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Ada sesapa yg follow x MLB nih??aku sesekali tgk jugak.....sapa yg minat jenguk2 ler website nih....www.mlb.com |
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- a-rod, cubs talk record deal -
Report: Prospective Cubs Ownership Set to Offer A-Rod Megadeal
Yahoo! Sports
September 23, 2007
Link to original article
NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Alex Rodriguez is setting himself up for a huge offseason.
New York Magazine reported on Sunday that Rodriguez could end up with the Chicago Cubs next season with a contract that could be worth as much as $30 million a year for 10 years and includes an ownership stake in the team.
The All-Star third baseman can opt-out of the $252 million contract he signed with the Texas Rangers six years ago at the end of this season.
Rodriguez is batting .312 and leads the major leagues with 52 home runs, 146 RBI and 138 runs scored, leading the surging Yankees (90-65) to a 5 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers (85-71) in the American League wild card race.
According to the magazine, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, has already identified the leading candidate to buy the Cubs and has begun negotiations on a contract. If that is true, it could lead the Yankees to file tampering charges, since Rodriguez already is under contract.
Citing sources, the magazine reported that the deal could reach the $30 million per year level over 10 years, with part of the contract deferred toward an eventual stake in the franchise.
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez hits an RBI-single off a pitch by Boston Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon bringing in teammate Bobby Abreu for the go ahead run in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Boston's Fenway Park, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. The Yankees beat the Red Sox, 8-7.
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Yankees executive Randy Levine responded harshly to the magazine piece.
"It's a silly story, and we don't believe it," Levine told ESPN.com. "However, if it was true, it would be grounds to disqualify the applicant even before he went through the process, because it would demonstrate a disregard for major league rules and procedures, and we're confident the commissioner would feel the same way."
ESPN.com reported that Levine later said he spoke to Commissioner Bud Selig, who agreed with Levine's interpretation of the story, and its possible implications.
A player can neither have part ownership of a team nor negotiate for future ownership.
Updated on Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 8:26 pm, EDT
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- major league baseball (MLB) -
Indians Clinch AL Central Title
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
September 23, 2007
Link to original article
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians finally tasted something sweeter than all those postgame pies.
Expensive champagne -- cases and cases of bubbly -- soaked the home clubhouse at Jacobs Field for the first time since 2001 on Sunday as the Indians, overlooked as a contender in baseball's toughest division, clinched the AL Central with a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
The Indians, whose home opener was postponed by a freakish snowstorm and whose path to a title was unlike any in team history, will again play meaningful games in October.
After finishing fourth and 18 games out of first place a year ago, Cleveland is back among the AL's elite.
"Somewhere among the snow and the craziness of the schedule and the injuries, this team became a family," pitcher Paul Byrd said amid the delirium and flying liquid. "Everybody chipped in. I've never been on a team where everybody has been included in the victories as much as we have."
And after every one of Cleveland's home wins, the star player got smacked in the face during their TV interview with a whipped-cream pie, a tradition outfielder Trot Nixon started and one he continued during Sunday's postgame mayhem by first nailing manager Eric Wedge and then general manager Mark Shapiro.
"This is what it's all about," Wedge said, clutching a bottle of champagne. "This is what we've waited for."
Jake Westbrook struck out a career-high nine and Grady Sizemore had four hits as the Indians became the second team in the majors to clinch. The Boston Red Sox assured themselves of at least the AL wild-card spot Saturday night.
The Cleveland Indians celebrate after beating the Oakland Athletics 6-2 to clinch the Central Division title, in a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, in Cleveland.
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When reliever Rafael Betancourt struck out Oakland's Mark Ellis for the final out and his second save, the sun-splashed crowd of 40,250 erupted as the right-hander jumped into catcher Victor Martinez's arms.
The Indians poured onto the infield, and moments later, ace C.C. Sabathia led the club toward center field where they watched as a 2007 championship banner was hoisted atop the center-field scoreboard.
"Goosebumps," Sabathia said, searching for words to describe his emotions. "It was so good to do it at home. I had no doubt that we would win it."
Sabathia was a rookie the last time the Indians made the postseason. He went 17-5 back then on a veteran-heavy squad that came up short in its quest to become the first Cleveland team to win a World Series since 1948.
Sabathia's a No. 1 starter now, and among the favorites to win the Cy Young Award this season.
However, his eyes are on a grander trophy.
"I just want to win a World Series," he said. "I don't want to stop now. I want more."
Disregarded by many, Cleveland overcame a strange start and recaptured a crown it won six times in seven years from 1995-2001.
But for these Indians, little went as planned.
Their first homestand in April was postponed by snow, forcing the club to play three "home" games in Milwaukee's Miller Park against the Los Angeles Angels. Three other games against Seattle were made up at the Jake.
