[G-Force]

September 17, 2021

Orlando 9, Memphis 8. When Orlando drafted Barry Bonds #1 overall in the November draft, the hope was that he, Jeff Bagwell and Chipper Jones would become the league's most formidable heart of the order. They aren't there yet, but don't tell Memphis. All three homered as the Orcas took the opener of a pivotal three-game set, pulling even in the Eastern League South. Jones (9), Bagwell (23) and Bonds (22) helped Charlie Ferguson win his 14th despite a lackluster five innings of work. A Dick Bartell error in the top of the third opened the floodgates to a six-run inning and an 8-2 Memphis lead. But Orlando struck for two in the bottom half and five in the fourth and the bullpen matched Memphis' from there on en route to the victory. Kevin Tapani left with a sore shoulder after one inning of work and Joe Benz allowed six runs in two innings of relief for the Sounds.


Charlotte 7, Alabama 2. Al Hollingsworth (10-11, 5.00) threw 6 1/3 of scoreless ball and Charlie Robertson threw 2 2/3 in relief as Charlotte knocked off the Slammers and Greg Maddux (10-8, 4.39). Adolfo Phillips (21) and Jim Gentile (22) homered for the Cougars.

• Louisville clinched the Eastern League North with a 7-3 win over Chicago. Dave Henderson hit his league-leading 34th homer. Rookie Manny Ramirez hit his 12th. Mickey Mantle hit his 17th for Chicago.

• Denver's Cole Hamels won his 22nd of the season, established a new ABL record. Coincidentally, Hamels topped Jesse Tannehill, who held the previous mark of 21 set in 2018 with Memphis, in the Pilots' 4-0 win over Sacramento. Hamels threw a complete-game four-hitter to improve to 22-4 with a 3.04 ERA. Tannehill went the distance as well, falling to 6-10 with a 3.69 ERA.