As 2 Tigers 1
The Ashland A's and the Sudbury Tigers locked up in pitcher's duel on Sunday with the A's managing to plate a
late inning unearned run for a 2-1 victory.
Tom McCabe limited the Tiger's offense to 1 run on 2 base hits to earn a crafty complete game victory for the
A's. On the other side of the field, Tiger's hard luck pitcher Andy Moan mostly silenced an A's team that
went into the game with a team batting average of .328. The A's managed just 4 hits and 2 runs (1 earned)
during Moan's nine solid innings of work.
The scoring started in the bottom of the first with the Tigers jumping out to an early 1-0 lead on a clutch
two out run scoring single by catcher Pfrang to plate lead-off hitter O'Sullivan (0-2, 2 HBP, 1R, 1 SB). The
A's manufactured their first run in the top of the 2nd when Mike Donfrancesco (1-3, 1 SB, 1R) started the
inning with a single to left field. After stealing second, Donfrancesco was unselfishly pushed over to third
on a ground ball to the right side by Steve Southard. Freddy Boehm (0-2, 1 RBI) battled the Tiger's Moan with
a 7 pitch at bat before lifting a key sacrifice fly to right field to plate the game tying run.
From there, McCabe (1-2, 1BB, 1 SB) kept the Tiger's lineup off balance with an assortment of back door curves,
fastballs and an occasional change-up. Tom's final line over the 9 innings was 1 run (unearned) on 2 hits,
5 K's and 2 BB. Moan handled the A's by mixing up his hard fastball with a heavy slider. Moan, who also
pitched a complete game, gave up the 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, 2 K's and 3 BB.
The A's plated the winning run in the top of the 8th as Sean Potter (1-2, 1 HBP) reached 2nd base on a
throwing error by the pitcher, moved to third on a passed ball and scored the winning run with two outs
courtesy of an (un)timely error by the Tiger's infield. From there, McCabe retired the final 6 Tiger's
batters to earn the victory.
Besides a very good defensive day for both teams, notable hitters included the A's Brian Waldman (2-4, 1 SB)
and Mark Donfrancesco (1-2, 2B, BB) with the Tiger's two hits coming from their catchers Williams (1-2, 1B and
1 BB) and Pfrang (1-2, 1 RBI).
Orioles 12 Indians 0 and Orioles 11 Indians 2
No recaps available.
Red Sox 16 Mariners 5
No recap available.
Cubs 6 Braves 5 and Cubs 7 Braves 2
No recaps available.
Dodgers 11 Cardinals 6 and Dodgers 7 Cardinals 5
No recaps available.
Brewers 13 Phillies 3 and Phillies 6 Brewers 5
No recaps available.
Week 15, 07/26/09
As 5 Cardinals 2
The A's jump out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Mike "Zee" Zogalis (2 for 4, 1 RBI) doubled Brian Waldman
in. Zee never cross the plate, he was gunned down by the CF, who threw a bullet home on Tom McCabe's (3
for 4, 1 RBI) double. This turned out to be the 1st of 5 plate putouts for the Cards. Matt Sandock and
Mike Donfrancesco, who both pitched fine games, kept the bats silent until the 6th inning.
Scary moment in the 4th, when Tom blasted a come-backer to Sandock. Seeing his life flash before him, he
snatched the ball from reaching its target, saving his face, a hit and drawing a big catcher hug.
In the top of the 6th, Brian Waldman reached on error. Zee singled & stole 2nd. Tom singled to right moving
Zee to 3rd and drove in a run. Then Sandock, with a sweet move to 1st, caught Tom in a pickle in attempt to
steal 2nd. Once they got close to the tag, Zee took off for home only to be gunned down again. Sauce walked
then Southy knocked in a run on a screaming line drive to center. As 3-0.
In the 7th, the A's tack on another run when Mark Donfrancesco (1 for 3, 1 RBI & defensive star) drove in Steve
Halzel, who led off with a single. The Cards broke their ice when Beloff (1 for 4, 1 RBI) drove in Krejdovsky.
As 4-1.
In the 8th, Sean Potter (1 for 3, 1 RBI) smashed a double down the line to drive Sauce (1 for 2, 1 run) in.
2 more plate outs and the A's end up with only 1 more run. A's 5-1.
In the 9th, the Cards mount a come back attempt with 2 outs. Bacle doubles to center. Sandock draws the
walk. Krejdovsky (3 for 4, 1 RBI) singles in Bacle before Waldman gets Beloff to pop out to 3B. Final As
5 & Cards 2.
Braves 10 Tigers 6
The Braves ran their record to 11-1 with a hard fought 10-6 win against the Tigers. A close game early,
the Braves pulled away in the late innings to clinch a playoff spot in the crowded National League Race.
Braves starter Rich Moran threw the first 5 innings and pitched well. He struck out 4 and was the victim
of some mediocre defense. The Tigers were led in the early innings by O'Sullivan, Patton-Bowe and Pellegrom.
The Tigers employed 4 different pitchers on this day and all kept the Braves guessing at the plate.
Jim Callaghan relieved in the 6th inning with the Braves down 1 run. Pfrang and Matey got back to back hits
to score a run up before Callaghan settled down and retired the next 3 in order. Finally, in the late innings,
the Braves offense powered up scoring 1 in the 6th, 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to open up the 10-6 lead.
