Archive | June, 2012

Ron Goes Deep Three Times, Carries Caucasians to 8-4 Win Over Fish Sticks

28 Jun
Ron went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI as he led the Caucasians past the Fish Sticks

Ron went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI as he led the Caucasians past the Fish Sticks

The Caucasians pounded Joey for 8 runs, led by Ron who hit 3 homers, as they easily defeated the Fish Sticks 8-4 in the second game of their double-header.

After their heartbreaking walk-off loss to the Fish Sticks earlier in week 7, the Caucasians looked to exact some revenge in their second meeting. They sent their ace, Guthrie, to the mound to get them back on track. He started by doing exactly that, retiring Joey and Vassallo in order in the top of the first inning.

The Caucasians would face Joey, who had pitched well against them earlier in the season. His luck wouldn’t continue in this matchup, as the Caucasians hit him early and often. Morrison led off the game with a double, and the Caucasians immediately had a runner in scoring position. Joey got Les to fly out to left for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Ron, hit a towering 2-run bomb to left field, putting the Caucasians up 2-0 early. Guthrie grounded out to center for the second out of the inning, as Joey held the deficit at two runs.

Ron watches the first of his three bombs sail over the left field fence

Ron watches the first of his three bombs sail over the left field fence

Blose led off the top of the second with a double, but Guthrie held him there, as he retired Dinger and Joey in order to maintain the 2-0 lead.

The Caucasians opened up on the Sticks in the bottom of the second. Morrison led off the inning with a solo bomb, making the score 3-0. Les followed with a double, and scored from second when Ron singled, pushing the score to 3-0. Guthrie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, but with one down and a runner on second, Morrison hammered another blast, a two-run homer to right-center, giving the Caucasians a 5-0 lead. Les flew out to the mound to end the inning, but the Caucasians had produced a comfortable lead.

Ron smokes an RBI single off Joey as Les scores from second

Ron smokes an RBI single off Joey as Les scores from second

Guthrie rolled through the top of the third, retiring Vassallo and Blose in order for a scoreless inning.

Guthrie held the league's best offense in check as the Caucasians rolled

Guthrie held the league’s best offense in check as the Caucasians rolled

Ron continued to swing a hot bat in the bottom of the third, leading off the inning with his second homer of the game, a solo shot that put the Caucasians up 6-0. Guthrie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, and following a Morrison single, Joey retired Les to end the inning.

Down six runs, the Sticks cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Dinger led off the inning with a double, and after Joey flew out to left for the first out of the inning, Vassallo crushed a two-run home run to right-center, cutting the score to 6-2. Guthrie held the Sticks in check, however, as Blose flew out to left for the second out of the inning.

For the second consecutive inning, Ron led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot, his third homer of the game. The bomb put the Caucasians ahead 7-2. Guthrie followed with a single, but the Sticks would turn two, as Morrison grounded out to Joey at the mound, who stepped on the mound while Guthrie was in between bases, ending the inning.

The Sticks made up for the run quickly in the top of the fifth, as Dinger led off with a solo homer, cutting the score to 7-3. But the Sticks couldn’t open up a big rally against Guthrie, as he retired Joey and Vassallo in order to end the inning.

Les led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, but he was stranded there, as Ron was finally retired, and Guthrie flew out to center to end the inning.

Down four runs, the Sticks hoped to score 5 in the bottom of the sixth for a second consecutive last-at-bat come back. It looked as if it just might happen, as Blose led off the inning with a solo shot, and the score was 8-4. But Guthrie tightened up as he had in previous innings, retiring Dinger and Joey consecutively, ending the game. The Caucasians had stormed ahead early and held on, splitting their week 7 double-header with the Fish Sticks.

Blose homered in the top of the sixth, but the Fish Sticks had too little too late and couldn't mount another come back

Blose homered in the top of the sixth, but the Fish Sticks had too little too late and couldn’t mount another come back

The win moved the Caucasians to 8-6 on the season, while the loss dropped the Fish Sticks to 9-5.

