Things could have been a lot worse for your Sirs of Baltimore tonight, after a couple of lousy innings in the field.
The game started brightly enough, when SLB allowed only one run in the first inning and scored three of their own. But in a long second inning, Balls Deep managed to send six batters across the plate on a handful of routine groundballs and untimely walks. It didn't seem the Lords could buy an out.
In the bottom of the second, SLB scored none.
In the third inning, things worsened for the Sirs. Put simply, they were slaughtered due to even more mishandled plays. At 3B, James J lost a ball in his glove and never made his throw. At SS, Adam R failed to snag grounder and missed setting up a double play opportunity. At pitcher, Joan S gloved a couple balls but wasn't able to connect with Emery P at first. And throughout all of this, Balls Deep knocked several powerful line drives into the short right field fence of Riverside Park.
"They were hitters," Adam R said after the game.
"They were walkers, too," Joan S noted, referencing the high number of BD batters who laid off her pitches.
Going into the fourth inning, the shaggy umpire notified SLB that they were down 19-3, and if they didn't score at least two runs they would be mercy-ruled out of the game. Adam C stepped up to the plate and knocked his second home run of the night. His first, it was noted, went farther than perhaps any ball he'd hit before.
After Adam C's homer, the Sirs plated two more runs, keeping them in the game. In the inning that followed, they held Balls Deep to only two runs. At 3B, Nick made two of the outs, reeling in an infield fly and then a hard struck liner.
In their last at bat, Sir Lord Baltimore finally got their rally going. Adam R led off with a triple then scored on an overthrow, then Jay, who homered in the first inning, followed with a triple. Joan S walked. SS Kevin D sent a ball to deep center, back to the warning track, and got to third base himself. Adam C homered for a third time. All in all, the Sirs scored seven runs in the inning and went through the order, until Adam R struck out to end the game.
Kevin D pointed out afterward that the game should have continued, as SLB was within eight runs of winning. Apparently, the time rule was invoked.
It was a night of much despair for the home team, but as Joan S said, "At least we're hitting better."
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
SLB: 16, Party Down: 18
It was a tough night for your Sirs of Baltimore, in spite of a 9-run first inning in which SLB had only one out before the slaughter rule was effected. Things were beginning to look like Game One of the new season, when the Sirs dismantled Patient First with a 19-0 drudging.
Michael K was in good form on the mound, striking out a record-tying five or six batters--and this did not include one obvious strikeout foul ball that was egregiously put in play by the umpire. He admitted that he lost the ball in the lights, but Party Down still claimed the two runs which would prove to be the difference in the game. "Of course it was foul," said LF Emery P, "I had already stopped chasing it."
Michael K said it was clear as soon as the ball came off the bat that it was out of play. "I pitched him to hit that ball," he said.
SLB rookies hit well -- Jay drove three liners into the drink and Brad knocked a homer that traveled to the batters box of Swann Park's second field. SS Kevin D also had several extra base hits and, defensively, made a great cutoff throw to notch an out at second base. Barbara D's tag was placed perfectly on the big runner.
And even with his sore leg, Michael K managed to knock a ball deep enough to amble home. 1B Joan S had a clutch double as well, and 3B James J drove a beauty to deep center. All in all, the Sirs played a solid game of offense, with only the second inning in which they scored no runs.
Defensively, things went about as well as they could, considering the conditions of the field. "That outfield is like a parking lot," Emery P observed after scooping up a couple of base hits. He also registered some great turns at the plate, taking advantage of the rocky ground with his solid liners. Balls landing in the outfield had a tendency to either bounce ten feet or roll speedily down the hill. Playing short a woman, the Sirs had only three fielders out there, increasing the challenge.
Worst of all, the Sirs were themselves slaughtered in the third inning, when the infield couldn't come up with a play. After the game, James J said, "I have to say that was frustrating." Several hard knocks were sent to the hot corner, just out of reach. At SS Adam R fielded a grounder but his throw pulled 1B Joan off the bag. Michael K fielded a comebacker but his throw to first ended up rolling out of play. At 2B, Barbara D put her glove on a ball that ended up thirty feet behind her in right field.
