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April 27, 1981 | Cobras Ballpark | Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco Warriors vs. Los Angeles Cobras
Watch it on ABL Vision
Let’s meet our teams:
The
San Francisco Warriors have made a solid start to the 1981 season with an 11-8 record, positioning them as contenders in the National Baseball Conference's Western Division. Their +26 run differential indicates a strong performance both offensively and defensively. The pitching staff has been particularly effective, boasting a commendable 3.27 ERA and a FIP of 3.81, showing they are not just relying on luck but also getting ample support from the defense. Key pitchers like Antonio Pineda, with an astonishing 0.53 ERA, and Kyle Chambers, with a steady 3.34 ERA, anchor the rotation. Offensively, the Warriors have a versatile attack, highlighted by Bobby Jackson's .368 average and Bernardo Valenzuela's .338 average, contributing to a team slugging percentage of .449.
Financially, the Warriors are navigating a challenging landscape with a payroll of $6.18 million against a budget of $9.5 million. Despite this, their financial prudence has left room for strategic moves. However, fan interest has dipped to a concerning 62, affecting gate revenue and merchandise sales. The team fills only 81.63% of their stadium, indicating a need to re-engage with their fanbase. The Warriors' management, led by owner Jon Teeple and GM Luis Martinez, are under pressure to convert their financial and on-field assets into a successful season. With a balanced roster and strong early-season performance, the Warriors are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run if they can maintain their momentum and re-ignite fan enthusiasm.
The
Los Angeles Cobras have had a promising start to the 1981 season with a 12-7 record, reflecting a significant turnaround from their disappointing 1980 campaign. The Cobras currently boast a .632 winning percentage and have scored an impressive 98 runs while allowing just 76, resulting in a solid run differential of +22. Their pitching staff, led by standout performers Adam Jahn and Joel Valenty, has shown resilience with a combined ERA of 3.75. Jahn, in particular, has been exceptional, maintaining an ERA of 2.20 and showcasing his ability to control the game. Offensively, the team is firing on all cylinders, with key hitters like Orlando Greeley and Bill Haywood leading the charge. Greeley's .389 batting average and six home runs are instrumental in the team's offensive success, while Haywood complements this with a .380 average and a wRC+ of 190, indicating his high impact on the team's run production.
Financially, the Cobras are in a better position than last year, operating with a near-cap payroll of $5.8 million and a stable budget of $6.3 million. However, they face challenges in maintaining and increasing fan interest, which currently hovers around a mere 53, impacting revenue and overall team morale. Despite these hurdles, the Cobras' front office, led by owner Tony Cruz and GM Gary Jones, is working to leverage their current momentum and strengthen their postseason chances. The team’s advanced metrics, including a Batter WAR of 4.06 and a Pitcher WAR of 2.18, indicate a balanced and formidable roster. With a blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership, the Cobras are well-positioned for a deep playoff run, provided they can maintain their performance and reignite fan enthusiasm.
San Francisco Warriors lead the series 108 - 90 | season series tied 0-0
Key players
Milestones:
SF – 1B
Bobby Jackson #24 needs 27 home runs to reach 200.
LA – None
All-Star Caliber:
Blue players:
SF - SS Miguel Collado #13 | Age: 23 | Bats: L | Throws: R
LA - None
Green players:
SF - 1B Victor Quintero #37 | Age: 30 | Bats: R | Throws: R
1B Bobby Jackson #24 | Age: 32 | Bats: S | Throws: R
LA - 3B Orlando Greeley #47 | Age: 29 | Bats: L | Throws: R
The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Los Angeles, California, home of the Los Angeles Cobras. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the San Francisco Warriors of San Francisco, California, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Western Division. Both teams have had a strong start to the season, with the Cobras holding a 12-7 record and the Warriors close behind at 11-8. The Cobras are looking to capitalize on their solid home and away performances and positive run differential, while the Warriors aim to continue their balanced approach and strong pitching to maintain their competitive edge.
According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Cobras, with a 62.1% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Warriors, facing a 71.9% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and strengthen their position in the division. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, as they strive for long-term success this season.
Today’s pitching matchup is RHP
Arturo Gonzalez #1 [1-3 3.77] for San Francisco and for the Cobras RHP
Joel Valenty #14 [2-0 3.10].
Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Los Angeles CA...! Welcome to Cobras Ballpark...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Western Division matchup between... Miguel Collado and the San Francisco Warriors... versus... Orlando Greeley and the Los Angeles Cobras... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series
Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.
First, for the visiting San Francisco Warriors... Managed by Tyler Trowbridge... Batting first... playing left field... #4... Bernardo Valenzuela... Batting second... playing second base... #30... Ron Hutchinson... Batting third... the shortstop... #13... Miguel Collado... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #37... Victor Quintero... Batting fifth... The designated hitter... #24... Bobby Jackson... Batting sixth... playing center field... #12... Leo Diaz... Batting seventh... playing right field... #18... Adan Reid Jr.... Batting eighth... the catcher... #16... Robert Garcia... Batting ninth... playing third base... #10... Dave Barajas... The starting pitcher... for the San Francisco Warriors... Right hander... #1... Arturo Gonzalez...
And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Los Angeles Cobras... Managed by Dave Walking... Batting first... playing center field... #9... Myles Byrd... Batting second... playing second base... #18... Emmanuel Robertson... Batting third... playing right field... #16... Bill Haywood... Batting clean-up... playing third base... #47... Orlando Greeley... Batting fifth... playing left field... #37... Pedro Rivera... Batting sixth... The designated hitter... #60... Jon Travers... Batting seventh... the shortstop... #8... D.J. Rivera... Batting eighth... playing first base... #23... Ryan Cheeks... Batting ninth... the catcher... #30... Ricky Lopez... The starting pitcher... for the Los Angeles Cobras... Right hander... #14... Joel Valenty...
