Archive | June, 2014

Several Single-Season Records in Jeopardy as End of Regular Season Approaches

30 Jun

With two weeks to go, teams have anywhere from 3 to 6 games left to play in the regular season, and the record book is likely to have a few new additions in 2014. Some records have already been broken, some are on the cusp, and it will be interesting to see what names are added to the fabled EWL record book this year. Here’s a summary of some of the records that are on watch as the season draws to an end:

Batting Average
Ivan’s record of .611 during his rookie campaign with the Fish Sticks could be broken by multiple hitters. Bob and Steve are both currently hitting over .611, and three other players are hitting .588 or better.

Slugging %
Morrison’s record of 1.496 from 2012 with the Caucasians could be surpassed by Blose who is slugging 1.710 with four games to go.

Runs Score
Reilly and Bob will likely both break Morrison’s 2012 record of 51 runs scored, as they have 50 and 49, respectively, with 3 games to go.

Hits
Bob and Reilly have both already broken the single-season hits record, set by Morrison who had 69 in 2012. Both players are already over 70 and may come close to 90 by the end of the season (an amazing 3.5 hits per game average).

Singles
Reilly has already shattered his former teammate Mike’s single-season record of 31 singles from 2013. He has 40 already with 3 games to go.

Home Runs
Morrison’s single season record of 28 home runs, from his 2012 season with the Caucasians, could be broken, but it will take a strong finish to the season from either Bob, who has 23 homers and 3 games to go, or Blose, who has 20 home runs with 4 games to go.

RBI
Bob has already broken Morrison’s record of 51 RBI, as he has tallied 52 and has 3 games left to add to his record-breaking total.

Total Bases
Morrison’s record of 172 total bases from 2012 will be broken by Bob, who already has 168 through 17 games.

Left on Base
Reilly set the record with 37 men left on base during the 2013 season, but Charlie is closing in on him with 35 and 6 games left to play.

Plate Appearances
Reilly had 122 plate appearances in 2013 to set the record, but both he and his teammate Bob will break the record in 2014. Bob has 121 already and Reilly is right behind him with 119.

Game-Winning RBI
Morrison set the record for game-winning RBI in 2011, with 7, and Reilly is close behind him with 6 so far in 2014.

Put Outs
Brad set the record with 103 defensive put outs with Downtown Bobby Brown in 2012. Steve of the Ham Slams is the most likely to threaten the record, as he has 80 with 6 games to go.

Wins
Joey and Guthrie share the record with 8 wins in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Dinger and Reilly both have 7 wins and could tie or break the record.

Losses
Charlie set the record with 9 losses for the Ham Slams in 2013. He has 7 already in 2014 and will likely get at least 3 more starts to close the season.

Hits Allowed
Charlie will likely break his own record of 104 hits allowed, from 2013, as he has allowed 97 hits so far this season.

Earned Runs
Joey holds the record for most earned runs in a season, with 73 in 2012. Charlie is threatening the record with 66 so far in 2014.

WHIP
Chris, of 4 out of 5 Dentists, set the record for lowest WHIP with 0.78 in 2011. Reilly could threaten the record, as his WHIP sits at 0.96 and will likely start 1-2 more games this year.

Questionable Outfit Hold Off Eastbound & Dahn, Squeeze Out 6-5 Win

30 Jun
Morrison went 3-for-5 with two homers to lead Questionable Outfit to a 6-5 win over Eastbound & Dahn

Morrison went 3-for-5 with two homers to lead Questionable Outfit to a 6-5 win over Eastbound & Dahn

Eastbound clawed their way back from an early deficit to make the game interesting late, but Questionable Outfit cut the rally short en route to a 6-5 win, maintaining their spot atop the season standings with three games to go.

Nate started on the mound for Eastbound, and he retired Questionable Outfit in order in the top of the first inning. Tom made a rare start for Questionable Outfit, and after giving up a double to Ivan to lead off, he retired the next two batters to strand the runner and maintain the scoreless tie.

Questionable Outfit would take an early lead in the top of the second inning. Reilly started the inning with a double, and Morrison followed with a deep two-run homer to left-center. Nate got Tom to ground out for the first out of the inning, but Bob followed with a solo homer, making the score 3-0. Reilly flew out for the second out of the inning, and Questionable was up three runs through one-and-a-half innings.

