Bombers 4, Yankees 1

A Yankees team on a hot streak cooled down quickly upon returning to Casa de Pablo. The team only got 10 hits total on the game, nothing better than a double, and a good portion of those hits were actually fielder’s choices, leading to them only being able to score 2 runs on the game. Meanwhile, the Bombers stayed consistent, putting up 4 runs for the second game in a row, and that was all they needed to collect the win once again. 13 of their 14 hits were singles with just a solo home run to break up the monotony, but the Bombers were less prone to fielder’s choices and the extra hits helped make the difference in a low-scoring matchup. The win leaves Baltimore alone on top of the NL Central after the initial division series, with a 3-0 record despite tying for the lowest run total in the division.

Player of the game: Cliff Floyd gets the nod, going 3-for-4 with two singles and the solo home run.

Mariners 6, Tapirs 4

The Tapirs struggled in their first home game, only getting 5 hits off of the stalwart Seattle defense. Three of those five hits were home runs, though, allowing them to stay on the scoreboard regardless. But the Mariners had their breakout game this week, their run total of 7 exceeding their first two games’ combined, to claim their first victory. Like the Tapirs, the Mariners didn’t get a lot of hits outside of a trio of home runs, but they were able to get more, eight singles to Albuquerque’s two, and enough of those hitters were driven in to allow them to maintain the lead even when Dominic Hoskins surrendered a run on the mound. This result ties three of the NL Central’s four teams for last place at 1-2, giving the Bombers a strong position indeed to start out.

Player of the game: The seven runs and three home runs on the Mariners were all evenly spread around the team, but Sally Dobbs accomplished the most with her one of each. She didn’t get any other hits on the game, but her home run drove in three runs, enough to make all the difference in this matchup.

Orioles 23, Melonheads 7

After a strong start to the season, the Melonheads came crashing down this week. A weakened Jane Davis couldn’t accomplish very much, Sidney Webber went 0-for-3 after starting the season 8-for-9, nobody except Rosanna Phelps achieved more than two hits, and Maria Luna gave up her first run of the season on a solo shot by Joella Minotti, all leading to a run differential less than half of the team’s first two. By contrast, the Orioles were absolutely on fire this week, as everybody on the team except for Phil Nevin got at least four hits on the game, leading to a complete smackdown. The O’s didn’t just get on base a lot – they got a lot of extra base hits too, with eight doubles, three triples, and a whopping nine home runs helping to drive them in. The blowout victory puts the O’s at the top of the AL West heap, and if they keep on this hot streak then they’ll be the favorites to win the division.

Player of the game: Ken Griffey, Jr. was at the center of a dominant O’s performance. In addition to proving a consistent thorn in the side of the Melonheads’ offense, he went 4-for-6 on the Orioles’ side, with a triple, and three home runs adding up to 8 RBI.

Angels 14, Cardinals 2

The Cardinals came out with their strongest hitting performance yet this game. Everybody got at least one hit, six of nine hitters got at least two, and as a result both the Cards’ hit and run total exceeded what they had achieved in the first two games combined. But despite recording an impressive 13 strikeouts, Mr. Clanky struggled to contain the Angels’ offense the rest of the time, giving up ten hits and four runs to mostly whittle away the Cards’ total. Meanwhile, hungry for a win, the Angels fired on all cylinders on this matchup to also record their best game yet. Other than Jose Meisenheimer and Chad Koppel, who combined for three hits, each player on the Angels recorded at least three, and their 14 total extra-base hits compared to just 5 in the first two games seemed to make the difference in allowing the team to put up a high score – in fact, their run total of 17 is the best score achieved by a Frontyard League team so far this season! That win gets the Angels out of the basement and reins in the Cardinals, leaving the NL East teams all close together as the teams branch out to face those from the other divisions.

Player of the game: Julie Dunkel nets the award despite giving up three runs on the mound – that dubious distinction is outweighed by her 4-for-5 day at the plate, tripling three times, hitting one home run, and scoring all four times while also batting in three runs.

Braves 7, Marlins 7

After a rough second game, the Marlins bounced back in their third outing. They only recorded one less hit in this game than in their first two combined, with every player except Perry Marx getting on at least once, and this week were able to shut out the AI Braves. However, their efficiency wasn’t so good, only scoring 7 runs as 15 runners failed to make it around. The Braves were a total opposite in this regard, only getting 8 hits across the entire game with over half of their players shut out on the game, but scoring all but two of the runners who did get on base. The long ball played a heavy part in their strategy, as half of those hits were home runs, and the combined total was just enough for the multiplier to boost them over the Marlins in the tightest contest of the week. The victory ties the Braves for the division lead, and in a hopeful position given that their run total so far is over double that of their close rivals the Cardinals.

Player of the game: Mikey Thomas went 3-for-3 with a triple, two home runs, and 4 RBI.

Indians 12, Pirates 5

The Pirates played much the same in their third game as they did in the first two. They were solid at getting on base, everybody except Brad Radke getting on at least once, but with their hits mostly consisting of singles their final score was still fairly low. The Indians had their worst game yet this season, actually recording one less total hit than the Pirates in a notable decrease from their first two games, but a total of five home runs from the slugging squad helped them to score more efficiently, only failing to score with 5 runners compared to the Pirates’ 10. That was the big difference in this game, and allowed the Indians to start the season off with a 3-0 record to lead the AL Central, while the Pirates are one of three teams left in the league without a win.

Player of the game: Petra Chekov led the Indians’ efforts by going 3-for-3 with a single, two home runs, and 3 RBI.