In a post game interview Adam R said, "While the bad call on that foul was the difference-maker, things would have gone differently if we could have made a couple easy plays in that inning."
It was a tough night for your Sirs of Baltimore.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Sir Lord Baltimore 12, Knight Rider 20 (?)
The season's opener started out well, but after an interminable sixth inning against the hated The Knight Riders, the Sirs of Baltimore watched their chances of winning sail off into the murky water of Swann Park.
In the first, pitcher Michael K, back from off-season surgery, walked the leadoff batter but got the second to sky a ball into the very shallow outfield. Shortstop Adam R waited as it continued to fall. "I was under it for so long, I had time to think about my life. I wondered if I should get a Porsche. I decided not to." He fielded the next two balls as well, flipping a grounder to second basewoman Kristen A to retire the walked batter. Still, the Knight Riders managed to score two runs in the inning.
To which the Sirs responded with four of their own. The early lead was built on some handy small ball that the team hasn't shown in seasons past.
The Sirs put up a defensive wall in the second inning, allowing only one runner on the base path. At the hot corner, James J made an acrobatic catch for the third out.
Back at the plate, Kristen A hit a hard grounder that carried her to second after a misthrown ball. Then, Nick S--who was acquired off waivers (outside Aloha Sushi at 2am)--got his turn to make a statement. In bright white trousers, the youngster hit a deep shot to center field for a two run homer.
When The Knight Riders came up in the fourth, spirits were high for Sir Lord Baltimore, who enjoyed a narrow lead. However, with two outs in the inning, time seemed to stop on the field. A crucial walk loaded the bases and the next batter cranked a line drive sharply into right for a grand slam.
The grass in the outfield was patchy and shorn close across the hard-packed dirt, so balls were prone to roll quickly. It was a feature that The Knight Riders exploited to great advantage.
The grand slam was called back, however, on a technicality. Earlier in the contest, Umpire (or, "Drunkpire") Avery had fervently declared it illegal for anyone to touch a player until the play was called dead. The Knight Riders came to the plate to celebrate the hit like it was a World Series walk off. Thanks to Michael K's attention, their high-five-contact was ruled an out. Two of the runs were called back and the top of the third was over.
"I wouldn't have said anything if they would have swung at a pitch once in a while," K said after the game.
But there was no advantage in it. The remaining innings were payback all around, as the game turned into a grudge match on the field, and Avery issued several make up calls. (At one point, Adam R earned the Sirs an out for carrying a beer over to coach third base.)
Michael K kicked against the pricks again with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the fourth (he had two in the night, this time scoring Emily B who played with a sharp eye and reached base on several occasions), but the score grew out of reach in the next inning, when the opposing bats came alive, crushing the ball all over the outfield. Still, the Sirs defense kept things within reach until the final inning, when it didn't seem they could buy an out. The spread grew to something like 20 to 9.
The inning finally ended on a 9-1 double play, when Adam C managed to snag a line drive and hurl it in to Michael K, who made a leaping grab at second base to tag out the runner who left the bag early.
In their last attempt, the Sirs put a few more runs across (including a 4th homerun for the team from Adam R), but like the US Congress they couldn't negotiate their way out of the deficit.
In spite of the loss, spirits were high after the opening game. "We played well," Joan S (1B) said in a press conference. "I felt like we played as a team, we got out there and did our best. I'm just grateful to the fans, that we get to get out here and just play as well as we can."
The Knight Riders defeated the dreaded Mobtown Beatdown in a previous championship series, a fact which softened the emotional blow of the loss. It looks like your Sirs of Baltimore are off to--at least--a capable start for the new season. Next week they take on Wolfepack and Mobtown in a doubleheader.
