Archive | July, 2016

Tim and Helal Return, Eastbound & Dahn Beat Ham Slams 6-4 for Second Win of Season

7 Jul
Tim made his 2016 debut after returning from injury and led Eastbound & Dahn to a 6-4 win over the Ham Slams

Tim made his 2016 debut after returning from injury and led Eastbound & Dahn to a 6-4 win over the Ham Slams

One of Eastbound & Dahn’s all-time greatest players, Tim, made his first appearance of the 2016 season after recovering from multiple injuries, and their former team captain, Helal, also made a return to the diamond, playing in his first game since week four. The result; Eastbound picked up their second win of the year, beating the Ham Slams 6-4 as all five Eastbound players had at least one hit.

Kessler made his first appearance on the mound this season and was penciled in as the starting pitcher for the Ham Slams. He retired the side in order in the top of the first, sending Tim and Nate down consecutively.

Helal took the mound for Eastbound & Dahn, and he fell behind early. Dave led off the game with a double, and he scored when Dan hit an RBI triple that put the Slams ahead 1-0. Josh then singled, but Dan didn’t score on the play, putting runners on the corners. The Ham Slams were threatening, but Helal escaped the jam, retiring Kessler and Dave to strand both runners and minimize the damage to a single run.

Kessler continued to roll in the top of the second, sending Dustin and Kyle down, and the score remained 1-0.

Dan tripled for the second consecutive at-bat to lead off the bottom of the second, but once again he was stranded at third, as Helal retired Josh and Kessler to end the inning.

Dan went 3-for-6 with three extra-base hits including 2 triples and a homer, but the Ham Slams fell short against Eastbound & Dahn

Dan went 3-for-6 with three extra-base hits including 2 triples and a homer, but the Ham Slams fell short against Eastbound & Dahn

Eastbound would get on the board in the top of the third. BK singled to lead off, and two batters later, Nate crushed a two-run homer to left, putting Eastbound ahead 2-1. Dustin followed with a single, but Kessler avoided further trouble, retiring Helal to end the inning.

The Slams bounced right back in the bottom of the third, reclaiming the lead. Dave tripled to get things started, and Dan followed with a two-run shot, giving the Ham Slams a 3-2 lead. Two batters later Kessler doubled with one out, but the Slams couldn’t add more runs, as Helal retired Dave for the second out of the inning.

Dave, who has replaced Tim on the Ham Slams roster, makes a play in the field. He went 3-for-6 with a single and 2 doubles.

Dave, who has replaced Tim on the Ham Slams roster, makes a play in the field. He went 3-for-6 with a single and 2 doubles.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the top of the fourth, when Eastbound & Dahn bounced back to take the lead. BK singled to start the inning, and Tim followed with his first hit of the 2016 season, a two-run homer that put Eastbound ahead 4-3. Kessler struck out Nate and retired Dustin to end the inning, and the Ham Slams trailed by one.

Josh singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, and he scored from first when Kessler hit an RBI double that tied the game at 4-4. BK, who had come into the game in relief for Helal, retired Dave for the second out of the inning.

Dustin makes a leaping catch in right field for Eastbound & Dahn

Dustin makes a leaping catch in right field for Eastbound & Dahn

Helal started the top of the fifth with a single, and two batters later, Tim hit an RBI double, scoring Helal to put Eastbound back on top 5-4. Kessler retired Nate for the second out of the inning, and the Slams had fallen behind once again.

Josh hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, but BK maintained the lead, retiring Kessler for the second out of the inning and stranding the tying run at second.

Eastbound would add an insurance run in the top of the sixth when Helal hit a one-out solo homer, putting his squad up 6-4. The Ham Slams would be down by two runs heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Helal returned to the Wiffle Diamond for the first time in six weeks and went 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, and two runs scored

Helal returned to the Wiffle Diamond for the first time in six weeks and went 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, and two runs scored

Dave led off the final frame with a single, and he moved from first to third when Dan grounded out for the first out of the inning. The tying run was at the plate, but BK shut the door, retiring Josh to end the game and give Eastbound & Dahn a 6-4 win.

The win moved Eastbound to 2-17 on the season, and the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 8-12.

W: BK (2-4)
L: Kessler (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– BK earned the win for Eastbound & Dahn, and allowed 1 run on 4 hits in 3 innings pitched.
– Helal started for Eastbound and took a no decision, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits in 3 innings.
– Kessler took the loss for the Ham Slams, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings with one strikeout.
– Tim led Eastbound & Dahn on offense, going 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, a run scored, and 3 RBI.
– Helal also went 2-for-4 for Eastbound with a single, a home run, 2 runs scored, and one RBI.
– Dan led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 3-for-6 with 2 triples, a home run, a run scored, and 3 RBI.

