Tag Archives: 2013

Helal Pitches Shutout as Eastbound Beats Ham Slams 3-0

14 Jul
Helal blanked the Ham Slams, allowing only 3 hits in a complete game shutout

Helal blanked the Ham Slams, allowing only 3 hits in a complete game shutout

Helal scattered three hits in a complete game shutout as Eastbound & Dahn topped the Ham Slams 3-0.

The Ham Slams sent Charlie to the mound, as he had three innings of eligibility remaining for the week. The game’s first batter Mark, hit a single, but was put out trying to extend the hit into a double. Charlie then retired Hartley to end the top of the first.

Helal, Eastbound & Dahn’s hottest pitcher, started the game against the Ham Slams. He cruised through the top of the first, retiring the side in order.

Charlie breezed through the top of the second, retiring Ivan and Helal consecutively. He then led off the bottom of the second with a single. He would move to second when the next batter, Anthony, also singled. With runners on first and second and no outs, Riley singled, but Charlie was caught between second and third for the first out of the inning. He then came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second, but Helal struck him out to end the inning, stranding the runners.

Charlie pitched a scoreless frame in the top of the third, but would have to leave the game after reaching his innings limit. Helal would retire the side in order in the bottom of the third, maintaining the scoreless tie.

The Ham Slams turned to Riley out of the bullpen in the top of the fourth, and he got into trouble quickly. The first batter he faced, Hartley, hit a solo homer, putting Eastbound & Dahn ahead 1-0. Ivan followed with a single, and after Helal flew out for the first out of the inning, Trevar knocked a triple off the fence, scoring Ivan and making the score 2-0. With one out and a runner on third, Mark singled, driving in Trevar and extending the Eastbound lead to 3-0. Riley would then retire Hartley for the second out, ending the inning.

Trevar's RBI triple in the top of the fourth put Eastbound & Dahn ahead 2-0.

Trevar’s RBI triple in the top of the fourth put Eastbound & Dahn ahead 2-0.

Helal retired Charlie and Anthony consecutively in the bottom of the fourth, and Eastbound remained ahead by 3 runs.

Riely struck out Ivan for the first out in the top of the fifth, and retired Helal for the second out. The Ham Slams couldn’t get the bats going in the bottom of the fifth though, as Helal retired Riley and then struck out Charlie for the second out.

Riley retired Trevar for the first out in the top of the sixth. Mark doubled with one out, but Riley stranded him, getting Hartley to fly out to right to end the inning.

Down to their final at-bat, the Ham Slams trailed by three in the bottom of the sixth. Helal retired Anthony for the first out of the inning, then struck out Riley for the second out, ending the game.

The win moved Eastbound & Dahn to 8-9 on the season, while the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 5-12.

W: Helal (4-1)
L: Riley (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Helal pitched the complete game shutout for Eastbound & Dahn, allowing only 3 hits in 6 innings with 3 strikeouts. He tied a single-game record, previously set by Guthrie and Josh, with the three strikeouts.
– Riley took the loss for the Ham Slams, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits in 3 innings. Charlie also pitched for the Slams, giving up only 1 hit in 3 innings.
– Mark led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 2 singles, a double, and an RBI.
– Anthony, Riley, and Charlie each collected one single for the Ham Slams.

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Eastbound & Dahn Narrowly Escape with 8-7 Win over Questionable Outfit

14 Jul
All five members of Eastbound & Dahn homered in an 8-7 win over Questionable Outfit

All five members of Eastbound & Dahn homered in an 8-7 win over Questionable Outfit

Eastbound & Dahn held off a furious Questionable Outfit rally, managing not to blow a big early lead in an 8-7 win.

Eastbound & Dahn started Mark on the mound, and he got into some trouble early against in the top of the first. The game’s first batter, Tom, hit a mammoth leadoff solo homer to deep left field, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0 immediately. Mark retired the next batter, Reilly, but Questionable Outfit would string together a few hits with one-out. Bob singled, and moved from first to third when Mike followed with a single. With one out and two runners on, it looked like Questionable Outfit would blow the game open early, but Mark avoided more trouble by retiring Tom to end the inning and strand both runners.

