Alltime Baseball League

[G-Force]

ABL AROUND THE HORN - MAY 2024

1. The Charlotte Cougars surged to the best overall record in the ABL on the strength of a 20-9 May. Their offseason investments have largely paid off, but on the hill it hasn't been Cole Hamels, who received the offseason's biggest contract. Hamels has been strong, with a 3.52 ERA thus far. But the ace to this point has been Mel Harder, who is 8-1 with a league best 2.18 ERA.

2. It seems to finally be all coming together for Mike Schmidt. The Los Angeles LIghtning third baseman was a subpar offensive player his first two years in the league, disappointing New York to the point where the Heroes didn't make him an offer to retain him when he became a free agent. Los Angeles locked him up before last season and he belted 37 homers and drove in 111 runs, and though he struck out a league-high 180 times he batted .263, much better than the .213 mark he put up in New York. So far this season, Schmidt leads the Western League in homers (17) and RBIs (47) and has posted a .953 OPS, well above last year's career-best .876.

3. As phenomenal as Ty Cobb has been, injuries have plagued his ABL career. He missed time in 2018, 2019 and last season, though he earned enough at bats to lead the league in batting (.377) for a third straight season. Cobb had a 20-game hitting streak this season, and did most of that while nursing a quadriceps strain. He tweaked it again in early May, but continued to play. On May 19th, however, Cobb was diagnosed with a hamstring strain that will keep the two-time MVP out for more than a month. His Denver Pilots sit a game and a half out of first in the Western League North, trailing both Seattle and Sacramento.

4. The Memphis Sounds won the inaugural ABL Championship in 2018, lost the championship series in 2019, and haven't been back to the playoffs since. Last year marked their first sub-.500 season (78-82) and they now hold the worst record in the ABL this season. The bad luck continues with first-round draft pick Cliff Lee rupturing a tendon in his finger on May 24 that will keep him out until around Labor Day. Lee was 3-4 with a 4.11 ERA in his rookie campaign. The one positive is the torrid start of second baseman Al Bridwell, who is batting .374, tops in the ABL.

GH

[G-Force]

ABL ALL-STAR ROSTERS





SP Eddie Cicotte (ORL) - 8-3, 2.84 ERA, 107.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 3.3 K/9, 1.2 WAR
SP Dock Ellis (ALA) - 6-6, 3.27 ERA, 107.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Mel Harder (CHA) - 8-1, 2.49 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 4.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Tim Keefe (ORL) - 4-3, 3.18 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR (Injured)
SP Dutch E Leonard (CHI) - 9-3, 4.01 ERA, 114.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.8 WAR
SP Bobo Newsom (CHA) - 4-5, 3.71 ERA, 89.2 IP, 1.46 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Scott Sanderson (LOU) - 7-4, 2.96 ERA, 106.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 1.5 WAR
RP Ryan Dempster (CHA) - 1-0, 2.31 ERA, 50.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Dennis Eckersley (ORL) - 5-4, 12 SV, 1.82 ERA, 49.1 IP, 0.81 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 1.6 WAR
CL Jonathan Papelbon (CHI) - 2-5, 15 SV, 2.81 ERA, 41.2 IP, 0.89 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.1 WAR
C John Clapp (CHA) - .348/.433/.422, 135 AB, 1 HR, 15 SB, 134 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
C Del Crandall (COL) - .309/.349/.541, 220 AB, 14 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Lou Gehrig (CHI) - .309/.409/.480, 275 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Albert Pujols (ALA) - .313/.375/.555, 281 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 157 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
2B Frank Chance (CHA) - .301/.382/.412, 279 AB, 5 HR, 20 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Snuffy Stirnweiss (NY) - .264/.312/.379, 311 AB, 3 HR, 15 SB, 82 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
3B George Brett (MEM) - .316/.344/.434, 297 AB, 1 HR, 6 SB, 114 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
3B Harry Steinfeldt (CHA) - .320/.388/.445, 200 AB, 3 HR, 11 SB, 130 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
SS Arky Vaughan (NY) - .355/.456/.443, 262 AB, 1 HR, 2 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
SS Honus Wagner (LOU) - .329/.392/.403, 298 AB, 2 HR, 3 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
LF Barry Bonds (ORL) - .227/.336/.461, 256 AB, 17 HR, 8 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
LF Bill Hinchman (BOS) - .352/.444/.448, 270 AB, 4 HR, 7 SB, 157 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
CF Mickey Mantle (CHI) - .241/.332/.453, 278 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 117 wRC+, 2.2 WAR (Injured)
RF Bobby Bonds (LOU) - .259/.342/.448, 286 AB, 12 HR, 12 SB, 118 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
RF Red Murray (ORL) - .301/.347/.429, 266 AB, 8 HR, 7 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
.

SP Steve Carlton (DEN) - 4-5, 2.72 ERA, 106.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Danny Darwin (SAC) - 10-3, 2.64 ERA, 109.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.4 WAR (Injured)
SP Jose DeLeon (POR) - 10-5, 3.03 ERA, 101.0 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Doug Fister (NO) - 5-5, 2.86 ERA, 100.2 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Brandon Morrow (SEA) - 8-5, 2.41 ERA, 89.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Hal Newhouser (SAC) - 6-5, 4.37 ERA, 92.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Johan Santana (LV) - 6-7, 3.23 ERA, 97.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 2.4 WAR
RP Carl Erskine (NO) - 3-5, 6 SV, 3.05 ERA, 38.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.5 WAR
RP Jose Valverde (SEA) - 1-2, 6 SV, 2.90 ERA, 31.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 11.0 K/9, 1.5 WAR
CL Pat Malone (NO) - 7-3, 2.02 ERA, 75.2 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
C Carlton Fisk (SAC) - .294/.370/.490, 204 AB, 9 HR, 2 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Gabby Hartnett (DEN) - .312/.361/.433, 215 AB, 5 HR, 119 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
1B Dan Brouthers (SEA) - .263/.411/.392, 255 AB, 6 HR, 8 SB, 142 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
1B Todd Helton (PHO) - .298/.367/.518, 272 AB, 16 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Jerry Kenney (LA) - .298/.380/.481, 181 AB, 4 HR, 5 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
2B Jackie Robinson (POR) - .280/.345/.432, 271 AB, 8 HR, 11 SB, 115 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
3B Ron Santo (SAC) - .332/.420/.475, 265 AB, 8 HR, 150 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
3B Mike Schmidt (LA) - .268/.359/.528, 265 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
SS Donie Bush (SA) - .284/.365/.407, 243 AB, 2 HR, 12 SB, 113 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
SS Ozzie Smith (PHO) - .316/.377/.376, 282 AB, 1 HR, 14 SB, 111 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
CF Alejandro Oms (SAC) - .338/.405/.466, 219 AB, 6 HR, 5 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
CF Mike Trout (SEA) - .265/.355/.412, 272 AB, 6 HR, 17 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
RF George J Burns (LA) - .303/.371/.424, 238 AB, 3 HR, 11 SB, 123 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
RF Elmer Flick (SA) - .299/.364/.388, 281 AB, 20 SB, 106 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
RF Ross Youngs (PHO) - .292/.370/.469, 277 AB, 9 HR, 9 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

