Kansas.com: Baseball

Dodge City 6, El Dorado 3

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:40 CDT

El Dorado	000 110 010 -- 3 5 2
Dodge City	020 013 00x -- 6 10 1

W--Thomas L--Hinds. HR--El Dorado, Biguenet; Dodge City, Williams, Sigala.

El Dorado Batting--Davis 1-4, Wall 0-3, Darr 0-1, Koch 1-2, Springer 0-4, Rindels 1-4, Armendariz 0-4, Weiss 0-3, Daleiden 1-2, Hignojos 0-1, Biguenet 1-1.

El Dorado Pitching--Hinds, 5 innings, 3 earned runs; Sandoval 2/3-3; Kimble 2 1/3-0.

NBC not feeling economic pinch

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:40 CDT

Summer baseball teams aren't interested in "staycations." They want to visit Wichita.

Even if the trip is hard on their bank accounts.

The field for the National Baseball Congress World Series appears to be immune to inflated prices (gas went for around 2.84 a gallon a year ago). No teams, as of Tuesday, had declined a spot in the 44-team field.

"Everybody's feeling the crunch of the price of gasoline," tournament director of operations Jerry Taylor said. "But (summer baseball people) are very resilient. It's amazing how they will find ways to offset those costs. They'll get here."

Even all the way from Alaska.

Tuesday's Jayhawk

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

El Dorado 10, Dodge City 5

El Dorado	301 301 011 -- 10 15 2
Dodge City	001 002 011 -- 5 8 2

W--Hord. L--Cunningham. HR--El Dorado, Koch, Springer, Rindels, Davis; Dodge City, Keys.

El Dorado batting-- Davis 1-5, Wall 1-4, Koch 4-6, Springer 3-6, Rindels 1-3, Weiss 2-3, Armendariz 1-3, Daleiden 1-4, Hignojos 1-5.

El Dorado pitching -- Hord 7-3, Hanna 2-1.

Jayhawk League

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

	W	L	Pct.	GB
Hays	18	8	.692	--
Liberal	14	9	.609	2 ½
Derby	15	10	.600	2 ½
Nevada	14	12	.538	4
El Dorado	11	13	.458	6
Dodge City	6	15	.286	9 ½
Joplin	9	20	.310	10 ½

Sunday's Results

Hays 7, El Dorado 1

Joplin 8-0, Liberal 3-1

Derby 3, Nevada 0

Monday's Results

Former Yankees star Murcer dies of cancer

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

Bobby Murcer, a five-time All-Star outfielder who spent nearly four decades with the New York Yankees as a player, executive and announcer, has died. He was 62.

The Yankees said Murcer died Saturday due to complications from brain cancer. He was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City, the team said.

"Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine," owner George Steinbrenner said. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy."

Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006 after having headaches. He had surgery that week in Houston and doctors later determined the tumor was malignant. Determined to be around his beloved Yankees, Murcer returned to the broadcast booth last year and briefly this season.

The only person to play with Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly, the popular Murcer hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBIs in 17 seasons with the Yankees, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs. He made the All-Star team in both leagues and won a Gold Glove.

What's a win worth?

BEN WALKER — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

A few years ago, Paul Konerko found out exactly how much it meant to win the All-Star Game.

He played on the American League side that won the exhibition in 2005. That gave the AL the home-field edge in the World Series -- his Chicago White Sox then took advantage, opening with a pair of tight victories at U.S. Cellular Field on their way to sweeping Houston.

So what about it, slugger? That link between the summer showcase and the Fall Classic is a pretty nifty idea, right?

"I think it's totally ludicrous," Konerko said.

The three-time All-Star first baseman has plenty of company. Ask most anyone in the majors and they'd prefer to change the concept that began in 2003 as a two-year experiment.

Phils' Utley just getting started

TODD ZOLECKI — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

Dallas Green has seen his share of Hall of Fame second basemen in his lifetime.

He traded for Ryne Sandberg.

He managed against Joe Morgan.

"He's there with Morgan. He's certainly there with Sandberg," Green said. "He's got to be right there with those guys, and really in all phases."

He is Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, who is starting his third consecutive All-Star Game on Tuesday at New York's Yankee Stadium. There have been 10 second basemen in Phillies history who have made the National League all-star team: Emil Verban (1946-47), Granny Hamner (1954), Tony Taylor (1960), Cookie Rojas (1965), Dave Cash (1974-76), Manny Trillo (1981-82), Juan Samuel (1984 and '87), Mariano Duncan (1994), Mickey Morandini (1995) and Utley (2006-08). None other than Utley has started more than one All-Star Game.

