Archive | May, 2018

Miller Hits Walk-Off in Bottom of Sixth in Porkswords Stunning 13-12 Comeback Win Over Loss Mitigation

28 May

In a wet and soggy game, the Porkswords squandered an early lead against Loss Mitigation before mounting a dramatic comeback, punctuated by Miller’s two-run walk-off homer to left-center that ended one of the best games of the young 2018 season. Down 12-9 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Adam hit a two-run homer to draw the Porkswords closer before Miller capitalized on a Loss Mitigation fielding error with his walk off homer that completed a four-run comeback in the last game of week 4 before rain forced the remaining games to be postponed.

Josh started for the Porkswords, and Loss Mitigation would take an early lead against him in the top of the first. Bob led off the game with a double, and he moved scored from second when Mike followed with an RBI single that made the score 1-0. Nate then doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs, and Norris drove in one of the runners when he grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. Josh then retired Bob to end the inning, and Loss Mitigation led 2-0.

The Porkswords bounced right back in the bottom of the first. Josh led off with a double, and Adam followed with a two-run homer that tied the game at 2-2. Steve then tripled, and he scored when John grounded out to right for the first out of the inning. Loss Mitigation’s starter, Norris, retired Miller to end the inning, and the Porkswords had pulled ahead 3-2.

Loss Mitigation evened things up in the top of the second. Nate doubled with one out, and Norris tied the game with an RBI single to score Nate, making the score 3-3. Bob followed with a double, but Josh retired Mike to strand him, ending the inning with the game tied. Norris cruised through the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order, and the score was 3-3 through two innings.

Josh sent Nate and Norris down consecutively in the top of the third, and the Porkswords would take a big lead in the bottom of the third.

Steve led off the inning with his second triple of the game, and he scored on John’s RBI single, giving the Porkswords a 4-3 lead. Two batters later, with one out, Josh hit a two-run homer, scoring John, and the score was 6-3. Adam followed with a single, and Steve hit a towering two-run home run to right-center, putting the Porkswords ahead 8-3. John followed with his second single of the inning, but when Miller also singled, John was caught in between first and second for the second out, ending the inning.

Down five runs, Loss Mitigation cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Bob led off with a single, and Mike drove him in with a two-run homer to left, cutting the score to 8-5. Josh retired the next two batters, Nate and Norris, to end the inning.

Josh started the bottom of the fourth with his second homer of the game, a solo shot that made the score 9-5. Norris retired Adam and Steve to end the inning, and Loss Mitigation trailed by four runs through four innings.

Loss Mitigation got to work in the top of the fifth, erasing the Porkswords lead. Bob singled, and for the second consecutive inning, Mike drove him in with a two-run homer, cutting the Porkswords lead to 9-7. Nate doubled, and two batters later, Bob hit an RBI double to score him, and Loss Mitigation trailed 9-8. Mike then doubled, scoring Bob from second, and Loss Mitigation had tied the game at 9-9. Josh retired Nate to end the inning, but the Porkswords has relinquished a four run lead, as the game was tied.

Norris retired John and Miller in order in the bottom of the fifth, and as the rain continued to fall, the score was 9-9 heading into the final frame.

After coming back to tie the game in the fifth, Loss Mitigation would pull ahead in the sixth. Norris led off the inning with a single, and Bob put Loss Mitigation ahead for the first time in the game with a two-run homer, which made the score 11-9. Mike followed with a single, and Nate drove him in with an RBI double that put Loss Mitigation ahead 12-9. Two batters later, Bob singled, putting runners on the corners with one out, and it looked as if Loss Mitigation would blow the game open. However, Josh got Mike to fly out to left-center, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

