Archive | June, 2013

Morrison Blasts Three Homers for Cookies & Cream and Guthrie Shuts Out Ham Slams 6-0

24 Jun
Morrison went 4-for-4 with three 2-run homers as Cookies & Cream topped the Ham Slams 6-0

Morrison went 4-for-4 with three 2-run homers as Cookies & Cream topped the Ham Slams 6-0

Morrison hit three two-run homers to lead Cookies & Cream, and Guthrie pitched a two-hit shutout, as the Ham Slams lost 6-0 for their sixth consecutive loss.

Guthrie got off to a good start in his first appearance on the mound in 3 weeks. He retired the side in order in the top of the first. He then led off the bottom of the first with a single, but the Ham Slams starting pitcher, Charlie, retired Joey and Dinger to strand him and end the inning.

The Ham Slams went down in order in the top of the second, and it looked as if Cookies & Cream would rally in the bottom half of the inning. Morrison singled to lead off the inning, and Guthrie followed with his second single of the game. On the play, Morrison attempted to go from first-to-third, but the Ham Slams caught him in between bases for the first out of the inning. Charlie then retired Joey for second out, maintaining the scoreless tie.

Guthrie continued to roll in the top of the third. He retired Josh and Anthony in order for a perfect inning.

Guthrie was in control throughout, allowing only 2 singles in the complete game shutout

Guthrie was in control throughout, allowing only 2 singles in the complete game shutout

Cookies & Cream had the first of what would be three consecutive similar innings in the bottom of the third. Dinger led off the inning with a single, and the next batter, Morrison, crushed a two-run bomb to left, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 2-0. Charlie then retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Guthrie retired Steve for the first out in the top of the fourth, and after Charlie singled for the first hit of the game for the Ham Slams, Josh grounded out to left, stranding the runner and ending the inning.

Cookies & Cream were on repeat in the bottom of the fourth. Dinger led off the inning with a single, and Morrison blasted his second two-run homer of the game, making the score 4-0. Cookies & Cream couldn’t continue the rally, however, as Charlie retired Guthrie and Joey to end the fourth.

Dinger went 3-for-4 with three singles and three runs scored in the Cookies & Cream win

Dinger went 3-for-4 with three singles and three runs scored in the Cookies & Cream win

After retiring Anthony to start the top of the fifth, Guthrie allowed a single to Steve. But he stranded the runner, retiring Charlie to end the inning.

For the third consecutive inning, Dinger led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. On schedule, Morrison hit a two-run home run, his third in as many at-bats, pushing the Cookies & Cream lead to 6-0. Guthrie and Joey were retired to end the inning.

Down six runs, the Ham Slams went quietly in the top of the sixth. Guthrie mowed through Josh and Anthony, ending the game and giving Cookies & Cream a 6-0 win.

The win pulled Cookies & Cream even with Questionable Outfit atop the standings with an 8-4 record. The Ham Slams dropped their sixth straight, falling to 3-9.

W: Guthrie (4-1)
L: Charlie (2-5)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, allowing only two hits, each singles, in the shutout. No Ham Slams runner advanced beyond first base in the game.
– Charlie took the loss in the complete game effort, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits.
– Morrison led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a single, 3 homers, 3 runs scored, and 6 RBI. Dinger also collected 3 singles and 3 runs scored Cookies & Cream.
– Steve and Charlie registered the only Ham Slams hits, each singles.

Questionable Outfit Explode for 19 runs, Destroy Eastbound & Dahn 19-1

24 Jun
Mike not only dominated on the mound, he became the first player in 2013 to hit for the cycle as Questionable Outfit ran over Eastbound & Dahn 19-1

Mike not only dominated on the mound, he became the first player in 2013 to hit for the cycle as Questionable Outfit ran over Eastbound & Dahn 19-1

In the biggest offensive outburst of the 2013 season, Questionable Outfit scored in all but one inning as they demolished Eastbound & Dahn 19-1.