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Dinger’s Homer Pushes Cookies & Cream Past Ham Slams 5-3, Forces Pennant Deciding Game with Questionable Outfit

7 Jul
Dinger's two-run homer in the fourth put Cookies & Cream ahead for good and capped a dramatic one-out rally

Dinger’s two-run homer in the fourth put Cookies & Cream ahead for good and capped a dramatic one-out rally

The Ham Slams led 3-1 in the fourth when Cookies & Cream started a one-out rally that was capped by Dinger’s two-run blast that put Cookies ahead for good. They held on to win 5-3, setting the stage for a regular season ending matchup with Questionable Outfit that would decide the 2016 pennant and the #1 seed heading into the playoffs.

Guthrie took the mound for Cookies & Cream, and he got behind the Slams in the top of the first. Dan doubled with one out, and Josh drove him in with an RBI single to right-center, putting the Ham Slams ahead 1-0. Guthrie retired Kessler to end the inning, and his offense would tie things up in the bottom of the first.

Guthrie led off the bottom half of the inning with a single and moved from first to third when Blose doubled. Joey then doubled, scoring Guthrie, and the game was tied at 1-1. Cookies & Cream had two men in scoring position with no outs, but Josh, the Ham Slams’ starter, buckled down. He fanned Dinger for the first out of the inning, and he got Jordan to fly out to left, stranding both runners, and the game was tied through an inning.

Guthrie made quick work of the Slams in the top of the second, retiring the side in order. Josh matched him in the bottom of the second, sending Guthrie and Blose down consecutively.

The Slams opened up a lead in the top of the third, starting with Josh, who provided his own run support with a solo shot to right, making the score 2-1. Two batters later, Dave hit a solo homer to left-center, and the Slams led 3-1. Dan followed with a single, but Guthrie minimized the damage, retiring Josh to strand the runner and end the inning.

Dan and Dave combine to catch a towering fly ball in deep left-center field

Dan and Dave combine to catch a towering fly ball in deep left-center field

Josh cruised through the bottom of the third, retiring Joey and Dinger, maintaining the Ham Slams’ two run lead.

Kessler doubled to start the top of the fourth, but Guthrie got out of the jam, retiring Dave and Dan to strand the runner, and the score remained 3-1.

Josh got Jordan to ground out to center for the first out in the bottom of the fourth. He had retired six straight Cookies & Cream hitters, but his fortune ended there. Cookies put together a one-out rally, starting with Guthrie who hit a solo homer to make the score 3-2. Blose then doubled, and Joey drove him in with an RBI double that tied the game at 3-3. With a runner on second, Dinger hit a deep two-run homer to left-center, putting Cookies ahead 5-3. Josh retired Jordan to end the inning, but Cookies had scored four runs to take the lead.

Josh delivers a pitch to Joey, who went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI in the Cookies & Cream win

Josh delivers a pitch to Joey, who went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI in the Cookies & Cream win

Guthrie retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, and Josh got back on track, doing the same in the bottom of the fifth.

Guthrie, who pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, delivers a pitch to Dave of the Ham Slams, who had a solo homer in the third

Guthrie, who pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, delivers a pitch to Dave of the Ham Slams, who had a solo homer in the third

The Ham Slams trailed by two heading into their final at-bat in the top of the sixth. They weren’t able to rally, as Guthrie retired the side in order, as he had done in the fourth and fifth innings, and Cookies & Cream held on to win 5-3.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 14-5, one game back of Questionable Outfit in the standings. The loss dropped the Ham Slams to 8-11. They would wait to see who the loser of the Questionable Outfit vs. Cookies & Cream game would be, as that would be who they play in the first round of the EWL playoffs.

W: Guthrie (7-2)
L: Josh (5-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Josh took the loss for the Ham Slams, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings pitched.
– Joey and Blose led Cookies & Cream on offense. Joey went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, a run scored, and 2 RBI. Blose went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and a run scored.
– Josh led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a single, a homer, a run scored, and 2 RBI.

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Joey Homers Four Times to Lead Cookies & Cream to 9-6 Win Over Questionable Outfit

7 Jul
Joey makes an outstretched catch for an out in foul territory

Joey makes an outstretched catch for an out in foul territory

Joey went 5-for-7 with a double and four homers and pitched the complete game win, as Cookies & Cream topped Questionable Outfit 9-6 and forced a potential tie-breaking matchup between the two teams next week to decide the 2016 pennant.

