Power Pros Forum

Don't forget the inexplicable pause in that second to last line:

"Honolulu.................win!"

lol I was leaving the poor voice acting up to you guys to do in your heads.

"He Hit That One But Good"

*Batter hits a soft flyball

"He hits a grounder" OR "That ball was BEATEN into the ground."

September 21st, 2015

Texas Rangers (60-92) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (86-66)

Final Score:
Texas Rangers - 4
Honolulu Gunmen - 7

Just what the doctor ordered: a sweep. As much as I enjoyed the theatrics of late, it was nice to get a relatively convincing win.

Box Score
Win: Cesario Castillo (8-10)
Save:
Loss: Vicente Padilla (5-15)
HR: Matt McCarthy (63), Marlon Byrd (14)

J. Medrano - 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, SB, .293
M. McElroy - 0-4, 2 K, .262
J. Hernandez - 1-3, RBI, R, K, BB, .272
M. McCarthy - 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, K, .293
D. Wayne - 0-4, K, .316
P. Warr - 1-4, R, K, .247
D. Wilde - 1-3, R, BB, .277
S. Bernard - 1-3, RBI, R, K, E, .271
C. Raines - 1-3, RBI, R, .226

C. Castillo (W) - 6.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 2 BB, 3.62
A. Wilson - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 2.62
B. Bridges - IP, H, R, 0 ER, 6.23
___________________________________________

Playoff Race

AL West Standings
1. Sacramento Dolphins - 89-64
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 87-66

AL Wild Card Standings
1. Boston Red Sox - 90-63
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 87-66
3. Detroit Tigers - 78-75
4. Seattle Mariners - 76-77

Honolulu Gunmen (87-66) vs. Los Angeles Angels (76-77)
September 22nd to 24th

The final three games before we take on the Dolphins in a four game series that could very well decide the division. We're two games back as of now, so taking at least two of three from Los Angeles will be key.

Key Players:

Francisco Rodriguez - CP
2.31 ERA, 46.2 IP, 46 K, 27/30 SV
97, C, E, SLD(5), CB(5), CHG(2), Poise 4, Spin 4, Recovery 4, Dr. K, Intimidator, Star
Bio: "K-Rod" is one of the best closers in the game, and also one of the most feared.
Analysis: Nobody likes to face Rodriguez. We'd be smart not to let the Angels take a lead into the 9th.

Torii Hunter - CF
.263/.333/.406, 15 HR, 59 RBI, 9 SB
3, D, B, D, B, A, C, Gd IF HTR, Throwing 4, Consistency 4, Spider Catch, HD 1st Slide, Timely Whiff, Stealing 2, Pr Rain, Aggressive FLD
Bio: Torii Hunter, at age 32, is a perennial Gold Glove candidate who still hits the ball pretty well.
Analysis: Hunter's bat is solid, and his defense is incredible.

Raul Alcarez - RF
.243/.312/.438, 28 HR, 109 RBI, 13 SB
3, B, B, D, C, D, B, Clutch Hit 5, Hot Hitter, Tough Out, Gd IF HTR, Rally Hitter, Throwing 2, Durability 2, Star
Bio: The 32-year old Raul Alcarez has been one of the most popular players in Los Angeles throughout his entire big league career. Perhaps he isn't the most graceful, as his proneness to injuries show, but he certainly holds his own at the plate and always seem to come through when it matters.
Analysis: His average is quite low by his standards, but he's still hitting the snot out of the ball and always seems to knock runs in.

Projected Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1
Brendan Bikowski (11-4, 2.53) vs. Ervin Santana (6-11, 5.28)

We faced the struggling Santana just last week. He held us to two runs, but we ultimately got the win.

Game 2
Charlie Huff (11-5, 3.43) vs. Chuck James (3-3, 5.21)

Chuck James was signed out of free agency by the Angels in Spring Training. He figures to make his 8th start of the season in game two, affording John Lackey an extra day's rest as he battles fatigue.

Game 3
Akinori Otsuka (12-7, 3.51) vs. John Lackey (12-11, 4.17)

Arguably the Angels' best pitcher, Lackey relies mostly on his consistent breakers to get batters out. He was an All-Star in 2014, but he seems to have regressed a bit.

September 22nd, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (87-66) vs. Los Angeles Angels (76-77)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 4
Los Angeles Angels - 7

This was a well-fought game until the Angels put up three in the eighth off of Viet Trieu and Mike Colyer. Brendan Bikowski got knocked around quite a bit too, allowing twelve hits in just five innings.

Luckily for us, the Dolphins lost as well, so we remain two games back.