The Porkswords had led the game throughout the first four innings before allowing Loss Mitigation to score seven unanswered runs, first tying the game and then taking a three run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. It looked as if the Porkswords struggles would continue with another loss, but instead, they rallied with a series of hits that would provide a dramatic finish. Josh started the bottom of the sixth with a double, his fourth extra-base hit of the game. Adam followed with a two-run blast, his second two-run homer of the game, and after two batters, the Porkswords had narrowed the score to 12-11. Norris retired Steve for the first out of the inning, and the Porkswords were down to their final out. John hit a fly ball to shallow right, which Bob has been known to catch routinely. As the rain fell, he struggled to track it, and the ball fell off his hands and in for a single, giving the Porkswords hope. With the tying run on base and the winning run at the plate, Miller came up to bat, having been in a slump for most of the 2018 season. He may have found the turning point in his season, as he took full advantage of the fielding error. He crushed the ball to deep left-center, and Loss Mitigation immediately knew that they had blown the lead and game, as Miller trotted around the bases in the rain for a walk-off two-run homer that gave the Porkswords a stunning 13-12 win.

The win moved the Porkswords to 2-5 on the season, and with the loss, Loss Mitigation fell to 4-3, in a three way tie for first with Cheap Goats and Shady Characters.

Note: There were no photos taken during the game due to consistent rain and winds.

W: Josh (1-1)
L: Norris (2-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Josh pitched the complete game win for the Porkswords, giving up twelve runs on eighteen hits in six innings.
– Norris took the loss for Loss Mitigation, allowing thirteen runs on fifteen hits in 5.5 innings.
– Josh led the Porkswords on offense, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs, four runs scored, and three RBI.
– Adam had two home runs for the Porkswords, going 3-for-5 also with a single and four RBI.
– Bob led Loss Mitigation on offense, going 7-for-8 with three singles, three doubles, a home run, five runs scored, and four RBI.
– Miller became the third player in 2018 to hit a walk-off homer, and it was the first of his career.

Joey Drives in Eight Runs as Cheap Goats Top Shady Characters 10-7

27 May

Joey went 4-for-6 with two home runs and two doubles and drove in eight of Cheap Goats’ ten runs as the Goats beat Shady Characters 10-7, pulling even with them in the standings a half game behind Loss Mitigation. Jordan and Bob also contributed four hits each, and Christian pitched the complete game win, as Cheap Goats led early and maintained an insurmountable lead throughout the game.

Dylan took the mound for Shady Characters, the Cheap Goats hit him hard early. Jordan led off the game with a double, and Joey immediately put Cheap Goats on the board with a two-run homer that made the score 2-0. Christian followed with a single, and two batters later, he moved from first to third on Jordan’s one out double. Joey followed with his second blast of the inning, this time a three-run shot that extended the Cheap Goats lead to 5-0. Dylan retired Christian to end the inning, and Shady Characters were in a big hole after half an inning.

Christian started for Cheap Goats, and he retired Dylan, the first batter he faced, for the first out of the inning. Erich followed with a single, and Shady Characters scored when Tom W followed with an RBI double that cut the deficit to 5-1. Tom K then singled, putting runners on the corners with one out. The Shady Characters rally would end there, however, as Christian got Dylan to groundout to left, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

Bob singled to start the top of the second, and he moved from first to third when Jordan followed with a single. With no outs and runners on the corners, Joey flew out to deep left field, but Bob was able to tag and score on the play, and the sacrifice fly made the score 6-1. Dylan retired Christian to strand Jordan at second, ending the inning.

Erich led off the bottom of the second with a single, and two batters later, Tom K hit a chopper for a single, and Erich raced from first to score on the play, making the score 6-2. Christian then retired Dylan to end the inning, and Cheap Goats led by four.

Bob started the top of the third with a single, but Cheap Goats wouldn’t add to their lead this inning, as Dylan retired Jordan and Joey to strand the runner, and the score remained 6-2.

Shady Characters would nearly pull even in the bottom of the third. Erich led off the inning with a triple, and when Christian retired Tom W, Erich scored from the third to make the score 6-3. Tom K then hit a one-out triple, and Dylan drove him in with an RBI triple that cut the Cheap Goats lead to 6-4. Erich followed with a double, scoring Dylan from third, and Shady Characters trailed 6-5. Christian finally escaped the inning by retiring Tom W, but the Cheap Goats lead had been cut from four to a single run.