In the first, pitcher Michael K, back from off-season surgery, walked the leadoff batter but got the second to sky a ball into the very shallow outfield. Shortstop Adam R waited as it continued to fall. "I was under it for so long, I had time to think about my life. I wondered if I should get a Porsche. I decided not to." He fielded the next two balls as well, flipping a grounder to second basewoman Kristen A to retire the walked batter. Still, the Knight Riders managed to score two runs in the inning.
To which the Sirs responded with four of their own. The early lead was built on some handy small ball that the team hasn't shown in seasons past.
The Sirs put up a defensive wall in the second inning, allowing only one runner on the base path. At the hot corner, James J made an acrobatic catch for the third out.
Back at the plate, Kristen A hit a hard grounder that carried her to second after a misthrown ball. Then, Nick S--who was acquired off waivers (outside Aloha Sushi at 2am)--got his turn to make a statement. In bright white trousers, the youngster hit a deep shot to center field for a two run homer.
When The Knight Riders came up in the fourth, spirits were high for Sir Lord Baltimore, who enjoyed a narrow lead. However, with two outs in the inning, time seemed to stop on the field. A crucial walk loaded the bases and the next batter cranked a line drive sharply into right for a grand slam.
The grass in the outfield was patchy and shorn close across the hard-packed dirt, so balls were prone to roll quickly. It was a feature that The Knight Riders exploited to great advantage.
The grand slam was called back, however, on a technicality. Earlier in the contest, Umpire (or, "Drunkpire") Avery had fervently declared it illegal for anyone to touch a player until the play was called dead. The Knight Riders came to the plate to celebrate the hit like it was a World Series walk off. Thanks to Michael K's attention, their high-five-contact was ruled an out. Two of the runs were called back and the top of the third was over.
"I wouldn't have said anything if they would have swung at a pitch once in a while," K said after the game.
But there was no advantage in it. The remaining innings were payback all around, as the game turned into a grudge match on the field, and Avery issued several make up calls. (At one point, Adam R earned the Sirs an out for carrying a beer over to coach third base.)
Michael K kicked against the pricks again with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the fourth (he had two in the night, this time scoring Emily B who played with a sharp eye and reached base on several occasions), but the score grew out of reach in the next inning, when the opposing bats came alive, crushing the ball all over the outfield. Still, the Sirs defense kept things within reach until the final inning, when it didn't seem they could buy an out. The spread grew to something like 20 to 9.
The inning finally ended on a 9-1 double play, when Adam C managed to snag a line drive and hurl it in to Michael K, who made a leaping grab at second base to tag out the runner who left the bag early.
In their last attempt, the Sirs put a few more runs across (including a 4th homerun for the team from Adam R), but like the US Congress they couldn't negotiate their way out of the deficit.
In spite of the loss, spirits were high after the opening game. "We played well," Joan S (1B) said in a press conference. "I felt like we played as a team, we got out there and did our best. I'm just grateful to the fans, that we get to get out here and just play as well as we can."
The Knight Riders defeated the dreaded Mobtown Beatdown in a previous championship series, a fact which softened the emotional blow of the loss. It looks like your Sirs of Baltimore are off to--at least--a capable start for the new season. Next week they take on Wolfepack and Mobtown in a doubleheader.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore
(L-R) top row: Kevin D, Emery P, Mike B, Michael K, Adam C, James J
middle row: Andy S, Barbara D, Emily B, Kristen A, Avery (ump)
kneeling: Joan S, Adam R
not pictured: Megan M, Joan D
Thursday, November 10, 2011
After splitting the night, Sir Lord Baltimore ends second season at .500
Adam C wheeled backward to make a stellar grab deep in centerfield, thus ending the Wolfepack threat in the bottom of the 5th, but the damage was done. The 'Pack had narrowed Sir Lord Baltimore's significant lead to one run, bringing the score to 10-9.
The Sirs failed to score in the top of the sixth, so the tension was thick as they retook the field.