We are about to get underway here at Cobras Ballpark... It looks like a sparse crowd as it has been raining all day, looks like about 14,000 fans... It's 67 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 9 mph ...
Play Ball!!
⚾
ABL
SAN FRANCISCO WARRIORS @ LOS ANGELES COBRAS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
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TOP OF THE 4TH
San Francisco Warriors batting - Pitching for Los Angeles Cobras : RHP Joel Valenty
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Miguel Collado
0-0: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D, EV 100.0 MPH), Distance : 385 ft
Warriors 1, Cobras 0
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Victor Quintero
0-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 100.0 MPH)
1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Bobby Jackson
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LMF
1-2: Strikes out swinging
2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Leo Diaz
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5L, EV 79.4 MPH)
Top of the 4th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 0
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BOTTOM OF THE 4TH
Los Angeles Cobras batting - Pitching for San Francisco Warriors : RHP Arturo Gonzalez
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jon Travers
0-0: Hit by Pitch
No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB D.J. Rivera
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 9LS, EV 100.0 MPH)
Jon Travers to third
No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Ryan Cheeks
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: 3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 98.8 MPH), Distance : 401 ft
Warriors 1, Cobras 3
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Ricky Lopez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 78M, EV 83.8 MPH)
1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Myles Byrd
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 7, EV 90.6 MPH)
2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Emmanuel Robertson
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
1-2: Strikes out swinging
Bottom of the 4th over - 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 3
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BOTTOM OF THE 5TH
Los Angeles Cobras batting - Pitching for San Francisco Warriors : RHP Arturo Gonzalez
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Bill Haywood
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls
No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Orlando Greeley
0-0: Ball
1-0: Reached on error, E5 (Groundball, 56, EV 77.5 MPH)
Bill Haywood to second
No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Pedro Rivera
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls
Bill Haywood to third
Orlando Greeley to second
No Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Jon Travers
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89M, EV 108.1 MPH)
Bill Haywood scores
Orlando Greeley to third
Pedro Rivera to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to trailing runner, OUT at third! 8-3-5
Warriors 1, Cobras 5
1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB D.J. Rivera
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Grounds into double play, 5-4-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 88.8 MPH)
Bottom of the 5th over - 2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 5
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TOP OF THE 8TH
San Francisco Warriors batting - Pitching for Los Angeles Cobras : RHP Joel Valenty
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Robert Garcia
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LM, EV 82.5 MPH)
1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Dave Barajas
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9LM, EV 86.9 MPH)
Los Angeles manager Dave Walking is making a mound visit...
He's siginaling to the bullpen...
Pitching: RHP Tae-mok Kim
1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Bernardo Valenzuela
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
2-2: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LM, EV 89.4 MPH)
2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Ron Hutchinson
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2RF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 3D, EV 106.3 MPH)
Dave Barajas to second
2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Miguel Collado
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S, EV 106.3 MPH)
Dave Barajas to third
Ron Hutchinson to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by RF to home
Ron Hutchinson to third
Miguel Collado to second
Warriors 2, Cobras 5
2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Victor Quintero
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 80.6 MPH)
Top of the 8th over - 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; San Francisco 2 - Los Angeles 5
=================================================
Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Los Angeles Cobras, 5 runs, on 10 hits, No errors, they left 6 men on base. Their record improves to 13-7. for the San Francisco Warriors, 2 runs, on 8 hits, One error, they left 7 men on base. They fall to 11-9.
The Los Angeles Cobras emerged victorious over the San Francisco Warriors with a final score of 5-2. The game began with San Francisco's Bernardo Valenzuela grounding out and Ron Hutchinson following suit, but Miguel Collado managed to get on base with a walk, only for Victor Quintero to end the inning with a flyout. Los Angeles came out strong with singles from Myles Byrd and Emmanuel Robertson, but they couldn't capitalize as Bill Haywood struck out and Orlando Greeley and Pedro Rivera both recorded outs.
The game's turning point came in the fourth inning. San Francisco's Collado hit a solo home run to put the Warriors on the board, but Los Angeles responded decisively in the bottom half. Jon Travers was hit by a pitch, D.J. Rivera doubled, and Ryan Cheeks hit a three-run homer to give the Cobras a 3-1 lead. Adding to their lead in the fifth, Los Angeles scored two more runs following errors and walks by the Warriors. Despite a late push by San Francisco, including a run in the eighth inning and getting two runners on base in the ninth, they were unable to close the gap. Los Angeles maintained their lead, with strong pitching from Joel Valenty and Tae-mok Kim, to secure the 5-2 win.
The winning pitcher is... Joel Valenty... his record improves to... 3-0... The loss goes to... Arturo Gonzalez... His record falls to 1-4...

The player of the game is Cobras Starter Joel Valenty.
The paid attendance was 13,850 die-hard fanatics.
To recap...
Joel Valenty, who leads the NBC in quality starts with 5, was locked in. The right-hander led the Los Angeles Cobras to a 5-2 win against the San Francisco Warriors at Cobras Ballpark. The loss puts San Francisco at 11-9. The Cobras got a big at-bat from first baseman Ryan Cheeks. For the game, Cheeks went 1 for 4 with a home run. He drove in 3 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the fourth, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, he stroked a 3-run home run. His 1st home run of the season gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead. "I really like what we did out there today," Cheeks said after the game. LA improves to 13-7.
This is Big Earl signing off from Cobras Ballpark in Los Angeles. Where today's final score is...
Los Angeles Cobras 5 – San Francisco Warriors 2..
Until next time... This is the Game!
WIN!!
Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.
Real. Fictional. ⚾.
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