5/28 Dodgers vs Yankees

In watching the game in its entirety on Thursday one word continued to ring in my ear almost screaming out to the world. It makes sense, it wouldn't take too long and it would shut up all the VVRCS (Victorville Ribbons Championship Series) debated over who the best team is. Owen, and his Padres position is that they are 10-1 two up with one to play: Champs. Tye's position is he has the hottest team in the league right now and therefore Padres are not the Champs. Who cares, lets take a look at Thursday's reason behind this debate as the Dodgers pummel another opponent and demand.....

PLAYOFFS!!!

GIVE THE FANS WHAT THE WANT.

DODGERS OPEN YET ANOTHER CAN ON THE YANKEES, WINNING 18-8 IN FOUR AND AGAIN RAISING THE DEBATE OVER A ONE DAY PLAYOFF ROUND FOR THE LEAGUE TITLE.

IF YOU GOT A LITTLE TIED UP AT THE STORE OR COULDN'T GET A RIDE THAN YOU MISSED OUT ON....A BORING AS HECK LAST TWO INNINGS AFTER A FAIRLY CLOSE FIRST TWO. ACTUALLY, TAKE AWAY THE BOTTOM OF THE THIRD, AND TYE MAY NOT BE AS RECEPTIVE TO ALL THE CAMERAS AND MICROPHONES CURRENTLY IN HIS FACE , WAITING ON A SOUNDBITE TO RUN ON SPORTSCENTER AND RENEW THE CONFLICT DUE TO YEARS OF HOSTILITY BETWEEN ANDROSS AND MCINTOSH IN THIS 2009 SEASON OF LOVE, THIS NO TOURNAMENT AS PLANNED DECISION HAS LEFT SOME PARTIES KICKING DIRT AND OTHERS SIMPLY SHRUGGING THEIR SHOULDERS. THE DISTRICT 49 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS OPENS UP IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND ORIGINALLY THE RIBBONS REPRESENTATIVE WAS TO BE THE WINNER OF AN END OF SEASON TOURNEY. WELL AT SOME POINT, THE TOURNEY WAS WAXED AND THE TOP TEAM AT SEASONS END WAS TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE. AS OF EARLY MORNING 5/30 IT STILL APPEARS TO BE THE CASE, WITH THE PADRES TAKING THE NOD. THURSDAY IN FRONT OF THE RIBBONS FAITHFUL, TYE AND THE DODGER BLUE DID WHAT THEY COULD TO SHOW THE VOTERS THEY DESERVED A SHOT TOO.

Thru one and a half innings of play, the game began to take on the look of the Yankees loan victory over the Dodgers this season. Players were stealin bases and manufacturing runs any way they could. Going into the bottom of the second the score stood tied at 2. Reggie Lawson decided he explain to the fans how he manufactures runs. With two on and two out, Reggie showed off his power with a homerun which, when you watch the replay appears to have jammed him. Lawson somehow was able to muscle the up and in fastball off the handle and into the trees in center, some 210 feet from home. Reggies league leading 5th Jack of the season gave the Dodgers a 5-2 lead. Saxon Andross stayed on to pitch the third after relieving Zach Barnes in the second inning. Saxon walked the leadoff hitter then struck out the next three in a row, but not before the baserunner made it all the way around and scored when Lawson tossed the ball back to Saxon who, with his back turned failed to see the runner streaking home and scoring.

After two the Padres led 5-3 and it looked to be betting a little bit more serious for the Dodgers. In between innings Andross held the team together for a little longer than usual, whatever he said must have worked. The Dodgers sent 16 to the plate in the third inning. 7 singles, 3 doubles, 3 walks and two hit by pitches the Dodgers had thrown 13 runs on the board and led 18 to 3. The Dodgers took the opportunity to take a look at Oscar Nangary for the first time on the mound this season. Oscar struck out the first batter then got into trouble walking two and allowing two hits which when coupled with Dodger miscues delayed the end of the game quite sometime. Nangary's first appearance was positive, a strike out, a couple dinks that found a good spot and a couple balls that should have been fielded behind him. If just some of that went different Oscar gets the Dodgers through that last inning. Andross turned to Lawson who probably felt it wasn't a big enough game and didn't rely on any of his mechanics. He retired one of the first five he faced, walking the other four .After issuing the fourth, and with the bases still loaded, Andross gave the ball to Jeremiah Lorrick. This would be his first appearance of the season on the hill and a glimpse at the future of Ribbons ball. The ten year old ended it with a strikeout and the Dodgers grabbed another another victory.