Callaghan threw zero's his last 3, striking out the side in the 9th.
The Braves were led offensively top to bottom in the lineup. Dale Bickford was on base 3 times. Callaghan
had 2 hits including a double. Jamie Nix was on base all 4 plate appearances and did a great job catching.
Kevin Specter, Moran and Justin Peterson got huge hits for the Braves. Specter and Mike Connolly did a great
job on the left side of the infield.
The Braves host the Cubs in a doubleheader next Sunday.
Red Sox 6 Cubs 2
No recap available.
Dodgers 14 Indians 11
No recap available.
Orioles 12 Brewers 3
No recap available.
Mariners 10 Phillies 4
No recap available.
Week 14, 07/19/09 Double Headers
Orioles 15 As 9 and As 4 Orioles 3 The A's pick one off the Orioles Game #1: Orioles 15-9
With a blink of an eye, the Orioles jumped out to a 7 run lead before the A's even got to bat. Jeff
Merzel, (2 for 4, 1 run 2 RBIs), started the barrage with a single to left driving Jaffe in. Al Dayhoff
(2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and White (3 for 4, 2 runs, 1 double, 4 RBIs) drove in 3 runs with hits to left
and center. The A's got one back in when Mike Zogalis, (4 for 4, 3 runs), crossed the plate on a mishandled
grounder to short, 7-1. The Orioles tacked on a run in the 3rd when Carlo Galvani (1 for 2, 1 RBI) drove in
his brother Tommy (4 REs) with a single to left, 8-1. Then in the 5th, White led off with a double then
scored when Aubrey Doyle (1 for 2) singled him home, 9-1. The A's rallied in the 5th with 5 runs of their
own. Sean Potter (1 for 3) crossed the plate the hard way, face first sliding under the tag of a pass ball.
Mike Z doubled, then Tom McCabe (2 for 3, 1 run, 2 RBIs) drove him in. Mike "Sauce" Donfrancesco (2 for 4, 1
double, 1 run, 1 RBI), drove in McCabe. Southy, puking from the flu before the game, (1 for 3, 1 run) doubled
then scored when Brian Vogel singled him in, 9-6. Top of the 6th, Merzel got his 2nd RBI with a single to
left and plated Jaffe who had just stolen 2 bases, 10-6. In the bottom of the 6th, the A's rallied back to
make it a game with 3 runs, when Brian Waldman (1 for 4, 1 run), Mike Zogalis, & Sean Potter were driven in
by Tom and Steve Halzel, 10-9. But the Orioles broke it open in the 7th with 5 more runs. Capped off by a
2 run single from Dick Scullary, (2 for 4, 3 RBIs), player of the game, the Orioles finished off the A's
15-9. Jeff Merzel gets the win.
Game #2: A's 4-3
Backed by solid defense, a very sweet pick off & timely hits, Tom McCabe went the distance in this
back-n-forth duel with the previously unbeaten Orioles to get the win 4-3.
The Orioles started quickly in the bottom of the 1st; Dave Jaffe (1 for 2, 2 runs, 1 SB) helped himself
with a leadoff single to right. Mark Knowlton drove him in on a grounder to short, 1-0 Orioles. At the
start of second, Tom caught Aubrey Doyle (1 for 2) leaning towards 2B, fired a deceptive bullet over to
Sean Potter who slapped the tag to get the out. In the top of the third, Sean Potter, (3 for 3, 1 double,
2 runs, 2 SB), got the A's started with a sun-blinding fly ball to right. Next pitch, the sand dust at 2B
beach went billowing up, Sean had landed safely. Brian Waldman, (2 for 3, 1 run, 2 SB, 1 RBI) moved him
to 3rd on a mishandled sharply hit ball to short. Mike "Zee" Zogalis drove him in on the fielder's choice
making it 2-1, the A's. But the Orioles came back in the third with 2 unearned runs. White (1 for 3, 1
run, 1 SB) and Jaffe scored. Freddy, recovering from a pulled Hammy & bad back, stopped the Orioles from
mounting any kind of rally with a 5U - 3 double play and 5 - 3 ground out to end the inning, 3-2 Orioles.
Leading off the 5th, Sean "the animal" Potter crushed a double to left center that nearly left Ashland,
the town. Waldman moved him over with his second single of the afternoon to set up "Zee" to drive him in.
Tom (1 for 3, 1 RBI) drove in Waldman when he ripped a single to right through the hole for the go-ahead run.
A's back on top 4-3. Tom, backed by the swine flu ridden defensive heroics of "Southy", shut down the Orioles
for the remaining 4 innings. Southy (1 for 3, double) stole a hard line drive from reaching the outfield when
he snagged it out of the air. He then doubled up Bobby Galvani with a toss to "I-got-blood-in-my-shoe" Sauce
to end the 4th. Southy ended the 5th and 6th innings with 2 more defensive gems. The A's threatened to blow
things open in the 7th with bases loaded and 2 outs. However, Sauce was robbed of a 2 run line drive by their
sure handed shortstop to end the inning. Tom sealed the deal by finessing the Orioles into hitting 2 routine
flyouts and a grounder to 1B to get the monumental win over the previously undefeated Orioles.