Kimble slaps his third leadoff homer of the 2013 season, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0 early

Kimble slaps his third leadoff homer of the 2013 season, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0 early

Mark helped himself out at the plate, instantly making up the runs he surrendered on the mound. He led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. The next batter, Hartley, crushed a bomb to left-center, and the back-to-back homers put Eastbound ahead 2-1. Questionable Outfit’s starter, Mike, would retire the next two batter to end the inning.

Mark tied the game at 1-1 with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first

Mark tied the game at 1-1 with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first

After a shaky first inning, Mark cruised through the top of the second, retiring the side in order. Mike matched him in the bottom of the second, doing the same.

Mike led off the top of the third with a single, but Questionable Outfit couldn’t bring him home, as Mark retired Tom and Reilly to end the inning.

Bob delivers a pitch to Hartley, who went 3-for-4 to lead Eastbound & Dahn

Bob delivers a pitch to Hartley, who went 3-for-4 to lead Eastbound & Dahn

Eastbound got their bats back out in the bottom of the third and added to their lead. Harley led off the inning with a single, and the next batter, Ivan, hit a 2-run homer to deep right field, extending the Eastbound lead to 4-1. After retiring Helal for the first out, Mike gave up a solo shot to Trevar, making the score 5-1. He then fanned Mark for the second out of the inning.

Ivan watches one of his two 2-run homers sail over the right field fence

Ivan watches one of his two 2-run homers sail over the right field fence

Mark retired Bob for the first out in the top of the fourth, but Questionable Outfit would cut into the Eastbound lead. Mike singled, and with one out, Tom hit a monster two-run homer to left field, his second of the game. The blast made the score 5-3. Mark would then retire Reilly to end the inning.

Ahead by two runs, Eastbound would open up the lead again in the bottom of the fourth. Hartley started the inning with a double, and the next batter, Ivan, hit a 2-run home run, his second of the game, to make the score 7-3. Helal followed with a solo bomb, and the back-to-back homers put Eastbound ahead 8-7. Trevar followed with a double, and Eastbound had collected four consecutive extra-base hits without registering an out. But Mike pulled things together, retiring Mark and Hartley, stranding the runner at second to end the inning.

Questionable Outfit was down but not out, and they stormed back in the top of the fifth. Bob led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 8-4. Mike followed with a single, setting up Tom for his third homer of the day, a two-run jack that made the score 8-6. Mark would retire Reilly for the first out, but the next batter, Bob, hit his second blast of the inning. His solo shot cut the Eastbound lead to 8-7. Mark had allowed 4 runs in the inning, but he kept his composure, striking out Mike for the second out, ending the Questionable Outfit rally.

Bob had two homers in the top of the fifth as Questionable Outfit stormed back

Bob had two homers in the top of the fifth as Questionable Outfit stormed back

Eastbound were unable to add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Mike retired the side in order.

Down a run in the top of the sixth, Questionable Outfit were unable to tie the game in their final at-bat. Tom flew out to center for the first out of the inning, and after Reilly singled with one out, Mark retired Bob for the second out, ending the game.

The win moved Eastbound & Dahn to 7-9 on the season, while Questionable Outfit fell to 10-6 with the loss.

W: Mike (5-2)
L: Mark (2-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Mark pitched the complete game victory for Eastbound, allowing 7 runs on 11 hits in 6 innings.
– Mike took the loss for Questionable Outfit, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings. He has now lost his last two consecutive starts after beginning the season 5-0.
– Harley led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a single, double, home run, 3 runs scored, and 1 RBI. He was only a triple shy of the cycle.
– All five Eastbound & Dahn players homered, including Ivan, who hit two bombs.
– Tom led Questionable Outfit on offense, going 3-for-6 with 3 homers, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Bob collected 3 hits for Questionable, and Mike had 4 singles.
– Both teams had leadoff home runs in the game. Tom hit his third leadoff homer of the season; Mark’s was his second.

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Cookies & Cream Storm Past Ham Slams Late for 8-5 Win

14 Jul
Joey had four hits, including 3 home runs, as Cookies & Cream beat the Ham Slams 8-5

Joey had four hits, including 3 home runs, as Cookies & Cream beat the Ham Slams 8-5

Cookies & Cream scored six of their eight runs over the final two innings as they came from behind to top the Ham Slams 8-5.

