2019 Baseball Draft World Series

The 2019 Baseball Draft World Series aka the 2019 Simulated Baseball World Series was the championship series for the second season of the Baseball Draft, in 2019. The 2nd World Series in BDL history, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the Pennant winners from the Divisional semi-final round-- the defending champion Pointy and his #1-seed Performance Enhancers vs. dp4m's #2-seed USA Network All-Stars (aka the ASSES).

The Enhancers defeated the ASSES 4-3 to repeat as champions-- once again fueled by Series MVP Alex Rodriguez, this time walking off Game 7 with a home run.

Playoff bracket
* Amazings defeated The Shaqlot in a one-game tiebreaker (that was definitely not a forfeit, no way) to advance as the #4 Seed

Game 1
Thursday, Novembtwits Sixth

Shea Stadium - Queens, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Easter

Forecast: 37 degrees, mild winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown out by: Jerry Seinfeld

National Anthem Sung by: Billy Joel

Pedro Martinez got us underway in the World Series, getting Billy Hamtilon to hit a fly ball for an out to shallow right-center field. Martinez, though, would struggle with his control a bit in the first inning, as he walked King Kelly. Mike Piazza had his back though, throwing out Kelly trying to steal second to get the second out of the inning. Martinez issued a second walk - this time to Babe Ruth - but escaped the inning with no damage as he got Rogers Hornsby to chase a ball away and strike out to end the inning.

Walter Johnson had no such struggles in the first, getting a 1-2-3 inning as Ty Cobb grounded out, Alex Rodriguez flew out, and Barry Bonds struck out.

This would be a common refrain for the start of the game, as both pitchers were absolutely dominant on the night. Martinez struck out the side in the top of the second - fanning Jimmie Foxx, Tip O'Neill, and Jose Bautista. In the bottom of the inning, Alex Rodriguez got the first hit of the game - a single to center - but was erased from the basepaths when Alex Rodriguez hit into a double play, with the inning ending on a fly out from Mark McGwire.

The top of the third saw a fly out from Hughie Jennings, and two more early strikeouts from Martinez - this time his victims were Johnson and Hamilton.

The bottom of the third saw our first real scoring threat. Larry Walker got a leadoff double. Mike Piazza lined out to first, keeping Walker at second. Martinez laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Walker to third, but with two outs. Johnson got Ty Cobb to lift a shallow fly out to right, and that was the end of the inning, and the scoring threat.

In the top of the fourth, Kelly drew his second walk of the game, and then was thrown out trying to steal for the second time. Martinez struck out Ruth, but Walked Hornsby, with Jimmie Foxx grounding out to the Rodriguez at second to end the inning. The bottom of the fourth saw Alex Rodriguez reach base via a Babe Ruth error with two outs, but Rodriguez was stranded at second as Johnson got Rodriguez to ground out.

Tip O'Neill got a leadoff single in the fifth, ending the no-hit bid for Martinez. After a fly out from Bautista, O'Neill stole second, giving USA Network All-Stars their first runner in scoring position in the game. But, Martinez got Jennings and Johnson to ground out, and the threat faded to black. Johnson had no issues in the bottom of the fifth, getting McGwire, Walker, and Piazza in order for a 1-2-3 inning.

Billy Hamilton would draw a walk to start the sixth, and King Kelly would come through with a double down the left field line, giving USANAS their second hit, and the game its first run, as Hamilton scored easily. Babe Ruth followed with a single, and the swift footed Kelly scored from second, and it was 2-0 to USANAS. Martinez struck out Hornsby, and got Foxx to hit into the inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play, but the damage was done, and the Enhancers would need to find a way to get to Johnson, and prevent dp4m from posting his terrible meme.

1-2-3 innings followed in the bottom of the sixth, and top of the seventh, before the Enhancers got a chance to even the score.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Alex Rodriguez hit a single to left. Alex Rodriguez grounded out for the second out of the inning, but Mark McGwire singled to put two-on, with two-outs, and bring up Larry Walker with the tying runs on base.

Johnson, though, would get Walker to ground out and escape the inning.

The top of the eighth saw USANAS get a one-out single from Hamilton, who stole second to put himself in scoring position. Martinez would get Kelly to ground out to third for the second out, and after intentionally walking Ruth, would strike out Hornsby.

That would be the last batter Martinez would face, as he would be lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning. His final line - eight innings pitched, two runs allowed on four hits, ten strikeouts, but six walks.

Mike Piazza opened the bottom of the eighth with a fly out, but Mark McGwire - pinch hitting for Martinez - laced a single to right, to bring up Ty Cobb as the potential tying run. That potential paid off as well as the potential given to me by a Bachelor's Degree from a liberal arts university, as Cobb hit into the inning-ending 3-6-3 double play.

Jon Stewart went to Billy Wagner in the ninth to keep it a two run game. A Jimmie Foxx single to open the inning was quickly countered by a fly out from O'Neill and a strike out of Bautista. But, another single from Hughie Jennings followed, and Michael Westen sent up Hank Greenberg to pinch hit for Johnson. Greenberg drew the walk, and with the possibility of the game being blown wide open, Stewart yanked Wagner, and sent in Keith Foulke. and, Fouke got Hamilton to ground out, to send it to the bottom of the ninth, still at 2-0.

Johnson's final line: eight innings, no runs allowed, just five hits surrendered, two strike outs and NO walks.

