Archive | June, 2014

Questionable Outfit Pull Away Late in 12-6 Win Over Cookies & Cream

23 Jun
Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after one of Bob's two homers in their 12-6 win over Cookies & Cream

Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after one of Bob’s two homers in their 12-6 win over Cookies & Cream

Cookies & Cream had an opportunity to pull even atop the league standings with a win, but Questionable Outfit’s offense was too much as all three players homered in a 12-6 victory.

Bob started on the mound for Questionable Outfit, and he got off to a good start, retiring the side in order in the top of the first.

Dinger came into the game a perfect 6-0 on the season and had beat Questionable Outfit in his previous two starts against them. Things did not go well, however, in this outing, starting in the first inning. Questionable Outfit’s first batter, Reilly, hit a leadoff homer to start the game, and Tom followed with another bomb. The back-to-back home runs put Questionable Outfit ahead 2-0 early. Dinger retired the next two batters, but Cookies & Cream would trail 2-0 early.

Bob rolled through the top of the second for a scoreless frame. Questionable Outfit would add to their two-run lead in the bottom half of the inning. Dinger retired Tom to start the inning, but Bob followed with a solo homer, making the score 3-0. With one out, Reilly singled and Tom doubled, putting runners on second and third. The next batter, Bob, hit his second homer of the inning, this time a three-run shot, and Questionable had pulled ahead 6-0. Dinger retired Reilly to end the inning, but through two innings he had given up the most earned runs of any of his starts in 2014.

Dinger was hit hard by Reilly and Questionable Outfit, as he gave up 6 homers and a season high 12 earned runs

Dinger was hit hard by Reilly and Questionable Outfit, as he gave up 6 homers and a season high 12 earned runs

Cookies & Cream would respond in the top of the third, cutting into the deficit. Guthrie led off the inning with a solo homer, and the score was 6-1. Dinger followed with a double and moved to third on a Blose sacrifice fly. With one out and a runner on third, Joey doubled, driving in the second Cookies & Cream run of the game. Vassallo followed with a two-run bomb to left, and Cookies had cut the score to 6-4. Bob then retired Guthrie for the second out of the inning.

Questionable Outfit got one back in the bottom of the third, as Tom led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game. Dinger retired the next two hitters, but Questionable had pulled ahead 7-4.

Bob retired the side in order in the top of the fourth, and Dinger matched him in the bottom half of the inning.

Cookies couldn’t get a baserunner in the top of the fifth, and they continued to trail by three runs.

Questionable blew the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Reilly led off the inning with a double and moved to third when Tom singled. Bob flew out for the first out of the inning, but Reilly followed with an RBI single, and the score was 8-4. With one out and runners on first and third, Tom hit his third homer of the game, a three-run blast that made the score 11-4. The next batter, Bob, doubled, and scored when Reilly followed with an RBI single. Dinger finally retired Tom for the second out of the inning, but Questionable Outfit would carry an eight-run lead into the final frame.

Kimble connects on one of three bombs in the game. He finished with 5 runs scored and 5 RBI.

Kimble connects on one of three bombs in the game. He finished with 5 runs scored and 5 RBI.

Down 12-4, Cookies tried to rally in the top of the sixth. Guthrie started the inning with a single and moved to second on a Dinger groundout. Blose then crushed a two-run homer to right field, extending his league-record hitting streak and cutting the score to 12-6. But the rally would end there, as Bob retired Joey for the second out of the inning, giving Questionable Outfit a 12-6 win and extending their lead in the season standings.

W: Bob (5-1)
L: Dinger (6-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Bob pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Dinger took his first loss of the season for Cookies & Cream, giving up 12 runs on 13 hits in 5 innings.
– Reilly and Tom each went 5-for-8 for Questionable Outfit. Tom had 3 homers and a double along with 5 runs scored and 5 RBI. Bob also had 2 home runs and 4 RBI in the win.
– Guthrie was the only member of Cookies & Cream with multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-3 with a single and a solo homer.

Reilly Leads Questionable Outfit in 11-4 Romp of Eastbound & Dahn

22 Jun
Reilly, who had 7 hits and pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, makes a jumping catch as Tim of Eastbound & Dahn watches

Reilly, who had 7 hits and pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, makes a jumping catch as Tim of Eastbound & Dahn watches

Reilly went 7-for-8, reaching base safely in his final 7 at-bats, and pitched a complete game win as Questionable Outfit beat Eastbound & Dahn 11-4.

The league’s most dominant pitcher in 2014, Reilly started the top of the first the way he has pitched all season, retiring the side in order.

Christian started on the mound for Eastbound, and he started off well, sending Reilly and Tom down for a scoreless bottom of the first.