W: Guthrie (5-3)
L: Joey (4-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched 6 innings for the complete game win, giving up 4 runs on only 5 hits.
– Ron led the Caucasians offensively, going 4 for 5 with a single, 3 homers, 5 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Morrison also played well for the Caucasians, going 4 for 5 with a single, a double, 2 homers, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Blose and Dinger led the Fish Sticks at the plate, as each went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, and an RBI. Blose scored one run while Dinger scored two.
– Joey went hitless for only the second time in his EWL career, snapping a 16 game hitting streak. This is the second longest hitting streak in league history, second only to Blose, who has currently hit safely in 20 straight games. Vassallo also has a current hitting streak of 17 games.

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Vassallo’s Walk-Off Bomb Caps Stunning Sixth Inning Comeback as Fish Sticks Beat Caucasians 6-5

28 Jun
Vassallo continued to deliver in the clutch for the Fish Sticks, hitting a walk-off 3-run homer in the bottom of the sixth

Vassallo continued to deliver in the clutch for the Fish Sticks, hitting a walk-off 3-run homer in the bottom of the sixth

Despite trailing the entire game and heading into their final at-bat down 5-2, the Fish Sticks scored 4 consecutive runs in the bottom of the sixth to shock the Caucasians 6-5.

After missing over a month of EWL action, Dinger made his return to the Fish Sticks and the hill against the Caucasians. The first batter he faced, Morrison, tripled to lead off the game. He scored when the next batter, Ron, singled, and the Caucasians would take an early 1-0 lead. Ron moved to second when Les grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Dinger would strand him there, as Guthrie flew out to center to end the inning.

Morrison led off the game with a triple and scored, giving the Caucasians an early lead

Morrison led off the game with a triple and scored, giving the Caucasians an early lead

Although they gained Dinger after a long absence, the Fish Sticks would be playing without their leadoff batter and the league’s leading hitter, Ivan. Les, the EWL’s hottest pitcher coming into the game, started for the Caucasians. He cruised through the first inning, retiring Joey and Vassallo in order.

Dinger returned the favor in the top of the second, sending down Morrison and Ron consecutively to hold the score at 1-0.

Dinger was effective in his first pitching performance in a month

Dinger was effective in his first pitching performance in a month

The Sticks couldn’t hit Les in the bottom of the second, as Blose and Dinger each grounded out to end the inning.

The pitcher’s duel continued in the top of the third, as Les and Guthrie were sent down by Dinger for another scoreless inning.

Dinger makes a spectacular catch in the field as the Sticks rush in to back him up

Dinger makes a spectacular catch in the field as the Sticks rush in to back him up

Joey led off the bottom of the third with a shot into the tree. He reached first safely, but was retired for the first out of the inning after trying to stretch the hit into a double. Les then retired Vassallo, who grounded out to the mound, to end the third.

The Caucasians added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Morrison led off the inning with a solo homer to left-center, increasing the lead to 2-0. After Ron flew out to right for the first out of the inning, it looked as if the Caucasians would rally. Les singled, and moved to second when Guthrie followed with a single. But with one-out and runners on first and second, Morrison flew out to center, stranding the runners and ending the inning.

The Caucasians celebrate at home after Morrison homered in the top of the fourth

The Caucasians celebrate at home after Morrison homered in the top of the fourth

The Fish Sticks would finally get on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Blose led off the inning with a solo blast to right field, cutting the score to 2-1. Dinger followed with a single, but Les stranded him at first, as Joey and Vassallo each flew out to the mound, ending the fourth.

Dinger got into trouble in the top of the fifth, starting when Ron led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 3-1. Les followed with a single, and moved to second when Guthrie singled. Morrison hit a third consecutive single for the Caucasians, scoring Les from second and pushing the score to 4-1. With runners on the corners and no outs, Ron doubled, scoring Guthrie from third and extending the Caucasians lead to four runs. The Caucasians had runners on second and third with no outs, and it looked like the wheels were falling off for Dinger. But he got out of the jam without further damage, as Les flew out to the mound, leaving Morrison unable to tag from third, and Guthrie grounded out to the mound, ending the inning.

Ron connects on a homer in the top of the fifth, putting the Caucasians up 3-1

Ron connects on a homer in the top of the fifth, putting the Caucasians up 3-1

Down 5-1, the Fish Sticks started to rally in the bottom of the fifth. Blose led off with a double, and moved to third when Dinger followed with a single. With no outs and runners on the corners, Joey smacked another shot into the tree in left. Blose scored on the play, but for the second time in the game, Joey was caught trying to extend a single into a double, and the Caucasians picked up the first out of the inning. The base-runner error left Dinger at second, and Les stranded him there as Vassallo grounded out to left to end the inning.

