4th. Jeremy Ames (3-4, 2R) led of with a
double, Wade Krejdovsky doubled him home, Pat Pisano reached on an error sending Wade home and
Sandock singled in Pisano.
It was still 4-3 Dodgers until the 6th when Andy Calkins doubled, moved to third on a SAC fly and
scored on a Pisano broken bat blast back to the pitcher.
Things were quiet until the bottom of the 8th, Ames singled, Calkins reached on an error, Krejdovsky
singled to plate Ames, Sandock singled driving in another run, Egan walked, Bacle singled in the 3rd
run, and Howie Simon nailed the coffin shut with a line drive just fair down the first base line.
The final score was 9-4 Cards, lifting their record to 3-0, while the Dodgers fall to 1-2.
Red Sox 7 White Sox 2
The Ashland Red Sox beat the previously undefeated Worcester White Sox 7-2 to grab a share of the
American League lead Sunday in Ashland.
Veteran righthander Steve Saraceno went the distance for the Red Sox, upping his record to 2-0 on
the season. After giving up three hits to start the fourth, Saraceno faced only two batters over
the minimum the rest of the way.
Red Sox catcher Brent McKenzie (2-for-3) led a balanced Ashland attack that scored runs in each of
the first four innings to take a 5-2 lead.
Both teams tallied 7 hits. But Worcester allowed 8 free passes and made 3 errors, while Saraceno
walked none backed by a solid Ashland defense.
"In our previous game we made seven errors," said Manager Saraceno afterwards. "So it was nice to
see the boys bring their gloves to the field today. Even if some of the gloves are 40 years old..."
The first three White Sox batters accounted for six of their seven hits. Leadoff hitter Brian
McDonnell grabbed the overall offensive honors for the day with a perfect 3-for-3. Lou Decataldo
tripled to keynote a two-run fourth. And Dan Fuller went 2-for-3 with a double.
Braves 7 Phillies 5
The Braves got their 2nd win of the season against the Phillies at Medway. The Braves built up an
early 7-0 lead and were able to withstand a furious Phillies rally in the later innings. Jim
Callaghan started for the Braves on the mound and took a perfect game into the 5th. The no hitter
was cleanly broken up with a solid single with one out. On the very next pitch, a botched hit and
run resulted in a double play and the Braves were out of it. By this point, the Braves had built a
7-0 lead on a 4 RBI game from cleanup man Mike Ensley. Ensley had a bases loaded triple driving in
Dale Bickford, TJ May and Jim Callaghan (The Braves 1,2,3 hitters). Rookie Justin Peterson had a
nice game also with a sac fly and a sharp single. Simms Hise went in to pitch for the Braves in
the 6th inning and pitched very well. Meanwhile, Phils manager Rick Huckins relieved the Phils
starter and pitched brilliantly in relief shutting the Braves down the last 5 innings. Hise
cruised into the 9th, but ran into trouble with the big hit being a Brian Gibbons 400 foot bomb to
left. Callaghan came back in with the bases loaded up 7-2 with no outs and proceeded Okajima style
to let in Hise's runners with a 2 run hit and a fielders choice. Callaghan was able to strike out the
last 2 guys to earn his first save in the 7-5 win. The Braves host the Cardinals after the holiday
weekend.
Mariners 8 Tigers 7
No recap available.
Cubs 14 Brewers 3
No recap available.
Orioles 14 Indians 5
No recap available.
Week 2, 04/27/08
Mariners 10 Red Sox 7
The Holliston Mariners upset the two-time league champion Ashland Red Sox by a score of 10-7 Sunday
at Holliston.
It was the biggest Mariner victory since eliminating the five-time champion Framingham Orioles in
the first round of the 2006 playoffs.
Tom McCabe went the distance for the Mariners. In and out of trouble all day, the determined lefty
threw strikes when he had to. Though McCabe walked seven, he struck out five and allowed only five
hits.
Ashland's defense had more holes in it than Bonnie and Clyde. Holliston took advantage of seven Red
Sox errors and ten free passes from Ashland pitchers to grab a commanding 10-4 lead in the middle
innings. The Sox rallied for three in the eighth to make it 10-7, but McCabe set them down quietly
in the ninth.
Offensively, McCabe and Brian Consigli both doubled for the Mariners, who were actually outhit 5-4
by the Red Sox. Standing out offensively for Ashland were first baseman Pete Padovano (2-for-4),
leftfielder Steve Saraceno (2-for-4), and centerfielder Keith Cheverie (3 walks in his return after
a year's hiatus).
Before the game both teams gathered for a moment of silence for Indian player Dave Rymsza, who passed
away last week. Our condolences go out to Dave's family and friends.
Indians 13 Tigers 12
In a poorly played game under dreary conditions, the heavy-hearted Marlborough Indians outscored
the Sudbury Tigers, 13-12, at Bauks Field.
Markian Stecyk, returning stateside after two weeks touring the Nile in Egypt, slashed a
bases-loaded, no-out single past the drawn-in Tigers’ infield to plate the tying and winning runs in
the bottom of the ninth. The rally began with hits by Steve Courtwright (2-for-4) and Randy Pina
(2-for-3), and a perfectly placed bunt by Mike Togneri (3-for-4).
The Tigers had battled back from an 8-4 deficit to take an 11-8 lead in the seventh, only to have
the Indians tie it with three unearned runs in the bottom half. Sudbury pulled ahead again in the
top half of the ninth inning when eventual winning pitcher Eric Holmes hit Joe Dervin, then allowed a
booming two-out double to Dave Valdebrini. Craig Macauley kept Mitch Williams’ bid for an RBI single
in the infield, saving a run, and Holmes coaxed a ground out to snuff the rally and set up Stecyk’s
heroics.