And the rally continued for the 'Pack, scoring three more runs in the inning to take the lead and eventually win the game.
The Sirs only managed to plate one run in the top of the seventh. With two outs and runners primed to go from scoring position, Barbara D, who sustained an injury during warmups, cranked a hard shot into centerfield. The line drive was a beauty, but it was an easy catch for the fielder.
Final score, Wolfepack 12, SLB 11.
It was a brutal loss to a team the Sirs had downed in their last outing, taking the victory after being down 6-1. On Tuesday the tables were turned though, because after the second inning Sir Lord Baltimore controlled the board with a 7 to 1 lead, and seemed unstoppable.
It wasn't a winless loss, when all was said and done. Emery P hit well with a homerun or two. And the real story though was Kristen A, who nailed a double up the first base line, a career highlight for the rookie hitter. She also hit a terse line drive into centerfield and, on defense, snagged a beauty of a throw from Adam C to temporarily muzzle the Wolfepack's aggressive base running with a smartly applied tag at second.
But, as Bobby Bonilla once said, "I had an opportunity with Baltimore to make it to the World Series, and that didn't happen."
The loss came in the second game of the night for the Sirs, which might have accounted for some of their trouble. In fact, pitcher Michael K was heard to say after the game, "It does start to wear you out after a while." That was an understatement; he was playing with limited rest and a bad hamstring, which he incurred the previous week while scoring from second base.
In Sir Lord Baltimore's first game, they trounced the Civics Works Beelers with a final score of 24-10. But that game began frightfully, when CWB scored four unanswered runs in the first inning. The Sirs were put down in order.
And before that, Sirs second basewoman Barbara D was injured during warmups, when she was struck above the left eye by an errant perfect throw from Emery P. Initially afraid that she wouldn't be able to dress for the game (or should that be "tutu for the game," given D's eccentric uniform stylings), SLB medical staff cleared her to play, in spite of a constant trickle of blood down her face.
A second-inning defensive substitution was made, putting Kristen A at second and Barbara D in right field. Also, it didn't take long for the bats to warm up, and the Sirs notched 11 runs with only one out in the second inning, invoking the mercy rule. During the rally, Andy S legged out a three run homer, his first of the season, as did Emery P.
Then, with an 11-4 lead, Joan S, who played brilliantly all night at first base, was called in to pitch for Michael K. She retired the first two batters without much trouble, but then walked in six runs. The Beelers went through their entire batting order that way, until S, through gritted teeth, managed to draw a popup which third baseman Kevin D reeled in handily.
The 11-10 score didn't last long, and with Michael K back at the helm the Beelers didn't score another run. The slaughter rule was invoked at the fifth inning, for the third time in this matchup.
So after starting the season with an 0-4 record, your Sir Lords and Ladies of Baltimore ended the year at 6-6, a significant improvement not just over the fall, but since their last league, when the team only managed one win and seven losses. Such speedy improvements bode well for whatever athletics the team pursues. There is talk of Sunday afternoon football games in the snow.
Until then, I'm signing off as your dutiful, proud reporter of all things Sir Lord Baltimore.
The Sirs failed to score in the top of the sixth, so the tension was thick as they retook the field.
And the rally continued for the 'Pack, scoring three more runs in the inning to take the lead and eventually win the game.
The Sirs only managed to plate one run in the top of the seventh. With two outs and runners primed to go from scoring position, Barbara D, who sustained an injury during warmups, cranked a hard shot into centerfield. The line drive was a beauty, but it was an easy catch for the fielder.
Final score, Wolfepack 12, SLB 11.
It was a brutal loss to a team the Sirs had downed in their last outing, taking the victory after being down 6-1. On Tuesday the tables were turned though, because after the second inning Sir Lord Baltimore controlled the board with a 7 to 1 lead, and seemed unstoppable.