Reilly continued to roll in the top of the second, pitching another scoreless inning.

The wheels fell off for Eastbound & Dahn in the bottom of the second, figuratively and almost literally, as Questionable Outfit opened up the offense and Eastbound lost their starting pitcher, Christian, to the most noteworthy injury in the history of the EWL. Bob led off the inning with a triple, and he scored when the next batter, Reilly, provided his own run support with a two-run bomb. Tom followed with a single and advanced to second on a Bob sac fly, the first out of the inning. With one down and a runner on second, Reilly singled, scoring Tom to make the score 3-0. Tom then came to the plate and singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. The next batter, Bob, hit a high fly ball in foul territory along the first base line. Christian approached the ball from the mound, and Helal, the right fielder, made a play on the ball at the same time. The two fielders collided with neither catching the ball. Helal did not seem phased by the collision, but Eastbound’s ace Christian was left on the ground in wiffle agony, clutching his leg. The knee-to-knee contact left Christian with the worst wiffle injury in EWL history. He made it back to the mound and attempted to continue, but his leg was too hobbled to get the ball to the plate. Helal, the offender, would replace Christian on the mound as the injured Eastbound & Dahn hurler would manage and provide moral support from the sidelines. Unfortunately, despite escaping injury in the collision, Helal’s pitching was ineffective. The first batter he faced, Bob, who avoided being retired on the fly ball in foul territory, crushed a three-run blast to right field, extending the Questionable lead to 6-0. Reilly followed with a double, but Helal would retire Tom to end the six-run Questionable inning.

Christian collided with Helal in foul territory while attempting to catch a fly ball, and suffered a serious wiffle injury

Christian collided with Helal in foul territory while attempting to catch a fly ball, and suffered a serious wiffle injury

Down 6-0 and a player, Eastbound would get on the board in the top of the third. Tim led off the inning with a double and moved to third when Steve, Christian’s replacement, grounded out for the first out of the inning. Nate followed with a single, scoring Tim and cutting the score to 6-1. Helal would then double, putting runners on second and third with one out, but Eastbound couldn’t extend the rally, as Reilly retired Tim to end the inning.

Bob led off the bottom of the third with a triple, but was caught between third and home trying for an inside-the-park home run. Reilly would single with one out, but Helal avoided further damage, retiring Tom to end the inning.

Bob continued his stellar 2014 season with 3 homers and 6 RBI in the Questionable Outfit win

Bob continued his stellar 2014 season with 3 homers and 6 RBI in the Questionable Outfit win

Steve singled to lead off the top of the fourth, but Reilly maintained the 5-run lead, retiring the next two batters to strand the runner.

Questionable Outfit would add to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Bob was retired for the first out of the inning, but Reilly followed with a solo homer, making the score 7-1. Tom hit a one-out triple, and the next batter, Bob, hit his second homer of the game. The two-run blast made the score 9-1. Reilly then doubled, but Helal retired Tom to end the inning.

Down 9-1, Eastbound cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth. Tim led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 9-2. Steve would then double and move to third when Nate grounded out, and Helal hit an RBI single to make the score 9-3. Reilly then retired Tim to end the inning.

Questionable would make back the two runs they gave up immediately. Bob hit his third home run of the game to lead off the bottom of the fifth, making the score 10-3, and Reilly followed with his third homer of the game. The back-to-back jacks extended the Questionable Outfit lead to 11-3. Helal retired the next two batters, and Questionable Outfit would carry an eight-run lead into the sixth inning.

Steve led off the top of the sixth with a solo homer, and the deficit was 11-4. But Eastbound couldn’t rally, as Reilly retired Nate and Helal to end the inning and the game. Questionable Outfit would hold on for an 11-4 victory.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 11-3 on the season, while Eastbound fell to 5-8 with the loss.

W: Reilly (6-1)
L: Christian (4-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Reilly pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings.
– Christian took the loss for Eastbound, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in only 1.5 innings. Helal pitched 3.5 innings of relief, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits.
– Reilly led Questionable Outfit at the plate, going 7-for-8 with 2 singles, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 4 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Bob also hit three homers for Questionable and drove in 6 runs.
– Steve led Eastbound & Dahn on offense, going 3-for-4 with a single, a double, a home run, 2 runs scored, and one RBI.
– After further medical evaluation, Christian was diagnosed with a bruised knee and may miss 1-2 weeks of wiffle action.