Dennis Eckersly got the call to come in and try to close it out, but the first batter he faced - Alex Rodriguez - hit a double to left-center, bringing up the tying run with nobody out. Barry Bonds hit a ball that at first looked like it might tie the game, but Hamilton settled under it in center field, and Rodriguez was simply able to tag up and move to third, with now one out in the inning. Eckersly got Rodriguez to fly out to left, and Rodriguez stayed on third, not wanting to end the game trying to score a run that wouldn't change the result. And, Eckersly - facing his third Alex Rodriguez of the inning - would prevail here, getting the final Rodriguez to ground out to first, and giving USANAS the first game of the series, and an important road win.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Walter Johnson

Final: USANAS 2, Enhancers 0

Win: Johnson (1-0)

Loss: Martinez (0-1)

Save: Eckersly (1)

The USA Network All-Stars lead the Best-of-Seven Series 1-0.

Game 2
Friday, Novembtwits Seventh

Shea Stadium - Queens, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Eastern

Forecast: 39 degrees, mild winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown Out by: Spider-Man

National Anthem By: Glenn Close

Looking to even the series, and avoid go to the Bronx down 2-0, Performance Enhancers turned to key mid-season pick-up Old Hoss Radbourn.

Old Hoss got the game started well, striking out Billy Hamilton. But, a single by King Kelly followed, and Kelly continued to be aggressive on the base paths, stealing second successfully today, in a contrast to last night. Babe Ruth grounded out to short, keeping Kelly at second. But, Radbourn would not escape the inning unscathed, as Rogers Hornsby notched a two-out single to left-center, scoring Hamilton and opening the scoring, before Radbourn retired Jimmie Foxx to end the inning.

Zach Greinke - also a mid-season pick-up - had no troubles in the first inning, getting Ty Cobb to ground out, striking out Alex Rodriguez, and getting Barry Bonds to line out to Hornsby at second.

Hughie Jennings got a two-out single in the second for USANAS, and he stole second, but Greinke popped out to end the inning. Greinke continued his great start to the game, getting a second consecutive 1-2-3 inning, with Alex Rodriguez, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark McGwire all grounding out.

Billy Hamilton walked to open the third, but was erased on a fielder's choice by King Kelly. Kelly - always the agressor on the base paths - was caught stealing for the second out of the inning. And, Babe Ruth flew out to deep right-center to end the inning. Greinke was perfect through three, though, as he got another 1-2-3 inning, striking out Larry Walker, getting a ground out from Mike Piazza, and getting Radbourn to line out.

USANAS looked to be in business to expand their lead in the fourth. Rogers Hornsby got a leadoff single, and Jimmie Foxx walked to put two on, and nobody out. Tip O'Neill grounded out, but avoided the double play, putting runners on the corners with one out. But, Radbourn got Jose Bautista to line out and Hughie Jennings to ground out, and escaped with the game still at 1-0.

The bottom of the fourth would see Greinke lose his perfect game (Right after John Smoltz mentioned it on air), and the Performance Enhancers to score their first run of the series. After retiring the first ten batters he faced, Greinke gave up a one-out single to Alex Rodriguez, and then walked Barry Bonds. Greinke recovered to get Alex Rodriguez to line out to short, but Alex Rodriguez delivered the clutch, two-out single to center to score Alex Rodriguez. Greinke, though, got Mark McGwire to ground out and end the inning, keeping the score at 1-1.

With two outs in the fifth, King Kelly singled, and stole second. Radbourn walked Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby to load the bases, but got Jimmie Foxx to chase a ball out of the zone, and struck him out to end the inning and end the threat.

Larry Walker singled to start the bottom of the fifth, and with two outs stole second to put himself in scoring position. But, he would get no further, with Ty Cobb grounding out to end the inning.

Tip O'Neill singled to start the sixth, and after a Bautista strike out, stole second. O'Neill moved to third on a Hughie Jennings ground out, but remained there as Greinke struck out to end the inning.

Stop me if you've heard this before - USA Network All-Stars put themselves in trouble with a defensive miscue. Greinke opened the bottom of the sixth, getting Alex Rodriguez to ground out to short, but Hughie Jennings misplayed it, and Rodriguez reached on the error. Greinke walked Bonds, and a ground out from Alex Rodriguez, put Alex Rodriguezes on the corners, with one out, and Alex Rodriguez at the plate. Rodriguez hit a fly ball to deep left-center, well deep enough to score Rodriguez, and the Enhancers had their first lead in the World Series, at 2-1. Grienke struck out McGwire to end the inning.

Pitching with the lead for the first time, Radbourn gave up a leadoff single to Hamilton, and Hamilton quickly stole second to put the tying run in scoring position. But, he got Kelly to pop out, Ruth to ground out, and Hornsby to fly out and escaped the inning with no runs in, and the lead still in tact.

Larry Walker singled to open the bottom of the seventh, but was erased on a double-play ground ball from Piazza. With his pitcher dominant, but in a one-run game, Jon Stewart had to consider pinch hitting for Radbourn here, but opted to send him up, and Radbourn drew a two-out walk. But, Ty Cobb grounded out to end the inning and send us to the eighth.

Jimmie Foxx doubled off Radbourn to open the inning, and Tip O'Neill singled, scoring Foxx, and tying the game at two. Jon Stewart came to the mound and attempted to take out Radbourn, causing Radbourn to challenge him to a fist fight ... before relenting and heading to the dugout, likely looking for a musket. Billy Wagner relieved, and retired Bautista and Jennings, brining up the pitcher's spot.

Michael Westen opted to pinch hit for Greinke, sending up Hank Greenberg. Wagner walked Greenberg, and got Hamilton to ground out, and we were off to the bottom of the eighth, tied at two.

The final lines for both starters: seven innings pitched for Radbourn, with two runs allowed on nine hits. Seven innings for Greinke, with two runs allowed (one earned) on just four hits.

Koji Uehara was summoned by Westen out of the pen. He got Rodriguez to ground out, and then struck out Bonds and Rodriguez for a dominant 1-2-3 inning in his only inning of relief.

