Tag Archives: 6/5/12

Bobby Brown Pounds Fish Sticks for 8 Home Runs, Hold On for 9-5 Win

12 Jun
Brad rounds third after one of his 3 homers as he helped carry Bobby Brown to a big win over the Fish Sticks

Brad rounds third after one of his 3 homers as he helped carry Bobby Brown to a big win over the Fish Sticks

The Lentz brothers each hit 3 homers and kept the Fish Sticks out of reach as they held off a late rally to win 9-5.

The Sticks started Joey on the mound for the second time in week 6, and he got off to a rough start in the top of the first inning. The first batter, Mark, hit a leadoff homer, immediately putting Bobby Brown up 1-0. Joey retired the next batter, Brad, for the first out of the inning. With one out, Mike singled, and moved to second when Mark followed with a single. Joey escaped further damage though, as Brad grounded out to the mound for the second out of the inning, stranding Mike and Mark.

Mike started on the mound and brought the heat to the Fish Sticks early. Ivan grounded out to right for the first out of the inning, and Joey was called out after trying to extend a single into a double, ending the inning.

Bobby Brown added to their lead in the top of the second. After Mike flew out for the first out of the inning, Mark doubled. With a runner on second and one out, Brad hit a 2-run homer, pushing the Bobby Brown lead to 3-0. Mike flew out to left for the second out of the inning.

Mark races to first for one of his 6 base hits for the game

Mark races to first for one of his 6 base hits for the game

Mike cruised through the bottom of the second, retiring Blose and Vassallo in order.

Bobby Brown would add two more runs in the top of the third, starting with Mark, who led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game, making the score 4-0. Brad flew out to left for the first out of the inning, but Mike followed with a solo homer, the first of his career, and the score was 5-0. Joey retired Mark for the first time in the game for the second out of the inning, but the Sticks trailed by five.

Mike his first career homer in the top of the third, the first of two he had in the game

Mike his first career homer in the top of the third, the first of two he had in the game

The Sticks would get on the board in the bottom of the third. Ivan led off the inning by grounding out to Brad in center, but Joey followed with a one-out triple. Blose then doubled, scoring Joey and cutting the deficit to 5-1. With one out and a runner on second, Mike got Vassallo to fly out to the mound, ending the inning and stranding the runner.

For the third consecutive inning, Bobby Brown would add two runs to their lead. Brad led off the inning with a solo bomb, his second of the game, making the score 6-1. Mike grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Mark followed with a solo shot, his third of the game, and the score was 7-1. Joey had given up six homers in 3.5 innings, and he pulled himself from the game, turning to Blose from the bullpen to minimize the damage. He retired Brad, who grounded out to left, to end the inning.

The Fish Sticks' defense was terrible all day, particularly in their loss to Bobby Brown

The Fish Sticks’ defense was terrible all day, particularly in their loss to Bobby Brown

Down six runs, the Sticks went quietly in the bottom of the fourth. Ivan doubled to lead off the inning, but was held at second when Joey flew out to the mound for the first out. Blose followed with a one-out single, but Ivan was called out trying to advance from second to third on the play, ending the inning.

Bobby Brown's defense was superb despite playing with only 3 in the field

Bobby Brown’s defense was superb despite playing with only 3 in the field

Blose made quick work of Bobby Brown in the top of the fifth. Mike led off with a single, but Blose turned a double play when Mark grounded out to the mound, and Mike was caught in between first and second for the second out of the inning.

The Sticks cut into the Bobby Brown lead in the bottom of the fifth, starting with Vassallo who led off the inning with a single. Ivan followed with a two-run homer, making the score 7-3. Joey followed with a double, and it looked as if the Sticks would rally as they have all season. The next batter, Blose, singled, but Joey was caught in between second and third for the first out of the inning. With Blose on first and one out, Vassallo grounded out to left, ending the inning and the rally at only two runs.

