The 2020 MLB season has reached the midway point, and two teams with Aussies sit atop their divisions five weeks in.
The final scheduled day of the regular season is 27 September, so there's a few weeks to go as teams battle for playoff positions in an unforgettable year. LIAM HENDRIKS The West Australian picked up his second win of the season but more importantly, added two to his save tally which sees him outright first among MLB pitchers with 10 saves. On Friday, 21 August, Hendriks entered Oakland’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at the top of the ninth with the Athletics leading 5-3. Although he initially gave up a single to lead-off batter Anthony Rendon, he struck out Brian Goodwin before flyouts to right field and centre field from Albert Puljols and Jo Adell ended the game, giving Hendriks' his ninth save and boosting Oakland to a 19-8 record. Earlier, a three-run first-inning allowed Oakland to gain control from the start, Marcus Semien hitting a ball over the fence before a Stephen Piscotty double scored two more. Despite the Angels nailing back a run in the fifth, Oakland made nice work of the bottom half of that frame with two more, although those runs would be cancelled due to the Angels’ two at the top of the sixth. The 31-year-old Hendriks had a day’s rest before collecting his second win of the season in a tight affair against the Angels. A scoreless 10th inning paved the way for Oakland to claim a walk-off victory on Sunday, 23 August with Hendriks needing just 11 pitches to get the job done on the mound while stopping the runner on second from scoring. Hendriks retired all three batters, making his way back from a 3-1 count to Jason Castro before he popped up and was caught in foul territory. Andrelton Simmons grounded and David Fletcher lined out straight to right field. There was a runner on second in the bottom of the 10th and Matt Chapman's single advanced him to third before a Mark Canha sacrifice fly to centre field allowed the winning run to come home. As a result of this win, Oakland became the first team in the American League to record 20 wins. This marked their fifth win in five extra-inning games this season. The A’s were victorious against the Angels even without a home run, snapping a 0-5 streak when homerless this season. In another exciting element to Hendriks’ week, the right-hander secured his 10th save of the season against Texas on Wednesday, 26 August, a result that sees him atop the saves among the MLB. The save came as a result of Oakland’s 3-1 win over the Rangers where Hendriks took 17 pitches and punched out two – Joey Gallo looking and Todd Frazier swinging – before forcing Nick Solak to ground out. Texas got out to an early one-run lead due to an error as the third inning came to an end but Oakland was able to pick things up at the top of the sixth when Piscotty claimed an RBI single, Marcus Semien crossing home. A wild pitch from Luis Garcia allowed Ramon Laureano to score and double the Athletics lead. Piscotty was later involved in another A’s run, scoring at the top of the eighth after a bases-loaded hit by pitch on Robbie Grossman. The save result takes Hendriks’ ERA to 1.10, allowing just two earned runs this season from 16.1 innings. Oakland’s game against Texas on Friday, 28 August is postponed - to be made up on Sunday, 13 September - as the A’s look forward to staying in Texas but travel to Houston for a three-game series against the Astros from tomorrow. As the leaders in the American League West, Oakland rounds out the week in Seattle with a three-game series against the Mariners. Follow Oakland’s season on the official MLB website here. LEWIS THORPE Although Victorian Lewis Thorpe was optioned to the Twins Alternate Training Site last week, his training continues as he looks for another shot on baseball's biggest stage. He remains on the Twins 40-man roster and could be available for a return to the Majors at some time this season. Thorpe pitched in six games this season, even getting the start against Pittsburgh on Monday, 3 August. Across his first two games against Chicago and Cleveland, Thorpe retained a 0.00 ERA from 4.2 innings, giving up just a few hits. His game against the Pirates saw his ERA increase to 3.12, although he secured three strikeouts in a four-inning effort. Unfortunately, Thorpe's ERA grew to almost double on the back of a three-run outing that produced no outs. Thorpe's ERA dipped in the following game on Wednesday, 12 August after two scoreless innings but he struggled through another rough outing one week later, striking out three with four runs allowed on six hits and three walks. Overall, the left-hander has pitched 14.2 innings in six games with 20 hits, 10 runs and nine strikeouts with an ERA of 6.14. The Twins won their series against Kansas City and took out the opening game against Cleveland but dropped the final two. Despite back-to-back losses the Twins are still paced first with a 20-12 record in the American League Central division. Minnesota's game against Detroit was postponed until tomorrow with a double-header set for Friday and another two games across the weekend. The Twins start a three-game series with the White Sox on Monday before hosting the Tigers at home next Friday. For up-to-date schedules, scores and live action from the Twins, visit the official MLB website here. MLB ON KAYO If you’re wondering where to watch MLB, Kayo has you covered with some of the biggest games streamed live each week. In addition to MLB Strikezone showings, the Australian sports streaming service has the following lineup for games this next week:
New to Kayo? Sign up for a free 14-day trial HERE. Welcome to another season of Blackducks baseball.
