Strat-O-Matic 2000-2009 tournament

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Next up 2000 Mets vs. 2008 Rays

Game One
The Mets explode for 5 runs in the third but the story is Mike Hampton, who with 15 K's, now has the second highest strikeout game in my 41 year SOM history. (In a well remembered game played in Santa Cruz, CA in 1972, 1965 Sandy Koufax struck out 17 1927 Yankees).

K's by inning:
1st - 1
2nd - 3
3rd - 1
4th - 2
5th - 3
6th - 2
7th - 0
8th - 1
9th - 2

Carlos Pena struck out 4 times, Jason Bartlett did not strike out in any of his three plate appearances.

GAME ONE
2000 Mets 105 000 002 - 8 11 0
2008 Rays 001 000 000 - 1 3 1
Hampton and Pratt
Shields, Wheeler (8) and Navarro
WP Hampton
LP Shields
K Hampton 15
HR Alfonzo, Pratt, Piazza

Mets lead 1-0

[9RoyHobbsRF]

ROUGH DRAFT 1990-1999 TOURNAMENT

This is a tough decade. So many great Braves teams - 5 pennant winners and 5 legitmate wild card candidates, anything over 4 teams from one franchise makes it hard to bracket and seed. 6 AL world champions and only 3 NL (strike year 1994) and how to seed 1994 teams with no post season. 3 Yankees world champions. Wow.


definitely a rough draft

same format as current 2000-2009 tourney, 32 teams (18 pennant winners and 14 wild cards)

------------------------------------------

Pennant winner seeds
AL:
01. 1998 Yankees
02. 1999 Yankees
03. 1992 Blue Jays
04. 1996 Yankees*
05. 1991 Twins
06. 1993 Blue Jays*
07. 1995 Indians
08. 1990 A's
09. 1997 Indians

NL:
01. 1995 Braves
02. 1997 Marlins
03. 1990 Reds
04. 1999 Braves
05. 1992 Braves*
06. 1998 Padres*
07. 1996 Braves
08. 1991 Braves*
09. 1993 Phillies*

AL wild cards chosen were (based on a variety of criteria):
10. 1996 Indians*
11. 1994 Yankees*
12. 1997 Orioles
13. 1995 White Sox
14. 1994 White Sox
15. 1992 A's
16. 1999 Rangers

NL wild cards chosen were (same):
10. 1998 Braves
11. 1994 Expos
12. 1993 Giants
13. 1999 Diamondbacks
14. 1998 Astros
15. 1991 Pirates
16. 1999 Mets

Brackets were balanced with these changes ...
- 1992 Braves and 1998 Padres exchanged seeds
- 1991 Braves and 1993 Phillies exchanged seeds
- 1996 Yankees and 1993 Blue Jays exchanged seeds
- 1996 Indians and 1994 Yankees exchanged seeds

Round 1
A01 1998 Yankees - N16 1999 Mets
A09 1997 Indians - N08 1991 Braves

A05 1991 Twins - N12 1993 Giants
A13 1995 White Sox - N04 1999 Braves

A03 1992 Blue Jays - N14 1998 Astros
A11 1994 Yankees - N06 1998 Padres

A07 1995 Indians - N10 1998 Braves
A15 1992 A's - N02 1997 Marlins

A02 1999 Yankees - N15 1991 Pirates
A10 1996 Indians - N07 1996 Braves

A06 1993 Blue Jays - N11 1994 Expos
A14 1994 White Sox - N03 1990 Reds

A04 1996 Yankees - N13 1999 Diamondbacks
A12 1997 Orioles - N05 1992 Braves

A08 1990 A's - N09 1993 Phillies
A16 1999 Rangers - N01 1995 Braves

------------------------------------------------

interesting matchups

round 1
1998 Yankees - 1999 Mets
1993 Blue Jays - 1994 Expos
1992 A's - 1997 Marlins
1996 Yankees - 1999 Diamondbacks

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Back to the 2000 -2009 tournament

Game Two
The Rays load the bases in the first against Mets starter Al Leiter on a single and 2 walks. Ben Zobrist then scores one run with a deep sac fly, the other runners also advancing. Then Gabe Gross plates two more runs with a single. The Mets get two back in the second and have a great opportunity with runners still on first and third and only one out, But Scott Kazmire K's both Mike Bordick and Benny Agbayani.