Technically, Cleveland still has one "home" game remaining -- on Wednesday, 2,000 miles away at Seattle's Safeco Field as part of a doubleheader with the Mariners.
The Indians, rebuilt the past few years by Shapiro, began 2007 with question marks around the diamond, and especially in their bullpen. But after moving into first place on Aug. 15, they stayed there by going 27-9 and ran away from the defending AL champion Tigers.
Now, they have a chance to finish with the best record in the majors.
"Their front office did a great job," A's manager Bob Geren said. "Eric Wedge is a friend of mine so I'm happy for him. You could feel the excitement in the air for them."
And while much of their lineup looks as it did in April, the Indians made some major changes to snap them out of a midseason slump that threatened to spoil a season filled with thrilling comebacks.
Rookie second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, one of three players who began the season at Double-A Akron, became a spark after Josh Barfield was benched. The Indians also got unexpected contributions from reliever Rafael Perez and outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Ben Francisco.
The guys Cleveland was counting on came through, too.
Bill Forester, from Akron, Ohio, cheers for the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics, in a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, in Cleveland.
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Sabathia anchored a strong pitching staff that included 18-game Fausto Carmona, who went 1-10 as a rookie and had a disastrous tryout as a closer last season. He was only on the staff because of injuries to Westbrook and Cliff Lee.
Byrd bounced back from a subpar year to win 15 games and Cleveland's bullpen, a nightmarish collection in recent years, finally solidified behind Betancourt and Joe Borowski, who only got the job because Keith Foulke retired.
"I've never seen things like that happen in my career," Byrd said. "It seems like every time we needed a lift, a pickup, somebody came through. It's been a lot of unsung heroes, people that have really made this a team."
While not equal to New York's or Boston's powerful lineups, the Indians have balance, depth and timing. Martinez was an All-Star and the club's steadiest hitter all season, and his power numbers helped compensate for designated hitter Travis Hafner's unexpected decline.
Cleveland has 43 come-from-behind wins, including 13 in their final at-bat at home.
After failing to clinch before a sellout crowd on Saturday, the Indians didn't want to disappoint on Fan Appreciation Day and scored four runs in the fourth to open a 6-0 lead against Dallas Braden (1-8).
The six-run cushion was plenty for Westbrook (6-9), who along with Sabathia and Kenny Lofton are the only players still around from '01.
As his teammates emptied bottles and cans of beer on each other a few feet away, Lofton, acquired in July from Texas for his third stint in Cleveland, smiled as memories of other parties washed over him.
"This is just as special as the first time for me," he said. "I think to the young kids, being their first time through this, it lets them know how special this team really is. When I got the chance to come back to Cleveland, I knew this team had a chance, but I don't think some of the guys here really understood how good they were.
"Now, they do. This is a team of winners."
Notes
The Indians' seven division titles in 13 seasons since realignment in 1995 trail only the Atlanta Braves (11) and Yankees (10). ... It was the fourth time the Indians have clinched in their 155th game. They also did it in 1948, 1997 and 2001. ... A's 1B Daric Barton hit a two-run homer and has reached base safely in all 13 games since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sept. 10. ... Oakland, which will not finish with a winning record for the first time in nine seasons, has lost 18 of 28.
Updated on Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 6:51 pm, EDT
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- major league baseball (MLB) -
Angels Lock Up Another AL West Crown
By KEN PETERS
AP Sports Writer
September 23, 2007
Link to original article
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Shades of 2002.
With John Lackey starting, Francisco Rodriguez closing and fans waving those rally monkeys, the Los Angeles Angels clinched their third AL West title in four years Sunday, beating the Seattle Mariners 7-4.
"It's a lot of fun today, but it's just the beginning," said owner Arte Moreno, champagne dripping from the championship cap he wore in the clubhouse celebration. "You've got to get here before you can go on.
"We already know where we've been and now we're excited about where we're going," he said.
After losing two in a row to the Mariners, manager Mike Scioscia's team clinched in its final home game of the regular season.
The Los Angeles Angels celebrate winning the MLB American League Western Division baseball championship after a 7-4 win against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, California September 23, 2007.
REUTERS/Mark Avery (UNITED STATES)
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Lackey (18-9) again came up big in a big game.
"I take a little pride in that sort of thing," he said after holding the Mariners to two runs through seven innings. "I enjoy getting the opportunity in big games and I want to make the most of it."
Lackey pitched the wild-card clincher in 2002, then won the final game of the World Series against San Francisco, the first rookie to win Game 7 in the World Series since 1909.
Rodriguez was the setup man that year and now is the team's closer. He earned his 38th save in 43 chances with a 1-2-3 ninth against the Mariners.
"I guess he and I are a pretty good formula," Lackey said. "I was a lot skinnier and younger then."
Rodriguez, beaming, said it was great to be back in the playoffs.
"Now we just want to keep going, and going and going," he said.