After a great last season with the addition of a women’s team and two teams making finals appearances, we are excited about the new upcoming season. Pre-season training will commence on Wednesday the 26th August at Charlie Hodder Field. We have a rich history going back to 1947 with many State league titles (11) alongside a talented junior club that has produced great talent over the years. This year we have a very experienced coaching staff led by Arnie Noel as head coach along with new batting cages under lights at our home ground Charlie Hodder Field to enhance training sessions and game days. We are supported greatly by our fantastic sponsors that can be found on our new website which is now up and running with all the information and links provided on it - swandistrictsbc.com.au Last seasons teams were - State league 1 State league 2 State league 3 C grade Women’s Additional grades can be added depending on registration numbers. Register now and we look forward to seeing you down at the pond. Andrew Murray Club President As a reminder, nominations are now open for the 2020/21 Women's Super League through 30 September. We encourage all players whose contract expired at the end of last season to renominate, plus all age eligible players who did not play in last year's program to consider raising their hand to be part of the upcoming season.
The 2020/21 program will see some exciting changes which will improve the outcomes and enjoyment of all players, including:
In addition, team merchandise is now available to purchase from the WSL Webstore hosted by Fielders Choice or in-store at the Orrrong Road shop. Further information is available HERE including the nomination portal and information for marquee players wishing to be signed by teams. Make sure to nominate before the end of September if you are interested. The first four weeks of the 2020 MLB season have been massive, with two Aussies making our country proud on baseball’s biggest stage. WA’s Liam Hendriks has notched his eighth save as the go-to closer for the Oakland Athletics, while fellow Aussie Lewis Thorpe has been working hard on the mound for the Minnesota Twins.
LIAM HENDRIKS Liam Hendriks and the Oakland Athletics are sitting first in the American League West with a 18-8 record. Hendriks picked up three more saves from as many games, taking his tally to eight for season, now an equal MLB-leading amount. Hendriks entered the game in the 10th inning against San Francisco on Saturday, 15 August and struck out all three batters as the Athletics produced a remarkable comeback win. Oakland had some strong offensive work at the top of the ninth, scoring five runs to make it an even ballgame and holding off the Giants to take the game to extras. Hendriks did not appear affected by the Giants runner on second under MLB's extra-innings rules for 2020, letting his fastball do the damage as the A's completed an 8-7 win. The West Australian blew a fastball past lead-off hitter Brandon Belt as the Giants were unable to advance the runner, before the closer struck out Mauricio Dubon for the second out. The right-hander then got Mike Yastrzemski to strike out swinging on a ball out of the zone, completing the wild comeback win for Oakland. Oakland, which trailed 6-0 after four innings, relied on Stephen Piscotty's grand slam at the top of the ninth to make it a 7-all game. Matt Olsen's seventh homer of the season was the first run scored in that frame for the A's while it was a sacrifice fly from Mark Canha at the top of the 10th that saw Oakland with the go-ahead run, Chapman the one to score from second. It was a similar story the day after on Sunday, 16 August with the Athletics beating the Giants 7-6 after another late-inning barrage of runs - four at the top of the ninth - to take the lead. Hendriks took three pitches to claim the first two outs of the final frame, Hunter Pence grounding out on the first pitch before Brandon Crawford flew out to right field. Pinch-hitter Alex Dickerson was walked but was stuck at first as Mauricio Dubon popped out to Tony Kemp at second for the final out. Hendriks collected his equal MLB-leading eighth save on Thursday, 20 August as Oakland extended its