Christian would get some more run support in the top of the fourth. He led off the inning with a single, and he moved from first to third when Bob doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Jordan followed with a high fly to left, which Erich caught for the first out of the inning. Christian tagged and attempted to score on the play, and Erich gunned the ball into Dylan. The throw was on time, but Shady Characters couldn’t secure the ball on the mound, and Christian scored, pushing the Cheap Goats lead to 7-5. Joey came to the plate with one out and Bob on second, and he drove him in with an RBI double that made the score 8-5. The unusual play continued with the next at-bat, when Christian singled on a blooper to left. He thought Tom W caught the ball for an out, but he had not, and he was stranded in between first and second when Tom W tagged him out to end the inning.

Shady Characters continued to show resiliency in the bottom of the fourth. Tom K started the inning with a single, his fourth hit of the game. Two batters later, Erich crushed a two-run blast to right, cutting the Shady Characters deficit to 8-7. Christian retired Tom W to end the inning, and Cheap Goats led by one.

Cheap Goats responded in the top of the fifth. Bob singled, and two batters later, Joey hit a one-out RBI double to left-center, scoring Bob, and the score was 9-7. Dylan retired Christian to end the inning, and Cheap Goats led by two.

After reaching base safely on his first four at-bats, Tom K struck out for the first out in the bottom of the fifth. Dylan followed with his second triple of the game, but Christian completed the rare feat of striking out the side, fanning Erich for the second out of the inning to strand the runner at third and maintain the two run lead.

Dylan retired Bob to start the top of the sixth, but Jordan followed with a solo homer to left-center, putting Cheap Goats in front 10-7. Dylan retired Joey to end the inning, and Shady Characters trailed by three heading into their final at-bat.

Christian remained in the game, and he retired Tom W for the first out in the bottom of the sixth. Tom K followed with a single, giving him a career high five hits in the game. But the Shady Characters couldn’t rally, as Christian got Dylan to fly out to shallow right field for the second out of the inning, ending the game and giving Cheap Goats the 10-7 win.

Cheap Goats moved to 4-3 on the season with the win, and Shady Characters fell to 4-3 with the loss.

Note: No photos of this game were captured due to wet, rainy conditions.

W: Christian (2-2)
L: Dylan (1-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Christian pitched the complete game win for Cheap Goats, allowing seven runs on thirteen hits and striking out two in six innings.
– Christian struck out the side in the fifth, marking only the fifth time in EWL history that a pitcher had accomplished the feat. The others were Guthrie in 2011, Holly in 2012, Dinger in 2015, and Christian had previously struck out the side in 2015, the last pitcher to do so.
– Dylan took the loss for Shady Characters, giving up ten runs on fifteen hits in six innings.
– Joey led Cheap Goats at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, two home runs, two runs scored, a sacrifice fly, and eight RBI.
– Bob and Jordan each had four hits for Cheap Goats as well. Jordan went 4-for-7 with a single, two doubles, a home run, three runs scored, and an RBI. Bob went 4-for-6 with three singles, a double, and three runs scored.
– Erich led Shady Characters on offense, going 5-for-6 with two singles, a double, a triple, a home run, four runs scored, three RBI, and he became the second player this year to hit for the cycle. It was the fourth time in Erich’s career that he has hit for the cycle, with all three of the other instances occurring during his rookie season in 2016.

Dylan Homers Three Times and Pitches Shady Characters to 7-2 Win over Porkswords

25 May

Dylan had a career day at the plate for Shady Characters, registering five hits, including three home runs and five RBI, leading his team to a 7-2 victory

Dylan had the best game of his young EWL career, going 5-for-6 with a single, a double, three homers, three runs scored, and five RBI, in addition to pitching four solid innings, as Shady Characters topped the Porkswords 7-2. Shady Characters pulled ahead early and kept the Porkswords’ bats in check, snapping a two game losing streak and moving to 4-2 on the season, tied with Loss Mitigation for first place in the EWL standings.

