The #2 Padres cruised past the #3 Outlawz 9-0 in the elimination game of their semifinal series in the HEBL.  The Padres (16-5) will now advance to the Championship Series versus the #5 seeded Warriors (14-7), who have took home the trophy the past two years.

The Padres capitalized on a key miscue by the Outlawz’s defense in the first inning.  With two outs and a runner on second base for the Padres, the Outlawz dropped a routine fly ball in the infield.  Instead of being out of the inning with no score, the Padres took advantage by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first to take a 5-0 lead.  They never looked back as they tacked on four more runs in the later innings.

Adam Ketzner pitched another gem for the Padres, as he stifled the Outlawz all series.  He only surrendered four hits while striking out 7.  He fanned 15 in Game #1 and 14 in Game #2. 

Bryan Martin (triple, 2 RS and RBI) and Kevin Varitek (triple, 2 RBIs) each had two hits for the Padres.  Mike Sanew contributed with two runs. 

The Warriors are on a roll, and it should be a great series.  The Warriors have knocked the Padres out of the playoffs the last two years, and the Padres have dominated the Warriors in the regular season the past two years … but the playoffs is a different beast.  The Warriors have a great set of hitters throughout their lineup and the Padres have great pitching and defense, so something has got to give.

The location of the game has not been determined yet, but will be announced later on in the week.  Come on out and show your support this Sunday at 11am.

The first game of the semifinals did not bode well for the Padres as they dropped an extra inning decision 4-3 to the Outlawz.

The ten inning contest made for a great pitching dual between the Padres’ Adam Ketzner and the Outlawz’s Beni Zavala.  Ketzner struck out 15 batters and yielded only 6 hits, but the Padres’ offense was stifled by Zavala and good defense.  The Padres themselves only accounted for 7 hits.

Not much defense was really needed when your starting pitcher fans 15 batters, but that is exactly where the game was won by the Outlawz … key mishaps by the Padres’ defense in the fifth inning.  A dropped infield fly and a missed opportunity on an inning ended double play resulted in 3 unearned runs for the Outlawz. The Padres were on the verge of stringing together a few offensive rallies, but were too aggressive on the basepaths and just could not get that timely hit when they needed.  They squandered many opportunities.

In the other semifinal matchup, the Warriors defeated the Piratas to take a 1-0 lead in their series.  Both semifinal series will pick up next Sunday (September 11th).  The Padres/Outlawz will be an 11 a.m. at O’Plaine Field in Gurnee while the Piratas/Warriors will play at either Round Lake High School or Weiss Field in Waukegan at 11 a.m.

The Final Four teams and matchups for the HEBL are set.  The semi-final series are both best of three matchups.  Lose two, and then you hibernate for the Fall and Winter.  This past Sunday, the Warriors nipped the Indios and the Outlawz cruised past the Yankees.  Going forward, the matchups for Sunday, September 4th will now be:

#1 Piratas (15-3) vs. #5 Warriors (12-7) – Round Lake High School @ 11 a.m.

#2 Padres (14-4) vs. #3 Outlawz (14-5) – O’Plaine Field (Gurnee) @ 11 a.m.

Come show your support!

Ok, ok, ok.  First off, I would like to apologize to all of the Padres’ blog readers.  I fell behind on the blog this first year, and was way behind that I was thinking, “Oh %$#&!  What happened?!”  I really have no excuse, but I do promise to be better at it next year.

With that said, the playoffs are here and it has come down to the final six teams gunning for that HEBL trophy and bragging rights.  The Piratas and Padres finished number one and two, respectively, for the second year in a row.  They each earn the right to a first round bye next Sunday, as anything can happen in those one game playoff elimination games … guys not showing up, majority of team hungover, nagging injuries, and even staying up late at night to hang at the party even if not drinking.

The #3 seed in the Outlawz will face the #6 Yankees team.  Not sure what to make of this matchup as many intangibles come into play.  The Outlawz were a top two team for most of the season, but just could not close out that #2 seed as they lost ahold of it the final week.  The Warriors romped them 19-11 in a game where the pitchers just threw the ball as if it were on a tee.  A couple of the Outlawz’ s top players were no-shows in this game that had many implications on the line (Q and Dago, where were you two?).  The Yankees started the year off strong, but were hit by the injury bug early in the season.  They have been regrouping and hope to avenge both of their season losses at the hands of the Outlawz.

The second playoff matchup resides in the form of the #4 Indios against the #5 Warriors.  The Warriors have been on a roll the second half of the season, and seem to be getting hot at the right time.  They do have the experience, as they are the defending champs the last two years and know what it takes.  The Indios started the season off strong, but have struggled the second half of the season.  They will need to get it together quick if they want to advance.