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Josh Pitches Gem in 5-1 Ham Slams Win Over Eastbound & Dahn

22 Jun
Josh had three hits and allowed only one run on the mound as the Ham Slams beat Eastbound & Dahn 5-1

Josh had three hits and allowed only one run on the mound as the Ham Slams beat Eastbound & Dahn 5-1

Josh delivered his best pitching performance of the 2014 season and the Ham Slams provided plenty of run support as they beat Eastbound & Dahn 5-3.

Nate made his first career start for Eastbound & Dahn, and on the very first pitch of his career, Josh crushed a solo bomb to left field, one of two leadoff home runs he would hit in week 7. Nate retired the next two batters, and the Slams led 1-0 after the top of the first.

Josh retired the side in order in the bottom of the first, maintaining the 1-0 lead.

In his first career at-bat, Brandon S singled to lead off the top of the second for the Ham Slams, but Nate stranded him, sending down Josh and Steve to end the inning.

Nate looked to help himself out in the bottom of the second, leading off the inning with a double, but Josh stranded him at second, retiring the next two batters.

Kyle led off the top of the third with a double in his first action of 2014, but the Slams couldn’t add to their lead, as Nate got Brandon and Josh to ground out, stranding the runner at second.

Nate would single with one out in the bottom of the third, but was caught between bases on a Helal one-out single to end the inning, stranding both runners.

The Slams went down in order in the top of the fourth, and the score remained 1-0. Josh matched Nate in the bottom of the fourth, retiring the side without a hit.

Brandon singled to lead off the top of the fifth, but when the next batter, Josh, doubled, Brandon was caught between second and third for the first out of the inning. Nate got the next batter, Steve, to groundout, and he escaped another jam without allowing a run.

For the second consecutive inning, Josh retired the side in order in the bottom of the fifth.

Up 1-0, the Slams would put the game away in the top of the sixth. Kyle flew out for the first out of the inning, but the Ham Slams would rally with one out. Brandon singled and moved to second on a Josh single. With two outs and runners on first and second, Steve singled, scoring both runs and extending the lead to 3-0. The next batter, Kyle, hit his first homer of the season, and his two-run blast made the score 5-0. Brandon followed with his second single of the inning, but the inning would end there, as Nate retired Josh to end the inning.

Down 5-0, Eastbound & Dahn would need a big rally to extend the game and it looked at first as if they may get it. Tim led off the inning with a double and scored when Steve followed with a double, making the score 5-1. But the threat ended there, as Josh retired Nate and Helal to strand the runner at second, ending the inning and the game and giving the Ham Slams a 5-1 victory.

W: Josh (1-0)
L: Nate (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Josh pitched the complete game victory for the Ham Slams, allowing only one earned run on 5 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Nate took the loss in his first career start, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings.
– Brandon led the Ham Slams on offense, going 4-for-5 with 4 singles and a run scored in his first career EWL game.
– Nate was the only Eastbound & Dahn player to collect 2 hits in the game.

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Cookies & Cream Rally Late to Top Ham Slams 5-3

22 Jun
Guthrie pitched his second consecutive complete game win and added two hits in a 5-3 Cookies & Cream win over the Ham Slams

Guthrie pitched his second consecutive complete game win and added two hits in a 5-3 Cookies & Cream win over the Ham Slams

Cookies & Cream scored 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a decisive three-run lead on their way to beating the Ham Slams 5-3.

Guthrie started on the mound for Cookies & Cream coming off his best start of the season in week 6. Things didn’t start well, and it looked as if Guthrie would be unable to carry the momentum into week 7. The first batter of the game, Josh, crushed a solo homer to left-center, and the Ham Slams were up 1-0. The next batter, Steve, followed with a solo shot, and the back-to-back homers made the score 2-0. Guthrie retired the next two hitters, but Cookies & Cream were in a two-run hole after half an inning.

With Charlie, their ace, out for the week, the Ham Slams turned to Josh to start the game. He gave up a one-out double to Vassallo in the bottom of the second, but he stranded the runner, maintaining the lad.

Guthrie got back to form in the top of the second. After giving up a one-out single to Steve, he stranded him at first for a scoreless inning.

Cookies & Cream got on the board in the bottom of the second when Blose led off the inning with a solo homer, cutting the score to 2-1. Dinger followed with a single, but Cookies & Cream couldn’t draw even, as Josh retired the next two batters to end the inning.

The Ham Slams couldn’t add to their lead in the top of the third, as Guthrie pitched a perfect frame.

With Josh having reached his innings limit for the week, the Slams turned to their bullpen, bringing Steve to the mound. Down 2-1, Cookies & cream would draw even in the top of the third when Joey led off the inning with a solo homer. Josh retired the next two hitters, and the game was tied at 2-2 through three innings.