It wasn't a winless loss, when all was said and done. Emery P hit well with a homerun or two. And the real story though was Kristen A, who nailed a double up the first base line, a career highlight for the rookie hitter. She also hit a terse line drive into centerfield and, on defense, snagged a beauty of a throw from Adam C to temporarily muzzle the Wolfepack's aggressive base running with a smartly applied tag at second.
But, as Bobby Bonilla once said, "I had an opportunity with Baltimore to make it to the World Series, and that didn't happen."
The loss came in the second game of the night for the Sirs, which might have accounted for some of their trouble. In fact, pitcher Michael K was heard to say after the game, "It does start to wear you out after a while." That was an understatement; he was playing with limited rest and a bad hamstring, which he incurred the previous week while scoring from second base.
In Sir Lord Baltimore's first game, they trounced the Civics Works Beelers with a final score of 24-10. But that game began frightfully, when CWB scored four unanswered runs in the first inning. The Sirs were put down in order.
A second-inning defensive substitution was made, putting Kristen A at second and Barbara D in right field. Also, it didn't take long for the bats to warm up, and the Sirs notched 11 runs with only one out in the second inning, invoking the mercy rule. During the rally, Andy S legged out a three run homer, his first of the season, as did Emery P.
Then, with an 11-4 lead, Joan S, who played brilliantly all night at first base, was called in to pitch for Michael K. She retired the first two batters without much trouble, but then walked in six runs. The Beelers went through their entire batting order that way, until S, through gritted teeth, managed to draw a popup which third baseman Kevin D reeled in handily.
The 11-10 score didn't last long, and with Michael K back at the helm the Beelers didn't score another run. The slaughter rule was invoked at the fifth inning, for the third time in this matchup.
So after starting the season with an 0-4 record, your Sir Lords and Ladies of Baltimore ended the year at 6-6, a significant improvement not just over the fall, but since their last league, when the team only managed one win and seven losses. Such speedy improvements bode well for whatever athletics the team pursues. There is talk of Sunday afternoon football games in the snow.
Until then, I'm signing off as your dutiful, proud reporter of all things Sir Lord Baltimore.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore Earns #3 Seed
Baltimore, MD--The top story today is the postseason seeding, which was announced at about 3:30 EST this afternoon. Sir Lord Baltimore claimed the #3 spot, which is no small feat for a team that began the season at 0-4. They put the Civics Works Beelers, OSK and GTM behind them in the rankings.
Playoffs begin on Tuesday, when #3 SLB takes on the #6 Beelers at 8pm. The winner of that game will play the #2 Wolfepack in the season's first doubleheader. The Sirs slaughtered the Beelers in their last two meetings, and defeated the 'Pack in a come-from-behind victory on November 1st.
Asked how he feels about their chances, SS Adam R said, "We can't focus on that right now. We just need to get out there and make sure we do our best and play like a team. A team that features a very healthy Michael K." He was referring to the hamstring injury K suffered in their last outing.
Playoffs begin on Tuesday, when #3 SLB takes on the #6 Beelers at 8pm. The winner of that game will play the #2 Wolfepack in the season's first doubleheader. The Sirs slaughtered the Beelers in their last two meetings, and defeated the 'Pack in a come-from-behind victory on November 1st.
Asked how he feels about their chances, SS Adam R said, "We can't focus on that right now. We just need to get out there and make sure we do our best and play like a team. A team that features a very healthy Michael K." He was referring to the hamstring injury K suffered in their last outing.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore 10, Wolfepack 6
"I knew we had it locked after the first inning," said Emery P with a smile, who turned in a solid first performance as an outfielder.
His post-game comment was full of bluster, though, because the game started bleakly for Sir Lord Baltimore. Through the first five innings on the muddy field, the Wolfepack held them to three runs while scoring six.
In the first, the 'Pack scored two when a line drive squeezed through CF Adam C's legs. Then the Sirs were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.
The Wolfepack scored a third run in the second, but the Sirs also managed to get on the board when Michael K scored on Adam R's bloop single to right. The run proved costly, though, as Michael K pulled his hamstring rounding third base.