Eastbound & Dahn sent Ivan to the mound in what would be a record-setting pitching performance for all the wrong reasons. He got into trouble early and often, suffering the most damage in the top of the first. Tom led off the game with a double, and when Ivan retired the second batter, Reilly, it looked as if it may be a routine inning. What followed was the most impressive offensive display this season. A combination of great hitting and terrible fielding led Questionable Outfit on a 9-run rally that started with Bob’s RBI single, scoring Tom from second to make the score 1-0. The next batter, Mike, hit a 2-run home run, pushing the Questionable Outfit lead to 3-0. Tom followed with a double, his second of the inning, and scored when the next batter, Reilly, tripled. With the score 4-0 and a runner on third, Bob hit an RBI single, his second of the inning, making the score 5-0. Mike followed with a triple, scoring Bob, extending the lead to 6-0. Tom then singled for his third hit of the inning, scoring Mike. With the score 7-0 and a runner on first, Reilly crushed a two-run bomb, and Questionable Outfit led 9-0. After 8 consecutive batters reaching base and scoring, Ivan finally retired Bob for the second out of the inning.

Reilly had a triple, a homer, and 3 RBI during Questionable Outfit's 9-run first inning

Reilly had a triple, a homer, and 3 RBI during Questionable Outfit’s 9-run first inning

Hartley led off the bottom of the first with a single, but Eastbound & Dahn were unable to chip away at the deficit. Mike retired Helal and Ivan to end the inning with the score 9-0.

Mike doubled to start the top of the second, but was caught trying to extend the hit into a triple for the first out of the inning. But Questionable Outfit would add to their lead. Tom doubled for the third time in the game, and scored on a Reilly single to make the score 10-0. Bob singled, and Reilly raced to third, putting runners on the corners with one out. Mike followed with another single, giving him the cycle for the game (in revers order), which scored Reilly and pushed Bob from first to third. With runners on first-and third and an 11-0 lead, Ivan retired Tom for the second out of the inning.

Mike pitched a scoreless frame in the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order.

Up 11 runs, Questionable Outfit kept their foot on the pedal in the top of the third. Reilly, Bob, and Mike each singled to start the inning, loading the bases with no outs. The next batter, Tom, grounded out to left, but a run scored on the plate, making the score 12-0. Reilly followed with his second single of the inning, scoring Bob and Mike giving Questionable Outfit a 14-run lead. Bob grounded out to right to end the inning.

Eastbound & Dahn would finally get on the board in the bottom of the third. Ivan led off the inning with a solo shot, cutting the deficit to 14-1. But the rally ended there, as Mike retired Hartley and Helal consecutively.

Ivan retired Mike to start the top of the fourth, and it looked like a scoreless inning may be on the horizon. But Questionable Outfit continued to pour it on, as Tom hit a solo homer, making the score 15-1. Reilly singled with one out, and the next batter, Bob, hit a two-run bomb, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 17-1. Ivan struck out Mike for the second out of the inning.

Tom had 3 doubles and a homer while scoring 5 runs in the blowout win

Tom had 3 doubles and a homer while scoring 5 runs in the blowout win

After Ivan flew out to the mound for the first out in the bottom of the fourth, Hartley singled. But Mike stranded him at first, retiring Helal to end the inning.

After four consecutive innings scoring at least 2 runs, Questionable Outfit finally went scoreless in the top of the fifth, as Ivan retired Tom and Reilly in order. Unfortunately, Eastbound couldn’t reverse their luck at the plate, as Mike retired the side without a hit in the bottom of the fifth.

Bob led off the top of the sixth with a single, his fifth of the game. The next batter, Mike, hit his second homer of the game, a two-run shot that put Questionable Outfit ahead 19-1. Ivan retired Tom and Reilly to end the inning.