The Rays add a run in the 5th to make it 4-2, but the Mets get even in the 6th with Todd Pratt's 2 run HR. Todd Zeile then homers in the 7th and the Mets take a 5-4 lead, but a 2 base throwing error with 2 runners on by Bordick followed by a sac fly gives Tampa Bay the lead in the 8th 6-5.

Troy Percival comes on and walks two batters in the 9th but escapes unscathed and the Rays tit the series at one game apiece.

GAME TWO
2000 Mets 020 002 100 - 5 9 1
2008 Rays 300 010 02x - 6 9 2
Leiter, Franco (8) and Pratt
Kazmir, Bradford (8), Percival (9) and Navarro
WP Bradford
LP Leiter
S Percival
HR Pratt, Zeile

series tied 1-1

[9RoyHobbsRF]

heading to Reno for some R&R

will bring the Rays/Mets

and 2002 A's - 2004 Cards for some dice rolling just in case

[9RoyHobbsRF]

no games while in Reno

Game Three
The Mets batter the Rays with 5 home runs and 11 runs to take a 2-1 series lead. 3 Rays errors also helped the Mets cause.

GAME THREE
2008 Rays 000 110 010 - 3 10 3
2000 Mets 031 002 14x - 11 13 1
Garza, Howell (7), Hammel (8) and Navarro
Rusch, Wendell (8), Franco (9) and Piazza
WP Rusch
LP Garza
HR Ventura (2), Longoria, Bordick (2), Iwamura, Alfonso

Mets lead 2-1

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Four

The Rays turn the tables on the Mets and explode for 4 home runs in a 12-1 demolition.

GAME FOUR
2008 Rays 110 030 313 - 12 16 2
2000 Mets 100 000 000 - 1 7 1
Sonnastine and Navarro
Reed, Wendell (6), Cook (8), Jones (9) and Piazza
WP Sonnastine
LP Reed
HR Longoria, Pena (2), Iwamura

series tied 2-2

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Five
Mike Hampton follows up his masterful 15 K Game 1 performance with a neat shutout, lifting the Mets to a 3-2 series lead.

GAME FIVE
2008 Rays 000 000 000 - 0 5 2
2000 Mets 001 002 00x - 3 6 1
Shields, Howell (6), Bradford (7) and Navarro
Hampton and Piazza
WP Hampton
LP Shields

Mets lead 3-2

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Back In Tampa

Game Six
The Rays need to win to stay alive and with the help of Ben Zobrist, jump to a big 5-0 lead. Zobrist had a 2 run HR in the 2nd and a 3 run blast in the 4th. The Mets rally for a single run in the 5th but the Rays score 2 more in their fifth when Mike Bordick makes a two out throwing error.

The Mets rally for 2 in the 6th and Benny Agbayani chases Tampa starter Soctt Kazmir with a solo HR in the 7th. Rays closer Trevor Hoffman enters the game in the 9th trying to protect a 7-4 lead. Robin Ventura opens the 9th with a double but Mile Bordick ground out. Agbayano then rolls a 5-5 off Hoffman's card for a 2 run HR and the Mets are within 1 at 7-6. Todd Zeile strikes out and the Mets are down to their last out. Edgardo Alfonso rolls another 5-5 off Hoffman for a game tieing HR then Mike Piazza rolls a third 5-5 (in 4 rolls) and unbelievably the Mets lead 8-7.

Armando Benitez comes in for the Mets and commits an error on leadoff pinch hitter Aybar's chance. The Rays elect to sacrifice but Bartlett pops up into a rally killing double play. Benitez then K's BJ Upton to seal the series for Mets.