Things only got worse in the third inning, when the Sirs were unable to shut down the weird-swinging V.J., who hit a hard shot to right field. Although they would prove to be the 'Pack's last of the night, three more runs would score in that round, and the Sirs failed to respond.
Sir Lord Baltimore's defense kept their opponents from scoring in the fourth, though, when Michael K struck out two batters with a runner at third. K had four K's on the night, during which he frequently chatted with the home plate ump, Avery, who may have been intoxicated.
In their turn at bat, with Adam C at second, the ailing Michael K hit a profoundly deep line drive to center field, which on any day of the week would have been a homerun for the slowest turtle. Hampered by his injury, though, Michael only skip-walked as far as second base. Meanwhile, Adam C crawled home to make the score 6-2. Emery P went in to pinch run for Michael, but the side was retired.
The Sirs defense managed to hold the 'Pack again in the fifth inning. Then the Sirs managed to score another run when Adam R crossed the plate on an errant throw to first, bringing the score to 6-3.
In the top of the sixth, Adam C made a great sliding grab at LF. (In the locker-bleachers after the game, he pointed out that his legs were still grass stained.) Then a weak grounder was mucked up in the sludge pit on the third base side of the field, and despite charging the ball, Kevin D was unable to pull it from the mud and make the throw in time. Things got dramatic when the Sirs put a shift on to defend against V.J.'s right-field bloop with runners at first and second. Instead, V.J. went to left field, dropping the ball behind third base, but Adam R scrambled over from second to make the catch and retire the side.
Things looked grim as your Sirs of Baltimore headed into the dugout for what could be their last chance to secure a victory, and with it a top seed for the playoffs. They knew that if they didn't make it happen here, their chances in the post season would be significantly diminished.
Leading off the inning, Emily B struck a ball up the third base side and legged it out to first -- but the ball was called foul. She ended up striking out in the at bat. But after her, Kevin D roped his first single of the night. Then Adam C walloped one down the left field line. It looked foul, so Kevin hung up between first and second, while Adam C was scurrying past first. The runners almost passed each other, but Adam C slammed on the brakes just in time. When the fielder missed the catch, the ball was determined to be in play, but the confusion limited the extra base hit to a single.
Joan S, who played a stalwart first base all night, loaded the bases on a single. Then Emery P hit a high fly ball that landed in right field, and Kevin and Adam scored. Michael K hit another deep shot to score Joan and tie the game, but again his injury left him short of bases. Andy S came in to pinch run from first base, but was put out by Barbara D's well-struck fielder's choice RBI for the second out, which scored Emery P for the go ahead run. Then Adam R cranked a double to right to keep the rally going.
With Adam R on second and Barbara D at third, Mike B hit a hard grounder past the shortstop. Barbara scored easily, and on the throw home to catch Adam R, Mike hustled to third base. Adam R beat the throw, which was promptly sent back to third base to put out the baserunner, who dove bodily into the bag.
The ball passed him wildly, and he scrambled to his feet and walked in, the proud owner of a three RBI in-the-park homerun.
In the game's final inning, Mike B made two catches in right field, the second of which was a beauty that he tracked down and caught on the fly. "I knew I had it," he said later of the catch that earned him Player of the Game.
Michael K stuck out the final batter and the topsy-turvy contest was over.
"That was the best performance of Sweatpants's career," said SLB fanatic Rahne A after the game, referring to the team's jerseys. Spirits were high all around for the team and the fans, which also included Kevin D's parents, in town from Pittsburgh. They had assembled bunk beds during the day.
The win should secure a top seed for Sir Lord Baltimore in the postseason, which begins on Tuesday. Tune in here for the latest standings and results.
His post-game comment was full of bluster, though, because the game started bleakly for Sir Lord Baltimore. Through the first five innings on the muddy field, the Wolfepack held them to three runs while scoring six.