[G-Force]

East Breaks Tie In 7th Annual All-Star Game
Los Angeles' Burns named MVP, first to win from losing team

LAS VEGAS - As the Alltime Baseball League's seventh season reaches its midpoint, fans descended on Las Vegas for three days of partying wrapped around the ABL's Midsummer Classic, in which the Eastern League came up with its own lucky seven.
The East put up a three-run seventh inning for a 3-2 victory, regaining the advantage historically in All-Star Games, 4 to 3.
Louisville's Honus Wagner tallied the game-winner, stroking an RBI single off Portland's Jose DeLeon to score New York's Snuffy Stirnweiss for the third and final run of the inning. Stirnweiss' double had driven in John Clapp, who entered the game for Columbus rookie Del Crandall, who had singled to get the first Eastern League run on the board, driving home Harry Steinfeldt of Charlotte, who opened the inning with a triple.
The Western League had tallied both of its runs with a second-inning two-run shot from Los Angeles' George Burns, who with three hits became the first player from a losing team to earn All-Star MVP honors.
DeLeon took the loss, while Chicago's Jonathan Papelbon earned the victory. Charlotte's Mel Harder (8-1, 2.49) started for the East, while Steve Carlton of Denver (4-5, 2.72) took the start after it was announced that Sacramento's Danny Darwin (10-3, 2.64) would likely miss the remainder off the season with a partially torn labrum.
Darwin joined Chicago's MIckey Mantle, Orlando's Tim Keefe and Darwin's Sacramento teammate, rookie Alejandro Oms as injured players unable to appear in the game.

[G-Force]

ABL MIDSEASON BATTING & PITCHING REGISTERS
All batters with 80+ PAs and pitchers with 40+ IP

[G-Force]

ABL STATS & STANDINGS - JULY 2024

[G-Force]

ABL AROUND THE HORN - JULY 2024

1. Two thirds of the way through the season, parity is the name of the game. No team is above .600 (Chicago and Seattle are both at .577) or below .400 (Boston, Memphis and Las Vegas each sit at .405). If that holds up through the end of the season, it will be the first time that has been the case since the inaugural ABL season in 2018. In addition, all four division races are two games or less, and three of the four have a third place team within six games of the lead.

2. The debate as to the ABL's best player has long been focused on two players: Los Angeles' Willie Mays and Denver's Ty Cobb. Each have two MVP Awards and are front-runners to bring home a third this season. July demonstrated both players at the top of their game. For Cobb, injuries have been a frequent occurrence, none worse than last season when he broke his ankle in August, ending his season and Denver's playoff hopes. He has fought quad and hamstring injuries this season, but was healthy in July, batting .433 while leading the league in at bats, in so doing reaching enough plate appearances to regain the lead in the Western League batting race at .373. Meanwhile, Mays posted a 1.075 OPS with 8 homers and 25 RBI in July and currently leads the Western League in WAR - as he has in four of his six previous seasons.

3. Speaking of MVPs, Alabama could have one in Albert Pujols, who in his seventh season seems to be approaching his enormous potential. Pujols has been a solid contributor in his career, a three-time gold glove winner and two-time All-Star with a 162-game average of 24 HR, 97 RBI and an .800 OPS. But Pujols, who has been with Alabama since being taken third overall in the inaugural ABL draft in 2018, has long been perceived as a disappointment, expected to be far more than merely solid. But he leads the Eastern League in homers and RBIs and his 3.5 WAR is closing in on his career-best 4.2 achieved last season. He is a free agent after this season and, still only 27, could command a massive contract if he finishes the season strong.

4. Of the original 16 teams in the ABL, only four have not made the playoffs - Charlotte, Sacramento, Omaha and New Orleans. Three of those four find themselves in pennant races at the moment. The Cougars, who made waves with a billion-dollar spending spree last offseason, find themselves two games back in the Eastern League South. The Stingers sit two games behind Seattle in the Western League North. And the Knights currently lead Los Angeles in the Western League South by a game. Only the Pioneers of Omaha are out of it, 15 games back, seemingly light years away from their 91-win season of two years ago. Manager Bill Shettsline, in the final year of his four-year deal, seems unlikely to be back, and it is considered likely that general manager Kyle Bees - with Omaha since its inception - will see his tenure end as well.

[G-Force]

[CENTER]

ABL STATS & STANDINGS - AUGUST 2024

[G-Force]

ABL AROUND THE HORN - AUGUST 2024

1. What started out as a month that looked like it would see the Chicago Hitmen run away with the Eastern League North has seen the division race become a three-team affair. After a 15-5 start to the month, the Hitmen lost their last eight of the month, including dropping the final two of three against Memphis (59-80) and sweeps against cellar-dwelling Boston (57-82) and South-leading Orlando. Louisville, despite the Eastern League's 8th-ranked pitching staff out of 10 teams, ended up keeping pace at 2 game behind Chicago on the strength of an 8-game winning streak late in the month. The teams meet for the last time Sept. 14-16 in Louisville. But the story here could be in Columbus, where the Crushers have managed to get within four games of Chicago despite flops from both main pitching acquisitions, Nolan Ryan and Bob Feller. Key to their success has been Bruce Ruffin, cut by Charlotte just before the season began. Columbus signed Ruffin to a minor-league deal and he's gone 11-3 with a 2.59 ERA. This comes after Ruffin, stellar for Charlotte in 2019 and 2020, went 17-38 with a 4.90 ERA for the Cougars over the past three seasons. But he's helped Columbus withstand the unfathomable collapse of Ryan (3-13, 5.70) and keep the Crushers in the hunt.

