Needless to say, the entire league is cheering for Robin, who has never won the championship on her own and shared the championship (with Tsuan) exactly 40 years ago.

CN beat BC 5 of 8 games in the regular season.

Background:  Pre-season favorites North Dakota (picked 2^nd) start off hot at 11-5 (including a sweep of Eric) and are a game behind Sam as of December 1.  They stumble a bit in December (5-7) but at 16-12 are still in third place. But after a 9-3 January (including a sweep of Bay City!), they’re tied with BC just a game behind Sam in a clear three-way race. A solid 12-8 finish snags North Dakota the President’s Trophy, now proudly displayed in the freezer.

 Constantinople (chosen 3^rd  in the pre-season poll) begins their campaign with a 6-6 November, followed by a disastrous 5-11 December and at the break are 11-17, 3 games behind Harold for 4^th place.  After a 2-6 January, CN finds themselves at 13-23 looking up at the rest of the league and thinking about the draft. But then Tom and his family get Covid, and when he recovers, he has gained Strat-O superpowers. 

He beats Harold 3 of 4, and then on 2/18, goes 7-1 in makeup games against BC and ND at Eric’s house to storm back into 4^th place.  He beats Sam 3 of 4 to close out his season with a 15-5 February and enters the post-season as the hottest team in the league.

Tom pre-Covid    13-23  .361

Tom post-Covid  23-10   .697 (includes post-season)

CN wins 5 of 8 in the regular season against ND.

Background:  Both teams get off to excellent starts with 8-4 Novembers, including Sam’s sweep of Eric and Robin’s sweep of Randy. They continue their parallel tracks with 13-3 Decembers (and they both sweep Jed) and are tied at 21-7 at the halfway point, holding a 5-game lead over 3^rd place ND.  But they both stumble a bit in January (Sam 3-5, Robin 4-8).  They are tied for 2^nd place heading into the last day of the season, when Robin wins 3 of 4 from Sam to clinch 2^nd place and home field advantage for their playoff series.

Bay City won 5 of 8 games from Neverwinter during the regular season.

In Game 1, the Neverwinter Alpacas topped the Bay City Rollers by the slimmest of margins, 2 to 1; Corbin Burnes got the hard-luck no-decision. Charlie Morton (1-0) pitched a fine game. He went 6 innings allowing 4 hits and 4 walks. Morton racked up 7 strikeouts. Bay City had a chance to come back in the 9^th, but they came up short, going 0 for 9 with RISP and stranding 10. Giovanny Gallegos preserved the game for Morton, recording his 1st save. Jose Alvarez (0-1) was the loser in relief. He gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 2/3 of an inning. 

In a two-run game, the Neverwinter Alpacas got by the Bay City Rollers by the score of 5 to 3. Max Fried (1-0) had a steady outing. He was reached for 8 hits and 1 walk in 6 innings. Bay City out-hit Neverwinter 10 to 6, but again left 10 on base. Giovanny Gallegos gained credit for his 2nd save. Gerrit Cole (0-1) was the losing pitcher, whiffing 9 batters in 6 innings but allowing 2 homers. “I was a little good, a little bad and a little ugly,” said Fried, “I was just giving us a chance to win.” [Editor’s note: Fried was not a little ugly—he was the cutest pitcher in the series.]

In a game for the baseball purist, Lance McCullers (1-0 and the second-cutest pitcher in the series) and Lucas Giolito (0-1) squared off in a tense pitching duel, in which the Bay City Rollers emerged victorious over Neverwinter, 3 to 1. BC had only 3 hits (one more than NW had) but made them count—with Vlad’s third homer in three games and Correa’s first. Ryan Tepera relieved and was untouched by Neverwinter as he recorded his first save. 

The Neverwinter Alpacas pitching coach might be looking for a new job soon (Foreshadowing: This seems especially prophetic in light of Game 5). His team allowed 9 runs while Blake Snell (1-0), with relief help from Frankie Montas, shutout Neverwinter in a laugher. Jesse Winker had a big evening at the plate. He delivered a solo blast in the 2nd inning, doubled with all three baserunners touching home in the 5^th, and doubled resulting in a run in the 9th inning. Bay City out-hit Neverwinter 16 to 5. Anthony Desclafani (0-1) suffered the loss. He gave up 16 hits and 1 walk in 9 innings (but saved the bullpen). NW had 3 stolen bases against the +9 (and exceedingly unattractive) Snell, but Sal Perez also threw out 3 runners attempting to steal.

