Out of the Shadows: The Eclipse League

[luckymann]

One of the many unique features of the NeL was the fact that so many of the position players spent at least some time - usually in the early part of their career - as a pitcher.

When I came up with the concept for the EL, one of the first things I realised was that I was going to struggle to have enough pitchers and catchers. So I made the decision at that early stage to enable as many guys as possible who played even a small portion of their game time at either of these slots to be given ratings there.

Of course, I didn't want this to cause unrealistic scenarios. So I had to be judicious with how I did it. Most importantly, just because a player was going to get some ratings at P, I didn't want those ratings to be unreasonably good.

Eric Chalek only gives two-way ratings for five players in his MLEs, which form part of my ratings methodology: Martin Dihigo, Lazaro Salazar, Bullet Rogan, Ted Radcliffe and Eustaquio Pedroso. And while Bernardo Baro is one of the players EC covers (he gets 13.4 career MLE WAR), he does so only as a hitter.

According to Seamheads, IRL Bernardo pitched 282.1 innings for a career ERA of 5.20 or 76 ERA+, which indicates he was a fairly ordinary hurler and explains why he eventually moved into the outfield, where he obviously thrived. Still, as I explained, I needed players like him to at least have the option of being used as a pitcher, and when the game also gave him ratings there that seemed broadly in keeping with his historicals (30 STU / 58 MOV / 55 CONT / 90-92 VELO / 45% GB) I decided to let them be and see where things went from there.

Between 1968 and 1970, he performed pretty much as you might expect, perhaps a little better: 21-12 with a slightly above league average ERA. This season, however, he has exploded into one of the league's best performers, going 12-1 / 1.95 and already almost doubling his career pWAR. He's obviously been a wee bit lucky, with his BABIP down 30 points to just 239, but not that much given his opponents BA metric has fallen even further from 259 to just 213. This improved performance has obviously helped his Liberty Stars jump to the top of the WC American at the time of writing.

Jim Riley suggests a serious leg injury suffered chasing a foul ball might be behind his switch from mound to outfield, something that won't play a factor here. And given he has hardly set the league alight at the plate - hitting just 223 in his EL career - we may see him continue in this SP role for some time to come, especially if he keeps going like he is at present.

[luckymann]

You'd have to think he is close to making it up to the bigs with the form he's showing for the CAC American-leading Keystones in the TL, not least this huge game against Harlem.

[luckymann]

Señor Valdez has certainly made an impression so far in his rookie year, with this peach putting him at 7-5 / 2.86 and his Black Barons 2 clear in the FC National.

[luckymann]

Plenty among these squads we'll be seeing more of over the next few years.






Newark's Darnell Coles wins the HR Challenge, while the Catto Conference takes a close ASG by 4 to 3, with Jacksonville's John Briggs taking home MVP honours.

[luckymann]

Not sure what his teammates were doing in this one other than patting him and Frank Barnes on the back on the back...

[luckymann]

Friday 25th June, 1971 – Cuban Stars West @ Birmingham Black Barons

8.05pm ET, Regions Field, Birmingham AL

A fascinating midseason matchup for you tonight as two FC National rivals go head-to-head.

Similarly to last season, Birmingham has taken a surprise lead in the division, with their 41-31 record giving them a handy four game break from a pack of chasers led by the Red Sox. The West are one of those, currently sitting five in arrears but looking a lot stronger of late after a slow start to the year, 12 and 8 over their last 20. Tonight is the seventh meeting of the season between the two sides, with honours so far even at three wins apiece.

Phil Ortega has been one of the EL's hottest pitchers in 1971, and he enters this contest at 8-1 with a fine 3.14 ERA. He has overwhelming stuff, and the difference this year has been a nice improvement across all the metrics. He can fall into the trap of grooving pitches, and with the big bats he's facing tonight it would be unadvisable to do so if he wants to keep the scoring in check.

The West send out rookie star Francisco Cordova to face him in this one. While Francisco's 3.11 ERA slightly better that of his opponent, his side's troubles in getting wins is reflected in his 6-7 record to this point. Of his four pitches, his plus-curve is the money one and he looks to have a bright future indeed.

This should be a cracking game between two sides not all that dissimilar to each other. Here's how they'll be lining up.

A nice crowd of roughly 22000 in attendance tonight on despite the threat of some rain in the forecast. Let's get things underway.


