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EMSoccerCoach · 06-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Idol Worship? Not A Chance!
L.A. throws monkey wrench into New Orleans' playoff hopes
Sept. 5, 2009

LOS ANGELES -- They call it spoiler for a reason.

The hopeful pennant race between the New Orleans Knights and the Memphis Strummers took a u-turn in the past two days here as the Los Angeles Idols, long since eliminated from playoff contention, handed the surging Knights their third straight defeat.

Many had suspected the Knights' current road trip, a brutal 15-game stretch, could be their demise. But after New Orleans won their first game in Charlotte Wednesday night, the Knights seemed to get off on the right foot. However, they lost the finale of the two-game set there, then dropped the opener here when starter Jack Chesbro (9-7, 2.77) couldn't get out of the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Brian Lawrence (10-14, 4.11) threw a complete game gem for Los Angeles to take the opener.

But that was nothing compared with what transpired this evening. Up 7-5 behind a shaky Rich Harden (11-9, 4.21), New Orleans skipper Walter Alston tried to push him through the sixth only to watch Los Angeles tie it up on three singles and a throwing error by catcher Jack Rowe that allowed Idols backstop Cal McVey to score.

Harden was pinch-hit for in the top of the 7th, and would have to watch in stunned disbelief as the Knights' bullpen surrendered 10 runs in the 7th on six hits, three walks, an error and a hit batsman.

"All we have to play for at this point is pride and the chance to wreck someone else's season," said McVey (.282-3-38), who had three hits and three RBI on the night.

Across the stadium, Harden lamented his ability to go deeper and refused to throw his bullpen under the bus. "We're in a playoff push here," Harden said. "Seven runs in six innings is not going to get it done. We scored eight runs. That should have been enough to win."

But it wasn't, and the Knights - who two nights ago came into Los Angeles having trimmed the Strummers' lead to 6 1/2 games - now find themselves 8 1/2 games back after Memphis won in Las Vegas the past two nights. That's not just two games anymore.

It's time ticking away.

06-15-2009, 10:03 AM	#194 (permalink)
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,444 Thanks: 34 Thanked 104x in 88 posts	Idol Worship? Not A Chance! L.A. throws monkey wrench into New Orleans' playoff hopes Sept. 5, 2009 LOS ANGELES -- They call it spoiler for a reason. The hopeful pennant race between the New Orleans Knights and the Memphis Strummers took a u-turn in the past two days here as the Los Angeles Idols, long since eliminated from playoff contention, handed the surging Knights their third straight defeat. Many had suspected the Knights' current road trip, a brutal 15-game stretch, could be their demise. But after New Orleans won their first game in Charlotte Wednesday night, the Knights seemed to get off on the right foot. However, they lost the finale of the two-game set there, then dropped the opener here when starter Jack Chesbro (9-7, 2.77) couldn't get out of the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Brian Lawrence (10-14, 4.11) threw a complete game gem for Los Angeles to take the opener. But that was nothing compared with what transpired this evening. Up 7-5 behind a shaky Rich Harden (11-9, 4.21), New Orleans skipper Walter Alston tried to push him through the sixth only to watch Los Angeles tie it up on three singles and a throwing error by catcher Jack Rowe that allowed Idols backstop Cal McVey to score. Harden was pinch-hit for in the top of the 7th, and would have to watch in stunned disbelief as the Knights' bullpen surrendered 10 runs in the 7th on six hits, three walks, an error and a hit batsman. "All we have to play for at this point is pride and the chance to wreck someone else's season," said McVey (.282-3-38), who had three hits and three RBI on the night. Across the stadium, Harden lamented his ability to go deeper and refused to throw his bullpen under the bus. "We're in a playoff push here," Harden said. "Seven runs in six innings is not going to get it done. We scored eight runs. That should have been enough to win." But it wasn't, and the Knights - who two nights ago came into Los Angeles having trimmed the Strummers' lead to 6 1/2 games - now find themselves 8 1/2 games back after Memphis won in Las Vegas the past two nights. That's not just two games anymore. It's time ticking away. __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 06-17-2009 at 09:55 PM.