Bob went 6-for-8 while driving in 4 RBI

Bob went 6-for-8 while driving in 4 RBI

Up 18 runs, Mike retired Helal for the first out of the inning, then fanned Ivan for the second out, capping off the most impressive performance of the 2013 season.

Questionable Outfit extended their winning stream to 4 games and improved to 8-4 with the win, as Eastbound & Dahn dropped to 5-7 with the loss.

W: Mike (5-0)
L: Ivan (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Mike allowed only three hits and a single earned run in the complete game win, moving to a perfect 5-0 on the year.
– Ivan had a record-setting performance on the mound, breaking the single-game records for most hits allowed and runs allowed. In total he gave up 19 earned runs on 22 hits in the loss.
– All four members of Questionable Outfit had outstanding performances at the plate.
– Tom went 5-for-9 with a single, 3 doubles, a homer, 5 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Reilly went 6-for-9 with 4 singles, a triple, a home run, 5 runs scored, and 6 RBI.
– Bob went 6-for-8 with 5 singles, a home run, 5 runs scored, and 4 RBI.
– Mike went 6-for-8 with 2 singles, a double, a triple, 2 home runs, 4 runs scored, and 6 RBI. He became the first player in 2013 to hit for the cycle, which he did in reverse order in his first four at-bats. He also struck out once.
– Hartley was the only Eastbound & Dahn player to register multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with 2 singles.

Bob Pitches Questionable Outfit Past Cookies & Cream 4-2

24 Jun
Mike went 2-for-4 with a homer and a single in a 4-2 Questionable Outfit win over Cookies & Cream

Mike went 2-for-4 with a homer and a single in a 4-2 Questionable Outfit win over Cookies & Cream

Bob held the Cookies & Cream offense in check and each member of Questionable Outfit contributed a run in a 4-2 win, drawing them to a tie in the standings through 11 games.

Morrison led off the game with a single for Cookies & Cream, but Bob retired Joey and Guthrie to end the top of the first without allowing a run. Cookies & Cream started Dinger on the mound, and he started similarly. He retired Tom to start the game, and after allowing a one-out single to Reilly, he got Bob to fly out to center to end the inning.

Bob cruised through the top of the second retiring the side in order, and Dinger matched him in the bottom half, retiring Mike and Tom consecutively.

Cookies & Cream broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third when Joey led off the inning with a solo homer to left, making the score 1-0. Bob got back on track immediately, retiring the following two batters to end the inning.

Joey had two solo homers in the game, and 2 of Cookies & Cream's 3 hits

Joey had two solo homers in the game, and 2 of Cookies & Cream’s 3 hits

Down a run, Questionable Outfit stormed back in the bottom of the third. Reilly led off the inning with a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. Bob followed with a single, and after Mike flew out for the first out of the inning, Tom roped a double off the fence, scoring Bob from first and putting Questionable Outfit ahead 2-1. Dinger retired Reilly for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner at second.

Bob retired Morrison and Joey in order in the top of the fourth, maintaining the one-run lead. Dinger got Bob to fly out for the first out of the inning in the bottom of the fourth, but Questionable Outfit would rally with one out. Mike crushed a solo blast to make the score 3-1, and the next batter, Tom, made back-to-back jacks with a solo shot of his own, extending the Questionable Outfit lead to 4-1. Dinger retired Reilly to end the inning, but Cookies & Cream would trail by three runs.

Tom went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and 2 RBI

Tom went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and 2 RBI

Cookies & Cream went down in order in the top of the fifth, as Bob retired Guthrie and Dinger consecutively. Mike singled with one out in the bottom half of the inning, but Dinger was able to avoid further damage, retiring Tom to strand the runner and end the inning.

With the score 4-1, Bob retired Morrison for the first out in the top of the sixth. The next batter, Joey, hit his second solo shot of the game, cutting the score to 4-2. But the Cookies & Cream rally would end there, as Bob retired Guthrie for the second out of the inning, giving Questionable Outfit the 4-2 win.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 7-4 on the year, extending their winning streak to 3 games. Cookies & Cream dropped to 7-4, tied for first in the standings with Questionable Outfit.