Stewart left Wagner on for a second inning of relief, and it looked like a good decision early, as he retired Kelly on a ground out. Then, it looked like a terrible decision, as Babe Ruth hit a go-ahead homer to right-center, and it was 3-2 to USANAS. Wagner struck out Hornsby, and Stewart yanked him in favor of Keith Foulke, who got Jimmie Foxx to send us to the bottom of the ninth, with the Enhancers down by a run, and down to their final three outs.

Westen went to (Notice the foreshadowing here, true believers, the normally reliable Dennis Eckersley. Eck froze Alex Rodriguez, striking him out looking to start the inning, and have the Enhancers down to two outs. But, Mark McGwire laced a single to center, and Larry Walker did the same, sending McGwire to third (and no, we have no idea why Stewart didn't pinch run for McGwire). Mike Piazza then stepped up and sent a fly ball to deep left-center. Caught by Hamilton, but plenty deep to have McGwire tag up and score.

Stewart sent up his other Mark McGwire a a pinch hitter, and after Walker stole second to put the winning run in scoring position ... McGwire struck out, chasing and missing a pitch, to send us to the tenth inning, and FREE PLAYOFF BASEBALL IN QUEENS.

Jon Stewart went to John Franco for the top of the tenth. Tip O'Neill got a leadoff single, and stole second, putting the potential tying run in scoring position with nobody out. But, Franco got a shallow fly out from Bautista and a ground out from Jennings, to make it two outs, and the runner still on second. Westen sent up a pinch hitter - George Sisler - to try to drive in the go-ahead run. But, Franco got Sisler to ground out to the Rodriguez at third, and we were off to the bottom of the tenth.

Wade Davis was the choice for USANAS in the tenth, and he issued a leadoff walk to Ty Cobb. Taking a page from the USA Network All-Star's playbook, Cobb stole second, quickly putting the potential winning run in scoring position. Alex Rodriguez grounded out to first, but moved Cobb to third, putting the winning run ninety feet away with only one out. Davis got Bonds to line out for out number two, and then intentionally walked Alex Rodriguez to face Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez laced a ground ball, just past the reach of a diving Rogers Hornsby and into right field. Cobb came home, and Performance Enhancers evened up the series with a walk-off single to right.

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Alex Rodriguez (2001)

Final: Enhancers 4, USANAS 3 (10 innings)

Win: Franco (1-0)

Loss: Davis (0-1)

The Best-of-Seven Series is tied at 1 game apiece.

Game 3
Sunday, Novembtwits Ninth

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York

First Pitch: 6:07 Eastern

Forecast: 48 degrees, moderate winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown Out by: Jay-Z

National Anthem By: Lady Gaga

After two nail-biting, dramatic performances, this one was ... neither.

So, which would cause the lack of drama? A dominant pitching performance? Or a ****-ton of offense from one team?

Both? How about both?

Three Fingers Brown gave up a one-out single to Alex Rodriguez in the first, but he was erased on a 5-4-3, inning-ending double play.

As it would turn out, "runner on first, one out in the first inning" would be the high point in this game for the Performance Enhancers. We'll spare you the play-by-play.

In the bottom of the first, Billy Hamilton would get a leadoff single, and steal second, He'd score on a double from King Kelly, who would score on a single from Babe Ruth, and it was quickly 2-0.

Thanks to a strike out of Rogers Hornsby and a double-play ground ball from Jimmie Foxx, that was it for the first inning for USA Network All-Stars.

In the second, The Enhaners got a one-out walk by Alex Rodriguez,only to have it erased on an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play.

In the bottom of the second ... the game would be just about over. An Alex Rodriguez error put men on second and third with one out, with Brown helping his own cause with a single to score both runners. Roger Clemens then walked both Billy Hamilton and King Kelly to bring up Babe Ruth with the bases loaded. And it's generally not a good idea to bring up Ruth with the bases loaded. The Bambino unloaded the bases, hitting a grand slam home run to make it 7-0 in the second, before Hornsby grounded out and Foxx struck out to end the inning.

Clemens would manage not to implode further in the third or fourth, but in the fifth a leadoff walk to Ruth and a double by Hornsby finally ended his night, with Jon Stewart opting to go to C C Sabathia. Clemens final line: four innings pitched, ten runs allowed (9 nearned) on seven hits plus three walks.

Sabathia would issue a bases loaded walk to Hamilton, and a bases-loaded/bases-clearing double to Kelly, and it was 14-0 after five.

Kelly hit another bases-loaded / bases-clearing double in the seventh, pushing the lead to 17-0.

All of that offense on a night when Brown was lights-out dominant. Brown tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits, and needing just 103 pitches to get the win.

Player of the Game, brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: King Kelly and Three Fingers Brown

Final Score: USANAS 17, Performance Enhancers 0

Win: Brown (1-0)

Loss: '90 Clemens (0-1)

The USA Network All-Stars lead the Best-of-Seven Series 2-1.

Game 4
Monday, Novembtwits Tenth

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Eastern

Forecast: 37 degrees, Mild winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown Out by: George Constanza

National Anthem By: Robert Merrill

It was a pitching rematch of game one, and fans could only hope for a similar level of drama.

And, they would get it.

Walter Johnson got a 1-2-3 inning to start the game, highlighted by a strike out of Alex Rodriguez to end the first.

The first would not be as smooth for Pedro Martinez. Martinez retired Billy Hamilton to start the inning, but King Kelly singled, and then stole second. Martinez struck out Babe Ruth, but Rogers Hornsby got a two-out, ground-rule double to follow that, driving in Kelly, and making it 1-0 early. Martinez would walk Jimmie Foxx, but retire Tip O'Neill on a ground out to end the inning.

