The zero that remained on the scoreboard as Boston's Jon Lester kept rolling through Seattle's offense was certainly being noticed in the Mariners dugout. "We were all talking about it trying to jinx it," Seattle left fielder Michael Saunders said. Saunders' bat became the answer to Lester's no-hit bid. Read more..
Ervin Santana wouldn't let the Los Angeles Angels lose more ground to the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. Santana scattered five hits and struck out eight over eight innings, Jeff Mathis homered, and the Angels ended a three-game skid with a 6-2 victory over the Rangers on Saturday night. Santana (9-7) had an 8.05 ERA in his first nine career starts at Rangers Ballpark, but the only damage Texas... Read more..
Their teammate lying on the dugout floor, barely conscious and surrounded by trainers, the San Francisco Giants weren't thinking about moving runners, getting outs, even winning the game. They were praying Eugenio Velez would be OK. The outfielder should be after a scary head injury and that's all that really matters to the Giants, even after their impressive 10-4 win over the Arizona... Read more..
The Atlanta Braves enjoyed their best inning of the season by taking advantage of the Florida Marlins' mistakes, including the fat pitch Brooks Conrad hit for a grand slam. Conrad's second pinch-hit grand slam of the year put the Braves ahead in an eight-run eighth inning, and they rallied past hapless Florida 10-5 Saturday night. Read more..
Cito Gaston has been around baseball to know that some wins are sweeter than others. Through no fault of his Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday's victory over the Detroit Tigers left more of a sour taste than usual. During the game, Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez fractured his right ankle on a slide into home plate and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Read more..
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Team effort lifts West City to Championship glory
After Howick fight back, West City successfully defends its title
LLOYD ELSMORE - It was one of those games for the ages that will certainly grow in proportion with the passage of time.
One game, winner takes all for the fifth National Club Championship. A game at Lloyd Elsmore Baseball Park on Sunday afternoon that had more twists and turns than kabuki. West City essentially had to win it twice.
"That was as much intensity as you've seen in a baseball game in a long time," the Tournament Director said after the three-hour spectacular ended with West City besting rival Howick, 13-9, in 9 innings. "It was incredible. It was really amazing."
West City and Howick familiar foes at Championship
Championship game will be third matchup between teams in tournament final
The 2010 BNZ National Club Championship thus far has been a festival of games played by 7 clubs from all over New Zealand.
Now it's down to one game and two teams from neighboring clubs.
This is the one game that both teams have been waiting to play since the tournament began on Friday, just perhaps, were destined to play all along: A Championship final.
West City up for National Championship title defense
Meeting Howick for the third time, West City hoping to repeat as champs
LLOYD ELSMORE - The BNZ National Club Championship trophy will return to Auckland for the fifth successive time in the tournament's five year history.
West City hopes the hardware returns to its clubhouse - again.
On Sunday at 1pm, West City (2-1) will defend its National Championship title against Howick (3-0) in the 2010 BNZ National Championship game at Lloyd Elsmore.