Red Sox 5 Tigers 2 and Tigers 4 Red Sox 1
No recaps available.
Indians 7 Mariners 0 and Indians 15 Mariners 0
No recaps available.
Cubs 7 Brewers 3 and Cubs 16 Brewers 1
No recaps available.
Braves 4 Dodgers 3 and Braves 4 Dodgers 3
No recaps available.
Cardinals 8 Phillies 7 and Cardinals 7 Phillies 6
No recaps available.
Week 13, 07/12/09
Orioles 17 Red Sox 2
No recap available.
Indians 14 As 10
No recap available.
Tigers 3 Mariners 2
No recap available.
Cubs 10 Cardinals 5
No recap available.
Dodgers 21 Phillies 8
No recap available.
Braves 13 Brewers 1
No recap available.
Week 11, 06/28/09 Double Headers
As 8 Mariners 3 and As 8 Mariners 7 Game 1
First game featured mound veterans, John Gatti vs. Mike Donfrancesco. Take away the 5th inning and John pitched a
fine game. Mike went 52/3 innings giving up only 3 hits & striking out 2 to get the win.
Backed by superb defensive gems by Southy and Brian Waldman, the As kept the Mariners from mounting any kind of
rally. In the 4th inning, Ed Wright and Don Sepulveda logged back to back RBI single for the Mariners. Then with
2 runners on, Brian Waldman circled back from 2B to right center field to catch a swirling fly ball with the heel
of his glove to end the inning. And in the bottom of the 7th inning, Southy (late excuse #3 - "my alarm didn't
go off") back-hands a shot by Chris Shea (1-for-2, 1 run), spins and fires a bullet to first base to get the out.
Tori Marrama (1-for-3, 1 run, 1 SB) got the A's offense started in the top of the third by blasting a double to
right center field. Mike Zogalis (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 SB) drove a deep single to left center to take the 2-1 lead.
In the 4th, Mike Donfrancesco (2-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 1 run) helped himself with a lead off rocket triple to left
and crossed the plate on Southy's sacrifice. The A's broke it open in the 5th. Steve Halzel (2-for-3, 1 run)
lead off with a single followed by Brian Vogel's (1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 run) run scoring single that was quickly
driven in by Francis Medeiros who in turn was driving in by Jim Tuohy to make it 6 to 3. Freddy Boehm
(1-for-3, 1 RBI, 3 SB) crossed the plate in the 7th for the 8th and final run.
Game 2
We moved the circus from the parking lot to the baseball field for the first couple of innings. The A's left 4 men
on base, gave up 6 runs on 4 hits, 5 walks, 2 errors & 1 HBP. The A's regained their composure and held the Mariners
to only 2 hits and 1 run for the remainder of the game, while coming back from 6 to 1 deficit to drive in 7 more
runs on 9 hits to get the 8 - 7 win…
Tom McCabe pitched 52/3 innings gave up only 3 hits & 1 earned run, struck out 6 to get the win. Tom also went
2-for-3, with 3 RBIs, & 1 run to lead the A's offense. While, Brian "Watch me dance around the tag, but don't
watch me try to run home" Winston blasted a triple and a double, drove in a run and stole a base was a close second.
The A's Mike Zogalis, Mike Donfrancesco, Brian Vogel, and Francis Medeiros all drove in runs to help get the win.
Jim Schindelman, besides the 3rd inning, pitched 5 solid innings giving up only 7 hits to log the loss. John
Moore and Jim lead the Mariners offense with 2 RBIs each. While Ed Wright continued his hitting from game 1
to drove in one run. And Tim Foster got into the action by driving in a run as well…
Orioles 11 Tigers 3 and Orioles 5 Tigers 4
No recaps available.
Red Sox 7 Indians 1 and Indians 9 Red Sox 8
No recaps available.
Dodgers 8 Cubs 7 and Dodgers 6 Cubs 6
No recaps available.
Cardinals 11 Brewers 5 and Cardinals 16 Brewers 6
No recaps available.
Braves 4 Phillies 1 and Braves 7 Phillies 6
No recaps available.
Week 10, 06/21/09
Orioles 7 Braves 2
No recap available.
Cubs 7 As 4
No recap available.
Cardinals 11 Indians 3
No recap available.
Dodgers 16 Mariners 3
No recap available.
Phillies 11 Tigers 9
No recap available.
Brewers Red Sox
Game postponed due to rain.
Week 9, 06/14/09
As 7 Brewers 6
In a tough back-n-forth game, the A's got the early lead chipping runs in the 2nd, 3rd & 6th innings. Former
Brewers, Brian Waldman, 2-for-5 (2 RBI), Steve Halzel, 2-for-3 (1 Run, 1 RBI), and Brian Vogel 1-for-4 (1 Run,
1 RBI) each knocked in a run. Tom McCabe (6 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 2Ks) held the Brewers scoreless until the 6 out
6th inning. Brewers Steve Darrah, 2-for-3, and Cort Montross, 3-for-4 (1 SB), had key hits in the 4 run 6th
inning to help the Brewers take the lead 4-3.
Bill Hoover pitched a fine game keeping the A's 10 runners LOB from scoring until the bottom of the 8th.