Tom K took the mound for Shady Characters with two innings of eligibility left in week 3. Josh and John each singled to start the game for the Porkswords, and it looked as if they’d get on the board early. Tom K cracked down though, retiring Adam and Miller, stranding both runners to end the inning.

Shady Characters got on the board in the bottom of the first, quickly getting to the Porkswords’ starter, Miller. Dylan began the game with his first career lead-off homer, and the solo shot made the score 1-0. Erich followed with a single, and he scored from first on Tom W’s RBI double, putting Shady Characters ahead 2-0. Tom K grounded out to deep left on the next play, but Tom W was able to score from second on the play, and the score was 3-0. Dylan came to the plate and crushed his second bomb of the inning, and Shady Characters led 4-0. Erich hit his second single of the inning, and just when it looked like the Porkswords would be in a big hole, Miller retired Tom W, ending the inning having allowed four runs.

John singled with one out in the top of the second, and Adam followed with a single, giving the Porkswords two base runners for the second consecutive inning. But for the second straight inning, Tom K clamped down, retiring Miller to strand two more runners, maintaining the Shady Characters’ four run lead.

Tom K pitched two innings of scoreless ball before reaching his innings limit, and went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and a single.

Tom K doubled to start the bottom of the second, but Miller escaped the inning without damage, retiring Dylan and Erich, and the score remained 4-0.

With Tom K at his innings limit for the week, Shady Characters turned to Dylan from the bullpen. Josh led off the inning with a single, and two batters later, he moved from first to third on Adam’s second single of the game. For the the third consecutive inning, the Porkswords had two runners on base, but this time they would capitalize. Miller hit a one-out single, scoring Josh from third, and the score was 4-1. However, for the third straight inning, the Porkswords would leave two runners on base. Dylan got Josh to fly out to center, stranding two runners, and ending the inning with the score 4-1.

Tom W went 3-for-5 with a single and two doubles, and he scored three of Shady Characters runs in the win.

Shady Characters would strand some runners of their own in the bottom of the third. Tom K singled with out out, and he moved to second when Dylan singled, putting runners on first and second. Miller got out of the inning unscathed. retiring Erich to strand two Shady Characters’ runners, ending the inning.

Dylan retired the Porkswords in order in the top of the fourth, and he’d provide himself an additional run of support in the bottom half of the inning. Tom W started the inning with a single, and two batters later, Dylan hit a one-out RBI double to score Tom W, making the score 5-1.

Erich and Tom W of Shady Characters converge on a ball in center field

The Porkswords would cut into the Shady Characters lead in the top of the fifth. Josh led off with a triple, and John drove him in with an RBI single that cut the deficit to 5-2. Dylan retired Adam to end the inning, and Shady Characters led by three.

Dylan would once again provide his own run support in the top of the sixth. Tom W doubled to start the inning, and two batters later, Dylan hit a two-run homer, his third of the game, putting Shady Characters ahead 7-2. Miller retired Erich to end the inning, and the Porkswords trailed by five runs heading into the sixth.

Dylan connects on one of his five hits in the Shady Characters win over the Porkswords

Down to their final at-bat, the Porkswords went quietly in the sixth. Dylan retired Miller and Josh in order, ending the game and giving Shady Characters a 7-2 victory.

The win moved Shady Characters to 4-2 on the season, and the loss dropped the Porkswords to 1-5.

W: Tom K (3-1)
L: Miller (0-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Tom K earned the win for Shady Characters, allowing no runs on four hits in two innings pitched.
– Dylan pitched four innings of relief for Shady Characters, giving up two runs on five hits.
– Miller took the loss for the Porkswords, giving up seven runs on twelve hits in five innings.
– Dylan led Shady Characters at the plate, going 5-for-6 with a single, a double, three home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI.
– Josh was the only Porksword with an extra-base hit, going 3-for-5 with two singles, a triple, and two runs scored.

Bob of Loss Mitigation Named Week 3 Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week

25 May

After a dominant and record-setting week at the plate, Bob of Loss Mitigation was named Wiffler of the Week for the eleventh time in his EWL career.