W: Bob (3-1)
L: Dinger (3-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Bob pitched the complete game victory for Questionable Outfit, allowing only 2 earned runs on 3 hits in 6 innings
– Dinger took the loss for Cookies & Cream, giving up 7 hits and 4 earned runs in 5 innings
– Tom, Reilly, and Mike each homered and had 2 hits to lead Questionable Outfit
– Joey led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 2 homers, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI

Eastbound & Dahn Hang On to 3-2 Win Over Ham Slams

24 Jun
Hartley went 3-for-6 with 3 extra-base hits, and his 2-run homer led Eastbound & Dahn past the Ham Slams

Hartley went 3-for-6 with 3 extra-base hits, and his 2-run homer led Eastbound & Dahn past the Ham Slams

Eastbound & Dahn rallied in the top of the sixth to take a 2-run lead, and then held on in the bottom of the sixth to top the Ham Slams 3-2.

Josh, pitching with a bandaged hand, started on the mound for the Ham Slams. Hartley, the first batter he faced, led off the game with a double, but Josh stranded him at second, retiring Helal and Ivan in order to end the top of the first. Eastbound & Dahn started Helal, and he pitched a perfect bottom of the first to maintain the 0-0 tie.

Josh breezed through the top of the second, and Helal matched him in the bottom half, retiring the side in order.

Josh retired Ivan, to start the top of the third, but Eastbound would break the scoreless tie. With one out, Harley tripled, and the next batter, Helal, followed with an RBI triple, making the score 1-0. Josh escaped further damage, retiring Ivan to end the inning. Helal continued to dominate in the bottom of the third, retiring Josh and Anthony consecutively.

Helal's third inning triple put Eastbound & Dahn ahead 1-0

Helal’s third inning triple put Eastbound & Dahn ahead 1-0

Down a run, Josh got back on track in the top of the fourth. He retired Hartley, then fanned Helal for the second out.

Hitless through three innings, the Ham Slams would draw even in the bottom of the fourth. Steve led off the inning with a solo bomb to left-center, tying the game at 1-1. Helal would retire the next to batters, avoiding further damage.

With the score tied at 1-1, Josh struck out Ivan to start the top of the fifth, the second consecutive batter he whiffed. He then retired Hartley to end the inning. Helal pitched a perfect frame in the bottom of the fifth, and the game would head to the sixth tied.

Despite playing with an injured hand, Josh pitched well for the Ham Slams, tying the single-game strikeout record

Despite playing with an injured hand, Josh pitched well for the Ham Slams, tying the single-game strikeout record

Eastbound would rally in the top of the sixth, starting with a leadoff double by Helal. He moved to third when the next batter, Ivan, grounded out to right. With one out and the go-ahead runner on third, Hartley crushed a two-run home run, putting Eastbound ahead 3-1. Josh struck out Helal for the second out of the inning, but the damage had been done.

Helal retired Charlie for the first out in the bottom of the sixth, but got into some trouble. Josh doubled off the fence, putting the tying run at the plate. Anthony hit a one-out triple, scoring Josh and cutting the deficit to 3-2. With one out and the tying run on third, Helal buckled down and got Steve to ground out to left, stranding the runner and ending the game.

The 3-2 win moved Eastbound & Dahn to 5-6 on the year and to a game within .500, while the Ham Slams dropped to 3-8 with the loss.

W: Helal (2-1)
L: Josh (0-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Helal picked up the win for Eastbound, scattering only 3 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings.
– Josh pitched well in the loss, allowing 5 hits and 3 runs in the complete game. He struck out 3 batters, tying a single-game record.
– Hartley led Eastbound at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a double, a triple, a home run, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. He was only a single short of the cycle.
– Steve, Josh, and Anthony each collected a hit for the Ham Slams.