Hours after Cleveland clinched the AL Central, the Angels locked up their spot. On Saturday night, Boston assured itself of at least an AL wild-card slot.
Casey Kotchman and Macier Izturis homered in the second inning to put the Angels ahead to stay.
The Angels' 91-65 record gave them an insurmountable 8 1/2 -game lead over the second-place Mariners.
Seattle was one game behind Los Angeles on Aug. 25, and two back when the Angels came to town two days later. The Angels swept the three-game series and the Mariners, who had lost five in a row at the point, went on to drop 10 of their next 12 and fall out of contention.
Seattle manager John McLaren complimented the Angels.
"That's where you want to be -- right in the middle of the field jumping on each other," he said. "That's what it's all about. We want that day to come soon for us.
"We know we've got our work to do to catch these guys. They're a good ballclub. Mike and his staff did a great job and I wish them nothing but the best of luck. We played hard but came up short," McLaren said.
The first-place finish is only the sixth in the Angels' 47-year history, and the trip to the postseason is just their seventh. Before their recent run of success, they hadn't made the playoffs since 1986.
The only players remaining from the 2002 championship team are Lackey, Rodriguez, Garret Anderson, Scot Shields and Chone Figgins. All were key contributors to the team's drive to the West title this year.
Los Angeles has one goal remaining this week -- earning home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs by finishing with the league's best record. They're currently bunched near the top with the Indians, Red Sox and New York Yankees.
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is interviewed in the locker room as members of the team celebrate behind him after defeating the Seattle Mariners 7-4 to clinch the American League West division title in a baseball game on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 in Anaheim, Calif.
(AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
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"We hope to get it, but it's more important for us to have our team as a whole ready to go," Scioscia said. "We're going to try to win every game out there, but not at the expense of a having a fractured team that isn't where it needs to be. We have a huge challenge ahead of us."
Lackey allowed seven hits and struck out seven as he beat Seattle for the fourth time in as many decisions this year. He hadn't allowed a run all season against them until Jose Lopez's RBI single in the fifth.
Ben Broussard added an RBI double in the sixth to pull the Mariners with 3-2, but a sacrifice fly by Figgins and an RBI single by Orlando Cabrera in the bottom half built the lead back. Howie Kendrick's RBI single and another sacrifice fly by Figgins made it 7-2 in the seventh.
The Mariners scored twice in the eighth inning after they loaded the bases against Shields. Justin Speier relieved and threw consecutive wild pitches that allowed two runners to come home.
Jeff Weaver (7-13) gave up five runs and five hits. After he plunked Kendrick for the second time in the game, Weaver left the game because of a torn fingernail on his right hand.
The Angels have been considerably tougher at home this year, where they have a major league-best record of 54-27. They are just one game above .500 on the road, with a 38-37 mark.
Notes
The Angels clinched the division title earlier than ever before. The 1979 club locked up the West on Sept. 25. ... Seattle last made the playoffs in 2001, winning the division with a club-record 116 victories. ... The Angels' home record matched the best mark in franchise history, which was set in 2002. Their 34th sellout crowd boosted their total home attendance to 3,365,632. ... Seattle (82-72) finished its road schedule 39-41, four games worse than last season.
Updated on Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 8:53 pm, EDT
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[table=96%,lemonchiffon] |
- amazing' disgrace -
Mets Complete Collapse, Miss Playoffs
By Tim Brown
Yahoo! Sports
September 30, 2007
Link to original article
[table=94%,black]
There's plenty of blame to go around after the Mets' shocking and historic collapse in the NL East.
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NEW YORK |
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2007 Major League Baseball Playoff
Division Series
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox |
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1. Los Angeles Angels 0-4 Boston
2. Los Angeles Angels 3-6 Boston
3. Los Angeles Angels 1-9 Boston
Red Sox win series 3-0 
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New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians |
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1. New York Yankees 3-12 Cleveland
2. New York Yankees 1-2 Cleveland F/11
3. New York Yankees 8-4 Cleveland
4. New York Yankees 4-6 Cleveland
Indians win series 3-1
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Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks |
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1. Chicago Cubs 1-3 Arizona
2. Chicago Cubs 4-8 Arizona
3. Chicago Cubs 1-5 Arizona
Diamondbacks win series 3-0
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Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies |
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1. Colorado 4-2 Philadelphia
2. Colorado 10-5 Philadelphia
3. Colorado 2-1 Philadelphia
Rockies win series 3-0
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* If necessary
Updated on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 8:52 pm, PDT
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[ Last edited by oobi at 9-10-2007 11:57 AM ] |
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I want to see Rockies and Indians go to the World Series. |
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i think yankees & phillies will go to World Series...... |
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Reply #68 pacubob's post
Indians beat the h*ll out of Yankee yesterday. Rockies is leading 2-0 against Phillies. Arizona is a good team too. Cubs played like they were not there yesterday. Think D-Backs and Rockies will go to the next round. For AL, I'm not sure what other team will go to the next round, but Indians is for sure  |
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- praising arizona, snake rise -
Diamondbacks Finish 3-Game Sweep of Cubs
By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer
October 6, 2007
Link to original article
99 years of solitude
The Curse of the Billy Goat lives as Arizona sweeps the snakebitten Cubs from the playoffs with a 5-1 win.
