Week 4 Power Rankings
6. Lightning 3-5 (#6 Last Week)
After struggling last week against the Gashouse Gorillas, the Lightning gained much needed reinforcements for Week 4. Newcomers Garrett Litke and Derek Revis made their GBL debut. While Travis Litke made his 2015 debut. In their first game the team looked a bit rusty. The Lightning could not figure out rookie Ryan Voges, who threw a no-hitter. They made their biggest impact in Game 2 against the Taka Drivers driving in four runs to gain the Lightning much needed win. Even though they won their first official game of the season, their two wins via forfeit might be important as the weeks pass.
5. Bird Gang 2-6 (#5 Last Week)
Without manager Matt Zurawski and Cole Felde, the Bird Gang may have been in trouble if it were not for Nick Trauscht and Lucas Baker. Baker compiled eleven hits and five RBI. On the other hand, Trauscht was masterful on the mound. He only allowed five hits in five innings. They could have won both games against the three time defending champions, Gashouse Gorillas. Down five in the bottom of the fifth, Baker and Trauscht put together a rally that nearly won them Game 1. If they keep getting down early, the Bird Gang showed they have what it takes to come back. It may not be the best strategy in their push to the postseason.
4. Taka Drivers 4-4 (#4 Last Week)
The Taka Drivers have split every series with their opponent so far this season and in Week 4 nothing changed. They have yet to sweep any doubleheader but, they may be on the verge of one soon. Chris Bartley had a big day at the plate driving in ten RBI and belting two grand slams. Ryan Voges threw the Taka Drivers first solo no-hitter, a week after he pitched in a combined no-hitter. Voges has fixed his early season pitching mistakes and now finds himself as the ace of the staff. The Taka Drivers are better than their record and have put themselves in a good position going foward.
3. Gashouse Gorillas 5-3 (#3 Last Week)
The 2015 Gashouse Gorillas may have the same parts as their winning formula but, that does not mean it will translate into the same outcome. They had a tough time with the Bird Gang and nearly left without a win. 2014 Reliever of the Year, Jeremy Ratajczyk, has had trouble finding the final outs this season. He almost lost his third game but, managed to get himself out of his own jam. All of there wins have been credited to Jim Tucker, who is 5-0 on the season. If they want to be four time champions, they need to be more consistent.
2. Nighttime Ninjas 5-3 (#2 Last Week)
The Nighttime Ninjas are proving to be one of the league's better teams this season. Their match-up with the Stallionaires was another tough test. Sammy Krucek made his first appearance this season and was the deciding factor in one of the games. Mike Kubacki Jr. continued his amazing season on the mound, only allowing one run on three hits in two games. Their offense ran into the best pitching in the GBL but, they still managed to play the Stallionaires to a split. Expect to see the Nighttim Ninjas compete for a playoff spot for the rest of the season.
1. Stallionaires 5-3 (#1 Last Week)
Some may say that great pitching wins championships and that may be the case this season. The Stallionaires have only allowed five runs all season but, in every game they give up a run they lose. Despite not scoring often, the Stallionaires find themselves on top of the standings and power rankings. Without Matt Kuna and John Reyna in Week 4, the Stallionaires had to rely on Nate Bryan and David Konopasek. They both came through in a myriad of ways, as expected. Konopasek hit his first GBL home run and, Nate Bryan delivered another timely win on the mound. Their team 0.61 ERA is easily the league's best, and they leave many teams baffled at the lawn chair.
Week 4 Game Recaps
Gashouse Gorillas v. Bird Gang Game 1 - In the first four innings, the Gashouse Gorillas, dominated the Bird Gang. Early home runs by Ryan Galiher and Jeremy Ratajczyk gave the Gashouse Gorillas an early 5-0 lead. With Jim Tucker on the mound, it would have seemed to be a easy win. Tucker only allowed three hits in his three innings pitched and, he left the Bird Gang scoreless. Ratajczyk came in for Tucker in the fourth and seemed to be on control. When the bottom of the fifth came, the Bird Gang began to make things a bit uncomfortable. Lucas Baker and Nick Trauscht put together a rally that almost gave the Bird Gang the win. After scoring three runs, the Bird Gang had the bases loaded with a chance to tie or take the lead. They needed one more hit but, Ratajczyk mustered up enough in the tank to get the final out giving the Gashouse Gorillas the win.
FINAL - Gashouse Gorillas 5 - Bird Gang 3.
