Dinger delivered one of the best relief performances in league history, throwing six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, as Cheap Goats beat Jack Shack 1-0 to clinch the #2 seed in the playoffs
Christian and Dinger combined to throw nine shutout innings, allowing only six hits and only one baserunner beyond second base, as Cheap Goats walked off with a 1-0 over win over Jack Shack when Jordan hit an RBI single to score Miller in the bottom of the ninth. Both team’s defenses played at an elite level, limiting hits and stranding runners, in one of the best games of the 2021 season. The teams will meet again in the first round of the playoffs in a rematch of the 2020 Wiffle Series.
Christian started for Cheap Goats, and he got out of trouble early. After retiring Adam for the first out of the inning, he allowed a double to Josh D and a single to Turbo, putting runners on the corners. Jack Shack couldn’t capitalize, however, as Christian retired Brian to strand both runners, ending the inning.
Brian took the mound for Jack Shack, and he also stranded a runner early. Brett led off the bottom of the first with a double, but Brian retired Joey and Miller to strand him, ending the inning.
Josh D singled with one out in the top of the second, but Christian stranded him, retiring Turbo to end the inning.
Brian rolled through the bottom of the second, retiring Jordan and Christian.
Brian led off the top of the third with a double, but Christian and Cheap Goats stranded another runner, as Christian retired Adam and Josh D to end the inning.
Brett doubled with one out in the bottom of the third, but Brian escaped unscathed, retiring Joey to strand the runner and the game remained scoreless after three innings.
Christian was effective on the mound, pitching three shutout innings with his new unique delivery
Cheap Goats turned to the bullpen in the top of the fourth, bringing Dinger to the mound. The first batter he faced, Turbo, hit a single. But Dinger buckled down, retiring Brian and Adam to strand him at first, ending the inning.
Brian retired the side in order in the bottom of the fourth, sending Miller and Jordan down consecutively.
Turbo doubled with one out in the top of the fifth, but Dinger stranded him, retiring Brian to get out of the inning.
Adam took the mound in the bottom of the fifth, as Brian had reached his innings limit for the week. He picked up where Brian left off, retiring Christian and Dinger in order.
Dinger matched Adam in the top of the sixth, retiring Adam and Josh D in order, and Cheap Goats had shutout Jack Shack through six innings.
Cheap Goats couldn’t plate a run for the win in the bottom of the sixth, as Adam retired Brett and Joey in order.
Dinger continued to roll in the top of the seventh, retiring Turbo and Brian in order, and the game remained scoreless.
Jack Shack continued to confuse the Cheap Goats offense, as Adam retired Miller and Jordan in order in the bottom of the seventh, and the game would continue into the eighth inning.
Dinger retired Adam and Josh D in order in the top of the eight, and Cheap Goats had now pitched eight consecutive shutout innings.
Cheap Goats threatened significantly in the bottom of the eighth, and a very unlikely turn of events allowed Adam and Jack Shack to escape, and for the game to continue. Christian led off the inning with a double, putting the winning run on second. Dinger followed with a single, and Christian moved to third, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Jack Shack intentionally walked Brett, loading the bases for Joey with no outs. Joey hit a shallow fly ball to right, which Turbo caught for an out. Christian had wandered off third base in an attempt to coax a wild throw, but was caught out, ending the inning. Adam had escaped a bases-loaded, no-outs jam to push the game to the ninth inning.
Jordan’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth scored Miller to give Cheap Goats a 1-0 win
Dinger powered through the ninth inning, retiring Turbo and Brian in order, eighth and ninth consecutive batters he had retired.
Jack Shack’s luck ran out in the bottom of the ninth. Miller led off with a triple, and Cheap Goats once again had the winning run in scoring position with no outs. This time Jordan hit a single to right-center, scoring Miller, and giving Cheap Goats a 1-0 win in nine innings.
The win moved Cheap Goats to 11-9 on the season, and the loss dropped Jack Shack to 10-10 on the season. The win clinched the #2 seed in the playoffs for Cheap Goats, and the loss clinched the #3 seed for Jack Shack.
W: Dinger (4-4)
L: Adam (0-1)
Game Notes:
– Dinger earned the win for Cheap Goats, pitching six shutout innings of relief, allowing only two hits.
– Adam took the loss for Jack Shack, giving up one run on four hits in four innings of relief.
– Christian got a no-decision for Cheap Goats, starting the game and allowing no runs on four hits in three innings.
– Brian got a no-decision for Jack Shack, starting the game and giving up no runs on two hits in four innings.
– Brett led Cheap Goats on offense and was the only Cheap Goats player with multiple hits. He went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an intentional walk.
– Turbo led Jack Shack in the loss, going 3-for-6 with two singles and a double.
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