As for all that offense, it seemed to come from everywhere. Spencer Jangaard had a single got hit and scored twice.Bljue Mandy singled and scored twice. Christian Moore had an RBI double, Colton Chavez singled and scored twice, Zach Barnes singled and doubled while driving in three. Corey Elder singled and scored. Lawson was two for three with 5 ribbies. Andross was 2 for 2 with four RBI and at the top of the lineup, Lorrick finished the day, with a single an rbi, a stolen base and three runs scored. So good for the Dodgers, now they can look at the blog without fear of their batting averages falling below the Mendoza line (.200) .

So, having outscored their opponent 59-10 over the last 4 games, with spots 2-4 in the lineup having combined for 12 home runs and 49 RBI while also looking outstanding on the mound, the question doesn't seem to want to go away....What happened to having a playoff?

Sorry REGGIE!!! Let Me Make it up to you

With an embarrassing case of mistaken Identity, mixed with an odd Irony, It has never been more obvious how LITTLE RESPECT Reggie Lawson is receiving from not only the voting public, but now it would appear his media is failing him. At THE REPORT, if we screw up, we make it up. So here goes, Reggie sorry for the mix up. I'll fix the pitching Stats immediately. For now, the rest of you devoted readers out there take note;

Reggie Lawson was the winning pitcher Thursday vs the Braves

Lawson pitched 4 innings, gave up 1 hit, allowed no runs while striking out 8 and walking only 2

At the plate Reggie was 3 for 4 with a single, double and a Homerun

Reggie knocked in 3 runs and scored twice.

Below are Reggies current statistics

Dodgers - Spring 2009 Team Statistics

GP PA AB H 1B 2B 3B HR R RBI BB HBP K SB CS SH SF AVG OBP SLG% OPS
8 29 26 14 5 4 1 4 16 15 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 .538 .552 1.231 1.782

Thank God Somebody's Paying Attention Out There

THE RIBBONS REPORT is happy to inform you the public that we made a mistake in our reporting on the Dodger vs Brave Game. We reported the Reggie Lawson went two for four when actually he went 3 for 4 (single, double and HR). As for who pitched Thursday, THE REPORT is going by what is written in the book, and had no knowledge nor reason to question it being correct or not. We will confirm with the official book that it was Lawson and move forward with those corrections as well.

Oddly, THE REPORT has yet to hear from our #1 fan, ET's mom Shaunda. Usually if we miss one strike when Eric's on the hill we hear about it....Of Course that looks like it was a pretty good game Reggie pitched for Turner to get credited with, so now it makes some sense....I kid because I care Shaunda, I really care.

Dodgers v Braves 5/22

With every Dodger at the plate seemingly using the same exact "move" in the batters box, as they pounded out 10 hits including 3 Homeruns while at the same time both Dodger pitchers were bringing 65+ MPH heat over the outside corner on their way to recording 11 strikeouts out of a possible 15 one would have to say they were using

Smoke & Mirrors

Dodgers put it all together Thursday evening as they score 11 runs and shut out Braves to win season series

Coming in Thursday, there were a number of Braves hitters more than confident in their odds at the plate. Leaving the Park afterwards, there didn't seem to be too many. Reggie Lawson gave up One hit over the first four innings while striking out 8 and walking two to grab his first victory of the season for the Dodgers. Saxon Andross would come on in the fifth giving up one hit, one walk and one hit batter before finally ending the game with his third strikeout of the inning on Justin Taranto.