Box Score
Win: Justin Speier (5-6)
Save: Francisco Rodriguez (31)
Loss: Viet Trieu (3-3)
HR: Maicer Izturis (16), Derek Wayne (21), Steve Bernard (13)

J. Medrano - 4-5, 2B, R, SB, .297
M. McElroy - 0-5, .260
J. Hernandez - 2-4, 2 2B, RBI, R, .273
M. McCarthy - 2-4, RBI, .295
D. Wayne - 1-4, HR, RBI, R, K, .316
P. Warr - 0-4, K, .245
D. Wilde - 1-4, .277
S. Bernard - 1-4, HR, RBI, R, .271
C. Raines - 0-4, K, .224

B. Bikowski - 5 IP, 12 H, 4 ER, 4 K, 2.66
P. Casey - IP, H, 0 ER, 5.23
V. Trieu (L) - IP, 2 H, 2 ER, K, 2.73
M. Colyer - 0+ IP, 3 H, ER, 2.75
J. Hampson - IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4.08
___________________________________________

Playoff Race

AL West Standings
1. Sacramento Dolphins - 89-65
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 87-67

AL Wild Card Standings
1. Boston Red Sox - 90-64
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 87-67

September 23rd, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (87-67) vs. Los Angeles Angels (77-77)

Final Score(10):
Honolulu Gunmen - 6
Los Angeles Angels - 2

Another game that was close throughout, this one went into extra innings before back-to-back home runs from Donnie Wilde and Roy Schapp broke it open.

Box Score
Win: Adam Wilson (5-2)
Save:
Loss: Justin Speier (5-7)
HR: Donnie Wilde (10), Roy Schapp (5, 6)

J. Medrano - 3-5, 2B, R, K, .300
M. McElroy - 0-5, K, .258
J. Hernandez - 0-5, .271
M. McCarthy - 3-5, RBI, R, .297
D. Wayne - 2-5, 2B, RBI, R, .317
D. Wilde - 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB, .277
R. Schapp - 3-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, .221
S. Bernard - 1-4, .271
C. Raines - 1-4, .225

C. Huff - 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 3.40
E. Lorrier - 0.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, K, 1.77
A. Wilson (W) - 1.2 IP, H, 0 ER, K, 2.56
M. Colyer - IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2.71
___________________________________________

Playoff Race

AL West Standings
1. Sacramento Dolphins - 90-65
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 88-67

AL Wild Card Standings
1. Boston Red Sox - 90-65
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 88-67

Come on Bernard you should hitting at least .280 and what's huff's record?

He's 11-5 with a 3.40 ERA.

Okay he's middle of the road that's fine too

September 24th, 2015

Honolulu Gunmen (88-67) vs. Los Angeles Angels (77-78)

Final Score:
Honolulu Gunmen - 8
Los Angeles Angels - 3

We fell behind early in this one, as the score was 3-1 after three, but a five run eighth inning led by a pinch-hit three-run homer by Danny Millwood propelled us to victory.

The series against the Dolphins starts tomorrow. We're one game back.

Box Score
Win: Akinori Otsuka (13-7)
Save:
Loss: John Lackey (12-12)
HR: Patrick Warr (25), Danny Millwood (11)

J. Medrano - 2-5, RBI, R, .300
M. McElroy - 2-5, .259
D. Wayne - 0-4, R, .314
M. McCarthy - 1-4, 2B, R, .297
P. Warr - 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, .249
R. Schapp - 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, SF, .227
-----D. Millwood - 1-1, HR, 3 RBI, R, .290
D. Wilde - 0-4, .275
S. Bernard - 1-4, .271
C. Raines - 1-4, R, SB, .225

A. Otsuka (W) - 7.1 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 3.52
B. Bridges - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 4.50
___________________________________________

Playoff Race

AL West Standings
1. Sacramento Dolphins - 90-66
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 89-67

AL Wild Card Standings
1. Boston Red Sox - 91-65
2. Honolulu Gunmen - 89-67

Sacramento Dolphins (90-66) vs. Honolulu Gunmen (89-67)
September 25th to 28th

This is it. We've played 156 games over the course of six months, and the division is still anyone's for the taking. Four games against the Dolphins - four games against Preston - will determine who will reach the playoffs, and who will go home.

We've got the momentum, having won five of our last six to stay hot on the Dolphins' heels, but they still hold the advantage in terms of record.

Key Players:

Koby Caplin - SP
7-3, 2.38 ERA, 87.0 IP, 90 K
97, C, A, 2SFB(1), CB(3), CHG(2), Fastball Life 4, Dr. K, Star
Bio: The hard throwing young righty is one of the most popular rookies in recent memory, thanks to both his fastball and winning personality.
Analysis: Caplin is competing hard with Brendan Bikowski to be the best rookie pitcher of 2015.

Bernie Shantz - CP
3.14 ERA, 35/39 SV, 48.2 IP, 44:12 K:BB ratio
92, C, E, SLD(2), SLV(5), CHG(2), Dr. K
Bio: Bernie Shantz isn't a prototypical closer, but he makes good use of his slurve and above average control to make up for his average-at-best fastball.
Analysis: Shantz has quickly emerged as one of the better relief pitchers in baseball, sporting a good ERA and a sparkling K:BB ratio.

