AL East Round 1: Bob Loblaw sweeps Long Ball Larry

Game 1: Bob Loblaw 2, Long Ball Larry 1
W: CC Sabathia (1-0), L: S.Kazmir (0-1), S: M.Delcarmen (1)

The AL East opener for both teams was pitcher's duel that saw CC Sabathia and Scott Kazmir battle back-and-forth. Manny Ramirez's RBI single in the bottom of the 8th snapped a 1-1 tie and Manny Delcarmen sailed through the 9th to provide victory for Loblaw. Kevin Youkilis had 3 hits and an RBI and Delmon Young had 2 hits for the winners while Dustin Pedroia had 2 hits and Bobby Abreu notched the only RBI for the losers. The real stars, however, were Sabathia and Kazmir. Sabathia gave up 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 8 over 8 innings in notching the first win of the season. Kazmir was the hard-luck loser going the distance while giving up 6 hits and 3 walks while also striking out 8.

Game 2: Bob Loblaw 12, Long Ball Larry 8
W: C.Schilling (1-0), L: C.Wang (0-1)

Game 2 was the exact opposite of Game 1. Curt Schilling was fatigued before he got out of the 1st as Long Ball hung five runs in the 1st then added another in the 2nd to lead 6-0 quickly. Bob scored a pair in the 3rd before swinging the momentum their way, scoring nine in the 5th (where Bob batted around before the 1st out was recorded). The offensive stars were many: Dustin Pedroia had 3 hits and Gary Sheffield had 4 RBIs for Long Ball. Sheffield and Carlos Pena also hit their 1st HRs. For Loblaw the honor roll includes Delmon Young going 4-for-4 with a HR (1st), 2 runs and 2 RBIs; Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a HR (1st) and 4 RBIs; and Vernon Wells went 2-for-4 with a HR (1st), 2 runs and 2 RBIs.

Game 3: Bob Loblaw 4, Long Ball Larry 2
W: T.Wakefield (1-0), L: R.Clemens (0-1), S: M.Delcarmen (2)

Loblaw scored a pair of runs in the 1st and another pair in the 3rd to stake Tim Wakefield to an early 4-0 lead, then hung on for the win. Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with a 2-run HR (2nd), 2 runs, and 2 walks while Miguel Tejada added 2 hits. Bobby Abreu both Long Ball RBIs and Gary Sheffield had 2 hits. Wakefield went 7 strong innings, scattering 5 hits and walking 2. Manny Delcarmen did give up a run before closing the game out for his 2nd save.