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CHICAGO (AP) -- A sweet sweep for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another cry of `Wait Til Next Year' from the crestfallen Chicago Cubs.
Chris Young homered on the game's first pitch, Livan Hernandez wriggled out of several serious jams and Arizona beat the Cubs 5-1 on Saturday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL division series.
Short on stars and attention -- but not pitching and defense -- the young Diamondbacks are headed to the NL championship series for the second time in the franchise's 10-year history. The previous time they made it this far they went all the way, beating the New York Yankees in the 2001 World Series.
Now, the Diamondbacks get four days to rest before hosting the winner of the Rockies-Phillies series in Game 1 of the NLCS on Thursday. Colorado entered Saturday night with a 2-0 lead over Philadelphia in the best-of-five playoff.
As for the Cubs, it's 99 years and counting since their last World Series title. Even a return to Wrigley Field and its raucous fans couldn't get Chicago's bats out of a series-long slumber.
The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate their 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of a National League Division Series playoff baseball game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Diamondbacks won the best-of-five series 3-0.
(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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Call it curses or bad luck or whatever, but on this sultry October night, the Diamondbacks showed what was obvious since the series began -- they were the better team, even though they had only four players on the first-round roster with postseason experience.
Chicago's best chance might have come in the opener, when manager Lou Piniella made a move that will be questioned for years. He pulled Carlos Zambrano after six innings and only 85 pitches with the score 1-all because he planned to bring his ace back on three days' rest in Game 4.
The Cubs never got that far.
Chicago went from worst-to-first in Piniella's first season as manager, and the team's long-suffering fans were ecstatic after a late surge to the NL Central title. But just when they started to get excited about ending the drought, the Cubs went down in a first-round sweep.
Eric Byrnes and Stephen Drew also homered for the NL West champion Diamondbacks, the first team to have a league's best record and worst batting average since the 1906 Chicago White Sox.
Forget the stats, though, these kids showed they can play under pressure with a sound and thorough thumping of the punchless Cubs.
Hernandez, the 1997 World Series MVP for Florida, gave Arizona another lift. He allowed five hits and a run in six innings, overcoming five walks. The Diamondbacks' defense turned four double plays, three while Hernandez was pitching.
Arizona also got solid starts from Brandon Webb and Doug Davis in the series, and the bullpen wasn't charged with a run. Tony Pena, Brandon Lyon and Jose Valverde finished up with stellar relief on Saturday.
Byrnes homered in the sixth off reliever Carlos Marmol and drove in a run with a disputed fielder's choice when he beat a relay to first on a potential double-play grounder in the fourth. Drew hit his second homer of the series, a solo shot off Kerry Wood in the ninth.
Hernandez walked the bases loaded in the fifth as Wrigley Field became deafening with the crowd on its feet, but Mark DeRosa hit into a double play on a 3-1 pitch to end the inning.
Chicago's RBI leader, Aramis Ramirez, came up twice in the early innings with two runners on but struck out and hit into a double play, illustrating the Cubs' offensive woes. He finished the series 0-for-12.
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Augie Ojeda fires to first after forcing Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano at second on the first half of a double play in the first inning in Game 3 of a National League Division Series playoff baseball game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cubs' Ryan Theriot was out at first.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Young, who hit a three-run homer in Game 2 that put the Diamondbacks ahead, drove Chicago starter Rich Hill's first pitch into the left-field bleachers, and Arizona was off and running.
Drew then doubled to right-center over Cliff Floyd's head. Hill momentarily regrouped, striking out Eric Byrnes and Conor Jackson. But Mark Reynolds worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch before Justin Upton hit an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
Hill was removed in the fourth after giving up a single to Hernandez. Michael Wuertz immediately walked Young, loading the bases, and struck out Drew before Byrnes hit a grounder to third.
First base umpire Mike Everitt ruled that Byrnes beat DeRosa's relay from second as Arizona's third run scored and the crowd booed.
Piniella came out to argue, but replays were inconclusive.
DeRosa singled to start the bottom of the fourth and easily went to third on Jacque Jones' double to right-center. DeRosa scored on Jason Kendall's RBI grounder, but Hernandez escaped further damage.
Hernandez also had a shaky first. He walked Alfonso Soriano before Ryan Theriot hit into a double play. Derrek Lee followed with a sharp single and Hernandez hit Cliff Floyd with a pitch before recovering from a 3-0 count to strike out Ramirez.
