|
Islandian Pro Alliance
Friday, September 7, 2001
Tycobbian Union - West Division
Frogs Snap Losing Streak, Beat Viks 3-1 in 12
Catcher Marv McCoy (.266) put an end to Fairfax's three-game losing streak with a two-run double in the twelfth inning to beat the Bayview Vikings 3-1. It also snapped Bayview's win skein at four. McCoy's hit sent Wally Tidwell (6-8 3.12) down to defeat and picked up a win for Takehide Takahashi (11-6 1.40). It was a tight pitchers' duel the entire game as starters Jackie Leslie (16-11 3.93) for the Frogs and Tony Vardaman (6-4 2.67) of the Vikings battled to a 1-1 draw after nine innings. Each club only had six hits apiece as the hurlers dominated. Takahaski blanked Bayview over the final two and two-thirds innings, while Tidwell went three innings and allowed the winning runs in spite of giving up only one hit. He walked two batters to set up McCoy's winning double.
Fairfax (77-67) really needed a win with both Blue Lake (74-70) and Bayview (73-71) putting pressure on them in the Tycobbian Union West pennant race. The Vikings are now 4 games out of first place and the Blue Sox are three back. Bayview, Blue Lake and Arlon are vying for the last playoff slot in the Tycobbian Union. The Ginza Ninjas (79-65) of the East Division have just about cinched the other spot.
LC's Gentry Stops Blue Sox 5-1
La Claire righthander George Gentry stopped Blue Lake 5-1 and dealt a harsh blow to the Blue Sox's flag hopes this season. The loss dropped them three games back in the TU West race with only six games to go in the regular campaign. Gentry (9-4 2.92) limited Blue Lake to just four hits and a run in his eight innings. He struck out nine and issued three walks in a strong performance. Andy Murray (3-1 3.20) pitched a shaky ninth to wrap up the victory. He didn't give up a run, but was tagged for three singles. A double play saved the day for him and got him out of the inning. Happy McManus (4-2 2.83) absorbed the loss, permitting five runs in four-plus innings with only three of them earned. The Lynx's offense was supplied by center fielder Lucky Collins (.319) with two hits and two runs scored, right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.333) with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI and third baseman Luis Marquez (.288) with two hits and a run batted in. Blue Sox center fielder Donnie Frazier (.281) drove in their only run with a third-inning double.
Blue Lake (74-70) is in second place in the division, 3 games behind the leader, the Fairfax Frogs (77-67), while La Claire (71-73) is in fifth and six games out. The Blue Sox are running ahead of both Bayview (73-71) and Arlon (72-72) for the final wild card position.
Arlon Falls to Bucs, Playoff Chance Slim
The Arlon Champions slim playoff chance got even slimmer with a 5-4 loss to Bay St. Clair today at Shoreline Park. Bucs pitchers Norm Gross (16-10 3.45) and Chris Van Arden (6-4 3.21) teamed up to tame the Champs. Gross notched the victory by going eight innings. He allowed four runs and six hits, but only a couple of them were earned. Van Arden registered his 13th save with a runless-ninth inning. Second baseman Tony Mann (.320) and left fielder Charley Moon (.302) both homered to spark the Buccaneers. It was Mann's 12th and Moon's 15th. Third baseman Bubba Tate (.325) hit one for Arlon, his 10th of the year. Bay St. Clair had 8 hits in the game, while the Champions had 7.
Arlon (72-72) is fourth in the TU West Division and trails first place Fairfax (77-67) by 5 games now. The Champs are not likely to catch the Frogs for the division title, but still have a slight chance to pick up a playoff spot as a wild card. Both Blue Lake (74-70) and Bayview (73-71) are ahead of them for the last playoff spot for the Elite 8 playoff round.
|