2. In 2021, the Orlando Orcas stunned everyone with their championship run nobody saw coming. Now, three years later, they could be poised to do the same thing. With all attention on Charlotte after their offseason spending spree, the Orcas have relied on their pitching, with the tandem of Eddie Cicotte (14-3, 2.76) and Tim Keefe (8-4, 3.11) leading the ABL's best staff. Rookie Johnny Vander Meer put up a 2.21 ERA in August to improve to 3.18 on the season. Closer Dennis Eckersley leads the ABL in saves with 29 thanks to a 1.67 ERA. And the Orcas lead the league in defensive efficiency as well. The result? A 10-game winning streak to end the month and surge to a 10-game lead over Charlotte in the division. Jeff Bagwell and Chipper Jones, each with Orlando since the beginning, still have never reached their potential, and Barry Bonds - with perhaps the most raw talent in the game - seems another offensive player in Orlando who is not meeting expectations. But If they bring another championship to Florida, nobody will care.

3. It has been overlooked because Phoenix has been out of contention for much of the season, but first baseman Todd Helton may well be the Western League MVP. Helton leads the league in homers (27), is second in RBI (96) and third in average (.331), helping result in a league-best WAR of 6.0. Helton, originally drafted by Boston in the inaugural ABL draft, has built quite a career for himself: Five gold gloves, four all-star appearances, third place in the 2022 Outstanding Hitter voting, and a 162-game average of 24 HRs, 97 RBI, an .846 OPS and 5.0 WAR. He is likely to reach career highs in homers (31) and RBI (107) this season.

4. The Seattle Grinders, in pursuit of their second straight division crown, are going to have to cobble together the back end of the bullpen. They've existed with a two-headed monster of sorts, consisting of David Robertson (25 saves) and Jose Valverde (11 saves). However, in a week's span in late August, the team learned Robertson was done for the season with a labrum tear and Valverde will miss several weeks if not the rest of the season with elbow tendinitis. Manager Horace Phillips pulled Ben Sheets out of the rotation and has installed him as closer for the moment. Sheets, 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA as a starter after being signed to a minor league deal in May, never made a relief appearance in six years prior with Chicago and Louisville, but notched a save August 31 with 1 2/3 perfect innings in a 2-0 win against division rival Sacramento, the finale of a three-game set in which Seattle took two of three to push the Stingers 4 games back in the division.

[G-Force]

It's time for the annual ABL Pennant Chase! It is September 9th, with 14 days left in the season. From here I'll do day-to-day recaps of any pennant race within five games.


At this point, Orlando leads Charlotte by 8 games in the Eastern League South and New Orleans leads Los Angeles by 7 games in the Western League South. So we'll ignore those divisions unless the races close to five games.


We'll follow two races here:






Here we go, down the stretch of the Alltime Baseball League's seventh season.


GH

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Chicago 9, New York 3: Lou Gehrig's three-run homer, his 31st, was part of a six-run second inning as the Hitmen pounced on New York starter Francisco Liriano (10-8, 3.69). Jesse Tannheill (16-9, 4.05) allowed three runs over 8 2/3 before Dutch Leonard, making his first relief appearance of the year, retired the final batter to end it.

Louisville 5, Boston 2: Thoroughbreds starter Larry Benton (11-13, 4.33) came through with he best start of the season, hurling seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball to stymie the Riders. Jason Bay's bases loaded double in the seventh broke open what was a 2-0 game. Dale Murphy's two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth, his fourth, provided both Boston runs.

Columbus 6, Alabama 3: The Crushers got a three-run homer from Terry Puhl, his 16th, and a solo shot from Prince Fielder, his 20th, to rough up Alabama starter Noodles Hahn (10-10, 3.53) and keep pace in the division. Nolan Ryan, whose unfathomable struggles this season have been well chronicled, earned his fourth win of the season, striking out nine over six innings, but allowing three runs despite only one hit, a single, that came in the sixth with three of his four walks.

Omaha 3, Seattle 1: Mark Buehrle (12-12, 3.88) shut down the Grinders, scattering nine hits over 8 2/3 of one-run ball, striking out five while not walking a batter. Buehrle outdueled Seattle's Brandon Morrow (13-9, 2.60), who allowed two runs, one earned, over 5 1/3. Jimmy Wynn's 20th homer of the year broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth. The Grinders' lone run came on Manny Ramirez's 10th homer of the season.

Sacramento 5, San Antonio 3: Hal Newhouser (8-9, 4.07) struck out nine over 6 1/3 of one-run ball and the Stingers held on after building a 5-0 lead against the Stallions' Eddie Smith (6-11, 4.18). Derrek Lee hit his 14th, a two-run shot, for the Stingers. Josh Hamilton took Al Leiter deep in the eighth for his 12th of the season as the Stallions tried to come back.

Los Angeles 4, Portland 2: Billy O'Dell won his 15th for Los Angeles with six innings of two-run ball and Dave Boswell saved his 16th with a nine-out save to deal the Robins a setback in their longshot playoff push. Mike Schmidt broke a 2-2 tie with a sacrifice fly in the 7th. Tom Candiotti (9-9), took the loss for Portland in relief of starter Luis Severino, who left with what's being called a mild hamstring strain in the fifth.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 (the league was off on Sept. 10)

St. Louis 8, Chicago 0: Vinegar Bend Mizell navigated trouble all day, but ended up with 8 1/3 shutout innings thanks to four double plays to deal the Hitmen their third straight loss. Mizell (9-11, 3.67) scattered 11 hits, striking out four while walking none. He got a solo shot from Hack Wilson, his 18th, but the big blow was Bryce Harper's 20th, a three-run shot off Ron Darling (14-12, 4.67) in the fifth.