Dinger started on the mound for the Ham Slams, who were playing with new free agent acquisition Riley. Dinger retired Anthony for the first out in the top of the first, and after Riley singled in his first career at-bat, Dinger got Charlie to ground out to center to end the inning.

The Ham Slams started their ace, Charlie. After retiring Dinger for the first out in the bottom of the second, Joey crushed a solo bomb to left field, putting Cookies & Cream up 1-0. Charlie avoided further damage, retiring Morrison for the second out.

Dinger cruised through the top of the second, retiring the side in order. Charlie matched him in the bottom half of the inning, pitching a scoreless frame.

Dinger started the game hot before running into trouble against the Ham Slams in the middle innings

Dinger started the game hot before running into trouble against the Ham Slams in the middle innings

Down a run, the Ham Slams continued to struggle in the top of the third, as Dinger sent them down consecutively. Cookies & Cream would add to their lead in the bottom of the third. Morrison led off the inning with a single, and moved to second when Dinger grounded out for the first out. The next batter, Joey, lined a double off the tree, scoring Morrison and putting Cookies & Cream ahead 2-0. Charlie retired Morrison for the second out, stranding the runner at second.

After having trouble getting their bats going early, the Ham Slams had an offensive burst in the top of the fourth, helped in large part by Cookies & Cream fielding errors. Dinger retired Riley to start the inning, but the Ham Slams would rally with one out. Charlie singled and moved to second when Anthony singled. With runners on first and second, Riley hit another single for the Slams, scoring Charlie from second and cutting the deficit to 2-1. With runners on the corners, Charlie hit his second single of the inning, scoring Anthony from third and tying the game at 2-2. With runners on first and second, Anthony stepped to the plate and hit a 3-run bomb. The barrage put the Ham Slams ahead 5-2. Riley would follow with another single, but Dinger fanned Charlie to end the difficult inning.

Riley went 3-for-7 with 3 singles, a run scored, and an RBI in his EWL debut

Riley went 3-for-7 with 3 singles, a run scored, and an RBI in his EWL debut

Trailing by three runs, Cookies & Cream would bounce back immediately. Charlie retired Dinger for the first out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream would have a one-out rally of their own. Joey hit a solo shot, his second of the game, to make the score 5-3. Morrison followed with a one-out double, and scored when Dinger doubled, cutting the score to 5-4. With one out and a runner on second, Joey hit his second homer of the inning, a two-run jack, that put Cookies & Cream ahead 6-5. Charlie retired Morrison to end the inning, but the lead had been surrendered.

Dinger's RBI double was a part of Cookies & Cream 4-run fourth inning rally

Dinger’s RBI double was a part of Cookies & Cream 4-run fourth inning rally

Dinger retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, maintaining the 6-5 lead. He would get a little more run support in the bottom of the fifth. He helped himself out with a single to lead off the inning, and moved to second when Joey grounded out for the first out. The next batter, Morrison launched a 2-run homer, extending the Cookies & Cream lead to 8-5. Charlie retired Dinger to end the inning, and the Slams would head into their final at-bat trailing by 3 runs.

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after Morrison's 5th inning 2-run homer

Cookies & Cream celebrate at the plate after Morrison’s 5th inning 2-run homer

Cookies & Cream turned to their bullpen and brought in Morrison for the first save opportunity for any team in the 2013 season. He retired Charlie for the first out of the inning, but gave up a one-out double to Anthony. The Ham Slams couldn’t rally, however, as Morrison retired Riley for the second out, ending the game.

The win moved Cookies & Cream to 10-6 on the season, and the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 5-11 on the year.