home winning streak to seven in a 4-1 win over Arizona. The 31-year-old retired all three batters he faced at Oakland Coliseum, taking just 15 pitches to achieve the final three outs, including striking out Kole Calhoun. Eduardo Escobar flew out to left field while Nick Ahmed grounded out to finish off the game. Hendriks followed up on a strong start from Jesus Luzardo, who struck out seven over 6.1 scoreless innings as Oakland jumped out in front in the first on Robbie Grossman's two-run ground-rule double. Mark Canha doubled the A's advantage with a two-run homer in the third. A fourth outing for the week saw Hendriks enter the top of the ninth in Oakland's 5-1 win against Arizona on Friday, 21 August, replacing Jake Diekman. Hendriks pitched the one closing inning, recording the required three outs from consecutive hitters, firstly striking out Christian Walker before Eduardo Escabar grounded out. Hendriks struck out Nick Ahmed to finish the game. The former Perth Heat pitcher's ERA now sits at 1.35 from 13.1 innings pitched. Hendriks' eight saves for the season has him tied with Zack Britton from the New York Yankees for the most saves. Oakland hosts the Los Angeles Angels across the weekend in a three-game series before travelling to Texas to take on the Rangers in a three-game series to cap off the next week of the 2020 MLB season. Follow Oakland’s season on the official MLB website here. LEWIS THORPE Victorian Lewis Thorpe pitched four innings in a 9-3 loss to Milwaukee that saw a couple of long shots clear the fence, prompting his ERA to rise, although the Minnesota Twins are still atop the rankings in the American League Central division with a 17-9 record. Thorpe entered in the fourth inning of the game against Milwaukee at Target Field on Thursday, 20 August. He came into the game when the Brewers were up by three runs and managed to contain that margin from his first inning on the mound. The next inning wasn't so smooth as Thorpe gave up four runs - a pair of two-run home runs to Christian Yelich and Avisail Garcia - at the top of the fifth as Milwaukee ran away with the scoreline. The 24-year-old left-hander recovered well in his next two innings, ending his four frames with six hits for four runs with three strikeouts and three walks. The former Doncaster and Greenhills Montmorency junior saw his ERA dip to 5.06 from his last appearance, however as a result of the Twins 9-3 loss to the Brewers, Thorpe's ERA is back up at 6.14. The Twins optioned Thorpe to their alternate training site on Thursday and recalled Zack Littell. Thorpe remains on the Twins' 40-man roster, meaning he is eligible to be added back to the active roster. The Twins meet Kansas City once again across the weekend, followed by a three-game series in Cleveland before finishing up the week in Detroit next Friday. For up-to-date schedules, scores and live action from the Twins, visit the official MLB website here. MLB ON KAYO If you’re wondering where to watch MLB, Kayo has you covered with some of the biggest games streamed live each week. In addition to MLB Strikezone showings, the Australian sports streaming service has the following lineup for games this next week:
Click HERE to check out Kayo and follow along with the MLB action live. New to Kayo? Sign up for a free 14-day trial HERE. Hi all and welcome back to the Kennel for season 20/21! The committee are looking forward to a fantastic upcoming season and can’t wait to catch up with our Bulldog family. With our juniors, we have multiple leagues that start from the age of 7 to 18 and we are looking to have teams in:
With our senior teams, we offer multiple grades depending on your skill levels. We have teams in:
Our first Registration and Come and Try day will be on the 23rd of August at the Kennel (John Dunn Oval, Third Avenue Kelmscott). Registrations can be completed now on Sportslomo via our link below. To keep up to date with what is happening at the club follow us on Facebook @KelmscottBaseballClub.
Get ready to dust off the glove and bats and get down for a catch up and to train up again for what will be an exciting season! Peter Butler President |
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