Louisville 5, Orlando 1: Kelvin Escobar got revenge on his old team. Acquired from Orlando at the August trade deadline, Escobar hurled a complete game four-hitter, striking out five to outduel Outstanding Pitcher candidate Eddie Cicotte (15-10, 2.77). Louisville got three hits from batting leader Honus Wagner, who's now at .338, and RBI doubles from Richie Ashburn and Marty McManus. Topper Rigney, who Louisville sent to Orlando in the Escobar trade, drove in the lone Orlando run.

Columbus 6, Memphis 4: Enos Slaughter went 3-for-4 with homer, double and four RBIs in support of Cliff Melton, who improved to 2-1 since coming over from Vegas in exchange for Larry Hisle. Jesse Barfield belted his 22nd homer of the season, a two-run shot, to account for the other tewo runs. Bob Feller, who struggled mightily this season after missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, was moved to the bullpen in August. Since allowing five runs in an inning in his first relief appearance, Feller has now posted a 2.21 ERA over 11 relief appearances, including two scoreless here.

Denver 9, Seattle 7: What was supposed to be a pitching duel didn't end up going that way. But Denver clung to its slim playoff hopes and did enough to back Steve Carlton (12-8, 3.76), getting to presumptive Rookie of the Year Corey Kluber (14-8, 2.64) with two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth despite a rare 0-for-5 day from Ty Cobb, who still leads the league in batting comfortably at .362. Gabby Hartnett drove in two and George Springer belted a three-run shot in the 7th, his 8th, off reliever Jim Rooker. Seattle got two of its runs on a homer from Schoolboy Rowe, used as the designated hitter for the 13th time this season. It was his second.

Las Vegas 8, Sacramento 6 (11 innings): Too little too late, but the Las Vegas Bosses won their fifth straight, roughing up Sacramento's Candy Cummings (17-7, 3.48) for six runs over six innings. Andre Ethier hit a three-run shot in the first, his 13th, and Larry Hisle stayed hot since his acquisition from Columbus, swatting his fifth homer in 23 games, during which he has slugged .611. His two-run shot tied the game at 6 in the fifth, and that's how it stayed until the 11th, when Hisle's two-run triple off Bob Welch broke the tie.

Portland 4, Phoenix 1: Van Mungo (14-7, 2.83) continued his career season, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings, navigating five walks by only allowing two hits. Rookie Billy Williams hit his 23rd homer, a two-run shot of Phoenix starter Deacon Phillippe (9-12, 4.81). Jim Edmonds' 22nd homer accounted for the lone Phoenix run.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

Chicago 5, St. Louis 1: This is the formula the Hitmen are banking on: Homers from Mickey Mantle (36) and Lou Gehrig (32) and strong pitching. The pitching came from rookie Brandon Webb, who bounced back from a rough debut against Alabama to hurl a complete game, allowing one run on six hits. Webb has replaced Dutch Leonard in the rotation. Leonard (11-12, 4.79) has made two scoreless appearances in relief since the move was made. Don Mattingly drove in the Steamers' only run. Mantle's homer moved him with three of 200, and he'd be the first in ABL history to reach that milestone.

Orlando 10, Louisville 9: A crushing loss for the Thoroughbreds, who got out to a 6-0 lead after two against Johnny Wander Meer (7-4, 2.90), who righted his ship long enough to end up getting the win as the Orcas rallied for 10 unanswered runs, carried by a pair of Claudell Washington homers, his second and third of the season. Hod Eller (10-11, 5.30) was knocked out in the fourth and ended up being charged with 8 runs in 3 2/3. Kal Daniels' two-run shot off Hank Borowy in the eighth started a Louisville comeback, and Dave Parker's double off Dennis Eckersley scored Richie Ashburn in the 9th to get Louisville within one. But Eckersley got Dick Dietz to ground out to first to end the game.

Columbus 10, Memphis 6: The Crushers won't fade away quietly. Columbus used five homers, including a pair from Jesse Barfield, the second of which was a grand slam off Robb Nen in a five-run 8th to break a 6-6 tie. Bob Feller threw two more scoreless innings of relief, striking out four, to get the win, his eighth. Prince Fielder (21), Morgan Ensberg (13) and Jed Lowrie (4) also homered for Columbus. Joe Harris homered twice for Memphis in the loss.

Seattle 6, Denver 4: The Pilots knew they pretty much needed a sweep to have any shot at the division. The Grinders beat Johan Santana to make sure that didn't happen. Santana, a free agent-to-be acquired in July from Las Vegas, who knew Santana had no intention of staying, allowed five runs in four innings, including a solo shot from Roy Campanella, his 9th. Seattle is the Western League's Orlando, a team with a lineup collectively underachieving but with a pitching staff that has been so strong it hasn't mattered. Mike Moore won his 15th, going seven and allowing two runs on five hits. His ERA is a sparkling 2.67.

Portland 6, Phoenix 4: Jose DeLeon's surprising season continued, as the veteran righthander improved to 16-10 with a 2.62 ERA, far surpassing anything he's achieved prior. Here, DeLeon fought through trouble, lasting only five innings, but surrendering only one run. Meanwhile, the Robins picked apart Phoenix's Jake Westbrook (14-12, 4.08), getting three hits apiece from Will Clark and Bill Madlock. Rafael Soriano picked up his 22nd save.

Las Vegas 7, Sacramento 3: Eight innings of scoreless ball. From both sides. Sacramento starter Carlos Martinez left with an undetermined injury after two perfect innings of work. Ervin Santana relieved him with 5 1/3 scoreless. The two have a combined ERA on the season of more than 5.50. But they matched Las Vegas' Greg Maddux (11-13, 3.57), who ended up dealing 8 1/3 innings of three-run, six-hit ball. Those three runs came in the ninth, and only after Vegas scored seven runs in the top half of Fritz Ostermueller and Tom Browning, the big blow a Desmond Jennings grand slam, his seventh homer of the season. The game not only pushed Sacramento four back of Seattle, but pushed them into a tie with Portland for second place.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

St. Louis 3, Chicago 1: The last place Steamers got seven innings of one-run ball from Kevin Appier (9-15, 5.27) against the vaunted Chicago attack, and Damaso Marte and rookie Kent Tekulve closed it out as St. Louis took two of three from a struggling Chicago squad. The Hitmen got eight strong innings from John Lackey, who allowed three runs, two earned on five hits. The Hitmen only got five hits but drew seven walks, only to leave 11 men on base. Bryce Harper's two-run homer in the first, his 21st, was the big blow for St. Louis.