Steve led off the top of the fourth with a single, but Guthrie stranded him, retiring the next two batters. Guthrie would single to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but Vassallo would hit into a double play, and the game remained tied.

Guthrie retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, and Cookies & Cream would blow the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Joey led off the inning with a double, and after Blose flew out for the first out of the inning, Dinger singled, scoring Joey from second to make the score 3-2. Guthrie would follow with an RBI triple, making the score 4-2. Vassallo then singled, scoring Guthrie from third, extending the lead to 5-2. Joey would fly out for the second out of the inning, and Cookies & Cream carried a three-run lead into the top of the sixth.

It looked as if the Ham Slams would rally, as Kyle led off the inning with a solo homer, cutting the score to 5-3. But Guthrie buckled down, retiring Brandon for the first out of the inning before striking out Josh to end the game, giving Cookies & Cream a 5-3 win.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 9-5 on the season, while the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 3-11.

W: Guthrie (2-3)
L: Steve (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, scattering 3 runs on 5 hits with one strikeout.
– Steve took the loss for the Ham Slams, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings pitched. Josh also pitched two innings for the Slams, giving up 1 run on 3 hits.
– Joey led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, two runs scored, and an RBI.
– Steve led the Ham Slams on offense, going 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.

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Questionable Outfit, Led by Bob, Dominate First Half of 2014 EWL Regular Season

9 Jun
2013 Wiffler of the Year, Bob, and Questionable Outfit have cast a long shadow over the EWL in 2014 and are the clear favorites heading into the second half of the season

2013 Wiffler of the Year, Bob, and Questionable Outfit have cast a long shadow over the EWL in 2014 and are the team to beat heading into the second half of the season

One half of the 2014 EWL regular season is in the books, and Questionable Outfit are the clear favorites at the turn. Despite their dominance, all four seeds are up for grabs coming down the homestretch, and multiple single-season individual and team records will be threatened in the second half. Here is a recap of the first half action:

All-EWL Team and Wiffler of the Year

– In his third year in the EWL, Steve D of the Ham Slams has erupted as an unstoppable force both at the plate and in the field. His defensive range may be the best in the league, and coupled with his massive hands, it is tough to get a ball past him in left field. His bat has exploded over the past 5 games, and he has moved to the top of the pack in most offensive categories. He is carrying the Ham Slams on his back, and if he can put together a full squad, the Slams could contend in the second half leading into the playoffs.

– The 2013 EWL Wiffler of the Year, Bob of Questionable Outfit has been even more dominant in 2014. His offensive production through the first 8 games may be the best stretch any EWL player has put together in league history. He slowed down a bit in week 5, but he is on pace to break multiple single-season records, and he will be a serious threat to be the first EWL player to repeat as Wiffler of the Year. He continues to be a top fielder, and he is one of the league’s best pitchers as well.

– After a year off in 2013, Blose of Cookies & Cream has returned to top form in 2014. Despite the hiatus, the 2011 Wiffler of the Year hasn’t missed a step and is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. He is likely the most feared bat in the league, and he is capable of taking any pitch deep or off the fence. He pulled up lame midway through week 5, and it will be interesting to see how this potential injury impacts his second half performance. Even if he can’t field, he is a Wiffler of the Year candidate strictly as a DH.

– Morrison, the 2012 Wiffler of the Year, switched to his third EWL team this season and got off to a hot start, as usual, for Questionable Outfit. His bat is as potent as ever, and he remains one of the most difficult outs in the league. He continues to be one of the league’s most consistent fielders, and he has even seen success hitting from the left side of the plate. Plans for a wedding and honeymoon could cut into his time on the field, but if anyone can make a dramatic impact over 6 or 8 games, it’s Morrison.

– Reilly was the only member of Questionable Outfit to not make the All-EWL team in 2013, and it looks like he has taken it personally. He has improved his performance at the plate combining power and on-base percentage, and he was likely the league’s most dominant pitcher during the first half of the season. He is near the top of almost every offensive category, and he is a reliable fielder under the tree in left field.

Pitch King

– Dinger has been a steady component of the Fish Sticks/Cookies & Cream rotation since 2011, but the first half of 2014 is by far his best performance to date. He is 5-0 and has won all 5 of his starts, all of which were also complete games. He has allowed only 6 home runs in over 30 innings pitched, and he has allowed more than 5 runs only one time. He has avoided big innings, and his variable delivery has kept hitters fooled in 2014. He has struggled with inconsistency in the past, but if he can continue the pace he is on, it may be a record-breaking year on the mound for one of the league’s most experienced players.

