Week 7: Pitchers hold onto No. 6 seed with split against Ninja Pirates

In what sounds like a truly nerve-wracking doubleheader, the Empty Pitchers split with the Ninja Pirates (formerly the Dirt Dogs), thanks to Sam and his Baseball God. The report from Sam below:

Game 1:
We were tied going into the bottom of the 7th.  Had 2 outs.  But gave up a single.  Then their 2nd spot girl hitter (who was pretty good) hit a liner to right that was perfectly split between our fielders, went to the fence, and it was enough to get the runner from first home. Loss.  

Game 2:
We were up 5-0 going into the 6th inning, where we gave up 3 runs. Then in the 7th inning they had 2 outs and a runner on 2nd; an easy grounder to me and I choked and threw the ball into the dirt. Run came home. Their No. 3 batter came up to bat and hit a liner to right field but God was looking out for me and the runner from 1st decided to go from 1st to 3rd and was thrown out at 3B. Game over. Thank you baseball God.

Brendan won the game ball.  He was ripping it and also made the last throw to get the runner out and saved the game.

Good games. Better than wedding dress shopping.

I couldn't agree more. Stats to come once I retrieve the book this Sunday... (updated, stats below!)

We'll go into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and take on TAP again. I like our chances; provided we beat them in the single-elimination game on Saturday, Nov. 2, game, we'll play the winner of Sub & Heroes and Rubin's Angels later that afternoon. Here's the full league standings to date:

1 - Sub & Heroes (10-0)
2 - Check Swingers (7-3)
3 - TAP (6-4)
4 - 99 Problems (6-4)
5 - Young Guns (7-5)
6 - Empty Pitchers (7-5)
7 - Ninja Pirates (5-5)
8 - Rubin's Angels (4-4)
9 - Dragons (4-8)
10 - Hot Cousins (4-8)
11 - Fontana's Bar (4-8)
12 - MediaCom (3-7)

Game 13 Box Score
10/19/2013
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
NP     0  0  0  0  0  3  1  4
EP     0  0  3  2  0  0  X  5

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
Brendan RC 4  1  2   3   0  .591 (5-7)
Brooke 2B  3  0  0   0   0  .143 (0-7)
Greg P     3  0  3   1   0  .710 (4-7)
Stacey 1B  3  0  0   0   0  .280 (0-6)
Matt LCF   3  0  2   0   0  .560 (3-6)
Katie RF   3  1  1   0   0  .189 (2-6)
Richie 3B  3  1  1   0   0  .429 (2-6)
Kelly C    3  0  0   0   0  .167 (1-6)
Pete LF    3  1  2   1   0  .400 (4-6)
Sam SS     3  1  2   0   0  .481 (3-6,walk)

2B - Brendan (3), Greg (8), Pete (2);
OTF - Brendan(3), Sam (3)

Game 12 Box Score
10/19/2013
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
EP     0  2  0  0  0  0  0  2
NP     2  0  0  0  0  0  1  3

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB 
Greg P     4  0  1   0   0  
Brooke 2B  4  0  0   0   0  
Sam SS     4  0  1   0   1  
Stacey 1B  3  0  0   0   0  
Matt LCF   3  1  1   0   0 
Katie RF   3  0  1   0   0  
Brendan RC 3  1  3   1   0  
Kelly C    3  0  1   0   0  
Richie 3B  3  0  1   1   0  
Pete LF    3  0  2   0   0

OTF - Greg(2), Sam(2)

Week 1: Empty Pitchers vs. Dirt Dogs

Game 2 Box Score
9/15/2012
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
EP     0  2  1  4  1  X  X  8
DD     0  0  0  0  0  X  X  0

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
John SS    4  1  4   2   0  .857 (6-7)
Julie 2B   2  0  0   0   2  .000 (0-5, 2 walks)
David P    4  1  2   2   0  .429 (3-7)
Brooke 1B  1  1  0   0   2  .000 (0-3, 3 walks)
Matt LF    2  0  1   1  sac .600 (3-5, sac)
Alicia RF  3  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-3)
Alex 3B    3  1  2   1   0  .667 (4-6)
Nicole C   2  0  0   0   1  .250 (1-5, walk)
Sam RCF    3  3  3   1   0  .833 (5-6, walk)
Felix CF   3  1  3   1   0  .714 (5-7)
2B - David (1), Felix (1), Sam (2);
OTF - Alex (1)