Second baseman Ryan McMahon rocketed 2 grand slams (in consecutive innings) and Corbin Burnes delivered 5 solid innings as the Bay City Rollers crushed the Neverwinter Alpacas 18 to 1. Bay City out-hit Neverwinter, 17 to 3. The win went to Burnes (1-0), who allowed 1 run in 5 innings. Frankie Montas was credited with his 1st save (only because he pitched 4 innings—the game was never in doubt). Charlie Morton (1-1) took the loss. He was touched for 3 homeruns in his 6 and 1/3 innings of work (but only 14 of the 17 runs he allowed were earned, as Sam’s defense continued to let him down). 

In a close game, it was the Neverwinter Alpacas 7, the Bay City Rollers 5 as the series returned to Bay City, which, despite have the Detroit park’s dimensions, appeared on screen as Fenway. (This diversion worked for the Alpacas, as Game 6 was the third road victory for NW.) Bay City never recovered after Neverwinter took the lead in the top of the 7^th inning. Giovanny Gallegos was perfect in the ninth, giving him his 3rd save. Andrew Kittredge (1-0) went 1 inning, allowing no runs for the win. Gerrit Cole (0-2) was charged with the loss. He allowed a few too many baserunners (but, shockingly, no homers), giving up 11 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings. 

In Game 7, Salvador Perez smacked 2 homeruns as the Bay City Rollers topped the Neverwinter Alpacas by a score of 7 to 4. Perez belted a three-run homer in the 3^rd and a grand slam in the 4^th, accounting for all the BC RBIs. Lance McCullers (2-0) picked up the victory, allowing 3 runs in 5 and 2/3 innings, after which his arm fell off [No truth to the rumor that it was severed by an errant champagne bottle thrown from the dugout by an early-celebrating teammate.] McCullers got relief help from Ryan Tepera, who gained credit for his 2nd save. Lucas Giolito (0-2) took the loss. He allowed Bay City 7 runs in 4 innings of work.

Surprise star of the series for Bay City was Ryan McMahon, who batted .444, had 2 doubles, 3 homers (2 grand slams), 4 walks, and 10 RBIs (and no errors at 2B/3B). Honorable mention to reigning MVP Sal Perez (2 HR, 9 RBIs) and Vlad Guerrero (4 HR, but only 6 RBIs). Sam’s bullpen (except for Iglesias) did not allow an earned run, but his pitching staff still racked up a 6.10 ERA (compared to BC’s tidy 2.71). BC outhomered the Alpacas 14-5 and out hit them .279 to .183

In Game 1, Salvador Perez cracked 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI at Icewind Dale Corral where the Bay City Rollers beat the Neverwinter Alpacas 9 to 3.

Perez enjoyed a great evening at the plate.  He bombed a two-run dinger in the 1st inning, laced a base-hit plating a run in the 4th inning, tripled in the 6th inning and clubbed a solo home run in the 8th inning (spoiling his chance for the cycle by failing to stop at second).  Bay City had 15
hits overall, while Neverwinter had 6.  India made a couple of costly errors, as he was frequently tested at 2B.

The victory was credited to Lance McCullers(6-3) who went 6 innings, allowing no runs. John Means(1-2) was hit with the loss.  He served up 3 homeruns in his 7 innings.  

'They made a couple of mistakes and I took full advantage,' Perez said 'next time I'm sure they'll pitch me tougher.'

They did indeed pitch Perez tougher in Game 2, as he went 0 for 5. I think this was also the game in which I both had a runner on third cut down at the plate AND left the bases loaded without scoring in the same inning. Bo Bichette smacked 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI as the Neverwinter Alpacas bested the Bay City Rollers 4 to 3 at Icewind Dale Corral.

Bichette helped send the fans home happy.  He lifted one out of the park for a two run home run in the 3rd inning and smashed a solo-shot out of the park in the 5th inning.  Bay City had 10 hits in the game while Neverwinter had 3,
but Neverwinter had the more timely hits.  

The win was credited to Max Fried(1-1) who went 5 innings allowing 3 runs. Giovanny Gallegos got the save, his 3rd.  Blake Snell(0-2) was charged with the loss.

In Game 3, Sam made it close with a late inning homer by Realmuto off Tepera, but  it was the Bay City Rollers 8, the Neverwinter Alpacas 6 at
Icewind Dale Corral. Neverwinter was unable to recover after Bay City went ahead in the 4th inning as they scored 3 runs on 4 base hits.  The crucial at-bat was provided by Nicholas Castellanos, who silenced Icewind Dale Corral as he lifted one out of the park for a two run home run.  Neverwinter was out-hit by Bay City, 10 hits to 7.  