Ramirez came up again with two runners on in the third and bounced into a double play.
Notes
This is the Diamondbacks' fourth postseason appearance. ... Ernie Banks threw out the first pitch. ... Wrigley Field's outfield was re-sodded. During the last homestand of the season both the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates had criticized the condition of the grass.
Updated on Saturday, Oct 6, 2007 9:51 pm, EDT
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[ Last edited by oobi at 7-10-2007 10:48 AM ] |
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- wild wild west -
Jimenez, Rockies Flush Phils with Three-Game Sweep
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer
October 7, 2007
Link to original article
It's Rock-tober
Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba (8) is congratulated by teammate Matt Holliday after Torrealba scored on Colorado Rockies' Kazuo Matsui triple against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 5th inning of Game 3 of a National League Division Series playoff baseball game on Saturday, Oct. 6, 200,7 at Coors Field in Denver.
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DENVER (AP) -- The blackout at Coors Field was caused by a cranky computer. Blame the Philadelphia Phillies' power outage on rookie Ubaldo Jimenez and a Colorado bullpen that has been lights out for three weeks.
The Rockies roared into the NL championship series Saturday night, completing a three-game sweep by beating Philadelphia 2-1 on pinch-hitter Jeff Baker's tiebreaking single in the eighth inning.
Colorado's 17th win in 18 games was fueled by Jimenez, the hard-throwing 23-year-old who allowed one run and three hits over 6 1-3 innings, and a bevy of reliable relievers who silenced the Phillies' dangerous bats for the third straight game.
The wild-card Rockies get four days off before opening the NLCS on Thursday in Arizona, the first time two teams from the NL West have met in the league championship series.
The young Diamondbacks, also a big surprise this season, finished a first-round sweep of the Chicago Cubs earlier Saturday.
Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, right, fires to first to complete a double play after forcing Philadelphia Phillies' Carlos Ruiz at second during the fifth inning of Game 3 of a National League baseball division playoff series Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Coors Field in Denver. Abraham Nunez was out at first.
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This series was supposed to be a slugfest between the NL's two highest-scoring teams -- in two of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. But the Rockies put on a pitching performance that rivaled any in recent memory, shutting down Philadelphia's sluggers time and time again.
They did it with a rotation that included ace Jeff Francis and two rookies, plus a bullpen that has become dominant over the last three incredible weeks.
With two outs in the eighth, Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe hit back-to-back singles off J.C. Romero to put runners at the corners. After a conference on the mound, Romero stayed in and Baker sliced a 1-0 pitch between first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley.
Manny Corpas, who has blown just one save in 22 chances since taking over as closer, pitched the ninth to close out Colorado's first playoff series win in the franchise's 15-year history. It was his third save in the series.
Jimenez's only mistake was a hanging curveball that Shane Victorino sent into the right-field seats in the seventh to tie it 1-all. It was the first hit he allowed since Howard's single in the first inning.
After Carlos Ruiz followed Victorino's homer with a single to left, right-hander Matt Herges came in and retired the next two batters.
Jimenez matched Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia's 44-year-old left-hander who allowed just one run and five hits in six innings and wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed in the second.
Colorado Rockies' Ryan Spilborghs looks over the field after the lights went out at the start of the second inning of Game 3 of the Rockies' National League baseball division playoff series with the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Coors Field in Denver. The game was delayed 14 minutes.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Kaz Matsui, who had five RBIs in Game 2, broke a scoreless tie in the fifth with a triple that skipped past diving left fielder Pat Burrell, scoring Yorvit Torrealba from first base with two outs.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel chose to let Moyer bat for himself leading off the sixth and Jimenez fell behind his counterpart 3-0 before Moyer grounded out on a full-count fastball.
Jimmy Rollins and Utley drew one-out walks but Burrell swung at the first pitch and flied out. Jimenez got out of the jam by inducing Howard into a groundout.
With the flags barely fluttering in the eighth, Burrell skied Brian Fuentes' fastball that just hooked foul before whiffing to end the inning.
This was the first playoff game in Colorado since the humidor was introduced in 2002 to keep baseballs from drying up in Denver's thin air. The ballpark has lost much of its reputation as the "Coors Canaveral" launching pad ever since, but the problem for hitters on this night wasn't moisturized baseballs but strong winds, strange weather and a blackout in the second inning.
Colorado won the series' first two games in Philadelphia by holding the high-scoring Phillies to seven combined runs, setting up a chance for the Rockies to reach the NL championship series for the first time in their 15-year history.
It was the first playoff game in the Mile High City since 1995 and it was everything you'd expect from a baseball game in the Rocky Mountains in October.
A cold front hit the stadium just moments before the Rockies took the field, dropping the temperature 15 degrees into the upper 50s, with gusty winds stirring peanut dust and hot-dog wrappers around the stadium.