In the first, the 'Pack scored two when a line drive squeezed through CF Adam C's legs. Then the Sirs were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.
The Wolfepack scored a third run in the second, but the Sirs also managed to get on the board when Michael K scored on Adam R's bloop single to right. The run proved costly, though, as Michael K pulled his hamstring rounding third base.
Things only got worse in the third inning, when the Sirs were unable to shut down the weird-swinging V.J., who hit a hard shot to right field. Although they would prove to be the 'Pack's last of the night, three more runs would score in that round, and the Sirs failed to respond.
Sir Lord Baltimore's defense kept their opponents from scoring in the fourth, though, when Michael K struck out two batters with a runner at third. K had four K's on the night, during which he frequently chatted with the home plate ump, Avery, who may have been intoxicated.
In their turn at bat, with Adam C at second, the ailing Michael K hit a profoundly deep line drive to center field, which on any day of the week would have been a homerun for the slowest turtle. Hampered by his injury, though, Michael only skip-walked as far as second base. Meanwhile, Adam C crawled home to make the score 6-2. Emery P went in to pinch run for Michael, but the side was retired.
The Sirs defense managed to hold the 'Pack again in the fifth inning. Then the Sirs managed to score another run when Adam R crossed the plate on an errant throw to first, bringing the score to 6-3.
In the top of the sixth, Adam C made a great sliding grab at LF. (In the locker-bleachers after the game, he pointed out that his legs were still grass stained.) Then a weak grounder was mucked up in the sludge pit on the third base side of the field, and despite charging the ball, Kevin D was unable to pull it from the mud and make the throw in time. Things got dramatic when the Sirs put a shift on to defend against V.J.'s right-field bloop with runners at first and second. Instead, V.J. went to left field, dropping the ball behind third base, but Adam R scrambled over from second to make the catch and retire the side.
Things looked grim as your Sirs of Baltimore headed into the dugout for what could be their last chance to secure a victory, and with it a top seed for the playoffs. They knew that if they didn't make it happen here, their chances in the post season would be significantly diminished.
Leading off the inning, Emily B struck a ball up the third base side and legged it out to first -- but the ball was called foul. She ended up striking out in the at bat. But after her, Kevin D roped his first single of the night. Then Adam C walloped one down the left field line. It looked foul, so Kevin hung up between first and second, while Adam C was scurrying past first. The runners almost passed each other, but Adam C slammed on the brakes just in time. When the fielder missed the catch, the ball was determined to be in play, but the confusion limited the extra base hit to a single.
Joan S, who played a stalwart first base all night, loaded the bases on a single. Then Emery P hit a high fly ball that landed in right field, and Kevin and Adam scored. Michael K hit another deep shot to score Joan and tie the game, but again his injury left him short of bases. Andy S came in to pinch run from first base, but was put out by Barbara D's well-struck fielder's choice RBI for the second out, which scored Emery P for the go ahead run. Then Adam R cranked a double to right to keep the rally going.
With Adam R on second and Barbara D at third, Mike B hit a hard grounder past the shortstop. Barbara scored easily, and on the throw home to catch Adam R, Mike hustled to third base. Adam R beat the throw, which was promptly sent back to third base to put out the baserunner, who dove bodily into the bag.
The ball passed him wildly, and he scrambled to his feet and walked in, the proud owner of a three RBI in-the-park homerun.
In the game's final inning, Mike B made two catches in right field, the second of which was a beauty that he tracked down and caught on the fly. "I knew I had it," he said later of the catch that earned him Player of the Game.
Michael K stuck out the final batter and the topsy-turvy contest was over.
"That was the best performance of Sweatpants's career," said SLB fanatic Rahne A after the game, referring to the team's jerseys. Spirits were high all around for the team and the fans, which also included Kevin D's parents, in town from Pittsburgh. They had assembled bunk beds during the day.
The win should secure a top seed for Sir Lord Baltimore in the postseason, which begins on Tuesday. Tune in here for the latest standings and results.
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