The win was credited to Frankie Montas(5-3) who went 7 and 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs. Lucas Giolito(1-1) was the losing pitcher.  He surrendered 5 runs in 5 innings and saw his ERA increase from 5.40 to 6.48 in the loss. Of note in this game was that two 2-20 guys (Perez and Winker) both stole successfully.

Game 4 was an exciting back and forth: In a great finish the Bay City Rollers came back in the top of the ninth and held on to win over the Neverwinter Alpacas by a score of 5 to 4 at Icewind Dale Corral (after the Alpacas scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th to lead 4-2, which was after Bay City took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 8th).

Bay City scored the decisive runs in a big 9th inning with 3 runs utilizing 3  base hits.  Ryan McMahon led off and started the attack as he doubled.  Ozzie Albies was next to the plate, but was promptly struck out.  One out later, Yuli Gurriel then laced a single.  Salvador Perez came up and he rifled a three-run blast.  Bay City had 12 hits for the game and Neverwinter had 9.

Art Warren(5-0) allowed 1 run in 1 and 1/3 innings, and picked up the victory (after blowing the save)--he celebrated by having his arm fall off after the final out. Giovanny Gallegos(0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief.  'We just kept swinging the bats and didn't give up,' Perez said. 'If you just keep trying good things can happen!'

Game 2:  NV's DeScalfini gave up 2 runs in the 1^st, then 2 more and then more 1 and then 6 and its 11-0 and he's tired.  That was they wrote as Sam was managing innings and the game ended up 16-5 tying the series at 1-1.

Game 3:  Neverwinter went up 2-0 after 3, but Tatis tied it with a 2 run shot in the 4^th.  Harper hit a double to give CN the 3-2 lead that they would never relinquish as they shut down Neverwinter the rest of the way to win 4-2 and go up 2 games to 1.

Game 4:  This was the pivotal game and CN got the luck versus the defense, getting errors and singles on x chances to 2s that led to an early unearned run but Neverwinter went up 2-1 after 5 against Urias.  The seventh saw a 3Bx error, bunt, out, walk and then a 3 run homer by Tatis (which made all the runs unearned but I question the bunt as part of the 3 out calculation in that obviously without the error the bunt out does not happen…).  But it is 4 (all unearned) to 2 with CN looking to close it out.  Sadler again comes out for the 8^th and gives up a walk and a homer to Yaz to knot the game at 4.  In the 10th, Neverwinter gets an out, RFx for an out and then a K setting up the bottom of the 10^th.  With the speedy Tatis at 2^nd base, Rizzo tries to lay down a bunt and misses it getting the count to 3-2.  Then Double/S** chance and the long single ends the game with CN winning a walk off 5-4 victory to bookend the series with opposite team 5-4 wins.

Constantinople stormed into 4^th place and a potential playoff berth in two weeks by winning 7 of 8 down in Plymouth. Meanwhile, poor Eric not only went 0-8, but his two bash record finished at 1-15 on the year (17-15 the rest of the time). Slightly edited Twits Notes from Tom:

So in a desperate attempt to claim some relevance CN went down to Plymouth to salvage their playoff chances.  All the bad luck of the season began to be balanced by a day of good rolls and vegan pizza.

Game 1:  CN faced North Dakota in the spacious hurricane ravaged CN park and the bats were alive against Bieber scoring 6 runs to tire him in the first two innings.  After ND’s Polanco hit a 2^nd inning homer, management decided to go for it by bringing in reliever Chad Green.  CN hit 6 runs over the 3^rd and 4^th innings and Green was tired.  The rest of the game flowed forward with both teams scoring 2 runs each to end the game 14-3 for CN.

Game 2:  Lynn versus Rodon and both sides clean up hitters hit 3 run homers (Tucker and Devers).  Harper hit a 2-run homer in the 5^th to go up 5-3 and CN came back loading the bases in the 7^th with no outs but CN got out of the inning with only 1 run scored and it was 5-4.  CN scratched out a run to get to 6-4 and Noe Ramirez came in to close out the game 6-4.

Game 3:  CN went up 2-0 after 5 and CN tried to hold on. 9^th inning with Knebel was on the mound to close it out.  He was treated with a hit and a walk followed by an out and MVP candidate Kyle Tucker came to the plate.  He hit a LFx and the defensive LF is in there (a “3”) and the dice rolled a … 3 and 18.  Double and 3 base error scoring 3 runs and giving ND a 3-2 lead to hold on to.  (It would not have been an error on the 4 Ruf…)  Hendricks came in and held CN for a 3-2 win.