In the second, USA Network All-Stars proved once again to be their own worst enemy. Alex Rodriguez singled to open the inning, and Johnson hit Alex Rodriguez with a pitch, before walking Mark McGwire to load the bases. Larry Walker hit a grounder to first, but Jimmie Foxx misplayed it, all runners were safe, and Rodriguez scored to tie the game. Mike Piazza then stepped up and delivered a fly ball to right-center, and Rodriguez scored on the sac fly. Johnson retired Martinez and Ty Cobb to end the inning

Jose Bautista walked to open the second, but was replaced on base by Hughie Jennings via fielder's choice. Jennings then stole second ... and third, to put the tying run ninety feet away with one out. But, Martinez would keep him there - striking out Johnson and getting Hamilton to fly out.

The Enhancers went down in order in the third, and the only baserunner USANAS had in the third - King Kelly, via walk - was erased trying to steal second.

An Alex Rodriguez double lead off the fourth, and a walk to McGwire put two on. Larry Walker hit into a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with one out. Mike Piazza stepped up, and nearly hit one to Canada, homering down the left field line, and making it 5-1 to the Enhancers.

We'd stay there until the fifth, when Walter Johnson would hit a leadoff homer to make it 5-2, and help his own cause. That would be followed by a one-out walk by Kelly. Kelly would steal second, and take third on an errant throw from Piazza, and a walk to Ruth to put runners on the corners and a chance for a big inning for USANAS. But, Martinez struck out Hornsby, and got Foxx to ground out, and the inning was over with just the one run in.

In the sixth, a leadoff walk by McGwire was erased by an inning-ending double play from the bat of Piazza, while a one-out walk from Bautista turned into nothing for USANAS in the bottom of the inning.

Johnson got a 1-2-3 seventh, and after the seventh inning stretch, USANAS looked to take their shot to get back in the game.

Hamilton - not throwing away his shot - lead off with a walk, and moved to third as Kelly singled. Ruth singled, scoring Hamilton and moving Kelly to third, and Hornsby grounded out,with Ruth retired at second for the first out of the inning, but Kelly scoring. Foxx singled, and O'Neill walked, and Jon Stewart decided he'd seen enough. He came to the mound and ended the night for Pedro Martinez - possibly ending his season, unless this series goes seven. In came Billy Wagner, and Jose Bautista singled, scoring just one run, and a shallow fly out from Jennings didn't bring home a run, either. Michael Westen sent up Hank Greenberg with two outs, the bases loaded, and the score tied ... Wagner got Greenberg to ground into a simple 6-4 ground out to end the inning.

Martinez finished with a final line of six-and-one-third innings pitched, five runs allowed on six hits, with six strikeouts and nine walks. Johnson, meanwhile, ended with seven innings pitched, five runs allowed (four earned) on just four hits.

Koji Uehara worked a 1-2-3 eighth for USANAS, and after Wagner issued a one-out walk to Kelly, Stewart went to Keith Foulke in the bottom of the eighth, and he got Ruth to bounce into a simple ground out and Hornsby to fly out and end the threat, sending us to the ninth, tied at five.

Uehara started the ninth and struck out Mark McGwire, but after giving up a one-out single to Larry Walker, Westen went to Wade Davis. Davis got PIazza to ground out, and then struck out the pinch-hitting Mark McGwire.

John Franco pitched the bottom of the ninth, and had no trouble, getting ground outs from Jimmie Foxx and Tip O'Neill, and a fly out from Bautista, needing just ten pitches.

And so ... for the second time in four World Series Games ... we were heading into Extra Innings! FREE BASEBALL!

In the tenth, Ty Cobb singled, and then stole second, with the throw from Kelly going into Center Field, and the Georgia Peach taking third. It didn't matter which base Cobb was on, though, as Alex Rodriguez tripled to score him. Davis got a ground out from Barry Bonds, but after he walked Alex Rodriguez, Westen went to the pen, bringing in Mariano Rivera to face Alex Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez groudned out, but it was enough to score Alex Roriguez, and Rivera then struck out McGwire to send us to the bottom of the tenth.

Stewart went to his trusty closer, Greg Holland. He got Hughie Jennings to ground out, and then gave up a single to the pinch-hitting George Sisler, bringing the tying run to the plate. Billy Hamilton hit an infield single, using his speed to put the tying run on base.

King Kelly dug in, representing the potential winning run and a stranglehold of a 3-1 lead there for the taking ...

... and bounce into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Player of the Game, brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Mike Piazza

Final Score: Enhancers 7, USANAS 5 (10 innings)

Win: Franco (2-0)

Loss: Davis (0-2)

Save: Holland (1)

The Best-of-Seven Series is tied at 2 games apiece.

Game 5
Monday, Novembtwits Eleventh

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Eastern

Forecast: 39 degrees, Mild winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown Out by: The Ghost of George Steinbrenner

National Anthem By: Ronan Tynan

Both teams would have chances in the first inning, and come to waste them.

Ty Cobb would reach base to leadoff the game on an error from Billy Hamilton. He'd steal second to give the Enhancers a quick runner in scoring position. But, Pete Alexander would strike out Alex Rodriguez for the first out of the inning. A Barry Bonds fly out would move Cobb to third, but but Alex Rodriguez would ground out and strand him there.

Billy Hamilton tried to make up for his error, doubling to lead off the bottom of the first. King Kelly lined out to short, and Hamilton moved to third as Babe Ruth grounded out for the second out of the inning. And, Hamilton would get stranded at third as Old Hoss Radbourn struck out Rogers Hornsby.

The second inning would see Performance Enhancers threaten - again - and this time come through. Alex Rodriguez singled to open the inning, and after a Mark McGwire strikeout, Larry Walker singled to put runners on the corner with one out. King Kelly had a passed ball, and Rodriguez scampered home for the first run of the game, before Mike Piazza singled and scored Walker. Old Hoss laid down a sacrifice bunt - it's possible he thought Jon Stewart was literally asking him to kill himself - to move move Piazza to second, but it was for naught as Pete Alexander got Ty Cobb to hit a shallow fly out to end the inning.