Bobby Brown immediately made up the two runs in the top of the sixth. Brad led off the inning with his third home run of the game, a towering shot to left, putting Bobby Brown up 8-3. The next batter, Mike, hit a low fly ball that barely cleared the right field fence, making back-to-back homers and giving Bobby Brown a 6-run lead. Mark followed with a double, and it looked as if things would get ugly, but Blose got Brad and Mike to fly out consecutively to end the inning.

Down 9-3, the Sticks got off to a good start in a comeback bid in the bottom of the sixth. Ivan led off the inning with his second homer in as many at-bats, a solo bomb to right-center that cut the score to 9-4. Mike got Joey to ground out for the first out of the inning, but Blose followed with a solo bomb, and the score was 9-5. With one out and no one on, Mike ended the Fish Sticks rally, getting Vassallo to fly out to the mound, ending the game.

The win moved Bobby Brown to 4-7 on the season in a tie with the Ham Slams in the standings. The Fish Sticks’ loss snapped a 4-game winning streak and dropped their record to 7-4 in a tie with the Caucasians in the standings.

W: Mike (1-0)
L: Joey (4-3)

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Les Blanks Ham Slams 7-0 as Caucasians Post First Shutout of 2012

12 Jun
Les posted the best pitching performance of the 2012 season to date, with a 3-hit shutout of the Ham Slams

Les posted the best pitching performance of the 2012 season to date, with a 3-hit shutout of the Ham Slams

Les was dominant on the mound, giving up only 3 hits as the Caucasians breezed past the Ham Slams 7-0.

One of the hits Les gave up came in the top of the first inning. After Craig grounded out to center for the first out, Evan doubled off the right-center field wall. It was the furthest a Ham Slams base runner would advance in the entire game. Les got the next batter, ALec, to ground out to the mound, stranding the runner at second and ending the inning.

The Slams sent their southpaw, Evan, to them mound, and aside from one inning, he was effective. He got Morrison to fly out to the mound for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Guthrie, crushed a solo shot to straight-away center, putting the Caucasians up 1-0 early. The next batter, Les, singled with one out, but was held at first, as Evan got Ron to fly out to the mound to end the inning.

Les cruised through the top of the second, retiring Charlie and Craig in order for a scoreless inning.

Evan got back on track in the bottom of the second, as Morrison and Guthrie were retired consecutively to end the inning.

Alec and the Ham Slams fielded well, aside from the disastrous 6-run third inning

Alec and the Ham Slams fielded well, aside from the disastrous 6-run third inning

After Evan flew out to center for the first out in the top of the third, Alec singled, but Les got Charlie to ground out to the mound, stranding the runner at first and ending the inning.

The Caucasians provided all the run support they needed with a single run in the bottom of the first, but they added a few more in the bottom half of the third inning. Les led off the inning with a single, and moved to second with Ron followed with another single. With runners on first and second, Morrison doubled, scoring Les from second and pushing Ron to third. With the score 2-0 and runners on secnod and third, Guthrie blasted his second homer of the game, a 3-run shot that extended the Caucasians lead to 5-0. With no outs and no one on, Evan got Les to fly out to the mound for the first out of the inning. But the Caucasians weren’t finished. Ron singled, and the next batter, Morrison, hit a 2-run bomb to left-center, putting the Caucasians ahead 7-0. Guthrie flew out to Alec in left for the second out of the inning, but the Caucasians had a seven run lead through three innings.

Guthrie's solo shot in the first was all Les needed, but his 3-run homer in the third put the game away for good

Guthrie’s solo shot in the first was all Les needed, but his 3-run homer in the third put the game away for good

Craig led off the top of the fourth with a single, and moved to second when Evan grounded out to right for the first out of the inning. But with one out and a runner on second, Evan grounded out to center, ending the inning and stranding the runner.

Les flew out to left for the first out in the bottom of the fourth, and Ron followed with a one-out double. But the Caucasians couldn’t add to their lead, as Evan got Morrison to ground out to left, stranding Ron at second and ending the inning.

The Slams couldn’t rally in the top of the fifth, as Guthrie retired Charlie and Craig in order for a perfect inning.

