Boston Clinches

Alex Austin

With about two and a half weeks remaining in the season and two big series at Cabo San Lucas and at home vs Los Angeles looming, the Boston Cardinals found themselves with a Magic Number of 3 to secure the Earl Weaver Division's first title. On the 14th, Jimmy Drake pitched 8 shutout innings, but after Maple's CF Anthony Lewis tied the game with a 2-out HR in the top of the ninth, the game wasn't decided until the bottom of the 11th when LF Alex Austin hit a line drive 2-run walk off dinger. Cabo and Los Angeles both won their games that night - Magic Number: 2

Jim Fleming

Sept 15th was a rough night for the Cardinal bats. They tallied only two hits against the Marauder staff while Cardinal starter Jim Fleming pitched into the 7th giving up three runs. Cabo and Los Angeles both won their games that night - Magic Number: 2

Dave Lane

2B Dave Lane had a big night on the 16th. His 2-run double in the the third along with his run when 3B Miguel Ramos lined a base hit to shallow left represented most of the Cardinal score for the evening. Catcher Matt Sanford secured the victory over Maple with his single to center that scored Ramos. Cabo and Los Angeles both won their games that night - Magic Number: 1

Jorge Rivero

The Toreros and Evil Empire had done everything they could to keep their mathematical hopes alive, but both clubs had the night off and the opportunity to watch as the Cardinals traveled to Jersey for the first game of a four game series. Jorge Rivero was on the mound for Boston on what could be a critical night. Rivero spent three months in the big leagues, filling in for Marshall Hamilton while he recovered from an ulnar nerve injury sustained during spring training. Those three months were long ones for Jorge, as he amassed a 2-5 record in 15 starts with a 6.84 ERA. He was one of three players called up in September to help finish off the season, and is doing his best to win back the trust of the rest of the team. The night of Sept 17 was a big step in that direction. Rivero scattered 8 hits over 7 and 2/3 innings giving up a single run. The home run by DH Will Bauer and RBI double by SS Ed White were all the run support Rivero needed to secure the victory and division title.