Old Hoss would work around a two-out walk in the second, Alexander would work around a leadoff walk in the third, and Old Hoss would work around a two-out single by Kelly in the bottom of the third, and we entered the fourth inning with the score 2-0.

Alexander got a 1-2-3 top of the inning, and Hornsby got a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning. Radbourn got Jimmie Foxx to fly out to left for the first out, but Tip O'Neill singled to score Hornsby and halve the lead. Radbourn ended the rally there, though, striking out Jose Bautista and getting Hughie Jennings to bounce to short to end the inning.

Alexander got another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth, and his offense took advantage again.

Alexander himself got an infield single to leadoff the inning, and a single by Hamilton and a walk to Kelly loaded the bases. Radbourn got Babe Ruth to ground out to second, but Performance Enhancers couldn't turn the double play, and Alexander scored to tie the game. Hornsby followed with a single to right, scoring Hamilton, and USA Network All-Stars took their first lead of the game. Jimmie Foxx hit a sac fly to score Ruth, and make it 4-2 to USANAS. A walk to Tip O'Neill followed, but Radbourn got Bautista to foul out to third to end the inning and limit the damage.

Alexander got another 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, giving him twelve in a row retired, and Radbourn got back on track with a 1-2-3 inning of his own in the sixth.

Mark McGwire drew a walk to leadoff the seventh, ending the streak of retired batters by Alexander, and a single by Larry Walker followed. Mike Piazza grounded out, but both runners advanced, putting runners on second-and-third as Stewart sent up Mark McGwire to pinch hit. Alexander, though, got the better of that duel, getting McGwire to line out for the second out of the inning. Alexander would not, though, fully escape the jam, as Ty Cobb singled to score McGwire, and Alex Rodriguez singled to score Walker.

Michael Westen saw enough at that point, and took the ball from Alexander, and called up on Koji Uehara. And, Uehara delivered, getting Barry Bonds to line out and end the inning, with the score tied at four.

Billy Wagner had what was ultimately a successful inning in relief. He walked King Kelly to start the inning, but he was erased trying to steal second, as Mike Piazza continues to make his case as a potential World Series MVP. Wagner then walked Babe Ruth, only to have him erased as Hornsby bounced into an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play.

Uehara worked the top of the eighth with no issue, retiring two Alex Rodriguezes and a Mark McGwire to give him four-up, four-down - two via strikeout - on the night on just fourteen pitches.

Jon Stewart turned it to Keith Foulke in the bottom of the eight, and he came in and struck out Jimmie Foxx. But, Tip O'Neill hit a home run to left, and USANAS lead 5-3 in the eighth, with Dennis Eckersly and Mariano Rivera both warming in the bullpen. Jose Bautista and Hughie Jennings singled off Foulke, putting runners on the corners with one out, and giving USANAS a chance to blow the game open. But, Stewart stuck with Foulke and he rewarded his confidence - striking out the pinch hitting Hank Greenberg, and getting Hamilton to ground out.

Eckersly got the call for the ninth from Michael Westen, with USANAS needing three outs to take a series lead on the road to queens.

Eckersly would give up consecutive singles to Larry Walker and Mike Piazza to start the inning, but would rebound to strike out the pinch hitting Barry Bonds, putting his team two outs away from a series lead. Ty Cobb would ground out, but the third baseman - Bautista - would go to second with the throw to retired Piazza, allowing Walker to score and tie the game. Eckersly struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Stewart went to John Franco, and the MVP candidate proved his chops again. He got Kelly to ground out, Ruth to pop out, and Hornsby to ground out ... and we were once again heading for EXTRA INNINGS in the World Series.

In the tenth, Westen went to Wade Davis. Davis got two quick outs - a fly out from Barry Bonds and a strike out of Alex Rodriguez. But, he still needed to face another Alex Rodriguez. And this Alex Rodriguez ... hit a home run, crushing one way over the wall in right-center, and putting his team on top 6-5, and making his case for Series MVP.

Davis walked McGwire, but struck out Walker, and we headed to the bottom of the tenth, USANAS in danger of losing two-of-three at home, and dropping to 0-3 in the series when they don't shut out Performance Enhancers. But 2-0 when it doesn't go to extra innings.

Stewart called upon the trust Greg Holland. Holland struck out Jimmie Foxx. He got Tip O'Neill to ground out. And he got Jose Bautista to ground out.

And, two days after looking lifeless and dead in the water, Performance Enhancers were taking a 3-2 series lead back home, with two chances to win one game at home, and repeat as champions.

Player of the Game, brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Alex Rodriguez (2001)

Final: Enhancers 6, USANAS 5 (10 innings)

Win: Franco (3-0)

Loss: Davis 0-3)

Save: Holland (2)

The Performance Enhancers lead the Best-of-Seven Series 3-2.

Game 6
Wednesday, Novembtwits Thirteenth

Shea Stadium - Queens, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Eastern

Forecast: 29 degrees, Mild winds, no precipitation

Issuing a leadoff walk can be incredibly dangerous. Issuing a leadoff walk to Billy Hamilton can take you from playing with fire, to dancing with a gas can in the middle of a volcano.

And yet, that's how Roger Clemens opened this game - a walk to Hamilton.

Hamilton stole second, but Clemens struck out King Kelly and got Babe Ruth to pop out. That kept Hamilton on second with two outs, and gave Clemens a chance to escape the volcano with no burns. But, Rogers Hornsby burned him, lining a single to left, and scoring Hamilton for an early 1-0 lead. Clemens struck out Jimmie Foxx to end the inning, and send the Performance Enhancers up to bat down 1-0.