A nervy start sees Ortega walk the first two he faces and then, after retiring Papi Ortiz on a flyout, a third to fill the bags. He gets the all-important second out without conceding but then a single by West RF Luis Olmo brings two in to give the visitors the early lead. He walks a fourth to reload them but gets out of the jam without further damage.

The home side responds in the next with one on a crisp single by Gaby Sanchez but Ortega's wildness reappears in the 3rd. He walks Ortiz and Dwayne Murphy, and a bloop single by Olmo is enough to bring Big Papi in to score. Once again, however, he manages to pull things together and limit the damage.

The pitchers take control over the next few innings and it is still 3-1 entering the 7th.

A Soto single and Ortega's 8th base on balls put men at the corners with two out, and Charlie Neal delivers a run-scoring single to extend the West's lead, with Olmo's third hit and fourth ribbie of the game then making it 5-1 and ending Ortega's disappointing night.

With Doc Braken taking over, a passed ball moves both runners into scoring position and Rico Washington all but ends this one with a 2-run hit.

Gates Brown and Eddy Diaz get late solo shots for the BBs to at least make the scoreline look slightly more respectable, but this was a dominant win for a West side that looks to have its sights set on the top spot they believe is rightfully theirs. It was also a pretty insipid performance by a Birmingham side that has its fair share of doubters, few if any of whom would be dissuaded from their view by what they saw tonight.

[luckymann]

The Indy Clowns had slipped away to a handy break in the TL FRC National, but a recent slump has seen them come right back to the pack with their lead cut to just 2. This masterpiece against the NY Cubans by Manny Banuelos might be just the tonic to get them back on track.

EDIT: They get another beauty the following game as Daniel Corcino delivers a one-hitter against the same opponent. Then Manny throws another one-hitter his very next start against the Black Sox.

[luckymann]

Quite the night's work for Señor Bocachica as he drills three big flies and knocks in 7 to lead the Giants to a 12-4 romp over the MeSox.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Just shy of the halfway mark and still no clear moves have been made, with no more than 5 1/2 games separating first from second across all four groups in the EL. Halfway report cards are just around the corner.

• FC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Luis Medina (Black Barons) 354 / 7 HR / 20 RBI.
• FC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Francisco Cordova (West) 5-1 / 2.43 / 40 K / 55.2 IP.
• FC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Francisco Cordova.
• WC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Willie Stargell (Athletics) 413 / 6 HR / 20 RBI.
• WC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Lefty Holmes (Lincoln Giants) 5-1 / 2.09 / 23 K / 56 IP.
• WC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Charles Hudson (Motown Stars) 4-3 / 2.72 / 33 K / 59.2 IP.

Things have tightened right back up in the TL and it looks set to be a grandstand finish in all four groups if this pattern continues.

• CAC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Jose Barrios (Marcos) 391 / 13 HR / 36 RBI.
• CAC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Pasqual Martinez (Stars) 5-1 / 3.04 / 40 K / 50.1 IP.
• FRC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Webster Garrison (Grays) 316 / 6 HR / 25 RBI.
• FRC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Santo Alcala (Black Senators) 7-0 / 1.77 / 73 K / 71 IP.

Top 20s





News and Leaders

[luckymann]

Here's a quick look at how each of the teams in the EL is faring so far in season 1969.




New York Black Yankees

Began the season slowly and took a losing record into May, but like the good sides usually do they found a way to get back on the winning tip and really look to have a head of steam going now. All the big guns are firing again - Sabathia, Walker and Scantlebury in the rotation; Durazo and Baylor at the plate - but Hank Thompson's return was the catalyst to their turnaround and he remains their key driver. Their class stands them in excellent stead for the remainder.

Newark Dodgers

Well the next 80 games or so will give a fair indication as to whether this is a good team or a great one. No doubt they've cooled as the BYs have heated up, and they've already fallen three GB. I retain my high opinion of this group, but just feel they are another year off really taking it up to their neighbours from across the Hudson. To simply remain competitive and push New York would make this season a positive one.

Pittsburgh Crawfords

The Crawfs are there or thereabouts, as has been the case the two previous seasons, and yet it feels like they are miles away from truly competing. Coggins has been fantastic again, but Dihigo is hitting under 200 and, given he isn't exactly killing it on the mound (7-8 / 4.40) and they have both Jose Rijo and Leroy Matlock in the BP and ready to step up, I honestly believe using him solely as a position player is the way to go from here. Only 6 1/2 back despite being sub-500, but I don't see them keeping pace with the other two.

