April 20th, 2008: Zhengzhou at Xi'an

Here's another game of the day, hot off the presses. I have a big Japanese Political Science final at 7AM tomorrow, which is going to be the last difficult final I have. Next semester starts a week from tomorrow, though. It never lets up!

April 20^th, 2008

Zhengzhou Dragons at Xi’an Wild Geese

XI’AN – In an incredibly exciting see-saw battle, the Wild Geese would up on top in the end, defeating the visiting Dragons 8-7 .

Xi’an starter Cannonball Redding gave up a home run to King Kelley, the first Zhengzhou batter, and then proceeded to get the next two men out before leaving the game with a serious injury. Apparently the injury was sustained on Rafael Palmeiro’s ground ball to the mound. Redding will miss the next 23 days, which will be a shock to Xi’an’s pitching staff.

The two teams then traded leads, going back and forth. Xi’an took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning on Pablo Mesa’s two run blast. Both teams tallied a run in the 4^th inning, and then Zhengzhou evened it up at 3 with a fifth inning rally. Both teams then scored anther run in the 6^th, making the score 4-4 with only three innings to play.

Xi’an blew the gates wide open with three runs in the bottom of the 7^th. The big blow came on Eddie Mathew’s bases-loaded double. Zhengzhou reliever Bill Henry, who also pitched an inning yesterday, got himself into the bases loaded jam, with a walk, a hit batter and an infield single. At that moment, it seemed that the home team had the game sewn up.

But then Zhengzhou came roaring back. The unheralded Darrell Porter hit his second homer of the game, and third of the seasons, with a runner on in the top of the 8^th. A handful of base hits produced another run, and before long the game was tied at 7.

Those three runs came off of Xi’an relievers Kent Tekulve and Tom Gordon. However, as Xi’an’s entire pitching staff was either exhausted or already used, Gordon stayed in for the top of the 9^th inning. Gordon allowed two singles, got Porter to fly out to deep right field, and then proceeded to strike out the next two batters to end the inning.

In front of a roaring crowd, Tony Phillips, leading off the bottom of the 9^th, smacked the second pitch he saw into the left field stands. The blow was Phillips’ first of the season, putting his teammates and the fans in a frenzy, as Xi’an continues to battle for the Northwestern League lead.

Click here for boxscore.

Other games

Northeastern League

Harbin Icecaps 3, Beijing Red Dragons 1 At Beijing

Beijing Mets 8, Seoul Blue Dragons 3 At Seoul

Shenyang Defenders 11, Tianjin Lions 6 (12) At Tianjin. Tianjin starter Curt Schilling was injured on the second pitch of the game, after giving up a bunt single. He will miss 21 days.

Southeastern League

Hangzhou Eagles 3, Ningbo Stallions 2 At Hangzhou

Shanghai White Sox 4, Shanghai Red Sox 1 At Red Sox. White Sox’ Kazuhiro Yamauchi was injured, will miss next 5 days.

Nanjing Monarchs 13, Suzhou Artisans 2 At Suzhou. Nanjing starter Pedro Martinez again struck out 12 batters in 7 innings of work.

Northwestern League

Lanzhou Refiners 4, Jinan Leopards 3 At Lanzhou

Luoyang White Horse 4, Urumqi Flying Tigers 3 At Luoyang

Southwestern League

Chengdu Spice 7, Chongqing Fog 1 At Chongqing. Chongqing relief pitcher Chuck McKlroy was injured, will miss 20 days.

Guangzhou Fire 8, Fuzhou Whales 2 At Fuzhou.

Taibei Brother Elephants 12, Lhasa Monks 8 At Lhasa. Three HRs for Taibei’s Futoshi Nakanishi.

Xianggang Reds 8, Yunnan Bulls 3 At Yunnan