Game 4:  The closing battle of the lefties – Urias versus Wood.  Wood gave up 3 in the 3^rd including a homer by Segura but ND came back in the 4^th with 2 of their own.  Noe Ramirez, the erstwhile closer with many innings came in the 7^th and got no one out and allowed 2 runs and ND had a 4-3 lead to hold on to.  Bottom of the 9^th, Kimbrel is on but Trout pinch hit for a walk and two strikeouts later Harper doubles him home to tie the game.  Gurriel is retired and we are on to extra innings.  The confused CN manager forgot that there was a ghost runner as the over matched ND Phillips squared to bunt (and asks you can bunt for a base hit?) and now Goldschmidt is on third with one out.  Contreras works a walk but is picked off of first and it is 2 outs with a man on third. The pinch hitting Betts makes and out and CN gets their extra inning chance.  K and BB later, Chafin comes in to face Tatis.  Gets him and now Devers has to face the lefty.  He singles and Gurriel comes home with the game winner 5-4 giving CN a 3-1 series victory.

Meanwhile BC handles Eric sweeping him and everyone grabs a slice of pizza and the Pollingers switch chairs.

BC hosts CN and it was not a good series for her even when she after game 5, demands the chair that she was using earlier against Eric.  Arnie (“I don’t believe in chair luck”) happily obliges.

Game 5:  BC bats are quiet as they are constantly walked (okay 5 times) but with only 2 singles and nary a ball out of the infield they fail to score any runs as CN wins the game 3-0.  Devers doubled in a 4^th inning run but Smith is thrown out at home (1-12 chance to score) and later a 1-15 chance Smith is cut down at home again in the 8^th.  2 CN runners are caught stealing as BC could enjoy throwing folks out but could not overcome back to back solo shots (Tatis and Harper) late.

Game 6:  This is a nail biter as both teams score single runs in 5 different innings to go into the 9^th tied at 3.  CN loads the bases with 1 out and Segura strikes out to bring up Smith.  He hits a ballpark shot (1-7) and it is a grand slam that Noe takes and holds BC for the 7-3 win.

Game 7:  Burnes holds CN to 1 run but Alvarez comes in the 7^th to give up 2 runs and CN has a 3-0 lead to hold onto.  Sulser, Graveman and Staumont hold BC to 1 run over their last 3 innings to give CN the 3-1 victory. 

Game 8:   Urias gives up a run and BC finally has a lead.  But CN just had all the luck and scored 7 runs over the 5^th and 6^th to chase Gerrit Cole as 4 homers are hit (2 by Devers) over these innings and CN put on the cruise control for a sweep and 7-1 final game victory.

BC’s bats were just quiet after all the running around the bases against Eric and they could only muster 5 runs and never more than 1 run in any inning.  CN had the homers and the timely pitching for the rare CN sweep.

Game 1:  Alpacas win 6 to 1 over the Assholes

Desclafani pitched seven strong innings, allowing only a solo shot by Varsho in the sixth to secure the victory.  Homers by Mullins and Schwarber powered the Alpaca victory. Freddie Freeman had 2 base hits at Icewind Dale Corral. Walker Buehler was the losing pitcher. Despite the loss, he struck out 9 Neverwinter batters in 6 and 2/3 innings.

Game 2: Neverwinter wins 10 to 8 over Oceanus

In a high scoring affair at the Corral, the scrappy Alpaca’s put up a four spot in the bottom of the eighth to secure the win.  Neither starter had their “A” game and did not factor into the decision.

Musgrove surrendered five runs in 5 1/3 while Giolito gave up six runs in 6 innings.  Five homers were hit in the game.  Ramirez and Abreu went yard for the visitors while Freeman, Bichette and India hit

long balls for the home team.  Bichette’s was a pinch hit 2 run no doubter in the bottom of the eighth to put the Alpacas on top for good.  Neverwinter closer pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. Second baseman Jonathan India hit a homerun and had 3 RBI as the Neverwinter

India enjoyed a fine evening at the plate.  He hit a bases-empty home run in the 6th inning, laced a base-hit which plated a run in the 7th inning and

doubled bringing in a run in the 8th inning.  Oceanus was out-hit by Neverwinter, 14 hits to 11.  Tony Watson went 1 inning allowing no runs for the victory. Watson got

help from Giovanny Gallegos who was credited with the save.  Jarlin Garcia ended up with the loss in relief.