Louisville 5, Orlando 3: Dixie Davis has spent six seasons in the minor leagues for Louisville over which he's posted a 45-39 mark with a 4.78 ERA. But, though he's struggled since his July callup, when Louisville needed him big, he came through. The 35-year-old Davis (2-4, 7.24) allowed three runs over seven, scattering seven hits to earn the win over Orlando, backed by three RBIs from David Wright and a homer from Kal Daniels, his 19th. Davis has taken Scott Sanderson's place in the rotation after a recurrance of biceps tendinitis, which sidelined him for six weeks in July and August, claimed his season to start September. Darren O'Day picked up his 15th save.

Columbus vs Memphis: Canceled due to rain, will be made up on Sept. 23

Denver 4, Seattle 3: Gabby Hartnett had three hits including his sixth homer of the season and drove in a pair, and Aaron Hill hit a two-run single to back Kirk McCaskill (13-9, 4.37) as Denver took two-of-three. Bryan Harvey saved his 19th. Tex Hughson (6-8, 4.05) took the loss for the Grinders.

Portland 7, Phoenix 5: Bill Madlock was a triple short of the cycle, driving in five runs for Portland as they completed a three-game sweep of the Scorpions, who have lost six in a row. Portland put themselves in a hole, allowing five unearned runs on a pair of errors. John Smoltz (8-12, 4.91), enduring the worst season of his career, made a throwing error that opened up the floodgates to a four-run second but otherwise pitched well in taking a no-decision. Frank Lary won his sixth in relief. John Thomson (8-8, 3.78) took the loss for Phoenix.

Sacramento 5, Las Vegas 2: Joe Lake, who made the roster out of spring training after not having seen the majors since 2018, won his eighth of the season, allowing two runs over 8 1/3 in his third start after spending most of the season in the bullpen. Ken Henderson's sixth-inning two-run shot broke a 2-2 tie. Jack Quinn (10-13, 3.68) took the loss for Vegas.

WILD KNIGHT: NEW ORLEANS CLINCHES FIRST DIVISION TITLE ON WALK-OFF

New Orleans clinched the Western League South, walking it off at home in the 10th inning to top San Antonio, 4-3. Harry Heilman doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and was driven in by Kyle Seager to tie the game at 3. Heilman would then drive home the game-winner with a bases loaded single in the 10th to give the Knights their first division title.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

Louisville 8, Chicago 2: Juan Guzman (13-8, 4.11) threw six strong innings, allowing one run, and was backed by a Bobby Bonds three-run homer, his 27th, as Louisville opened up the pivotal three-game set at home against division-leading Chicago with a big win. Eppa Rixey (15-9, 3.75) took the loss for the Hitmen, whose lead has been trimmed to a single game.

Columbus 4, New York 1: The Crushers' ace came up big. Chief Bender threw a complete-game, surrendering a run on four hits and made Del Crandall's three-run homer, the rookie's 20th, stand up to get within a game and a half of Chicago in the ever-tightening Eastern League North. Tom Glavine (13-9, 3.39) took the loss.

Los Angeles 4, Seattle 3: A day after being eliminated, the Lightning turned their focus to playing spoiler. CC Sabathia (11-12, 5.60), mired in by far the worst season of the former 20-game winner's career, gave eight solid innings, allowing three runs on four hits including Ray Lankford's 16th homer of the season to outduel Schoolboy Rowe (13-11, 3.17) in a matchup of former Western League Outstanding Pitcher award winners. George Selkirk's three-run shot off Rowe in the fourth was big for the Lightning, and Mike Schmidt doubled home the game-winner in the eighth off Ben Sheets for his 88th RBI of the season.

Portland 10, San Antonio 6: Expect free-agent-to-be Jeff Burroughs to send this game out to prospective teams this offseason. Burroughs went 6-for-6, starting things off with a three-run homer off Roy Oswalt (9-12, 3.61) in the first, following that up with five singles during the course of Portland's 22-hit attack. Burroughs' homer was his 18th. Rookie catcher Quincy Trouppe belted his 14th to go back-to-back with Burroughs. Rookie Jeff Kent hit his 10th homer for the Stallions and Ed Delahanty drove in a pair to push him past 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career, the first player in the ABL's seven-year history to do so five times. He ranks second in the ABL all-time in RBIs (706) behind Los Angeles' Willie Mays (746).

Sacramento 9, Denver 1: The Stingers tuned up Kevin Brown (8-17, 5.94) for nine runs and Hal Newhouser (9-9, 3.83) only needed two of them, allowing a run over 8 2/3 as Sacramento hammered Denver to gain a game on Seattle and stay in the thick of things. Ken Henderson swatted his 11th homer of the season for the Stingers. Pete Browning's 15th accounted for Denver's only run.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Louisville 3, Chicago 2: Bobby Bonds' two-run shot off Jesse Tannehill (16-10, 4.05) gave Louisville a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish as Francisco Cordero recorded a six-out save, his third of the season, to pull Louisville into a tie with Chicago atop the division. The Hitmen got one big hit - J.D. Drew's two run shot in the sixth off Larry Benton (11-13, 4.29) to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. But the Hitmen continue to struggle offensively, leaving 11 more on base. That's been a theme during the 5-17 slide since August 22 that has seen them lose the division lead.

New York 8, Columbus 7: A furious comeback fell a run short, as Columbus battled back from an 8-2 deficit but fell short, missing a chance to get within a half game in the division. Snuffy Stirnweiss, Charlie Blackmon and Tim Salmon each had three hits in New York's 14-hit attack to get Francisco Liriano his 11th win. Bruce Ruffin (12-5, 2.91) was rocked for Columbus, allowing six runs in 3 2/3. Jesse Barfield hit a three-run shot, his 25th, in the seventh to get the Crushers within two. But after an RBI single in the ninth made it a one-run game, Jose Abreu was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double and Enos Slaughter flew out to end it. Rookie Randy Myers picked up his fifth save for the Heroes.