Evan held the Caucasians lead at 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth, as Guthrie and Les both flew out to end the inning.

Down seven, the Slams couldn’t put a runner on base in their final at-bat in the top of the sixth. Evan and Alec each grounded out to Guthrie in center, as Les retired the final six batters he faced, completing a 3-hit shutout of the Ham Slams.

A game after scoring 13 runs, the Ham Slams were confused by Les's pitching

A game after scoring 13 runs, the Ham Slams were confused by Les’s pitching

The win moved the Caucasians to 7-4 on the year, a half-game back of the 7-3 Fish Sticks, and the Ham Slams fell to 4-7 on the year, a half-game ahead of 3-7 Bobby Brown.

W: Les (2-0)
L: Evan (0-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Les became the first pitcher in 2012 to throw a shutout. He was the last pitcher to do it, when he threw one on July 5th of last year, nearly a year ago. In 2011 there were 6 shutouts. Of the 7 shutouts in league history, Les has been a part of 3 of them.
– No Ham Slams baserunner advanced beyond second base.
– Guthrie led the Caucasians at the plate, going 2 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Ron also went 3 for 4 with 2 singles and a double.

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Caucasians Outlast Bobby Brown in Seven Innings, Win 6-5 on Morrison Walk-Off

12 Jun
Morrison continues to deliver for the Caucasians, as his walk-off inside-the-park home run gave the Caucasians the win in extra innings

Morrison continues to deliver for the Caucasians, as his walk-off inside-the-park home run gave the Caucasians the win in extra innings

Just a game after the first extra innings game of 2012 was completed, the Caucasians went back-and-forth with Bobby Brown before ultimately coming out on top when Morrison’s walk-off inside-the-park home run put them ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh.

The Caucasians started their ace, Guthrie, on the mound. He retired Mark, who grounded out to right, for the first out of the inning. But with one out, Brad came to the plate and crushed a ball over the left-center field fence for a solo homer, putting Bobby Brown ahead 1-0 early. Guthrie avoided giving up a big inning, retiring free-agent acquisition Mike for the second out of the inning.

Bobby Brown sent Mark to the mound. He had been hit heavy in previous outings, but pitched well early. He got the league’s hottest hitter, Morrison, to groundout to left for the first out of the inning. After Guthrie singled with one out, Les grounded out to Brad in left, stranding the runner and ending the inning.

Guthrie pitched a perfect top of the second, as Mark and Brad grounded out consecutively to end the inning with the score 1-0.

Mark matched Guthrie in the bottom half of the inning. Ron led off the inning with a single, but Mark stranded him as Morrison and Guthrie were each retired by Brad, maintaining Bobby Brown’s 1-run lead.

Guthrie continued to roll in the top of the third, as Mike and Mark were retired in order.

Mark showed his first sign of weakness in the bottom of the third, as the Caucasians would even things up quickly. Les singled to lead off the inning, and when Ron followed with a single, Les rounded the bases, scoring from first and tying the game at 1-1. Morrison followed with a double, putting runners on second and third with no outs. But Mark buckled down and escaped without more damage, as Guthrie and Les each flew out to the mound, stranding both runners.

With the game tied at 1-1, Brad hammered Guthrie again, as he led off the inning with a solo blast, his second of the game, putting Bobby Brown back on top 2-1. Bobby Brown couldn’t add more runs, however, as Mike and Mark each grounded out to end the top of the fourth.

The Caucasians bounced back in the bottom of the fourth, starting with Ron, who doubled to lead off the inning. Morrison capitalized, slamming a 2-run bomb to left-center, which put the Caucasians ahead 3-2. After Guthrie grounded out for the first out of the inning, Les singled with one out, but Mark stranded him at first by retiring Ron to end the inning.

