With Matt and Rachel watching from their Skybox, the Pitchers came crashing back down to the Coleman Oval last week, dropping both games to the Dirt Dogs, by a score of 6-5 in Game 1, and a closer-than-it-sounds score of 8-3 in Game 2.
After falling behind in the first game, pitcher Alex B. was able to hold the Dirt Dogs at bay long enough for the Empty Pitchers to begin their rally back. Stacey came up with a huge double in the fourth inning, driving in Sam and Julie, and a batter later Alex K. brought in Matt with a sacrifice, narrowing the score to 6-4. The Pitchers would claw back to score an additional run in the fifth, and Matt would attempt to literally knock the Dirt Dogs' pitcher out of the game in the sixth, but the Dirt Dogs were able to hold on for the win, as the Pitchers' seventh-inning comeback stalled after getting a pair of runners aboard. John (double, triple, walk), Brian and Damian all contributed a pair of hits in the early game, but the scatter shot offense couldn't string enough together to get it done.
Game 2 saw Greg take the ball after catching the red eye back for gametime, and, just in time for the playoffs, get a taste of what it feels like to be on the mound when the hits start dropping in. After scoring a run in the first, the Dirt Dogs bit back with six runs in the bottom of the frame, and tacked on another pair for insurance in the third. Greg did his best to help himself out, driving in all 3 of the Pitchers' runs in Game 2, while Damian collected another three hits to complete a perfect 5-for-5 day (and suddenly become much more interested in the status of his batting average).
Heading into November, John sits atop the standings with an .857 average. Greg needs to pick up the pace sitting back at .824, with the season winding down, and Matt and Sam are neck and neck for third place, with .706 and .704 averages, respectively. And no, there's no pulling a Jose Reyes at the Oval.
Next game: After last weekend's nor'easter cancelled our games with the Jaguars, we'll get a fast chance to take revenge on the Dirt Dogs, meeting them at the Coleman Oval on Saturday for the first round of the playoffs at 10 a.m.
After falling behind in the first game, pitcher Alex B. was able to hold the Dirt Dogs at bay long enough for the Empty Pitchers to begin their rally back. Stacey came up with a huge double in the fourth inning, driving in Sam and Julie, and a batter later Alex K. brought in Matt with a sacrifice, narrowing the score to 6-4. The Pitchers would claw back to score an additional run in the fifth, and Matt would attempt to literally knock the Dirt Dogs' pitcher out of the game in the sixth, but the Dirt Dogs were able to hold on for the win, as the Pitchers' seventh-inning comeback stalled after getting a pair of runners aboard. John (double, triple, walk), Brian and Damian all contributed a pair of hits in the early game, but the scatter shot offense couldn't string enough together to get it done.
Game 2 saw Greg take the ball after catching the red eye back for gametime, and, just in time for the playoffs, get a taste of what it feels like to be on the mound when the hits start dropping in. After scoring a run in the first, the Dirt Dogs bit back with six runs in the bottom of the frame, and tacked on another pair for insurance in the third. Greg did his best to help himself out, driving in all 3 of the Pitchers' runs in Game 2, while Damian collected another three hits to complete a perfect 5-for-5 day (and suddenly become much more interested in the status of his batting average).
Heading into November, John sits atop the standings with an .857 average. Greg needs to pick up the pace sitting back at .824, with the season winding down, and Matt and Sam are neck and neck for third place, with .706 and .704 averages, respectively. And no, there's no pulling a Jose Reyes at the Oval.
Next game: After last weekend's nor'easter cancelled our games with the Jaguars, we'll get a fast chance to take revenge on the Dirt Dogs, meeting them at the Coleman Oval on Saturday for the first round of the playoffs at 10 a.m.
All right, Alex K., you win for best "fun" face.
Gah, sorry Matt! Eyes closed in both of the pictures I took -it's the 2008 team photo all over again.