W: Dinger (4-3)
L: Charlie (3-7)
S: Morrison (1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched 5 innings in the winning effort for Cookies & Cream, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits with 1 strikeout.
– Charlie took the loss for the Slams, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits in the complete game.
– Morrison picked up the first save of the 2013 season, allowing 1 hit and no runs in 1 inning of relief.
– Joey led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 4-for-6 with a double, 3 homers, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI. He also had 10 of a possible 11 putouts for Cookies & Cream.
– Morrison also went 3-for-6, with a single, a double, a home run, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Anthony led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 3-for-7 with a single, a double, a homer, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

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Eastbound & Dahn Hammer Cookies & Cream in 6-2 Win

8 Jul
Mark had 5 hits to lead Eastbound & Dahn as they beat Cookies & Cream 6-2

Mark had 5 hits to lead Eastbound & Dahn as they beat Cookies & Cream 6-2

Eastbound & Dahn went up early and Helal used the run support to cruise to a 6-2 win over Cookies & Cream.

Cookies & Cream got out their bats early, and it looked as if Helal would have a long day on the mound. The first batter he faced, Dinger, singled, and moved to second when Joey grounded out for the first out of the inning. The next batter, Guthrie, ripped an RBI triple, scoring Dinger and putting Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0. Helal minimized the damage, retiring Vassallo for the second out, ending the inning.

Guthrie's RBI triple in the top of the first put Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0

Guthrie’s RBI triple in the top of the first put Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0

The Cookies & Cream lead would not last long, as the league’s best pitcher, Guthrie, was hit hard. He retired Mark to start the game, but then things got rocky. Trevar hit a one-out single, and Helal followed with a two-run jack, putting Eastbound & Dahn ahead 2-1. Mark followed with a solo blast, and the back-to-back homers gave Eastbound a 3-1 lead. Trevar followed with yet another Eastbound bomb, and his solo homer pushed the score to 4-1. Helal couldn’t extend the home run streak to four, as Guthrie retired him to end the inning.

Trevar had two hits, incuding a homer, and scored two runs in the bottom of the first

Trevar had two hits, incuding a homer, and scored two runs in the bottom of the first

Helal retired Dinger for the first out in the top of the second, and after Joey doubled, Guthrie grounded out to left to end the inning.

Mark doubled to lead off the bottom of the second, and with aggressive base running, scored from second on a routine ground out by Trevar. Helal grounded out for the second out, and Eastbound & Dahn had a 5-1 lead.

Helal pitched a perfect frame in the top of the third, retiring the side in order. Mark led off the bottom of the third with a single, and moved to second when Trevar followed with a single. Helal then hit another single, and Eastbound & Dahn had the bases loaded with no outs. Mark came to the plate and singled, the fourth consecutive for Eastbound, scoring the runner from third and making the score 6-1. With the bases still loaded, Guthrie got out of the jam, getting Trevar to fly out to shallow center, and Helal to do the same for the second out of the inning, stranding three runners.

After retiring Joey for the first out of the inning, Helal gave up a one-out double to Guthrie. The next batter, Vassallo, tripled, scoring Guthrie and cutting the score to 6-2. But Cookies & Cream couldn’t rally, as Dinger flew out to left for the second out of the inning.

Mark singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, his fifth consecutive at-bat with a hit, but Guthrie was able to strand the runner. He retired Trevar and Helal to end the inning.

Joey led off the top of the fifth with a triple, but Helal continued to confused Cookies & Cream hitters. He retired the next two batters consecutively, ending the inning and maintaining the 6-2 lead.

Helal allowed only 2 runs in the complete game win for Eastbound & Dahn

Helal allowed only 2 runs in the complete game win for Eastbound & Dahn

Guthrie retired Mark to start the bottom of the fifth, and after giving up a one-out double to Trevar, he retired Helal for the second out of the inning.

Down to their final at-bat, Cookies & Cream needed four runs in the top of the sixth. After Dinger grounded out for the first out, Joey singled, but Helal stranded the runner, getting Guthrie to fly out for the second out of the inning, and ending the game.

The win moved Eastbound & Dahn to 6-8 on the year and within two games of .500. The loss dropped Cookies & Cream to 9-6 on the year, a half game behind Questionable Outfit in the standings.

W: Helal (3-1)
L: Guthrie (5-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Helal pitched the complete game win for Eastbound & Dahn, allowing only 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings.
– Guthrie took the loss for Eastbound & Dahn, giving up 6 runs on 11 hits in 5 innings.
– Mark led Eastbound & Dahn at the plate, going 5-for-7 with 3 singles, a double, a home run, 3 runs scored, and an RBI. Trevar also had 4 hits for Eastbound.
– Joey led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a single, a double, and a triple.