Eastbound & Dahn Rally Late to Steal 3-1 Win from Ham Slams

18 Jun
Hartley went 3-for-5 and was only a single short of the cycle, as he led Eastbound & Dahn in a 3-1 win

Hartley went 3-for-5 and was only a single short of the cycle, as he led Eastbound & Dahn in a 3-1 win

Despite trailing for most of the game and struggling to plate runs, Eastbound & Dahn strung together a 3-run bottom of the fifth to pull ahead late and top the Ham Slams 3-1.

Down to only three players, Eastbound & Dahn sent Trevar to the mound. Thing started well, as he retired Anthony and Steve in order in the top of the first.

Charlie had 3 innings of eligibility left for week 5, so the Ham Slams started him for the second consecutive game. Mark led off the game with a triple, and it looked like Eastbound would take an early lead. But Charlie fanned the next batter, Hartley, for the first out of the inning, and got Trevar to fly out to left for the second out, stranding the runner at third to maintain the scoreless tie.

Trevar breezed through the top of the second for a scoreless inning. After Mark flew out for the first out in the bottom of the second, Hartley hit a one-out triple. But for the second consecutive inning, Charlie was able to strand a runner at third, retiring Trevar for the second out.

With the game scoreless, the Ham Slams took the lead in the top of the third when Steve led off the inning with a solo home run. Trevar retired the next two batters, and the score was 1-0 through two and a half innings. Charlie retired Eastbound & Dahn in order in the bottom of the third, reaching his innings limit for the week.

Steve rounds third after his solo homer put the Ham Slams up 1-0 early

Steve rounds third after his solo homer put the Ham Slams up 1-0 early

Trevar retired the side in the top of the fourth, and the Ham Slams new pitcher, Steve, matched him in the bottom half of the inning, retiring Eastbound & Dahn in order.

Anthony led off the top of the fifth with a double, but was caught in between bases trying to extend the hit into a triple. Trevar retired the next batter, Steve, to end the inning.

Anthony went 2-for-5 for the Ham Slams, but they were unable to convert his extra-base hits into runs

Anthony went 2-for-5 for the Ham Slams, but they were unable to convert his extra-base hits into runs

Down 1-0 with only 2 hits through 4 innings, Eastbound & Dahn rallied in the bottom of the fifth. Hartley led off the inning with a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. Steve retired Trevar for the first out of the inning, but the rally would continue. Mark doubled with one out, and scored when the next batter, Hartley roped a double off the fence. Trevar then singled, scoring Hartley from second and pushing the score to 3-1. Steve retired Mark for the second out of the inning, but the Ham Slams had surrendered their lead and now trailed by two runs.

Trevar's RBI single capped off a 3-run rally for Eastbound & Dahn in the bottom of the fifth

Trevar’s RBI single capped off a 3-run rally for Eastbound & Dahn in the bottom of the fifth

Charlie led off the top of the sixth with a single, and the next batter, Anthony, ripped a double to deep left-center. But as Charlie went from first to third, he briefly stepped off third base and was tagged by Mark. In a close call, Charlie was called out for the first out of the inning. With one-out, and a runner on second, Steve represented the tying run at the plate. But Trevar buckled down and got him to groundout to left, stranding the runner and ending the game for a 3-1 Eastbound & Dahn win.

The victory moved Eastbound & Dahn to 4-6 on the year. The Ham Slams suffered their fourth consecutive loss, dropping to 3-7 for the season.

W: Trevar (1-1)
L: Steve (0-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Trevar pitched the complete game win, giving up a single earned run while scattering 4 hits.
– Steve took the loss for the Ham Slams, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits in 2 innings pitched. Charlie also pitched for the Slams, giving up 2 hits and no earned runs while striking out 1 in 3 innings.
– Hartley led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, a homer, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Mark also had a double and a triple for Eastbound.
– Steve’s solo homer represented the Ham Slams only run in the game. Anthony also went 2-for-5 with 2 doubles.