Game 3: Assholes top the Alpacas 5 to 3

Oceanus scored two in the top of the 1st of Alpaca ace Morton, while they tied up the game in the bottom of the 2nd of Asshole starter Webb.  Buxton had a huge game going 3 for 3 with three RBI’s, including 

a 4th inning two-run bomb off of Morton.  Oceanus closer Pressly pitched a perfect 9th for the save.  Over aggressive baserunning in the 8th inning cost the Alpacas as both Mullins and Acuna were thrown out at 

second missing on 1-14 roles trying to steal. Logan Webb(1-0) delivered a fine performance for Oceanus. He went 8 innings

surrendering 6 hits and 4 walks.  The Neverwinter batters went down meekly in the bottom of the 9th. Ryan Pressly recorded the save, his 1st.  Charlie Morton(0-2) took the loss.

Despite the loss, he struck out 10 Oceanus batters in 7 innings.  

Game 4: Neverwinter topples Oceanus 10 to 3

The Alpacas scored one in the 1st and then drove Asshole starter Nola from the game with a five spot in the bottom of the third, capped by a three-run bomb from Moncada.  He finished the game 2 for 3 with four RBI’s.

Mullins and Acuna also hit homers in a rare offensive outburst from the home team.  John Means pitches seven strong innings for his 3rd win of the season.  Freddie Freeman also had a great game going three for four.

Jesus Sanchez was the lone bright spot for the visiting Assholes, going 4 for 5, just a homerun shy of the cycle.  He scored two of the three Oceanus runs.

Neverwinter promptly took the lead in their half of the first plating one baserunner.  Neverwinter banged out 13 hits on the afternoon. The winning pitcher was John Means  who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings. Aaron

Nola was given the loss.  He was hit hard and gave up 6 hits and 2 walksin 2 and 2/3 innings.  

CN hitters have been complaining about how their quaint little band box has been destroyed by Climate Change and Hurricane force outfield winds stopping the easy homers.  They had also grown fat.

CN was asked to host on the computer despite being the away team and had not set up New Orleans ballpark but didn't realize it.  So after a quick one out ballpark homer that was an out … but wait, Harold's park is 1-19 everywhere …   They restarted.

And then CN accidentally had a 27 man roster (before the 45th game eligibility) that went unnoticed till game 2 at which point CN removed Trout for the series as their penalty.

Game 1 – Déjà vu – CN offered to restart if he scored a slew of runs in the top of the 1st.  Tatis hit a Ball Park homer to put CN up 2-0.  But New Orleans came back in the bottom to go up 4-2.  Then it was 5-3 NO after 2.  And then CN put up a 4 spot on the way to being up 8-5 going into the bottom of 7.  NO put a 5 spot up to go up 10-8 behind a 3 run Grandal bomb.  CN got one back in the 8^th to bring us to the top of the 9^th -- 10-9 New Orleans.  Devers is hit by the pitch and injured.  But wait he gets up out of the dust and goes down to first and Strato crashed.  Save Game A.  Went to restart and cannot find the saved game.  Found it.  Started again and Devers is IBB to first and Votto homered to give CN a lead and then Escobar gets some insurance on a 2 run ball park homer.  Knebel came out in the 9^th to hold on for the 13-10 victory and a save.

Game 2  Ohtani finished his pitching season giving up 2 runs, but the bats are alive for CN and they get 11 over the first 5 to give Ohtani a 5 inning 11-2 victory.

Game 3 Gibson versus Alcantara and it is 0-0 going into the bottom of the 5^th.  Semien hits a 3 run homer for NO to chase Gibson.  Seager and Ohtani go back to back in the 7^th to bring the game to 3-2 and Posey answers in the bottom half with a 2 run ball park homer to get the lead back to 3 (5-2).  Top the 8^th, Donaldson comes in with 2 men on and hits a ball park shot to tie it (unearned runs as Bryant had bobbled Harpers liner right before Donaldson got his chance).  Bottom of the 9^th, Sadler (who has barely been used this year) comes in and gives up 2 hits to allow New Orleans to win 6-5 and hope for a split.

Game 4 Urias comes out to cough up 3 on the Judge ball park shot in the 1^st and it is 3-1 and looking good for New Orleans.  But it was the Manatees night as Harper had a 3 run shot and then Ruf had 2 run shot to get them up 6-3 after 5.  The next thing you know it is 8-3. But NO is trying to come back against Gravman and Bummer.  Wong hits a 2 run bases loaded clutch hit but Riley strikes out in front of a depleted bench and Knebel comes in to the game in the 9^th to stop the bleeding and the series with a 8-5 save to give the CN Manatees a winning series for once in this sick and tired season.