Tom took the mound for Questionable Outfit, and Cookies took an early lead in the top of the first. Blose doubled with one out, and Joey followed with a two-run homer to left. Dinger then doubled, but Tom retired Guthrie to strand the runner and end the inning, and the score was 2-0.

Cookies & Cream penciled in Joey as their starter, and after allowing a one-out single to Tom in the bottom of the first, he got Miller to fly out to the mound, ending the inning.

Joey, who pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, delivers a pitch to Miller

Joey, who pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, delivers a pitch to Miller

Blose started the top of the second with a double, but Miller, who has become the most dangerous arm in the league, gunned Blose out trying to turn the double into a triple, and Tom had the first out of the inning. Joey followed with a double, and Dinger drove him in with an RBI single, extending the Cookies lead to 3-0. Tom then retired Guthrie to end the inning.

Bob tripled to lead off the bottom of the second, and he scored when Tom grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. Joey then retired Miller for the second out, and the score was 3-1 through two innings.

Joey slides into second with a double in the second inning

Joey slides into second with a double in the second inning

For the third consecutive inning, Blose doubled, and Joey drove him in with a two-run blast, his second of the game. Down 5-1, Questionable Outfit removed Tom from the mound and brought in Miller from the bullpen. He retired the first batter he faced, Dinger, but the next two hitters, Blose and Guthrie, each singled. Joey came to the plate 3-for-3 with two runners on, but Miller got him to fly out to left stranding both runners and ending the inning.

Bob started the bottom of the third with a double, and he scored from second when Tom grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. Miller then flew out to right, and Cookies & Cream led 5-2.

Miller gave up a one-out triple to Guthrie in the top of the fourth, but Cookies couldn’t capitalize, as Blose was retired for the second out to strand the runner at third.

Bob receives a pitch from Joey. Bob went 6-for-7 with 6 extra-base hits, including 3 doubles, 2 triples, and a homer.

Bob receives a pitch from Joey. Bob went 6-for-7 with 6 extra-base hits, including 3 doubles, 2 triples, and a homer.

Questionable Outfit continued to battle back, and they tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Bob tripled, and Tom drove him in with an RBI double that cut the score to 5-3. Miller singled to put runners on first and third, and Bob drove in Tom with an RBI double to make the score 5-4. Tom came to the plate with runners on second and third, and he hit a towering sacrifice fly that scored Miller, and Questionable had tied the game at 5-5. Miller was then retired to end the inning.

Joey provided his own run support in the top of the fifth, leading off with a solo homer, his third of the game, and Cookies reclaimed the lead at 6-5. Dinger followed with a single, but Miller avoided further damage, retiring Guthrie and Blose to end the inning.

Dinger went 4-for-6 with 2 singles, 2 doubles, a run scored, and an RBI.

Dinger went 4-for-6 with 2 singles, 2 doubles, a run scored, and an RBI.

For the fourth consecutive inning, Bob led off with an extra-base hit, and Questionable had the tying run at second. But Joey escaped the bottom of the fifth with the lead, retiring Tom and Miller to strand the runner, and the score remained 6-5.

Cookies added some insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Joey led off the inning with a solo homer to left-center, his fourth bomb of the game, and the score was 7-5. Dinger then doubled, and two batters later, Blose hit a one-out two-run home run to center, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 9-5. Miller then retired Joey to end the inning, and Questionable Outfit trailed by four.

For the fifth consecutive inning, but started things out with another extra-base hit, this time a solo homer to right that cut the score to 9-6. Questionable couldn’t rally though, as Joey retired Tom and Miller to end the inning, giving Cookies & Cream the win and pulling them to within a game of Questionable Outfit in the standings with one week to play.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 13-5, and the loss dropped Questionable Outfit to 12-4.

W: Joey (4-1)
L: Miller (6-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Joey pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, giving up 9 hits on 6 runs in 6 innings pitched.
– Tom started the game for Questionable Outfit and got the no decision, allowing 5 runs on 2 hits in 2 innings pitched.
– Miller took the loss for Questionable, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits in 4 innings pitched.
– Joey led Cookies & Cream on offense, going 5-for-7 with a double, four homers, 5 runs scored, and 6 RBI.
– Blose also went 5-for-7 with a single, 3 doubles, a home run, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Bob led Questionable Outfit on offense, going 6-for-7 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, a home run, 4 runs scored, and 2 RBI.