Harden strikes out10 in Cubs debut

PAUL SULLIVAN — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:39 CDT

Not since Nomar Garciaparra's arrival from Boston in the summer of 2004 has a Cubs debut been as anticipated as Rich Harden's first start at Wrigley Field.

And although he did everything he could Saturday to show the Cubs made the right move in acquiring him from Oakland, Harden ultimately was relegated to the role of innocent bystander before the end of a wild 8-7, 11-inning victory over San Francisco.

After Carlos Marmol allowed five runs in the ninth to let the Giants complete a rally from a 7-0 deficit, the Cubs bounced back on Reed Johnson's opposite-field, RBI single off Brian Wilson in the 11th.

"When you're growing up as a little kid, you're always '5, 4, 3, 2, 1...' shooting the basketball, trying to make that game-winning shot or get that game-winning base hit," Johnson said. "So you put yourself in that situation since you've been in Little League and all the way up to (the majors)."

The Cubs won for the fifth time in their last six games, improving to 37-11 at Wrigley with one game remaining before the All-Star break.

Jayhawk League

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

	W	L	Pct.	GB
Derby	14	8	.636	--
Hays	13	8	.619	½
Nevada	12	9	.571	1 ½
Liberal	10	8	.556	2
El Dorado	9	8	.529	2 ½
Joplin	7	16	.304	7 ½
Dodge City	6	14	.300	7

Tuesday's Games

Joplin at El Dorado, ppd. rain

Nevada 7, Hays 2

Tonight's Games

Joplin at El Dorado (2)

Pelfreywins 5thstraight

MIKE FITZPATRICK — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

On this night, it was Mike Pelfrey who looked like the emerging young ace while All-Star Tim Lincecum struggled to find his way.

Pelfrey, a former Heights High and Wichita State standout, won his fifth straight start, Carlos Beltran drove in four runs and the surging New York Mets beat Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 7-0 on Tuesday.

"I think that him being so good, that's going to bring the best out of other people," Pelfrey said.

Beltran hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Carlos Delgado also connected off Lincecum (10-2) to help the Mets win their fourth in a row. After taking the final three of a four-game series in Philadelphia last weekend, New York is 1 ½ games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East.

Two of the three hits Pelfrey (7-6) allowed over seven sharp innings were infield singles. He struck out five and walked none in a dominant performance, pushing the Mets (46-44) two games above .500 for the first time since May 20.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

Red Sox 1, Twins 0 -- Manny Ramirez hit a run-scoring single in the eighth to lift Boston in a pitching duel between Daisuke Matsuzaka and Minnesota's Scott Baker.

• Dustin Pedroia extended his career-high hitting streak to 15 games with a double on the first pitch from reliever Brian Bass (3-3) in the eighth. Pedroia advanced on a groundout and Ramirez then lined a single to right through a drawn-in infield.... The Red Sox, coming off a 3-7 road trip that dropped them into second place in the AL East behind Tampa Bay, won for the 23rd time in 29 games in Fenway Park.... The Twins lost just their fourth in 22 games, ending a five-game winning streak.

Angels 9, Rangers 6 -- Torii Hunter homered twice, the first capping a six-run second inning, and Los Angeles held on.

• Vladimir Guerrero, Jeff Mathis and Hunter homered in the big second inning that gave the Angels an 8-0 lead. All three were off Rangers starter Luis Mendoza (1-3), who allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.... Hunter had an RBI single in the first and homered in the seventh.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Jayhawk League

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

	W	L	Pct.	GB
Hays	13	7	.650	--
Derby	14	8	.636	--
Nevada	11	9	.550	2
Liberal	10	8	.556	2
El Dorado	9	8	.529	2 ½
Joplin	7	16	.304	7 ½
Dodge City	6	14	.300	7

Saturday's Results

Liberal 11, Dodge City 6

Derby 12, Hays 5

Sunday's Results

Liberal 8, Dodge City 4

Sabathia dealt to Brewers

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

CC Sabathia matured from a teenager who didn't know the basics of pitching to an AL Cy Young Award winner with the Cleveland Indians.

The big lefty helped the Indians get within one game of the World Series last year; but a frustrating, injury-marred season prompted them to deal Sabathia to Milwaukee for prospects on Monday.