Things really got strange in the second inning when a computer malfunction caused the lights to go out while Victorino was up. The players retreated to their dugouts while flashbulbs freckled the stands and auxiliary lights flickered on, casting Coors Field in a dim glow.
The lights returned and play resumed 14 minutes later with winds gusting up to 39 mph inside the stadium, knocking down any ball to the outfield.
Updated on Saturday, Oct 7, 2007 1:08 am, EDT
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NL west has been called one of the worst divisions in MLB for several years. now, it's one of the strongest divisions.
the division is really a pitcher division (after being known as power hitter division), with such names as jake peavy, matt cain, brandon webb, jose valverde, jeff francis, greg maddux, brad penny, livan hernandez, tim lincecum, barry zito, trevor hoffman, and derek lowe. however, never underestimate their hitters (they still can send the ball out of the park, regularly (especially at coors field and chase field).
so, the matchup between the rockies and the d-backs in NLCS will be interesting. no matter who win, hopefully they will bring back the world series crown back to west of mississippi river.
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- angels bow out of postseason quietly -
Schilling, BoSox Finish Sweep of Angels
By JOHN NADEL
AP Sports Writer
October 7, 2007
Link to original article
Sweep Dreams
Boston Red Sox's pitcher Josh Beckett, center, Mike Lowell, right, high five their teammates as they celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels in Game 3 of an American League baseball division playoff series Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif. The Red Sox won 9-1, taking the series 3-0.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- At his best on baseball's biggest stage, Curt Schilling pitched the Boston Red Sox to another sweep of the Angels.
Schilling worked seven masterful innings, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez homered, and the Red Sox routed Los Angeles 9-1 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of their AL playoff series.
Boston joined the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies in sweeping a first-round series this October -- this is the first time since the current format began in 1995 that it's happened.
The Red Sox earned themselves a long rest, too. They will open the AL championship series at Fenway Park on Friday night against either the Cleveland Indians or New York Yankees. Cleveland tried for a sweep Sunday night at Yankee Stadium.
Vladimir Guerrero and his Los Angeles teammates scored a mere four runs in three games. The Angels have lost nine straight playoff games to the Red Sox and seven straight postseason games overall.
Boston beat the Angels in the last three games of the 1986 ALCS and swept them in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.
Schilling raised his postseason record to 9-2 in 16 career starts while lowering his ERA to 1.93.
"That performance today was as much about John Farrell and Jason Varitek as it was about my results," Schilling said, referring to Boston's pitching coach and catcher, respectively. "It's been an incredibly arduous and long road.
"John stuck with me and worked, to help me get to where I needed to be. He knows exactly what I needed to do. And Jason was flawless."
Schilling was working in the postseason for the first time since the 2004 World Series, when his bloody sock became the stuff of baseball lore.
The 40-year-old righty had been hampered by an injured ankle in the AL championship series against the New York Yankees that year. Team doctors stitched a tendon in his right ankle to keep it from flopping around, and he returned to lead the Red Sox to a Game 6 win that tied the series. The Red Sox went on to win Game 7, then the World Series against St. Louis for their first title since 1918.
He wasn't used in the 2005 playoffs, and Boston didn't make the postseason last year.
Boston Red Sox' Julio Lugo scores on a double by Dustin Pedroia as Los Angeles Angels catcher Mike Napoli loses the ball during the eighth inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series playoff baseball game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif. The Red Sox won the game 9-1, taking the series 3-0.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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"I thought Schill was outstanding," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He especially commanded his fastball on both sides of the plate -- in and out, up and down. He really pitched."
Pitching for the first time in 12 days, Schilling scattered six hits while walking one, striking out four and throwing 100 pitches -- 76 for strikes.
He was at his best in his final inning of work.
With the Red Sox leading just 2-0, Maicer Izturis doubled to start the Los Angeles seventh, but Howie Kendrick grounded to second, Juan Rivera popped to first and Mike Napoli struck out to end the inning.
The Angels broke the shutout in the ninth against Eric Gagne. Izturis doubled and later scored on Kendrick's sacrifice fly.
Los Angeles had a big league-best 54-27 record at home this season, hitting .305 at Angel Stadium, but it did them no good against Schilling.
The Angels lost cleanup hitter Garret Anderson early in Sunday's game because of continued problems with conjunctivitis in his right eye. They were already without center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., left off the division series roster after missing 14 games in September with a sprained left ankle and an irritated right knee.
"This series wasn't lost on injuries, it's part of any season, guys are going to get hurt," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We got hit by some of ours at the wrong time. That's baseball. You're not going to look back and make excuses. Those guys went out there and beat us, and that's the bottom line."
Ortiz and Ramirez put the Red Sox ahead to stay by hitting consecutive home runs against Jered Weaver to begin the fourth.
