Alan went 3-for-5 for the Ham Slams , was a single short of the cycle, and scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning
Despite trailing the entire game, Steve’s sixth inning homer drew the Ham Slams even with Cookies and Cream, and the Slams pulled ahead in extra innings to win their fifth consecutive game. The win pulled them within a game of Cookies & Cream for third place in the EWL standings.
With Guthrie still out of the lineup traveling, Dinger took the mound for Cookies & Cream for the second time in week 8. He retired the Ham Slams in order in the top of the first. Charlie also started his second game of week 8, and he matched Dinger, pitching a scoreless bottom of the first for the Slams.
Alan hit a one-out double in the top of the second, but Dinger stranded him, and the game remained tied at 0-0 heading into the bottom of the second. Similarly, Dustin led off the bottom of the second with a double, but Charlie prevented him from advancing, retiring the next two batters to maintain the scoreless tie.
Dinger had exhausted his pitching eligibility for the week, and Cookies & Cream turned to Joey from the bullpen. He immediately got into trouble, giving up a triple to the first batter he faced, Adam. Two batters later, Alan crushed a two-run homer to left, putting the Slams ahead 2-0.
Cookies provided some run support in the bottom of the third, pulling ahead of the Slams. Charlie had also used up all his innings for week 8, and the Slams turned to Tim. He retired Dinger for the first out of the inning, but Dustin followed with a solo homer, making the score 2-1. Chase singled for his first career EWL hit, and Joey followed with a two-run home run, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 3-2.
Joey retired Adam and Steve consecutively in the top of the fourth to maintain the one-run Cookies lead. Tim matched him in the bottom half of the inning, and the score remained 3-2 Cookies & Cream.
Tim evened up the score in the top of the fifth when he hit a one-out solo homer to tie the game at 3-3.
Cookies & Cream took the lead back in the bottom of the fifth when Dinger hit one-out solo shot, making the score 4-3.
Charlie delivers a pitch to Joey, with Dustin on third
Joey stayed on the mound to close things out for Cookies & Cream in the top of the sixth, but before he could record an out, Steve led off the inning with a solo homer to right-center, tying the game at 4-4 and giving the Ham Slams life. Joey retired the next two batters, however, and the game was tied heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Chase led off the bottom half of the inning with a single, putting the winning run on first. But Tim cracked down, retiring Joey and Dinger in order to strand the runner and force extra innings.
The Ham Slams continued to hit Joey in the top of the seventh, as Adam led off the inning with a solo homer, putting the Slams ahead 5-4. Two batters later, Alan hit a one-out triple, and he scored when Tim hit an RBI single, and the Slams led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Adam’s solo homer in the top of the seventh put the Ham Slams ahead
Down to their final at-bat, it looked as if Cookies would rally. Dustin led off the inning with his second homer of the game, pulling Cookies & Cream within a run. Chase singled, and the tying run was on base. But once again, Tim buckled down and retired Joey and Dinger to strand the runner and end the game, giving the Ham Slams a 6-5 win in seven innings.
The win moved the Slams to 6-10 on the season and only one game back of Cookies & Cream, who fell to 7-9.
W: Tim (3-2)
L: Joey (4-3)
Game Notes:
– Tim earned the win for the Ham Slams in relief. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits. Charlie took the no decision for the Slams, allowing 1 hit and no runs in 2 innings.
– Joey took the loss for Cookies & Cream, pitching 5 innings of relief while giving up 6 runs on 7 hits. Dinger started for Cookies & Cream and got the no decision, allowing 2 hits and no runs in 2 innings.
– Alan led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, a homer, 2 runs scored, and an RBI.
– All four Ham Slams homered in the win.
– Dustin led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 3-for-5 with a double, 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
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