TWO HOME RUNS BY WILFREDO DOOMS MAULERS IN GAME 1, 11-7

Chicago, IL (7M7AP): Victor Wilfredo's two home runs and five RBI and Pete Lee's perfect ninth inning helped the Las Vegas Gamblers (1-0) defeat the Chicago Maulers (0-1), 11-7, this morning.

The Chicago Maulers' first playoff appearance in team history started out well as they put the first run on the board in the bottom of the first inning off of a single by shortstop Stuart Rhodes, scoring Maulers leadoff hitter, Louis Bieser.

Las Vegas responded in the top of the second inning, taking the 3-1 lead off of doubles by Javier Mercedes and lead off hitter Tommy Knoblauch, as well as a sac fly by Alfredo.

The Gamblers continued to rough up rookie pitcher Sal Long (0-1, 9.53 ERA) in the top of the fourth inning, tagging him for three more runs off of a two-run homer by Wilfredo and a solo home run by catcher Matt DePaula.

The Maulers cut the lead to two runs with a double by Bieser, scoring first baseman Jake Cooper and second baseman Vince Wood.

Chicago's problematic bullpen struck again with Santiago Candelaria giving up three runs on four hits in two innings, as well as aging long-reliever Glenallen Williamson giving up a run on three hits and one inning, giving the Gamblers the 11-7 lead in the top of the ninth.

The Maulers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on a three-run home run by Orber Rios, but it was too little, too late for Chicago. Las Vegas took the game, 11-7, and the one-game series lead.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Victor Wilfredo Las Vegas Gamblers Age: 25 B/T: S/R Born: Saint James, LA Position(s): LF/1B/2B/RF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

3-FOR-4, TWO HOME RUNS, FIVE RBI

SANTA FE'S SEVEN-RUN SECOND INNING LEADS THE SLAMMERS TO VICTORY

Santa Fe, NM (7M7AP): Rafael Franco had two home runs and knocked in six runs on four hits as the Santa Fe Slammers decisively defeated the Scranton Scrubs, 14-8, in the opening round of the American League Division Playoffs this morning.

The Slammers wasted no time putting runs on the board with a four spot in the first inning. Franco hit a 3-run homer to center field and designated hitter Willis McGee tased a laser beam double into center field.

After a three-up, three-down inning for Santa Fe winning starter, Joaquin Ayala, the Slammers tagged the Scrubs for seven more runs. With a man on first and second base with two outs, Franco came through big with a single. After a single by Santa Fe first baseman, Norm LaRocca, Scranton losing pitcher, Fred Flores, walked in center fielder Buddy West. After McGee grounded a single to score Franco and LaRocca, third baseman Luis Cortes crushed a three-run homer to right center to give the Slammers the commanding 11-0 lead.

The Scrubs posted their first two runs in the third inning off of an error by Slammers shortstop Taylor that plated Ray Elster. Tony Justice smoked a line drive single to left field to bring in Omar Cross. The Scrubs tried to stage a late-game comeback, scoring three runs in the eighth and two runs in the ninth, but the Slammers held them off, posting the 14-8 victory.

Santa Fe leads the series, 1-0.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Rafael Franco Santa Fe Slammers Age: 30 B/T: L/R Born: Moca, DO Position(s): 2B/IF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

4-FOR-5, TWO HOME RUNS, THREE RUNS SCORED, SIX RBI

#1 Overall Pick, Bierbrodt, to the DL

Preston Bierbrodt Chicago Maulers Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Hazel Green, WI Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Chicago, IL (7M7AP): Just four games into his young professional career, 7Mickey7 number one overall pick, Preston Bierbrodt, was put on the 60-day disabled list with a torn groin muscle, but is expected to be out for more.

"Welcome to the world of professional baseball," dejected Maulers owner Nick Carita commented. "I'd rather him be injured now and recover than to be in our starting lineup in the playoffs and go down with an injury."

Bierboldt was off to a great start in his professional career, with a 3-0 record in four appearances. He's held his opponents to a .219 batting average and posted a 3.64 ERA.

Week 5 Power Rankings

1) Philadelphia Wings (69-29) (PW – 1) (Points = 143.95)
The Wings remained in the top spot this week after posting a 14-4 record in 18 games. The Wings are scoring 6.28 runs per game while giving up 4.17. The Wings have given up the fewest runs so far during the season, and they also hold the best home and away records in the majors.

2) Dover Destroyers (59-39) (PW – 4) (Points = 124.07)
The Destroyers moved up two spots after going 12-6 for the week. The Destroyers are scoring 6.97 runs per game while giving up 4.47. The Destroyers are now 4-13 in close games but, when you have the second best offense in the league, the close games aren’t really going to hurt you.