Draft Day, Saturday April 1

New Orleans clawed its way back to .500 and opened up a 2-game lead over the 5th place Dead Nettles earlier tonight, knocking Sam out of first by percentage points.

G1:

Center fielder Cedric Mullins touched them all and had 2 RBI at Icewind Dale Corral as the Neverwinter Alpacas beat the New Orleans Ellis 5 to 3.

New Orleans was unable to climb back into it after Neverwinter went ahead for good in the 5th inning when they scored 2 runs on 1 hit.  The highlight belonged to Mullins who excited the crowd when he cleared the fences for a two-run home run.  Neverwinter had a total of 9 hits for the game.  

The winning pitcher was Lucas Giolito(1-0) who allowed 1 run in 5 and 2/3

innings. Giolito was helped out by Giovanny Gallegos who recorded his 1st

save.  Zack Wheeler(0-1) was the loser.  He struck out 9 batters in 6 and 2/3 innings despite losing the game. 

G2:

Blake Treinen(1-0) was the winner as New Orleans Ellis shutout the Neverwinter Alpacas by a 4 to 0 score at Icewind Dale Corral.

Treinen won the game with a masterful relief performance.  No one was able to reach base in his 1 and 1/3 innings dropping his ERA from 9.00 to 3.86.  Both teams' bats went to sleep after the 4th inning with no runs scored after that point.  

Charlie Morton(0-1) was tagged with the loss.  He surrendered 4 runs and 6

hits in 8 innings.

G3:

First baseman Matt Olson had 4 hits and 3 RBI and Sandy Alcantara reeled off a total of 10 strikeouts as the New Orleans Ellis clobbered the outmatched Neverwinter Alpacas, 11 to 1.

Olson had a big evening at the plate.  He hit a bases-empty home run in the

2nd inning, doubled scoring two baserunners in the 2nd inning, slapped a

single in the 4th inning and delivered a base-hit in the 6th inning.  New

Orleans managed 16 hits in their victory.  

The victory was credited to Alcantara(1-0) who went the distance, allowing 1 run. John Means(0-1) was the loser.  He got hit pretty hard, allowing 14 hits and 3 walks in 7 innings.  

G4:

First baseman Matt Olson cracked 3 homeruns and had 8 RBI at Icewind Dale

Corral where the New Orleans Ellis beat the Neverwinter Alpacas 9 to

1.

Olson was really in 'the zone'.  He smashed a solo-shot out of the park in the 1st inning, launched a three-run homer in the 4th inning, cleared the fences for a two-run home run in the 6th inning, singled in the 8th inning and doubled plating two runs in the 9th inning.  New Orleans out-hit Neverwinter for the game, 17 hits to 7.  

The victory was credited to Chris Sale(1-0). Max Fried(0-1) was given the loss.  He served up 4 gopher balls in 6 innings.  

Matt Olson was the star of the series, going 10 for 17 (.588) with 4 HR and 11 RBI.

A few crashes and reboots, but nothing serious. In the opening game, Gausmann and pen were  dominant in a 6-0 shut out. Homers by O’Neill and Stanton powered the offense.

Future Wax won its first series of the season earlier today, to jump into 5th place, 2 games behind New Orleans.  The visiting Manatees started the series with a bam, hitting 4 home runs off Gausman over 7 innings. Tatis had two for 5 RBI, with JD Martinez and Ruf contributing solo shots.  FW managed only 1 run (an O’Neil homer) against Manoah and friends in a 7-1 loss.

In game 2, Tom took the lead in the 3rd on Segura BP homer, then added an insurance run in the 6^th when JD doubled in Segura. But the FW bats finally came alive in the 7^th, with a Springer single followed by a Cronenworth double, followed by a Stanton triple to tie the score. Machado then got him home via a sac fly for a 3-2 lead. But with 2 on and 2 out in the 9^th, Gurriel hits a clutch single to tie the game. However, Machado hits a walk off two run shot to even the series.

Game 3 the most action packed of the series. Stroman yielded 3 singles to open the 4^th, followed by a Ruf 3-run blast. But the Wax came back with 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, on 2 walks and a short single setting up a Cronenworth grand slam. The Manatees took the lead again on a bases loaded walk in the 5^th, but Adames re-tied the game with a lead off homer in the bottom of the frame.  FW took the lead in the 8^th on a Springer homer, only to have Harper restore the tie with a 9^th inning homer. Finally Zunino homered in the bottom of the 10^th for an 8-6 walk-off win for FW.