Brooklyn Royal Giants

Eternal underachievers since that what now seems fluke run to the playoffs in '68, the RGs continue to drift aimlessly like a tumbleweed in a dust storm. Singleton's rookie year has been an excellent one, as has Franmil Reyes' sophomore campaign, but they are the only real bright spots in a fairly grim picture.

Atlantic City Bacharach Giants

Another regressive season for the BGs, who seem to have completely lost their way these past two years. With their key metrics mainly entrenched in the nether-rankings, it comes as little surprise they are so far off the pace. Lord knows how much further that would be without Ruben Quevedo's 9-2 / 3.32 contribution. Or, then again, how much less if not for Hideki Irabu's ugly 0-10 / 5.68. With that sort of volatility among the staff the last thing a club needs is a Closer who's forgotten how to close, as Mariano Rivera's 71 ERA+ seems to indicate has happened with him (although, somewhat remarkably, he has only blown 4 saves). With all the excess they have by way of outfielders, it's hard to understand why they haven't traded for one or two pitchers to get that side of their squad at least headed in the right direction, because they have no up-and-coming arms at Columbus. A club in disarray.




Birmingham Black Barons

What a real bunch of gamers this current BBs squad is proving itself to be. Showed plenty of cheek last season before gassing to finish mid-standings and are doing it again in '71. Still lacking that polish that you usually need to get over the hump - especially around the infield and in the BP - and the West are coming hard, but if any team can upset the applecart I reckon these guys can.

Cuban Stars West

A 24-29 April and May put the West a bit behind the eightball, but they are firing now and it looks almost inevitable that they'll regain top spot and go on to take the Association. Their pitching has been the key, and it's a little bit frightening to think they are where they are in spite of their 9th-ranked 240 BA. Dwayne Murphy has been a fantastic add and will be in the mix for RoY honours, while Juan Soto has been his usual reliable self. If Big Papi (slashing just 209/311/366 to this point with 10 HR and 33 RBI) can catch fire, this club is a genuine contender. Even if that doesn't happen, they are in this up to their earlobes.

Kansas City Monarchs

Still undoubtedly a couple of key adds and some tinkering away from mixing it with the big boys, but the Mons keep ticking along in the right direction. Spot Poles is hitting just 228 to this point from the leadoff spot, which hasn't helped their run production (309, 9th), and you feel if he can find form and their rotation (especially Juan Marichal) can tighten up a bitthen a winning season should be a formality. That said, in this tight FC National, a winning season might still mean a second-division finish, but I'm not sure that really matters in the bigger scheme of things.

Memphis Red Sox

The Bonds add hasn't quite had the explosive effect MeSox fans might have been expecting, but it has still improved them out of sight, up from a last-place 93-loss 1970 season to basically being at 500. But they are still a fairly average side across the board, with the pitching in particular a real problem. Ricky Nolasco started with his hair on fire but the honeymoon period is well and truly over for him now, while Laymon Yokely is probably not up to being part of a big-league rotation. A work in progress, no doubt, but the next few moves they make will be crucial to their immediate future.

St. Louis Giants

Such a strong lineup, such a poor staff - that's the story for this Giants club, who have actually done fairly well to stay as close as they are. You'd have to think reliever Eduardo Rodriguez is close to a call-up, but the BP is kind of irrelevant when the rotation is as weak as this club's is. Sug Cornelius (1.02 ERA in 41.2 IP) has been great and probably deserves a chance to prove himself in the spin. It's not as if these guys will lose 100 games or anything, but nor do I see them finishing much, if any, above 500.




Philadelphia Liberty Stars

Their +11 PR - about the highest I can ever recall seeing - tells you all you need to know about how the LibStars have played out of their skins in the first half of the season. The fact that they are excelling neither individually or collectively with regard to metrics is merely corroboration of this. No batter among them is either hitting 300 nor has more than 11 HR. Their run diff is an astonishing -22 for a side with a 49-31 record. Their 3.75 ERA is 8th of 10 in the WC. How, then, can this be happening? Perhaps the more pressing question might be Can it keep happening? I have as little idea about the latter question as I do the former, but it will be fun to watch all the same.

Homestead Grays

When they bounced back from a losing opening month with an 18-10 July, the Grays looked headed back to the top of the standings. Even though they cooled off a bit with a barely 500 June, they still look the most likely to profit should Philly stumble. 2B Aledmys Diaz is having a fantastic sophomore season, Tanaka and Person are doing well at the top of the rotation and the Wiz remains their driving force, but they'll need some of the others to step up if they want to give themselves every hope. Jimmie Lyons is going great guns down at Akron and should get the call-up fairly soon one would think, especially with none of the incumbents exactly setting the world on fire.