Morrison crushes a bomb as the Bobby Brown fielders watch it sail

Morrison crushes a bomb as the Bobby Brown fielders watch it sail

Guthrie was pitching well, but couldn’t get one past Brad. He led off the top of the fifth with another blast, his third of the game, and tied the game at 3-3. Mike and Mark were retired consecutively to end the inning, but the Caucasian lead had been blown.

The Caucasians couldn’t get it back in the bottom of the fifth. Morrison grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, and after Guthrie singled, Mark retired Les, who also grounded out to Brad, to end the inning.

Brad had one of the finest field performances of the 2012 season against the Caucasians, recording 10 putouts

Brad had one of the finest field performances of the 2012 season against the Caucasians, recording 10 putouts

With the score tied at 3-3, Brad continued to hit Guthrie, leading off the top of the sixth with a single. He moved to second when Mike followed with a one-out single, and Mark came to the plate with runners on first and second and no outs. He singled off the wall, driving in Brad from second and putting Bobby Brown ahead 4-3. Guthrie finally retired Brad for the first out of the inning, and the runners moved to second and third on the plate. Bobby Brown had two runners in scoring position, but Mike couldn’t deliver, as Guthrie retired him to end the inning and hold Bobby Brown to only a single run.

Guthrie pitched well, but could not pitch around Brad, who pounded him for 3 solo homers

Guthrie pitched well, but could not pitch around Brad, who pounded him for 3 solo homers

The Caucasians needed a run to stave off the upset by Bobby Brown, and they started the inning right when Ron doubled. Morrison followed with a double, helped by fielding errors, but Ron couldn’t only advance to third. The Caucasians had the tying run on third, the winning run on second, and no outs. The next batter, Guthrie, hit a towering fly ball to left field. It fell short of the fence, as Brad caught it for the first out of the inning, but Ron raced home on the sacrifice fly, tying the game at 4-4. Mark retired the next batter, Les, stranding Morrison at second and sending the game to extra innings.

Bobby Brown got right to work in the extra frame, as Mark led off the top of the seventh with a single. Brad continued to come through for Bobby Brown, lining a single into the tree in left, as Mark raced around from first to score, putting them ahead 5-4. The next batter, Mike, grounded out to left, advancing Brad to second with one out. The Bobby Brown rally ended there, however, as Mark grounded out to Ron in right field to end the inning.

Guthrie delivers a pitch as Brad looms over him at second base in the top of the sixth

Guthrie delivers a pitch as Brad looms over him at second base in the top of the sixth

The Caucasians were down a run heading into the bottom of the seventh, and they needed one more rally to avoid the loss. For the third time in the final four innings, Ron led off the inning with a base hit, a single, and the tying run was on first. Morrison, who has crushed homers all season, came to the plate as the winning run. He didn’t hit a blast out of the park, but hit a liner off the fence, and after a series of fielding errors, he and Ron both raced the entire way around the bases for an inside-the-park two-run walk-off homer. The Causians, who had trailed multiple times in the game, had come from behind to beat Bobby Brown 6-5 in extra innings.

Ron and Morrison race around the bases in what would become the game-winning inside-the-park homer

Ron and Morrison race around the bases in what would become the game-winning inside-the-park homer

The win moved the Caucasians to 6-4 on the season, while the loss dropped Bobby Brown to 3-7.

W: Guthrie (4-2)
L: Mark (0-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Ron and Morrison led the Caucasians offensively. Ron went 5 for 6 with 3 singles, 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, and an RBI while recording 6 putouts in the field. Morrison went 4 for 7 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, and 5 putouts.
– Brad led Bobby Brown at the plate, going 5 for 7 with 2 singles, 3 homers, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBI while putting together what may have been the best fielding performance of the 2012 season. He was all over the wiffle diamond, recording 10 of a possible 12 putouts.

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Fish Sticks Top Ham Slams in Bottom of the Seventh, Win Shootout 14-13

12 Jun
Joey's 2-run homer in the sixth sent the game to extras, and his walk-off double sealed the Fish Sticks victory

Joey’s 2-run homer in the sixth sent the game to extras, and his walk-off double sealed the Fish Sticks victory

Despite trailing multiple times in the game and having their worst fielding performances of the season, the Fish Sticks came from behind to beat the Ham Slams 14-13 on a walk-off double by Joey in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Sticks started Joey on the mound, and he pitched a scoreless top of the first, retiring Craig and Evan in order.