The Indians, who have gone from 96 wins in 2007 to last place in the AL Central, will start over without Sabathia. It'll be a new experience -- he was 17 when he signed with the team 10 years ago.

"I remember he didn't know how to grip the baseball or stand on the rubber when we first got him," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said.

Sabathia departs as the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Toronto sent Roger Clemens to the New York Yankees after he won the award in 1998.

Jayhawk League

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:06 CDT

	W	L	Pct.	GB
Derby	14	7	.667	--
Hays	13	7	.650	½
Nevada	11	9	.550	2 ½
Liberal	10	8	.556	2 ½
El Dorado	9	8	.529	3
Dodge City	6	14	.300	7 ½
Joplin	6	16	.273	8 ½

Saturday's Results

Liberal 11, Dodge City 6

Derby 12, Hays 5

Sunday's Results

Liberal 8, Dodge City 4

Brewers zero in on Sabathia

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

The Brewers are extremely close to a deal to acquire Indians ace C.C. Sabathia in a trade that bolsters their rotation for a playoff push, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The person requested anonymity because the trade has not been finalized and said there were a few remaining issues to work out.

Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA to win the AL Cy Young last season and would give the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

The big lefty is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Indians, but has also been plagued with a lack of run support. In 11 of his 18 starts, Cleveland has scored two runs or less for him.

"I'm good, excited," Sabathia wrote in a text message posted on ESPN.com. "It's weird leaving these guys."

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

Twins 4, Indians 3 -- Carlos Gomez capped a three-run seventh inning against All-Star Cliff Lee with an RBI groundout, and the Twins handed the Indians to their eighth straight loss.

• Lee (11-2) lost for the first time in nine starts, hurt by a rare lack of control in the seventh that helped the resourceful Twins put together another one of their small-ball rallies. They batted eight times that inning and hit the ball out of the infield only twice.

White Sox 4, Athletics 3 -- John Danks set a career high with nine strikeouts, and the Chicago handed Rich Harden his first loss in a year.

• Danks (6-4) took a no-hitter into the sixth as the White Sox salvaged a four-game split after dropping the first two. Chicago has won 10 of its last 13 games.

Rangers 11, Orioles 10 -- David Murphy hit a three-run homer and Ian Kinsler got three singles to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, leading the Rangers to another win.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Yankees 2, Red Sox 1 --Mariano Rivera flashed his classic form just in time.

The New York Yankees closer pitched himself in and out of trouble, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning and preserving a victory over the Boston Red Sox.

• After Mike Mussina (11-6) pitched six shutout innings, Rivera took over in the ninth with a 2-0 lead. The Red Sox quickly scored a run and were poised to get more, but Rivera struck out Coco Crisp, got Jason Varitek on a popup and fanned Julio Lugo for his 23rd save.... The Yankees won after losing the first two games of the series to Boston.... Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, two of New York's three healthy outfielders, each drove in a run and made a nice play in the field.... Justin Masterson (4-3) hit three batters, threw a wild pitch and walked two, but managed to hold the Yankees in check in his six innings. The rookie right-hander allowed six hits in his first appearance against New York.

White Sox 6, Athletics 1 -- Gavin Floyd pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings to get his 10th victory and Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson and Alexei Ramirez homered in Chicago's win over Oakland.

• Oakland had captured the first two games of the four-game series to cool off the White Sox, who'd won seven straight before the A's came to town.... Floyd (10-4), who was 8-10 in his career entering this season, allowed only three singles, walking three and striking out six.... Greg Smith (5-7), who pitched a complete game four-hitter in his previous start against the Angels, went five-plus innings, allowing five hits and four runs while tying a career high with six walks.

Jayhawk League

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

	W	L	Pct.	GB
Hays	13	6	.684	--
Derby	13	7	.650	½
Nevada	11	9	.550	2 ½
El Dorado	9	8	.529	3
Liberal	9	8	.529	3
Dodge City	6	13	.316	7
Joplin	6	16	.273	8 ½