After a record-setting week that included a historic performance that tied the single-game home run record (5) and broke the single-game total bases record (28), Bob of Loss Mitigation was voted the Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week for week 3 of the 2018 EWL season.

Bob went 14-for-21 on the week with a single, four doubles, three triples, six home runs, an incredible twelve runs scored and thirteen runs batted in. His bat was unstoppable as Loss Mitigation pounded Cheap Goats and also defeated Shady Characters in a dramatic, come-from-behind win. After a relatively pedestrian start to the season, by his standards, Bob’s bat took off as many have come to expect from the four time EWL Wiffler of the Year, and he carried his team to two big victories that propelled them to first place in the EWL standings.

This is the 11th time Bob has earned Wiffler of the Week honors, and the first time since week 6 of the 2017 season. Loss Mitigation has now earned all three Wiffler of the Week awards for the 2018 season so far, after Bob’s teammate, Mike, was named Wiffler of the Week for weeks 1 and 2. This is the first time since 2012, and only the third time ever, that players from the same team have been named Wiffler of the Week more than two consecutive weeks. Ivan (twice) and Vassallo of the Fish Sticks won Wiffler of the Week in three consecutive weeks in 2012, and Ron, Morrison, Frosty, and Les (twice) of the Caucasians won Wiffler of the Week in five consecutive weeks, also in 2012.

Bob Ties Home Run Record, Loss Mitigation Destroys Cheap Goats 23-3 in Epic Rout

24 May

Bob tied the single-game record for home runs with five and broke the single-game record for total bases with 28, delivering a historic performance in Loss Mitigations 23-3 beatdown of Cheap Goats.

In one of the most lopsided games in EWL history, Loss Mitigation pounded Cheap Goats 23-3, led by Bob, who tied the single-game home run record with five homers and broke the six-year old single-game record for total bases, with twenty-eight. Bob had eight hits in the game, all extra-base hits, and Nate also contributed eight hits, as Loss Mitigation scored twelve runs in the top of the second and never looked back. Nate and Mike combined to allow only three hits on three runs, as Loss Mitigation moved into first place in the EWL standings.

Christian started on the mound for Cheap Goats, and he fell behind early in the top of the first. Bob led off the game with a triple, and Mike gave Loss Mitigation an early lead with a two-run homer, making the score 2-0. Two batters later, Norris singled, and Bob drove him in with a two-run shot that extended the lead to 4-0.

Nate retired Jordan and Joey in order in the bottom of the first, and the wheels fell off for Cheap Goats in the top of the second.

Fueled by power bats and poor Cheap Goats fielding, Loss Mitigation exploded for one of the biggest innings in league history. Nate led off the top of the second with a double, and he moved to third when Norris followed with a single. Bob drove them both home with a three-run homer to right-center, putting Loss Mitigation ahead 7-0. Christian retired Mike for the first out of the inning, and then did not retire another batter until he was removed from the game. Nate singled with one out, and Norris plated him with a two-run shot, making the score 9-0. Bob followed with his second homer of the inning to make the score 10-0, and Mike made it back-to-back-to-back homers for Loss Mitigation, pushing the score to 11-0. Nate then doubled for his third hit of the inning, and Norris once again drove him in with a two-run blast, extending the Loss Mitigation lead to 13-0. Bob tripled, and Mike drove him in with a two-run homer, his second blast of the inning. With the score 15-0, Cheap Goats removed Christian from the game, turning to Jordan from the bullpen. The first batter he faced, Nate, got his fourth hit of the inning, a solo homer, that put Loss Mitigation ahead 16-0. Jordan finally retired Norris to end the inning, and after a twelve-run assault, Loss Mitigation was up 16-0.

Mike had three homers in the game, going 6-for-10 with a single, two doubles, three bombs, fur runs scored, and five RBI.

With all of the run support he could ever need, Nate continued to cruise in the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order.