Freddy Boehm, 2-for-4 (2 SB, 2 runs, 1 RBI), drove in a run to get the A's rally started. Brian Waldman and
Mike Zogalis, 3-for-5, (1 double, 1 RBI) drove in 2 more runs to take the 6-4 lead.
But the Brewers battled back in the top of the 9th with 2 runs of their own. Cort Montross and Cory Edgar,
2-for-3, each drove in a run to tie the game at 6-6 before Brian Waldman (3 IP, 1K) shut them down.
Cory Edgar took the mound in relief to face Mike Donfrancesco, 2-for-5 (2 SB, 1 Run), who started the inning
with a clutch single and a stolen base; putting himself in scoring position for Steve "I need a new pair of
shoes" Southard. Patiently, Southy watched the 1st pitch go by… "Steeerike…" "Throw me another one just like
it..." Here comes the pitch… he does… Crack… Southy blasts a walk-off double to end the game!!
Phillies Orioles
Game postponed due to rain.
Braves Red Sox
Game postponed due to rain.
Cubs Indians
Game postponed due to rain.
Cardinals Mariners
Game postponed due to rain.
Dodgers Tigers
Game postponed due to rain.
Week 8, 06/07/09
Braves 8 As 4
The Braves hosted the A's for their initial meeting at Millis. The game was crisply played in 2 1/2 hours on a
nice sunny day with the Braves overcoming a 4-3 deficit with a 5 run 7th inning. The game was well played and
umpired all the way through. 2 big hits for the Braves were enough to seal this important MSBL tilt.
The starting pitchers in the game, the A's Tom McCabe and the Braves Jim Callaghan got off to good starts in
the game. Both MSBL vets hit their spots early and changed speeds very well. The Braves drew first blood in
the second inning. With one out, Steve Purdy reached on an infield error and took second on a wild pitch. Mike
Connolly struck out, but was able to reach on a wild pitch. Rich (2-3) Moran lined a single to center to load the
bases. With 2 strikes on him, Raul Matos lined a clutch double down the third base line clearing the bases and
putting the Braves out on top. McCabe settled down at this point and fired zeroes for the next 4 innings
frustrating the Braves with his good control and movement on his pitches.
In the bottom of the third, the A's struck back for a pair against Callaghan. Mark Donfrancesco reached on an
error by the second baseman. Later in the inning, he scored on a Vogel double. Vogel then came in on leadoff
man Mike Zogalis' sharp single. Callaghan was able to fan Southard to end that inning. The A's also tacked one
on in the 4th on a McCabe (2-3, triple) single up the middle tying the game at 3. While McCabe befuddled Braves
batters, the A's grabbed a 4-3 lead in the 6th on a Brown single, a stolen base, a wild pitch and an infield roller
by Southard that split Callaghan and third baseman Jamie Nix.
Down 4-3, the Braves finally mounted a comeback against McCabe and reliever Mike Donfrancesco in the 7th. Callaghan
led off with a single to left and Nix followed with a hit to right sending Callaghan to second. Cleanup hitter John
Fantasia provided another clutch hit for the Braves as he smacked a long double to left plating 2. Justin Peterson
followed with an RBI hit and following an infield error, the Braves got some good situational hitting by Connolly
and Matos each providing sacrifice flies to cap the 5 run rally.
Meanwhile, Callaghan was getting stronger on the hill and helped by some great defense at third by Nix, CF (Bickford),
C (Moran) and 1B (Fantasia), he was able to have some quick innings and keep his pitch count down. Callaghan
completed his first game of the year setting down the last 10 A's in order. He finished with 6 K's and did not
walk a batter. The Braves head to Ashland next week to face the Red Sox.
Mike Donfrancesco made 3 highlight reel plays at third base for the As.
Tigers 11 Cardinals 5
No recap available.
Indians 6 Brewers 5
No recap available.
Cubs 7 Mariners 2
No recap available.
Phillies 9 Red Sox 5
No recap available.
Orioles 14 Dodgers 10
No recap available.
Week 7, 05/31/09
Braves 10 Cardinals 2
The Braves and Cards hooked up in an early season divisional game at Millis. The Braves sent Jamie Nix to the
mound and the Cards countered with John Beloff. Scoreless in the early going, the Cards struck first in the top
of the 3rd on manager Matt Sandock single, a Howie Simon single and Brian Rodriquez hit. This is all the offense
the Cards could muster off of Nix who was sharp throughout as he mixed speeds and hit corners all day. The Braves
finally got to Beloff in the bottom of the 4th. Marc Sanfacon led off with a hit and was driven in by Mike
Connolly's single up the middle. Jim Callaghan followed with a ringing double to left center plating Connolly.
The Braves never looked back and scored consistently throughout the next several innings. Nix and Justin Peterson
keyed a 2 run 5th with big doubles and Dale Bickford, Connolly and Nix keyed a 3 run 6th to chase Beloff who
pitched very well. Nix cruised through 7 giving up that one run and fanned 8. The Braves were able to tack
on 3 more runs in the later innings against Cards relievers Sandock and Bacle with hits from Callaghan, Purdy
and a big double by TJ May. Sanfacon was on base all 3 times for the Braves.