Seattle 3, Los Angeles 2: Willie Mays' two-run shot off Brandon Morrow in the first silenced the Seattle crowd quickly. Mike Trout woke them up in the fourth. And sent them into a frenzy in the 8th. Trout homered twice, his 15th and 16th, the latter proving to be the game winner off Lightning closer Dave Boswell. Mike Adams, Ben Sheets - who earned his 10th win - and Willis Hudlin - who saved his second - combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

San Antonio 5, Portland 3: The Stallions' Eddie Smith and the Robins' Dick Rudolph matched each other for seven innings. But with the score knotted at three, Josh Hamilton's two-run double off Rafael Soriano with the bases loaded in the eighth lifted the Stallions, who got two perfect innings for Jim Gott, who started the year with Chicago, was cut, signed by New York then traded to San Antonio in the Ken Boyer trade at the Aug. 31 deadline.

Denver 9, Sacramento 8: The Pilots got 4 2/3 scoreless innings from their bullpen and a clutch double in the 10th from JJ Hardy that proved to be the game-winner after a back and forth affair. Ty Cobb hit his 7th homer of the season for Denver. Amos Strunk smacked his second the Stingers. Bryan Harvey threw a 1-2-3 10th for his 20th save of the season.

KEEFE PITCHES ORCAS TO DIVISION CROWN

Orlando's Tim Keefe (10-4, 2.91) threw a complete-game two hitter, striking out 13 to lead the Orcas to the Eastern League South division title in an 8-1 clinching win over Charlotte. Keefe allowed only one hit after Oscar Gamble's two-out solo shot in the first, his 13th. Red Murray (21) and Marquis Grissom (11) homered for Orlando, which won the division in both 2021 and 2022 before missing the playoffs last season. They won the ABL Championship in 2021.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Chicago 9, Louisville 3: The Thoroughbreds came in to this one hoping to wrap up a three-game sweep that would put them atop the Eastern League North. But a clutch Chicago homer would derail that plan. Not from Mickey Mantle. Not from Lou Gehrig. But Ira Flagstead. Undrafted in 2022, Flagstead was signed by Boston to a minor league deal as a free agent and ended up playing 146 games in 2023. He became a free again and signed with Chicago, earning 256 at bats during the season despite a .668 OPS. But none of that mattered in the top of the seventh, when Flagstead cracked a two-run homer as a pinch hitter, his fifth of the season, off Kelvim Escobar, to break a 2-2 tie and give Chicago a lead they'd never relinquish. Ron Darling (15-12, 4.94) took the win, while Escobar - who should have been out of the inning if not for an error by Marty McManus - took his eighth loss despite allowing only one earned run over 7 1/3. Johnathan Papelbon saved his 30th in 31 tries for Chicago, which reclaimed the division lead.

Columbus 4, New York 2: Cliff Melton improved to 3-1 in six starts since being acquired from Las Vegas for Larry Hisle in August, allowing four hits over six innings of work to keep New York at bay and Jesse Barfield's 7th inning single broke a 2-2 tie to put Columbus in front and keep them in the hunt. Jose Abreu, whose baserunning blunder in the ninth inning of yesterday's loss had the burly slugger nearly inconsolable postgame, drove in a pair for the Crushers in the win. Tim Salmon (8) and Vance Law (2) hit solo shots for New York.

Seattle 11, Los Angeles 7: Seattle had 16 baserunners on the day and brought 11 of them home. L.A. starter A.J. Burnett (11-14, 4.35) walked seven over 4 1/3 innings and the Grinders did just that, plating nine charged to Burnett without the aid of a homer. Corey Kluber (15-8, 2.74) wasn't great for Seattle, but gutted his way through five innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Roy Campanella drove in three and Manny Ramirez and Carlos Guillen each drove in two for the Grinders, who put themselves in great position for the division.

Denver 4, Sacramento 3 (10 innings): In a small consolation for the four-time division champions, Denver ensured at least a .500 record, a mark they've never fallen short of in their seven seasons. Steve Carlton (13-8, 3.72) threw nine innings of three-run ball and earned the win when Joe Medwick stroked an RBI single in the top of the 10th to break a 3-3 tie. Willie McCovey's RBI two-out single in the ninth for Denver forced extra innings. Bryan Harvey saved his 21st.

San Antonio 10, Portland 3: Ed Delahanty had four hits and drove in a pair and Jason Giambi smacked a three-run homer, his 15th, as the Stallions dealt the Robins a tough loss in Texas. Jake Arrieta (3-3, 3.98) allowed three runs over 7 2/3 for San Antonio. The trio of Rafael Soriano, Mike Henneman and Johnny Podres were charged with seven runs in a combined inning of relief for Portland. Bill Madlock hit a three-run homer, his eighth, to account for the Robins' only runs. With his two hits he's now batting an even .400 for September and has batted .371 since July 1.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Chicago 3, Charlotte 2: Rookie Brandon Webb (2-0, 3.38) came through big again, throwing seven innings of two-run ball backed by a trio of solo homers as the Hitmen try to hold on to the division in the season's final week. Tony Clark (11), Milt May (5) and Cal Ripken (16) went deep for the Hitmen, who had to improvise when closer Jonathan Papelbon had to throw 27 pitches in the eighth. Manager Paul Richards intended to use Papelbon, who's 30 for 31 in save opportunities, for a six-out save. But the long eighth made him go to Gregg Olson, who needed only five pitches to retire the side in the ninth. Andre Dawson hit his 19th for Charlotte. Nap Rucker (10-10, 5.41) took the loss.

Alabama 7, Louisville 2: Guy Morton's had a horrible season (10-12, 5.89), but he threw a dagger into Louisville's playoff chances with a strong effort, allowing two runs over 7 2/3. Albert Pujols hit his 25th homer for the Slammers, and Bill Dahlen (5) and Jason Bates (9) added solo shots. Hod Eller (10-12, 5.46) was touched for six runs. David Wright hit his 10th for Louisville in the defeat.