Game 1 Box Score
9/15/2012
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
DD     1  3  0  1  3  1  0  9
EP     1  0  1  2  0  0  0  4

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB 
Sam RCF    3  2  2   0   1 
Katie 2B   4  0  2   0   0 
Felix 3B   4  0  2   2   0 
Julie C    3  0  0   0   0 
John SS    3  0  2   0   0 
Brooke 1B  2  1  0   0   1 
Matt LF    3  1  2   0   0 
Nicole RF  3  0  1   1   0 
Alex P     3  0  2   1   0 
David CF   3  0  1   0   0 
2B - Matt (1), Sam (1); OTF - David (1)

2011 Playoffs: One and Done

Apparently unable to shake off the funk that comes with a one-and-done playoff run and bring myself to author a pithy post last fall, I'm now forced to relive the pain of last season's playoff outing in updating the blog for the start of the fall 2012 season. After eeking into the playoffs as the 6th seed, the Empty Pitchers appear to have had a short but wild ride in the Commish's new format, falling to the hated Dirt Dogs by the score of 6-4 in the first round. I've erased most memories of this game from my mind, so will instead let the scorebook's stats tell the tale...

Game Only Box Score
11/5/2011
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
EP     0  2  2  0  0  0  0  4
DD     0  0  1  0  3  2  X  6

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
Felix 3B   3  0  2   1   0  .667 (2-3)
Julie C    2  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-2)
 Lisa      1  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-1)
Sam RCF    3  0  1   1   0  .333 (1-3)
Stacey 1B  3  0  1   0   0  .333 (1-3)
Greg LF    3  1  1   0   0  .333 (1-3)
Katie 2B   3  1  3   0   0 1.000 (3-3)
David P    2  0  1   1   0  .500 (1-2)
 Alex K.   1  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-1)
Alicia RF  2  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-2)
 Mina      1  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-1)
Alex B. EH 3  0  2   1   0  .667 (2-3)
Nicole EH  3  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-3)
John SS    3  1  2   0   0  .667 (2-3)
Damian CF  2  1  1   0   0  .500 (1-2)
 Brian     -  -  -   -   -  .--- (0-0)
OTF - Sam (1)

* Note: Playoff stats do not count towards the regular-season.

Dirt Dogs Down Pitchers in Two

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.

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.

Week 5: Pitchers vs. Dirt Dogs

Game 10 Box Score
10/22/2011
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
EP     1  0  2  0  0  0  0  3
DD     6  0  2  0  0  X  X  8

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
Felix SS   3  2  1   0   1  .619 (1-2, walk)
Alicia 1B  2  0  1   0   0  .455 (1-2, walk)
 Stacey    1  0  1   0   0  .444 (2-4)
Greg P     3  0  2   3   0  .824 (3-4)
Tara 2B    3  0  0   0   0  .000 (0-5)
Sam 3B     1  0  0   0   0  .704 (1-3, walk)
 John      2  0  1   0   0  .857 (3-4, walk)
Lisa C     2  0  0   0   0  .333 (0-3)
 Julie     1  0  0   0   0  .409 (1-3)
Damian RCF 3  0  3   0   0  .550 (5-5)
Nicole RF  2  0  1   0   0  .444 (1-3)
Alex K EH  2  0  0   0   0  .250 (0-3, sac)
Mina EH    2  0  0   0   0  .211 (0-4)
 Katie     0  0  0   0   0  .286 (0-3)
Brian LF   1  1  0   0   1  .444 (2-3, walk)
 Alex B    1  0  0   0   0  .267 (0-4)
Matt CF    2  0  1   0   0  .706 (2-5)

2B - Damian (1), Matt (4)

Game 9 Box Score
10/22/2011
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  FINAL
DD     0  0  0  6  0  0  0  6
EP     0  0  1  3  1  0  0  5
PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB 
John SS    3  0  2   1   1
Katie EH   3  0  0   0   0
Sam 3B     3  1  1   0   1
Julie RF   2  1  1   0   0
 Lisa      1  0  0   0   0
Matt LF    3  1  1   0   0
Stacey 1B  3  0  1   2   0
Alex K RCF 2  0  0   1   0 
 Greg      1  0  1   0   0
Tara C     2  0  0   0   0
 Nicole EH 1  0  0   0   0
Brian CF   3  1  2   0   0
Mina 2B    2  0  0   0   0
 Alicia    1  0  0   0   1
Alex B P   3  0  0   0   0
Damian EH  2  1  2   1   0