With the score 5-2, the Caucasians put runners on quickly in the top of the sixth. Morrison singled, and moved to second when Ron followed with a single. With no outs and runners on first and second, the Caucasians were poised to add some insurance runs. But Dinger clamped down, as Les flew out to deep left, followed by Guthrie grounding out to left, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

The Sticks came into the bottom of the sixth down three runs, had fielded miserably, and had struggled against Les all game. Blose started the inning by hitting a double off the wall. He moved to third when Dinger singled, and there were runners on the corners with no outs. Joey, the tie runner, singled to left-center, scoring Blose from third and cutting the score to 5-3. With runners on first and second and no outs, Vassallo stepped to the plate and delivered in a huge way for the Fish Sticks. As he did throughout the 2011 playoff run, he picked up yet another clutch hit, hitting a mammoth blast to right-center field, a 3-run walk-off homer that put the Fish Sticks ahead 6-5 for the victory. After picking up only 6 hits through the first 5 innings, each of the Fish Sticks reached base safely in the bottom of the sixth, culminating with Vassallo’s walk-off bomb.

The win moved the Fish Sticks to 9-4 on the year, while the loss dropped the Caucasians to 7-6.

W: Dinger (3-1)
L: Les (2-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched 6 innings, giving up 12 hits while scattering 5 runs in the win in his first game back to the Fish Sticks. He also went 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 singles.
– Les gave up 6 runs on 10 hits, taking the loss for the Caucasians.
– The walk-off bomb was Vassallo’s only hit of the game.
– Blose led the Fish Sticks on offense, going 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, a homer, an RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Morrison led the Caucasians at the plate, going 4 for 6 with 2 singles, a triple, a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Ron also performed well at the plate, going 4 for 6 with 2 singles, a double, a homer, 3 RBI, and a run scored.

After 5-Run Rally in Top of the Sixth, Ham Slams Top Bobby Brown 9-8 in Seven Innings

28 Jun
Evan helped power the Ham Slams as they stormed back to top Bobby Brown in extras

Evan helped power the Ham Slams as they stormed back to top Bobby Brown in extras

Down 8-3 coming into their final at-bat, the Ham Slams scored 5 runs with no outs in the top of the sixth, then pulled ahead and beat Bobby Brown 9-8 in the seventh inning.

In the second game of their week 7 double-header, Bobby Brown returned to Gaurav, who pitched a gem but took a loss in their previous game. He started well, as Anthony and Evan were sent down in order in the top of the first.

Steve, who was dominant in the Slams previous win over Bobby Brown, was the starting pitcher and was hit hard early. Bobby Brown came out of the gates firing, starting with Mark, who led off the game with a solo homer. Brad followed with a double, and moved to third when Gaurav singled. Gaurav was caught making a base running error, however, and was retired for the first out of the inning. Bobby Brown wasn’t shaken, as Holly singled, driving in Brad and making the score 2-0 early. With a runner on first and one out, Mark crushed a two-run bomb to the opposite field, his second homer of the first inning. Brad made Lentz-back-to-back homers, as he hit a solo shot, putting Bobby Brown up five runs. Gaurav was unable to keep the inning going, as he flew out to center for the second out.

The Lentz Bros. combined for 3 homers in the top of the first as Bobby Brown jumped out to a big lead

The Lentz Bros. combined for 3 homers in the top of the first as Bobby Brown jumped out to a big lead

With some run support, Gaurav held the lead in the top of the second. Steve led off the inning with a triple, but Gaurav struck out TJ for the first out of the inning before Alec grounded out to left, stranding the runner on third and ending the inning.

The Slams and Steve pulled things together in the bottom of the second, as he retired Holly and Mark in order for a scoreless inning.

The Slams cut into the 5-run deficit in the top of the third, starting when Anthony led off the inning with an inside-the-park homer, putting the Ham Slams on the board. Evan followed with a single, and moved to second when Steve singled. TJ then grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but with runners on first and second and one out, Alec singled, scoring Evan. Gaurav ended the rally there, as Anthony grounded out to left for the second out of the inning.