3) Santa Fe Slammers (59-39) (PW – 11) (Points = 93.03)
The Slammers moved up eight spots this week after going 11-6 in that span. Santa Fe is scoring 6.91 runs per game while giving up 5.56. The Slammers return to the top five after a bad week last week, and I think they should remain in the top 10 for the rest of the year.

4) Arizona Pumas (59-39) (PW – 14) (Points = 92.97)
The Pumas moved up ten spots this week after going 12-5 during the week. The Pumas are scoring 5.54 runs per game while giving up 4.48. Arizona also made their return to the top 10 this week after a bad week last week. They've been highly successful in their division this year, posting a 13-4 record.

5) Las Vegas Gamblers (59-39) (PW – 13) (Points = 92.88)
The Gamblers moved up eight spots this week after posting a 14-3 record, the best record during the week. The Gamblers are scoring 6.37 runs per game while giving up 5.48. Las Vegas made it three straight wins to crack the top ten this week and, with another good week, they could jump into the third spot next week.

6) Albuquerque Apaches (61-37) (PW – 3) (Points = 83.79)
The Apaches fell three spots this week after going 10-7. Albuquqerque is scoring 7.19 runs per game, the best in the league, while giving up 5.95. They are still leading the league in scoring, even if they have slowed a little last week.

7) Norfolk Southern (57-41) (PW – 6) (Points = 80.30)
The Southern fell one spot this week after posting an 11-7 record. They are scoring 6.26 runs per game while giving up 4.91. The Southern still need to improve their performance in close games if there going to catch the Wings, as there 7-16 now in one-run games. It does look like a wildcard spot will be in store for the team.

8) Buffalo Bisons (56-42) (PW – 10) (Points = 73.83)
The Bisons moved up two spots after going 11-7 during the week. The Bisons are scoring 5.82 runs per game while giving up 4.83. The Bisons are just doing the two step jump in the rankings each week. With another solid week by Buffalo and another bad week from the Knights, first place in the National League North could be in their future.

9) Chicago Knights (59-39) (PW – 2) (Points = 67.00)
The Knights fell seven spots this week after going 7-10 during the week. The Knights are scoring 6.17 runs per game while giving up 4.88. The Knights where cruising until their offense seemed to go missing, dropping nearly half a run less per game.

10) Oklahoma City Cowboys (53-45) (PW – 7) (Points = 65.81)
The Cowboys fell three spots this week after going 10-7. The Cowboys are scoring 5.77 runs per game while giving up 4.84. The Cowboys had a solid week, but with a couple teams having a great week, they saw themselves fall in the rankings.

11) Scranton Scrubs (58-40) (PW – 8) (Points = 64.70)

12) New York Crankees II (54-44) (PW – 9) (Points = 63.20)

13) Toronto Kids in the Hall (56-42) (PW – 15) (Points = 61.65)

14) Salem Sleepers (51-47) (PW – 12) (Points = 20.25)

15) Little Rock Raiders (47-51) (PW – 18) (Points = 15.95)

16) Houston Cavaliers (48-50) (PW – 19) (Points = 13.71)

17) Washington D.C. Crooks (49-49) (PW – 17) (Points = 12.82)

18) Hartford Posse (51-47) (PW – 5) (Points = 12.48)

19) Chicago Maulers (47-51) (PW – 20) (Points = 9.53)

20) Wichita Wimps (42-56) (PW – 21) (Points = 8.55)

21) Seattle seattle earthquake (46-52) (PW – 16) (Points = -5.18)

22) Anaheim Rangers (45-53) (PW – 22) (Points = -14.03)

23) Cincinnati Chili (43-55) (PW – 25) (Points = -17.75)

24) Nashville Sounds (41-57) (PW – 28) (Points = -21.11)

25) Salt Lake City Utes (43-55) (PW – 23) (Points = -22.94)

26) Huntington Healeys (34-64) (PW – 31) (Points = -32.70)

27) El Paso Drug Mules (39-59) (PW – 26) (Points = -35.68)

28) Pawtucket Buffalos (39-59) (PW – 24) (Points = -37.88)

29) Monterrey Malditos (38-60) (PW – 29) (Points = -39.69)

30) St. Louis Redbirds (37-61) (PW – 27) (Points = -40.88)

31) Kansas City Bo Knows (37-61) (PW – 32) (Points = -93.98)

32) Augusta Timbermen (32-66) (PW – 30) (Points = -95.72)

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING FORMAT FILE

WINS
1) Robert Gil - Philadelphia (16)

