Commish Corner – Week 7- Quarters!
This is a periodic report when we have interesting happenings on the field – enjoy!
Top News
- The Redlegs and Padres advance in the 30+ division…
- …and the Warriors and Hurricanes in the 19+!
- Semis are here!
- 19+ BlackSox vs. Warriors – Wow, this has classic written all over it!
- 19+ Hurricans vs. Nats – Another potential classic! Can the ‘Canes get past last year’s early exit?! But they must face a veteran Nats team!
- 30+ Cards vs. Redlegs – Can the Redlegs continue the magic? After an 0-9 season last year, can they get back to the Finals with a big upset of the dominating Cards who only have 1 loss this season?
- 30+ Padres vs. Expos. Defending champs face the expansion (and hot!) Expos! Another classic in the making!
- Good Luck Teams!
FanCam!
“ What’s wrong with your pants?...ahh, they are falling because you forgot your belt!”
’Canes’ Perspective
Returning from a lackluster team performance, both in the field and at the plate, in the final week of the weather-shortened regular season, the Hurricanes seemed intent to get back to business. The team showed up early, got in a lot of pre-game BP and warm-up and seemed stoked to return to their early season form. Seeing the flag in center field flapping toward the plate nearly guaranteed no balls would be leaving the yard this week as had been the case in the past two games, so it was clear the winds of change were blowing.
Taking advantage of the Thunder's depleted staff for the game, the 'Canes rolled to an early advantage with two offensive 4-run innings in the first four frames and changed pitchers as often as it took (four in total) to keep the Thunder bats off balance. Defense was definitely more solid, especially in the infield, where John Dean and Greg Budnik made key snags to end opposition rallies (including an unusual 4-6-3-6-2 put-out to end the final inning), thus ending the Thunder's playoff hopes early this past Sunday by a score of 14-6 and setting up a quality rematch with the division-leading Nationals next week in the semi-finals.
Warriors’ Perspective
Warriors Make Contact Count: 17 Hits From Nine Players Net a Dozen Runs
The Warriors dug deep battling fatigue and injuries as each player contributed to pull out anothercome-from-behind win this morning beating the Hillies 12-8. Ten walks were allowed by Warriors pitching, half of which ended up crossing the plate. Despite uncharacteristic control problems, the Warriors played solid defense with only one error, got timely outs and held the Hillies to six base hits all game.
Starter Ryan Paulsen’s first two pitches led to ground outs, but he struggled with the next two batters going deep in the count for both, allowing a walk before Marcellus O’Connor made a sliding catch in left battling a tough morning sun to end the inning.
With Paulsen not feeling right about his pitching, David McDaniel took the mound in the second, enticing Hillies batters to line out three times to center fielder Alex Torres. Torres and McDaniel hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the second inning and plate the first run of the game. Paulsen knocked in McDaniel from second with a single. Andre Boone hit the third extra base hit of the inning, knocking in two runs ending the frame with four runs.
Hillies hitters composed themselves in the third and managed three walks and three hits, leading to four runs of their own. In the bottom half, Jeff Leieritz hit a long line drive to the gap in right that rolled all the way to the fence. With Leieritz’s speed, it was an easy triple. Leieritz rounded third and headed home. The throw came in from the relay man a few steps ahead. As Leieritz started to slide, the catcher stepped into the baseline and applied the tag, forcing Leieritz hard to the ground. The ball rolled free and Leieritz tagged the plate only to be called out on the home plate no-contact rule for the second out.
Warming up the next inning, Leieritz could not throw and went to the bench. After the game, news was released stating that Leieritz dislocated and sprained his shoulder and is out for the season. Three innings into the game the Warriors were without two of their most consistent pitchers of the season. Torres stepped to the mound in the fourth, getting out of a tough bases-loaded jam allowing only one run while striking out the side. He helped the cause with a single the next inning, two stolen bases and a run scored on a Paulsen single to tie it up at five.