Blue Jays 24, Wombats 14

The Jays’ first two scores of the season hadn’t been particularly impressive, but they showed a new side in their first game played away from a sandy field. While attaining four batting powerups was a significant boost to their efforts, they dominated their game nonetheless, as every player got at least two hits, seven players got at least three, and six players got on base at least four times, all adding up to a score that thoroughly trounced their opponent’s effort. For the Wombats’ part, they bounced back fairly well from their crash in Week 2, but didn’t reach the level of their dominance in Opening Week. Everybody on the team got at least one hit, and they had their lowest number of runners fail to score of the season so far, at just six of nineteen, showing that they can still put up a fight as the interdivisional matchups begin. Nevertheless, they’re set back in what could be a tight division race, as the Blue Jays’ win ties them with the Orioles for first place.

Player of the game: Chico Pappas was unstoppable and especially took advantage of the short left-field fence in this game. He went 6-for-6 on the game, with 2 singles, a double, 3 home runs, 5 runs scored, and 8 RBI.

Red Sox 21, Diamondbacks 16

Hoping to get their first win in an unrelenting division, the Diamondbacks put on a truly remarkable display of baserunner efficiency. Everybody got on base at least once, and the team scored 16 runs on the whole – and at the same time managed to have only one runner fail to score the entire game! Four home runs, including three from Sheila Basanti, were undoubtedly helpful in this effort. Unfortunately for the D’Backs, the Red Sox still outdid them – they didn’t reach the same height of efficiency, with eight runners failing to score, but with far more hits, they didn’t need to. The Sox’s effort was boosted by a plethora of extra-base hits, 17 of their 29 hits getting to second base or farther, and with all their players ranging from 2-4 hits, their offensive was rather evenly distributed to help as well. With 6 HRs to Arizona’s 4, the Red Sox outclassed their opponents in every aspect of this game to take their first win of what, with interdivisional matchups on the horizon, they hope to be many.

Player of the game: Pete Wheeler went 4-for-6 with a single, a triple, two home runs, four runs scored, and five RBI.

Monsters 24, Athletics 18

Playing against the second-most dominant team in the league so far, at a home field that doesn’t suit them too well, the Monsters were at their most vulnerable in this game, and the A’s put forth their best effort to beat them. Other than Achmed Khan who had a slump of a game, everybody on the team got at least three hits, and while the team only got one home run compared to 16 in their first two games combined, they still only barely scored lower than they did last week. But it still wasn’t enough to stop the powerhouse Monsters team, even when on their end they put up their weakest performance of the season so far. With everybody except Tom Glass getting on at least twice, though, and the team still scoring 20 runs on the game, it would be a stretch to call this a ‘weak’ game from the Monsters, and their effort was aided by stealing 21 bases off Amir Khan’s weak arm. Their toughest hurdle now overcome, the Monsters sit atop the Division of Doom and appear poised to go to town beating up on the weaker competition from the other divisions.

Player of the game: Ramona Bennett went 4-for-5 with a single, double, two home runs and four runs scored and batted in.

Devil Rays 9, Expos -7

The AI Devil Rays team completed their devastation of the NL West this week with a 6-run smackdown of the Expos. The Expos themselves were able to triple their hit count from their first two games, but with all of those hits coming as singles, they still weren’t able to translate it to run production, and like their division rivals they were unable to stand up to the AI Devil Rays’ offensive. The player-controlled Devil Rays also had a field day this week, putting up their best score so far and exceeding their first two games’ run totals combined. Though they only got a few more hits this week than before and a similar number of extra-base hits, they managed to use their baserunners more efficiently this time, only failing to score with 6 compared to 9 and 8 in the first two weeks. The Devil Rays (and their AI counterparts) are still undefeated and sit atop the NL West, and this stronger performance gives them good prospects as they head out to face the other divisions. Meanwhile, the Expos’ improved performance gives them hope that their breakout game and first win may be coming soon.

Player of the game: Holly Franklin really drove in the runs for Tampa Bay, knocking in 6 of the 10 total runs. She did that on two doubles and a home run, going 3-for-3 on the game.

Rockies 19, Tigers 14

Full stats are unavailable for the Tigers’ side of the matchup, but it is clear that after a rough second week they bounced back to Week 1 form in this game. Unfortunately for them, after a weak opening match and decent second game, the Rockies really came out in full force this week, more than doubling their season hit total and nearly tripling their run total. A change of scenery seemed to help, as this was their first game at their home field and they ramped up their extra-base hits to 16 this game, compared to 4 in the first two games combined. Even with a five-run late penalty, they defeated the Tigers soundly to claim second place in the division. If they keep up this strength, they have the potential to challenge the Indians for the division lead.

Player of the game: Lindsy Felgate hit for the cycle this week, tacking on an extra double as well as she went 5-for-5 on the day. In addition to scoring three runs, she also batted in 9.

Giants -3, Cubs F

The Giants had a rough time of it this week. They were only able to get eight hits, all of them singles, leading to just three runs, and on the mound, Luanne Lui wasn’t able to contain the Cubs’ dynamic offense, giving up five runs and leaving things looking bleak for the Giants. However, they got a reprieve as the Cubs were unable to play this week, and thus forfeited the match. That leaves the Giants’ AI undefeated after three weeks, and gives them the second place position in the division, one game above the Cubs. And some good news: Cubs manager MarcoMcGwire is still around and returned to play in Week 4.

Player of the game: Marilyn McDonnell went 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored, and an RBI, the best performance of any player on the Giants.