Braves manager Rich Moran gave the ball to Steve Purdy in the 8th and he closed out the Cards with 2 innings of 1
run ball including 5 strikeouts. It was a nice win for the Braves as they played solid defense, pitched well and
got some timely hits. Next week, the Braves host the A's in their first ever game against them.
As 15 Red Sox 5
The A's pound out 21 Hits & 15 Runs to take round 1 from the Red Sox!!!
Brian Waldman, 4-for-5 (1 RBI, 3 Runs, 1 SB), got it started for the A's with a double to left center off
Steve Saraceno, who ended up with the loss, giving up 12 hits and 8 earned runs. Mike Zogalis, 2-for-5
(3 RBIs, 2 Runs, 1 SB) drove him in with a double to center field. The A's take the field at the bottom of
the 1st with their spiffy green & yellow uniforms up one to nothing. First pitch: CRACK!! See ya! Brian Farrell,
3-for-5, puts one out to left field off Mike DonFrancesco. We thought we were in for a long game. Fortunately
that was the only earned run off Mike, who ended up with the win & 2 Ks.
In the third, Brian Vogel, 4-for-5 (3 RBIs & 3 Runs), ripped a single to center to start things off. Tom
McCabe drove him in with his clutch single. In the 4th, former-Sox Southy, began the onslaught with a double
to right-center. Followed by RBIs from the no-slouches-in-this-line-up-department: Freddy Boehm (2 SB, 1 RBI),
Steve Halzel (2 Runs, 1 RBI) & Francis Medeiros (2 Runs, 2 SB, 1 RBI) all went 2-for-5 driving in 5 runs making
it 7-1. Red Sox: Jim Gavagan (2-for-4) starts off an ugly (bottom of the 5th) inning with a single. 3 gaffes
(2 by yours truly) weren't enough help for the Red Sox as they unsuccessfully tried to mount a comeback scoring
only 3 runs.
Sara gives up the mound (hard to believe) to Steve Triveri in the 6th. The A's weren't so nice to Triv batting
around the order with a 7 hit 8 run inning. Sauce (2-for-5, 2 SBs) & Brian Winston (1-for-4) joined the fun both
driving in runs and scoring too. For the Sox, Bobby Modica went 2-for-3 but was gunned down in the 8th by
Zogalis-Freddy-Southy relay when he tried to stretch a double into a triple. The deal was sealed by Tom,
Waldman, & Francis giving up only 4 hits & 1 run in the remaining 4 innings. A late meaningless run was
scored in the 8th when John Badaracco (1-for-3) singled and Triv (1-for-4) doubled to knock him in. Final
Score A's 15 Red Sox 5.
After the game, speaking to my former team mates, "We never even got the chance to let Sara down defensively.
You guys got all clean hits. Nice Hitting."
Indians 13 Tigers 7
The Marlborough Indians finally put all the elements of the game together in a satisfying 13-7 victory over the
much-improved Sudbury Tigers. The win was the Indians' first of the season after three frustrating losses.
Indians' starter Eric Holmes threw six strong innings, allowing only four hits, walking no one and striking out
three. He may have left with a shutout but for two line drives that were misplayed in centerfield.
Jack Buchanan pitched three innings for the save. "Buck" inherited a 13-2 lead, but was touched for five runs
(three earned) in the bottom of the seventh. Only one ball was hard-hit in the inning, as the Tigers took
advantage of the prevent defense in the outfield to drop singles in the short field. Buchanan settled in after
that, allowing only one hit and recording four of his five strikeouts in the final two frames.
Randy Pina led the Tribe's 19-hit attack with a double, two singles and four RBIs. Christian Gonzalez, Craig
Macauley, Mike Togneri, Jack Buchanan and Jerry Guerra also had two hits for Marlborough.
The Indians defense was solid as well, with two outfield errors the only blemishes.
Pinnocs Patton-Bowe blasted a leadoff triple that led to the Tigers' first run and drove another ball to right
field that plated a run in the five-run seventh. Mark Furbush led off the Tigers' sixth with a line drive single
that was misplayed into a three-bagger. He later scored on a ground out.
Dean Munson, Ben Pellegrom, Andy Moan and Brian O'Sullivan also had hits in the five-run seventh for the 3-2 Tigers.
Cubs 22 Phillies 3
No recap available.
Orioles 8 Mariners 2
No recap available.
Dodgers 14 Brewers 6
No recap available.
Week 5, 05/17/09
Red Sox 14 Mariners 4
The Ashland Red Sox scored seven runs in both the second and fifth innings en route to a 14-4 romp over the
Mariners at Holliston Sunday.
Infielder Ron Russell (3-for-5, 2 doubles) again led the Sox with his bat. Russell is now hitting .600 on the
season with an .800 slugging percentage.
Rookie third baseman Ken Black (3-for-4, 3 RBI) shone both offensively and defensively for Ashland. Indeed,
the bottom three batters in the Sox order -- pitcher Steve Saraceno, first-baseman Victor Saraceno (2-for-4, 3 RBI),
and Black combined to go 6-for-10 with 6 RBI.
And up near the top of the order, centerfielder John Badaracco went 3-for-5 in his 2009 debut.
"I thought the Mariners' starter John Gatti pitched a pretty good game," said Sox Manager Steve Saraceno
afterwards. "It's tough when you have to get four or five outs per inning. Defense can be either heaven or
hell for a pitcher."
