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April 28, 1981 | Chicago Grounds | Chicago, IL
Minneapolis Blizzard vs. Chicago Fire
Watch it on ABL Vision
Let’s meet our teams:
The
Minneapolis Blizzard are navigating a challenging 1981 season, currently holding an 8-11 record and sitting four games back in their division. This start is an improvement over their disastrous 1980 season, where they finished with a 65-97 record. Despite a better financial situation with a balance of $4.5 million, the team still faces inconsistencies. Their ERA stands at 3.76, while their batting average has improved to .282. Key players such as Ricky Thompson, who boasts a .473 average, and David Bain, with a 4-1 record and a 3.31 ERA, underscore the team's potential. However, the rest of the rotation, particularly Fernando Diaz with a 5.32 ERA, highlights the need for greater depth and consistency .
Offensively, the Blizzard are performing well, with standout hitters like Hirotoshi Nishimoto and Enrique Amaya contributing significantly. However, their conservative baserunning, with only three stolen bases on six attempts, suggests a cautious approach that might be limiting their scoring potential. Defensively, the team has a mixed performance, with a positive infield Zone Rating but a concerning negative outfield rating. The team's history in the Grand Tournament of Champions, particularly their near-miss in 1978, adds a layer of pressure to perform. As they progress through the season, the Blizzard must address their pitching inconsistencies and enhance their offensive output to turn their early-season potential into a successful campaign .
The
Chicago Fire are off to a solid start in the 1981 season with a 10-9 record, showcasing a winning percentage of 52.6%. This puts them two games behind in their division, demonstrating their ability to remain competitive. Their balanced performance is evident with a run differential of +11, indicating strength in both offense and defense. The Fire's standout performers include Sal Gamez, Miguel Morales, and Alex O'Donnell, whose batting prowess has been instrumental in their offensive success. Gamez's .420 batting average and Morales's four home runs in 18 games highlight their offensive capabilities, while Edgar Gonzalez anchors the pitching staff with a stellar 2.505 ERA.
Financially, the Fire are in a stable position, operating with an $8.5 million payroll and maintaining a high stadium fill rate of 97.28%. This financial health allows them to make strategic player acquisitions without overstretching their budget. The fan base remains highly supportive, and their enthusiasm provides a crucial morale boost for the team. However, the Fire must address inconsistencies in their bullpen and enhance their baserunning tactics to maximize their potential. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, the Chicago Fire are poised to turn their early season promise into a strong postseason run if they can maintain their current form and improve on their weaknesses.
Chicago Fire lead the series 110 - 88 | season series tied 0-0
Key players
Milestones:
MIN – None
CHI – 3B
Shane Cobb #18 needs 35 hits to reach 1500
All-Star Caliber:
Blue players:
MIN - None
CHI - CF Miguel Morales #16 | Age: 26 | Bats: S | Throws: R
Green players:
MIN - None
CHI - 1B Sal Gamez #35 | Age: 26 | Bats: L | Throws: L
The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Chicago, Illinois, home of the Chicago Fire. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Minneapolis Blizzard of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Central Division. The Fire have had a solid start to the season with a 10-9 record, while the Blizzard are currently at 8-11. Chicago is looking to build on their strong performances and positive run differential, while Minneapolis aims to leverage their balanced pitching and improve their road game.
According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Fire, with a 35.1% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Blizzard, facing a 10.7% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and gain traction 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
Tristan Davis #20 [1-1 1.08] for Minneapolis and for the Fire RHP
John Jury #82 [2-0 2.81].
Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Chicago IL...! Welcome to Chicago Grounds...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Central Division matchup between... Ricky Thompson and the Minneapolis Blizzard... versus... Miguel Morales and the Chicago Fire... 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 Minneapolis Blizzard... Managed by Shawn Thompson... Batting first... playing second base... #3... Ricky Thompson... Batting second... playing first base... #5... Nate Ellerd... Batting third... playing right field... #30... Edwin Rivera... Batting clean-up... playing left field... #6... Adrian Smith... Batting fifth... The designated hitter... #12... Alberto Abad... Batting sixth... playing third base... #15... Dwayne Harrison... Batting seventh... playing center field... #23... Ricky Ortiz... Batting eighth... the catcher... #33... Fernando Blancas... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #10... Enrique Amaya.... The starting pitcher... for the Minneapolis Blizzard... Right hander ... #20... Tristan Davis...
And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Chicago Fire... Managed by Matt Mead... Batting first... playing center field... #51... Xavier Granville... Batting second... the shortstop... #13... Miguel Martinez... Batting third... playing left field... #16... Miguel Morales... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #35... Sal Gamez... Batting fifth... playing right field... #34... Victor Hernandez... Batting sixth... playing third base... #18... Shane Cobb... Batting seventh... The designated hitter... #11... Alvaro Espinoza... Batting eighth... playing second base... #55... David Villarreal... Batting ninth... the catcher... #20... Jose Martinez... The starting pitcher ... for the Chicago Fire... Right hander ... #82... John Jury...