GAME SIX
2000 Mets 000 012 104 - 8 12 3
2008 Rays 020 320 000 - 7 5 0
Leiter, Mahomes (5), Franco (7) Benitez (9) and Pratt
Kazmir, Wheeler (7), Percival (9), Hammel (9) and Navarro
WP Franco
LP Percival
S Benitez
HR Zobrist (2), Agbayani (2), Alfonso, Piazza

2000 Mets win series 4-2

2008 Rays eliminated

[9RoyHobbsRF]

10 of the 16 first round series have been played, I am still awaiting arrival of the 2009 cards for three teams and two series, but can play 4 more series.

Results and brackets so far:

Round 1
A01 2009 NY Yankees - N16 2009 Dodgers
2000 Mets (N08) defeat 2008 Rays (A09) 4-2

2007 Red Sox (A05) defeat 2003 Braves (N12) 4-1
2001 A's (A13) defeat 2006 Cardinals (N04) 4-2

A03 2002 Angels - N14 2002 Diamondbacks
2001 Mariners (A11) defeat 2002 Giants (N06) 4-2

2003 Yankees (A07) defeat 2005 Astros (N10) 4-0
2006 Twins (A15) defeat 2008 Phillies (N02) 4-3

2008 Cubs (N15) defeat 2005 White Sox (A02) 4-0
A10 2006 Tigers - N07 2009 Phillies

A06 2000 Yankees - N11 2002 Braves
2003 Marlins (N03) defeat 2008 Angels (A14) 4-1

A04 2004 Red Sox - N13 2003 Giants
A12 2002 A's - N05 2004 Cardinals

2001 Yankees (A08) defeat 2007 Rockies (N09) 4-2
2001 Diamondbacks (N01) defeat 2007 Indians (A16) 4-1

Three second round matchups already determined:
2007 Red Sox - 2001 A's
2003 Yankees - 2006 Twins
2001 Yankees - 2001 Diamondbacks

next two series:

2002 A's - 2004 Cardinals
2000 Yankees - 2002 Braves

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Got my 2009 cards (and computer roster) and 1977 recreated cards (and computer roster) today

Spent most of the day sleeving close to 1500-1600 cards

the 3 teams in my tourney 2009 Yanks, Dodgers and Phils are all ready to go so I may alter the playoff schedule a bit

some real "fun" cards

I always get a kick out of pitching cards for guys who allowed a ton of home runs in relatively few IP - I call them Oscar Zamora memorial cards - in remembrance of 1975 Oscar Zamora who allowed 17 HR in 71 IP in an era when home run leaders hit about 35 homers a year, he had home run rolls on 5-10, 5-9 and 5-8 1-13, (2B 14-20) if I recall, sort of a bizarro Babe Ruth card

I also like batters with really weird cards - one guy has nothing but strikeouts in both the 1 and 2 column - almost unheard of

I notice these things while I am sleeving the cards (sleeving each card in an amost perfectly shaped plastic sleeve that allows handling and playing without soiling or otherwise damaging the cards) - we just discovered sleeves for individual cards about 4 years ago - what a godsend

anyway I usually play an all star game for each new season I get every year, this year it would be 1977 and 2009 but I am inthe middle of that 2000-2009 tournament which I hoped to finish by opening day, so far I have played 10 of the eventual 31 series

my all star games are NEVER based on actual all star games, I choose each leagues all stars strictly on the cards and my preferences then make my own batting order and allow starters to go as many innings as they are capable, often I have 3-4 different starters than the actual all star teams for each league

we will see, the games only take about 20 minutes but choosing all star lineups from 16 and 14 teams leagues is a pretty long task - maybe 45 minutes to an hour

now that SOM has Slugging % and oB % totals right on the cards, it makes it a little easier - and confirms that my original #1 draft choice in a 4 team league (I had the 1977 Reds, other teams were the 1977 Yankees, Pirates and Phillies) and I had the overall #1 pick should have been Reggie SMith (to play CF) -l ike my friend did for his Pirates buit I was not creative enough to see although SMith was primarily a RF (2 defense rating) he was a capable 3 in CF (with a very strong -4 arm) - I chose Bruce Sutter because the Reds pitching was so weak while thay all ragged on me for not taking Rod Carew, Reggie SMith was the best choice and would fill my #3 batting slot with excellent power and OB %s

anyway, that was only 32 years ago

[9RoyHobbsRF]

well I picked my AL All star lineup - it was tough with several coin flips especially at 2B, 3B, even SS and RF were close