Case in point: Saraceno himself, blessed by a spectacular Brian Farrell grab of Gatti's blast to left in the
first, a good Ken Black stab of Don Sepulveda's liner in the fourth, and generally efficient play by shortstop
Michael Auren.
Saraceno (3-1) struck out six and walked zero in his complete game victory (just one walk this year in 30
innings.) The fat righthander held the Mariners to two hits until the final stanza, when some infield miscues
opened the door to four Mariner runs.
Sepulveda (1-for-3, double), Gatti (1-for-3), and Pete Daly (1-for-3) led the Mariner offense.
Tigers 5 As 4
In a close game that featured great pitching performances from both teams, the Tigers topped the A's 5-4 to improve
to 3-1 on the season. The Tigers jumped out to a 2 run lead in the first inning off of A's starter Tom McCabe on
only one hit. The Tigers added a run in the second and again in the third. A's Brian Winston singled home a run
in the home half of the fourth to cut the Tigers lead to 4-2. The A's rallied in the 8th inning scoring twice to
tie the game at 4 on RBI singles by Steve Halzel (2 for 3) and Mike Zogalis (1 for 4). The Tiger's responded in
the top of the 9th. With two outs and the bases empty, Pinoccs Patton-Bowe singled and stole second. On an 0-2
pitch, Butch O'Sullivan singled to drive home the winning run. The A's threatened in the bottom of the 9th, but
Tiger's pitcher Mitch Williams closed out the game to notch his second win of the season.
Tiger's starting pitcher Andy Moan was outstanding going 7 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs and striking out 9.
A's starter Tom McCabe went the distance in the loss striking out 6. Francis Medieros went 2 for 3 and debuted as
the A's catcher.
Orioles Indians
Game was postponed.
Braves Cubs
Game was postponed.
Dodgers Cardinals
Game was postponed.
Phillies Brewers
Game was postponed.
Week 3, 05/03/09
As 7 Phillies 5
Sunday 5/3: The As make it 2 in a row by beating the Phillies 7-5!!
The Donfrancesco brothers (say that 10 times fast) led the As hitting attack of 12 hits and 7 runs. Mark (2 for 3,
a triple, 2 runs, & 1 RBI) disintegrated a triple to left field (might have been a HR if he wasn't dragging that
piano behind him) in the 6th inning knocking in what turned out to be the winning run. He also made a spectacular
snag at 1B at the top of the 6th to stop the Phillies from mounting an attack. Mike (2 for 4, 1 run, 1 SB & 1 RBI)
had a superb day on the mound pitching 7 strong innings giving up only 5 hits, no earned runs, 5 Ks, & 2 BBs to get
the win.
Steve (never too late) Southard (1 for 2, 1 RBI) started the day with a solid RBI single in the 3rd against Phillies
starter Rick Huckins (6 & 1/3 innings). Brian Waldman (1 run & 1 SB) & Mike Zogalis (1 double, 1 run & 2 SBs) both
went 2 for 4 putting runners on base for the brothers GRIM. Brian Vogel (1 for 4, 2 RBIs) ripped a 2 run single to
left in the fourth to continue the attack.
The Phillies thankfully spread their hits out sporadically among Sanchez (1 for 3, double), Langan (1 for 3), Rob
Pisano (1 for 4), Mark Rogers (1 for 3), & Rick Huckins (1 for 3). Briller (1 for 4, 2 RBIs & 1 SB) blasted a 2
run double in the 9th to bring the Phillies to within 2 runs before Steve (show boat) Halzel's game ending
(un-necessary) diving catch in left field on Rob Pisano ended the game. Rob Pisano shut the As down for the
last 2 2/3 innings with no hits and 2 Ks.
Red Sox 7 Dodgers 6
Ashland's Michael Auren had himself a day both offensively and defensively, leading the Red Sox to a 7-6
come-from-behind win over the visiting Maynard Dodgers Sunday.
Auren's two-out soft line drive single in the bottom of the ninth plated pinch-runner Ron Russell from second
for the walk-off win.
Brent McKenzie (2-for-4, two doubles) set the scene for Auren's heroics with a two-out rocket to left-center.
Previously, Russell had almost sent everyone home with a just-foul blast down the left field line.
Auren went 3-for-4 with two doubles. He also started two double plays while anchoring a solid Red Sox infield.
"Nice comeback," said Ashland manager Steve Saraceno afterwards. "We went into the bottom of the seventh
down 6-2. In that situation a coach usually urges his team to chip away at the lead. And that's just what
we did. One run in the seventh, three in the eighth, and the game-winner in the ninth. I couldn't have ordered
it any better."
Ashland's rookie first baseman Mike Leach came through bigtime in the eighth. With two-outs and two-strikes,
Leach muscled a broken bat blooper into left to score two and tie the game at 6-6.
Dodger starter Randy Fesh pitched well before departing late. He was helped offensively by centerfielder Dave
Christian (3-for-3, double), third-baseman Ben Campbell (2-for-2, double), and shortstop-manager Eric Niccoli
(2-for-3).