Gashouse Gorillas v. Bird Gang Game 2 - With momentum on their side, the Bird Gang struck early with three runs in the first inning. Lucas Baker had himself an amazing day at the plate and continued his great day by driving in the games first three runs. After pitching a scoreless two innings in Game 1, Nick Trauscht replicated the same formula in Game 2. He pitched three innings and only allowed one run on three hits. Jim Tucker and Jeremy Ratajczyk were only a combined 1-9 at the plate and were never able to get the runners they needed on base. After taking a 4-1 lead, Baker came in to shut the door on the Gashouse Gorillas comeback chances. He allowed only two hits and gave the Bird Gang a much needed win.
FINAL - Gashouse Gorillas 1 - Bird Gang 4
Stallionaires v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 1- It was another low scoring day for the Stallionaires and their opponent. Every game the Stallionaire have been in this season has seen them shutout the opposition or, they have been shutout themselves. Sunday was no different. Mike Kubacki Jr. was again phenomenal on the mound allowing zero runs on one hit. He took a no-hit bid into the fifth before it was broken up by Nate Bryan. The debut of Sammy Krucek played a huge role in the Nighttime Ninjas winning Game 1. He drove in two RBI in the fourth inning to break the scoreless game. Even though the Stallionaires pitched well, the Nighttime Ninjas came up with the clutch hit to seal the victory.
FINAL - Stallionaires 0 - Nighttime Ninjas 2
Stallionaires v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 2- As the GBL would come to expect, the Stallionaires had another low scoring affair. The wind also seemed to play a difference in both games. Most balls hit in the air died or changed directions causing many balls to be playable. Nate Bryan struck early with an RBI in the second inning, which proved to be all they needed. He also shut the door on the Nighttime Ninjas, only allowing one hit in three innings of work. David Konopasek added some much needed insurance in the fifth, by belting his first career GBL home run. The Nighttime Ninjas could not muster any offense against Bryan and Konopasek. They only had four base-runners all game. After starting 4-0, Mike Kubacki Jr. lost his first game of the season and, his counterparts were just a bit better. The Stallionaires pitching staff has only allowed five runs all season.
FINAL - Stallionaires 3 - Nighttime Ninjas 0
Taka Drivers v. Lightning Game 1 - With much needed reinforcements, the Lightning, came with a full squad in Week 4. Rookies Garrett Litke and Derek Revis made their GBL debuts and Travis Litke made his 2015 debut. They did not help much in Game 1, The Lightning pitching staff allowed fourteen walks and ten runs in five innings. On the other hand, Ryan Voges threw his first solo no-hitter and kept the Lightning hitters at bay. Everything went the Taka Drivers way. Their were patient and timely with runners in scoring position. Most of the action was generated by Chris Bartley, who went 4-4 with six RBI and a grand slam. The Taka Drivers annihilated the Lightning in Game 1 and were hitting on all cylinders.
FINAL - Taka Drivers 10 - Lightning 0
Taka Drivers v Lightning Game 2 - After getting stomped in the first game, the Lightning, desperately needed a win. They shook off the rust in Game 1, and started to find their stroke in Game 2. They took advantage of Mark Miecznikowski on the mound for the Taka Drivers. Mez had trouble finding the strike zone in the second inning, allowing five walks and four hits in his three innings. The reinforcements for the Lightning did their job and began to play as a team. Garrett, Travis, and Revis had all five hits and, Andrew Felde pitched three scoreless innings. Their efforts gave the Lightning a 5-0 heading into the fourth inning but, it almost was not enough. The Taka Drivers clawed their way back into the game, with a grand slam by Chris Bartley in the fourth. The Lightning and pitcher Derek Revis nearly fell apart but, managed to find their way out of tough situations late in the game.
FINAL - Taka Drivers 4 - Lightning 5
Week 4 Players of the Week
Hitter of the Week - Chris Bartley - 2 Games. 7 H / 10 AB 2 Grand Slam HR 10 RBI 3 BB 0 K
Pitcher of the Week - Ryan Voges - 5.0 IP 1 Win 0 ER 0 Hits Allowed 4 BB 3 K. Threw a no-hitter.
Rookie of the Week - Lucas Baker - 2 Games 11 H / 18 AB 5 RBI 1 BB 4 K.
Week 5 Slate
3 PM - Bird Gang v. Taka Drivers Game 1
4 PM - Bird Gang v. Taka Drivers Game 2
5 PM - Lightning v. Stallionaires Game 1
6 PM - Lightning v. Stallionaires Game 2
7 PM - Gashouse Gorillas v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 1
8 PM - Gashouse Gorillas v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 2
In the weeks to come, stay tuned for more previews and recaps on the GBL. It is certainly going to be an exciting season.
Wiffle Out!
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