Long-time Michael Division rivals faced each other to start off their 2003 FEBC season last week. It seemed like every year these two teams were fighting for second place behind the mighty Jailbirds. With the Jailbirds hanging with the left coasters in the Old Elvis these days, both teams hope to seize the opportunity and take control of the Michael. Game 1 Opening Night Two very different, yet distinguished pitchers took the hill for their respective teams. Veteran lefty Tom Glavine took the mound for the visiting Cajuns. The Mafia sent young righty Roy Oswalt to the center of the diamond. The game did not go well for Glavine. The Mafia erupted for a 4-run 2nd, and chased him with another in the 3rd. Trailing 5-0, the Cajuns finally scored two in the top of the 6th. But the Mafia plated a couple of late insurance runs and Oswalt faced one over the minimum over the last three innings for the complete game victory. Cajuns 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 7 1 Mafia 0 4 1 0 0 0 1 1 x 7 10 0 Cajuns pitching: Glavine 3.0 (L), Shuey 2.0, Kline 2.0, Stewart 1.0 and Schneider Mafia pitching: Oswalt 9.0 (W) and Huckaby HRs: none SBs: Roberts Injuries: none Limits: Franco 3 ABR, Roberts 2 ABR Game 2 A great pitching duel emerged between Nomo for the Cajuns and Mulder for the Mafia. This game went back and forth and then became a race to reach closer time. Both teams feel that if they can get a lead to their closer in the 9th, the game is over. The Mafia drew first blood. They collected 3 hits and a walk in the 4th, but thanks to a double play, only plated one run. It stayed 1-0 till Kevin Young doubled off Mulder in the top of the 7th to give the Cajuns their first lead of the year. Mark Little got a pinch hit single off Nomo to tie the game heading to the 8th. With the score tied in the bottom of the 8th, Jim Thome led the inning off with a solo shot to give the Mafia the lead. Robb Nen retired the top of the Cajuns order 1-2-3 to end the game. Cajuns 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 8 0 Mafia 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 x 3 8 0 Cajuns pitching: Nomo 6.2, Stewart .1, Kline .2 (L), Gagne .1 and Schneider Mafia pitching: Mulder 7.0, Mendoza 1.0 (W), Nen 1.0 (S) and Varitek HRs: Thome SBs: none Injuries: Hunter suspended after game for corked bat for 10 games Limits: Franco 1 ABR, Roberts 1 ABR Game 3 The Mafia was looking to sweep the Cajuns on this evening, and they came out of the gates roaring. They sent newly acquired Brian Meadows to the showers after a 5 run first. But the Cajuns responded with a six run 3rd, the key play being a 2 out grand slam by Edgar Renteria. This really renewed the Cajuns confidence as they scored 14 unanswered runs. By the time the smoke cleared, it was a 14-6 win for the Cajuns. Cajuns 0 6 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 14 17 1 Mafia 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 8 1 Cajuns pitching: Meadows 1.0, Day 4.0 (W), Stewart 2.0, Gagne 2.0 and Schneider Mafia pitching: Mussina 4.0 (L), Mendoza 2.0, Foulke 2.0, Nen 1.0 and Varitek HRs: Renteria, Rolen SBs: none Limits: Franco 3 ABR, Moeller 1 ABR, Chavez active Injuries: none Cajuns @ Mafia - April 1-3
Long-time Michael Division rivals faced each other to start off their 2003 FEBC season last week.  It seemed like every year these two teams were fighting for second place behind the mighty Jailbirds.  With the Jailbirds hanging with the left coasters in the Old Elvis these days, both teams hope to seize the opportunity and take control of the Michael. 
 
Game 1  Opening Night
 
Two very different, yet distinguished pitchers took the hill for their respective teams.  Veteran lefty Tom Glavine took the mound for the visiting Cajuns.  The Mafia sent young righty Roy Oswalt to the center of the diamond.  The game did not go well for Glavine.  The Mafia erupted for a 4-run 2nd, and chased him with another in the 3rd.  Trailing 5-0, the Cajuns finally scored two in the top of the 6th.  But the Mafia plated a couple of late insurance runs and Oswalt faced one over the minimum over the last three innings for the complete game victory.
 
Cajuns        0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0        2    7    1
Mafia          0 4 1 0 0 0 1 1 x        7   10    0
 
Cajuns pitching: Glavine 3.0 (L), Shuey 2.0, Kline 2.0, Stewart 1.0 
and Schneider
Mafia pitching:  Oswalt 9.0 (W) 
and Huckaby
 
HRs: none
SBs: Roberts
 
Injuries: none
Limits: Franco 3 ABR, Roberts 2 ABR

 
Game 2
 
A great pitching duel emerged between Nomo for the Cajuns and Mulder for the Mafia.  This game went back and forth and then became a race to reach closer time.  Both teams feel that if they can get a lead to their closer in the 9th, the game is over.  The Mafia drew first blood.  They collected 3 hits and a walk in the 4th, but thanks to a double play, only plated one run.  It stayed 1-0 till Kevin Young doubled off Mulder in the top of the 7th to give the Cajuns their first lead of the year.  Mark Little got a pinch hit single off Nomo to tie the game heading to the 8th.  With the score tied in the bottom of the 8th, Jim Thome led the inning off with a solo shot to give the Mafia the lead.  Robb Nen retired the top of the Cajuns order 1-2-3 to end the game.
 
Cajuns        0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0         2    8    0
Mafia          0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 x         3    8    0
 
Cajuns pitching: Nomo 6.2, Stewart .1, Kline .2 (L), Gagne .1
and Schneider
Mafia pitching: Mulder 7.0, Mendoza 1.0 (W), Nen 1.0 (S)
and Varitek
 
HRs: Thome
SBs: none
 
Injuries: Hunter suspended after game for corked bat for 10 games
Limits: Franco 1 ABR, Roberts 1 ABR

 
Game 3
 
The Mafia was looking to sweep the Cajuns on this evening, and they came out of the gates roaring.  They sent newly acquired Brian Meadows to the showers after a 5 run first.  But the Cajuns responded with a six run 3rd, the key play being a 2 out grand slam by Edgar Renteria.  This really renewed the Cajuns confidence as they scored 14 unanswered runs.  By the time the smoke cleared, it was a 14-6 win for the Cajuns. 
 
Cajuns        0 6 0 4 0 1 0 3 0        14    17    1
Mafia          5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1          6     8     1
 
Cajuns pitching: Meadows 1.0, Day 4.0 (W), Stewart 2.0, Gagne 2.0
and Schneider
Mafia pitching: Mussina 4.0 (L), Mendoza 2.0, Foulke 2.0, Nen 1.0
and Varitek
 
HRs: Renteria, Rolen
SBs: none
 
Limits: Franco 3 ABR, Moeller 1 ABR, Chavez active
Injuries: none