Archive | May, 2013

Walk-Off Home Run Propels Ham Slams to Dramatic Win

27 May
Chris's walk-off two run homer in the bottom of the sixth gave the Ham Slams a 6-4 victory

Chris’s walk-off two run homer in the bottom of the sixth gave the Ham Slams a 6-4 victory

In only his second career game, Chris of the Ham Slams hit a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth to give his team a 6-4 win over Questionable Outfit.

Evan started on the mound for the Ham Slams and pitched a scoreless top of the first inning. Bob, who pitched well in Questionable Outfit’s first week 1 game, started their second game as well, and cruised through the bottom of the first.

Evan continued to roll in the second, and the Ham Slams would break the scoreless tie in the bottom half of the inning. Steve led off with a single, and moved to second when Evan followed with a single. With one out, Anthony doubled, scoring both runners and putting the Ham Slams up 2-0. Bob retired the next batter and would be removed from the game after reaching the 8-inning weekly limit.

Steve singled and scored in the bottom of the second

Steve singled and scored in the bottom of the second

Reilly led off the top of the third with a solo homer, cutting the score to 2-1. With one out, Bob and Kimble each singled, but Evan was able to escape the inning, getting Reilly to ground out to left, stranding both runners.

Reilly crushed a solo homer in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 2-1 for Questionable Outfit

Reilly crushed a solo homer in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 2-1 for Questionable Outfit

Mike replaced Bob on the mound, and had some trouble early. With one out in the bottom of the third, Evan hit a solo homer, and the Ham Slams took a 3-1 lead.

The Ham Slams removed Evan from the game as Chris made his pitching debut. The first batter he faced, Mike, crushed a solo slam, cutting the score to 3-2. Bob followed with a single, and moved to second when Kimble singled. Reilly then singled, scoring Bob and tying the game at 3-3. Mike hit Questionable Outfit’s fourth consecutive single, scoring Kimble and moving the score to 4-3. However, while scoring from second, Kimble pulled a muscle, and was not 100% for the rest of the game. Chris settled down and retired the next two batters, but Questionable Outfit had taken their first lead of the game.

Injured and unable to field effectively, Questionable Outfit replaced Mike on the mound with Kimble. The first batter he faced, Anthony, blasted a solo homer, tying the game at 4-4. The Ham Slams couldn’t break the tie though, as the game was knotted through four innings.

Chris pitched a scoreless fifth, and Kimble matched him in the bottom half of the inning.

Chris was effective on the mound after struggling early

Chris was effective on the mound after struggling early

Bob led off the top of the sixth with a double, but was stranded when the next two batters were retired in order.

Steve flew out for the first out of the bottom of the sixth, but Evan followed with a one-out double. With the game-winning run in scoring position, Chris stepped to the plate and launched a towering bomb to deep left-center. The two-run homer was the first walk-off of 2013, as the Ham Slams came from behind to top Questionable Outfit 6-4 in dramatic fashion.

The win moved the Ham Slams to 2-2, while the loss dropped Questionable Outfit to 1-3 on the year.

W: Chris (1-0)
L: Kimble (0-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Chris hit a walk-off homer and picked up the win on the mound. Evan also pitched for the Ham Slams.
– Kimble took the loss for Questionable Outfit. Bob and Mike also pitched for Questionable Outfit.
– Anthony led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a home run, one run scored, and 3 RBI.
– Evan also went 3-for-4, with a single, a double, a home run, 3 runs scored, and an RBI.
– Bob and Kimble each had 3 hits for Questionable Outfit, while Mike and Reilly each homered.

Eastbound & Dahn Give Cookies & Cream First Loss of Season in Extra Innings

27 May
Ivan was strong in his 2013 debut, leading Eastbound & Dahn to the extra-innings victory

Ivan was strong in his 2013 debut, leading Eastbound & Dahn to the extra-innings victory

Ivan hit the game-winning home run and outlasted Cookies & Cream’s Dinger in a pitcher’s duel as Eastbound & Dahn won 3-2 in 7 innings.

Dinger, coming off a good start in week 1, picked up where he left off on the mound, pitching a scoreless first. Eastbound sent Ivan to the mound in his 2013 debut, and he also pitched a scoreless first, as the game was tied through an inning.

Dinger continued to roll in the second, and he got some run support in the bottom half of the inning. Joey led off the inning with a solo homer off Ivan, putting Cookies & Cream up 1-0. Ivan retired the next two batters, avoiding further damage.

Joey's solo homer in the second gave Cookies & Cream the early lead

Ivan delivers a pitch to Cookies & Cream’s Morrison

With one out in the top of the third, Tim crushed a solo bomb off Dinger, tying the game at 1-1. Ivan retired the side in the bottom of the third, maintaining the tie.

Eastbound celebrates at the plate after Tim's solo homer tied the game at 1-1

Eastbound celebrates at the plate after Tim’s solo homer tied the game at 1-1

Trevar led off the top of the fourth with a double, and made a great play on the base paths when he tagged up and took third base on a Mark flyout. With an out and a runner on third, Helal singled, scoring Trevar to give Eastbound & Dahn a 2-1 lead. Dinger retired the next batter, Tim, to end the inning.