Mordecai "Three Fingers Brown" took the mound in the bottom of the first, full of confidence with his dominant game three performance and already having a lead tonight. He used that confidence and mowed through the Enhancers. Ty Cobb grounded out to second. Alex Rodriguez grounded out to third. and Barry Bonds lined out to first. 1-2-3, and USA Network All-Stars were eight innings away from forcing a game seven.

Clemens got two quick outs to start the second. Tip O'Neill hit a grounder back to Clemens for the first out. Add, Jose Bautista grounded out to Alex Rodriguez at third base. Hughie Jennings got a single to left-center, and then stole second base, giving USANAS a runner in scoring position with two outs. But, Clemens got Brown to chase a pitch out of the zone for strike three to end the inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Alex Rodriguez walked to give the Enhancers their first base runner of the game. Brown struck out Alex Rodirguez for the first out of the inning, and then got Mark McGwire to bounce into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Not learning from an earlier mistake, Clemens walked Hamilton - again - to lead off the third. And, Hamilton - again - stole second base. Kelly grounded out to second, moving Hamilton to third, putting an insurance run ninety feet away with just one out. Clemens walked Babe Ruth, and then walked Rogers Hornsby, loading the bases with one out, and giving USANAS a chance to put some distance between themselves and the Enhancers. But, Clemens froze Jimmie Foxx, striking him out looking, and then did the same to Tip O'Neill, ending the inning with USANAS squandering what had been a 65% probability of scoring at least one run.

At least through three, it looked like Brown wouldn't see them punished for their wastefulness, as he had another dominant inning. Larry Walker grounded out to second, mike Piazza lined out to third, and Clemens struck out.

Through three innings, Brown had faced the minimum, and was tossing a no hitter. Would it be enough to send USANAS to a game seven?

Roger Clemens continued to have some control issues, as Jose Bautista drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. Bautista was replaced on base by Hughie Jennings, who hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the first out of the inning, and moved into scoring position as Three Fingers Brown laid down a sacrifice bunt. Billy Hamilton - surprise! - didn't walk this time, instead hitting an infield single to put runners on the corners with two outs. But, Clemens induced a ground ball to third base by King Kelly, and Alex Rodriguez fired it to Mark McGwire in time, and the inning - and threat - were ended.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Enhancers were being no-hi no more, as Ty Cobb got a lead off single on an infield hit to first base (he must have really been hustling). Knowing hits and runs would be at a premium with the way Brown was pitching, Cobb tried to steal second base, but King Kelly threw him out, and we had the first out of the inning. Alex Rodriguez lined out to short, and Barry Bonds lined out to first, and through four innings, Brown had still faced the minimum - just twelve batters.

Clemens got two quick outs to start the fifth, getting Babe Ruth to fly out to right and striking out Rogers Hornsby. Jimmie Foxx lined a two-out single to left, but a Tip O'Neill ground out left him stranded.

The bottom of the fifth saw two different Alex Rodriguezes line out short, and Mark McGwire foul out to the catcher, a quick inning for Brown. Clemens responded with a quick inning of his own in the top of the sixth, getting a fly out from Jose Bautista, a ground out from Hughie Jennings, and a strike out of Brown. And, in the bottom of the sixth, Brown made it 18 batters faced through six innings - again, just the minimum - as he got ground outs from Larry Walker and Mike Piazza and struck out Clemens.

It was shaping up to be one of the best post season pitching performances we've ever seen. If - and this is a big if - Brown could do it for three more innings.

Roger Clemens retired Billy Hamilton on a line out to start the inning.

He, and fans of the Performance Enhancers, hoped that would be a good omen for the inning.

It ... would not be.

King Kelly hit a one-out triple - the first extra-base hit of the game for either team - and Clemens issued a free pass to Babe Ruth. That brought up Rogers Hornsby. The double play was in play, thanks to the walk. But, with Kelly's speed, nearly any other ball in play would score an important insurance run.

It turns out, Kelly's speed didn't matter at all.

Hornsby got a hold of a pitch and drove it deep. He drove it high. He drove it over the fence in left center, just out of the reach of a jumping, stretching Ty Cobb, and just like that it was 4-0 to USANAS.

That homer ended the night for Roger Clemens. Clemens final line was six-and-one-thirds innings pitched, four runs allowed on six hit, with seven strikeouts, but six walks.

Billy Wagner relived and got Jimmie Foxx to ground out, and after he issued a walk to Tip O'Neill, he was caught stealing to end the inning, but the damage was done. Three Fingers Brown finally had a little breathing room.

In the bottom of the seventh, Ty Cobb would collect his second hit of the game, singling to center field. After an Alex Rodriguez fly out to left, Barry Bonds walked, and the Enhancers had two baserunners in the same inning for the first time all game. Alex Rodriguez grounded into a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with two outs for Alex Rodriguez. But, Rodiruguez struck out swinging, and for the first time all game the Enhancers left runners on base, but for the seventh time in seven innings, they had a goose egg on the scoreboard.

In the eighth, Wagner retired Jose Bautista on a ground out to third, and Hughie Jennings in the same manner. But, after Brown got a single to left with two outs, Jon Stewart pulled Wagner, opting for Keith Foulke. Foulke gave up a single to Hamilton, but struck out Kelly - swinging - to end the inning.

Brown got a 1-2-3 bottom of the eight, getting shallow fly outs from McGwire and Larry Walker, and striking out Mike Piazza.

Foulke worked a 1-2-3 top of the ninth striking out Ruth, and getting both Hornsby and Foxx to ground out to first.

And so ... we head to the bottom of the ninth.