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Ham Slams Ride Charlie’s Arm to 3-2 Win over Questionable Outfit

8 Jul
Kyle hit two solo bombs and helped lead the Ham Slams to a 3-2 win

Kyle hit two solo bombs and helped lead the Ham Slams to a 3-2 win

Charlie’s pitching and the Ham Slams defense quieted the league’s most prolific offense as the Slams surprised Questionable Outfit 3-2.

Questionable Outfit put the ball in Mike’s hands against the Slams, and he started hot, retiring the side in order in the top of the first.

The Ham Slams started their ace, Charlie, and it looked like he would be in trouble early. Questionable Outfit’s first batter, Tom, roped a double to lead off the inning. He moved the third when Reilly followed with a single. The next batter, Bob, grounded out to the mound, preventing the runner from scoring. Charlie then retired Mike, stranding both runners and avoiding damage in the bottom of the first.

Tom went 4-for-5 in the game with two extra-base hits

Tom went 4-for-5 in the game with two extra-base hits

Mike continued to roll in the top of the second, pitching a scoreless inning. Tom continued his hot bat in the bottom of the second, leading off the inning with a solo bomb, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0. Charlie then retired Reilly and Bob in order to end the second.

Down 1-0, the Ham Slams responded in the top of the third. Kyle led off the inning with a solo homer, tying the game at 1-1, and Anthony followed with a solo blast of his own. The back-to-back homers gave the Ham Slams a 2-1 lead. Josh followed with a double, and the Ham Slams were set to break open the game. But Mike buckled down, retiring Charlie and Kyle to strand the runner and end the inning.

Josh congratulates his brother Kyle at the plate after one of his two homers

Josh congratulates his brother Kyle at the plate after one of his two homers

Mike led off the bottom of the third with a single, and moved from first to third when Tom followed with a single. Questionable Outfit had runners on first and third with no outs, but Charlie would escape trouble again. He fanned Reilly for the first out, then got Bob to groundout to right, stranding two Questionable Outfit runners on base.

Anthony led off the top of the fourth with a double, but Mike retired Josh and Charlie in order to hold the deficit at a single run. Charlie cruised through the bottom of the fourth, retiring Mike and Tom consecutively.

Charlie held the league's top offense in check over the complete game win

Charlie held the league’s top offense in check over the complete game win

Up 2-1, the Ham Slams added to their lead in the top of the fifth when Kyle led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game. After Anthony flew out to the mound for the first out, Josh hit a one-out double. But Mike retired Charlie for the second out of the inning, holding the runner at second.

Charlie retired Reilly for the first out in the bottom of the fifth, but Bob followed with a one-out single. Mike then singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. Tom followed with a single, and Bob scored from second on the play. But as Mike moved from first to third, Tom tried to extend the single into a double, and was caught in between bases for the second out of the inning. Questionable Outfit had cut the score to 3-2, but left two runners on base.

Steve entered the game in the top of the sixth after missing the game’s first five innings, but Mike retired the side in order to maintain the 3-2 score.

Down to their final at-bat, the potent Questionable Outfit offense was unable to get started in the bottom of the sixth. Charlie retired Reilly and Bob consecutively, ending the inning and giving the Ham Slams a 3-2 win.

The win was the Ham Slams second straight and moved their record to 5-10 on the season. This was the first 2-0 week of the 2013 season and the first time they had won consecutive games. The loss dropped Questionable Outfit to 9-5, snapping their five-game winning streak and putting them in a tie with Cookies & Cream for first place.

W: Charlie (3-6)
L: Mike (5-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Charlie pitched the complete game win for the Ham Slams, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings.
– Mike took the loss for Questionable Outfit, his first loss of the season. He gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings.
– Kyle, Anthony, and Josh each had 2 hits to lead the Ham Slams. Kyle’s two homers and Anthony’s one homer were all of the solo variety, and represented the three Ham Slams runs.
– Tom led Questionable Outfit offensively, going 4-for-5 with 2 singles, a double, a home run, a run scored, and 2 RBI.

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