2B - Brian (1), John (4), Stacey (1)
3B - John (1)

Week 8: NY Dirt Dogs Redux

Game 16 Box Score
11/20/2010
TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7 FINAL
DD     ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?   More Than 4
EP     0  0  0  0  2  2  0   4

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
Julie 2B   1  0  0   0   0  .400 (1-3, sac)
David CF   3  1  3   1   0  .607 (6-6)
Alicia P   3  0  0   0   0  .346 (1-6)
Brian LF   3  1  2   1   0  .278 (5-7)
Nicole C   3  0  1   1   0  .296 (2-7)
Sam SS     3  0  1   1   0  .485 (3-7)
Rachel RF  3  0  0   0   0  .294 (1-7)
Nick 3B    3  1  1   0   0  .583 (3-7)
Tara RCF   3  1  2   0   0  .588 (4-7)
Matt 1B    3  0  2   0   0  .667 (5-7)

2B - Brian (1), David (5), Nick (5), Tara (2)

Game 15 Box Score
11/20/2010 TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL

EP     0  1  0  2  1  2  3   9
DD     1  2  3  2  4  1  X   13
PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB 
Brian CF   4  2  3   1   0 
Nicole RF  4  1  1   1   0 
Sam 3B     4  0  2   2   0 
Rachel RCF 4  0  1   0   0
Nick LF    4  2  2   0   0
Tara 2B    4  1  2   2   0
Matt P     4  2  3   0   0
Julie C    2  0  1   1   0
David SS   3  0  3   1   0
Alicia 1B  3  1  1   1   0

2B - Alicia (1), David (4), Nick (4), Nicole (1), Tara (1)
3B - Nick (1), Sam (1); OTF - Nick (?)?

Pitchers Defeat Bite-less Dirt Dogs

After 72 frantic (and ultimately fruitless) hours searching for a fourth girl, the Empty Pitchers wound up taking two humdrum games from the NY Dirt Dogs by scores of 10-5 and 8-2.

A hot bottom third of the order plus lead-off man Felix generated half of the Pitchers' runs in Game 1. Felix's second inning, two-out double scored two key runs, giving the Pitchers some breathing room with a 3-0 lead - a score that stood until the top of the sixth.

Fatigued by a late Saturday night of Donkey Kong play on the Wii, Game 1 starter Damian struggled to find the strike zone. But that was about the only drama of the game. Even though the Dirt Dogs managed to push five runs across in the sixth and seventh innings, Damian was able to dig deep and stem the damage. (In retrospect, probably reserving his strength to reclaim the team-leading score on Jeremy's Donkey Kong machine that evening.)

Felix and Nick had three hits each in the early game, and Sam's second double of the game was at the heart of the Pitchers' seven-hit, five-run scoring flurry in the top half of the seventh. Smooth-talking Sam, who handily found a willing woman from the early game to play with the Pitchers, can also take some credit for ringer Dana's 3-for-4 game.

In Game 2, Greg got the ball after raising his hand and volunteering to make his Pitchers pitching debut. He coolly blanked the Dirt Dogs through the first five innings and maintained his composure - even after giving up a solid single to the woeful Dirt Dog who had been unable to put the ball in play in his first five at-bats.

The Pitchers continued scoring their runs in bunches, breaking the game open with four runs in both the third and fourth innings. Felix continued his tear at the top of the order, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs, and a balanced attack from the Pitchers' entire lineup ensured there weren't any easy innings for the Dirt Dogs.



Next game: Bye week next weekend and then it's a doubleheader against the win-less "Team Louis" on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 12:30 p.m.