With the score 5-2, Steve continued to gain momentum in the bottom of the third. Brad singled to start the inning, but he was stranded there, as Gaurav flew out to the mound and Holly grounded out to left to end the inning.

The Slams chipped further into the deficit in the top of the fourth when Evan led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 5-3. After Steve flew out to the mound for the first out of the inning, TJ hit a one-out triple, but Gaurav held him there, as he fanned Alec to end the inning.

Steve pitched a perfect bottom of the fourth, retiring Mark and Brad in order to hold the Bobby Brown lead at 2 runs.

The Slams couldn’t capitalize with the top of their order up in the top of the fifth, as Anthony and Evan were sent down in order.

Bobby Brown opened up a bigger lead in the bottom of the fifth, starting when Gaurav singled to lead off the inning. He moved to third when Holly doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Mark grounded out to the mound, but Gaurav raced home on the play, putting Bobby Brown up 6-3. With Holly on third and one out, Brad hit a towering bomb to left field, his second of the game, and Bobby Brown was back on top by 5 runs with the score at 8-3. Steve ended the inning by getting Gaurav to ground out to left, but it looked as if Bobby Brown had put the game away in the bottom of the fifth.

Holly doubled and scored in the bottom of the fifth, extending the Bobby Brown lead

Holly doubled and scored in the bottom of the fifth, extending the Bobby Brown lead

Two outs away from slipping the double-header, things turned on Gaurav quickly in the top of the sixth. Despite giving up only 2 runs on 7 hits through the first five innings, the Slams would hit him hard in the sixth. Steve started with a single, and moved to second when TJ singled. Alec hit yet another single, scoring Steve from second and putting runners on the corners with no outs. With the score 8-4, Anthony doubled, scoring the runner from third, and cutting the deficit to three runs. With no outs, runners on second and third, and the tying run at the plate, Evan delivered in the clutch, smashing a 3-run blast to right-center field, tying the game at 8-8. The Slams had come from five runs down to tie the game before recording a single out in the top of the sixth. A run away from taking the lead, the Slams fizzled. Steve struck out for the first out of the inning, followed by TJ grounding out to right to end the inning.

Despite blowing their big lead and the win, Bobby Brown still had a chance to score in the bottom of the sixth. The Ham Slams pulled Steve from the mound and switched to Alec. The move worked, as Holly and Mark were retired in order, sending the game to extra innings.

Gaurav remained in the game for Bobby Brown, and he retired Alec for the first out in the top of the seventh. But the next batter, Anthony, crushed the first pitch to deep left field, and the line drive homer put the Ham Slams ahead 9-8, their first lead of the game. Gaurav got Evan to fly out to left to end the seventh, but Bobby Brown would need a run to extend the game.

Anthony bombed a solo shot in the top of the seventh, putting the Slams ahead for good

Anthony bombed a solo shot in the top of the seventh, putting the Slams ahead for good

Alec shut the door fast and hard on Bobby Brown in the bottom of the seventh, as Brad and Gaurav were each retired by Anthony, ending the game and giving the Ham Slams the improbable come-from-behind win.

Alec closed the door on Bobby Brown, retiring 4 straight batters and picking up the win for the Ham Slams

Alec closed the door on Bobby Brown, retiring 4 straight batters and picking up the win for the Ham Slams

The victory moved the Slams to .500 at 7-7 on the season, while the heartbreaking loss put Bobby Brown at a record of 4-10.

W: Alec (3-2)
L: Gaurav (3-5)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Anthony and Evan led the Ham Slams on offense. Anthony went 3 for 6 with a double, 2 home runs, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Evan went 3 for 6 with a single, 2 homers, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Brad led Bobby Brown at the plate in the loss, going 4 for 6 with a single, a double, 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored. Mark also hit two homers in the contest.
– Alec entered the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, and retired 4 consecutive batters in 2 scoreless innings to get the win.

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Ham Slams Shut Down Bobby Brown in 4-1 Win

28 Jun
Steve pitched 5 innings in a win for the Slams, giving up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 2

Steve pitched 5 innings in a win for the Slams, giving up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 2

Evan went 3 for 4 with 2 triples and a home run as the Ham Slams never trailed in a 4-1 win over Downtown Bobby Brown.

The Slams started Alec on the mound, but he made only a brief appearance in the game. Mark led off the game with a triple, but the Slams stranded him at first, as Brad and Gaurav were retired consecutively to end the inning.