There's no activity in the bullpen. Mordecai "Three Fingers Brown" will get a chance to finish his masterpiece. But, he'll have tough sledding - he'll face Mark McGwire - pinch hitting for Foulke, then Cobb and one Alex Rodriguez ... with Barry Bonds and two more Alex Rodriguezes waiting on deck, should anyone reach base.

Pinch hitting Mark McGwire stepped in to face Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown, who had been absolutely brilliant up to that point.

McGwire put a ball in play, but it was a ground ball to Hughie Jennings, and he threw it on target to Jimmie Foxx for out number one.

Ty Cobb, so far tonight the only batter to get a hit off of Brown, stepped up. He, too, made contact. But, it was a ground ball to Foxx, who scooped it up, stepped on the bag, and the Enhancers were down to their final out. And USA Network All-Stars were one out away from forcing a game seven.

Alex Rodriguez - the 1996 version - stepped up. And Rodriguez found a pitch he liked and he hammered it.

He hit it about 408 feet.

Unfortunately for Rodriguez and Performance Enhancers, the fence in straight away center field is 410 feet away from home plate.

Billy Hamilton settled under the fly ball. He squeezed his glove around it. And USANAS lives to fight another day. Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown had one of the great World Series Lines of all imte in this one: nine innings pitched, no runs allowed on two hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

USA Network All-Stars improve to 3-0 when shutting out Performance Enhancers this series, and remain 0-3 in games where the Enhancers score at least one run.

Performance Enhancers drop to 0-3 in games that end after nine innings, and remain 3-0 in games where we do go to extra innings.

Should USANAS win game seven, Brown will certainly be the favorite to win MVP. In two games, he has tossed eighteen innings, allowed zero runs, given up just five hits, striking out six, walking just five, and needing just 202 pitches over the two games.

USANAS best strategy for game seven might be to pray for a few days of rain. Alas, there is none in the forecast.

Player of the Game, brought to you by Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Three Fingers Brown

Final Score: USANAS 4, Enhancers 0

Win: Brown (2-0)

Loss '05 Clemens (0-1)

The Best-of-Seven Series is tied at 3 games apiece.

Game 7
Monday, Novembtwits Eleventh

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York

First Pitch: 8:07 Eastern

Forecast: 39 degrees, Mild winds, no precipitation

First Pitch Thrown Out by: Jon Stewart

National Anthem By: @xblackout aka Barnes

A leadoff Double by Billy Hamilton had Pedro Martinez and the Performance Enhancers thinking "oh crap", and had USA Network All-Stars thinking "here we go". But, those initial looks were deceiving, as Martinez struck out King Kelly - chasing a ball out of the zone - Babe Ruth - swinging - and Rogers Hornsby - also swinging - to show his dominance and end the first inning with Hamilton stuck on second base.

Ty Cobb got the crowd in Shea Stadium futher rocking, notching a leadoff single off of Walter Johnson. Cobb then stole second base. It was looking like deja vu to the top of the first, though, as Johnson struck out Alex Rodriguez, and a fly ball from Barry Bonds was the second out of the inning. But, Alex Rodriguez came through with the two-out, RBI single, scoring Cobb from second on a single to left. Johnson rebounded, though, and struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the inning.

The second inning brought more Pedro dominance, as he struck out Jimmie Foxx for his fourth consecutive strike out, before getting a ground ball out from Tip O'Neill, and a shallow fly out from Jose Bautista.

It looked like further bad news for USANAS in the second, as a Tip O'Neill error not only let Mark McGwire reach base, but end up at second, putting the leadoff man in scoring position with nobody out. Johnson, though, got Larry Walker to ground out to short, with Hughie Jennings keeping McGwire at second. Then, Johnson got Mike PIazza to swing and miss at strike three, and froze Martinez looking at strike three to end the inning with the score still just 1-0 to the Enhancers.

Hughie Jennings to the third started for USANAS with a single to center, and stole second to again give USANAS a runner in scoring position with nobody out. Martinez struck out Johnson, and got Hamilton to foul out, looking like for the second time in three innings he would escape a "runner on second, nobody out jam". But, King Kelly got the clutch hit to left-center, scoring Jenning. Kelly then stole second, and Martinez walked Ruth giving USANAS a chance for a big, big inning. But, Martinez got Hornsby to ground out, hitting a weak ball back to the mound that Martinez flipped to McGwire to end the inning.

Ty Cobb got his second hit of the game, singling to open the third. He attempted to repeat the first inning, but this time, he was caught stealing, thrown out by Kelly at second. That proved to be crucial, as Alex Rodriguez singled to left - probably scoring Cobb, if he'd stolen the base. Instead, Johnson got Barry Bonds to foul out to left, and Alex Rodriguez to fly out to right, and the two hits in the inning amounted to nothing.

Jimmie Foxx opened the fourth inning by giving a baseball a good ride to deep center field, but not quite deep enough, as it was caught by Ty Cobb for the first out of the inning. Tip O'Neil singled to left, though, and stole second, giving USA Network All-Stars a running in scoring position with one out. Joe Bautista lined out for the second out of the inning, and Martinez chose to walk Hughie Jennings to face Walter Johnson. That decision paid off, as Johnson flew out to left, ending the inning.

Johnson was cruising in the bottom of the inning. He got Alex Rodriguez to strike out swinging, and then got Mark McGwire to chase a bad pitch, and strike out swinging as well. But, Larry Walker would not be a strike out victim. Far from it. Walker connected on a pitch from Johnson, and drove it over the wall in dead center for a solo homer and a 2-1 lead for Performance Enhancers. Johnson recovered to strike out Mike Piazza looking to end the inning.