At the plate the Dodgers season long theme continued. Saxon Andross 1 for 3 ,3runs, 4 RBI ; Reggie Lawson 3 for4 2 runs, 3 RBI and Eric Turner, 3 for 4 with 1 run and 3 RBI. Zach Barnes chipped in two singles, Corey Elder had one and....Oh yeah, Saxon, Reggie and Turner all hit homeruns as well. ET got it started in the first with a two run blast off Braves Lefty Johnny Huizar. Not to be outdone, Reggie Lawson led off the third with his own bomb off Huizar as well. In the fifth Saxon Andross put the final nails in the coffin with a mammoth shot off Josh Marquez, driving in three and providing the necessary lead to allow the torture to stop for the Braves.

The other big story of the night was Stacy Springs. Springs was 1 for 2 on the night with a walk and two runs scored. His one hit was a solid line drive, his first of the season and critical as it came with two outs in the fifth, allowing the lineup to get back to the top of the order, bad news Thursday for Braves pitching.

The win insures a winning record for the Dodgers as they sit at 7 and 3 with two games remaining. The Tye Andross led squad has done an amazing turn around from the first time they played the Braves this season, a game in which a Lawsonless Dodger squad suffered a shocking opening day loss 5-0 in which they were one hit. Dodgers concluded their Ribbons league action with a 3 and 2 record, losing once to each the Padres and the Braves this season. On the remaining schedule the Yankees and the Rockies try and spoil Andross' bid to finish the season playing .750 ball at 9 and 3.

5/16 Dodgers vs Yankees

It may have been some 10 days 14 hours 21 minutes and 8 seconds since the Yankees stunned the Ribbons world by defeating the Dodgers last Thursday, but really, was anyone counting? Coach Tye was, and once the opportunity presented itself you better believe......

Dodgers avenge loss with 12-2 Pounding of Yankees

You knew it wasn't just baseball, just another game. It wasn't a loss like losses in the past. The Dodgers were the first and only (at press time) team to lose to a National team this season. That alone had to be eating at the Dodgers skipper Tye Andross and perhaps it still is eating at him. Whatever the case, today Andross made sure to remind everyone in the league where their places are at the table. The Dodgers belted out 12 hits and scored 4 runs in the first, second and fourth innings to close out another win while educating the scrappy Yankees on the way things are in this town.

Things got started early. Eric Turner took the mound for the Dodgers and proceeded to walk the leadoff hitter. With the adrenaline obviously pumping from their last encounter, the Yankees made the first move, an attempt to steal second base. But as most fans, coaches and players alike throughout the league know, you don't do that on Reggie Lawson. Lawson recovered the ball and through a bee-bee to Saxon Andross at second base. Andross then waited and waited and finally as the runner arrived, tagged him out. Turner proceeded to strike out the next two batters, and the Dodgers were off and running.

The bottom of the first saw Jeremiah Lorick walk, Lawson single to center, Turner walk and Corey Elder bang a double over the glove of the Yankee right fielder plating the third run of the inning. Elder later would score on a Colton Chavez ground out giving the Dodgers as many runs in the first as they had managed in the entire game the last time these two met.

The second inning? More of the same except for a second when it looked as if the Dodgers may be suffering from exposure to the sun. With a runner at third and Lawson returning pitches to the mound from his knees, The Yankees got a little gutsy, as Lawson lobbed one back to ET, the runner broke for home. By the time Turner saw what was happening, the run had scored. Could this be happening again?

No. Not in the least. Christian Moore started off the second with the first of his two singles, Lorick singled and after an Andross ground out, Reggie Lawson singled again, driving in two. Eric Turner then stepped to the plate and did exactly what this reporter predicted to his imaginary friend, ET took one deep to Right Center, his third, taking the sole position atop the league in Ribbons version of Homerun Derby. A lead that would last 8 Dodger batters, or roughly 2 full innings.