Ortiz hit Weaver's second pitch of the inning over the right-field fence for his franchise-record 10th postseason homer. Ramirez followed by driving a full-count pitch over the center field for his 22nd in the postseason, tying former Yankees star Bernie Williams for the all-time record.
Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez watches his solo home run off of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver as Angels catcer Mike Napoli looks on during the fourth inning in Game 3 of an American League baseball division playoff series Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Just as he did Friday night in Boston, when his game-ending homer gave the Red Sox a 6-3 victory, Ramirez thrust both fists into the air and posed near the plate as his hit sailed out of the ballpark. This time, the display was abbreviated.
The back-to-back homers were the first of the season for the Red Sox stars.
The AL East champs broke open the game in the eighth by scoring seven runs against relievers Scot Shields, Justin Speier and Darren Oliver.
Justin Pedroia, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek hit RBI doubles, Kevin Youkilis had a sacrifice fly, J.D. Drew drove in a run with a grounder and Coco Crisp hit a two-run single.
Weaver, a 25-year-old right-hander who grew up in Southern California and was making his postseason debut, pitched out of a second-and-third, no-out jam in the second, retiring Drew on a dribbler to the mound and striking out Varitek and Crisp.
Anderson, who had 65 RBIs after the All-Star break, was removed the following inning and replaced by Reggie Willits. The move came after Anderson reacted slowly to Lowell's double in the second that put runners at second and third.
"Garret did not see the all in the outfield today," Scioscia said. "You can't take a chance like that if you're not seeing the ball as clearly as you need to. Up until now, he had been fine with that.
The Angels felt the absence of Anderson immediately, because Willits batted with the bases loaded and two outs in the third and popped out to the catcher.
Schilling worked around Guerrero to face Willits, issuing a four-pitch walk to the Angels' slugger with runners at first and third. It was the only walk Schilling allowed.
Notes
The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in five previous postseason series, and won Game 3 each time. They won the first two games of the 1986 World Series over the New York Mets, but wound up losing in seven games. ... Angels 1B Casey Kotchman didn't play because of what manager Mike Scioscia called a non-baseball-related medical condition. "That's all we can say," team spokesman Larry Babcock said. ... Ramirez has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 postseason games. ... Ortiz drew two walks Sunday, giving him seven in the series.
Updated on Sunday, Oct 7, 2007 7:21 pm, EDT
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walaupun aku bukan fans colorado rockies tapi aku nak jadi bandwagon jumper laa. Go rockies!!! |
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Indians are heading to Fenway Park. Yankee lost! Yahooo!!!! |
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Oh oh, will Joe Torrey be back with Yankee next season  ? |
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- tribal law -
Sizemore's Leadoff HR Sets Pace as Indians Flush Yanks
By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer
October 8, 2007
Link to original article
Dismissed
The Yankees were eliminated by the Indians in Game 4 of the ALDS. Cleveland advances to face the Red Sox on Friday.
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NEW YORK (AP) -- Once Grady Sizemore hit a leadoff home run, the Cleveland Indians were headed to the AL championship series while the New York Yankees were braced for a showdown with their boss.
Paul Byrd and the Indians bullpen closed out New York 6-4 in Game 4 Monday night, completing another first-round debacle for the Yankees that might cost manager Joe Torre his job.
The Yankees came in streaking, overcoming a 21-29 start to win the AL wild card. But they were done in by poor pitching, an insect invasion and the latest October vanishing act by Alex Rodriguez, whose bat was quiet until a solo home run in the seventh inning.
The pesky Indians, who wasted a three-run lead in Game 3, chased Chien-Ming Wang in the second and burst ahead 4-0. Byrd kept wiggling out of trouble, and Victor Martinez's two-run single made it 6-1 in the fourth against reliever Mike Mussina.
A day after averting a sweep, New York put runners on in each of the first seven innings. But when it counted, its high-octane offense fell flat once again, with late homers by Rodriguez and Bobby Abreu not enough.
Cleveland Indians' Grady Sizemore, right, is greeted at home plate by Kelly Shoppach, left, and Jhonny Peralta after scoring on a hit by Victor Martinez against the New York Yankees during Game 4 of an American League Division Series baseball game Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in New York.
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Cleveland moves on to its first ALCS since 1998, opening Friday night at Boston. The Indians were only 2-5 against the Red Sox this season, but will have aces C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona rested for Fenway Park.
The Indians are seeking their first World Series title since 1948. The NL championship series starts Thursday night with Colorado at Arizona.
Bewildered New York opens yet another offseason of turmoil, another October over nearly as soon as it began. All eyes will be on owner George Steinbrenner, who said over the weekend that he didn't think he'd keep Torre as manager if New York bowed with another early exit.
