Finer Things takes .600 clip into Block 3

The Finer Things Club (Chad East) bounced back from a sweep to take two of three from unlucky Long Ball Larry (Greg East) on Thursday afternoon to close Block 2 action for both squads.

FTC won the rubber match despite starting perhaps the worst pitcher in Strat history, Brian Burres. The unskilled lefty had one of his best outings -- giving up three runs in 3 1/3 innings -- before being hooked for the last time. He closed with a 12.10 ERA in three unimpressive starts.

The Club takes an 18-12 mark into Block 3, acceptable considering its previous series was a maddening sweep at the hands of Army of Steamrollers (Scott East). Meanwhile, LBL (8-22) is still looking for an opportunity to use Jonathan Papelbon, who has tossed only 7 2/3 innings through 30 games. Look for some heavy usage of the Red Sox right-hander in the final 50 games.

Game 1: FTC 10, Larry 1
W-Westbrook (3-1), L-Clemens (0-6)
Roger Clemens' baffling struggles continued, as Finer posted 14 hits to send the Mitchell Report star to his sixth loss without a win. Large right-handers Mike Lowell and Ryan Garko drove in three runs apiece for FTC, while Gary Sheffield homered to produce LBL's lone run. Jake Westbrook spun a five-hitter, lowering his ERA to 2.53.

Game 2: Larry 6, FTC 2
W-Marcum (4-1), L-Halladay (3-3)
Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena each smacked three hits, and Shawn Marcum pitched a five-hitter to give Larry a boost. Extremely-limited LBL catcher J.R. House rocked his '2' column for his first home run of the year. Meanwhile, Roy Halladay (5.40 ERA) continued his troubling start to the season.

Game 3: FTC 9, Larry 7
W-Downs (1-0), L-Rogers (0-2), S-Betancourt (7)
A shootout went FTC's way, as light-hitting shortstop John McDonald made the difference with three RBIs from the No. 9 hole. Marcus Thames also enjoyed a rare offensive explosion, homering and scoring three runs. B.J. Upton, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, Thames and Lowell each had two hits for FTC, which used Joba Chamberlain to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. Chamberlain has accumulated just three innings in 30 games, but has made seven appearances.

LBL's Crawford increased his average to .344 as he searches for a new home.

Up next:
Clean-Sweep Kinnicks (17-13) vs. Long-Ball Larry (8-22)
Santa Poco Amigos (15-12)* vs. Finer Things Club (18-12)