1. Ichiro Suzuki, Seatlle Mariners RF-1, A 1-17, .352 11 HR 46 RBI
2. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, SS-2, AA 1-16, .334 18 HR 66 RBI
3. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, C-1, D 1-12, .365 28 HR, 96 RBI
4. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees, 1B-1, E 1-12, .292 39 HR 122 RBI
5. Adam Lind, Toronto Blue Jays, LF-4, E 1-12, .305 35 HR 114 RBI (Jason Bay)
6. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays, 3B-1, C 1-13, .281 33 HR, 113 RBI (Michael Young)
7. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jay, 2B-1, D 1-13, .286 36 HR, 108 RBI
8. Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, CF-1, A 1-15, .299 22 HR 90 RBI (Josh Hamilton)
9. Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals, P-1 16-8, 2.16 ERA 242 K (Roy Halladay)

[9RoyHobbsRF]

the NL 1B reminds me of the AL SS about 10 years ago, about 3-4 outstanding players, although Pujols was a very easy choice

3B was the toughest choice between Zimmerman, Sandoval and Reynolds and Sandoval, besides being a Giant, had the highest slugging % AND OB % of all three, Zimmerman was the best fielder and it came down to comparing actual card results with Sandoval's extra singles nudging Zimmerman's extra walks

Hanley Ramirez adn Troy Tulowitzki was a tossup at SS, I chose Tulowitzki's superior power and glove over Hanley's speed and OB %

RF was tough and I decided to move the second rated LF Raul Ibanez to RF who had a much higher slugging % than the three RF contenders (the all star game had Braun in Right and Ibanez in left, I will do the opposite)

Shane Victorino, David Wright and Yadier Molina did not even make the nomination stage

1. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers, CF-1, A 1-16, .297 26 HR 101 RBI (Shane Victorino)
2. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies, 2B-2, A 1-16, .282 31 HR 93 RBI
3. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B-2, A 1-11, .327 47 HR 135 RBI
4. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, LF-4, .A 1-15 320 32 HR 114 RBI
5. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, 3B-3, D 1-12, .330 25 HR 90 RBI (David Wright)
6. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies, SS-1, A 1-14, .297 32 HR 92 RBI (Hanley Ramirez)
7. Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies, RF-3, D 1-12, .272 34 HR 93 RBI
8. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves, C-3 D 1-8, .281, 21 HR 94 RBI (Yadoer Molina)
9. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants, 15-7, 2.48 ERA 261 K

[9RoyHobbsRF]

The NL ride the masterful pitching of Tim Lincecum to a 5-0 All Star Victory over the AL

Lincecum gave up 2 hits to the the first three batters and 2 more hits to lead off the third but escaped both times and struck out 11 in a complete game victory.

Albert Pujols got the scoring started with a 2 out 2 run double in the thrid and Ryan Braun followed with a 2 run home run off AL loser Zack Greinke. The NL loaded the bases with no out in the 6th but Troy Tulowitzki grounded into a double play to score one run but effectively killl the rally.

Braun had 3 hits for the NL while Joe Mauer had 2 for the AL

2009 All Star Game

AL 000 000 000 - 0 6 0
NL 004 001 00x - 5 6 0
Greinke, Hernandez (5), Halladay (7) and Mauer
Lincecum and McCann
WP Lincecum
LP Greinke
K - Lincecum 11
HR Braun

MVP Lincecum

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Another diversion to play the 1977 World Series with the recreated 1977 season cards

I decided to use a DH although one was not used in the 77 ASG, home park is NYY.

