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Manchester Express 2002

Game 11 & 12 : Barnsley Strikers - by Roger Young

The first game was a long and tense game of baseball. The Express again started badly and were 8-1 down after 3 innings. Express starter Rob Denham (0:1) gave way in the 2nd innings unable to find a constistent zone, and GB junior Johnny Woodall (0:0) took the mound for the first time in a senior match. He helped the Express get back into the game, and with some improved offence the Express took a 15-13 lead into the last innings. Reliever Hervé Boutin (2:3) took over from Johnny, but could not find the strike zone, and after loading the bases gave way to Sam Allen (0:2), the Express still struggled to get the third out and the Strikers scored 7 runs, a lead of 5 runs, the Express only managed 1 run in the last and lost 20-16, a match they felt they could have won.

Danny going for the fence

In the second game the Express started better, only giving away 3 runs in the first innings, but with regular starter Rick Garcia (0:0) making his first start of the year, and the Express defence tightening up, they only gave up 1 run in the next 5 innings. The offence scored steadily and the Express again took a lead into the last innings, but this time just 1 run. Reliever Danny Allen (1:0) took over from Rick in the 6th innings, but another good final at bat by the Strikers saw them score 4 runs and take a 3 run lead. The Express were down, but not out, Hervé led off with a walk then a towering double to left field from Roger Young (his second of the game) and a walk from Rob brought the winning run to the plate. Matt Cooper rose to the occasion and hit a 3 RBI double to tie the game, he then made it home from second (just!) on a pass ball, a close call at the plate went for the Express and they had won 9-8.

Express bench, incl. Rick Garcia for the first time in '02

Stats: Roger Young recorded his 150th MBC career hit in the match, a record for MBC. Updated MBC records here.

Game 13 : Halton Jaguars - by Roger Young

The Express were managed by Roger Young in the absence of Hervé Boutin - on Bastille Day, Roger (2:1) picked up his first ever win as manager and his second as pitcher this season. He was the third Express pitcher in a bizarre 7th innings which saw the scores start at 10-6 to the Express - thanks to a good job from starting pitcher Sam Allen (0:2), but after Sam tired his brother Danny (1:0) took over and struggled to find the zone. Meanwhile Halton scored 11 runs, only for the Express to tag a tiring Rob Mills and score 8 back to regain the lead, including an two RBI double by Rick Garcia (his third hit of the day). The Express then held Halton scoreless in the last 2 innings to pick up their second (close) win over Halton this year.

Express team (incl. debutant junior Mike Gaskell - front left) v Halton

In offense the bottom of the order had a great day; No. 7 catcher Matt Cooper hitting 2 doubles and stealing 7 bases, No. 8 debutant junior Mike Gaskell getting 4 walks and 1 sac-hit, and No. 9 former general manager Dave Allen in his first match of the season getting hit by 3 pitches! Updated Express stats here.

Dave Allen equals the season HBP tally in one game v Halton

Stats: Rob Denham hit his first MBC home run, while Danny Allen became the second MBC player to twice hit 2 homers in one day, and is now only 1 behind the season homerun record of Rick Garcia (8). Updated MBC records here.

Thanks from the Express to Yobert Pino, who stepped in at the last minute to umpire the game, after our scheduled umpire called in sick.

Game 14 : Manchester A's - by Roger Young

The Express (6:8) beat their sister team the A's (2:13); 21-3. Manger Roger Young (3:1) picked up the win pitching the first 5 innings and giving up just 2 runs. Reliever Matt Cooper (0:0) pitched the last 2 innings for just 1 run, and also led the offence with 3 hits. Chris Jackson started for the A's, and Paul Fagan pitched well in relief, but 2 big innings for the Express and too many errors meant the A's never recovered after an Express 9 run second innings.

Thanks from both teams to Ronan Dunne, who put in an excellent upmiring performance, despite already umpiring 30 plus innings during the junior tournament.

Junior manager Chris Woodall getting a hit for the Express

Game 15 : Shropshire Panthers - by Roger Young

The Express (6:9) lost a tight one run game to Shropshire (11-5); 12-11. Dimtcho Dimov (0:1) started on the mound for the first time this season, and pitched really well, taking the Express to a 5-1 lead after 4 innings. Shropshire came back in the 5th and despite Herve Boutin (2:3) again pitching well in relief Shropshire took the lead in the 7th. Shropshire then scraped home in the 9th, despite the Express getting the winning run to the plate. Roger Young led the offense with 3 hits, while Sam Allen and Rob Denham recorded 2 each.

Stats: Rob Denham hit the first Express triple of the season, and Hervé Boutin became the fourth player to reach 50 MBC career RBIs. Updated MBC records here.

Game 16 : Glasgow Stars - by Roger Young

The Express (7:9) beat an improved Glasgow (2:13); 15-9. It was not as easy as the score suggests, the Stars held onto an early lead until the top of the 7th, but reliever Hervé Boutin (3:3) kept the Stars scoreless from the 5th to the 8th and the Express were able to take the lead late on helped by 2 homers from Danny Allen and 3 hits each for Roger Young and Rob Denham.

Stats: MBC legend Rick Garcia lost 2 of his MBC batting records in this game, first Danny Allen passed his home run season tally of 8, then Roger Young passed his RBI career record of 96 - Rick still holds 3 others though!. Updated MBC records here.

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