Sylvester Coddmeyer III - CF
.278/.359/.523, 27 HR, 27 2B, 12 3B, 84 RBI
4, C, A, C, D, D, D, VS Lefty 4, Power Hitter, Slugger
Bio: Coddmeyer is an incredible power hitter, and in his younger days he was referred to as "The Kid Who Only Hit Homers". Now, at the age of 25 and after breaking several college records, he is ready to take on the Majors.
Analysis: Coddmeyer has more than broken out of his early season slump and has become the leader of the Sacramento offense.

Ryan Church - RF
.294/.366/.463, 24 HR, 91 RBI
3, D, B, D, F, D, D, Firstball HTR, 2nd Position 4, Pull Hitter, Throwing 2, Patient HTR
Bio: Church started the year on the Mets but was traded to the Dolphins on July 29th in exchange for 1B/DH Skeeter Miracle.
Analysis: Church is having a great year at the plate. He generally plays DH, as right fielder Chico Romez is one of the best fielders in the game.

Projected Pitching Match-ups

Game One
Johnny Rivera (4-9, 3.23) vs. Hong-Chih Kuo (0-8, 7.54)

Greene traded backup infielder Sam Suzuki to the Dodgers for Kuo, I guess in an attempt to improve his pitching depth. Well, he's been one of the absolute worst pitchers in baseball this year, but he's been forced to eat innings as the Dolphins' young starters are on innings limits.

Game Two
Michael Davis (11-6, 3.67) vs. Koby Caplin (13-8, 2.37)

As I've mentioned, Caplin is a fantastic young pitcher.

Game Three
Cesario Castillo (8-10, 3.62) vs. Bill Bailey (12-4, 3.09)

Though he's just 5'9", Bailey throws quite hard, especially for a lefty, running his fastball up into the mid-90's.

Game Four
Brendan Bikowski (11-4, 2.66) vs. Eddie Cicotte (16-7, 2.77)

Cicotte, one of the oldest players on the Dolphins, is a knuckleballer who mastered the pitch while playing in an independent league. He'll do battle with Brendan Bikowski in the final game of the series, which should be nothing short of an epic showdown.

September 25th, 2015
6:14 PM
Honolulu, HI

A little under an hour before game time, players milled about in the dugout and on the field, some of them running around to keep loose. Rainbow Beach Stadium was already beginning to fill up, a sellout crowd making its way into the ballpark and settling into their seats. Since fall rolled around, the stadium was filled less with vacationers and more and more with the ever-growing Gunmen faithful. This gorgeous Saturday night was bound to be no exception.

"Excuse me, everyone, I'd like to say a few words before we play tonight."

All eyes turned toward me as the players circled around me. My face flushed at the sudden attention.

"Uh, well, you all know that I'm not much of one for making speeches, but considering the circumstances, I think it's appropriate. So, uh, here goes. We've played some really good baseball this year. Great, even. We've surpassed everyone's expectations, maybe even our own, and show the world that we're some of the best of the best. And over there, on the other side of this field, is a cocky ass team that thinks they're better than us, and that wants to take the playoff spot that we deserve. But I know, and you know, and the fans in this ballpark know that we're better than they are, and we're the ones who deserve to be playing in October."

Some players let out a few cheers. I smiled.

"So let's get out there and win us some *(censored)* games."

With that, the entire dugout erupted into hell yeahs and clapping. Matt McCarthy took the initiative of placing his hand in the middle of the circle. Everyone followed his lead.

"Gunmen on three," he said. "One, two, three-"
"GUNMEN!"

September 25th, 2015
6:21 PM
Honolulu, HI

44 minutes to game time.

Standing in the hallway outside the locker room, I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to focus.

This is it. We've played each other before, but this time... it's different. This time, everything is on the line.

"Mr. Greene," I opened my eyes to see Johnathan Grey, our manager. "You wanted to say a few words?"
"Yeah. I'll be over there in a minute."

Grey walked back into the clubhouse. I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the speech I'd prepared.

This time, it's personal.

"Men," I addressed the players in the clubhouse as I walked in. "As you are all aware, this game - this series - is of the utmost importance. Three wins, and the division is ours. The significance of tonight's game cannot be overstated. Tonight, we set the tone for these next four days. Tonight, everything we've worked for all season long comes to fruition. Tonight, you all will decide whether we take a two game lead into the season's final five, or enter the last week in a tie. You all have worked hard, earned the right to be here, on this day, fighting for a division title, and a chance at the World Series. Seize that opportunity. Make history."

I paused for dramatic effect before delivering the final line.

"Let's give 'em hell."

The team erupted in cheers.

May the best man win.