Trevar doubled and scored in the fourth to put Eastbound up 2-1

Trevar doubled and scored in the fourth to put Eastbound up 2-1

Vassallo led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and moved to third on a Dinger single. Morrison followed with a single, scoring Vassallo to tie the game at 2-2. Guthrie then singled, loading the bases with no outs. It looked as if Cookies & Cream would open up a lead, but Ivan buckled down on the mound. He retired Joey and Vassallo consecutively, stranding all three runners and preserving the 2-2 tie.

Both pitchers settled into a groove in the fifth, as neither team registered a hit in the top of bottom of the inning.

Dinger pitched a scoreless top of the sixth, and Cookies & Cream had a chance to win the game with a run in the bottom of the inning. Ivan retired Guthrie for the first out, then fanned Joey for the second out, sending the game to extra innings.

Trevar's new wiffle shoes helped him make a clutch base running play in the fourth

Trevar’s new wiffle shoes helped him make a clutch base running play in the fourth

With one out in the top of the seventh, Ivan crushed a solo homer to right center, putting Eastbound & Dahn up 3-2. Trevar followed with a single, but Dinger retired Mark to end the inning.

Ivan remained on the mound, and continued to fool C&C hitters. He retired Vassallo and Dinger in order, and ended the game retiring the final 8 hitters he faced. He picked up the complete game win, snapping Eastbound’s two game losing streak.

The win moved Eastbound & Dahn to 2-2 on the season. Cookies & Cream dropped to 3-1 with the loss.

W: Ivan (1-0)
L: Dinger (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Ivan gave up 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out one for the complete game win. He also hit the game-winning home run in the top of the seventh.
– Trevar led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a single, a double, and a run scored.
– Morrison was the only Cookies & Cream player to register more than one hit, going 2-for-4 with 2 singles and a RBI.
– Dinger gave up only 3 runs on 5 hits, but took the complete game loss.

Questionable Outfit Ride Big Second Inning to 9-5 Win Over Eastbound & Dahn

27 May
Mike went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate as Questionable Outfit picked up its first win of the season

Mike went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate as Questionable Outfit picked up its first win of the season

Questionable Outfit picked up its first win in franchise history by defeating Eastbound & Dahn 9-5.

Team captain Bob made his EWL debut against Eastbound, and started on the mound for Questionable Outfit. He retired the first two batters he faced, including a strikeout of Eastbound’s Helal who was coming off a red hot week 1.

Questionable Outfit got on the board immediately when Kimble led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer. After an inning Questionable Outfit led 1-0.

Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after Kimble led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer

Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after Kimble led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer

Bob got into a little trouble in the second inning and lost his team’s early lead. Mark led off the inning with a double and moved to third on an Ivan single. With one out, Tim hit a double which scored both runs and gave Eastbound a 2-1 lead. Bob minimized the damage, escaping the second without further damage.

The lead wouldn’t last, as Questionable Outfit exploded in the bottom of the second. Bob helped himself out by leading off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game. Kimble, Reilly, and Mike each singled to load the bases, and Bob hit a single of his own which scored two runs, putting Questionable Outfit up 4-2. With runners on the corners, Kimble singled, scoring one, and pushing the score to 5-2. Reilly hit an RBI double, and Mike followed with an RBI single, making the score 7-2. Mark, pitching for Eastbound, finally recorded an out when Bob grounded out to center, but another run scored. The disastrous inning ended when Kimble grounded out to left, but Questionable Outfit had taken a commanding 8-2 lead.

Bob had 4 RBI in the bottom of the second as Questionable Outfit scored 7 runs

Bob had 4 RBI in the bottom of the second as Questionable Outfit scored 7 runs

Mark led off the top of the third with a triple and scored on an Ivan groundout to reduce the deficit to 8-3. But Eastbound & Dahn couldn’t add any additional runs in the third.

Questionable Outfit didn’t score in the bottom of the third, and Bob held Eastbound scoreless in the top of the fourth.

Reilly watches from second base as Eastbound's Ivan makes a juggling catch

Reilly watches from second base as Eastbound’s Ivan makes a juggling catch

Kimble led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer, his second of the game, putting Questionable up 9-3.

It looked as if Eastbound would rally in the top of the fifth. Mark led off with a double, and moved to third on an Ivan single. With one out, Tim singled, driving in both runners and cutting the score to 9-5. But the rally ended there, as Bob retired Helal to end the inning.

Bob makes a running catch

Bob makes a running catch

Questionable would not add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, but Eastbound couldn’t answer in the top of the sixth. Bob retired the side, giving Questionable Outfit their first win of the season and sending Eastbound to their second consecutive loss.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 1-2 on the year, and Eastbound & Dahn dropped to 1-2.