Scenarios:

• If Outlawz beat the Yankees, then semifinals will be Outlawz vs. Padres and Indios/Warriors winner vs. Piratas
• If Yankees beat the Outlawz, then semifinal will be Yankees vs. Piratas and Indios/Warriors winner vs. Padres

The Padres won the hit battle 12-8 on Sunday, but could not push enough runs across to get the win, instead losing 6-3 to Piratas at Round Lake High School.  The Padres could not get the timely hits as they stranded numerous runners in scoring position.  Once again, they fell short to the Piratas in another classic battle.

The Piratas took an early 2-0 lead after the first two innings with the assistance of two Padres’ fielding errors.  Adam Ketzer started strong for the Padres as he fanned the first two Piratas hitters.  The next batter for the Piratas reached on a fielding error.  He eventually scored on an RBI double by the Piratas cleanup hitter.  The Piratas’ second inning commenced with another fielding error by the Padres’ infield, which came back to haunt them as that batter scored later in the inning.  The Piratas tacked on another run in the fourth to make it 3-0.  The Padres’ first threat occurred in their bottom half of the fifth.  Kevin Varitek reached on a single up the middle, and scored on Bryan Martin’s line drive double to right center to make it 3-1.  He was stranded on second base to end the inning.  The Piratas added another unearned run in their top half of the sixth off another Padres’ fielding error. 

The Padres blew a big opportunity in their bottom half of the sixth.  Tommy Shaver laid down a perfect bunt for a hit and advanced all the way to third on the throwing error by the Piratas’ third baseman.  The next two Padres’ batters flied out to first and struck out swinging, respectively.  Gordo then reached first on a base on balls, but the runners on first and third were stranded on another popup in the infield.  A little cheering from the Piratas’ peanut gallery helped guide them to an effective seventh inning, as their bats came alive to score two more runs to make it 6-1 in their favor.  The Padres’ seventh inning looked promising as the first three batters reached on a walk, followed by two singles.  The bases were loaded with nobody out as the Padres’ leadoff hitter Shane Cannon came to the plate.  He could not come up clutch as he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.  That made it 6-2 and the momentum shifted back in favor of the Piratas.  Shaver walked and stole second, and the next batter struck out to leave two more Padre runners in scoring position.

The Piratas went down silently in the eighth.  For the Padres, their eighth looked just as positive as the start of their seventh.  Cleanup hitter Jay Mueller led off with a single and advanced to second on Gordo’s sharp single.  The next batter flied out to left.  Then the suspense happened.  A slow roller to shortstop off the bat of Varitek, which resulted in a nice attempt by the Piratas’ shortstop as he threw under his leg to the Piratas’ second baseman Javier halted play.  Gordo was ruled safe, but base umpire Gus Vela apparently ejected Gordo (which was not known until the completion of the game because Roberto Chico came in to pinch run for Gordo after time was granted by Vela).  Vela must have ejected Gordo without telling anyone in the game.  Worst case scenario, Gordo should have been called out on an illegal slide, not an ejection.  Vela’s interpretation of the rule after the game made no sense whatsoever, as there was no malicious contact – just a legal hard slide.  Javier apparently was spiked unintentionally by Gordo and was on the ground with blood.  It was not known whether he was bleeding from Gordo’s slide or by the tampon that fell under Javy’s pants as he lifted up his pant leg to check the damage of the cut. 

Lee Steffens then walked to score Mueller to make it interesting at 6-3 in favor of the Piratas.  The next batter then struck out, which brought Cannon up to the plate again with the bases loaded.  He flied out to right to stop the rally.  “I’ll take the blame for this loss as I failed to come up with the clutch hits today.  It won’t happen again, ” stated Cannon.

Was it a spike from Gordo, or was Javier hiding something?

The Piratas had an opportunity to add on runs in the ninth but questionable play ran them out of the inning.  PJ led off with a single and Luke walked.  A double steal was successful to put runners on second and third.  Nick struck out for the third time in this game to put a band-aid on the bleeding.  PJ then questionably attempted to steal home.  Russ was forced to throw the bat down, more of a defensive bunt than a suicide.  He ended up popping up to the pitcher Mueller, who ran to third for the double play to end the inning.  That play was undoubtedly questioned amongst members of the Piratas as they argued with one another in the dugout. 

Shaver led off the ninth with his second hit of the game.  Questionable coaching by the Padres resulted in Shaver being caught stealing second.  Some taunting by a few ex-Piratas’ players got under the skin of Bret Macke.  He felt offended by a few comments while he was at bat.  He smashed a line drive to right center on a 1-2 pitch but, as he took a turn midway to first, provided the fans with ”the bird”.  Some more overofficiating by the base umpire then took place, as he ejected Macke for the obscene gesture … which was deserving of an ejection.  The next two batters then went down for the Padres, and the Piratas took another close one from the Padres to even up both teams’ records at 4-2.