In the fourth, Reggie Lawson had his turn and, as always failed to disappoint. Lawson almost as if engaged with Turner in a game of "Horse" drove a pitch deep to Right Center, landing less than fifteen feet from where a ball off ET's bat had impacted the earth earlier. Turner had the opportunity to one up his teammate but settled for the walk. Elder followed with his third hit of the game, followed by a walk to Zach Barnes giving the Dodgers bases loaded and nobody out with Colton Chavez headed to the plate.

Chavez hit a tough ground ball into the hole and hustling down the line worked himself an infield single and his second RBI of the game. Two batters later, Christian Moore ended the contest with his second single of the game scoring two and securing the win for the Dodgers.

Turner struck out 8 Yankees, Lawson and Elder both went 3 for 3, but it was a total team effort for the Dodgers today with only the second slot in the lineup not reaching base at some point in the game. A convincing win, keeping the Dodgers title hopes alive as they enter into the last three games of their season.

Dodgers vs Rockies 5/9

As we sit scrambling to complete THE REPORTS Sunday edition, having run far past out deadline we feel much like the coaching staff of the Dodgers had to feel about this game yesterday. It's nice to get the "W" but in the end it became;

The Game That Wouldn't End
Dodgers defeat Rockies 18-0 in four of the longest innings in recorded history.

Its one of those situations where, yes its good for the players, yes it helps their stats, their confidence and their ego but for the parents and the coaches its a case of, "Please let SOMEBODY make an out already. The Dodgers put five runs on the board in the top of the first inning Saturday and this time they decided just to keep pouring it on, and pouring it on and then they poured it on some more. In the second they added another five, two more in the third followed by six in the fourth. To the Rockies credit, the players continued to give their best effort but the fatigue of some six hours on a baseball field took its toll on the Victorville National team. Every chance they had to catch their breath, get a sip of water was brief to say the least.
Saxon Andross kept the Rockies on the field rather than in the dugout by pitching 3 innings of one hit ball. Andross faced only 12 batters, striking out 8, hitting one, walking one and giving up the one clean single to right field. Zach Barnes made his first appearance of the year, coming on to close out the Rockies in the fourth. Barnes looked good striking out two as he protected the Dodger shutout.
At the plate, just as you'd expect in an 18-0 affair, a number of Dodgers had good games. Starting at the top, Jeremiah Lorick went two for four with a triple three RBI and a walk. Andross was 2 for five, Reggie Lawson was two for two with a double, an inside the park home run and four runs scored .ET had two hits and scored three times. Corey Elder had a "Corey Elder Classic", a line drive to right center that appears to have him breaking out at just the right time. Barnes added a hit as well and scored three times.
The highlight of the game however, the moment that made the four hour marathon worth attending came in the top of the fourth when, against the advise of his parents, Spencer Jangard strode to the plate without his bat. Oh he had a bat but not his bat.Every parent knows how it is they don't seem to get the concept of $$ when choosing the orange bat to hit with, leaving their green one in their bag. Well I hope someone can find the receipt, because with someone else's bat in hand Spence crushed a ball into the right center field gap, read the base coach and turned for two, sliding in just ahead of the tag. After that, the only thing bigger than the number the Dodgers put on the scoreboard, was the smile on Spencer's face, (and maybe his dad's). Awesome job Spence, I imagine your still talking about it this time next weekend, I would be.
Other than that, the sunset on another dominating performance by the Dodgers and the Ribbons little league in general.
Tye Andross was unavailable for comment as he had found enlightenment earlier in the day with a tandem skydiving experience that found him choosing to pass out flowers at LAX in a toga. Good for you Tye, peace brother.

Dodgers v Yankees 5/7

Those of us in the "media" had discussed it in the press room prior to Thursdays Ribbons double header and to a man we all agreed, the nights games would most likely feature a game ending early due to the mercy rule and one that would be a nail biter with the underdog possibly pulling out the win. This reporter will go on record and say that in predicting the future, he hadn't quite
seen this coming......

Historic first inning event overshadowed by unexpected Dodger Loss, 6-4
Andross, Lawson and Turner hit consecutive homeruns but Yankees refuse to give up, scraping together a victory.