AL Starting lineup:
1. Lyman Bostock, Minnesota Twins, CF-2, B 1-15, .336 14 HR, 90 RBI (Carl Yastrzemski)
2. George Brett, Kansas City Royals, 3B-3, C 1-15, ..312, 22 HR 88 RBI
3. Rod Carew, Minnesota Twins, 1B-2, A 1-17, .388, 14 HR 100 RBI
4. Jim Rice, Boston Red Sox LF-4, D 1-14. .320 39 HR 114 RBI (Richie Zisk)
5. Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees, DH, B 1-16, .286 32 HR 110 RBI (played RF in game, there was no DH)
6. Carlton Fisk, Boston Red Sox, C-1, C 1-13, .315 26 HR 102 RBI
7. Al Cowens, Kansas City Royals, RF-1, B 1-16, .312 23 HR 112 RBI (RJ played RF, he will be DH in this game)
8. Willie Randolph, New York Yankees, 2B-2, B 1-16, .274 4 HR 40 RBI
9. Rick Burleson, Boston Red Sox SS-2, C 1-12, .293, 3 HR 52 RBI
P - Nolan Ryan, California Angels 19-16, 2.77 ERA 341 K (Jim Palmer)

[9RoyHobbsRF]

The use of a DH made it easy to squeeze all 4 OF in, otherwise it would have been a choice between Parker and Luzinski, C was really tough, Simmons was a real consideration with his hitting and walks, I decided to stick with Bench's power and defense, Concepcion and Bowa are quality choices, but Templeton was just too good offensively. Seaver barely edged out over Carlton for SP


NL Starting Lineup
1. Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds, 2B-1, AA 1-17, .288 22 HR 78 RBI
2. Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates, RF-1, C 1-15, .338 21 HR 88 RBI
3. Reggie Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers, CF-3, C 1-14, .307 32 HR 87 RBI (Greg Luzinski was the third OF, he will DH this game)
4. George Foster, Cincinnati Reds, LF-3, C 1-15, .320 52 HR 149 RBI
5. Greg Luzinski, Philadelphia Philles, DH, .309 39 HR 130 RBI (played LF in the game)
6. Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, 3B-1, B 1-15, .274 38 HR 101 RBI (Ron Cey)
7. Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, C-1, D 1-11, .275 31 HR 109 RBI
8. Steve Garvey, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B-1, C 1-14, .297 33 HR 115 RBI
9. Garry Templeton, St. Louis Cardinals, SS-2, .322 8 HR 79 RBI (Dave Concepcion)
P - Tom Seaver NYM-Cincinnati Reds, 21-6, 2.59 ERA 196 K (Don Sutton)

[9RoyHobbsRF]

1977 ASG

The American league jumps on NL starter Tom Seaver for 2 runs in the second on Al Cowens 2 run double. meanwhile Nolan Ryan was his typical self, walking 4 and striking out 4 in the first two innings.

The trend continues in the third as as Regie Smith and Greg Luzinski's walks surrouding George Foster's single give the NL a bases loaded no out opportunity. Ryan then walk Mike Schmidt to force in a run to make it 2-1 and then Johnny Bench rolls a 3-10 for a HR 1-7, 2B 8-20 chance and gets the 7 roll for a grand slam. 2 more hits, an error and two runners beating out the back ends of possible double play grounders gives the NL a commanding 7-2 lead.

Jim Rice homers in the 4th to cut the NL lead to 7-3, but another manufactured run (2 singles and yet another fielder's choice non/double-play) gives the NL a run back in the 5th.

The NL torches reliever Jim Palmer for a single run in the 7th and home runs by Foster and Schmidt (a 2 run shot) in the 8th send Palmer to the showers and give the NL a 12-3 lead.

Steve Carlton enters the game in the bottom of the 8th and gives up singles to Rod Carew and Jim Rice. Reggie Jackson follows with a 2-7 roll for a HR 1-3, 2B 4-20 chance and he gets the 3 roll for a 3 run homer sending Carlton to the showers. Al Cowens homers off reliever Goose Gossage in the 8th but Bruce Sutter nails down the win after giving up leadoff singles inn the 9th to Bostcoc and Brett by retiring Carew, Rice and Jackson.