Thursday's Results

Nevada 5, Joplin 3

Friday's Results

Dodge City 8, Liberal 5

Hays 3, Derby 2

Batters

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

	Avg	OBA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	E
Preston Springer, ED	.475	.536	61	15	29	5	1	4	18	8	3	1	0	6
Rich Michalek, H	.435	.500	62	11	27	3	0	2	13	8	11	3	2	2
Jeremiah Sammy, L	.409	.471	44	8	18	7	1	0	10	6	5	1	0	5
Tyler Robbins, DC	.382	.493	55	14	21	2	0	2	13	12	7	4	0	4
Chris Kersten, L	.381	.490	42	10	16	7	0	0	6	8	9	1	0	2
Louis Templeton, De	.371	.413	70	13	26	4	1	4	12	5	9	4	0	8
Eric Deblanc, Ne	.370	.412	46	5	17	2	0	0	6	2	5	4	1	1
Clint Ewing, L	.357	.429	42	9	15	4	0	1	10	3	9	0	0	4
Matt Davis, ED	.354	.426	48	14	17	7	0	1	8	3	5	1	1	3
J.Armendariz, ED	.339	.449	56	13	19	2	0	1	12	10	12	1	2	0
Heath Wall, ED	.333	.472	42	6	14	8	0	0	6	9	10	0	0	9
Joe Walton, Joplin	.333	.370	87	10	29	4	0	2	10	2	20	0	0	1
Joe Huwer, H	.325	.391	40	2	13	2	1	0	9	3	3	0	1	3
Brandon Eckerle, H	.317	.379	60	12	19	3	1	0	8	4	13	6	2	0
Colby Price, Joplin	.317	.356	82	11	26	3	0	2	12	4	16	2	1	2
Eric Roof, H	.313	.430	64	9	20	4	0	2	11	10	15	2	0	6
Tommy Fitzgerald, N	.310	.365	58	8	18	2	0	2	3	4	5	1	1	1
Jesse Ayala, Ne	.310	.367	42	5	13	1	0	1	4	3	7	0	0	0
Cole Waddell, De	.310	.394	58	11	18	4	0	1	6	7	7	2	2	1
Brent Voorhees, De	.304	.371	56	9	17	2	0	3	9	5	9	1	1	0
Tyler Reddick, Ne	.303	.352	66	14	20	0	0	0	6	5	5	4	2	2
Robert Abel, ED	.298	.429	57	12	17	2	1	1	12	8	13	9	1	4
Matt Koch, ED	.296	.328	54	7	16	3	0	1	12	4	18	1	1	2
Billy Boockford, H	.296	.351	71	14	21	4	0	1	5	6	13	3	0	0
Andrew Heck, H	.295	.380	44	5	13	1	1	1	4	6	22	4	0	4
Cameron Monger, DC	.291	.328	55	15	16	1	1	1	4	2	12	8	0	3
Chris Ciesla, DC	.288	.314	66	4	19	6	1	1	16	3	7	1	0	5
Dan Ward, Ne	.288	.362	52	6	15	5	0	0	1	6	6	2	0	0
Dusty Washburn, H	.286	.338	63	5	18	3	0	1	11	2	10	0	0	2
Clint Stubbs, L	.278	.339	54	13	15	0	1	0	1	3	15	7	0	2
Jason Kudlock, H	.273	.313	44	8	12	3	3	0	10	3	7	0	0	3
Oscar Sigala, DC	.267	.353	60	4	16	3	0	1	10	5	11	5	1	8
Jeremy Mayo, DC	.262	.367	42	13	11	5	0	2	4	7	12	1	0	5
Ben Theriot, De	.256	.356	39	4	10	5	0	1	7	6	5	0	0	2
Travis Meiners, DC	.255	.339	55	12	14	1	0	3	15	7	11	4	0	4
Brian Bello, Ne	.254	.292	67	4	17	6	0	1	13	3	19	3	1	3
Alex Martinez, De	.241	.380	58	12	14	2	0	3	9	12	7	7	0	1
Patrik Walsh, Joplin	.233	.343	90	7	21	2	1	1	8	12	16	3	4	6
Kevin Hennessey, H	.231	.310	52	11	12	6	0	0	4	5	9	0	0	4
Mick Doyle, Joplin	.231	.348	78	13	18	2	0	0	5	12	16	2	0	3
Levi Ferguson, De	.226	.314	62	13	14	5	1	0	5	8	15	9	0	0
Matt Meyer, DC	.220	.289	41	6	9	1	0	0	2	4	17	2	0	2
Will McGinnis, Joplin	.218	.371	78	10	17	3	0	0	9	17	14	2	0	1
Trevor Geist, Ne	.200	.323	55	6	11	1	0	1	5	7	9	7	0	2
Adam Hamilton, DC	.200	.308	45	5	9	2	0	1	5	7	18	0	0	3