Baltimore Elite Giants

The EGs enter the second half of the season barely above 500 and yet not without hope. Eric Davis has been a huge add for them, leading the team with a 307 BA and 16 HR, but George Bell - despite 15 dingers of his own - has seen his BA drop 80 points from last year and needs to be getting on base more, as Davis' paltry 38 ribbies attests. I'd like to see Irvin Brooks called up from the AAA club ASAP. He has hit a ton there and, in addition to 2B, plays all three OF slots, which would really improve this group's coverage around the field. C Ameal (no relation) Brooks should also be with the parent club, as they look weak at that position. Don Newcombe into the spin to replace Jim Proctor is the other move I'd make. This is a decent group and could make a run at it if they can just pull it together.

Hilldale Athletics

The A's continued underperformance remains perhaps the EL's biggest mystery to me. When they won it all in '69, they looked to me as if they were going to dominate well into the new decade, a belief only solidified by their strong start last year. But then they just lost their winning ways and haven't looked the same since. For the life of me I cannot piece together why. They lead the WC in runs scored and BA. They added one of the league's brightest prospects in Pop Lloyd to their already stacked lineup. Their pitching - Dave Brown aside; he's been sensational - has slipped a bit but not enough to explain how they find themselves in 4th spot and 9 GB. It's almost as if one of those scientific experiments you used to see in movies where the two patients have the steel cap placed on their heads and an electric current run between them has been performed on them and Philly. Time for a bit of soul-searching at Darby, methinks.

New York Lincoln Giants

I pretty much give up with these guys for now. When a club already thin in the pitching ranks with no prospects knocking on the door trades away an age-25 hurler who is 9-6 / 2.74 on the season and still has a year of team control left for three guys unlikely to ever make any real impact at the top level, why would you waste your time on them? A shame, too, as I really felt they were moving on up. I, apparently, was wrong.





Cleveland Buckeyes

Arguably the most well-rounded performance in the season's first half has come from a Buckeyes side that seems to have finally got it together. Top 3 in all the key offensive and defensive metrics save HR and SB, the what must be imminent arrival of gun IF Ketel Marte from AAA would plug one of the few remaining holes this Cleveland unit has. The AGs will be tough and I'm not ruling the East out of it just yet, so no let-up for the remainder. But if they can keep on keeping on they'll go far.

Chicago American Giants

Another side that is incredibly even across the board, this dogfight with the Bucks they look set to be in should be absolutely engrossing. Were I running this club I'd be on the hunt for a couple high-quality relievers to beef up a BP that has been outstanding so far but will be really tested over the duration, and swap out an OF or two to get them on board. Other than that, this is a good side that I think still has some upside left in it.

Cuban Stars East

Disappointing to say the least so far, with some spotty pitching being their main bugbear. This problem is exacerbated because this is the strongest part of this club's game, with the offence somewhat pedestrian outside of Ruppert Jones and a couple of others. Lloyd Moseby simply has to come up ASAP to spark up their OF, as I believe Carlos Lezcano is of much better use off the bench and in a backup role than as the everyday LF. While I see them getting closer to the leading duo, I'm not sure they'll be able to bridge all 8 games they need to.

Indianapolis ABCs

The main danger involved with building a team around long-term prospects is those prospects not prospecting as planned. Which, for the most part, seems to be the fate that has befallen this ABCs club. Their 84-78 runner-up finish last year now looks to have been a false dawn and, while I'm not ready to totally write them off just yet, Indy is going to need to get creative in the trade and Draft market to try and fill some of those holes left by the unprospected or else the dry spell will continue well beyond the timeframe their strategy would have been catering for.

Detroit Motown Stars

There's no gentle way of putting it - this is straight up a poor squad that shows little sign of ever being anything else. Last in both BA and ERA tells you everything you need to know. They'll get a high pick this year but they have had them before and the club's management just don't seem to know how to use them. If success ever comes, it will be from a long way off and with a totally different bunch of players to those currently wearing a MoStars uniform.

[luckymann]

Today's heroes...





And, if things go according to plan, tomorrow's...





George Scott of the Giants wins the HR Challenge...




While the Weldy Conference retains the ASG title for another year with a cushy 6-0 win. Athletics outfielder Oddibe McDowell is named MVP.

[luckymann]

News of a big trade between the Royal Giants and Black Barons has come to light, one that simultaneously shows that the BBs are going all out and that the RGs have given up on this season and are looking to the future.