With a hit batsman, a walk and two well timed singles, the Hillies scored three runs in the fifth. Torres battled back striking out the last two batters. In the bottom half, Chris D’Errico hit a long drive to left that one-hopped into the fence. Boone moved him over to third with a single. Chris Smith bunted and D’Errico was caught up for the first out when the pitcher threw home. With runners on first and second, the injured Leieritz bunted. The ensuing throw got past the first baseman and rolled down the foul line deep into the outfield. Boone and Smith scored, Leieritz ended up on third. Scoring on a hard hit grounder by Romel Voellm, Leieritz tied up the game.
Paulsen returned to the mound and managed a full count strikeout, infield pop-up and a ground out to third. McDaniel was hit in the helmet on the first pitch of the sixth.Paulsen walked. With John Barlette batting, McDaniel stole third and rounded for home as the catcher threw to second on Paulsen’s delayed steal. The steal home put the Warriors up 8-9. Matt Guastaferro doubled and scored on a Chris D’Errico single. With a lead, solid defense and a rejuvenated Paulsen pitching, that was all the Warriors would need.
In the seventh inning, Paulsen sent the Hillies down 1,2,3. With two outs, Torres walked and moved to third on a McDaniel single. McDaniel stole second and both scored on a Paulsen single. After a leadoff double in the eighth, Paulsen got Hillies batters to hit three straight balls to second baseman O’Connor to end the game.
Performances of note:
Jeff Leieritz: 2-3, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Ryan Paulsen: 3-3, BB, R, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 4 IP, 0R, 2K, 1H, 1BB
Alex Torres 2-3, 2B, BB, 3R, 2 SB, 2 IP, 5K
David McDaniel 2-3, 2B, HBP, 3R, RBI, 3 SB, 2 IP
Matt Guastaferro: 2-4, 2B, 2R, RBI
Chris D’Errico 2-3, 2B, RBI
Andre Boone: 2-2, 3B, BB, R, 2 RBI
Padres / Explorers / 30+ Quarters / Padres 8-4Padres’ Perspective
The Padres have been looking like the team that won it all last year, as they extend their winning streak to 3 with an 8-4 win over the Explorers. After falling behind by one run early, the Padres quickly regained the lead in the second inning. Mike started the inning with a 300 foot single. Does anyone actually listento the base coaches anyway? A wild pitch and a single from Murph moved Mike over to third before Rick McClutch dropped a double down the right field line, scoring two. The Padres added three more in the 3rd inning with a two-out rally. RJ began the rally with a single up the middle, and Kenny "Black Magic" Dixon's continued the rally with another singlebefore Jim, Blake, and Mike followed with consecutive RBI singles. Murph kept the Explorers' bats at bay through five innings. Heading into the 6th inning, the Padres were holding onto a 6-3 lead, and they called on the "Hammer" to close out the game. Tom did a stellar job pitching through jams in the 6th and 7th inning - only allowing one run. In the 8th inning, the Padres added some badly needed insurance.Pope John Paul began the inning with a single and Ryan quickly moved both into scoring position with a deep double before Mr. Black Magic himself hit a clutch, 2 RBI single, giving the Padres an 8-4 lead that Tom secured in the bottom of the 8th inning. After the game,team officials have reported that their first base coach has been fired.
Redlegs / Rebels / 30+ Quarters / Redlegs 14-11Joe C. takes lead in front of Rebels’ Manager Tim “The Wall” Sara.
Redlegs’ Perspective
The Redlegs continue their late season push by defeating the Rebels 14-11 in the 30+ Quarterfinals at South County. It’s been awhile since the Redlegs have seen post season play, and they were ready for it!
The Redlegs maintained a balanced attack of hitting and pitching to advance to the Semifinals. The injury-riddled Rebels battled the entire game – even with just 8 players for the first 3 innings - but fell short in this contest. Chuck Christianson lead the Redlegs offensive by blasting a HR to left in his first abat. Other offensive standouts included Bobby Bumiller (1-1, 3 runs scored), Bob O, (2-2, 2 runs scored), Brooks (2-2, rbi), Coop, (2-3), Commish Ron (2-3, 2RBIs), Nelson Taveras (1-2) and Ryan Huntley (1-2, 2 runs scored). Ryan picked up another playoff Win and Petro recorded the Save.
A birth into the semis is next, but with a tough assignment – a mad Cards team, with their only loss – against the Redlegs!
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Story and pictures courtesy “the Commish and son” with game reports by the managers