Torre managed the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five years and reached the playoffs in all 12 of his seasons. Yet, that might not be enough for Steinbrenner, impatient his team of multimillionaires has gone seven years in a row with no title and hasn't even gotten past the first round since 2004. If Torre does depart, Don Mattingly and Joe Girardi are the leading candidates to replace him.
Fans chanted Torre's name when he made two trips to the mound in the eighth inning, handing the ball to Mariano Rivera for perhaps the final time in an era that brought the Yankees success they had not enjoyed since the 1950s.
A disappointed crowd of 56,315 also might have seen Rodriguez in pinstripes for the final time. A likely MVP during the regular season, A-Rod was largely AWOL in the postseason for the third straight year, striking out with two on in the first and again leading off the third.
Rodriguez, who can opt of his record $252 million, 10-year contract next month, did hit a solo homer off Rafael Perez in the seventh -- ending a streak of 57 consecutive postseason at-bats without an RBI since 2004. He finished 4-for-15 in the series.
Rodriguez is not the only one who may depart. Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens also aren't assured of coming back, although the Yankees probably will try to keep some, if not all.
Derek Jeter will be back, of course. But the hero of postseasons past had just one RBI in the series and bounced into three double plays.
Cleveland completed a sorry season for New York's teams -- the Mets swooned with 12 losses in 17 games and missed the playoffs entirely. And with the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies also knocked out in the first round, television ratings could take a dive.
Cleveland Indians' Grady Sizemore, left, beats New York Yankees' Mike Mussina to the bag on an infield hit in the sixth inning during Game 4 of the American League Division Series baseball playoffs Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in New York.
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It was 87 degrees at game time -- the hottest Oct. 8 ever in New York City -- and the Indians applied heat right from the start.
Wang, battered for eight runs in New York's opening 12-3 loss, was chased after just three outs -- the shortest start of the 27-year-old's short career.
Sizemore homered on the third pitch of the game, hitting a 95 mph fastball with little sink for just his second shot since Aug. 28. Jhonny Peralta lofted a two-RBI single to center.
Cleveland loaded the bases in the second on two singles and a hit batter -- the Yankees argued that Kelly Shoppach was fouled off his bunt attempt, but umpires decided it hit a hand. That was it for Wang, whose stats will be besmirched with a 19.06 ERA in this series.
Mussina came out of the bullpen to save the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against Boston but couldn't do it this time. Sizemore grounded into a run-scoring double play, and Asdrubal Cabrera singled for a 4-0 lead.
Indians manager Eric Wedge was questioned for not using Sabathia on short rest over Byrd on Monday night but Byrd came up big. He allowed runners in every inning but pitched out of jams with his assortment of offspeed stuff.
Time after time, the Yankees failed in the clutch, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving them at 6-for-28 in the series.
Byrd allowed two runs in five-plus innings, and Perez and Rafael Betancourt followed in relief. Joe Borowski finished up for a save, allowing Abreu's solo homer with one out.
New York had two on with one out in the first, but Rodriguez struck out on three pitches and Jorge Posada flied out. The Yankees put their first two runners on in the second before Melky Cabrera popped out. Doug Mientkiewicz walked to load the bases, but Game 3 star Johnny Damon popped out before Jeter hit a hard three-hopper off a diving Casey Blake at third for an RBI single.
With the chance to get the Yankees back in the game, Abreu flied out.
A-Rod was called out on strikes in the third, when the Yankees stranded a runner on third base. Cleveland then made it 6-1 in the fourth when Martinez singled following an intentional walk to Travis Hafner that loaded the bases.
Robinson Cano's leadoff homer in the sixth made it 6-2 and chased Byrd. With runners at the corners and one out, Jeter hit into a double play against Perez. With A-Rod's home run, the Yankees crept closer.
But once again, they felt short, making for another winter of discontent in the Bronx.
Notes
The Yankees removed injured Roger Clemens from their active roster before the game and replaced him with LHP Ron Villone. ... The first two innings took 1 hour, 14 minutes.
Updated on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 11:42 pm, EDT
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2007 Major League Baseball Playoff
Championship Series
Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox |
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1. Cleveland 3-10 Boston
2. Cleveland 13-6 Boston F/11
3. Cleveland 4-2 Boston
4. Cleveland 7-3 Boston
5. Cleveland 1-7 Boston
6. Cleveland 2-12 Boston
7. Cleveland 2-11 Boston
Red Sox win series 4-3
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Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks |
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1. Colorado 5-1 Arizona
2. Colorado 3-2 Arizona F/11
3. Colorado 4-1 Arizona
4. Colorado 6-4 Arizona
Rockies win series 4-0
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Updated on Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 9:00 pm, PDT
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[ Last edited by oobi at 22-10-2007 12:03 PM ] |
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I'm proud to be bandwagon Rockies fan |
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Post time 19-9-2007 07:40 PM
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