W: Bob (1-0)
L: Mark (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Kimble led Questionable Outfit at the plate, going 4-for-6 with 2 singles, 2 homers, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI
– Mike went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with 3 singles, a double, a triple, a run scored, and a RBI
– Bob pitched the complete game win, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits, and had 4 RBI at the plate
– Mark led Eastbound & Dahn on offense, going 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 3 runs scored.
– Tim also went 2-for-4 with 2 singles and 4 RBI.
– Mark took the complete game loss, giving up 9 runs on 14 hits while striking out two.

Guthrie Blanks Ham Slams 8-0 in Second Consecutive Shutout

27 May
Guthrie dominated the Ham Slams in a complete game shutout, his second of the yaer

Guthrie dominated the Ham Slams in a complete game shutout, his second of the year

Guthrie, considered by many the best pitcher in EWL history, added to his outstanding career resume by pitching his second consecutive complete game shutout in a 8-0 Cookies & Cream win over the Ham Slams.

Both pitchers came into the game hot, as the Ham Slams sent Charlie to the mound fresh off a great week 1 performance. Both pitchers looked strong early, as neither team scored in the first.

Morrison prepares to make contact on one of his two hits in the game

Morrison prepares to make contact on one of his two hits in the game

Cookies & Cream broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second, when Dinger blasted a solo homer for a 1-0 lead. Guthrie continued to fool the Ham Slams, pitching a scoreless second inning.

Neither team scored in the third, but Cookies & Cream broke the game open in the top of the fourth. Dinger and Morrison singled, and with one out, Joey crushed a three-run bomb, putting C&C up 4-0. Vassallo followed with home run, and the back-to-back jacks gave Cookies & Cream a five run lead.

Joey had two 3-run homers in the game

Joey had two 3-run homers in the game

Guthrie stormed through the bottom of the fourth, and got more run support in the top of the fifth. After Dinger and Guthrie singles, Joey hit his second three-run homer of the game, putting Cookies & Cream up 8-0.

Vassallo followed Joey's 3-run homer with a solo shot of his own

Vassallo followed Joey’s 3-run homer with a solo shot of his own

The Ham Slams couldn’t crack Guthrie, as he held them scoreless in the bottom of the fifth. Charlie got through the top of the sixth without giving up a run, but his offense couldn’t help him in the bottom half of the inning. Guthrie pitched a perfect sixth, closing out a complete game shutout, his second in as many starts.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to a perfect 3-0 on the season, while the Ham Slams dropped to 1-2.

W: Guthrie (2-0)
L: Charlie (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie has pitched 12 consecutive innings without giving up a run, one inning short of his own record for consecutive scoreless innings, which he set in 2011.
– Guthrie gave up only five hits, and only one runner advanced beyond first base.
– Joey had 6 RBI on the game, and Dinger led Cookies & Cream with 3 hits.
– Josh led the Ham Slams on offense, going 2-for-4 with 2 singles.
– Charlie pitched the complete game loss, giving up 8 runs on 10 hits.

Ham Slams Ride Charlie’s Arm to Easy 7-1 Win over Eastbound & Dahn

21 May
Charlie pitched the complete game victory for the Ham Slams as they easily beat Eastbound & Dahn 7-1

Charlie pitched the complete game victory for the Ham Slams as they easily beat Eastbound & Dahn 7-1

After a rough opening game of the 2013 season, the Ham Slams rebounded in the second game with solid production at the plate and a stellar pitching performance from Charlie as they beat Eastbound & Dahn 7-1.

The Ham Slams held Eastbound scoreless in the top of the first and immediately got to work at the plate. Evan singled and scored when Josh doubled, and after Steve’s RBI single, the Slams were up 2-0 after the first inning.

Eastbound didn’t score in the second, and the Ham Slams added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning. Anthony’s triple drove in Evan, and Steve followed with a two-run homer. Evan later hit a two-run home run himself, and after two innings the Slams were up 7-0.

Steve went 3-for-4 on the game with two singles, and homer, and 3 RBI

Steve went 3-for-4 on the game with two singles, and homer, and 3 RBI

Eastbound got on the board in the top of the third when Tim led off the inning with a solo homer, but Eastbound couldn’t rally as Charlie retired the next two batters.

The Ham Slams went quietly in the bottom of the third, but Charlie continued to roll in the fourth, retiring Eastbound in order.

The Ham Slams celebrate at home after Evan's two-run homer in the second inning

The Ham Slams celebrate at home after Evan’s two-run homer in the second inning

The Slams didn’t score in the bottom of the fourth, and neither team registered a run in the fifth inning.

Down six runs in their final at-bat, Eastbound was unable to mount a comeback. Aside from Tim’s homer, six other hits, all singles, as the Ham Slams cruised to a 7-1 win.

The win put the Ham Slams at 1-1 on the year, and Eastbound fell to .500, also at 1-1.

W: Charlie (1-0)
L: Trevar (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Charlie pitched the complete game win, scattering seven hits and allowing only one earned run
– Evan led the Ham Slams offensively, going three-for-four with two singles, a home run, three runs scored and two RBI.
– Helal led Eastbound at the plate, going 3-for-6 with three singles.
– Eastbound & Dahn played the game with 3 players