Pitchers

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Harrison Kuroda, ED	1	1	0.48	7	0	0	18.7	11	2	1	1	3	21
Jim Clancy, ED	2	0	0.64	6	0	0	14.0	7	4	1	0	4	10
Quentin Morgan, Joplin	1	0	1.10	5	0	1	16.3	11	5	2	0	6	18
Ben Graham, De	2	0	1.57	3	3	0	23.0	15	4	4	2	4	11
Jason Stacy, H	1	1	1.89	4	4	0	19.0	16	6	4	0	7	18
Steven Mazur, H	2	0	2.12	9	0	1	17.0	14	6	4	1	4	25
Edwin Carl, H	2	0	2.25	4	4	0	20.0	22	8	5	2	4	22
Casey Hauptman, H	2	0	2.25	6	3	0	24.0	25	9	6	4	5	24
Kevin Ginorio, DC	0	3	2.35	6	0	1	15.3	10	9	4	0	9	11
Kelly, De	1	2	2.53	3	3	0	21.3	18	6	6	2	4	18
Eric Holmes, DC	2	0	2.63	4	4	0	24.0	24	10	7	3	8	7
Patrick Cooper, H	3	2	2.70	5	5	0	30.0	24	14	9	0	10	25
Colin Feneis, Joplin	0	1	2.87	7	0	1	15.7	14	5	5	0	6	18
Michael Ratigan, Ne	2	1	2.96	5	4	1	27.3	21	9	9	4	6	25
C.J. Maffei, Joplin	1	1	3.14	4	3	0	14.3	14	5	5	0	12	12
Bryant Cotton, ED	0	2	3.18	4	4	0	17.0	22	10	6	2	3	18
Dillon Griffin, DC	1	2	3.38	4	4	0	18.7	25	13	7	1	10	14
Alex Mauricio, ED	0	1	3.44	4	4	0	18.3	15	7	7	2	5	13
Tom Luce, Joplin	2	2	3.81	5	5	0	28.3	28	13	12	1	11	24
Tim Freshour, Ne	1	1	3.97	4	4	0	22.7	20	11	10	2	7	16
Josh Willimont, ED	2	0	4.00	4	4	0	18.0	16	14	8	1	7	12
Cody Kelly, Joplin	0	3	4.03	6	4	0	29.0	34	15	13	0	8	23
Gregerson, De	1	2	4.15	4	2	0	17.3	24	9	8	2	5	16
Taylor Rogers, L	2	0	4.18	4	4	0	23.7	27	13	11	0	14	21
Matt Speake, Ne	1	2	4.18	4	4	0	23.7	27	12	11	1	5	21
Josh Cruse, Joplin	0	0	4.60	7	0	0	15.7	15	10	8	0	8	8
Brett Davis, L	1	1	4.74	4	3	1	19.0	25	14	10	2	1	12
Ben Hays, Joplin	0	3	4.76	4	4	0	17.0	21	14	9	0	10	9
Powers, L	0	1	4.91	3	3	0	18.3	17	13	10	0	8	15
Harrison Waters, Ne	1	1	5.14	3	2	0	14.0	19	9	8	0	3	8
Justin Fleming, De	2	1	6.49	4	3	0	26.3	22	20	19	2	11	10
Blake Thomas, DC	0	2	6.75	4	3	1	18.7	29	17	14	2	8	17
Thomas Rooke, Ne	0	1	7.36	5	3	0	14.7	22	13	12	2	5	20

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Mike Lowell hit a go-ahead, three-run homer two innings after Kevin Youkilis' shot squirted out of Johnny Damon's glove, bounced off the top of the left-field wall three times, and sat on the fence for several tantalizing seconds.

• Youkilis' ball rolled back to the field for a tying, two-run triple, helping spark the Red Sox to a come-from-behind victory.... Damon bruised and sprained his left shoulder on Youkilis' triple and left the game, and the Yankees lost for the fifth time in six games.... Josh Beckett (8-5) recovered from a three-run first inning that included a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez, and a sacrifice fly by Jason Giambi. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances, completing a six-hitter.

Athletics 7, White Sox 1 -- Jack Cust hit a two-run homer and Joe Blanton pitched seven solid innings to lead the Athletics to the win.

• Emil Brown and Wes Bankston both had three hits for Oakland, which finished with 17 hits.... The White Sox dropped their second consecutive game after winning seven straight, and their lead in the AL Central fell to one game with the Twins' victory over Cleveland.

Twins 12, Indians 3 -- Delmon Young hit a three-run homer and finished with a season-high four RBIs to help the Twins win for the 14th time in their last 16 games.