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Bob Hits for Cycle, Questionable Outfit Thrash Eastbound & Dahn 18-7

7 Jul
Questionable Outfit unleashed an offensive fury and took advantage of multiple fielding errors by Eastbound & Dahn to roll through them 18-7

Questionable Outfit unleashed an offensive fury and took advantage of multiple fielding errors by Eastbound & Dahn to roll through them 18-7

Despite playing shorthanded, Questionable Outfit racked up 22 hits and Bob hit for the cycle in an 18-7 blowout win over Eastbound & Dahn. Kimble drove in 9 runs, Miller had 5 extra-base hits, and each Questionable Outfit player had at least 7 hits in the game.

Questionable Outfit jumped out to an early lead against Eastbound, and they never looked back. Bob led off the game with a double, and he scored from second when Tom hit an RBI single to make the score 1-0. Miller then hit an RBI single, scoring Tom from first to push the score to 2-0. Bob followed with a single, also scoring Miller from first, and the score was 3-0. Tom singled to put runners on first and third, and Miller drove in Tom with an RBI double to make the score 4-0. Christian, the Eastbound starter, finally recorded an out, but Tom followed with a two-RBI single that cleared the bases, putting Questionable ahead 6-0. Miller was retired for the second out of the inning, but Questionable had taken a huge lead.

Bob started for Questionable Outfit, and he avoided trouble in the top of the first. Christian tripled with one out, but Eastbound couldn’t get on the board, as Bob retired Dustin to strand the runner.

In a very rare occurrence, Christian struck out Bob for the first out of the inning in the top of the second. He then retired Tom for the second out in what would be the only perfect inning for Eastbound in the game.

With the score 6-0, Eastbound cut into the deficit in the bottom of the second. Mo Vaughn singled but was caught out trying to advance to second for a double. Nate followed with a single and moved from first to third on a Christian double. Dustin then emptied the bases with an RBI double, making the score 6-2. Bob then fanned Mo Vaughn for the second out of the inning, and Questionable led by four.

Questionable would make up some of the runs in the top of the third. Miller singled, and he moved from first to third when Bob followed with a double. Tom then drove in both runners with an RBI double, and the score was 8-2. Miller doubled to put runners on second and third, and Bob drove in a run when he grounded out to right for the first out of the inning. Christian then retired Tom to end the inning, and Questionable Outfit led 9-2.

Questionable then turned to the bullpen, bringing Miller to the mound. He retired the first two batters he faced, Nate and Christian.

Eastbound found themselves in a deeper hole after the top of the fourth. Miller doubled, and Bob followed with a two-run inside-the-park homer, putting Questionable ahead 11-2. Tom followed with a solo homer, and the back-to-back jacks made the score 12-2. Miller then tripled, and Bob drove him in with his second homer of the inning, another inside-the-park homer fueled by fielding errors. Christian then retired Tom and Miller to end the inning, and Eastbound trailed 14-2.

Miller pitched his second consecutive perfect frame in the bottom of the fourth, maintaining the twelve run Questionable lead.

Miller connects on one of his seven hits, five of which were either doubles or triples

Miller connects on one of his seven hits, five of which were either doubles or triples

Bob tripled to lead off the top of the fifth, but Christian stranded him, retiring Tom and Miller, and the score remained 14-2.

Questionable made another pitching change in the bottom of the fifth, bringing Tom to the mound. He retired Nate and Christian consecutively, and Questionable had sent down seven consecutive Eastbound hitters.

Questionable added insult to injury in the top of the sixth. Bob tripled to start the inning, and Tom drove him in with a two-run homer, his second blast of the game. Two batters later, Bob hit a one-out triple, and Tom drove him in with an RBI single that made the score 17-2. Miller then tripled, scoring Tom to push the lead to 18-2. Christian retired Bob for the second out of the inning, and Eastbound would head into their final at-bat trailing by sixteen runs.

Down 18-2, Eastbound showed heart in the bottom of the sixth. Dustin singled to lead off the inning, and Mo followed with a two-run inside the park homer that made the score 18-4. Nate then doubled, and Christian drove him in with an RBI single that cut the score to 18-5. Christian was called out on the play when he was caught between first and second. Dustin then followed with a solo shot to left-center, and the next batter, Mo, hit a solo homer to right. The back-to-back home runs made the score 18-7, and Eastbound had started a rally. Tom ended it there, however, getting Nate to groundout to left for the second out of the inning, ending the game and giving Questionable Outfit the win.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 14-3 on the season, and Eastbound & Dahn dropped to 1-16.