In the final game, FW scored 2 in the 6^th and 3 in the 7^th and 1 in the 8^th. Tom started a comeback with a no out 2 run homer by Tatis in the 9^th. But JD missed a BP HR, and the Manatees then went quietly, losing 6-2.

Game 1:  NO wins 6-0 as Wheeler, Head, McGee and Bednar combine for the three hit shutout. 
Game 2:  NO wins 5-4 in 12 innings.  NO jumps out to a 4-2 lead, but Harper ties it with a 2 run shot in the 8th.  NO wins it with the Olson single in the 12th.
Game 3:  CON wins 3-2, with Ruf and Smith hitting run scoring triples early to take the lead.  The CON pitching allowed only two baserunners after the third inning.
Game 4:  NO bats come alive in the 9-1 win, hitting 4 HR’s in the romp.

....

Happy Holidays from the SOMBILLA Grinch himself!  (Send your stats to Tom)

Game 1: Alpacas win 4 - 3 in 10 innings. Giolito and Woodruff both pitched well but didn't factor into the decision. Kittridge got the win and Gallegos the save in the extra inning affair.  18 total batters left on base by both teams.

Game 2:  Neverwinter wins 7 - 6. A Schwarber blast after a costly error allowed the Alpaca's to score four in the top of the 7th.  This offset a two-homer performer by Zunino off of Fried.  Loaisiga gets the win with Gallegos his second save of the series.

Game 3:  Alpacas win 7 - 5. Only game decided by more then one run.  Morton and Scherzer both gave up 5 runs , 2 HR's each and neither were involved with the decision.  After falling behind 5 -4 after six, Neverwinter score singles runs in the 7th, 8^th and 9th.  Bender records the win with Antone the save.

Game 4: Neverwinter holds on with a 4 -3 victory. Tied after 9, the Alpaca's score two in the 10^th and allowed a single run in the bottom of the 10^th but hold on for the win.  Gallegos secures his third save of the series, with Antone getting the victory. The Neverwinter Alpacas nipped the Future Wax Candles in 10 innings 4 to 3 at The Wax Home in a hard-fought contest. Both teams were tied at 2 runs apiece after nine innings. Neverwinter won the hard-fought contest in the 10th inning. Ronald Acuna got things rolling when he laced a one-base hit. Cedric Mullins was next to bat, but he was a strikeout victim. Jonathan India then lined a single which scored a run. Freddie Freeman got his chance to keep things going, but he went down on strikes. C.J. Cron came to the plate and lashed a base-hit scoring the final run of the inning. Future Wax was out-hit by Neverwinter, 9 hits to 5. The win was credited to Tejay Antone (1-0) who went 1 inning allowing no runs. Giovanny Gallegos got the save, his 3rd. The loss was charged to Collin McHugh(0-1) in relief.

...

Means with is first start of the season gets a victory surrendering four runs over seven innings.  Well’s gets the hold, Gallegos the save.  A Franco error ends up costing Wainwright as the Alpacas scored three in the third and a solo blast by Acuna was the difference. One run was the difference at Icewind Dale Corral as the Neverwinter Alpacas defeated the Dead Nettles team 5 to 4.Dead Nettles was unable to claim the lead after Neverwinter went ahead in the 5th inning scoring one runner on 2 hits.  Ronald Acuna smashed a solo-shot out of the park.  Giovanny Gallegos was great in relief and recorded his 1st save.  John Means(1-0) allowed 4 runs in 7 innings, and picked up the victory. The loss was charged to Adam Wainwright(0-1).  He allowed 3 homeruns in 8 innings of work. 

Neverwinter takes game two 9 - 3.Alpaca’s jumped on Berrios in the bottom of the first and never looked back.  The big blow was a three run bomb by Yaz. Turnbull pitched six shutout innings, tiring in the 7^th allowing three runs.  The bullpen cleaned up the 8^th and 9^th securing the win for Turnbull.  The Neverwinter Alpacas scored 4 runs in the 1st inning and cruised to a 9 to 3 victory over the Dead Nettles ballclub at Icewind Dale Corral. It was a good day for Neverwinter thanks to Kyle Schwarber.  He blasted a solo shot in the 5th inning and tripled scoring two baserunners in the 6th inning. Neverwinter had 11 hits for the night while Dead Nettles had 7. The win went to Spencer Turnbull(1-0) who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings. Jose Berrios(0-1) was the losing pitcher.  He served up 3 homeruns in his 8innings.

