Longmeadow coming off an impressive series against the Blue Suede geared up to face a three game series with the Spiders. The battle for second place ensued and one thing we learned in this series is beware of the pitchers(Because they can HIT!!!!!!!!!!)

Maroth vs. Sabathia (Game #14)
The Spiders jumped over Sabathia early led by a two run double by the pitcher mike Maroth. Bagwell added an insurance run and the spiders built a quick 3-0 lead. Now to the bottom of the fifth where the lightning struck back with Vina receiving his second straight hbp followed by doubles by Sabathia and Marrero to cut the lead to 3-2. It stayed that way to the seventh when the lightning broke it open started by a pinch hit HR by Mabry and then followed by another two run dinger by Tejada. As the lightning smashed out 6 more runs to make the score 8-3 to give them another victory. The Lightning fans were all overjoyed over this massive explosion, but what they didn't realize is the Lightning streak was about to end for they would not score another run in this series.

The essentials:
Spiders 021 000 000 - 3 9 0 
Lightning  000 020 60X 8  9 1 

Spiders Data:
Pitching Maroth 6.1(L), Banks1.2
Catching Loduca 9
Home Runs Bagwell
Stolen Bases None
Injuries None
Ejections None
Limits Used None

Lightning Data:
Pitching Sabathia 7(W), Riske 2(S)
Catching Ausmus 9
Home Runs Mabry, Tejada
Stolen Bases None
Injuries None
Ejections None
Limits Used None

Other Info:
Night game, Temperature 58, pt cldy,
Wind lt at 0-9 mph, Home umpire - Crawford (N)

Game #15
Tomko vs Sabathia
This one was over from the beginning. As Carlos Hernandez could never find his stuff and was pulled after three innings being down 4-0. With Ausmus taking a day off the pitching game was just disappeared, and Tomko made the lead standup with a complete game shutout to capture the 6-0 win. The one frustating thing for the spiders in this game was Bagwell's explosion of a strikeout in the first, and I don't blame him as every one else seemed to get on base, so he got tossed but would not be needed.

The essentials:

Spiders 202 020 000 - 6 11 1
Lightning  000 000 000 - 0  6 0 

Spiders Data:
Pitching Tomko 9(W)
Catching Kreuter 9
Home Runs“ None
Stolen Bases Guerrero, Kreuter
Injuries None
Ejections Bagwell(Arguing Strikes)
Limits Used Kreuter 1AB vs lhp, 2AB vs RHP

Lightning Data:
Pitching Hernandez 3(L), Thurman 1.2, Alvarez 3.1, Redding 1
Catching Marrero 9
Home Runs None
Stolen Bases None
Injuries None
Ejections None
Limits Used None

Other Info:
Night game, Temperature - 46,PT Cloudy
Wind in 10-19 mph, Home umpire Gorman (S)

Game # 16
Duckworth vs Armas
This game was a pitchers duel to end the series. Armas pitched a brilliant game lasting 7 innings while only giveing up two runs one a solo shot by A. Kearns, and another one due to two straight wild pitched, but other than that zilch. However surprising enough Duckworth was even better. He must of been hanging out in Anaheim with Giguere as he also learned how to shutout an explosive offense for th seven innings. Dotel closed the door in the ninth as the lightning bats just went cold. The lightning need to go back to the drawing board as the spiders shut them down for 19 straight innings.

Well hopefully they can regroup with their makeup game with Carolina

The essentials:
Spiders  000 200 000 - 2 7 0
Lightning    000 000 000 - 0 3 0 

Spiders Data:
Pitching Duckworth (W) 6, Stanton 1, Dotel(S)2
Catching Loduca 9
Home Runs Kearns
Stolen Bases None
Injuries None
Ejections None
Limits Used Bragg 1 AB v RHP

Lightning Data:
Pitching Armas (L) 7, FROD 2
Catching Ausmus 9
Home Runs None
Stolen Bases None
Injuries None
Ejections None
Limits Used None

Other Info:
Night game, Temperature - 51, Partly Cloudy,
Home umpire Cooper (N)