W: Bob (3-1)
L: Christian (0-8)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Bob earned the win for Questionable Outfit, pitching 2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and striking out one.
– Nate and Tom each pitched 2 innings of relief for Questionable. Nate was perfect in relief, pitching 2 innings of no-hit ball with no earned runs. Tom allowed 5 runs on 6 hits.
– Christian took the loss for Eastbound, giving up 18 earned runs on 22 hits and striking out one.
– Bob led Questionable Outfit on offense, hitting for the cycle while going 8-for-12 with a single, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 7 runs scored, and 6 RBI.
– Tom went 7-for-11 with 4 singles, a double, 2 home runs, 9RBI, and 6 runs scored.
– Dustin led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

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Tim Hits for Cycle, Leads Ham Slams’ Late Comeback in 7-5 Win Over Eastbound & Dahn

5 Jul
Tim went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle to lead the Ham Slams to a 7-5 win

Tim went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle to lead the Ham Slams to a 7-5 win

In a back-and-forth game, Tim went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate and hit for the cycle as the Ham Slams took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fifth and held on to beat Eastbound & Dahn 7-5.

Josh started for the Ham Slams, and Eastbound & Dahn hit him hard in the top of the first. He struck out the first batter he faced, Nate, but the next four batters would each score runs. Christian doubled and moved to third on a Dustin single, putting runners on the corners. Darren Daulton then singled, scoring Christian to put Eastbound ahead 1-0. After fanning in his first at-bat, Nate redeemed himself, hitting a towering three-run homer to left, and Eastbound led 4-0. Josh then retired Christian to end the inning, but Eastbound had pulled ahead by four runs early.

Nate took the mound for Eastbound, and Josh led off the game with a triple for the Ham Slams. Tim then doubled, scoring Josh to cut the score to 4-1. The Slams had a runner on second with no outs, but Nate buckled down, retiring Dan and Dave to end the inning and strand the runner.

Dustin makes a running catch in centerfield for Eastbound & Dahn

Dustin makes a running catch in centerfield for Eastbound & Dahn

Josh cruised through the top of the second, retiring the side in order. The Slams would cut further into the Eastbound lead in the bottom of the second. Tim tripled with one out, and Dan followed with a two-run blast, which cut the score to 4-3. Nate then retired Dave to end the inning, and the Eastbound lead had been trimmed to a run.

Nate and Christian each singled to start the top of the third, and Eastbound had two on and no outs. But Josh avoided damage, retiring Dustin and Darren Daulton to strand both runners and end the inning.

The Slams would tie the game in the bottom of the third when Tim led off the inning with a solo homer, which made the score 4-4. Nate retired Dan to end the inning, and the game was tied at the midway point.

Josh rolled through the top of the fourth, sending Nate and Christian down consecutively. Dave doubled to lead off the bottom half of the inning, but he was caught out by Christian when he tried to extend the double to a triple. Nate then retired Josh for the second out, and the game remained tied.

Eastbound would pull back ahead in the top of the fifth. Dustin doubled, and two batters later, Nate hit a one-out double into the tree, scoring Dustin and putting Eastbound on top 5-4. Eastbound couldn’t plate any additional runs, as Josh retired Christian to strand the runner at second.

Down 5-4, the Ham Slams would take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Tim singled, completing the cycle in his first four at-bats. Two batters later, Dave hit a one-out triple to score Tim, tying the game at 5-5. With the go-ahead runner on third, Josh took care of business and provided his own run support, hitting a two-run shot to right, which put the Ham Slams ahead 7-5. Tim then doubled, but Nate avoided further trouble, as Dustin made an outfield assist, catching Tim between second and third trying to extend the double into a triple.

Josh's two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth put the Ham Slams ahead for good

Josh’s two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth put the Ham Slams ahead for good

Down 7-5, Eastbound tried to rally in the top of the sixth. Darren Daulton singled with one out, but Josh stranded the runner, retiring Nate to end the game, giving the Ham Slams a 7-5 win.

The win moved the Slams to 8-10 on the season, and the loss dropped Eastbound & Dahn to 1-17.

W: Josh (5-2)
L: Nate (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Josh pitched the complete game win for the Ham Slams, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings, striking out one.
– Nate took the loss for Eastbound, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings.
– Tim led the Ham Slams at the plate, going a perfect 5-for-5 with a single, 2 doubles, a triple, a homer, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, and hit for the cycle for second time this year and the fourth time in his career.
– Nate led Eastbound & Dahn on offense, going 3-for-6 with a single, a double, a home run, a run scored, and 4 RBI.

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