[luckymann]

Not much joy again for the Lincoln Giants this season, so I'm sure they would have enjoyed this one.

[luckymann]

I kind of saw this one coming after the Pettis trade which made Tony somewhat obsolete at the BBs, and again it shows some real astuteness on the part of the Birmingham management. Yes, they have traded away a guy who is at the very top reaches of the all-time HR list, but they have done so for two quality pitchers that will really solidify their staff down the stretch.

We'll have a more in-depth look at one of their new players in a post or two, but I reckon this is a fantastic move for the Black Barons. Not so sold on the idea from the Crawfs point of view, but we'll have to wait and see.

[luckymann]

Leroy Matlock was a fine NeL southpaw pitcher during the 1930s who went on to finish his career in the Mexican League of the early '40s.

Jim Riley's entry on Leroy points out his vast array of breaking pitches to go with a plus-curve, all enhanced by reputedly excellent control. Seamheads gives his career record as 98-61 with an ERA of 3.88, with his NeL numbers an even better 57-29 / 3.74, which equates to a solid 121 ERA+. Eric Chalek's MLEs back this up, allocating Leroy nearly 28 total pWAR over 14 seasons.

After an early stint with the St. Louis Stars, it was at the Pittsburgh Crawfords he made his name, replacing (if anyone could ever "replace") Satchel Paige as the staff's ace in 1935 and making consecutive trips to the East-West ASG before heading south to ply his trade - firstly in Puerto Rico and the DR, and then after a brief return to the NeL the aforementioned swansong in Mexico.

As far as the EL is concerned, Leroy was selected in the league's Inaugural Draft by those very same Crawfords, going in the 6th Round and a surprisingly low 105th overall. His 3+ seasons there were plagued with inconsistency - he followed up a nasty 12-22 / 93 ERA+ 1969 campaign with a fantastic 1970 that saw him win 23 games and lose only 8 while pumping his ERA+ up by some 40 points and making it to the ASG, only to struggle again this season. With him at 4-8 and a poor ERA+ of 83, the Crawfs decided he was superfluous to their needs and shipped him off to Birmingham in the trade recently posted about. At the time of writing, his career record sits at 43-42 with an ERA+ of 108 and 12.3 pWAR to his credit.

He is currently in just his age-25 season and I think he has a bunch of upside, so it is my opinion that Pittsburgh pulled the gun a bit early here. Earning just $75k and with another year of team control (his arb est for '72 is in the vicinity of $100k), he's a good cheap punt for a BBs side that is right in the hunt. He's been slotted into their spin as the SP4 with Phil Ortega switched back to the Closer role, and I reckon this bolsters their staff greatly. Time, as always, will tell if I am right in thinking this.



EDIT: He starts off his BBs career with a lovely 6-1 CG win against Atlantic City and belts just his 2nd career homer, to boot!

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Another month passed, continued defiance of gravity by the Liberty Stars as they enter the stretch run still 7 1/2 games clear in the WC American. Theirs is the only clear margin at the moment (although the AGs are really pushing the Buckeyes of late) and we look set for the most exciting finish yet to an Eclipse League season. In the FC American, a strong move by the Crawfords - currently on a win streak of 7 - has made it a race in three.

• FC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Aaron Judge (Giants) 378 / 5 HR / 12 RBI.
• FC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Luis Andujar (Royal Giants) 5-0 / 0.96 / 24 K / 47 IP.
• FC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Gready McKinnis (Crawfords) 4-0 / 1.56 / 24 K / 57.2 IP.
• WC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Cesar Hernandez (Buckeyes) 354 / 6 HR / 17 RBI.
• WC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Lefty Williams (American Giants) 4-0 / 0.90 / 9 K / 50 IP.
• WC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Lefty Williams.

In the Transit League, the Clowns and Marcos have made a run for it, although neither is fully clear just yet. In the CAC American, the Keystones and Stars are engaged in a fierce battle with the Keystones seemingly holding the edge over their Manhattan rivals. Meanwhile just one game separates the Black Sox, Tigers and Black Senators in the FRC American.

• CAC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Jose Barrios (Marcos) 402 / 8 HR / 38 RBI.
• CAC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Rafael Valdez (Eagles) 5-1 / 3.00 / 57 K / 45 IP.
• FRC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Jose Martinez (Hornets) 443 / 5 HR / 18 RBI.
• FRC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Armando Reynoso (Black Senators) 5-1 / 2.09 / 24 K / 56 IP.