The Padres were paced by the production of Martin, who reached base three times and had an RBI.  Shaver and Varitek both reached base three times as well, along with two hits apiece. AK had great control, as he threw strikes on 68 of his 110 pitches. Ketzner struck out nine and walked three for the Padres in 6 and 2/3 work.  He gave up three earned runs on seven hits.  Mueller struck out three in 2 and 1/3 of relief.

Unfortunately, the Padres will lose both Gordo and Macke for their next game as league rules state players who are ejected must miss the next game as well.  The ejection of Gordo still makes no sense and, as a fellow umpire who happens to play in the league, still is baffled and tried to take up explanation with league officials.  A few drinks with the base umpire Vela later in the week confirmed that he is definitely a byproduct of the “Napoleon Complex” and feels the need to be in control of almost every situation. 

The Padres pick up league play on Sunday against HEBL’s league leader Outlawz (5-1) at O’Plaine Field in Gurnee at 11:00 am.

League Scores

• Piratas 6  Padres 3
• Outlawz 13  Rangers 2
• Outlawz 12  N. Leon 4
• N. Leon over Aguilas
• Indios over Warriors
• Yankees over Mineros

Memorial Weekend called for lots of rain and, as a result, the league’s games were all canceled for this week.  

On a good note, the Padres improved their team camaraderie with a bbq and housewarming gathering at Tommy Shaver’s pad.  Good times, good times.

Thank you, Lauren, Elyse and Tommy!

The Padres pick up league play Sunday, June 5th at Round Lake High School versus the Piratas. Game time is 11 am.  The Padres have not beaten the Piratas in four years, maybe five … but this is the year!  Bring your top game, DB.  These Padres are not worried about bulletin board material.

Sunday was a day Leo Mendoza will remember forever as he was dominant in both his pitching and hitting in a rare doubleheader as the Padres destroyed their competition.  Mendoza combined with two other pitchers to no-hit the Aguilas in a shortened five inning game because of the slaughter rule.  The Padres outscored their opponents 46-6 as they beat the Aguilas 28-0, and capped off the day with an 18-6 beating of the defending champion Warriors in the second game of the twin bill.

The Aguilas were unable to make good contact against Mendoza. Mendoza held the Aguilas hitless over three innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out six.

Twenty-six runs in the first three innings helped the Mundelein Padres blow out the still expansion-like Aguilas.  Four RBI doubles by Kevin, Mendoza, Josh Ketzner (2 doubles) and Jake Kubisiak (2 doubles) set the tone for the Padres in the 1st inning.  Thirteen runs were across the board for the Padres before the Aguilas recorded their first out of the inning.  It was not pretty, and the belief is that the Aguilas wished that they had remained in bed in Highwood instead of traveling to Zion to put up a lethargic effort against the stacked Padres’ lineup.  Not only was every batter who played for the Padres successive in getting a hit, but all of them scored at least one run as well.

Bryan Martin racked up seven RBIs on four hits for the Mundelein Padres.  Dale Pascual (triple) and Jose Rocha (3 RBIs) contributed two hits apiece.  Juan Hurtado came in the last inning to secure the no hitter by throwing nothing but sharp knuckleballs.

The Padres stayed hot in the second game of the doubleheader, which was held at Weiss Field in Waukegan.  They looked to avenge their 2010 semifinal series loss against the Warriors.  The game marked the return of Padres ace Adam Ketner (AK-47).  The lefty was shelved all of last season with a torn ACL.  He was a bit shaky, yet effective as the Padres’ bats backed him up with 16 hits and a 3rd and 4th inning onslaught.  The Warriors should have started someone other than Don Sroka, as he attempted to pitch after throwing in the first game of the Warrior’s beatdown of Nuevo Leon.  Sroka last 3 and 2/3 inning, giving up 10 earned runs, 6 walks, 7 hits and alot of complaining to the plate umpire.

The game looked as though it would be a good match at the beginning, with the Warriors taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st after Ryan Gross’ home run to straight center field.  The Padres responded with three of their own in the bottom half of the 1st and tacked on another run in the 2nd to make it 4-1.  The Warriors rallied with three runs in the top half of the 3rd to tie the game at 4.  A ten minute rain delay occured, and then the Padres’ rout was on as they stung the Warriors for seven runs in the bottom of the 3rd and five more in the 4th to take a commanding 16-4 lead.  It seemed as if all life was taken out of the Warriors from that point on.  Each team added two more runs in the 5th, and the game was officially over at 18-6 after seven.

AK notched his first win in two seasons as he pitched 5 innings, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits, striking out 7 and walking 4.  Newcomer Brooks McDowell pitched two innings of shutout relief ball, giving up no hits, striking out 3 and walking 1.  He had all of the Warriors’ hitters off balance with off speed pitches and late on their swings with his fastball.  He looks to be a solid pickup for the Padres this year.