Robert Gil Philadelphia Wings Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Goshen, IN Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Gene Stockton - Hartford (13)
3) Archie Hines - Albuquerque (12)
4) Harry Ozuna - Las Vegas (12)
5) Alan Locko - Wichita (12)


STRIKEOUTS
1) Robert Gil - Philadelphia (159)

Robert Gil Philadelphia Wings Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Goshen, IN Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Gene Stockton - Hartford (126)
3) Omar Campos - Anaheim (131)
4) Omar Gomez - Oklahoma City (122)
5) Alan Locko - Wichita (122)


ERA
1) Alan Locko - Wichita (2.41)

Alan Locko Wichita Wimps Age: 29 B/T: R/R Born: Johnstown, OH Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Yamid Pena - Wichita (2.49)
3) Anthony George - Philadelphia (2.74)
4) Michael Pedersen - Cincinnati (2.81)
5) Gene Stockton - Hartford (2.89)


SAVES
1) Gary Koch - Arizona (25)

Gary Koch Arizona Pumas Age: 27 B/T: L/L Born: Pflugerville, TX Position(s): P (ClA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Micah Smith - Hartford (25)
3) Victor Tejada - Little Rock (24)
4) Darryl Wooten - Seattle (24)
5) Gordon Richardson - Houston (22)


OPPONENT AVERAGE
1) Yamid Pena - Wichita (.198)

Yamid Pena Wichita Wimps Age: 24 B/T: L/L Born: Pembina, ND Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Terrence Delaney - Las Vegas (.216)
3) Alan Locko - Wichita (.223)
4) Al Sinclair - Chicago NL (.224)
5) Omar Gomez - Oklahoma City (.227)

TOP 5 INDIVIDUAL BATTING LEADERS 5/25

HOME RUNS
1)Grant Bradley Dover - (43)

Grant Bradley Dover Destroyers Age: 26 B/T: R/R Born: Goshen, IN Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Julius Lawson - Philadelphia (41)
3) Freddy Rollins - Nashville (39)
4) Heathcliff McBride - Norfolk (39)
5) Bruce Dickens - Dover (37)


BATTING AVERAGE
1) Julian Castro - New York (.389)

Julian Castro New York Crankees II Age: 25 B/T: R/R Born: Villa Gonzalez, DO Position(s): LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Vinny Kennedy - Hartford (.376)
3) Valerio Calderon - Albuquerque (.374)
4) Carmen Golub - Albuquerque (.362)
5) Al Torres - New York (.360)


RUNS
1) Bruce Dickens - Dover (98)

Bruce Dickens Dover Destroyers Age: 27 B/T: R/R Born: Wilton, NH Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Vinny Kennedy - Hartford (95)
3) Ryan Walker - Santa Fe (95)
4) D.T. Wagner - New York (94)
5) Valerio Calderon - Albuquerque (90)


RBI
1) Julius Lawson - Philadelphia (111)

Julius Lawson Philadelphia Wings Age: 23 B/T: R/R Born: Cedarhurst, NY Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Mateo Nunez - Albuquerque (109)
3) Grant Bradley - Dover (103)
4) Heathcliff McBride - Norfolk (101)
5) Carmen Golub - Albuquerque (96)


STOLEN BASES
1) Craig Maduro - Pawtucket (104)

Craig Maduro Pawtucket Buffalos Age: 24 B/T: L/R Born: Santa Monica, CA Position(s): 2B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

2) Hipolito Rodriguez - Pawtucket (67)
3) Tito Aoki - Cincinnati (61)
4) Omar Cross - Scranton (52)
5) Keith Ratliff - Monterrey (51)

HUGE TRADE

USMLBAP - The Little Rock Raiders agreed to trade closer Victor Tejada to the Arizona Pumas in exchange for minor league first baseman Kevin Mailman tonight. The trade is dependent on Tejada agreeing to waive his no-trade clause.

Hardball Dynasty's

Victor Tejada

Tejada will bring a great set-up/closer to the Puma lineup. With him, Tejada brings in a 1.76 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .237 ERA. He will be a welcomed addition to a set-up staff who, combined, have a 3.84 ERA. He may even replace current Puma closer, Gary Koch, who is 24-for-30 in save situations with a 4.85 ERA.

Hardball Dynasty's

Kevin Mailman

For the Raiders, Kevin "the Mailman" Mailman will probably spend some time at Triple-A but could very well be called up to the big leagues when the playoffs arrive. Mailman does not feature a ton of power, but with a great batting eye and contact rating, he will be a mainstay on the base paths. Mailman will fit in very well to the Pumas organization.