Eastbound would bounce back in the bottom of the second. Helal led off the inning with a double, and two batters later Nate provided his own run support with a two-run bomb to left, cutting the score to 3-2. Tom retired the next batter, Hartley, to end the inning with Questionable ahead by a run.

Morrison extended the Questionable lead in the top of the third by leading off the inning with a solo shot, making the score 4-2. Tom followed with a double and moved to third on a Bob single. Reilly grounded out to center for the first out of the inning, but Tom scored on the play to extend the Questionable lead to 5-2. Nate retired the next batter for the second out, ending the inning and avoiding further damage.

Bob, who went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, stretches off second base

Bob, who went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, stretches off second base

Tom got Helal to fly out for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Ivan, hit a solo homer to right-center, cutting the score to 5-3. Eastbound couldn’t rally further, as Tom retired Nate to end the inning.

Up 5-3, Questionable added another run in the top of fourth when Tom led off the inning with a solo homer. Bob followed with a single, but Eastbound turned a Reilly ground ball into a double play to end the inning with the score 6-3. Helal would single with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Eastbound couldn’t plate the run, as Tom stranded the runner to hold the three-run lead.

Reilly makes a leaping catch in deep left field for Questionable Outfit

Reilly makes a leaping catch in deep left field for Questionable Outfit

Morrison singled to start the top of the fifth, but Nate buckled down and retired the next two batters to end the inning. Down 6-3, Eastbound would scratch closer in the bottom of the fifth. Nate flew out for the first out of the inning, but Tim followed with a one-out double. The next batter, Helal, blasted a two-run home run, cutting the score to 6-5. Tom got Ivan to ground out to right for the second out of the inning.

Helal went 3-for-5 including a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to pull Eastbound closer to Questionable Outfit

Helal went 3-for-5 including a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to pull Eastbound closer to Questionable Outfit

Nate send the side down in order in the top of the sixth, and Eastbound would head into the bottom of the sixth down a single run. After Nate flew out for the first out of the inning, Tim doubled to put the tying runner in scoring position. But Tom was able to get Helal to ground out for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner and securing a 6-5 win for Questionable Outfit.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 13-4 on the season, and the loss, Eastbound & Dahn’s sixth straight, dropped their record to 5-12.

W: Kimble (1-0)
L: Nate (0-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Kimble pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits in 6 innings.
– Nate took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, going 6 innings while giving up 6 earned runs on 9 hits.
– Morrison led the way for Questionable at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a single, two homers, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Ivan led Eastbound on offense, going 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, a run scored, and an RBI.
– Nate and Helal also hit two-run homers for Eastbound & Dahn.

Blose Ties Home Run Record as Cookies & Cream Pummel Eastbound 19-9

30 Jun
Blose had a monster day at the plate, homering in his final four at-bats and tying the single-game record of five home runs in a 19-9 Cookies & Cream win

Blose had a monster day at the plate, homering in his final four at-bats and tying the single-game record of five home runs in a 19-9 Cookies & Cream win

Blose had an historic offense performance for Cookies & Cream, tying the single-game home run record of five by homering in his final 4 at-bats in a 19-9 rout of Eastbound & Dahn.

Ivan, making his first pitching appearance since opening day, started on the mound for Eastbound & Dahn, and he had a very rough outing. He retired the game’s first batter, Dinger, but things got considerably worse from there. The next batter, Blose, tripled and scored when Joey followed with a one-out double. Vassallo would then double, scoring Joey and making the score 2-0. Ivan retired the next batter, Guthrie, stranding Vassallo and ending the inning.

Down 2-0, Ivan provided his own run support to start the bottom of the first, leading off the inning with a solo homer, cutting the score to 2-1. Nate followed with a single, but Eastbound couldn’t even up the score, as Dinger, the Cookies & Cream starter, retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Cookies would add to their lead in the top of the second. Dinger flew out to start the inning, but Blose followed with a solo homer, his first of many, making the score 3-1. Joey would double, and Vassallo followed with a double, driving in a run to make the score 4-1. Ivan then retired Guthrie, stranding Vassallo to end the inning.