Mendoza capped off his impressive performance with 5 RBIs and 3 runs scored.  Other offensive leaders who contributed and had strong games: Tommy Shaver with 4 runs, Shane Cannon with 3 hits (double, 2 runs scored), Josh Ketzner with 3 hits (double, 3 RBIs) and Mike Sanew with 2 hits, 3 runs scored and an RBI.

The Padres face the Indios next week at 11 am at North Chicago High School.

       League Scores

• Padres 28  Aguilas 0
• Padres 18  Warriors 6
• Outlawz over Yankees
• Piratas 10  Yankees 9
• Piratas over Mineros
• Warriors 13  N. Leon 5
• Indios 13  Rangers 5
• Rangers over Aguilas

* Doubleheaders were played by most teams

All of the games were rained out this past Sunday (May 15th).

The Padres/Warriors game will be made up this Sunday, May 22nd as the second game of a doubleheader.

May 22nd:

Padres vs. Aguilas @ Shiloh Park in Zion – 11 am

Padres vs. Warriors @ Weiss Field in Waukegan – sometime around 2:15 pm

The Padres and N. Leon rivalry did not disappoint this past Sunday at O’Plaine Field in Gurnee.  N. Leon held on at the tip of their fingernails for an 8-7 victory over the Padres on a festive Mother’s Day.  As anticipated, a playoff atmosphere was felt even though it was only the third game of the season as the fans were definitely into the game.

The Padres jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  Shane Cannon led the game off with a single to left field.  He then stole second base, and took third on the error by N. Leon’s SS of Leo Mendoza’s sharp ball.  Mendoza stole second to put two runners in scoring position for the Padres.  Juan Hurtado then doubled to left to score both Cannon and Mendoza for an early 2-0 lead.  N. Leon, however, took the lead in the bottom half with four runs of their own to make it 4-2.  Both teams added another run apiece in the 3rd to make it 5-3 in favor of N. Leon.

The top of the 4th inning started off with Bryan Martin walking for the Padres, followed by Bret Macke’s hard line drive single to center to advance Martin to third.  Macke stole second base to put runners on 2nd and 3rd.  Cannon singled to center to drive in both Martin and Macke to tie the game at 5.   Cannon then stole second base but bad baserunning resulted in him being picked off at second, and the next two batters grounded out for the Padres.  N. Leon tacked on another run in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-5 lead.

Martin walked to lead off the top of the 6th, and scored on Cannon’s deep double over the head of N. Leon’s left fielder to tie the game again at 6.  Cannon stole third for his third stolen base of the game as Mendoza reached bases on balls for the second time.  Mendoza stole second base, and the catcher’s throw to attempt to get him drifted over the head of the second baseman, which resulted in Cannon scoring to put the Padres ahead 7-6.  Mendoza advanced to third on the throwing error by N. Leon’s catcher.  More bad baserunning for the Padres stopped them from tacking on insurance runs as Mendoza got picked off at third.  N. Leon responded with two more runs of their own to take an 8-7 lead in the bottom half. 

The Padres had opportunities to add more runs, but just could not get the timely hitting that they needed.  Tommy Shaver singled sharply to left field to lead off the 9th, but was gunned down attempting to steal second.  Hurtado then reached first on an error by N. Leon’s third baseman’s throw.  The Padres’ next two batters flied out to end the game and give N. Leon their first victory over the Padres in three years, as screamed by N. Leon’s pitcher #69 as if he just won the World Series.

Cannon led the Padres with 3 hits (double), 3 RBIs, 3 SBs and 2 runs scored.  Macke (triple) and Shaver had 2 hits apiece, and Hurtado drove in 2 runs.  The Padres’ defense was solid with no errors.  Lee Steffens had an off day on the mound, as N. Leon racked off 12 hits and 8 earned runs off of him.  He struck out one, walked one and hit a batter as well.  Kevin came on for two strong innings of relief of shutout pitching in his Padres’ pitching debut.  He struck out 4 in two innings of relief, as N. Leon could not keep up with his heat and were fooled by his off speed pitches. 

The crowd was into it the entire game, as they jawed back and forth with each other in the tightly played game amongst two evenly matched teams.  The Padres are GUARANTEEING a whoopin’ the next time these two teams play, as they were not pleased with how N. Leon acted upon the completion of the game.  They were all running, jumping, screaming, shouting, and slapping each others’ tushes as if they won a championship.  That will not be forgotten.

The Padres look to avenge their playoff series loss from last year at the hands of the Warriors next Sunday.  Both teams bring their 2-1 records into play.  This is one that you won’t want to miss!

League Scores

• N. Leon 8  Padres 7
• Outlawz 14  Piratas 6
• Yankees 8  Indios 3
• Mineros 12  Aguilas 3
• Warriors over the Rangers