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.
White Sox 13 Orioles 5
No recap available.
Cardinals 20 Cubs 4
No recap available.
Braves 16 Dodgers 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).