Vassallo went 5-for-6 at the plate with 5 extra base hits, including 3 doubles and 2 triples

Vassallo went 5-for-6 at the plate with 5 extra base hits, including 3 doubles and 2 triples

Down 4-1, Eastbound & Dahn would rally in a big way in the bottom of the second. Ivan led off the inning with a single, and Dinger retired the next batter, Nate, for the first out of the inning. Tim followed with a two-run bomb, making the score 4-3. Helal would then single, and the next batter, Ivan, hit his second homer of the game, putting Eastbound & Dahn ahead 5-4. Nate followed with a single and moved from first to third on a Tim double, and with runners on second and third, Helal crushed a three-run blast to center, giving Eastbound an 8-4 lead. Ivan doubled for his third hit of the inning, but Dinger ended the rally there, retiring Nate for the second out of the inning.

After allowing seven runs in the bottom of the second, Cookies & Cream would trail by four runs. But they got right back to work in the top of the third, and would more than make up the deficit. Dinger provided his own run support by leading off the inning with a solo homer, and the score was 8-5. Ivan retired Blose for the first out of the inning, and it would be the last time Blose was retired in the game. Joey hit a one-out triple and scored when the next batter, Vassallo, also tripled. With the score 8-6 and a runner on third, Guthrie singled to drive in another run. Dinger followed with a single, and Guthrie raced around the bases to score from first, tying the game at 8-8. Blose then came to the plate and crushed a two-run homer to right, giving Cookies & Cream a 10-8 lead. Ivan retired Joey for the second out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream had scored six runs to take a two-run lead.

Dinger got back on track in the bottom of the third, retiring the side in order.

Vassallo tripled to lead off the top of the fourth, his second triple of the game, and scored on a Guthrie ground out to make the score 11-8. Ivan retired the next batter, allowing only one run in the inning.

Dinger pitched another perfect frame in the bottom half of the fourth inning.

Joey extends to catch a fly ball in deep center field for Cookies & Cream

Joey extends to catch a fly ball in deep center field for Cookies & Cream

Blose led off the top of the fifth, and he crushed his third homer of the game to make the score 12-8. Joey followed with a single, but tried to extend the hit into a double and was caught in between bases for the first out of the inning. Ivan retired the next batter, Vassallo, and his team trailed by four runs.

Tim led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo bomb, his second of the game, cutting the score to 12-9. But Dinger would retired the next two batters, preventing an Eastbound rally.

Cookies & Cream led by three through five innings, but would blow the game open in the top of the sixth. Ivan retired the first batter, Guthrie, for the first out of the inning. Dinger followed with a single, and the next batter, Blose, blasted his fourth homer of the game. The two-run shot put Cookies ahead 14-9. Joey followed with a single and moved to third when Vassallo doubled. With one out and runners on second and third, Guthrie singled, scoring both runs to make the score 16-9. Dinger followed with a single, scoring Guthrie and extending the Cookies lead to 17-9. Blose then came to the plate one homer away from tying Ivan and Joey’s single-game record of five home runs. He destroyed a pitch to right-center, and the two-run homer tied the record while putting Cookies & Cream ahead 19-9. Ivan retired the next batter, Joey, to end the inning, but Eastbound would trail by ten runs heading into their last at-bat.

Dinger retired Nate for the first out in the bottom of the sixth, and Tim followed with a double, his fourth hit of the game. But Eastbound couldn’t rally, as Dinger struck out Helal for the final out of the inning and the game, giving Cookies & Cream a 19-9 win.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 11-5 on the season, while the loss dropped Eastbound & Dahn to 5-11 on the year.

W: Dinger (7-1)
L: Ivan (0-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, allowing 9 earned runs on 12 hits while striking out one in 6 innings.
– Ivan took the loss for Eastbound, giving up a whopping 19 runs on 22 hits in 6 innings.
– Blose led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 6-for-7 with a double, 5 home runs, 6 runs scored, and 8 RBI in one of the best single-game performances in league history.
– Vassallo also went 5-for-6 for Cookies with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Ivan led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 4-for-6 with a single, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs cored, and 3 RBI.
– Tim also played well for Eastbound, going 4-for-6 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

Questionable Outfit Cruise Past Eastbound & Dahn 7-3

30 Jun
Reilly, here racing home to score a run, had four hits and pitched the complete game victory in Questionable Outfit's 7-3 win over Eastbound & Dahn

Reilly, here racing home to score a run, had four hits and pitched the complete game victory in Questionable Outfit’s 7-3 win over Eastbound & Dahn

Reilly continued his dominant season on the mound, quieting Eastbound & Dahn in a complete game win as Questionable Outfit rolled to an easy 7-3 victory.