That took us to the fifth, and after a ground out to shortstop by Billy Hamilton, Martinez would get himself into a little trouble. He issued a free pass to King Kelly, and then walked Babe Ruth as well. Both those runners scored as Rogers Hornsby hit a home run to left field. Jimmie Foxx then made it back-to-back homers, hitting a solo shot to left-center, and making it 5-2 to USANAS. Martinez would get O'Neill to ground out to third and strike out Bautista, but USANAS now had a clear grasp on the game - it's now their game, series, and title to lose.

In the bottom of the fifth, Martinez lead the inning off with a shallow fly out to right, and Ty Cobb grounded out to second. Alex Rodriguez got a bloop single to left, and Barry Bonds followed with a single to right, giving the Enhancers two on, and two out. But Johnson got Alex Rodriguez to ground out to third, ending the inning, and escaping the threat.

Hughie Jennings struck out swinging to start the sixth, but an error by Barry Bonds saw Walter Johnson not just reach base, but arrive safely at second with one out. Billy Hamilton grounded out for the second out, but a single to left by King Kelly, advanced Johnson to third, with USANAS opting not to test Barry Bonds' arm in left field. Martinez got Ruth to hit into a 4-6 fielder's choice, and the inning was over.

In the bottom of the sixth, Johnson looked like he was heading for a quick 1-2-3 inning. He struck out Alex Rodriguez and got Mark McGwire to fly out to right. But, Billy Hamilton made an error on a fly ball from Larry Walker, and the Enhancers had a runner in scoring position with two outs. It wouldn't amount to anything, though, as Mike Piazza grounded out to end the inning.

Rogers Hornsby singled to open the seventh, and Jimmie Foxx doubled him home, making it 6-2 in favor of USA Network All-Stars. Pedro Martinez got a ground ball out from Tip O'Neill, but that moved Foxx to third, with just one out. Martinez opted to walk Jose Bautista to try to set up the double play, but he hit Hughie Jennings in the arm with the pitch, giving USANAS bases loaded with one out. But, Martinez got a ground ball from Walter Johnson hit to Alex Rodriguez at second base. He flipped it to Alex Rodriguez at shortstop (covering second) for one out, and that Rodriguez sent to McGwire at first to get the inning-ending double play, and limit the damage to just one run.

In the bottom of the inning, Jon Stewart opted to end the night for the Laboring Pedro Martinez. He sent up Mark McGwire as a pinch hitter, but McGwire flew out to left for the first out of the inning. Ty Cobb then came up, and tripled to left, and he would score one batter later as Alex Rodriguez hit a sac fly to left, bringing the Enhancers to within three again, before a ground out to first by Barry Bonds ended the inning.

Martinez' final line: seven innings pitched, six runs allowed on nine hits, seven strikeouts and five batters walked.

Billy Wagner was the choice out of the pen for Stewart He got a quick 1-2-3 inning as Billy Hamilton flew out to deep right-center, King Kelly grounded out back to the pitcher, and Babe Ruth flied out to left.

In the bottom of the inning, Walter Johnson got Alex Rodriguez to ground out to second, but a one-out single from Alex Rodriguez followed. Mark McGwire singled, and Larry Walker singled as well to load the bases with one out for Mike Piazza. Michael Westen - trusting his starter - didn't even come out for a mound visit, and Johnson repaid his faith, striking out Piazza for the second out of the inning.

Stewart sent up Barry Bonds as a pinch hitter. Johnson ... walked him! Scoring a run! That would be it for the inning, though, as Johnson got Ty Cobb to bounce into a 4-6 fielder's choice and end the inning.

Stewart called upon Keith Foulke for the top of the ninth, hoping to keep it a two-run game and give his offense a shot in the bottom of the inning. And Foulke would deliver for him. he got Hornsby to ground out to third. He struck out Jimmie Foxx swinging. And he got Tip O'Neill to groudn out to third.

We're heading to the bottom of the ninth. Michael Westen is going to trust his starter. Dennis Eckersly is not coming in. Mariano Rivera is not coming in. Koji Uehara is not coming in. It's Walter Johnson against Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez (with Alex Rodriguez waiting on deck, should anyone reach - along with Mark McGwire and Larry Walker) with the 2019 SImulated World Series Title on the line!

Walter Johnson leans in to face Alex Rodriguez. It's a tough, tough at-bat, and Rodriguez draws the leadoff walk. Barry Bonds works a great at-bat, as well, and he, too, draws a walk off Johnson.

Michael Westen comes out and visits the mound. Johnson assures him ... he's got this.

Johnson leans in to face Alex Rodriguez.

And here are the calls:

Home Call / Performance Enhancers Call

"A-Rod with a swing, and ... THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS ONE. HOME RUN HOME RUN HOME RUN! THANK YOU AGAIN BIOGENESIS! THANK YOU BIOGENESIS! ENHANCERS WIN THE SERIES! ENHANCERS WIN THE SERIES! WE! ARE! STILL! THE! CHAMPS!"

Away Call / USA Network All-Stars Call

"Johnson with the pitch. And .. are you kidding me? Rodriguez got all of that one, it's a walk off winner. What a terrible way to end to a great season. Are you ****ing kidding me? The best bullpen in the game, and we lose on a tired starting pitcher running out of gas against a great lineup. What a nightmare finish. I'm so depressed, I might buy Knicks tickets."

National Call / Joe Buck

"Pitch from Johnson. Home run by Alex Rodriguez. Performance Enhancers - congratulations - you are back-to-back Champions"

Player of the Game, Brought to you by Biogenesis getting a hold of Pud Galvin's Animal Testicle Elixir: Alex Rodriguez (2007)

Final Score: Enhancers 7, USANAS 6

Win: Foulke (1-0)

Loss: Johnson (1-1)

The Performance Enhancers Win the Best-of-Seven Series 4-3.

World Series MVP: Alex Rodriguez (2001)