2011 LCS, Games 1 and 2

St. Louis at Milwaukee (Game 1), 3:05 p.m. CDT, TBS
Jaime Garcia vs. Zack Greinke

Detroit at Texas (Tigers lead ALCS 1-0), 6:45 p.m. CDT, FOX
Max Scherzer vs. Derek Holland

I was kind of hoping that the ALCS would have the first game today. For whatever reason, I always thought it was funny when one LCS had two games done before the other one even started. Of course, that meant a Game 2 ending within an hour or so of the other series' Game 1 starting. Oh well.

I guess I'm rooting for the Brewers since they were the only team that I actually picked to get this far. I have mixed feelings for the Cardinals. I think they have a truly great fan base and I have the utmost respect for Pujols. Plus, they have Lil' Nicky. But I have nothing but contempt for La Russa. I have no reason to root against the Brewers.

Apparently, even Justin Verlander can't overcome the loss of Delmon Young.

Solar Sox Summary

Mesa led 4-2 after six, but Salt River scored in each of the last three innings to take a 5-4 victory in Mesa and keep the Solar Sox winless.  Once again, the winning run scored on an error.

Ryan Wheeler (Arizona) had four hits, two of them doubles, to lead the Rafters.  David Nick (Arizona) singled and doubled and Jay Austin (Houston) had two hits.  Josh Zeid (Houston) worked a scoreless eighth, walking one, to get the win and Josh Wall (Dodgers) pitched a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit, to get the save.

For Mesa, Josh Vitters (Cubs) led the way with three hits.  Tyler Saladino (White Sox) and D. J. LeMahieu (Cubs) each had two hits.  No Twins position players appeared in the game.  Bruce Pugh threw one inning, giving up a run on a hit and three walks.  Chris Carpenter (Cubs) struck out two in the ninth but gave up the unearned run to take the loss.

The Solar Sox are off today.  Still seeking their first win of the season, they travel to Scottsdale Monday night.

Solar Sox Summary

Salt River tallied in the bottom of the ninth to keep Mesa winless and take a 4-3 victory.  The winning run scored on an error.

Adam Eaton (Arizona) had two hits to lead the Rafters.  Kody Hinze (Houston) hit a two-run homer in the fourth to tie the game.  Tyler Stohr (Detroit) worked a scoreless ninth despite allowing two walks to get the win.

Jarek Cunningham (Pittsburgh) hit a two-run homer in the second to give the Solar Sox a 2-0 lead.  Chris Herrmann was 1-for-2 with a double and two walks.  Aaron Hicks was 0-for-5.  Dakota Watts gave up an unearned run on two hits in two innings.  Marcus Hatley (Cubs) gave up a run on a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings to take the loss.

The Solar Sox again try for their first win as they host Salt River tonight.

Happy Birthday–October 8

Doc Crandall (1887)
Donie Bush (1887)
Ping Bodie (1887)
Wally Moses (1910)
Danny Murtaugh (1917)
Catfish Metkovich (1920)
Ed Kirkpatrick (1924)
Paul Splittorff (1926)
Don Pepper (1943)
Rick Stelmaszek (1948)
Enos Cabell (1949)
Jerry Reed (1955)
Jeff Lahti (1956)
Mike Morgan (1959)
J. T. Bruett (1967)
Olmedo Saenz (1970)

Right-hander Jerry Reed was drafted by the Twins in the eleventh round in 1973, but did not sign.

We would also like to wish E-6 a very happy birthday.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–October 8