Mathewson McCarthy
'Major East' Royals lock up American division title

The Mathewson McCarthy "Major East" Royals secured the American division crown as they beat a tough Cardinal, 7-2.

The strong pitching of Rob Paslaqua and Matt Pragel shut down a potent Cardinal attack, limiting them to just two hits over six innings while striking out seven batters. A strong defense led by Rich Schwartz and Andrew Zgoda set the tone with two fly ball putouts in the outfield in the first inning.

Schwartz led off the bottom of the first with a walk, stole second and third, and came home on a passed ball. The Cardinals tied it up in the top of the third as Nick Cieslica drew a walk and came home on Sam Cohen's sacrifice grounder.

Royals' catcher Brenden Chambers made an alert play at the plate, tagging out a runner attempting to steal home to end the inning. The Royals got three more runs in their half of the third. Tommy Weisansal drew a one-out walk, stole second, and came home as Rich Schwartz sent a pitch up the middle for a hit. Chambers then drew a walk before Matt Jungier knocked a two-out shot to the fence, scoring Schwartz and Chambers and putting the Royals up by three.

The Royals got two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brian Bookbinder led off with a single up the gut, followed by Mike Geiger's single to right. Bookbinder scored on a wild pitch and Geiger scored on a passed ball.

The Royals scored another run in the fifth as Schwartz reached on an error, stole second, and came home on Jungier's deep base hit to the center field fence. It was Jungier's third RBI of the day as he held the hot power bat of the game.

Cardinal pitcher Devin Stives, struck out 11 Royal batters over four innings pitched. Teammate Kathleen Ruggiero played well defensively and scored in the sixth. The Royals pitching staff turned it up a notch as teammate Timmy Coulter is on the mend for a strained elbow. Jake Berke played solid at third base for the Royals.

Royals 11, Yankees 5

The Royals erupted in the bottom of the fifth inning for eight runs to beat the Yankees, 11-5.

Until that inning, the Royals were holding onto a 3-2 lead as the stubborn Yankees played solid defense behind the excellent pitching of Landin Murphy.

The Royals opened up the bottom of the third with the first runs of the game. Andrew Zgoda started things off with a two-out single to left followed by a Ryan Czerwinski walk. The hot hitting Rich Schwartz then singled up the gut, plating the two runners for a 2-0 Royal lead.

In the top of the fourth, the Yankees got two runs back. Jack Fitzpatrick drew a walk and came home on Ryan Seyfried's single to right and Seyfried scored as John Huyler singled to right.

The Royals took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Matt Jungier led off with a smash to the left center field fence for a double. With two outs, Mike Geiger delivered the run-scoring single right over second base to give the Royals back their lead.

Royals pitcher Matt Pragel shut down the Yankees in the top of the fifth before the Royals' bats exploded in the bottom half. After consecutive walks to Zgoda and Czerwinski, Schwartz delivered again with a two-run single to left. Two more walks loaded the bases for Jungier and he sent a shot to right that brought home Schwartz and Brenden Chambers.

Brian Bookbinder's single to right knocked in another run with Geiger's sacrifice grounder plating the last run of the inning and an 11-3 lead.

The Yankees made some noise in the top of the sixth as consecutive walks to Fitzpatrick and Seyfried set the table for Murphy's two-run double to right center.

The Royals' Rob Paslaqua earned his fifth win on the mound, striking out six and blanking the Yankees over the first three innings. Pragel finished the last three innings striking out five for the save. Tommy Weisansal played outstanding defense for The Royals as teammate Zgoda threw a Yankee runner out at first from right field. Bailey Kish hit well for the Yankees. Alex Radice did a nice job at shortstop.

'Majors West' baseball

Red Sox 14, Brewers 4

The Red Sox's big bats paid another visit to the Wehrle baseball complex Thursday night, ripping through 21 hits in outpacing the Brewers, 14-4.

Eric Kwietniewski had the game of his life, including two home runs that pounded the fence in the power alley of left center field.

Jimmy Honsberger joined the home run parade with a grand slam that climbed to the top of the fence in left field. Matt Macomber couldn't be outdone and added his third home run of the year in the fourth inning.

It wasn't all hitting as the Red Sox flashed serious leather with stellar plays in the outfield by Chris Mussachio and Clay Tuyn. Tyun pitched a strong second inning in his 2007 debut on the hill.

The Brewers stayed scrappy all game on the strength of a gutsy pitching performance by Cole Bogasz and solid hitting from Alex Senia.

Red Sox 18, Mets 6

The Red Sox proved too tough for the Mets as they pounded out 17 hits en route to a big win.

Francisco McGowan opened the game in style with a solo home run at the leadoff spot. Dante Sparcino's double scored Matt Macomber and Jimmy Honsberger to give the Red Sox a lead they would never relinquish.

The Red Sox scored another six runs in the second inning fueled by the hitting of McGowan, Macomber and Chris Mussachio. Mussachio also held the Mets scoreless in the third during his 2007 pitching debut.

The Mets did their best to stay in the game powered by the bat of Luke Rehbaum, who tallied two hits and pitched a strong two innings.

The Red Sox were too much as they piled on nine runs in the fourth and fifth, including a triple by A.J. Aqualino.

Braves 14, Marlins 7

The Braves spotted the Marlins a two-run lead as Marlin ace Brett Baker stymied the Braves, setting them down in order in the first two innings.

The Braves came to their senses in the third with a two-run single by Richard Patti and a three-run single by Joey Couche. John Carroll (single, two runs, RBI), Adam Demer (single, two runs), Tom Krasinski (single, run, two RBIs), Mark Glieco (single, run, RBI) and Zach Fancher (two runs, two RBIs) contributed to the Braves offense.

Ken Stuber (single, double, two runs, RBI), Brett Baker (two singles, run,

RBI) and Adam Liscavage (two-run single) provided the power for the Marlins, keeping them within striking distance throughout the game. Stuber also played great defense, especially behind the plate.

David Costanzo and Patti combined for a six-hitter while whiffing 12 Marlins.

'Major' baseball

Braves 5, Red Sox 3

The Braves' pitching trio of Mike Keenehan, Steve Zaprowski and Peter Moran held the Red Sox in check for the Braves' ninth win.

The trio combined to limit the Red Sox to two hits and one walk.

The Braves' Luke May had two hits and Moran, Zaprowski, Keenehan, and Patrick Hann each had hits. Alex August (triple) and Dan Sturniolo had the Red Sox hits.

Braves 7, Athletics 5

The Braves were led to their league-leading 11th win by the pitching of Doug Murphy and Peter Moran.

Murphy was called on to halt an early A's rally and recorded five straight outs after taking over with the bases loaded. Moran held the tough A's to two runs over four innings to seal the win.

The Braves' Murphy had a hit and scored three times, Moran had two doubles, and Steve Zaprowski had a hit.

The A's were paced by Adam Panfil (home run), Jordan Honsberger (three doubles), Matt Whiting (two hits), and Joe Desotelle (single).

Braves 6, Brewers 2

The Braves' 10th win was fueled by seven hits by Doug Murphy, Steve Zaprowski (two singles), Peter Moran (double), Steve Campanelli, Mike Losi (triple) and Adam Desimone. Keenehan and Moran pitched strongly, holding the Brewers scoreless over five innings.

Defensively, Luke May, Colin Greenway, Nate Helmick, Patrick Hann, and Tom Frisicaro all played well. The Brewers' Jon Castranova and Greg Wesolowski had hits.