Nolan Ryan had 7 walks in 2 plus innings

1977 NL 007 010 130 - 12 10 0
1977 AL 020 100 040 - 7 12 2
Seaver, John (7), Carlton (8), Gossage (8), Sutter (9) and Bench
Ryan, Blyleven (3), Tanana (5), Palmer (7), Guidry (8), Lyle (9) and Fisk
WP Seaver
LP Ryan
S Sutter
HR Bench, Rice, Foster, Schmidt, Jackson, Cowens

MVP: tough choice Rice had 3 hits and a walk in a losing cause, Seaver pitched good, Foster had 2 hits and a walk, gues I will go with Bench on his grand slam he also walked and scored a second run and made a big play on a defensive X chance on Carew in the 9th with 2 on and no one out.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Taking a short break from my tourney

I am on a major project regarding my PBS Nature collection and making all new DVD discs with the added coolness of getting a person I found online who has many episodes I dont have (I have over 300) who has kindly volunteered to help me out with them - really bizarre coincidence - out of 240 million Americans I found this guy from LA and he happened to marry a girl I went to high school with - a girl I have not talked to in 34 years.

Plus my new DVD recorder (well actually 2, 1 is semi-new) has some features that I like as far as making and organizing the DVDs so I decided to redo my whole collection in a more organized manner.... I have done 31 episodes in 2 days with 2 machines running all day but doing almost anything else is impossible.

Will get back to the tourney soon.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Still doing my nature episode project but am going to try to squeeze in a few games

Next series: 2002 A's vs 2004 Cardinals

In an earlier series, the 2001 A's defeated the 2006 Cardinals 4-2.

Game One
The Cards jump on Barry Zito in the first for 3 runs, Zito walked the first two batters, then gave up infield singles to Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen added a sac fly and Reggie Sanders got a two out double to drive in the third run. The Cards tack on 5 more in the fourth, as Zito walks two more batters then a flurry of Cardidnal hits, 5 in all, added to the destruction. Meanwhile, Chirs Carpenter is superb, walking no one and in the first 8 innings, allowing just 4 hits, 2 of the runners being erased on double plays. He settles for a complete game 5 hitter.

GAME ONE
2002 A's 000 000 000 - 0 5 0
2004 Cards 300 500 00x - 8 11 1
Zito, Bradford (4) and Hernandez
Carpenter and Matheney
WP Carpenter
LP Zito

Cards lead 1-0

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Two

Ray Durham homers to lead the game off for the A's and at least they won't be shut out in this game. The Cards get two players on in the bottom of the first when the A's turn two fielding chances into a hit and an error and Jim Edmonds makes them pay with a three run bomb. Mark Ellis homers in the A's fifth to cut the Cards lead to 3-2. Meanwhile, Tim Hudson has settled down to retire 17 of 18 batters, including 5 K's in a row at one point. But that all comes crashing down in the 7th when the first four Cardinal batters get hits, including a bases loaded 2 ruun single by Edgar Renteria and the Cards take game 2, looking very strong, 6-2.

GAME TWO
2002 A's 100 010 000 - 2 5 0
2004 Cards 300 000 30x - 6 9 1
Hudson, Rincon (7) and Hernandez
Marquis and Matheney
WP Marquis
LP Hudson
HR Durham, Edmonds, Ellis

Cards lead 2-0

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Three

The A's turn the tables on the Cards. With 2 outs in the first, 2 walks give the A's two runners on and then Jermaine Dye unloads a 3 run bomb. 4 more hits follow, scoring 2 more runs but the 5-0 lead is somewhat tempered when Mark Ellis is thrown out trying to score on a double. The Cards climb back with 2 in the third then drop a 4 spot on the A's inn the 5th, John Mabry's 2 run HR being a big blow. The Cards tack on single runs in the 6th and 7th and Jeff Suppan settled down after the nightmare first to go 7 1/3 innings. Tony Womack had 4 hits and 3 doubles for the Cards, while Jim Edmonds had two doubles and a home run.

GAME THREE
2004 Cards 002 041 100 - 8 12 1
2002 A's 500 000 000 - 5 9 0
Suppan, Kline (8) and Matheney
Mulder, Lilly 95) and Hernandez
WP Suppan
LP Mulder
HR Dye, Mabry, Edmonds

Cards lead 3-0

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Four

Corey Lidle takes a 2-0 shutout into the 9th but Tony Womack whacks a two run HR to send the game into extra innings. In the 12th, a 2 out single by John Mabry scores Edgar Renteria and the Cards take a 3-2 lead and are just one out from sweeping the series when Eric Chavez homers off Jason Isringhausen giving the A's a 4-3 win.