We are about to get underway here at Chicago Grounds Today's attendance looks near standing room only, in excess of 18,000 fans... It's clear skies and a brisk 58 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing from right to left at 10 mph ...
Play Ball!!
⚾
ABL
MINNEAPOLIS BLIZZARD @ CHICAGO FIRE
04/28/1981 Game 1 of 4
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BOTTOM OF THE 4TH
Chicago Fire batting - Pitching for Minneapolis Blizzard : RHP Tristan Davis
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Sal Gamez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 89D, EV 95.0 MPH)
No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Victor Hernandez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6M, EV 87.5 MPH)
1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Shane Cobb
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 96.3 MPH)
Sal Gamez to third
1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Alvaro Espinoza
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6D, EV 98.1 MPH)
Sal Gamez scores
Shane Cobb to second
Blizzard 0, Fire 1
1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB David Villarreal
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 95.6 MPH)
Shane Cobb to third
Alvaro Espinoza to second
1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: SHB Jose Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
0-2: Strikes out swinging
2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Xavier Granville
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging
Bottom of the 4th over - 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 1
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BOTTOM OF THE 5TH
Chicago Fire batting - Pitching for Minneapolis Blizzard : RHP Tristan Davis
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Miguel Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LS, EV 96.9 MPH)
No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Miguel Morales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 100.0 MPH)
Runner from 2nd tags up, SAFE at 3rd, no throw by CF
1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: LHB Sal Gamez
0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 78M, EV 89.4 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, throw by CF
Blizzard 0, Fire 2
2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Victor Hernandez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging
Bottom of the 5th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 2
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TOP OF THE 9TH
Minneapolis Blizzard batting - Pitching for Chicago Fire : RHP John Jury
No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Enrique Amaya
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 105.0 MPH)
No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Ricky Thompson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 87.5 MPH)
Enrique Amaya to second
1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Nate Ellerd
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls
1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Edwin Rivera
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Reached via error on a dropped throw from 3B, E4 (Groundball, 56, EV 108.1 MPH)
Enrique Amaya to third
Nate Ellerd to second
1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Adrian Smith
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5SF
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Strikes out swinging
2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Alberto Abad
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Strikes out looking
Top of the 9th over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 2
=================================================
Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Chicago Fire, 2 runs, on 10 hits, 2 errors, they left 9 men on base. Their record improves to 11-9. for the Minneapolis Blizzard, No runs, on 5 hits, No errors, they left 5 men on base. They fall to 8-12.
In the game one of a doubleheader between the Minneapolis Blizzard and the Chicago Fire, the Fire emerged victorious with a final score of 2-0. Both teams displayed strong pitching performances, with John Jury of the Chicago Fire and Tristan Davis of the Minneapolis Blizzard keeping the opposing batters at bay. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Sal Gamez scored the first run for Chicago, capitalizing on a sequence of hits and a groundout. Chicago extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run from a sacrifice fly by Sal Gamez, bringing in Miguel Martinez who had previously doubled. Despite several scoring opportunities, including leaving runners in scoring positions, the Blizzard could not break through Chicago's defense, leaving three runners stranded in the top of the ninth inning.
Throughout the game, the Fire's defense played a crucial role, particularly in critical moments like the top of the second inning when a sharp throw from right fielder Victor Hernandez, resulted in Adrian Smith being tagged out at home. Additionally, Chicago's pitching staff, led by Jury, managed to keep the Blizzard's hitters off balance, resulting in multiple strikeouts and key outs during high-pressure situations. The Fire's efficient base running and timely hitting, combined with their defensive prowess, were pivotal in securing the win against the Blizzard, showcasing a well-rounded and disciplined approach to the game.
The winning pitcher is... John Jury... his record improves to... 3-0... The loss goes to... Tristan Davis... His record falls to 1-2...
]
The player of the game is Fire Starting pitcher... John Jury.
The paid attendance was 18,412 fans.
To recap...
Chicago Fire starter John Jury really did a number on the Minneapolis Blizzard, shutting them out, 2-nothing, on 5 hits in a complete game victory. He issued 1 walk and had 6 strikeouts. "We didn't have good at-bats," said Minneapolis manager Shawn Thompson. "I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting and seeing as our team has a bunch of good hitters, I have to tip my cap to Jury." Chicago improves to 11-9. Minneapolis falls to 8-12.
This is Big Earl signing off from Chicago Grounds. Where today's final score is...
Chicago Fire 2 – Minneapolis Blizzard 0..
Until next time... This is the Game!
WIN!!
Real. Fictional. ⚾.
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