Late-game heroics pace Big Hebs Sweep

Returning to action for the first time since the birth of Aleka (al-a-ka) Ann Detter, the Big Hebs (Detter West) rode the inspiration of their new arrival, along with some timely hitting and good fortune, to a sweep of the homestanding Big Mistakes (Paul West).

GAME 1 Big Hebs - 5; Mistakes - 4
WP: B. Logan (1-0)
LP: J. Nathan (1-1)
Sv: J. Speier (2)

Torii Hunter's three-run homer broke a tie and gave the Mistakes a 4-1 lead, but in what is becoming an all too common theme, the bullpen could not hold the lead. After starter John Danks saw his team's lead trimmed to 4-3, Paul called on Joe Nathan to preserve the victory. Nathan, who tossed 2.1 innings, was a mere two outs away from victory before Jim Thome was summoned to the plate as a pinch-hitter. The Hebs' leading hitter, Thome responded in a big way, launching a two-run clean homer to swing the pendulum again. Justin Speier pitched a spotless ninth to nail down the save for the Hebs.

GAME 2 Big Hebs - 5; Mistakes - 3
WP: B. Logan (2-0)
LP: J. Blanton (0-4)
Sv: J. Peralta (2)

Late-inning dramatics again fueled a Big Hebs victory as Big Mistakes starter Joe Blanton was unable to preserve a 3-0 lead, seeing eight innings of masterful work go to waste. Leading 3-1 in the eighth, Blanton seemed ticketed for a complete game victory, but surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Gary Matthews (of all people) on a 1-5 roll. Lefty Boone Logan held the Mistakes at bay in the eighth and was gifted the victory for the second straight game as a Jared Saltalamacchia single was followed by four consecutive walks to give the Hebs a lead they would not surrender. Joel Peralta retired the game's final two hitters for his second save. Saltalamacchia's 4-for-4 night at the plate raised his average to .381 on the year.

GAME 3 Big Hebs - 5; Mistakes - 3
WP: B. Bannister (3-2)
LP: C. Silva (1-4)
Sv: J. Speier (3)

Game three was won by the same count as the previous, but in far different fashion. Starter Brian Bannister and the Hebs were in command from the outset, riding three hits each from Orlando Cabrera and Thome to a 5-3 win. Jose Guillen chipped in with a two-run roundtripper for the Hebs. Justin Speier hurled the final 1.2 frames to earn his third save of the year and his second of the series. The three hits by Thome raised his season average to .450, while his OB% climbed to .589.