– Reilly, for whatever reason, only pitched 7 innings in 2013, all of which were impressive and included a complete game victory. With the loss of Mike, Questionable Outfit’s #2 starter, Reilly joined the rotation behind Bob and has become the team’s ace. He, along with Cookies & Cream’s Dinger, is also 5-0 with all of his starts complete game wins. Amazingly, he has only allowed more than a single earned run in one start, and he has already notched two complete game shutouts. At less than 40 career innings pitched, he is still somewhat unproven and may regress in the second half, but the Questionable Outfit defense is the best in the league and could provide the support he needs to have a season worthy of EWL Pitch King.

Rookie of the Year

– Steve C of Eastbound & Dahn started his EWL career with a bang, hitting for the cycle in his first ever game. He hasn’t been as dominant since, and he has struggled putting up back-to-back solid games, but he is the best new power bat in the game. If he can string together multiple good games or even multiple good weeks, he will be the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. It shouldn’t take much to keep his bat operating regularly; he has hit safely in every game of his career and has averaged over an RBI per game.

– Christian, also of Eastbound & Dahn, is the only other viable Rookie of the Year candidate thus far in 2014. He has only went deep once in 10 games, but he has found an uncanny ability to reach base safely and is among the league leaders in singles and hits. His pitching has ranged from brilliant to essentially batting practice and pairs a league worst (among qualified pitchers) ERA of 8.52 with 3 wins, good for second best in the league. As with any EWL rookie, he has struggled in the field, but his skills have improved game-by-game and he is poised for a strong second half of the season.

Team Grades

Questionable Outfit (A-)
– Last year’s runners up got off to the hottest start in the history of the EWL, winning their first 7 games by an unheard of and unprecedented run differential. They lost 2 of 3 to finish the first half when they were forced to play without their full squad for the first time this season. With a complete roster, they are the undoubted favorites to reach the EWL Wiffle Series and are difficult to beat period. They are hands down the best fielding team in the league, they boast a stellar rotation consisting of 2013 Pitch King runner-up Bob and the league’s top pitcher in 2014 Reilly, and 1-through-4 their lineup is without a weak spot. They were the league’s #1 seed in the playoffs last year and breezed through the first round before getting stunned in the Wiffle Series. They seem to be on a mission in 2014 and ready to blast through any team in their way.

Cookies & Cream (B)
– Cookies & Cream won the 2013 EWL Wiffle Series in shocking fashion after barely surviving the first round of the playoffs. In the offseason they lost what may have been their best player, Morrison, who joined their rivals, but they gained Blose, a stalwart from their 2011 and 2012 teams. Aside from Blose, who has been excellent, and Dinger, who may be having a career year, their other veteran players, Joey, Guthrie, and Vassallo, have been mired in inconsistency. If Dinger can continue to have success on the mound, and Guthrie, considered to be the greatest pitcher in league history, can return to form, their rotation and defense should keep them in any game. The conclusion of their 2014 season will come down to the consistency of their bats. When they are on, Cookies & Cream are as good as any team in the league. When they are off, they are below average and can be easily beat.

Eastbound & Dahn (C)
– Eastbound & Dahn have yet to play with their full roster through 10 games. Ideally, their rotation would consist of Christian and Helal with an everyday lineup of those two as well as Steve C, Ivan, and Hartley. Eastbound has struggled immensely on defense, but if the above mentioned squad is on the field week-to-week, their defense will be up-to-par come playoff time. Ivan has won a championship with the Fish Sticks in 2012 and almost led Eastbound to an improbable first round upset in 2013, and he can lead this team down the stretch. Hartley is a solid bat and one of the game’s top fielders, and Helal has 3+ years of experience to draw from at the plate and on the mound. This team can contend with anyone in the league when everyone is healthy and present, but they haven’t played a single game as a full squad in 2014, and it’s not clear that they will.

Ham Slams (C)
– The Ham Slams have been the league’s youngest team since joining the EWL in 2012, and they have yet to finish higher than 3rd in the season standings or win a playoff series. If 2014 is going to be the year the Ham Slams take the next step, they will need more to get more consistent attendance from their role players. Steve D is having a career year and is a top contender for EWL Wiffler of the Year. Charlie’s statistics aren’t eye catching on the mound or in the field, but his pitching stats have been tainted by a terrible defense behind him and he has more confidence at the plate and in the field than any other time in his career. Anthony is as good as ever, but he hasn’t been a consistent presence on the field. And no team exudes more Wiffle spirit than the Slams, particularly when they have a full roster. Steve has been electric, but without more production from players other than him, this team will struggle to contend. If they can round up the troops, a fulL Ham Slams squad is very capable of engineering a first round upset.

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