Finer Things Club plays six, wins four

The Finer Things Club (Chad East) took advantage of an open Wednesday afternoon to squeeze in a pair of series, and continued its decent play by taking two of three from both the Surly Nausicians (Brian East) and Bob Loblaw (Paul East). That puts FTC and Loblaw tied atop the AL East at 8-4.

FTC has been battling an unusual pitching staff that was thrown out of whack by a seven-game injury to #4 starter Jake Westbrook and some early shellings, but the kinks seem to be getting ironed out with a long-ball mentality. The team has 20 home runs in 12 games, all from five players -- B.J. Upton (5), Robinson Cano (5), Frank Thomas (4), Jorge Posada (3) and Ryan Garko (3).

Game 1: FTC 3, Surly 2
W-Betancourt (1-0), L-Vizcaino (0-1)
A dramatic affair saw the Nausicians get a two-out, pinch-hit homer from Shelley Duncan in the top of the ninth off Rafael Betancourt, stunning the Camden Yards faithful. But FTC answered with a BP homer from DH Frank Thomas with two outs in the bottom half.

Game 2: FTC 12, Surly 6
W-J.Lopez (1-0), L-Pettitte (0-2)
This one turned into a slugfest early, as Club poured on four first-inning runs and didn't look back. Ryan Garko paced the 15-hit FTC attack with a 4-for-4 evening. David Ortiz (4th) went deep for Surly in defeat.

Game 3: Surly 5, FTC 3
W-Byrd (1-0), L-Halladay (1-1), S-Rivera (1)
Victor Martinez carried the Nausicians, blasting his first two home runs of the season and drivin gin three runs. Kenny Lofton also returned to action after an injury for Surly, battering three hits and continuing the struggles for FTC starter Roy Halladay.

Game 4: Loblaw 6,, FTC 5
W-Snyder (1-1), L-Betancourt (1-1)
Bob Loblaw sent the Rogers Centre fans home happy with a stirring rally in the bottom of the ninth. FTC had taken a 5-4 lead in the top half on B.J. Upton's solo homer with two outs, but blew it thanks to a flurry of rolls off Betancourt. Loblaw scored two runs in the bottom half, all with none out, getting the last run on a dropped fly ball by left fielder Tike Redman. Manny Ramirez was Bob's offensive star with four RBIs.

Game 5: FTC 9, Loblaw 3
W-Verlander (3-0), L-Sabathia (2-1)
A battle of staff aces went heavily Club's way as Justin Verlander improved to 3-0 with a solid outing. He allowed only one hit through seven innings before tiring. Marcus Thames was a surprise contributor with three hits for FTC, which raced to a 7-0 lead through three innings.

Game 6: FTC 7, Loblaw 3
W-Westbrook (1-0), L-Schilling (1-2), S-Betancourt (3)
Jake Westbrook returned from his seven-game injury, having pitched just 2 2/3 innings in that one season outing, and picked up the win. The Big Hurt had the crushing blow, driving home two runs in the sixth with the infield drawn in, breaking a 3-3 tie. Joba Chamberlain made his third appearance of the season, striking out Ramirez to escape a bases-loaded, two-out jam. Both teams lost their starting catchers for one game, with the news being worse for FTC since Jorge Posada was its #1 pick. Loblaw's Alex Rodriguez struggled in the series, going 2-for-12 with no RBIs.

Up next:
Bob Loblaw (8-4) at Surly Nausicians (4-5)*
Finer Things Club (8-4) at Long-ball Larry (4-8)