Alpacas take game three 3 – 2. In a close game a Schwarber HR was the difference as both staffs pitched well.  Death roles were the norm in this game for both sides, but particularly for Eric who virtually rolled 4-9 a number of times killing rallies.  Gallegos gets his 2^nd save of the series while Morton, once again fails to get out of the 6^th inning, but gets the win. 40,050 fans were treated to a fine game at Icewind Dale Corral as only one run separated the combatants at game's end.  The Neverwinter Alpacas won by the slimmest of margins, 3 to 2. Neverwinter claimed the early lead in the first inning plating one baserunner using 2 hits.  Neverwinter ended up with 10 hits for the game while Dead Nettles had 4. Charlie Morton(1-0) was the winner allowing 2 runs in 5 innings. Morton got help from Giovanny Gallegos who was credited with his 2nd save.  The losing pitcher was Nathan Eovaldi(0-1). 

Neverwinter wins the finale 5 -3 sweeping the series.Rogers fell victim to a Muncy error allowing the Alpaca’s to score four times in the bottom of the 4^th , enough for Desclafani to get the win.  He pitched seven strong innings.  A 9^th inning bomb by Schwindel made it close, but Loaisiga held on for his 1^st save.  Neverwinter’s India left in the 3^rd inning after being hit by a pitch, while Marte was injured in the 9^th on a strikeout. In a good matchup it was the Neverwinter Alpacas 5, the Dead Nettles team 3 at Icewind Dale Corral. Anthony Desclafani(1-0) delivered a fine performance for Neverwinter.  He went 7 innings surrendering 7 hits and no walks.  Dead Nettles had a chance to come back in the 9th but they came up short.Jonathan Loaisiga recorded his 1st save.  Trevor Rogers(0-1) was given the loss.  He gave up 5 runs and 10 hits in 5 innings.

In game 1, Austin Meadows cleared the bases with his grand slam as the New Orleans Ellis
beat the Oceanus Assholes by a score of 12 to 6.
 
Meadows provided much of the offense.  He banged out a single bringing in a
run in the 1st inning, hit a 'grand salami' to the delight of his teammates
in the 7th inning and slapped a one-base hit in the 8th inning.  Oceanus was
out-hit by New Orleans, 13 hits to 10. 
 
The winning pitcher was Jake McGee(1-0) who allowed 2 runs in 1/3 of an
inning. Walker Buehler(0-1) was charged with the loss.  He served up 3
homeruns in his 7 innings. 

In game 2, The New Orleans Ellis offense put up 6 runs on the scoreboard in the 3rd
inning and bested the Oceanus Assholes by a 7 to 3 score at Doc Ellis
Field.
 
New Orleans came up with 6 runs in the 3rd inning when they came up with 3
base hits.  That early run support was enough for Tyler Glasnow(1-0) and New
Orleans.  New Orleans and Oceanus each finished the night with 7 hits.
 
German Marquez(0-1) was the loser.  He was not very effective, surrendering 6
runs in 5 innings.

In game 3, Sandy Alcantara carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning as the New Orleans
Ellis bested the Oceanus Assholes 8 to 0 at Doc Ellis Field.
 
Alcantara(1-0) was virtually untouchable.  He allowed only 2 hits and 3 walks
in 9 innings.  The right-handed Alcantara had his no-hit bid broken up by
Alex Verdugo who singled with one out in the 6th inning.  New Orleans had 14
hits for the night. 
 
Aaron Nola(0-1) was hit with the loss.  He struck out 11 batters in 8 innings
despite losing the game.  'He came out with good stuff,' Harold said about
Alcantara. 'He threw the ball good from the first pitch on.’

In the final game, In a close game the New Orleans Ellis got by the Oceanus Assholes by the score
of 9 to 7.
 
New Orleans jumped on top of Oceanus in the 7th inning as they scored 2 runs
on 2 base hits.  The biggest moment was provided by Matt Olson who excited
the crowd when he clubbed a two-run home run.  Oceanus threatened in the 9th
but New Orleans was able to put down the rally. 
 
Blake Treinen(1-0) was the winner allowing no runs in 2/3 of an inning. Kenley
Jansen earned the save, his 1st.  The loss was charged to Garrett
Whitlock(0-1) in relief. 

New Orleans manager comments:  in the 1-19 HR (and singles) park, 18 HR’s were hit combined by both teams.  And Jed had the early lead in 3 of the 4 games.

(11/13):