OAKLAND A’s & SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FANTASY
2005 BASEBALL
LEAGUE
FROM THE STANDS
San Francisco State University
MAY 15, 2005
Jim Realini
League play continued at a new venue, the fog-shrouded Swamp at San Francisco State. Fantasy leaguers rushed from all points about the Golden Gate through the sun-drenched “Bay-to-Breakers” crazies to the Swamp to play America's past time in the typically drizzly home of the Gators. Thanks to Mark Gemello for hooking us up.
Fresno Giants 8 Oakland A's 2 in Game #1
The Fresno Giants remain undefeated in May led by the timely hitting and hustle of John Haines and Dr. Guy Peabody. Haines 57 keyed up the G-men with a bases loaded single in the first and Fresno never looked back. Dr. Guy was 3-4 with two infield hits coming from his blazing speed taking advantage of the heavy, wet infield grass. Tom McHale and Coach Haines had four great plays at first base backing up the steady pitching of Joe Gagliardo, Dr. Peabody, and closer Carl Vargas. Bill Pedersen contributed another brilliant throw to erase the A’s Dorn who was greedily trying to take second after Pedersen misplayed a fly ball to center. Vargas and Haines had two hit days, while Joe Gagliardo had one dinger to go with Peabody’s three hits. Scott Lueders had the ESPN replay of the day crashing through the gate by the A’s dugout to snare Purcell Hall’s tall foul ball.
The Oakland A’s just couldn’t get all their good plays in one bunch. Matt Amaro led the hitting with a mammoth triple to deep left center along with a line drive single to right centerfield. Mike Mello crushed a double to left field, while Purcell Hall, Chris Dorn, and Don Luis each chipped in singles. Gamson started on the mound giving way to Al Henderson who suffered through some spotty fielding in the 4th before Dave Jemes finished up. Jemes did take some measure of revenge by picking off Joe “Jet Lag” Gagliardo in the 8th.
San Jose Giants 8 Kansas City A's 5
in Game #2
For six innings this afternoon at the Swamp, this was a tight, classic pitchers duel that stood 1-1 behind San Jose’s Keller and KC’s Oehrlein effort. While the sun threatened to breakout all afternoon, it didn’t; but the Giants did in their half of the 7th coming up with 7 runs off an uncharacteristically wild Mark Fitzpatrick. The Giants only got 7 singles but the two each by Moochy Hughey and Dennis Sanfilippo were key blasts at the right time. Riley, Rusch (welcome back from the DL!), and Doug “JC” Penney each had one. Key to the victory were these plays by the Giants. Adam Schneider made a flat-out diving saner of a fly to left center in the first. Mark G-man Gemello atoned for a costly first inning error with a brilliant snap throw off a sacrifice bunt attempt to foil the A’s in the 4th. Steve Bennett started an unusual 7-6-5-4 double play by muffing a line shot in the 7th, trapping the runners, and allowing the alert double play. Tom Sanfilippo finished up for Keller while Gemello came in for the save in the time shortened 8th inning.
The A’s outhit the Giants garnering 9 hits with 5 coming in a furious 8th inning rally. Gilliat and Byron both had two singles each, while Oehrlein smacked a big double in the 8th. Alexander, Zimmerman, Fitzpatrick, and Yost each banged bingles for the KC A’s. Zimmerman made a great throw from deep in the shortstop hole to nail the usually fleet Rob Weber in the second. The A’s were certainly battlers and proved again that they are never out of any game. If only we could have played one more inning…..
Reminder to all regular players, do not forget to tell your coach by Thursday morning, before NOON if you are going to play or you will stand a good chance of losing your spot on the team for the weekend to a pool player.