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Two teams lost 100 games: Philly went 61-101 and Livingston was 47-115, which matched the fourth-worst record in league history (Norfolk Ewes, 1999). The Last Placers also had a league-worst run differential of -382. The previous record was -323 by the 2007 Las Vegas Rat Pack ( although run differential stats aren't available before the 1997 season).
Livingston added to the inglorious record books with two individual league records: most losses in a season. Edinson Volquez and Carlos Zambrano trotted out just about every five days, making 32 and 33 starts, respectively, but each loss 22 games.
Volquez went 4-22 with an 8.11 ERA. He had 138 strikeouts in 144.7 IP but also was second in the league in walks, 98. Zambrano was 3-22 with a 7.47 ERA, tossing 168.7 IP, and was 6th in the league in walks, with 84, and only a few more strikeouts, 97. Volquez had the better run support, 3.8 runs per game, versus 3.2 for Zambrano.
 Zambrano and Volquez can look to Newark's Kyle Lohse for inspiration. Lohse endured back-to-back 21 loss seasons for New Jersey (now Hopatcong) in 2009 and 2010, and followed it up with a stellar 1-17 mark for Newark in 2011 (that's 59 losses over three seasons...). Lohse finally rebounded this season for a career year in Newark: 14-8, 3.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in 202 IP -- all career highs.
At least five other times in league history, pitchers have lost 21
games. Like this year 1993 saw two pitchers lose 21 games, Chris Bosio
and Rick Sutcliffe, but they played for separate teams (Bosio for
Charleston, Sutcliffe for Waikiki). Oliver Perez also lost 21 games for Las Vegas in 2007.
ERA: 2.85, Justin Verlander, Hillsborough
WHIP: 0.91, Verlander
Strikeouts: 242, Corey Luebke, Hopatcong
Walks: 118, Francisco Liriano, Philly
Wins: 19, Verlander and R.A. Dickey, Marietta
Win %: .792, Dickey
Avg Run Support: 6.4, Brandon Beachy, Bridgewater
R/9: 8.4, Verlander
K/9: 10.9, Luebke and Beachy
Shutouts: 4, Roy Halladay, Philly/Hoboken
IP: 243 2/3, James Shields, Newark
CG: 9, Shields
QS: 23, Josh Tomlin and Matt Cain, Hopatcong; Shields, Verlander
QS %: .719, Tomlin
Saves: 43, Mariano Rivera, Marietta
Save %: .947, Daniel Bard, Sardine City
Holds: 20, Vinnie Pestano, Bridgewater
Home Runs: 41, Tommy Hanson, Las Vegas
Games: 111, David Pauley, Livingston
R.A. Dickey of Marietta became the first 18-game winner in the league, and with two potential starts on the schedule, is the only starter left still with a shot at a 20-win season. The 18 wins also matched a career high he achieved last year with Hillsborough.
Dickey went 8 innings Tuesday night in a 9-5 win over Sardine City at PETCO Park, his 19th quality start of the season. His next scheduled start looks like it'll be at home versus St. Louis in game one of Sunday's doubleheader. If he wins that one, Dickey would take the mound looking for win No. 20 in the second game of the season finale series at Hoboken.
 In addition to leading the league in wins, Dickey is tops in winning percentage at .818 (18-4) and likely to hold on to that lead regardless. It helps that his Mighty Men teammates give him an average 6.2 runs per game, bested only by the 6.5 per game for Bridgewater's Brandon Beachy.
Dickey may not finish the year as the league leader in wins, as Newark's James Shields (17-10) and Hillsborough's Justin Verlander (17-8) are hot on his tail. With two more potential starts, Beachy (16-5) and Jon Lester of Amityville (16-6) could still match Dickey.
In 30 starts this year, Dickey sports a 3.29 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, with three complete games and shutout.
The 37-year-old knuckleballer was taken 8th in the 6th round (88th overall) of this year's draft, after being left unprotected by Hillsborough in the offseason. Dickey went 18-9 for the Hit Men last year, with a 3.42 ERA in 30 starts, including four complete games.
Ryan Howard belted his 300th career home run on Sunday
afternoon, becoming the 22nd player in league history to get to 300. He's
the second player to reach 300 during this season, with a
few more possibly still to come in 2012. Rowdy's Lance Berkman pelted No. 300 earlier this year and sitting on the cusp of 300, going into Wednesday's matchups, are Hoboken's David Ortiz at 298 and
Bridgewater's Carlos Beltran at 297.