Columbus 11, Boston 6: Del Crandall went 3-for-4 and drove in three including a pair on a two-run single in the sixth to give the Crushers a lead they would never relinquish. Jose Abreu (12) and Max Bishop (6) also went deep for Columbus, which vaulted past Louisville into second place with the victory.

Phoenix 9, Seattle 7: Ben Oglivie reached base all four times, driving in three with his 12th homer of the season and six different players drove in runs as Phoenix held up Seattle's run to the division title. Jake Westbrook won his 15th, allowing four runs over seven. Mike Moore (15-9, 2.89), who's been terrific for Seattle, stumbled here, allowing seven runs over 4 1/3. Dan Brouthers hit his 12th of the season in the loss for Seattle.

Sacramento 8, New Orleans 6 (11 innings): The 8-9 hitters, Lou Boudreau and Brandon Phillips, combined to go 6-for-10 with three RBI and four runs scored as the Stingers picked up a game in their desperate effort to catch Seattle, doing so against the South division champions. The Knights have dropped four straight since clinching their division. Fritz Ostermueller hurled three scoreless in relief to get the win for Sacramento, which got homers from Phillips (1) and Alejandro Oms (11). Frank Schulte (6) homered for the Knights.

Portland 8, Las Vegas 3: With their backs against the wall, down 3-2 in the eighth and having been burned by three errors that made each of those three runs unearned, the Robins batted around to score six runs against Mike Stanton and Kyle Hendricks in the eighth to undo Greg Maddux's strong start, dealing him a no decision and the Robins a much-needed win to keep pressure on Seattle atop the division. Maddux (11-13, 3.53) allowed two runs over seven innings of work and has put up a 3.31 ERA since a horrible April. Jose DeLeon kept up his stellar season despite a no-decision after allowing three unearned runs over seven innings to lower his ERA to a sparkling 2.52. His ERA over his first six seasons? 4.58.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Charlotte 6, Chicago 0: Tom Underwood (2-1, 5.55) threw seven shutout innings against the league's best offense in a brutal loss for the Hitmen, who mustered only six hits. Trea Turner hit his 15th homer of the season, a three-run shot, off Takashi Saito in the 8th. Saito and Gregg Olson both struggled in relief of John Lackey (11-14, 4.73), who allowed a run over 6 1/3.

Boston 5, Columbus 1: Bill Drake (10-14, 5.25) threw seven shutout innings as the Crushers couldn't capitalize on Chicago's misstep. Eddie Murray had three hits, including his fourth homer, and drove in a pair to lead Boston. Jesse Barfield had three of Columbus' five hits and drove in their only run, keeping up a torrid September in which he's posted a 1.038 OPS. Chief Bender (14-9, 3.20) was off his game, allowing nine hits and four runs over four innings of work.

Alabama 6, Louisville 5: Three hits and three RBI from Kal Daniels weren't enough as Louisville dropped its third straight since catching Chicago for the division lead. Jamie Garcia (13-10, 4.33) allowed four runs over seven but got a tiebreaking RBI single from Javy Lopez in the seventh and an insurance run that came in handy when Aroldis Chapman failed to retire any of three batters he faced in the eighth. But Huston Street was perfect in a six-out save, his 13th.

Seattle 5, Phoenix 2: The Grinders got homers from Ray Lankford (17), Manny Ramirez (11) and Judy Johnson (16) against Phoenix starter John Thomson (0-3, 4.88) and Tex Hughson (7-8, 3.95) was strong over 7 2/3, allowing two runs on six hits as Seattle inched closer to its second straight division title only three years into its existence. Ben Sheets earned his fourth save.

Sacramento 3, New Orleans 2: 33-year-old Joe Lake, drafted by Sacramento in the inaugural draft in 2018 but who didn't see the majors since that time until this season, improved to 9-1 with a complete game six-hitter. Lake allowed two runs, one earned, as Sacramento stayed alive. Ron Santo drove in a pair, giving him 99 RBI on the season, and Kevin Seitzer drove in the other run for Sacramento. Doug Fister (10-12, 3.35) allowed three runs over seven in the loss, New Orleans' fifth straight since clinching the division title.

Portland 6, Las Vegas 4: Rookie Billy Williams had three hits and drove in a pair for Portland and Will Clark swatted a two-run homer, his fourth, to back the Robins bullpen, which had to battle through eight innings after back spasms ended John Smoltz's day after the first with back spasms. Tom Candiotti went 4 1/3, allowing two runs to win his 10th. Frank Lary earned his 10th save. Jack Quinn (10-14, 3.81) took the loss for Vegas.

STAT BOX: Both batting races have tightened in recent days. Louisville's Honus Wagner continues to lead the Eastern League at .337. But Boston's Bill Hinchman has closed within four points at .333 thanks to a .382 mark so far in September. Meanwhile, in the Western League, Ty Cobb's lead over Denver teammate Joe Medwick is down to seven points, .353 to .346. Though a career .332 hitter, Wagner only has one batting crown on his mantel, .348 in 2021. Cobb has won the last three Western League crowns, most notably with his remarkable .414 mark in the 2022 campaign.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Chicago 11, Charlotte 10: In this slugfest, Charlotte pulled a knife and the Hitmen pulled a gun...the Chicago way! The gun was Cal Ripken Jr., who fired two perfect shots, a pair of homers, in a huge Chicago win. The homers, his 17th and 18th, drove in five of Ripken's six RBI on the day, giving him 83 on the season, two shy of his career high of 85 in his 2018 rookie year. Tony Clark added his 12th homer of the year and Eppa Rixey won his 16th despite one of his worst starts of the year (8R, 6ER, 11 H in 5 1/3). Bobo Newsom (12-9, 3.93) took the loss for Charlotte.

Alabama 3, Louisville 1: Dock Ellis (15-12, 3.41) allowed one run over seven innings to outlast Juan Guzman (13-9, 4.08), who surrendered three runs, two earned, over six, as the Thoroughbreds dropped their fourth in a row to all but end the race, dropping their tragic number to 1. Jonathan Villar drove in a pair for Alabama. Kal Daniels' 20th homer accounted for Louisville's only run. The rookie now has 20 homers and 91 RBI and has posted a .950 OPS in September. Aroldis Chapman saved his 10th for Alabama.