Saxon Andross predicted it. He wanted it to be known that he had called the back, to back to back homerun sequence that had catapulted the Dodgers out to an early 3-0 lead against the Yankees of the Victorville National League. He mentioned that as he sat in the dugout in the second inning of what appeared to be another lopsided Ribbons win over the Nationals. The attitude in the dugout should have tipped someone off as to what would result.
Few players were watching the game, even fewer were interested in the opposing pitcher. Like many little leaguers, and for that matter 11 and 12 yearolds, they were caught up in the big league moment of the first inning. It was a game they expected to win, they brought the focus into the game, but the 3 homerun explosion changed every players attitude. It was pretty dang amazing.
After Corey Elder worked a scoreless first inning in his first start of the season, and a Jeremiah Lorick strikeout, Saxon Andross stepped to the plate in the midst of a somewhat average season, at least by Saxon's standards. Andross then proceeded to take a belt high pitch over the center field fence to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Reggie Lawson came to bat next, home run to left center field, 2-0. Eric Turner, splitting the two and a little deeper, 3-0. The dugout was buzzing, coaches were contacting Guiness, players were replaying each of the home runs, the game was pretty much over, any opponents would have had their spirit crushed by such an event.
However, the Yankees decided to go ahead and play out the rest of the game. They were here anyway and figured what the heck we'll keep going. A wise move on their part. The Dodgers would not score again until the fourth inning. Spencer Jaangard walked and moved ahead to second on a Christian Moore single. After a Lorick walk Andross would plate his second run of the evening with a grounder to third that scored Jangard. But with one out and two on, Lawson hit a soft liner to short, and Turner just missed his second homerun of the game, flying out to Center.
Meanwhile, the Yankees had tied things up earlier knocking Elder out of the game in the third after a pair of Yankee one out singles, and a host of errors including one in center on a grounder, one from SS Eric Turner on a throw to third, one on Corey off the mound as he underhanded a throw to first and one on Andross at first base, (playing the position due to an injured foot). Reggie Lawson entered the game and quickly ended the inning with a strike out.
After an inning that saw Turner picked off first and Zach Barnes thrown out at home, the Dodgers started to notice that these Yankees were actually still thinking they could win. A discovery that may have came a little to late.
In the top of the fourth, Lawson lost control of his pitches for the first time all season. as he walked the first two batters. The third hitter grounded to first, but with runners at third and second, Corey Elder elected to go home with the throw rather than get the out at first. Everyone ended up safe and the Yankees took the lead. Another Lawson walk loaded the bases. Reggie appeared to settle in, striking out the next two batters he faced. The Dodgers were one strike away from getting out of the inning having given up only the one run, but with two strikes on the Yankees cleanup hitter, Lawson left one a little too much on the plate and it was softly lined into right field, scoring two and giving the Yankees a 6-3 lead. The Dodgers got out of the inning defending the double steal perfectly, with Andross gunning down the runner at the plate.
The Dodgers would cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the inning. Lawson then proceeded to strikeout six of the final seven batters he faced.
Trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth, Andross came to bat with two outs and dropped a single into center, his third hit of the game. Lawson followed it up with a ringing double down the third base line and it appeared the Dodgers might escape with a win after all. But no Yankee hung his head, not one gave up assuming the Dodgers with Eric Turner coming to bat would snatch victory from them as the Padres had earlier in the season.
A homerun would end the game, Turner was more than qualified to deliver the big fly. But this day belonged to the Yankees, after battling and fouling off numerous pitches, The Yankee pitcher ran one in on Turner that he failed to get his hands around on. The pitch was jammed off the bat, resulting in a soft liner to the first baseman. The Yankees win. THHHHEEEEE YAANNNKEEEEESSS WWWINNNN! Great game coach way to keep the kids convinced they could do it.
A tough loss for the Dodgers. Coach Tye apparently took it the worst as he booked himself onto a skydiving trip this weekend and had yet to decide whether he'd be using the parachute or not. Hang in there Dodgers, these things happen, even to Coach Tye.