GAME FOUR
2004 Cards 000 000 002 001 - 3 11 0
2002 A's 000 010 100 002 - 4 7 0
Williams, Tavarez (7), Isringhausen (11) and Matheney
Lidle, Koch (9), Bradford (12) and Hernandez
WP Bradford
LP Isringhausen
HR Durham, Womack, Chavez

Cards lead 3-1

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Game Five

Chris Carpenter ouduels Barry Zito in a magnificent pitching duel as the Cards close out the A's with a 2-1 win. Zito and Carpenter matched zeroes for seven innings before the Cards broke through for 2 runs in the 8th. Edgar Renteria singles and was sacrificed to second by Mike Matheny. Tony Womack rolled a fielding chance for A's 1B Scott Hatteberg and the result was a run scoring double. After John Mabry struck out, Albert Pujols drove in the second Cardinal run with his own double. Mark Ellis homered with 2 outs in the A's 8th to break Carpenter's scoreless string at 17 2/3 innings, but Carpenter finished the game with a 4 hitter. Zito recorded 12 strikeouts for the A's.

GAME FIVE
2004 Cards 000 000 020 - 2 6 0
2002 A's 000 000 010 - 1 4 0
Carpenter and Matheny
Zito and Hernandez
WP Carpenter
LP Zito
K Zito 12
HR Ellis

2004 Cardinals win series 4-1

2002 A's eliminated

[9RoyHobbsRF]

11 of the 16 first round series have been played, the 2009 cards have arrived

Results and brackets so far:

Round 1
A01 2009 NY Yankees - N16 2009 Dodgers
2000 Mets (N08) defeat 2008 Rays (A09) 4-2

2007 Red Sox (A05) defeat 2003 Braves (N12) 4-1
2001 A's (A13) defeat 2006 Cardinals (N04) 4-2

A03 2002 Angels - N14 2002 Diamondbacks
2001 Mariners (A11) defeat 2002 Giants (N06) 4-2

2003 Yankees (A07) defeat 2005 Astros (N10) 4-0
2006 Twins (A15) defeat 2008 Phillies (N02) 4-3

2008 Cubs (N15) defeat 2005 White Sox (A02) 4-0
A10 2006 Tigers - N07 2009 Phillies

A06 2000 Yankees - N11 2002 Braves
2003 Marlins (N03) defeat 2008 Angels (A14) 4-1

A04 2004 Red Sox - N13 2003 Giants
2004 Cardinals (N05) defeat 2002 A's (A12) 4-1

2001 Yankees (A08) defeat 2007 Rockies (N09) 4-2
2001 Diamondbacks (N01) defeat 2007 Indians (A16) 4-1

Three second round matchups already determined:
2007 Red Sox - 2001 A's
2003 Yankees - 2006 Twins
2001 Yankees - 2001 Diamondbacks

next two series:

2000 Yankees - 2002 Braves
2006 Tigers - 2009 Phillies

[9RoyHobbsRF]

The NL has now won 4 straight series and what once was a 6-1 AL lead is now 6-5

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Next up 2000 Yankees and 2002 Braves

Game One
The Yanks get a run in the bottom of the first off Greg Maddux despite a double play in the middle of the rally, then Maddux and Yankee starter Andy Pettitte settle down to a pitcher's duel, with Pettitte retiring 15 of the first 16 Braves batters. In the Braves sixth, Javy Lopez doubles, scores on Keith Lockhart's triple, who scores on Rafael Furcal's sac fly giving the Braves a 2-1 lead. Maddux cruises through the 6th and 7th but Derek Jeter gets him for an 8th inning home run, tieing the game. Glenallen Hill then hits a walk off HR leading off the ninth giving the Yanks a 3-2 win.

GAME ONE
2002 Braves 000 000 200 - 2 4 1
2000 Yanks 100 000 011 - 3 8 0
Maddux and Lopez
Pettitte, Nelson (9) and Posada
WP Nelson
LP Maddux
HR Jeter, Hill

Yanks lead 1-0