Friday 7/2/2004

Hodges All-Stars prevail in a see-saw affair

BOSTON - The Hodges League All-Stars became the third consecutive visiting team to prevail in the MBLS All-Star Game by defeating their Johnson League counterparts in a truly see-saw affair, 5-4, at Legends Park.

The JL squad struck first, as Bethesda right fielder J.D. Drew came through with a clutch two-out single off Tampa Bay's Barry Zito to score Gotham City left fielder Manny Ramirez, who had earlier doubled, in the bottom of the second. The Johnson Leaguers doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth on another Drew hit - this time a double into the right field corner off Portland's Shawn Estes that scored Philadelphia catcher Mike Piazza.

But the Hodges League got into the swing of things in the top of the fifth, as Chicago centerfielder Marlon Byrd greeted Baltimore's Todd Ritchie with a three-run homer into the left field stands. The Johnson League Stars wasted no time in responding to the lead change, however. RBI doubles by Indianapolis left fielder Luis Gonzalez and Bay City catcher Ivan Rodriguez off St. Louis starter Sidney Ponson allowed the JL to reclaim a one-run 4-3 lead.

The lead, however, would not last long. St. Louis shortstop launched a solo homer in the top of the seventh off Baltimore reliever Carl Sadler to tie the game at 4-4. Bay City's Juan Cruz pitched a scoreless eighth for the Johnson League Stars. Atlanta's Brian Boerhinger yielded two hits in the bottom of the inning, but escaped from further trouble with the aid of Tampa Bay closer Danys Baez.

Shawn Green greeted Indianapolis Stallions ace C.C. Sabathia with a single to open the ninth inning. Sabathia then retired Portland second baseman Marlon Anderson on a groundout, which advanced Green to second base. Atlanta center fielder Mike Cameron then came through by delivering a single to short left center, scoring Green and giving the Hodges Stars a 5-4 lead.

Baez then retired Sacramento's Carlos Delgado, Boston hometown favorite Joe Borchard and Gotham City's Bill Mueller in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal the one-run victory for the visitors.

Copyright 2004, The Baseball Coalition.