Having one of the best pitching season in wiffle history, Reilly was strong again against Eastbound & Dahn. He pitched a perfect top of the first inning, retiring the side in order.

Morrison didn’t miss a beat despite sitting out the past three weeks, and led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0 early. Reilly followed with a single, and the next batter, Bob, doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Kimble would ground out to center for the first out of the inning, but both runners scored on the play, making the score 3-0. Morrison would single with one out, and the next batter, Reilly, hit a two-run bomb to left, giving Questionable a 5-0 lead. Helal, Eastbound & Dahn’s starter, finally recorded the second out of the inning, getting Bob to fly out to left.

Eastbound would chip into the deficit in the top of the second when Tim led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 5-1. Eastbound couldn’t rally though, as Reilly retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Kimble grounded out to start the bottom of the second, and after a Morrison single, Helal retired Reilly for a scoreless inning.

Helal snatches up a ground ball on the mound for Eastbound

Helal snatches up a ground ball on the mound for Eastbound

Reilly pitched a perfect frame in the top of the third, retiring the side in order. He would get more run support in the bottom of the third, when Bob led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 6-1. Kimble followed with a triple and scored when Morrison grounded out to center for the first out of the inning. Reilly would ground out to end the inning with the score 7-1.

Bob, who is on pace to break the single-season batting average record, connects on one of his two extra-base hits

Bob, who is on pace to break the single-season batting average record, connects on one of his two extra-base hits

Helal led off the top of the fourth with a double, but Eastbound couldn’t plate him, as Reilly stranded the runner, retiring the next two batters.

Kimble led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and after Morrison flew out for the first out of the inning, he moved from first to third when Reilly singled. With one out and runners on the corners, Helal escaped further damage, retiring Bob to end the inning.

Reilly retired Tim and Helal in order in the top of the fifth, maintaining the 7-1 lead. Helal gave up a one-out single to Morrison in the bottom of the fifth, but stranded him, and Eastbound would head into the sixth down six runs.

Ivan led off the top of the sixth with a solo homer, cutting the score to 7-2. The next batter, Nate, crushed a solo bomb, and the back-to-back homers made the score 7-3. Tim followed with a single, but Reilly would cut the rally short there. He would get Helal and Ivan to fly out, stranding the runner to end the inning and the game, giving Questionable Outfit the 7-3 win.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 12-4 on the season, while the loss, Eastbound’s fourth consecutive, dropped their record to 5-10.

W: Reilly (7-1)
L: Helal (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Reilly pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, scattering 3 earned runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Helal took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, allowing 7 runs on 12 hits in 5 innings.
– Reilly and Morrison each went 4-for-6 to lead Questionable Outfit on offense. Morrison had 3 singles, a homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. Reilly also had 3 singles, a homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Tim led Eastbound at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, a run scored, and 1 RBI.
– Nate and Ivan also homered for Eastbound & Dahn.

Cookies & Cream Win 12-11 Slugfest with Questionable Outfit on Dinger’s Walk-Off Homer

30 Jun
Dinger of Cookies & Cream and Bob of Questionable Outfit watch the ball sail over the fence for a walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth inning

Dinger of Cookies & Cream and Bob of Questionable Outfit watch the ball sail over the fence for a walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth inning

In one of the highest scoring games of the season, with the wind blowing hard toward Ellsworth Ave., Dinger’s walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth was the final run in a 12-11 Cookies & Cream win over Questionable Outfit.

Guthrie started on the mound for Cookies & Cream, and he was hit hard from the get go. He retired the first batter, Morrison, who finally return from his wedding and honeymoon, but then got into serious trouble. Reilly hit a one-out single, and the next batter, Bob, crushed a two-run bomb to right, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 2-0. Morrison followed with a home run, and so did Reilly, and after the back-to-back-to-back homers, Questionable Outfit had a 4-0 lead. Bob followed with a single, and the next batter, Morrison, ripped a line drive off the fence. Bob scored on the play, but Morrison tried to extend a triple into an inside-the-park homer and was caught out in between bases for the second out. After half an inning Questionable Outfit had a commanding 5-0 lead.

