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luckymann · 01-07-2022, 06:09 AM

Friday 28th June, 1968 – Cuban Stars East @ Homestead Grays
7.05pm, Posey Park, Homestead PA

Masahiro Tanaka

v

Carlos Zambrano

An absolute top-notch meeting of two of the EL's marquee moundsmen in this one. Tanaka was the 3rd overall pick in the inaugural Draft and has lived up to the billing. Better run support than the 2.7 RPG he's been given and that 6-6 record would be much improved. Big Z was one of the real steals - inexplicably going 102nd overall - and he has repaid the East scouts' faith in him exponentially so far.

The sides each lead their respective group going into this game, with the Grays 4 clear atop the WC American and the East holding down a 6-game advantage in the WC National, so there's plenty on the line tonight. Homestead leads the head-to-head this season by 2 to 1.

Here's how the teams will line up at first pitch. All eyes on East CF Ruppert Jones, who currently leads in all three Triple Crown categories and is putting together one heck of a season to date.

Let's get to the action...

Tanaka gives up a leadoff double to Hanley Ramirez but then calmly fans the side to douse the threat. Zambrano starts nervously and the Grays pounce, loading the bases for Jose Morales to single one in, with a second scoring on a Briceno groundout.

The Cubans reply immediately, with Victor Diaz bringing one home in the 2nd with a two-out hit, but it's clear Zambrano hasn't brought his best stuff as Goodrum triples and scores on a Tanaka double in the home half. The same can be said for Tanaka, who gets in all sorts of bother in the 3rd and Adrian Gonzalez ties the game at 3 with a 2-run double.

Zambrano barely escapes the bottom 3rd as the Grays leave them loaded and it seems unlikely either of these guys will go deep into this one.

They do settle down somewhat but then Tanaka, after fanning him the first two times up, serves up a solo gopher ball to Jones - his 21st of the year - and the Cubans take a 4-3 lead.

They are both still in the game when it takes an unexpected turn. Leading off the 7th, Zambrano belts an inside-the-park home run to pad the East's lead.

Zambrano retires 12 in a row to get him thru the 7th and the Grays finally hook Tanaka, with southpaw Arthur Rhodes on in relief.

When Z gives up a one-out double to Morales in the 8th and he, too, is done. Yusei Kikuchi takes over, looking for a 5-out save. He gets the two needed in the 8th without incident and closes it out with a clean 9th for his 17th save and an excellent comeback win by the East, consigning Homestead to its third straight loss.

01-07-2022, 06:09 AM	#66
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 13,556	EL Featured Game #2, 1968 Friday 28th June, 1968 – Cuban Stars East @ Homestead Grays 7.05pm, Posey Park, Homestead PA Masahiro Tanaka v Carlos Zambrano An absolute top-notch meeting of two of the EL's marquee moundsmen in this one. Tanaka was the 3rd overall pick in the inaugural Draft and has lived up to the billing. Better run support than the 2.7 RPG he's been given and that 6-6 record would be much improved. Big Z was one of the real steals - inexplicably going 102nd overall - and he has repaid the East scouts' faith in him exponentially so far. The sides each lead their respective group going into this game, with the Grays 4 clear atop the WC American and the East holding down a 6-game advantage in the WC National, so there's plenty on the line tonight. Homestead leads the head-to-head this season by 2 to 1. Here's how the teams will line up at first pitch. All eyes on East CF Ruppert Jones, who currently leads in all three Triple Crown categories and is putting together one heck of a season to date. Let's get to the action... Tanaka gives up a leadoff double to Hanley Ramirez but then calmly fans the side to douse the threat. Zambrano starts nervously and the Grays pounce, loading the bases for Jose Morales to single one in, with a second scoring on a Briceno groundout. The Cubans reply immediately, with Victor Diaz bringing one home in the 2nd with a two-out hit, but it's clear Zambrano hasn't brought his best stuff as Goodrum triples and scores on a Tanaka double in the home half. The same can be said for Tanaka, who gets in all sorts of bother in the 3rd and Adrian Gonzalez ties the game at 3 with a 2-run double. Zambrano barely escapes the bottom 3rd as the Grays leave them loaded and it seems unlikely either of these guys will go deep into this one. They do settle down somewhat but then Tanaka, after fanning him the first two times up, serves up a solo gopher ball to Jones - his 21st of the year - and the Cubans take a 4-3 lead. They are both still in the game when it takes an unexpected turn. Leading off the 7th, Zambrano belts an inside-the-park home run to pad the East's lead. Zambrano retires 12 in a row to get him thru the 7th and the Grays finally hook Tanaka, with southpaw Arthur Rhodes on in relief. When Z gives up a one-out double to Morales in the 8th and he, too, is done. Yusei Kikuchi takes over, looking for a 5-out save. He gets the two needed in the 8th without incident and closes it out with a clean 9th for his 17th save and an excellent comeback win by the East, consigning Homestead to its third straight loss. __________________ HISTORICAL DO-OVERS A'S RED SOX DODGERS CUSTOM SAVES ECLIPSE LEAGUE MOON SHOT LEAGUE EVERYMAN LEAGUE GULF LEAGUE USBA Last edited by luckymann; 01-07-2022 at 06:22 AM.