 Howard has hit 14
home runs in 54 games (after Tuesday's win) since coming to Vancouver from Philly in exchange for a first-round pick. Used
mainly as a DH, with some time at 1B, Howard has a line of
.250/.311/.515 during his time in Vancouver after hitting just 12 home
runs in 77 games with Philly, including .226/.315/.412.
In
game one of Sunday's doubleheader, Howard launched a solo home run
after teammate John Mayberry's solo home run, chasing Marietta starter
David Price in the fourth inning for this 300th. The Fisters ultimately
fell, 9-7, to the Mighty Men.
 Roy Halladay pitched a complete game shutout Sunday afternoon, breaking a tie with Kevin Brown for fourth place all-time in complete games. The righthander now has 71 complete games, trailing only future Hall of Famers Roger Clemens (84), Curt Schilling (87) and Greg Maddux (104). It also was his 22nd career shutout, putting him within two of Brown for second and within 10 of Maddux, the all-time leader with 32 shutouts.
Halladay went the distance in Hoboken's 11-0 thrashing of Sardine City on Sunday, limiting the Straphangers to four hits while striking out five and walking two. It was his first shutout and second complete as a Cutter, improving to 5-4 in 11 starts with a 4.62 ERA since being shipped from Philly, along with a 6th rounder, in exchange for Giancarlo Stanton. Combined, Halladay is now 14-8 with a 3.24 ERA, including seven complete games (second only to James Shields of Newark with nine) and three shutouts.
Amityville and Vancouver took a 0-0 tie into extra innings yesterday, with Amityville prevailing after 12. Zack Greinke took his perfect record into the game and delivered an incredible performance - 9 innings, 3 hits, 12 strikeouts, but got the shaft anyway. His opponent, Anibal Sanchez held Vancouver to just 1 hit over 8 innings, while striking out 6. The game finally ended when Brandon Phillips hit an easy comebacker to pitcher Ronald Belisario, who bobbled the ball and allowed Miguel Tejada to score from third base. The loss knocked Vancouver out of first place (by percentage points) as Blue Ridge toppled Marietta 3-1. Gavin Floyd pitched 7.2 strong innings, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 9. The teams are tied in the standings, but Vancouver has played 2 more games and is .002 percentage points behind Blue Ridge. It is the first time in franchise history that the Bombers have been in first this late in the season. Bridgewater also took advantage of Vancouver's loss, pounding Hoboken 15-4. Matt Garza was charged with 13 earned runs in 6 innings, while the Bridgewater staff racked up 17 strikeouts. Ryan Zimmerman and Felipe Lopez each had 3 RBIs for the Mallers. James Shields made a spot start for Newark and earned the win - his first of the year. Shields held Hillsborough to 3 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 7 in 7 innings. Only a few more days until the All-Star Break - if you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for?
So it looks like it should be a pretty good matchup this year between the Mighty Men of Marietta and Newark Sugar Bears. As we already noted this is a rematch of the 2007 World Series, but how did the two stack up against each other this season? Although Newark holds the home field advantage, the Mighty Men actually won the season series between the two 7 games to 6. The teams split the 6 games in Marietta, but the Mighty Men won 4 out of 7 in Newark. Hillsborough already proved that the Sugar Bears are vulnerable at home, so this is good news for the Mighty Men's chances. Newark outscored the Mighty Men in total runs in the 13 games, but it was only by one run - 69-68. The Sugar Bears won their first two meetings against the Mighty Men way back in March, but the Mighty Men took game three. The three games had a series sandwiched in between, so game three was actually played 4 days after game 2, allowing the Mighty Men to face James Shields twice in three games. Shields was on the reserve roster for Newark, so it's doubtful that they'll see him in the Series. The next series between the two took place in April, and Newark seemed to pounce all over the Mighty Men with a 9-0 game one. But, the Mighty Men won an extra innings game in game two (another Shields start) and rode the momentum to take game 3. The series was now deadlocked at 3-3 with the remaining games to be played in Newark. Newark finally hosted the Mighty Men in the beginning of June, but got swept as the Sugar Bears stubbornly sent out James Shields for game one once again. Toward the end of July, the two played a two-game set. Marietta took the first game in extra innings once again, while the Sugar Bears won the second. Shields amazingly did not pitch in the series. The most recent two games were played in August and Newark took both games, including an extra inning 10-9 slugfest. Going into the World Series, Newark has the momentum in their matchups with the Mighty Men, winning their last 3 games in head-to-head battle.