New Sox infielders Ron Russell (2-for-3) and Chris Parlante (2-for-4) continued to impress. Steve Triveri
turned in a fine start on the mound, holding a strong Dodger lineup to three runs over five innings. Manager
Steve Saraceno (2-1) then swooped in for his typical vulture win.
Cubs 9 Tigers 8
In a long day at Feeley Field, the Cubs topped the Tigers by 1 after a late game comeback. Capitalizing
on a breakdown in the Tigers defense, the Cubs plated 5 runs in last three innings to notch their first
win of the season.
The Tigers once again got solid outings by their pitchers. Jamie Kuczmiec, Mitch Williams and Andy Moan
scattered 8 hits and combined for 12 strikeouts. Cubs pitching, led by starter Tom Barnes, then Eddie Murray and
Chris Ricker, also scattered only 8 hits. The Cubs shut down a bottom of the 9th rally getting out of a bases
loaded jam to close out the game.
Cubs slugger Ken Hamm had a three hit game and scored two runs. The Cubs drove in 8 of their 9 runs with two
out base hits including scoring 2 runs in the 7th and 2 runs in the ninth with two outs and the bases empty rallies.
Tigers catcher Mike Pfrang had a solid day at the plate going 1-2 with a RBI and scoring a run.
Braves 14 Indians 8
The Braves traveled to Marlboro to face the Tribe and came home with a hard fought and satisfying 13-7 victory.
The Braves plated 4 runs in the top of the first and never looked back. The Indians kept pecking away when the
Braves threatened to pull away and never quit. The Braves are off to a nice 3-0 start.
Hard throwing Eric Holmes got the start for the Tribe with veteran junk baller Jim Callaghan getting the nod for
Rich Moran's Braves. The Braves put up a quick 4 spot in the first inning with the top 6 of Bickford, Pietila,
Callaghan, Nix, Fantasia and Purdy hitting safely. Pietila's line shot triple to right ended with his awkward
slide into 3rd and subsequent shoulder separation. Luckily, Doc Stecyk was playing left for the Indians and was
able to help Pietila pop it back into its socket. The Braves are hopefull Pietila can recover, he is probably
the best all around player on the Braves. The Braves continued chipping away in the early and middle innings
scoring 1 in the 3rd, 2 in the 5th and one in the 6th. Mike Londergan had a legendary at bat in the 5th, fouling
off several 3-2 pitches before drawing an important walk spearheading that 2 run rally which culminated on a
Callaghan double and a Nix RBI groundout.
The Indians were given a spark in the 3rd on an absolute bomb of a double by Jack Buchanan and an RBI single by
manager Jerry Guerra who went 4-5 and hit every ball solid all day. Callaghan exited after 5 innings, 2 earned
runs and 3 k's. Jamie Nix pitched the next 3 innings and threw very well. The injury to Pietila and some nagging
other injuries forced the Braves to improvise defensively and the Indians took advantage with some Braves errors
and timely hits. Hugh Cornwell hit a 400 foot bomb to left to spark one rally. Still, Nix held tough and fanned
3 in his 3 innings and added to the Braves tally with a big triple in the 7th and was driven in by John Fantasia.
Everyone in the order got on base for the Braves. Bickford, Callaghan, Nix and Raul Matos had 3 hit games. TJ
May chipped in with 2. Kevin Specter did a great job filling in at short. Steve Purdy closed out the game in
the 9th for the Braves fanning 2 Indians. The Indians' Randy Pena relieved Holmes in the late innings and did a
nice job.
Brewers 16 Mariners 11
No recap available.
Orioles 14 Cardinals 4
No recap available.
Week 2, 04/26/09
Braves 18 Brewers 2
The Braves opened up their home schedule with an 18-2 win over the Brewers. Though the Braves controlled the
game from the start, the game was a lot closer than indicated with some late runs for the Braves pushing
the final score in 7 innings.
Jamie Nix and Jim Callaghan split the pitching for the Braves, each gave up 1 run. Nix did a nice job
keeping the Brewers off balance and the erratic Callaghan was bailed out by his defense. Nix and Callaghan
had strong offensive games also.
Veteran Bill Hoover got the start for the Brewers and pitched pretty well, though the potent Braves
offense starting firing up in the middle innings. Justin Peterson had a monster game with 3 big bombs
including his first dinger. Steve Purdy hit the ball well also. Offense was had from top to bottom
pretty evenly. Toby Peterson and Kevin Specter had nice Braves debuts. Every Brave hit safely. The
Braves travel to Marlboro next weekend to face the tough Indians.
As 11 Indians 3
The A's take the Indians 11-3 to get their first win ever. Backed by a solid defense (no errors), Tom
McCabe pitched a complete game with 4Ks & only 2 walks. The A's never felt comfortable because the
Indians logged 13 hits. They just couldn't bring them home.
Unbelievable catch of the day (ESPN moment) goes to Brian Waldman in the bottom of the 9th!!! Jerry
Guerra (2 for 4) blasted a shot to deep left center, got triple written all over it, with his blazing
closing speed, Brian leaps during full stride, catches the ball over his shoulder, tumblesaults to a
standing position, shows the ball to the umps... The crowd (all 3 of them) goes wild!!! Wald Man Wald Man. ..