Mark went 3 for 4 for Bobby Brown, but got little help from his teammates

Mark went 3 for 4 for Bobby Brown, but got little help from his teammates

Bobby Brown started their ace, Gaurav, and he got off to a good start, sending down Anthony and Evan in order to maintain a scoreless tie.

The Ham Slams removed Alec from the game in the top of the second, opting for Steve on the mound. He got Holly to groundout to left for the first out before fanning Mark to end the second.

Gaurav continued to cruise in the bottom of the second, as Steve and Alec grounded out to Brad in left consecutively.

Gaurav pitched well for Bobby Brown but got little run support

Gaurav pitched well for Bobby Brown but got little run support

The scoreless game would continue in the top of the third, as Steve retired Brad and Gaurav in order to maintain the 0-0 score.

The Slams broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third as they finally got to Gaurav. Anthony led off the inning with a double, and scored when Evan followed with a triple, making the score 1-0. Gaurav got the first out of the inning when Steve grounded out to left, but Evan scored from third on the play, putting the Slams up two runs. With one out and no runers on, Alec grounded out to left, ending the inning.

Steve picked up his second strikeout of the game in the top of the fourth when Holly went down on strikes to lead off the inning. Mark followed with a one-out single, but was held at first when Brad grounded out for the second out of the inning.

Anthony makes a running catch as his Ham Slam teammates look on

Anthony makes a running catch as his Ham Slam teammates look on

Anthony and Evan sparked a few more runs for the Slams in the bottom of the fourth. Anthony led off with a solo homer, making the score 3-0, and Evan followed with a solo shot of his own, making back-to-back jacks and putting the Slams ahead 4-0. Gaurav settled down following the homers, getting Steve and Alec to fly out in order to end the fourth.

Evan went 3 for 4 with 2 triples and a homer, driving in 2 of the Slams 4 runs

Evan went 3 for 4 with 2 triples and a homer, driving in 2 of the Slams 4 runs

Bobby Brown would cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth, but only minimally. Holly singled to lead off the inning, and scored when Mark doubled. But Mark tried to extend the double into a triple, and was caught in between bases for the first out of the inning. The rally ended there, as Steve got Brad to ground out to left to end the inning with the score 4-1.

The Slams couldn’t add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. After Anthony grounded out to the mound for the first out of the inning, Evan tripled with one out. But Gaurav stranded him at third, getting Steve to fly out to Holly in right for the second out.

Up three runs, the Slams kept Steve on the mound to close things out. Brad led off the inning by grounding out to left, and after Gaurav singled with one out, Holly flew out to the mound for the second out, ending the game.

The win moved the Ham Slams to 6-7 on the season, while the loss dropped Bobby Brown to 4-9.

W: Steve (1-1)
L: Gaurav (3-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Evan led the Ham Slams going 3 for 4 with 2 triples, a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Anthony also played well, going 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, an RBI, and 2 runs scored.
– Mark led Bobby Brown on offense, going 3 for 4 with a single, a double, a triple, and an RBI.
– Steve pitched 5 innings for the win, giving up 4 hits while striking out two.
– Gaurav pitched well in the complete game loss, giving up 4 runs on only 5 hits.

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Wiffle Days of Summer

12 Jun
The Wiffle Goods

The Wiffle Goods

Eleven games into the season the EWL trudges on. With week 7 approaching, all teams are within 3 games of each other in the standings. Bobby Brown has already surpassed their 2011 win total, as they sit tied at 4-7 with the Ham Slams. Three games ahead, the Caucasians and the Fish Sticks, the teams that met in last year’s Wiffle Series, continue to set the pace for the league, as they are tied at 7-4.

Offensive records are being broken as the season moves along, and a new batch of balls are in to finish out the season.

The record book and stats are fully updated. Vote for Wiffler of the Week and get ready for the week 7 action!

The week 7 probables:

Fish Sticks (Joey 4-3) vs. Caucasians (Guthrie 4-2)
Downtown Bobby Brown (Gaurav 3-2) vs. Ham Slams (Alec 1-2)
Fish Sticks (Dinger 2-1) vs. Downtown Bobby Brown (Mark 0-2)
Caucasians (Les 2-0) vs. Ham Slams (Evan 0-3)

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