Week 5: Pitchers vs. NY Dirt Dogs

Game 10 Box Score
10/9/2010

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DD     0  0  0  0  0  2  X   2
EP     0  0  4  4  0  X  X   8

PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
Felix LF   3  2  3   2   0  .571 (6-8)
Alicia 2B  3  1  2   1   0  .435 (3-5, 2 walks)
Alex 3B    3  1  1   2   0  .696 (3-7)
Dana 1B    3  0  2   1   0  .714 (5-7)
Greg P     3  0  1   1   0  .654 (3-7)
Julie RF   3  0  1   1   0  .444 (3-6)
Sam SS     3  0  1   0   0  .458 (3-7)
Lisa C     3  0  0   0   0  .182 (0-8)
Nick CF    3  2  2   0   0  .647 (5-7)
Damian RCF 2  2  2   0   0  .500 (4-6)

2B - Felix (3), Nick (3), Sam (4)
OTF - Nick (1)

Game 9 Box Score
10/9/2010

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     1  2  0  0  0  2  5   10
DD     0  0  0  0  0  3  2   5
PLAYER    AB  R  H  RBI  BB 
Felix SS   5  1  3   2   0   
Lisa RF    5  0  0   0   0
Alex 3B    4  0  2   0   0
Dana 1B    4  1  3   0   0 
Greg CF    4  1  2   1   0
Julie C    4  2  2   0   1
Sam RCF    4  2  2   2   0
Alicia 2B  4  0  1   1   2
Nick LF    4  2  3   2   0
Damian P   4  1  2   2   0
2B - Damian (1), Felix (2), Sam (2,3)
OTF - Damian (1)

Dirt Dogs Push Pitchers Back to .500

It was a tough Sunday at the ballpark for the Empty PItchers, who fell short offensively in both games against the New York Dirt Dogs, by scores of 10-3 and 4-2.

The Pitchers, still riding high from their pair of victories over the Stealers on Saturday, jumped out to an early lead in Game 1. A single from Julie easily brought home Felix, who had legged out a lead-off triple, and both Nicole and Greg would cross the plate in the second, scoring on consecutive singles by Alicia, Brian and Eric. But that was the end of the offense for the Pitchers, whose defense failed to blank the Dogs in any of the game's remaining innings.

In the second game, Damian was shocked to see his scoreless pitching streak end at six innings. Switch-hitting Felix was again at the center of the Pitchers' meager scoring opportunities, driving in Greg with another triple in the second and then scoring on a sac fly by Brian in the fifth. In between, Damian and Greg took the opportunity to flex their muscles with over-the-fence outs at inopportune moments and the Pitchers soon found themselves out of time and unable to piece together any more runs.

While Felix -- "Dangerous as a lefty," in the words of the ump, and batting above .900 according to my Excel spreadsheet -- received votes for Player-of-the-Games honors, the tip of the cap this week has to go to Alex, who played seriously impressive defense at third all morning long.

Next game: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. Blanket and Murph get their shot at running the show.

Empty Pitchers vs. NY Dirt Dogs

Game 8 Box Score
10/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  1  0  0  1  0  0   2
DD     0  1  2  0  0  1  X   4

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG 'On the Day'
28 Eric CF    3  0  2   0   0   .500 (3-5)
13 Julie C    3  0  2   0   0   .286 (3-6) 
15 Damian P   3  0  1   0   0   .611 (4-6)
 5 Alicia EH  3  0  2   0   0   .458 (3-6)
44 Alex 3B    3  0  0   0   0   .438 (2-6)
11 Nicole RF  3  0  0   0   0   .143 (0-6)
00 Greg 1B    3  0  2   1   0   .800 (4-6)
 3 Rachel RCF 3  0  0   0   0   .200 (0-6)
 5 Felix SS   2  1  2   1   0   .905 (4-5)
 8 Debbie 2B  2  0  1   0   0   .200 (1-5)
   Brian LF   2  0  0   1   0   .438 (1-5)
13 Matt EH    2  0  0   0   0   .636 (1-4, walk)

2B - Greg (4); 3B - Felix (2)
OTF - Damian (1), Greg (2)

Game 7 Box Score
10/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DD     1  0  2  2  2  1  2   10
EP     1  2  0  0  0  0  0   3

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
 5 Felix SS   3  1  2   0   0   .895
13 Julie 2B   3  0  1   1   0   .222
13 Matt P     2  0  1   0   1   .700
 8 Debbie RF  3  0  0   0   0   .000
44 Alex 3B    3  0  2   0   0   .538
 3 Rachel EH  3  0  0   0   0   .235
15 Damian EH  3  0  3   0   0   .667
11 Nicole C   3  1  0   0   0   .182
00 Greg LF    3  1  2   0   0   .824
 5 Alicia 1B  3  0  1   0   0   .429
   Brian CF   3  0  1   1   0   .500
28 Eric RCF   2  0  1   1   0   .474

2B - Felix (5); 3B - Felix (1); OTF - Greg (1)

Right Back Where We Started From

The Empty Pitchers returned to the Coleman Oval on a muggy Sunday, splitting the first doubleheader of the season against the rather unimaginatively-named New York Dirt Dogs. By virtue of having one less loss, the Dirt Dogs finished just ahead of the Pitchers during the 2007 regular season.