Alec started for the Slams, and he unveiled a new pitch. He discarded the stutter-pitch in favor of a breaking ball that cuts hard away from right-handed hitters. He was still developing it in the bottom of the first, when Ivan led off with a single. He moved to second when Joey followed with a single, and the next batter, Blose, emptied the bases with a triple, scoring Ivan and Joey and putting the Sticks up 2-0 early. Alec got Vassallo to fly out to the mound for the first out of the inning, but Ivan followed with a double, scoring Blose from third and moving the score to 3-0. Alec had given up 3 runs, but was starting to gain command of his new pitch. With Ivan on second, he fanned Joey for the second out of the inning.

Blose tripled in the bottom of the first and put the Fish Sticks up 2-0 early

Blose tripled in the bottom of the first and put the Fish Sticks up 2-0 early

The Ham Slams responded immediately in the top of the second. Alec led off with a single, and moved from first to third when Charlie followed with a double. With no outs and two runners in scoring position, Craig doubled, scoring both runners and cutting the score to 3-2. With Craig on second, Evan followed with a titanic blast to deep right-center, in what may be the longest hit ball in the history of the EWL. The homer put the Ham Slams on top 4-3. After blowing the early lead, Joey settled down, retiring Alec for the first out of the inning before striking out Charlie for the second out.

Evan's 2-run homer capped a 4-run second for the Slams and gave them a 4-3 lead

Evan’s 2-run homer capped a 4-run second for the Slams and gave them a 4-3 lead

Alec bounced back in the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order by getting Blose to fly out to left, followed by striking out Vassallo for the second out of the inning.

Alec was eventually hit by the Fish Sticks, but his new pitch had them on their toes, swinging uncomfortably all game

Alec was eventually hit by the Fish Sticks, but his new pitch had them on their toes, swinging uncomfortably all game

Craig flew out to right to start the next inning, but the Slams would add to their lead in the top of the third. With one out, Evan singled, and moved to second when Alec followed with another single. With runners on first and second, Charlie singled, driving in Evan and pushing the score to 5-3. The Slams had runners on first and second again, but Joey escaped without further damage, getting Craig to fly out to the mound for the second out of the inning.

Ivan led off the bottom of the third with a double, but Joey followed by flying out to the mound for the first out of the inning. But the Sticks would get to Alec, as Blose doubled, driving in Ivan and cutting the deficit to 5-4. Alec held Blose on second, getting Vassallo to fly out to the mound to end the inning.

Evan doubled to lead off the top of the fourth for the Ham Slams, but Joey stranded the runner at second, getting Alec and Charlie to groundout in order, ending the inning.

Alec had held the Fish Sticks in check the previous two innings, but they started to figure him out in the bottom of the fourth. Ivan flew out to lead off the inning, but Joey followed with a one-out solo homer, tying the game at 5-5. The next batter, Blose, followed with a solo shot of his own, making back-to-back home runs and putting the Sticks back on top 6-5. Alec retired Vassallo for the second out of the inning, but the lead had changed hands again.

Hoping to save innings of eligibility for their second game, the Sticks pulled Joey from the mound and replaced him with Blose from the bullpen. The Slams hit him early and hard. Craig led off the inning with a single, and the next batter, Evan, crushed his second homer of the game, a two-run shot that put the Slams back ahead 7-6. Alec and Charlie each followed with singles, and the Slams had runners on first and second with no outs. Craig grounded out to center for the first out of the inning, but moved both runners into scoring position. With two on and one out, Evan blasted another homer, his third of the game and second of the inning, and the 3-run home run opened up a 10-6 lead for the Slams. Blose retired Alec for the second out of the inning, and ended the big inning for the Slams.