Just about 2 weeks remains in the season, that means we'll probably have about two more weeks worth of awards to give out. This week, a box of Maria Guerreros goes out to Arkansas' Ryan Ludwick, our JR Cigars Smokin' Batter of the Week. Ludwick's Arkansas Falcons have turned on the heat this week and closed to within 1 1/2 games of the wild card. For the week, Ludwick batted .407/.529/.852 with 3 homers, 11 runs scored, and 6 RBIs. Other contenders for some stogies this week: Newark's Manny Ramirez (.452/.500/.613, 10 RBIs) and Chipper Jones (.462/.529/.538, 7 R), and Philly's Mark Teixeira (.393/.541/.750, 7 R). Newark clinched their 9th consecutive Hanover Division title over the weekend. Leading the way is their clutch pitching staff. Chien-Ming Wang won his 21st game Friday and Joey Devine is in the driver's seat for the Eckersley Award. But this week's What Stormtroopers do on their Day Off Pitcher of the Week Award goes to James Shields. Shields won both his starts this week, while giving up only one run on 9 hits and 5 walks in 16 innings (0.56 ERA and 0.67 WHIP). Shields also struck out 15 batters and pitched a complete game shutout against D.C. Other top pitchers: D.C.'s Todd Wellemeyer (1-0, 2.77, 1.23), Amityville's Armando Galarraga (2-0, 1.98, 0.95) and Jamie Moyer (1-0, 2.08, 0.87), Marietta's John Danks (1-0, 1.06, 0.59), Philly's Matt Cain (2-0, 1.32, 1.10), and Sardine City's Cole Hamels (2-0, 1.29, 1.07). Another pitcher of note, Las Vegas' Tim Lincecum went 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA this week and improved his record to 18-2.
With a playoff spot already locked up, the Newark Sugar Bears have their sights set on the Hanover Division. Yesterday's 6-0 blanking of D.C. was their 8th win in a row, giving them a magic number of 7 to clinch the division. James Shields held the O-Bombers to only 5 hits and 3 walks in gaining his 12th win of the year. Manny Ramirez (3) and Jack Cust (2) drove in 5 of the 6 runs for Newark. Meanwhile, nothing much changed in the Morris Division. Carolina dropped an 8-7 decision to Vancouver and Hillsborough was shellacked by Arkansas 14-4, so the Cats remain 2 games out of first. Philly edged Blue Ridge 6-4 to remain 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. The Falcons' win evens their record up at 72-72, but they remain 5 games out of 6th. John Danks improved to 17-6 on the season and Mariano Rivera saved his 29th in a 3-2 Mighty Men victory over Hoboken. Danks held the Cutters to 4 hits in 8.2 innings, allowing only 2 runs (1 earned) and striking out 6. Aaron Cook, who went the distance, pitched well as well, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs in his 8 innings of work, but ended up with a hard loss.
Vancouver and Newark take it to the field one last time to decide the 2008 DMBL Champion. Newark will send "Big Game" James Shields to the mound for the third time this series. Shields was destroyed in game one in the Cereal Bowl, but earned the win in game 4 in Vancouver (despite giving up 5 runs in 6 innings). Meanwhile, Rich Hill will make his first start of the postseason. Hill, who only made 10 starts all season - including 3 starts against Newark - earned this start with three solid appearances in the final round. Hill was not even on the active roster in the series against Las Vegas, but manager Darren Daulton thought he would be more of an asset against the Sugar Bears than veteran Greg Maddux. In Hill's first appearance, he earned a 4-inning save in Vancouver's 13-5 rout in game 1, allowing only one hit. Hill pitched again in game 4, making a key strikeout to end a Sugar Bear rally, but giving up a solo home run the next inning. Finally, Hill pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in game 5, allowing one hit and striking out 4. Hill is notorious for not being economical with his pitches, so Chad Billingsley and Zack Greinke are prepared to go if Hill appears to falter.