Chris Farley had three hits for the Tigers and Bryan Harding hit a monstrous fourth-inning triple
to left-centerfield that would have been out of most ballparks.
The story of the game was the gutsy pitching performances on both sides despite the slew of errors,
misplays, and generally bad baseball that both teams are chalking up to early season rustiness.
Indians rookie Holmes (1-0) struck out three and allowed just the one run in two innings. That
followed Pina’s two-inning stint, which saw seven Tigers cross the plate, but only two earned.
Jack Buchanan threw a solid five innings to start the game for the Indians, allowing seven hits and
three earned runs.
For the Tigers, Christian Galligher and Mitch Williams both pitched well in front of a
less-than-stellar defensive performance from their mates. Williams seemed in line for the win after
setting down the meat of the Indians’ lineup in order in the eighth, but the Tribe battled back in
their last at-bat to avoid an 0-2 start. Both teams are 1-1 and in a five-way tie for second place
in the six-team American League.
Prior to the game, the teams observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the Indians’ Dave Rymsza,
who passed away last weekend. Rymsza, an all-star player and terrific teammate, leaves a huge hole
in this Indians’ ball club in many ways.
Braves 16 Dodgers 4
The Braves won their first of 2008 with a convincing win against the Dodgers at Memorial Field.
The 16-4 final did not show the closeness of the game as the Braves scored several runs late. The
game marked Braves starting pitcher Jim Callaghan's first win since 2005. Jim went 6 innings giving
up 1 earned run with 8 k's without a walk. Rich Moran threw very well the final 3 earning his first
save of the year. Offensively, the Braves had many contributors. The top 2 in the order Dale
Bickford and Mike Pietila were on base all day and wreaked havoc on the bases. Mike Ensley, Raul
Matos, Simms Hise and John Fantasia (base clearing bomb to left) all drove in multiple runs. The
attack was well distributed from top to bottom. The Dodgers starting pitcher Randy Fesh pitched well
into the late innings and kept the game close.
White Sox 13 Orioles 5
No recap available.
Cardinals 20 Cubs 4
No recap available.
Phillies 10 Brewers 1
No recap available.
Week 1, 04/20/08
Red Sox 9 Cubs 8
The Ashland Red Sox beat the Southboro Cubs 9-8 in ten innings Sunday in an Opening Day
barnburner at the Ashland field.
The three-hour game went back and forth more times than a commuter on steroids. Over the first
third of the contest the Cubs built a 4-0 lead against Sox starter Steve Saraceno. But Saraceno
settled down in the middle innings as Ashland roared back to take a 6-4 lead.
Southboro counterpunched with two runs in the seventh, and a run each in the eighth and ninth to
take an 8-6 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
Then Ashland's big guns let loose against reliever John Gordon. With one out shortstop Michael
Auren (2-for-3, 2 doubles, walk, 3 runs scored) blasted a shot off the left-centerfield fence.
Then a double by centerfielder John Badaracco (on base 4 times, 3 runs scored, 2 SB) brought
the Sox within one.
With two outs Gordon quickly got two strikes on Mike Donfrancesco. But -- just as Donfrancesco did
in a similar situation last year versus the Orioles -- the clutch third baseman lined a solid drive
into right-center to tie the game.
Extra innings. Saraceno held serve for the Sox in the top of the tenth, and in the bottom frame
first baseman Pete Padovano lofted a leadoff double. Victor Saraceno set down a perfect
"sacrifice" bunt for a basehit. Then rookie second baseman Bobby Modica rapped a grounder to the
right side of the infield to knock in the game winner.
The win marked the 80th pitching victory for Steve Saraceno since entering the MetroWest League.
It was also one of his ugliest, as the chunky righthander gave up 14 hits and an uncharacteristic
three walks during his ten-inning adventure in damage control.
Offensive stars for Ashland also included catcher Brent McKenzie (2-for-3, 3 RBI),
Donfrancesco (3-for-4), and first baseman Pete Greene (triple). The Southboro attack was led by
catcher Paul Sonnett (3-for-4), P.J. O'Toole (3-for-4, double), Dennis Fontecchio (2-for-3, double),
and leftfielder Tim Shaver (2-for-4).
Orioles 12 Brewers 0
Orioles new comer Tony Gentilcore made his Orioles debut in grand fashion as he got the win on
the mound and went 1-3 at the plate with a triple and two RBI. Gentilcore carried a no hitter
into the sixth but the bid was ended as Cort Montross ripped a clean single to left. Gentilcore
went 6 innings giving up just one hit and no walks while striking out 12 of the 17 batters he faced.
At one point Gentilcore truck out 10 consecutive batters.
The O's offense was lead by Mark Hauglie who went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and ageless wonder Carlo
Galvani who was 1 for 3 with bases clearing double for 3 RBI in the 2nd when the game was still
close. Legend Dick Scullary turned a spry 67 this year and promptly went 1-3 with an RBI and
started a double play in the field.
Defensively the Brewers turned 3 double plays.
Dodgers 8 Indians 6
Dodgers ace Randy Fesh held the Indians bats at bay for 7 strong innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits
and only 1 walk while striking out 10. The Dodgers built an 8 to 2 lead through the first 5 innings
led by Fesh (3 RBI) Rodney German (2 RBI) and Erik Neyland (2 RBI). Fesh, German, Vladislav Zilberman,
and Matt Vidal all had two hits apiece.
The Dodgers managed to hold off a late Indians surge and secure the 8 to 6 season opener victory.
The Indians attack was led by Hugh Cornwell (2 hits, 4 RBI), Tom Pare (2 hits), and Mike Giordano
(2 runs, 2 SB’s).