Boston 4, Columbus 1: Nolan Ryan's disappointing season continued, as he lost his 15th, allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings of work in his presumed final start of the season. Columbus' six-year, $108 million investment in last year's Outstanding Pitcher runner-up did not get off to a good start, as even a mediocre Ryan probably gets Columbus a division title. Boston's Bill Sherdel (11-11, 3.51) allowed one run over eight, striking out seven for the win. Keith Foulke saved his 13th. Jesse Barfield hit his 26th homer for Columbus' only run.

Phoenix 6, Seattle 2: Ross Young went 4-for-4, driving in four for the Scorpions as Seattle won't get to pop champagne just yet. Youngs hit his 15th homer, an RBI double and a two-run double - all of Schoolboy Rowe (13-12, 3.28) to back Tom Seaver (12-12, 4.63), who allowed two runs over 7 1/3. Greg Holland saved his 24th for the Scorpions.

Portland 7, Las Vegas 4: The Robins stayed alive thanks to three hits and two RBI from Roberto Alomar and a two-run shot from Jeff Burroughs, his 19th. Andre Ethier drove in three for Vegas, including a two-run shot off rookie Luis Severino (10-13, 4.85), who slogged through seven innings, allowing four runs. Number one pick Fred Dunlap had three hits for Vegas and is now batting .287. Frank Lary saved his 11th for Portland.

New Orleans 6, Sacramento 5: J.R. Richard (13-8, 3.69) allowed three runs, two earned over seven and was backed by homers from Frank Schulte (7) and Gary Sheffield (11) and the South division champion Knights held on despite an off day from ERA leader Pat Malone, who allowed two runs but saved his 19th. Sacramento starter Hal Newhouser was off his game, allowing five runs over 5 2/3. With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, Derrek Lee stroked a line drive into the gap in left-center. Two runs scored but Ron Santo was held up at third. Malone walked lefty Danny Green to face Lou Boudreau and create the opportunity for a force. Boudreau flew to center to end it with the tying run 90 feet away. The Stingers are a slow team by their nature, and Santo is one of the league's slowest players. But it's hard not to question manager Bob Melvin not sending in someone, such as Brandon Phillips, to run for Santo as the tying run.

STAT BOX: In the Eastern League batting race, Louisville Honus Wagner (2-for-4, .338) still leads Boston's Bill Hinchman (1-for-3, .333). In the Western League, Denver's Ty Cobb (1-for-4, .352) remains ahead of teammate Joe Medwick (1-for-4, .346).

Mike Schmidt of Los Angeles homered, his 30th, to take the lead in the Western League by one over Phoenix's Todd Helton, who hasn't homered since Sept. 3.

Louisville's Bobby Bonds still leads the Eastern League RBI race with 107, one ahead of Chicago's Mickey Mantle and Alabama's Albert Pujols.

[G-Force]

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Chicago 8, Memphis 4: With the score knotted at 3 in the bottom of the eighth, Rusty Greer smacked a two-run single to put the Hitmen up 5-3 for a lead they would never surrender. Cal Ripken Jr. stayed hit, belting a three-run shot in the second, his 19th and fourth in the past four days after going homerless since August 25th. Jesse Tannehill allowed three runs, two earned, over six innings but took a no decision. Matt Carpenter's error in the third gave way for Ripken's homer off Andy Benes, who allowed the three unearned runs over 4 2/3 in his big-league debut. Jonathan Papelbon allowed his first September run but still earned the win, his fourth.

St. Louis 4, Columbus 3: Chicago's win eliminated Louisville, but Columbus was still alive...until they weren't. The Steamers' Mike Scioscia walked it off in St. Louis with an RBI single off Scott Linebrink to plate Carl Yastrzemski and make game-winners out of the Steamers and, to Columbus' dismay, division winners out of the Hitmen. Rookie Kent Tekulve won his sixth for St. Louis in relief of Mike Hampton, who allowed two runs over seven. if Columbus wants a bright spot, Bob Feller, moved to the bullpen after struggling as a starter in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, put up a 1.93 ERA over the season's final two months - a good omen for next year.

For now, the Hitmen are champions of the Eastern League North for the second straight season and the third time in seven years. Both previous times they've won the ABL Championship.

San Antonio 4, Seattle 3: The Grinders got three solo homers from Roberto Clemente (8), Roy Campanella (10) and Judy Johnson (11), but they weren't enough to battle back from an early 4-0 deficit. Mark Grace hit a two-run shot in the first, his 5th, off loser Brandon Morrow (13-10, 2.75). Elmer Smith (7-11, 4.09) allowed three runs over seven and Jim Gott got a six-out save, his third.

Sacramento 2, Portland 0: In a fight to catch Seattle, Sacramento got eight scoreless innings out of Jim O'Toole (13-9, 3.58) as he outdueled Portland's Dick Rudolph (5-3, 4.13), who allowed a pair over seven. Al Leiter pitched himself into a jam in the ninth, allowing a single to Quincy Trouppe and a two-out double to Carlos Gomez. But Leiter fanned Larry Parrish looking on a 3-2 cutter to notch his 13th save and leave both the Stingers and Robins two games behind Seattle with two games left in the season.

STAT BOX: Louisville's Honus Wagner (1-for-4, .337) still leads Boston's Bill Hinchman (1-for-3, .333) in the Eastern League batting race. Ty Cobb (3-for-4, .355) opened up his lead over teammate Joe Medwick (1-for-5, .344).

Cobb also stole two bases, giving him 45, one behind league leader Elmer Flick of San Antonio. Cobb has led the Western League in steals in each of the last four seasons. Flick's 46 are a career best. His previous high was 42 in 2020 with Charlotte.

Orlando's Eddie Cicotte allowed five runs over 4 2/3 to raise his ERA to 2.89, a whisker ahead of teammate Tim Keefe's 2.91. Keefe is to make his final start of the season tomorrow against Boston.