Utilizing a similar strategy as the Fish Sticks, the Slams pulled Alec from the game and called Craig in from the bullpen to preserve their 4-run lead. It didn’t work. Ivan led off the inning with a double, and scored from second when Joey followed with a triple, cutting the score to 10-7. The next batter, Blose, flew out to left for the first out of the inning, and the fly was too shallow for Joey to tag and score. But with one out, Vassallo tripled, scoring Joey from third and cutting the Slams lead to 10-8. Ivan followed with a triple, the third in the inning for the Sticks, scoring Vassallo and the lead was only a run. With the tying run on third, Joey singled, driving in Vassallo and the game was tied at 10-10. Craig finally got Blose to fly out to left for the second out of the inning, but the Slams had blown a 4-run lead.

Evan makes a jumping catch, holding Joey at third, although he later scored on a Vassallo triple

Evan makes a jumping catch, holding Joey at third, although he later scored on a Vassallo triple

It didn’t take long for them to get the lead back. With Blose still on the mound for the Sticks, Charlie led off the top of the sixth with a single. He moved to second when Craig followed with another single, aided by fielding errors. Blose got the next batter, Evan, to ground out to center for the first out of the inning, moving the runners to second and third with one out. The Sticks were an out away from escaping the inning, but Alec hit a two-run double off the fence, scoring Charlie and Craig and putting the Slams back ahead 12-10. Blose avoided further trouble, striking out Charlie to end the inning.

Charlie got the Ham Slams started in the top of the sixth with a single, and later scored on an Alec double

Charlie got the Ham Slams started in the top of the sixth with a single, and later scored on an Alec double

Down two runs, the Sticks were down to their final at-bat. The Slams removed Craig from the mound and re-inserted Alec, hoping to fool the Sticks and close the door. It started well, as Alec retired Vassallo, who flew out to the mound, for the first out of the inning. But the next batter, Ivan, doubled, and the tying run was at the plate. With one out and a runner on second, Joey stepped to the plate and blasted a two-run homer, tying the game at 12-12, drawing the Fish Sticks even. The Sticks needed one more run to cement a great win, but Alec settled down and got Blose to fly out to the mound for the second out of the inning, sending the game to extras.

The Slams wasted no time at all in the extra frame, as Craig led off the inning by cranking a solo shot to left-center field, making the score 13-12. Blose got Evan to fly out to the mound for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Alec, singled with one out. The Slams were unable to extend their lead, however, as Charlie flew out to Vassallo in right to end the inning. But the resilient Slams had pulled ahead once again.

The Sticks were once again down to their final at-bat, needing a run to extend the game and 2 to win. The first batter, Vassallo, who had been fooled by Alec all game, finally solved the breaking ball, and crushed a solo bomb to right-center field, tying the game at 13-13. The next batter, Ivan, singled, and the winning run was on first with no outs. Joey, who tied the game at 12-12 in the sixth inning, came to the plate and hit a double off the wall, and Ivan raced home to score the winning run. The Fish Sticks, who had trailed multiple times in the game, had come from behind to beat the Ham Slams 14-13 in a crushing loss for the Slams.

The win moved the Fish Sticks to 7-3 on the season, while the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 4-6 on the year.

W: Blose (1-0)
L: Alec (1-2)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Ivan led the Fish Sticks on offense, going 7 for 8 with 3 singles, 3 doubles, a triple, 5 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Joey also led the Sticks, going 6 for 8, and hitting for the cycle with 2 singles, a double, a triple, and 2 home runs. He scored 4 runs and had 6 RBI.
– Evan led the Ham Slams at the plate, going 5 for 8 with a single, a double, 3 home runs, a record-tying 7 RBI, and 4 runs scored.
– Ivan’s 3 doubles tied the single-game league record previously set by Blose (twice), Morrison, and Ivan earlier this season.
– Evan’s 7 RBI tied the single-game record previously set by Mike Marr in 2011 and Guthrie in 2012.
– This was the first game in 2012 to go to extra innings.

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