Top 20s - overall





Top 20s - NeLers





News and Leaders

[luckymann]

Friday 13th August, 1971 – New York Black Yankees @ Newark Dodgers

7.05pm ET, Ruppert Stadium, Newark NJ

Plenty of nervous energy in the air here tonight in Newark and perhaps even a hint of desperation as the hometown Dodgers face their mighty FC American rivals the New York Black Yankees. Adding to the edgy atmosphere, it just happens to be Friday the Thirteenth for the opening game of what can only be described as a "line in the sand" series for Newark. With the BYs currently on a 5-game win streak that has given them a handy cushion in the season-long battle between these two sides, it is generally thought that anything less than a convincing win here might mean the end of the Dodgers' challenge this season.

Laden with the responsibility of getting things off on the right foot for the hosts is 29-year-old righty Connie Rector. IRL, Connie enjoyed a long career in the NeL spanning from 1920 to 1944 (his age-52 season!!), a good portion of which was actually spent with the team he is charged with vanquishing tonight. Seamheads credits him with a 68-55 record over that time with an ERA+ of 109 and 16 WAR, while Eric Chalek's MLEs are slightly better than that. Jim Riley notes Connie's game smarts which, along with pinpoint control and an array of breaking pitches, he used to compensate for having only pedestrian stuff.

Consistency has been "Broadway" Rector's main issue so far in the EL, with his 15-7 mark this year the only time he has managed a winning record since the Dodgers selected him 150th overall in the league's Inaugural Draft. That is a nice bounce back from a forgettable 1970 campaign that saw him lose 21 games and register a negative pWAR, and he has won his last four starts on the trot in fairly convincing fashion. No doubt the Dodgers will be looking for that sort of form from him here tonight, especially given the problems their 10th-ranked bullpen has been having closing out games.




With CC Sabathia and Edsall Walker due up in games two and three of this series, the Dodgers would have to know that they simply cannot afford to lose this opener against the BYs' 4th starter, Reynaldo Lopez. Reynaldo is one of your garden-variety low-rotation guys, and he has given the BYs league-average service over his 4-year career in the EL with a 62-58 record and 20 pWAR with a 103 ERA+. A flyball pitcher in the extreme, Reynaldo gets just enough movement on each of his
three stock pitches to generally keep the ball in the yard, giving up well under a homer per nine. That said, he does allow a fair few on base (career WHIP 1.32) and the Dodgers will be looking to take advantage of this with plenty of speed at the top of their lineup, especially Bill North and Jim Gilliam.




The New Yorkers, of course, will be looking to their big three - Don Baylor, Erubiel Durazo, and presumptive MVP Hank Thompson - to put up enough runs for Lopez to defend. They, too, have good wheels in their lineup with Sam "The Jet" Jethroe, so I'm expecting plenty of action on the paths in this one.

I'm really amped for this game, I reckon it will be a ripper. Here's how the two sides are set to line up for the first pitch:




And away we go!


The Dodgers get an early one when Buck Leonard walks with two out in the 1st and Cliff Floyd doubles him all the way around, but the BYs reply immediately with a pair in the next on singles by Ernie Riles and then Dwain Anderson.

The visitors go further ahead in the 3rd as promising rookie Vic Harris doubles and scores on a two-out hit by Durazo, only for the Dodgers to get it back to 3-2 in the 4th on a Carlos Rodriguez single.

New York, however, seems to have all the answers as they take advantage of that speed I mentioned to draw away again, with Jethroe singling, swiping second and coming home on a single by Harris. Durazo then knocks in a pair with another single as the visitors take control. It all kind of falls apart from there for Newark as a poor error by 3B Darnell Coles and then a 2-run double by Riles end Rector's night and, from the looks of it, the game as well.




The game just fizzles out from this point and finishes 8-3 after the Dodgers score one late. But more than the scoreline, the big point to be taken from this game is the sheer difference in class and polish between these two sides for the moment. Few if any of the 24000 in attendance tonight will leave thinking the Dodgers are in with much of a chance of seeing playoff action this season.

For the BYs, on the other hand, nothing but positives to be taken away with their victory an utterly comprehensive one despite Thompson going 0-for-5. Lopez was great and this side looks ready to put up a fierce defence of its title.

EDIT: Goes to show how little I know as the Dodgers win the other two games of this series...

[luckymann]

Despite all of Luis Olmo's efforts, the East takes this year's Cuban Stars match-up by two games to one. That makes the running total 3-1 in their favour.