Well today starts the series between Philadelphia and Newark at the Cereal Bowl. Newark sends James Shields to the mound while the Animals counter with Johan Santana. Newark owns the season series between the two teams, taking 7 of 12, including a 3-game sweep the last time the two met in Philly. The Animals actually split the series in Newark, winning 3 of the 6 games they played there. Santana will be relied on heavily in this Game 1. In three starts against Newark this season, Johan has gone 2-0 with a 3.78 ERA in 16.2 innings with a scary 1.68 WHIP and 25 strikeouts. Shields has played in two games against the Animals, but hasn't made it out of the third inning in either start - both times leaving with various injuries. Check out the latest edition of This Week in the DMBL for Zane's picks for top hitter and pitcher of the week as well as a detailed recap of the first round.
Erik Bedard pitched a gem for the Rat Pack (7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 1 BB), but felt some discomfort in his arm after the game. Pitching coach Sam "Mayday" Malone said that Bedard had probably injured it the previous night when he was playing Guitar Hero til 3:00 AM. Bedard will be lost for about a month, or until he beats the game at "expert" level. Meanwhile, the Rats' rivals lost pitcher James Shields again, shortly after returning from the disabled list. Shields only managed to get through four painful innings before giving way to the bullpen and will probably miss 2-3 starts. In a postgame interview, Shields admits that he may retire. "If Garretson goes, I don't wanna play either" said Shields. "He's my inspiration. I named my son after him." The team psychiatrist is trying to work Shields through the problem, though a restraining order has been filed with Newark's courts. Marietta shocked Vancouver with a 6-3 victory, despite the Fist's ace Jake Peavy starting the game. Peavy was roughed up for 5 runs in 7 innings as Josh Hamilton smacked 2 homers in the game. The loss snapped Vancouver's 5-game winning streak. Tampa Bay celebrated the return of their owner with a 5-1 victory over D.C. Andy Pettitte won his 10th of the season and James Loney was 2-3 with a home run and 2 RBIs. Plunker owner Bill Levesque, who had been M.I.A. for the better part of the month and assumed dead, made a triumphant return after being held captive. Levesque, half of his face mysteriously burned off, had a mad look in his eye as he stepped into the team's dugout prior to the game to give a motivational speech.
Matt Cain is at it again. In his last start - his first since his return from the DL - Cain pitched a 2-hit shutout. Yesterday, Cain again held his opponent scoreless in 7.2 innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 10. This time it was the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen, who lost the match 4-0. Cain will try to extend his shutout streak Monday against Blue Ridge. The win was Philadelphia's ninth straight. James Shields and the Sugar Bears exacted revenge for their loss in yesterday's slugfest by routing the Rat Pack 16-1 yesterday. Shields went the distance, yielding an unearned run and striking out 10. Meanwhile Rat starter Chris Young was shelled, surrendering 15 runs (9 earned) on 17 hits in 4.2 innings. Tampa Bay dealt Hoboken their 6th straight loss as Mark Buehrle pitched 6 strong innings (3 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) and Brian Roberts was 3-5. Tampa Bay padded their lead for the final wild card slot, but the Cutters fell deeper and are now only 1/2 game ahead of Team Buddah for 13th place overall.
Newark got their revenge for the Cutters' audacity with a 10-0 shellacking. James Shields pitched a complete game, 3-hit masterpiece, in which he struck out 12 and walked only one. Jack Cust and Nick Swisher each had 3 RBIs and Chipper Jones was 3-5, raising his league leading average to .395. Todd Helton was 2-3 with 4 runs scored, a homer and a triple and Chase Utley went 2-3 with 4 RBIs to lead Vancouver to a 12-0 slapdown of D.C. Ben Sheets went the distance, holding D.C. to 5 hits and winning for only the second time all season. Meanwhile Las Vegas and Tampa Bay duelled it out to a 2-1 final. The Plunkers were winning 1-0 for much of the game, but Matt Holliday and Frank Thomas hit back-to-back home runs to give the Rats a 2-1 lead. The Rats held the Plunkers to 4 hits in the game.
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Zambrano and Volquez can look to Newark's Kyle Lohse for inspiration. Lohse endured back-to-back 21 loss seasons for New Jersey (now Hopatcong) in 2009 and 2010, and followed it up with a stellar 1-17 mark for Newark in 2011 (that's 59 losses over three seasons...). Lohse finally rebounded this season for a career year in Newark: 14-8, 3.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in 202 IP -- all career highs.