Loss Mitigation would add a few more to their lead in the top of the third. Mike doubled with one out, and Nate crushed his second homer of the game, a two-run bomb that put Loss Mitigation ahead 18-0. Norris followed with a single, but Jordan avoided further damage, retiring Bob for the first time in the game to end the inning.

Norris connects on one of his seven hits in the game, as his captain, Bob, watches in approval.

Cheap Goats couldn’t do anything on offense, as Nate retired Bob and Jordan in the bottom of the third, and he had sent down the first six batters he had faced.

Nate homered for the third time in as many at-bats in the top of the fourth, and his one-out solo shot put Loss Mitigation ahead 19-0. Norris followed with a single, and he moved to third on Bob’s one-out double. Jordan avoided another big inning, however, retiring Mike to strand both runners and end the inning.

Nate pitched three perfect innings for Loss Mitigation.

With Mike hobbled with a minor injury, Loss Mitigation removed Nate, who had been perfect through three innings, and put Mike on the mound for a rare pitching appearance. The first batter he faced, Joey, hit a solo homer to left, putting Cheap Goats on the board. Mike retired the next two batters, and the score was 19-1 through four innings.

Nate led off the top of the fifth with a triple, and Norris drove him in with an RBI single that put Loss Mitigation ahead 20-1. Bob then hit a two-run homer, his fourth of the game, and Loss Mitigation led 22-1. Mike singled, but Jordan retired the next two batters to end the inning with his squad trailing by twenty-one runs.

Nate achieves full extension on one of his his three home runs. He had a career day at the plate, going 8-for-10 and hitting for the cycle.

Jordan singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, and Joey homered for the second time in the game. The two-run shot cut the score to 22-3. Cheap Goats couldn’t continue the rally, as Mike retired Christian to end the inning.

With four homers in the game through five innings, Bob needed one more to tie the single-game record for homers, which he already shared with Ivan, Joey, and Blose. He came to the plate and did just that, etching his name in the record books once again with a solo shot, his record-tying fifth of the game. The solo shot made the score 23-3, putting Loss Mitigation back up by twenty. Mike followed with a double, and he moved to third on Nate’s single, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Jordan retired Norris for the first out of the inning, and Bob came to the plate with a chance to break the single-game record for home runs with six. It would stop at five, however, as he flew out to center for the second out of the inning, stranding two runners.

Loss Mitigation celebrate at the plate after Bob’s record-tying fifth home run of the game.

Mike made quick work of Cheap Goats in the bottom of the sixth, retiring Dinger and Bob in order, ending the game. Loss Mitigation had won by an incredible twenty runs, defeating Cheap Goats 23-3.

The win moved Loss Migitation to 4-2 on the season, and the loss dropped Cheap Goats to 3-3.

W: Nate (2-1)
L: Christian (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Nate earned the win for Loss Mitigation, pitching three perfect innings without allowing a run or a hit.
– Mike pitched three innings of relief for Loss Mitigation, allowing three runs on three hits.
– Christian took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up fifteen runs on fifteen hits in 2.5 innings pitched.
– Jordan pitched 3.5 innings of relief for Cheap Goats, allowing eight runs on fourteen hits.
– Bob had a historic game at the plate, going 8-for-11 with a double, two triples, five home runs, seven runs scored, and nine RBI.
– Bob tied the single-game record for home runs, with 5. He tied Ivan, Joey, Blose, and himself, who had all previously hit five homers in a regular season game.
– Bob broke the single-game record for total bases with 28. He broke Vassallo’s six year old record of 26 total bases, from 2012.
– Loss Mitigation tied the single-game team record for home runs, with 13. They tied the Fish Sticks, who hit 13 homers in a game in 2012.
– Nate also had a big game, going 8-for-10 with two singles, two doubles, a triple, three home runs, seven runs scored, and four RBI. He also became the first player in 2018 to hit for the cycle.
– Norris fell one single short of the single-game record with five. He went 7-for-10 with five singles, two home runs, four runs scored, and five RBI.
– Joey led Cheap Goats at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI.