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.
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.
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)
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.