The A's faced 3 different Indian pitchers (Randy Pina, Jack Buchanan & Mike Richards ), none were able
to keep the A's bats quiet. Steve Southard went 3 for 3 (2 singles & a double), 1BB, 3 runs & 3 RBIs.
Brian Winston, besides going 2 for 4 (double & single), 2 runs & 1 RBI; he made 2 diving base tagging
outs to starve off any possible threat from the strong bats of the Indians... Brian Waldman went 3 for 5;
Both Brian Vogel and Mike Donfrancesco went 2 for 4 with an RBI each.
Notable Indian hitters: Mark Borezo went 3 for 3 all doubles & 2 RBIs. Huge Cornwell went 2 for 4.
Tigers 15 Mariners 0
The Tigers continue their winning ways with a 15-0 victory over the Mariners at Feeley Field. Tigers
rookie pitcher Jamie Kuczmiec got the start the threw 5 solid innings giving up just 2 hits and striking
out 8. Andy Moan threw 3 innings of relief and was equally effective allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4.
It was a close one run game through the first three innings until the Tigers offense came up with a 7 run
4th and began to pull away. The Tigers offense collected 14 total hits including doubles from lead-off
man Pinoccs and rookie Mark Furbush to start the 4th inning rally. Chris Farley and Scott Matey both
had a multiple hit and RBI day.
The Tigers host the Cubs next week and look to avenge last year's tough double header lost.
Orioles 10 Red Sox 2
Steve Triveri's outstanding relief pitching provided the only Red Sox bright spot in a 10-2 whomping by the
Framingham Orioles Sunday at the Ashland Middle School field.
Triveri struck out six Orioles in four innings, allowing just one run against a lineup of strong bats that
knocked around starter and loser Steve Saraceno (1-1) for nine runs in the first five innings.
Mike Auren (1-for-2, two walks) led a light Ashland offense. In the field the Sox again proved inconsistent,
despite two double plays.
Oriole third-baseman Chris Currie (3-for-5, two doubles) spearheaded the early attack against starter Saraceno.
Also striking blows were manager Tom Galvani (2-for-4, double), Steve Defusco (2-for-4, double), Chris
Swanecamp (2-for-5), and Dave Jaffe (2-for-5).
"I used to play for the Orioles," said Saraceno afterwards. "Those guys used to be my friends. I can't
understand what happened."
Cardinals 11 Cubs 7
No recap available.
Dodgers 15 Phillies 4
No recap available.
Week 1, 04/19/09
Braves 22 Mariners 2
The Braves opened up their 2009 season with a convincing 22-2 victory at Holliston. The score certainly
doesn't indicate the closeless of the game early, but the Braves were solid in all 3 facets as they pulled
away in the late innings.
The Braves threw 4 different pitchers today. Jim Callaghan, Jamie Nix, Steve Purdy and Rich Moran combined
to keep the M's off balance. Callaghan struck out 7 in his 4 shutout innings and Purdy electrified the big
crowd by striking out the side in his one frame. Jamie Nix looked great in his first Braves outing and
Moran had a nice inning. For the M's, Mike Breslau got the start and pitched very well into the 7th inning.
He kept the Braves hitters off balance and was let down by his defense at times. Breslau was also the hitting
star for the M's hitting a rocket double leading off the game.
Offensively, the Braves got contributions all the way through, but the table setters Dale Bickford and
Mike Pietiela were on base all day for the big boys and set the tone. Nix had a great debut at the plate.
John Fantasia and TJ May hit the ball hard. The offense was very well spread out.
Red Sox 12 Cardinals 11
The Hudson Cardinals scared the hell out of the Ashland Red Sox with seven runs in the ninth inning Sunday at
Ashland. But starter Steve Saraceno stranded the tying run at second to give the Red Sox a 12-11 barnburner
of an Opening Day victory.
After taking advantage of some early Red Sox miscues, the Cards' bats dozed from the third inning to the
ninth. But then two Ashland errors and a subsequent double by Jeremy Ames (2-for-4), triple by Andrew
Calkins (2-for-4), three-run homer over the leftfield fence by Roberto Valentin (2-for-4), single by John
Beloff (2-for-4), double by Ray Sullivan, and single by Dave Bacle (2-for-4) brought the Cards within one.
At this point Saraceno punched out the Cards' Howie Simon to end things. It was Saraceno's seventh K of the
day. He walked none.
Two ex-minor leaguers dazzled in their Red Sox debut: infielder Ron Russell (Texas Rangers organization)
collected three-for-four with a double. And catcher Rob Linn (Milwaukee Brewers) went 3-for-5 with a big
double in the first. Two other Ashland rookies also premiered successfully: infielder Chris Parlante
(2-for-4, walk) and speedy centerfielder Jim Gavagan (2-for-4, 3 runs).
Ashland leftfielder Brian Farrell picked up where he left off last year, going 2-for-3 with two walks.
And leave us not forget the Saraceno boys: Victor (3 RBI, including the game winner) and Steve
(2-for-3, HBP).
"What a crazy game!!!" remarked Hudson manager Matt Sandock afterwards. "It was a lot of fun. What a way
to dust off the cobwebs of long off-season."
"Good opening day weather, lots of errors, humongous scores, a late comeback -- I love it!" said Ashland
manager Saraceno. "If baseball is a game of failure we sure played some baseball today!"