Speaking of which, the Pitchers picked up right back where they left off last season, dropping the first game via the Mercy Rule, 14-2. After giving up 8 unearned runs in the top of the first, the Pitchers were able to get back a couple of runs in the bottom of the inning. Rookie Felix drove in Damian, and Nicole returning to her Summer of '06 form, drawing a walk to push Matt across the plate. Offensive highlights were few and far between from there, as the Pitchers were held to only six hits.

On the bright side, the team did hang in for another five innings, taking advantage of the opportunity to socialize a bit, learn one another's names, figure out who the Craigslisters were, and, all the while, avoid repeating the defensive foibles of the first.

In the second game, the Pitchers pulled it together, triumphing 3-2 in a non-beer-related pitchers' duel. The Pitchers had what passed for a big offensive inning in the third, scoring all three of their runs and as they continued to shake the rust off their collective bats. The first three batters of that inning -- David, Damian and Brian -- all reached base, with Rachel, Alicia and Greg each delivering solid swings to drive runners in. Matt also began the defense of his 2007 team batting crown, going an intimidating 3-for-3 on the day.

As dusk closed in on the corner of Market and Monroe streets, the Pitchers had to hold on to the lead to get the win, blanking the Dirt Dogs over the final five innings. Brian had a key put-out in the bottom of the fourth, gunning down a runner at second from the outfield; bum leg and all, Jason showed no qualms about dirtying his brand-new shirt; and David pitched a strong game with some nice defensive stops of his own to seal the win for the Pitchers.



Next game: Sunday, Sept. 21. The Empty Pitchers take on the Remainders at the Coleman Oval. Plan to be at the field by 2:15 p.m.

Empty Pitchers vs. NY Dirt Dogs

Game 2 Box Score (6 innings)
9/14/2008

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  0  3  0  0  0  X   3
DD     2  0  0  0  0  0  X   2

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
12 Brian      2  1  0   0   1   .000  (0-4, walk)
4  Rachel     3  0  1   1   0   .400  (2-5)
2  Felix      3  1  2   0   0   .800  (4-5)
5  Alicia     3  0  2   1   0   .400  (2-5)
 00 Greg     3  0  1   1   0   .333  (1-3)
7  Kristine   2  0  1   0   0   .500  (1-2)
99 Jason      2  0  1   0   0   .500  (1-2)
9  Abbey      1  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-4)
 17 Jessica  1  0  0   0   1   .000  (0-2, walk)
77 Raul       3  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-3)
 21 Matt     1  0  1   0   0  1.000  (3-3)
10 Nicole     2  0  0   0   1   .000  (0-3, walk)
1 David       2  1  1   0   0   .250  (1-4)
15 Damian     2  0  2   0   0   .750  (3-4)

2B - Greg (1)
Over-the-Fence Out - Greg (1)

Game 1 Box Score (6+ innings)
9/14/2008

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DD     8  0  1  3  1  1  X   14
EP     2  0  0  0  0  X  X   2

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
9  Abbey      3  0  0   0   0   .000
15 Damian     2  1  1   0   0   .500
5  Alicia     2  0  0   0   0   .000
21 Matt       2  1  2   0   0  1.000
4  Rachel     2  0  1   0   0   .500
2  Felix      2  0  2   1   0  1.000
10 Nicole     2  0  0   1   1   .000
12 Brian      2  0  0   0   0   .000
 00 Greg     0  0  0   0   0    ---
17 Jessica    2  0  0   0   0   .000
 7  Kristine 0  0  0   0   0    ---
77 Raul       2  0  0   0   0   .000
 99 Jason    0  0  0   0   0   .000
1 David       2  0  0   0   0   .000

Over-the-Fence Out - David (1)