Cookies & Cream were down big early, but they bounced back immediately and hard. Guthrie led off the game with a solo homer, making the score 1-0. Vassallo, the next batter, hit a blast to left-center, and the back-to-back jacks cut the deficit to 5-2. Joey followed with a triple, and Blose drove him in with a double to make the score 5-3. Dinger would ground out for the first out of the inning, but Blose scored from second on the play making the score 5-4. Guthrie hit a one-out single, and the next batter, Vassallo, hit his second homer of the inning, and after recording only one out, Questionable Outfit had surrendered their lead. Joey followed with a home run, and Cookies & Cream had pulled ahead 7-5. Blose became the third consecutive Cookies & Cream player to go deep with yet another homer, and the score was 8-5. Dinger would fly out for the second out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream had not only erased the deficit but had taken a 3-run lead with an 8-run bottom of the first.

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after one of Guthrie's three homers in the 12-11 win

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after one of Guthrie’s three homers in the 12-11 win

Reilly would lead off the top of the second with a solo homer, and it looked as if Questionable Outfit would take the lead right back. But Guthrie retired the next two batters, and the score was 8-6.

Guthrie immediately made up the run he gave up with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the second, making the score 9-6. Vassallo singled, and it looked like Cookies & Cream were in line for another big inning. But Bob buckled down, retiring Joey and Blose to end the inning after allowing only a single run.

Guthrie retired the side in order in the top of the third, maintaining the three-run lead. Dinger doubled to lead off the bottom of the third, but Cookies & Cream couldn’t extend the lead, as Bob retired Guthrie and Vassallo to end the inning.

Bob singled to lead off the top of the fourth, but Guthrie pitched another scoreless inning, retiring the next two batters to strand the runner. Bob would match Guthrie on the other end, retiring the Cookies & Cream side in order in the bottom of the fourth.

Down 9-6, Questionable Outfit would rally in the top of the fifth. Reilly singled to lead off the inning and scored when Bob followed with a double, cutting the score to 9-7. Kimble would ground out for the first out of the inning, but Morrison would follow with a single, scoring Bob to make the score 9-8. Reilly continued with the hot bat, driving a two-run homer of the left-field fence, which put Questionable Outfit back on top 10-9. Bob followed with a one-out double, but Guthrie avoided further damage, retiring Kimble to end the inning.

Reilly prepares to connect on one of his three home runs, this one a two-run blast in the top of the fifth

Reilly prepares to connect on one of his three home runs, this one a two-run blast in the top of the fifth

Cookies & Cream would bounce back again in the bottom of the fifth. Dinger led off the inning with a single, and the next batter, Guthrie, hit a two-run homer, putting Cookies & Cream back ahead 11-10. Vassallo would follow with a single, but Bob send Joey and Blose down to keep the deficit at a single run heading into the sixth.

Morrison watches another homer sale over the fence on a windy day with gusts pushing the ball toward Ellsworth Ave.

Morrison watches another homer fly over the fence on a windy day with gusts pushing the ball toward Ellsworth Ave.

Needing a run to extend the game, Questionable Outfit would get it in a hurry. Morrison led off the top of the sixth with a solo homer, his second of the game, and the game was tied at 11-11. Guthrie retired the next two batters, and Cookies & Cream would have a chance to win the game with a run in the bottom half of the inning.

With the game tied, the very first batter of the bottom of the sixth, Dinger, crushed a solo blast to center field, and the walk-off homer ended an epic slugfest between the EWL’s two best teams.

The 12-11 win moved Cookies & Cream to 10-5 on the season, and the loss dropped Questionable Outfit to 11-4.

W: Guthrie (3-3)
L: Bob (5-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits in 6 innings
– Bob took the loss for Questionable Outfit, allowing 12 runs on 15 hits in 5 innings
– Guthrie led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 4-for-5 with a single, 3 homers, 4 runs scored and 4 RBI
– All 5 members of Cookies & Cream homered, including Dinger’s walk-off
– Reilly led Questionable Outfit, going 5-for-7 with 2 singles, 3 home runs, 5 runs scored, and 4 RBI.
– Bob also went 5-for-7 with 2 singles, 2 doubles, a homer, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.