September 22, 2021
EASTERN LEAGUE SOUTH won his 16th as the Sounds dealt the Cougars another blow, getting homers from
Mark McLemore (4) and
Andre Dawson (17) against loser
Al Hollingsworth (10-12, 5.23).
Oscar Gamble hit his 23rd homer of the season and drove in three for Charlotte in the loss.
Bill Nicholson hit his 16th.
Orlando 3, Alabama 2. Jamie Moyer (9-7, 4.65) allowed two runs over eight innings despite striking out no one and
Dennis Eckersley picked up his 42nd save as the Orcas keep pace with Memphis.
Art Devlin's first homer of the season, a 2-run shot, broke a scoreless tie in the fifth.
Vinegar Bend Mizell, in the midst of a horrible season, was solid - allowing three runs over 7 1/3. He's gone 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in September in a season that's seen him post as ERA over 5.50.
WESTERN LEAGUE SOUTH
Phoenix 10, New Orleans 4. The Scorpions jumped all over Erik Bedard (10-15, 4.67) for six runs in the first and every player ended up with a hit on the day. Sid Gordon hit his first homer of the season, a 3-run shot in that big first inning. Red Faber (11-9, 3.49) picked up the win, allowing three runs over six innings. Sam Crawford had two hits for New Orleans in the loss as the lifetime .327 hitter counts the days to free agency.
San Antonio 1, Los Angeles 0. Jack Harshman (11-11, 4.50) threw 7 1/3 shutout innings and Dick Radatz and Greg Holland got the final five outs as the Stallions shut down the Idols in San Antonio to keep the pressure on Phoenix. The Stallions turned four double plays on the day and the only run came when Jackie Robinson scored on a wild pitch in the third.
- The Denver Pilots became the first ABL team to win 100 games in a season, improving to 100-49 with a 6-0 win over Portland. David Palmer, whose surprising season is a big reason for Denver's record-setting performance, went the distance with a four-hitter to improve to 12-4 with a 3.19 ERA. A Bill Madlock error led to three unearned runs against loser Jose Deleon (12-11, 3.90).
- When Willie McCovey, the 2019 Western League home run champion, didn't sign anywhere last offseason, feeling he was being underpriced, the risk on his part was significant. He ultimately signed a one-year deal with Boston during the season's opening week, and the expected sluggishness has certainly impacted his season. But with a two-homer game today, he now has 18, 10 of those since August 1st. what free agency will bring him this time around only time will tell.